被《GQ》遴選為年度風格男人，訪談前原本說好這次只聚焦姜成鎬，不提「韓哥」，但進行訪問時，還是忍不住在腦海裡，把他跟《玩命關頭》系列裡的 Han Lue 形象重疊在一起。他拍照時動作迅速精準，說起話來，卻又帶著好整以暇的優雅。如果追去他的 Instagram 帳號，裡頭有一半的照片都和車子有關，Han 角色的形塑，真的不是以他現實生活為靈感嗎？
最近一次姜成鎬和 Han 分道揚鑣的痕跡，是在盧貝松監製、黃嘉智導演的《台北追緝令》（Weekend in Taipei）裡，飾演販毒集團首腦關。不少網友表示，電影裡姜成鎬雖然只是男二，卻把這反派的「壞」，詮釋得非常有層次且搏人同情，堪稱本片一大亮點。
姜成鎬似乎非常擅長以配角之姿，進駐影迷心中留下無可動搖的地位。
一路上的「拒絕」讓內心更強大
「直到現在，我在好萊塢還是居於二、三流之輩。我要學的事情還很多，所以這幾年我開始導戲、寫劇本。」很少有人劈頭這樣為自己下個過度謙卑的定位。入行 20 多年，姜成鎬演過不少家喻戶曉的角色，卻從不搞排場，很實際地走在 20 多歲時就給自己設定的夢想之路。「我常覺得自己還是那個13歲的小男孩，直到每天看到鏡子時，才驚覺：『哇！我好像變老了點。』」他笑說，眼睛瞇成一條線。
事實上，13 歲的姜成鎬，過的日子可能沒大家想的如意順遂。媽媽是韓裔，繼父非裔，還有一個混血親妹。他長得一副正統亞裔臉，從小在美國南方的喬治亞州長大，成長過程註定與周遭格格不入，雖然他骨子裡是個不折不扣的美國人。
「以前的喬治亞州沒有太多亞洲人，我們家就是跟別人長得不一樣。大家總會問我說：『你從哪來的？怎麼會跑到這來？你會功夫嗎？』」如果姜成鎬據實回覆他並不會功夫，對方就會衝上來爆打他一頓。「不只不會功夫，我的數學還很爛，未來也不打算當醫生。」他笑說，當時自己真的不符合各種亞裔刻板形象。
在這樣的環境下，不論出於被動或主動，每一天他在學校都會跟人打架，時常缺乏歸屬感，像匹孤狼一樣單槍匹馬行動。「我想，創意的種子就是這樣在心裡紮根發芽的。因為我經常得發揮想像力讓生活更豐富。想像我變成這樣，想像世界變成那樣。獨行俠也是很愛做白日夢的。」他說：「對年幼的我來說，這樣的日子並不好過，但現在的我，懂得擁抱自己的異質性。」
另一個影響他甚鉅的，是繼父教給他的生活哲學。每當他在外頭因為被歧視而怒氣沖沖地回家，繼父總是告訴他：「如果你覺得因為自己夠努力，這世界就要給你肯定，那你就錯了。你努力是為了自己，不是為了別人。你努力夠久，別人自然知道這就是你最真實的樣子，你會得到應有的回報，就算格格不入也沒關係。」
「別人打你第一次，你不計較。第二次再來，你就該出手打回去了。」繼父的話言猶在耳，年輕的姜成鎬決定放手去好萊塢闖蕩一番。他後來會學到，在那個人人被放大檢視的產業裡，多數演員的命運就是一路都面對別人嫌棄與拒絕──太高、太矮、太嫩、太老、太亞裔、不夠亞裔，「我整個童年都在面對『拒絕』這件事，這絕對讓我做好準備面對好萊塢。」他說。
時間來到 2024 年，亞裔演員獲得的認可早已大大超出以往。楊紫瓊、關繼威、澤井杏奈、黃艾莉、 Greta Lee 成為家喻戶曉的名字。他們憑演藝實力來嶄露頭角，沒有人期望他們隨時秀兩手功夫來瞧瞧。
「聽到他們的歷程，我終於明白，原來有人懂我的掙扎，原來我並不孤單。」他形容自己像沈睡已久的花朵，突然被得到遲來的灌溉。「不然至今我每天早上醒來，還是會有『我是誰，我在哪，我在這行還想繼續，到底是不是瘋了？』的感覺。」他說。
因韓哥被認同令使命感上升
即使已經創造了 Han 這樣深駐人心的角色，都沒讓姜成鎬認定自己是「巨星」的事實嗎？或者換個角度看，Han 是否成為他不可承受之重？畢竟，在演員內心的眾多恐懼之中，除了變老、過氣、無片可拍以外，另一個就是「被定型」。
姜成鎬說年輕一點的時候，自己的確對 Han 刻意保持距離。「這對我的演藝事業來說是危險的。」但如今回想起來，他認為保羅．沃克（Paul Walker）在 2013 年出車禍過世這件事，徹底改變玩命系列演員和觀眾之間的關係。
「以前大家把我們當成電影裡的虛構角色。想像一下，假設有天超人死了，觀眾對此不會特別有感，因為他們知道他是假的。但保羅的離開，讓觀眾感受到我們這些同劇夥伴的失落與哀傷，卻也以一種奇異的方式把我們連結起來。」他說：「這讓我突然驚覺，我為什麼這麼怕變成 Han？是他改變了我的演藝生涯，加深了我和粉絲的情感連結耶。」
直到現在，不論他走到哪裡，都還有路人衝著他喊 Han。「就某種程度來說，這些人就像我的叔叔阿姨兄弟姊妹，像我的家人，所以我現在懂得去擁抱這些事了。」他突然明白，即使是一部虛構的電影，甚至裡頭的虛構角色，也可以為許多人的生活帶來正向的改變。
「大家上了一天班，回到家累得跟狗一樣，他們挑一部片來看，無非就是希望得到調劑與療癒，或者是從某個角色找到共感。」姜成鎬說：「而我認為，每個人一生中都想遇到心目中那個 Han──他口袋有幾個錢，愛飆個小車，總是慢條斯理嚼著零食，看起來很帥、很 Chill，和他在一起總讓人感到安心。」比起阿湯哥愛飛天遁地，布萊德．彼特與喬治．克魯尼愛瞞天過海，還有漫威超級英雄愛各顯神通，但這些都太遙不可及了。像 Han 這樣親民，隨 call 隨到給予療癒感的角色，其實更珍貴。
他特別提到，在台灣時，粉絲的熱烈反應令他特別有感。「他們喊我『韓哥』，我還是個『哥』耶，跟家人一樣！」他也開玩笑說來台灣，每次出門都會有人塞新衣新鞋給他，大概是看膩了他每次都穿同一套衣服登場的關係。
他不諱言自己喜歡當「哥」這件事，這是年齡增長伴隨而來的優點與使命感。身為演員，現在的他不想只為了滿足自己的成就感而拍片。「拍片是為了觀眾，你希望留下正面效應。如果我能帶給路人一點『受到大哥照顧』的親切感，這個哥不在乎你多麼格格不入，或是開什麼車，他永遠會在那裡支持跟照顧你，這是很美好的事，也是我對這世界的貢獻，也是我想改變世界對於『我這種長相的男人』的看法。」讓美國（或世上）所有亞裔年輕人，不再覺得自己是隱形的、二等的、無所適從的，因為，他們可以從 Han 身上找到身分認同。
那麼，他會給想踏入這個圈子的亞裔年輕人什麼建議呢？或許這也適用於其他想創業的後輩吧。「問自己，你是否準備好要跑這場馬拉松了？這條路很漫長，不見得事事公平，你可能超有才華又超認真，但機會不一定會來敲你大門。你願意搏命撐過去嗎？當別人對你冷嘲熱諷時，你有夠厚的臉皮去面對嗎？」他以過來人的語氣說。
直到現在，他還是常常得出門去找片廠的人提案，99%的機率會被拒絕，並沒因為他演活了韓哥而得到什麼保障名額，恐怕好萊塢就是如此現實。但他還是願意持續嘗試，事實上，在 2022 年，他就曾第一次執導演筒，拍了恐怖喜劇《Shaky Shivers》，證明自己不只會演戲而已。此外他還不忘在片頭幽自己一默──「本片由《玩命關頭》裡那個亞洲男執導」。
年過 50 依然熱血如昨
「我看過很多已經坐享名利的老人，他們的眼睛沒有光芒，像黯淡的汽車頭燈。而我到老，都想當繼續當那個眼睛為了夢想閃閃發光的人。」他像個小男孩一樣用力睜大眼睛，像是怕人無法體會那種熱血感。
會讓他眼睛閃閃發光的，除了拍電影（不管幕前或幕後），就是車了吧，畢竟，他言談之間總愛拿車當比喻。例如：「有些車子外表光鮮亮麗，但前蓋打開一看裡頭根本禁不起檢視，就跟做人一樣。」，或是「只要車子按時保養，就像人懂得精進自己的技能，終究會跑得長長久久。」
這個男人的確非常表裡如一。在現實生活裡，他一共有 14 台車，「價格從 1,500 到 20,000 美元都有。」他簡直過分老實。車子對他來說，像是用來創作的空白畫布，他不僅會自己學著動手改車，也會以車會友，把車子當作社交媒介。「我們有自己的社群，像是一伙感情很好的兄弟。」他並透露，在拍攝《台北追緝令》期間，就透過關係請台灣朋友幫忙借來幾台超級名車當作拍片道具車，而台灣人的名車愛好者之神通廣大，也讓他留下深刻印象。
聽起來更像是，「玩車」和與車友切磋這些事，都讓他找到童年時沒有的歸屬感。他笑稱自己閒暇時間有 30% 獻給太太和兩隻貴賓狗，30% 用來為編導新作品做準備，而剩下的時間全給了車。「玩車能讓我靜下心來，就算只是花幾個小時幫某個零件噴個漆，也有冥想的作用。」
百分百內心話看見最真實的他
他形容自己其實是個 I 人，朋友並不多，留下來幾個都是真心好友。「置身人群裡會讓我產生焦慮感。」電影明星有社恐是合理的嗎？「去飾演某個角色，可以把真實的你藏在那個角色身後，這對我來說就是工作，並不困難。但你在那些映後派對看不到我的身影，我絕對逃之夭夭。」
訪問姜成鎬，其實也需要一顆強心臟，因為他經常未加粉飾地說出心內話，讓人不禁為他擔心「這樣好嗎？」例如他一度很認真引述車友金句，把人跟錢的關係比喻成排泄，必須保持持續流通才是健康之道。而講完他自己忍不住莞爾，覺得此話實在荒謬。
這樣一個真誠的男人，留在身邊的都是死生之交了吧。
我問到他太太，他停頓了一下，反問我想知道什麼。「聊聊你心中的她，或不方便講也沒關係。」我說。
「我這麼說好了。」他聊起太太並不嚮往好萊塢的名氣，更不愛亮相，所以網路上不容易搜到她的名字與照片。多年前，太太健康一度出問題，一天早上他在浴室外頭，不小心透過門縫，看見她在裡頭一邊對著鏡子裡的病容感到喪氣，一邊又要求自己打起精神支持姜成鎬打拚事業。「你知道我這一生犯過許多錯，但是她，讓我每天醒來都想成為更好的人，我多麼幸運擁有她這樣的伴侶，如果沒有她，就不會有今天的我，也不會有此時此刻這場訪談。」這個男人再度全盤托出不為人知的婚姻故事，而這次我們不必為他擔心，因為他終於為自己的心找到真正的歸屬，雙眼依舊閃閃發光。
Sung Kang: Everyone Needs a “Han” in Their Life
We agreed not to bring up “Han” this time, but while interviewing Sung Kang, I couldn’t help but merge him with the image of Han Lue from the Fast & Furious series in my mind. He is quick and precise during photoshoots, yet when he speaks, he exudes a calm elegance. If you scroll through his Instagram account, half of the photos are related to cars. Could it be that the character of Han was actually inspired by his real life?
Kang’s latest departure from Han is in Weekend in Taipei, produced by Luc Besson and directed by George Huang, where he plays Kwang, the head of a drug cartel. Many fans have noted that while Kang may only have a supporting role, he portrays the villain with such nuance and empathy that he ends up being one of the film’s standout highlights.
Even in supporting roles, Kang seems to have a real talent for making a lasting impression on fans.
“In terms of Hollywood value, I’m still considered a second or third-class citizen here, right? So there’s still a lot of work to do, that’s why I’ve started directing and writing.” It’s rare for someone to begin with such a humble self-assessment. With over twenty years in the industry, Kang has portrayed some well-known characters yet remains grounded, steadily pursuing the dreams he set for himself in his twenties. “I still feel like I'm a thirteen-year-old. I look in the mirror and I’m like, ‘Woah, you got a little older,’” he laughs.
In truth, life at thirteen wasn’t as smooth sailing for Kang as one might think. His mother is Korean, his stepfather is African American, and he has a biracial younger sister. Growing up in Georgia, with his distinctly Asian features, he was destined to feel out of place, even though deep down, he was every bit an American.
“There weren't a lot of Asians in Georgia anyway, and our family definitely stood out. People would always ask me, ‘Where are you from? Why are you here? Do you know Kung Fu?’” If Kang honestly replied that he didn’t, they’d go over and beat him up. “Not only did I not know Kung Fu, but I was also terrible at math. I'm not going to be a doctor,” he laughs, recalling how he didn’t fit any of the typical Asian stereotypes back then.
In that environment, whether by choice or necessity, he got into fights at school every day, often feeling like an outsider, roaming solo like a lone wolf. “I think that was a place or time where the creative seed was planted into me, so I was full of dreams and hopes.There was always a sense of daydreaming and imagination because you’re kind of by yourself,” he says. “When I was younger, it was tough, but now I look at it and I embrace my difference.”
Another major influence in his life was the philosophy his stepfather taught him. Whenever he came home angry after facing discrimination, his stepfather would always tell him, “If you’re expecting to get credit for your hard work, don’t expect it. Don’t do it for somebody else, do it for you because maybe people will understand that you are a certain way. That you did work hard, and you did deserve that. And it’s okay if they never acknowledge you.”
“If someone hits you, you turn the cheek once. If they hit you a second time, you have to hit them right back.” His stepfather’s words stayed with him, and young Kang decided to take his shot in Hollywood. He would soon learn that in an industry where everyone is under a microscope, most actors face constant criticism and rejection—too tall, too short, too young, too old, too Asian, not Asian enough. “My childhood was preparing me for rejection, and that definitely prepared me for Hollywood,” he says.
By 2024, recognition for Asian actors in Hollywood has reached new heights. Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Anna Sawai, Ali Wong, and Greta Lee have become household names. They’ve stood out through their acting talent alone, with no one expecting them to show off martial arts skills on demand.
“Hearing their journeys, I realized that I’m not alone. I feel like they were speaking my words for me, and there are other people that understand the struggle.” He describes himself as a dormant flower, finally receiving some overdue nourishment. “Otherwise I would wake up every morning with that feeling of ‘Why am I here? What am I doing? Am I crazy? Why did I even do this?’” he says.
Even after creating such an iconic character as Han, hasn’t Kang ever felt he’d achieved superstar status? Or rather, has Han become a weight too heavy to bear? After all, among an actor’s deepest fears—aging, becoming a has-been, being out of work—another looming one is the fear of being typecast.
Kang says that when he was younger, he did deliberately keep some distance from Han. “It was risky for my acting career,” he admits. But looking back now, he believes that Paul Walker’s tragic passing in 2013 fundamentally changed the relationship between the Fast & Furious cast and its audience.
"Before, people saw us as characters from the movies. Imagine if one day Superman died—the audience doesn't really connect with that because it's a fake character. But when Paul passed away, the audience had shared loss with us. All of a sudden, this became a very interesting connection that the audience had with the cast," he says. "It made me question that—why was I so afraid of becoming Han? He changed my career and my relationship with the audience."
Even now, wherever he goes, strangers still call out to him as Han. “In a way, these people feel like my uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters—like family. So now, I embrace it,” he says. He’s come to realize that even a fictional movie, with its imaginary characters, can bring a positive change to many people’s lives.
“People are having a tough day at work or their life is stressed. They put one of our movies on and they can escape. And hopefully, somebody out there can identify with one of the characters,” Kang says. “I think everybody wants a Han in their life—he has some money, loves a good car, always munching on snacks, looking cool and laid-back, and being around him just feels safe.” Compared to Tom Cruise’s stunts, Brad Pitt and George Clooney’s slick heists, or Marvel superheroes with their incredible powers—all too far removed from reality—Han’s easygoing, always-there-for-you vibe offers something far more precious and relatable.
He specifically mentioned how touched he was by fans' enthusiastic response in Taiwan. “They call me ‘Han-ge,’ like I’m their ‘older brother’—I feel like everyone is my family!” he says, laughing that every time he goes out in Taiwan, someone hands him new clothes or shoes, probably because they see him in the same outfit each time he shows up.
He admits he enjoys being seen as an “older brother”—it’s a privilege and a sense of purpose that comes with age. As an actor, he’s no longer interested in making films solely for personal achievement. “Making films is for the audience; hopefully you leave behind something positive. If I can embrace Han, and for everybody that meets me on the street to know what it feels like to be around ‘the older brother’—someone who will take care of you, no matter what your differences are, what kind of car you drive. I think that's a wonderful thing to contribute to the world. And it’s my way of changing how people view ‘someone who looks like me.’” He hopes to show every young Asian American (or anyone in the world) that they don’t have to feel invisible, second-class or out of place, because they can find a sense of identity in Han’s character.
So, what advice would he give to young Asians looking to enter the industry? Perhaps his advice could apply to anyone aspiring to start their own business. “Ask yourself, ask yourself are you willing to do this for the long run? This is a business that is not fair. You could be the most talented, hardest working person in the world, and you still have no opportunities. So are you willing to stick it out? When others throw sarcasm and criticism your way, do you have skin thick enough to deal with that?” he says knowingly.
Even now, he often has to go out and pitch his ideas to studios, with a 99% chance of rejection. Playing Han didn’t grant him any guaranteed roles; Hollywood can be that unforgiving. Yet, he’s still willing to keep trying. In 2022, he took on his first directing role with the horror-comedy Shaky Shivers, proving he’s more than just an actor. He even included a playful nod to himself at the beginning of the film: “Directed by that Asian guy from Fast & Furious.”
“I’ve met some people who are older that have all the money and fame, but their eyes are like dimmed headlights on a car. When I grow old, I still want to be that person whose eyes are shining bright with dreams,” he says, widening his eyes like a kid, as if people might miss the passion he feels.
What makes his eyes light up, besides making movies—whether in front or behind the camera—is probably cars. He often uses cars as metaphors when he talks. For instance, he’ll say, “Some cars look all shiny on the outside, but when you pop the hood, they can’t stand up to scrutiny—just like people.” Or, “As long as you take care of a car regularly, just like people honing their skills, that car will run forever.”
This man is truly consistent inside and out. In real life, he owns fourteen cars, “ranging in price from $1,500 to $20,000.” He’s almost too honest about it. For him, cars are like blank canvases for creative expression. Not only does he learn to modify his cars himself, but he also uses them to connect with others, treating cars as a social bridge. “We have our own community—it’s like a tribe.” He shared that during the filming of Weekend in Taipei, he arranged for a few supercars through Taiwanese friends as props, and he was impressed by how resourceful Taiwanese car enthusiasts are.
It sounds like modifying cars and connecting with fellow car enthusiasts have given him a sense of belonging that he didn’t have as a child. He jokes that 30% of his free time goes to his wife and two poodles, another 30% to preparing for new directing and writing projects, and the rest is all for his cars. “It’s a place where I can be quiet. Even if it’s just spending a few hours painting an old part, it’s like my meditation.”
He describes himself as an introvert, with only a few close friends. “I have a lot of anxiety around people.” Is it even possible for a movie star to have social anxiety? “When you're playing a character, you're able to hide who you are. So that’s just work for me, it’s not difficult. But you won't ever see me at after parties from a movie, I try to run away or not go at all.
Interviewing Kang requires a bit of courage, as well, because he often speaks his mind without any sugarcoating, making you wonder, “Is that okay to say?” For instance, at one point, he earnestly quoted a friend from the car community, comparing the relationship between people and money to, well, pooping—it needs to keep flowing to be healthy. After saying it, he couldn’t help but smile at the absurdity of his own words.
A man this genuine likely only keeps friends who are with him through thick and thin.
When I asked about his wife, he paused for a moment and then asked what I wanted to know. “Tell me about how you see her, but it’s okay if you’d rather not share,” I replied.
“I’ll tell you a story about my wife,” he began. His wife isn’t drawn to Hollywood fame and has no desire to be in the spotlight, which is why her name and photos are hard to find online. Years ago, she was diagnosed with a health issue. One morning, he happened to glance through the bathroom door and saw her, feeling defeated by her own reflection, yet still pushing herself to stay strong to support his career. “You know, I’ve made so many mistakes in my life, but she makes me want to be better every day. I'm just so lucky to have this person in my life, and that's why I'm here having this interview with you.” Once again, this man openly shared a deeply personal story about his marriage, and this time, we don’t need to worry for him. He has finally found a true home in his partner, and his eyes are still shining brightly.
Photographs_Larry Chen
Styled_SK Tang
Text_Christine Lee
Editor_Amber Chiu
Talent Manager_Sylvie Yeh
Makeup & Hair_Miki Kang
Wardrobe_Gucci