KUALA LUMPUR: The name Haiqal Azhar has been gaining attention in Malaysia following his appearance in the popular South Korean drama ‘Taxi Driver 3’, starring Lee Je Hoon.
The achievement marks a proud milestone for Haiqal, whose full name is Muhammad Amir Haiqal Azhar, 26, after quietly building his acting career in South Korea.
Harian Metro today quoted the graduate of Konkuk University in Seoul that he never expected his decision to pursue acting abroad to pay off.
Haiqal said he initially turned down repeated invitations from a friend to attend acting classes, unsure of his own abilities.
However, encouragement and guidance from his lecturer, Professor Lee Byung Joon, helped him overcome severe stage fright and discover his passion for acting.
“After learning how to manage my nerves, I began to truly enjoy acting. I realised I wanted a career that makes me happy while I work,” said the actor who hails from Semenyih, Selangor.
Now based in South Korea, Haiqal has taken part in various productions, describing each as a valuable learning experience.
He noted that the Korean industry places strong emphasis on quality, regardless of the size of a project.
He added that while larger productions come with higher pressure, the overall working environment has been positive, including for foreign actors.
“Most production crews are friendly and try their best to make us feel comfortable,” he said.
Besides ‘Taxi Driver 3’, Haiqal has appeared in drama series ‘Shop For Killers 1’, the film ‘Hideaway’, S. Korean indie films, a YouTube comedy programme and an upcoming Netflix drama.
His brief but impactful scene in ‘Taxi Driver 3’, delivered entirely in fluent Malay, went viral on social media, sparking the slogan “Malaysia Mendunia.”
Haiqal said he is determined to continue his acting career in South Korea while gaining experience to one day contribute to Malaysia’s industry.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
