by Mike Romero
Photos by Isabella Almeida // Styling by Cindy Figueroa
Alex Hafner is a Spanish-American actor starring in the Korean Netflix series When the Stars Gossip, alongside Lee Min-Ho and Gong Hyo-Jin. Alex has previously appeared in successful shows like Mallorca Files, Vampire Academy, Cable Girls, and La Que Se Avecina. On When the Stars Gossip, he plays Santiago Gonzalez, the only non-Korean talent in the drama.
You grew up in Vienna, Madrid, and Singapore before going to USC. You’re also a polyglot – knowing 4 languages, right? Now you’re on a K-drama. How has your international upbringing uniquely prepared you for a lead role in a Korean show?
I think growing up in different countries trains you to be adaptable without realizing it. You learn to listen more, pay attention to non-verbal cues, and appreciate the beauty of cultural nuance. Since moving is a familiar feeling that I have been subject to since I can remember, I do not experience being “homesick” the way others might, as I automatically try to feel home anywhere. But answering a simple question like “where are you from?” is relative in who I am speaking to and what country we are currently in.
That search is part of my personal journey, which has been invaluable working on a Korean series where, at first, I didn’t speak or understand anything at all. But beyond that, moving between places teaches you how to find home anywhere—whether it’s Vienna, Singapore, or the G.O. 10 / space station! On When the Stars Gossip, that sense of curiosity and respect for different ways of seeing the world made it easier to connect with my castmates and the story we were telling. It felt as if the role had picked me!
What unique strengths were you able to bring to the cast due to your international experience?
I think I brought an openness—a willingness to jump into something unfamiliar and make it feel natural. Working across different countries and languages teaches you to embrace the unknown rather than resist it. It’s an exercise in being fully present, and that in itself is rewarding. When I didn’t understand every word, I tuned into energy, rhythm, and body language. You develop this kind of intuitive listening, almost empathic. I’ve also learned to stay curious—you never know what you might pick up when you’re paying attention to the energy of the room. That helped me build real chemistry with the cast, even when we weren’t speaking the same language.
When the Stars Gossip takes place in outer space. What were some of the biggest challenges with creating a show in that setting? What were some of the funnest parts about it?
Zero gravity is no joke! Learning to move as if you’re weightless takes serious coordination—and patience. We spent hours in harnesses, which looks great on screen but can be physically demanding in the latter part of the day. Your body must stay relaxed while your mind stays sharp. It’s a strange balance—almost like training at high intensity while keeping your face calm and relaxed, but the inverse. It’s tough at first, but once you find the flow, it’s incredibly rewarding.
The fun part? The visuals were on another level. Walking onto those sets felt like stepping into a futuristic dream—the space station, the attention to detail, everything was so immersive. And there’s something playful about learning to float, to drift, to slow yourself down and be deliberate in every movement. It made me appreciate stillness in a whole new way. And in a more general sense, the entire experience (Korea for year, hello?) was fun!
What’s interesting is how your feelings shift over time. Some days, you’d be anxious about the physicality of what’s coming up—pondering on the realistic nature of the movement in space while delivering an emotional scene can feel daunting. In the moment, knowing that everything can and will change because things never go as planned, and consciously inviting that uncertainty in. But then you get through it, and with distance, it becomes one of those memories you really cherish.
Suit: Hugo Boss
You realize you’ve transcended your own insecurities, and you’re left with this sense of gratitude and nostalgia. And when you see it on screen later, you think, “Oh my god. I did that, and I’d love to do it again!”
You realize you’ve transcended your own insecurities, and you’re left with this sense of gratitude and nostalgia. And when you see it on screen later, you think, “Oh my god. I did that, and I’d love to do it again!”
When it comes to acting, do you have a particular method that you follow? Do you try to stay in character and fully immerse yourself in the role while on set? Or do you prefer to keep distance between your character and your real persona?
It depends on the role. I think my approach is always evolving. What stays consistent is the goal: to be present. On When the Stars Gossip, I didn’t stay in character between scenes, but I stayed tuned into Santi’s energy—his physicality, his thought process, his stillness. What I love is when you discover behaviors or routines that work for the character and realize they make you a better version of yourself. That process of discovery—of noticing how you and the character are different before rehearsal, and how you align after—is where the real richness is.
At the same time, boundaries are important. Too much of anything can throw you off balance. Sometimes if a role is far removed—like a different accent —you might stay immersed just to internalize it. But I also think stepping in and out keeps things fresh. It’s like resetting an instrument between songs. You retune, refocus, and dive back in. For me, something as simple as putting on the costume makes for an easy on-off switch. It changes how you move, how you feel. It grounds you.
If all screens in the world were to magically disappear next week and suddenly you had to completely pivot from film, television, and acting, what other profession could you see yourself in and why?
That’s a tough one. I’ve always been an adventurer, and I’ve always loved the ocean. I’d probably end up on a boat somewhere—sailing or surfing, at least for some time. There’s something about the simplicity and focus of life at sea that really appeals to me. But if I’m honest, I’d still find a way back to storytelling.
Whether through live performance, education, or mental health, stories are essential to how we understand ourselves and each other.
Suit: Hugo Boss
They’ve been part of humanity since the beginning—along with music and poetry. These are the things we live for. And being part of that, in any form, is what I find fulfilling.
At tmrw, we’re laser focused on creating a better future. What does the word “tomorrow” mean to you personally?
I feel that we are in alignment here. Thank you for giving me this platform. “Tomorrow” is a blank page—potential, unformed and limitless. It’s where we get to take everything we’ve learned today and do it better. For me, it’s about growth, not perfection. I think we’re at a point where making an effort to genuinely connect with others is more important than ever.
We’re so digitally oriented now, surrounded by these polished avatars, that real connection feels like something we need to reclaim.
I believe we have what we deserve, and if we want better, we must start with ourselves. So for me, tomorrow is a second chance. To listen more deeply, to connect more honestly, and to be a better version of myself—on set and off. The future can be intimidating, sure. But it’s also where the magic happens. It’s where the best stories are waiting to be told.
When the Stars Gossip is now streaming on Netflix. You can follow Alex Hafner on Instagram here.