Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri lead wave of actors turning to voice acting

Kim Tae-ri voices Nan-young, a would-be astronaut in 2050 Seoul, in the Netflix animated romance “Lost in Starlight.” Courtesy of Netflix

An increasing number of Korean actors are stepping into the world of voice acting, a domain traditionally occupied by professional voice actors. Relying solely on vocal performance rather than physical expressions, these actors are finding new ways to convey emotion and winning praise for it.

Netflix’s animated film “Lost in Starlight” premiered on May 30, telling a romance set in a futuristic 2050 Seoul. It follows Nan-young, an aspiring astronaut, and Jay, a former musician, as they chase their dreams and look for love. Actor Kim Tae-ri voices Nan-young, while rising star Hong Kyung lends his voice to Jay.

Another upcoming animated feature, “The King of Kings,” is set for domestic release on July 16. A global hit Korean animation, the film imagines 19th century British author Charles Dickens joining his youngest son, Walter, on a tour through the life of Jesus Christ.

The film previously made headlines by becoming the highest-grossing Korean film at the North American box office, passing Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning “Parasite.” The Korean dubbed version features star-studded voice performances from Lee Byung-hun, Jin Seon-kyu and Lee Ha-nee.

Other notable voice roles by actors include Ji Chang-wook and Kim So-hyun in the Korean dub of “Your Name,” Jung Jun-ha in “Wreck-It Ralph” and veteran actor Lee Soon-jae in Pixar’s “Up.”

Though some film actors, like Jang Gwang, began their careers as voice actors, many are now taking on vocal roles without formal backgrounds in voice work or dubbing.

While celebrity involvement may boost visibility, industry insiders say it’s no longer just about box-office pull.

Poster of Korean animated film “King of Kings,” featuring voice performances by Lee Byung-hun and Lee Ha-nee. Courtesy of Netflix

Despite top billing, several recent live-action films have underperformed at the box office — including Song Joong-ki’s “Bogota: City of the Lost” (420,000 admissions), Kang Dong-won’s “The Plot” (520,000) and Song Kang-ho’s “One Win” (320,000). “Star power isn’t what it used to be,” said one industry official.

Instead, actors’ vocal talent and emotional depth may explain the trend. “Even on screen, an actor’s voice plays a major role in delivering immersion and credibility," pop culture critic Jung Duk-hyun said. "Now, audiences want more realistic performances, and actors can provide that nuance, especially when conventional voice acting styles feel artificial.”

This shift is earning praise. “Lost in Starlight” director Han Ji-won commented on Hong Kyung’s performance: “Even a single line he delivered carried such rich detail. It made the character Jay feel truly alive.”

As audience preferences evolve, more actors are expected to join the voice acting scene — though concerns remain over shrinking opportunities for professional voice actors.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.