Why Voice Acting Is So Difficult

The challenge of voice acting lies in the fact that emotions must be conveyed solely through the voice.

There’s no reliance on facial expressions to communicate feelings.
In this world, everything is determined entirely by the voice—
a world where even that determination is not always within the actor’s control.

‘You’re only permitted expression from the moment the character opens their mouth until they close it.’

Every detail, from emotions to breath control,
exists in a tightly constrained space where there is no freedom.

The only weapon at a voice actor’s disposal is their voice.

It’s no wonder seasoned voice actors had doubts about Kim Donghu’s abilities.
Even highly trained and verified individuals often falter when faced with the intensity of real-world demands.

That’s why Iguchi Ryota was so astonished by what was unfolding in front of him.

‘How can the timing be this perfect?’

While it was a unique case of him dubbing his own acting,
even with that consideration, Kim Donghu’s dubbing was exceptional.

In fact—

‘It aligns perfectly with the surrounding flow.’

This wasn’t just a case of being good at dubbing;
it was on another level. He seamlessly integrated his voice into the rhythm of veteran actors, elevating the entire performance.

"Mr. Donghu, have you ever formally trained in voice acting before?"
"Ah, no. I studied hard on my own to avoid being a burden."

Studied on his own?

Everyone was stunned by this revelation, especially Kenji, whose eyes widened in disbelief.

‘Where did such a raw gem come from?’

When Koreans speak Japanese, certain habits—referred to as kuse—are almost inevitable.
These habits stem from the structural differences in oral mechanics between their native tongue and the foreign language, leading to subtle but noticeable quirks.

"The sight of these maggots writhing confirms I’ve come to the right place."

Yet Kim Donghu had none of that.

His Japanese was so flawless that he could easily be mistaken for a native.
It was as if he were a Japanese voice actor who had spent years honing his craft.

Could there be any dubbing more perfectly suited to his own performance than his own voice?

While everyone expected him to be incredible,
many had failed to reach that ideal due to the barriers of mastering a foreign language.
Yet Kim Donghu seemed to achieve this pinnacle effortlessly.

‘It’s like he’s laughing at all of us from above.’

It was as if he were asking, Is this really what you all struggled with?

A newcomer, seemingly dropped from the heavens, was perfectly syncing with veterans.

‘If we’re not careful, we might really get looked down on.’
‘This is Donghu’s first project, and the impression he gets here will last a long time.’
‘This debut dubbing could set a standard for Japanese voice acting in his eyes. We have to give it 120%.’
‘This… this is my moment to shine.’

Perhaps that’s why—
the seasoned veterans, who had weathered countless projects, suddenly ramped up their efforts.

Discarding any thoughts of taking it easy,
they poured their all into making this dubbing session a resounding success.

‘We’ll show the world how amazing the Japanese voice acting industry truly is!’

Determined to prove why Japan was regarded as the pinnacle of the voice acting field,
the project The Traitor: Roots of Corruption raced toward completion at an astonishingly high level of quality.

    ++++++

1 AM: Japan's Favorite Radio Show Takes a Turn

During the late-night hours, Night Time Nippon, Japan’s most popular radio program known for its unique themes and celebrity guests, started buzzing about the hottest trending topic.

"Ah… there’s someone who’s been setting Twitter on fire recently, isn’t there?"
"Oh, are we talking about that today?"
"Yes, yes. We just can’t ignore it, can we? This… this is just too big."
"Totally agree. It’s like, we have to talk about it, don’t you think?"
"Haha, if you say it like that, people might think we’re fans!"

The guest chuckled at the MC’s comment.

"I mean, I am a fan. Plus, they’re technically my junior."
"Wait, your junior? Can you explain that one?"
"Well, since they’re here in Japan for a voice acting project…"
"Wait, hold on, aren’t you being too formal about this ‘junior’? Are you sure you’re not the junior?"
"Haha, it’s just… Usami-senpai gave them such high praise."
"Wait, Usami-senpai?!"

The MC’s response was genuinely shocked, their voice even cracking slightly from the surprise.

"Yes, yes. It’s been ages since I’ve heard Usami-senpai praise anyone. I mean, considering how Usami-senpai is…"
"Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying. Like… pure… how should I say this without causing offense… oni?"
"Yes, yes, exactly. Once, I made a mistake, and I was so scared I almost wet myself."
"Almost? Just be honest—did you or didn’t you?!"
"Maybe… just a little."
"Hahahahaha."

As always, this was the prelude to the main topic.
Once the atmosphere felt sufficiently warmed up, the MC dove into the heart of the matter.

"So, I think by now our listeners have a pretty good idea of who we’re talking about."
"Yes, exactly. As you all guessed, it’s Kim Donghu!"
"Man, when I first saw his picture, I literally gasped. I couldn’t believe someone could be this good-looking."
"He’s still trending on Twitter, isn’t he? And apparently, he eats a lot."
"Oh, right! That picture! Someone posted about him eating around 70 plates of conveyor belt sushi."
"Seventy?! Wow, Japanese food must really suit his taste."
"Seems like it. Too bad he hasn’t had a chance to try Japanese curry yet."

The flow of conversation was typical of such programs:
praising Kim Donghu while subtly connecting him to Japanese culture,
a strategy to reduce the unfamiliarity listeners might feel toward this rising star.

As the conversation built momentum, the show introduced a second guest to deliver the knockout punch.

"But did you know? We’re not the only ones interested in Kim Donghu."
"Oh, oh, I know! How could I not?"
"If Usami-senpai is the ‘oni’ of the voice acting world… let’s bring in the ‘oni’ of the film industry! Please welcome Kiryu Sota!"
"Hello, hello! It’s a pleasure to be here. I’m the film oni, Kiryu Sota."
"Wait, are you allowed to call yourself that?"
"Well, haha, I am pretty lean."
"Being lean makes you an oni?!"

Kiryu Sota, a giant in the Japanese film industry and a staunch advocate for its global expansion,
was also an avid fan of Kim Donghu after seeing his portrayal of Yi Taeseong.

His presence electrified the studio, as his reputation always preceded him.
And, to everyone’s surprise—

"This is the first time I’m saying this in an official capacity, but… Kim Donghu, I want you. Please, let’s arrange a formal meeting."

From the outset, Kiryu Sota dropped a bombshell.

"Whaaaaat?! Did he just open with his finisher? Is this okay? This is live, you know?!"

The MC was understandably flustered. Such a bold declaration on live radio was practically unheard of.
But Kiryu Sota remained unfazed.

"Yes. I haven’t had the chance to meet him in person, so I wanted to take this opportunity to say it here."
"But what’s got you so worked up, Director?"
"It’s not just his godlike looks. No, Kim Donghu’s acting is truly…"

Devastating.

"I really hope everyone gets to see The Traitor: Roots of Corruption. His performance is unbelievable."

Kiryu Sota even used the opportunity to promote Donghu’s latest work, unabashedly singing its praises.

【 Did I just hear that right?! 】
【 Breaking News! Donghu-sama’s gorgeous invasion of Japan predicts a cultural takeover!!! 】
【 Did you see the trailer? Him swinging a sword with that face—sooooooo cool! 】
【 Liking Donghu doesn’t make you gay, LOL. 】
【 So hyped for the dubbed version! 】

As a result, Twitter once again ignited, buzzing with excitement.

++++++

Kim Donghu and Social Media

Kim Donghu didn’t use social media.
More accurately, he hadn’t started using it yet.

Although he understood the importance of social media as a platform for communication and business,
he’d avoided it since childhood because he didn’t like sharing his personal life.

Additionally, the moment he’d start using social media, he knew he’d instinctively fall into the habit of ego-searching.
To avoid that, he simply chose not to begin in the first place.

Even the accounts he had before becoming an actor were deleted as soon as his career officially started.

However, certain professions make social media indispensable.
For example, idols, who must maintain consistent interaction with their fans.

"Wow… Donghu’s in Japan."

Ryu Jaerin scrolled through Twitter, watching updates about Donghu’s activities in Japan.

Where he’d eaten, what he’d done—
official information mingled with bits of personal anecdotes,
creating a steady stream of updates.

As she read, a strange sense of superiority bubbled up inside her.

I’m not just a fan,
I’m his childhood friend.

They’d lived next door to each other, growing up side by side.

And—

We’ll get married someday. But before that, we’ll practice on shows like “Should We Get Married?”…

Lost in her happy daydreams, Jaerin was abruptly snapped out of it.

"What’s this?"

A tweet popped up that irritated her.

【 First meeting with Donghu-senpai in Japan! I’m so happy! I’m going to work hard to become an amazing voice actor like Donghu-senpai!
(Photo of Kim Donghu and Chisako hugging tightly) 】

Seeing that tweet, Ryu Jaerin instinctively realized something.

"This won’t do."

She had identified her enemy.