Ahn Hyo Seop has opened up about his voice acting experience in KPop Demon Hunters, which is currently dominating Netflix charts worldwide.
Q1. What made you join KPop Demon Hunters? We heard the directors personally reached out to you.
“I was curious about working in a new format like voice acting,” Ahn said. “More than anything, I wanted to leave a fun, lasting memory for fans who’ve always supported me from overseas.” What sealed the deal was a personal letter from director Maggie Kang. “I could feel her warmth and deep love for the project. That sincerity really stuck with me and made me want to be part of it.”
Q2. How would you describe KPop Demon Hunters?
“It’s a fantasy story, but it’s also deeply grounded in reality,” he explained. “There’s this beautiful Korean word, ‘areumdapda,’ which means ‘beautiful’ but also carries the nuance of ‘being true to yourself.’ This project is about recognizing your own unique beauty and learning to love yourself just as you are.”
Q3. Who is Jinu, the character you voiced?
“Jinu makes a dangerous deal with Gwima to protect his family—and loses his soul in the process,” Ahn said. “But even after everything, he holds onto his warmth and love for humanity. I think people will feel both sympathy and affection for him.”
Q4. We heard the recording process was unique.
“Since I was in Korea and the production team was in the States, everything was done over video calls,” he revealed. “They placed a camera next to the mic to capture not just my voice but my expressions and body movements, too. That footage became a key reference for animating Jinu’s facial expressions and movements—even to the hoodie he wears. It wasn’t just voice acting, and that’s what brought Jinu to life.”
Q5. What was it like working with directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans?
“It was an honor,” Ahn said. “This was my first time working in animation, and it came with its own set of challenges. But both directors were so detailed and warm in their guidance. They helped me understand how to express emotions through voice alone—like how to adjust tone, pace, and pauses to add depth. They gave me the freedom to try things and made the whole experience feel really open and creative.”
Q6. What does Jinu’s inner demon look like?
“It’s shaped by pain, guilt, and the regret of choices he had no control over,” he said. “Even if he had no other option, those memories haunt him. The voice of the demon is a low, heavy whisper that constantly throws him off course. Facing that kind of darkness isn’t easy—but I think it’s something we all go through. It’s how we learn to face ourselves and become stronger.”
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