{
  "id": 1735241,
  "title": "Why Korean animation studios tap screen stars",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/why-korean-animation-studios-tap-screen-stars-1735241",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T15:27:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/films/20260819/why-korean-animation-studios-tap-screen-stars"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Korean animation studios are embracing a new trend by casting well-known live-action stars to lend their voices to animated features. As the popularity of celebrity voice acting continues to rise, these studios are redefining how they promote their original films. One such example is actor Jung Hae-in, who has joined the voice cast for the upcoming Korean animated film \"Gill,\" set to release on September 9. \"Gill\" is based on the novel of the same name by author Gu Byeong-mo and follows the story of Gon, a boy who gains gills after being submerged in water. Other voice actors in the cast include Kang Ha-neul, Lee Chung-ah, Yoo Jae-myung, and Kim Sun-young. This shift in casting strategy is becoming increasingly common among Korean animation studios, as they seek to leverage the star power of popular live-action actors to draw audiences to their original content.",
  "summary": "Actors Kim Hyang-gi, Park Bo-gum, Jung Hae-in and Kang Ha-neul are lending their voices to animated features. As A-list actors increasingly take on voice acting roles, Korean animation studios are reshaping how they market their original features. Jung will lend his voice to the Korean animated film \"Gill,\" scheduled to hit theaters Sept. 9. Adapted from author Gu Byeong-mo's novel of the same…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Why Korean animation studios tap screen stars",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/why-korean-animation-studios-tap-screen-stars",
        "published": "2026-08-18T15:17:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}