By Honorary Reporter Volga Serin Suleymanoglu from Turkiye (Turkey)

Netflix's latest K-drama hit "When Life Gives You Tangerines" is a romantic epic set on Jeju Island that blends humor and heartbreak. The series on March 19 reached No. 2 on the streaming site's global chart for series not in English two weeks after its release.

For those who prefer the English-dubbed version, voice actor Jonathan Tanigaki plays Yang Gwan-sik (portrayed by actor Park Bo-gum). In an email interview from March 16-22, Tanigaki talks about how he brought emotionally complexity to the role while staying true to Park's performance.

Jonathan Tanigaki is the English voice actor for the hit Netflix K-drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines." (Jonathan Tanigaki)

Briefly describe your background and career in voice acting.

I am a Japanese American actor born in New Jersey and living in Los Angeles. I studied musical theater at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. You might've seen me in projects such as "NCIS: Hawaii," "SWAT," "Call of Duty" and "Paradise." You might've also heard my voice in the K-dramas "Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area," "Singles Inferno," "All of Us Are Dead," "Alchemy of Souls" and most recently "When Life Gives You Tangerines." 

Has your acting experience helped your voice work?

My experience as an actor helps me be more precise with vocal delivery. I focus on finding natural grounding in recording, something I developed through film acting. Rather than feeling constrained in the recording booth, I've learned to relax and embody the moment, matching the character's physicality as much as possible.

What has been your favorite role?

By far, my most rewarding role has been Yang Gwan-sik in "When Life Gives You Tangerines." He's a character I deeply respect and admire, reminding me of my immigrant father. I've also enjoyed playing other roles from young male leads to dramatic characters like Rio in "Money Heist" and Myeong-hwan in "All of Us Are Dead."

Yang Gwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum) is the male protagonist in "When Life Gives You Tangerines." (Netflix Korea)

How was dubbing the character of Yang Gwan-sik?

Netflix's casting team approached me based on my previous voice work for Park Bo-gum in "Wonderland." The dubbing team provided comprehensive materials to help me understand the character. Gwan-sik is a likable character with a heart of gold, and I tried to convey both his resoluteness and innocence in English.

The dubbing process involves watching the show as we record, which helps me connect with the character emotionally. While matching mouth movements with translated lines can be challenging, the team is always open to trying different translations to find the best fit. I rely on imagination and the guidance of the dubbing director to maintain authenticity, especially in emotionally charged scenes.

What aspects of the show and character resonated with you the most?

Gwan-sik's most memorable line is when he tells his daughter she can always come home. This is repeated throughout the show and reflects such a heartwarming and reassuring fatherly love. Though I've never visited Jeju Island where the show is set, seeing it through this series has made me appreciate its beauty.

What advice do you have for aspiring voice actors?

Put yourself out there in the best possible light at the moment, be open to collaboration and adjustments, and have fun. That way, you'll enjoy the journey and improve over time with every experience.    

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.