An Interview with Voice 4 Casts; Song Seung-heon, Lee Ha-na, Kang Seung-yoon and Son Eun-seo

June 28, 2021 Jiji

Popular crime thriller drama, Voice is back with a brand new season. The story revolves around the team at the emergency call center saving victims and fighting crimes, based on the limited information they hear during SOS calls. Starring Song Seong-heon, Lee Ha-na, Kang Seung-yoon and Son Eun-seo, Voice 4 is set to be more mysterious, gripping and evil than ever before.

We had a chance to have a Q&A sessions with the four leads of Voice 4. Check them out below:

Q: What are your first impressions of one another? And after you have acted together, did you notice any difference from your first impressions?

Kang Seung-yoon: I met the seniors as the youngest member myself who has always been seeing them on TV. Especially Mr. Song Seung-heon, he is like an iconic figure of Korea, so I was really amazed by this opportunity. After my casting for <Voice4> was confirmed, I started watching seasons 1 to 3 again in one go. Since I did it recently, I had really high internal feeling of closeness with Ms. Lee Ha-na and Mr. Song Seung-heon. And since I met them while I was having high internal feeling of closeness, I felt somehow like a fan and nervous when I first met them. I am also greatly honoured and happy to be working with them now.

Song Seung-heon: This is the first time for the two of us to join the <Voice> series. I felt more nervous and excited than any previous work I have done before. I also felt the pressure as the series has originally received lots of love. Many people will be anticipating for a lot more, as it is a production that has yielded high expectations. It is true that I felt some pressure because of that. While I was acting with the existing casts for the first time, I felt like a transfer student to a new school, pressurized and felt obliged to do well. But they welcomed and treated me with ease. We are having fun right now. To be honest, it is more physically demanding than any of my previous works. Beyond what I expected, I had to run around a lot to catch the culprit and trace the incident. As much as it is physically demanding, there will be lots of great parts to look out for the audience and I want to show it to you as soon as possible.

Lee Ha-na: Thanks to the two who have just transferred over and showed their very first motivation, fresh enthusiasm and passion, I also received the impulse and had a chance to look back at my own initial motivation. The two of them are also whom I have always wanted to meet. I was really happy to meet them and received lots of healthy energy from them. There was no feeling of strangeness but smooth transitions. I am really thankful for that. While for Ms. Son Eun-seo, she looks fresh to me for each different season. Although I can think of her as a friend whom I have always been seeing, it always feels like the first time but with more sense of closeness at the same time. It is really great.

Son Eun-seo: Firstly, we are really happy to meet one another, Like meeting new family members whom we will be together with. For Mr. Song Seung-heon, since I did not get the chance to film with him right from the start, I thought of how should I approach him when we first met. Since he was already getting along really well with the detective team members, I just approached them bit by bit. He was the atmosphere maker at the filming site. Mr. Kang Seung-yoon was also the atmosphere maker of the Call Team. I just blended in with the atmosphere. We were able to film reliably. The insecurity that I felt at the beginning just disappeared.

Q: How do you feel about your first meeting with Kang Kwon-joo?

Song Seung-heon: Until now we haven’t filmed together that often. I think it’s because I’m catching criminals outside while Kang Kwon-joo works on cases internally. We actually communicate a lot through the radio. Since Lee Ha-na has been on all previous <Voice> seasons from season 1, I’ll have to ask her about many things and seek help from her. I’m awaiting the chemistry between the two of us.

Q: How do you feel about Golden Time Team getting together again?

Lee Ha-na: Although it hasn’t been a long time since Voice season 1 started, I can’t believe that I’m meeting everyone again through Voice season 4. I’m so grateful and I hope that Golden Time will be able to stand together again this time.

Son Eun-seo: Although it has been a long time since we last met, we are having fun shooting as if we just assembled together yesterday. It seems like it’s Golden Time Team at its best.

Q: Which scene are you looking forward to most?

Song Seung-heon: There is no specific scene. I’m looking forward to all the scenes and the villain whom I ultimately have to catch. This villain is really mysterious and never-before-seen in the existing series. Hence, I want to act together as soon as possible and catch the villain as Derek. I’m really looking forward to it.

Lee Ha-na: Honestly, it’s really hard for me to pick. There was a scene that was really spooky, and I wondered if it’s really possible to shoot there. I couldn’t even go to the surrounding areas. I wonder how (this scene) will appear on the screen. The impression that <Voice 4> will present is a rather unfamiliar subject. Maybe because it’s a story that can’t be seen in other works, hence I’m really looking forward to it.

Son Eun-seo: We don’t have the full script yet so we don’t know how the story will end. Since the scene that I am looking forward to most might be a spoiler, it’s better if you check it out when <voice 4> airs.

Q: What is the difference between Kang Kwon-joo in 2021 v.s. 5 years ago?

Lee Ha-na: I had resolved incidents for countless victims at the centre. I felt the best when I heard words of appreciation like ‘thank you so much’. The victims’ confessions had made Kwon-joo into a more rounded character. I watched season 1 again recently, she was really straightforward. Also due to her father’s incident, she was really gloomy. But she has become more rounded now.

Q: What preparations have you done beforehand for the character of Derek Jo?

Song Seung-heon: Actually, it is my first time filming this kind of traditional crime thriller drama. I really watched the original <Voice> series with a fan’s mindset. But once I had to act it myself, there were many urgent circumstances in the actual filming, and lines that had to be said with more tension than normal conversations. That was a little difficult for me in the beginning. In order to show the tension, I had reflected a lot on it. To become like Derek Jo personally. His original Korean name was Jo Seung-ho and went to the US when he was young and joined the LAPD before coming back to Korea. There were some English lines in the first part. For the English lines, I had a friend called Chad who came together with me from the US as my partner. He is really good at English like a native speaker but my English is quite poor, hence there would be a strong contrast. I am prepared to be criticized after the broadcast so I am telling you in advance.

Lee Ha-na: He is actually really good.

Song Seung-heon: I should have studied English on a daily basis. I was a little regretful and reflected on it. Since I need to prepare for English instead of Korean lines, I got to study English thanks to this production.

Q: What is the charming point that made you take up Derek Jo’s character?

Song Seung-heon: Firstly, instead of looking at Derek Jo’s character on his own, I am originally a fan of the <Voice> series. Writer Ma Jin-won’s <Voice> is a production that I had a lot of fun watching. When the suggestion came in, I felt really honoured to be able to join this project. I questioned will I able to do well in a genre that I have not done before? When I look at Derek Jo’s character on his own, it is not just about chasing after and catching culprits, but also about his own past which you will know it when you watch <Voice4>. He has some painful stories. As he traces after huge incidents, there are some overlapping key points. I should be able to express those points well since they are highly related to the incidents, as well as Derek Jo’s family history. If you try to resolve it gradually, it will be really interesting as Derek Jo is a character who sticks to his rules but chases for justice and expresses kind energy. That is really charming.

Q: Derek Jo is a perfectionist both physically and mentally. Have you done any extra preparation for that?

Song Seung-heon: For the character, as what I mentioned just now, I try to immerse myself in whichever production I am filming. I went to watch similar genre of movies or dramas again. Since it is a detective role in a traditional crime thriller. Although I have watched other people’s acting, what I have done specially for Derek Jo, like what I mentioned just now, I had some pressure regarding the English lines. The pronunciation part was difficult to pick up for a language. I regretted for not studying harder.

Q: How do you feel about taking up this character for the fourth time? And will there be any changes for this season?

Son Eun-seo: Park Eun-soo’s character is difficult even though I have acted as her for many times. I always think I am familiar with her but it is still difficult. When I was asked to do it, of course I said yes. But as I received the script and read, it felt difficult. But as the seasons progressed, I was able to show some growth. Like what Ha-na mentioned just now about sticking to one’s principles versus being flexible, I feel that I have gained some flexibility too. So as the seasons progress, I feel that Park Eun-soo’s character is also growing. It is quite charming.

Q: How is Voice 4 different from the past seasons?

Lee Ha-na: While I was looking at the script this time, it seems like it has become more brilliant and deeper. Whether it’s the filming technique or special effects, it has become more detailed and upgraded.

Son Eun-seo: First of all, the greatest difference is that our male lead has changed and a new face has arrived.

Song Seung-heon: Due to my appearance (in Voice 4), the key difference would be the harmony that will be created between Lee Ha-na, Golden Time Team, the other detectives and I. It would be good to carefully watch that point.

Kang Seung-yoon: Furthermore, we are shooting at a really beautiful location “Bimo Island”

Q: Which scene are you looking forward to most?

Song Seung-heon: There is no specific scene. I’m looking forward to all the scenes and the villain whom I ultimately have to catch. This villain is really mysterious and never-before-seen in the existing series. Hence, I want to act together as soon as possible and catch the villain as Derek. I’m really looking forward to it.

Q: <Voice>’s previous three seasons have received lots of good reviews. Do you feel any pressure from taking part in this new season?

Kang Seung-yoon: Definitely pressurized. But thanks to the pressure, I was able to push myself. And take up the character with more responsibility. I think it is natural and I am thankful for it.

Q: Please describe <Voice4> with one word.

Kang Seung-yoon: For me it will be ‘necessary’.

Song Seung-heon: I can’t think of any. One word? ‘Justice’?

Lee Ha-na: ‘Absolute reversal’.

Son Eun-seo: ‘Golden time’.

Song Seung-heon: Golden time? Ah golden time.

Q: The next question is more difficult. Describe the reason to watch <Voice4> in 5 characters.

Kang Seung-yoon: For me it is ‘the best casting’.

Song Seung-heon: ‘So interesting’.

Lee Ha-na: ‘Densely-knit composition’.

Son Eun-seo: ‘The best script’.

Q: Lastly, please leave some words for the fans who have been waiting for <Voice4>.

Song Seung-heon: The director and all the actors are working really hard with a fun script in order to present <Voice 4> to viewers

Lee Ha-na: We have to repay the love that we received from the viewers but for now I’m really grateful to be a part of this. <Voice 4> could only happen because of the love viewers gave so I’m the most thankful to all of you.

Son Eun-seo: Please give <Voice 4> a lot of love and interest

Kang Seung-yoon: As much as you have been anticipating, we have brought a good production that will not let you down. Please take your time to enjoy it. Thank you. <Voice4>, fighting!

VOICE 4 airs every Saturday and Sunday 9.15pm only on tvN channel (Astro CH395 (HD) & Astro GO / unifi tv CH211 (HD) & unifi playTV). Don’t miss it!