Jo Jung-suk is taking on his first voice acting role, leading the Korean-dubbed version of the animated film “The Cat in the Hat” as the title character.
According to Sports World, the actor will voice the Cat in the Hat in the Korean version of the fantasy adventure. The report, published on October 26, frames the casting as a new challenge for an actor better known for on-screen work, and the film is set to open on November 6.
The story follows siblings Gabi and Sebastian, who move to an unfamiliar neighborhood and set off into a mysterious world together with the Cat in the Hat. The talking cat sits at the center of their adventure.
Jo’s casting puts the focus squarely on his voice. Sports World notes that the actor has moved between comedy and drama on screen, and the question now is how that range and timing will translate into a performance carried by voice alone. No official statement was available in the report beyond the casting announcement itself.
The rest of the Korean voice cast has also been revealed. Seol Ga-eun, who appeared in the Daehakro stage production “The Long Night,” voices Gabi, while newcomer Park Jin-woo voices her younger brother Sebastian. Sa Seong-woong, known for the “Detective Butt” series and “Red Shoes,” voices Waffles, the talking goldfish, and Bae Jeong-mi, of the “Thunder Eleven” series, voices the siblings’ mother Carmen.
The supporting lineup continues with Yeo Min-jeong, known for “Love’s Hatchling” and the “Detective Conan” series, as Sherry from the personnel department, and Seok Seung-hoon, who voiced Zenitsu in the “Demon Slayer” series, as Gary, a cynical intern. Song Jun-seok, who voiced Jesus in “Zootopia 2,” plays the villainous boss Hoogboom, while Jung Yu-jeong plays Patty, a demanding landlord.
What makes the Korean version worth watching is the mix behind it: a first-time voice lead surrounded by stage actors, a newcomer, and veteran voice performers with long lists of animated credits. That blend is the point to watch, according to the report, since the film’s humor and adventure will rest on how well Jo’s lead performance fits with an experienced ensemble.
With the November 6 opening approaching, audiences will soon hear whether Jo’s screen instincts carry over to animation, and whether his debut dubbing turn becomes another string to an already wide-ranging acting career.
