NAME: Nancy Kim

AGE: 32

CITY OF RESIDENCE: Seoul

COMPANY THAT YOU WORK FOR: Various clients in Seoul

JOB TITLE: Freelance voice actor

TIME AT YOUR PRESENT JOB: 6 years

Describe what you do.

I am one of about 20 or so English-language voice actors in Korea. I record taglines for commercials, different cartoon voices, video games, storybooks, voices for talking toys, as well as educational materials; basically anything that requires a voiced recording. Because Korea is such an aural society (talking rice cookers and elevators are de rigueur) and has a fervor for anything English, there is no shortage of work. Most of my work is used in Korea, though occasionally some commercials are broadcast in other countries in Asia, such as Singapore, and some of the talking toys I do are for the Japanese market.

What do you find most fulfilling about your work?

While recording TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) dialogues is not that exciting, there are some jobs that require a lot of thought into the character and voice — and those are great! I constantly watch cartoons and try and mimic the voices of great voice artists. I love eavesdropping on little children, and trying to imitate the way they talk or laugh. The voice is a malleable tool, and it is amazing how little nuances — in tone, pitch, voice quality, etc. — can create a totally different character.

Describe your path here.

While studying theater at the University of Toronto, I decided to audition for a company that needed cartoon character voices. The audition went well, and they liked my voice. The company then informed me that they no longer made children’s cartoons, and instead were in the phone sex business. They offered me a job, but I decided that wasn’t my calling. Years later, I came to Korea to study the language. One of the local broadcasting companies was holding auditions for English-language voice talent. I auditioned and got picked up by an agent. And this time around, I actually got jobs doing children’s cartoons!

What other jobs have you held?

Party hostess for a children’s playground. For various theater companies, general manager, lighting designer, stage manager and publicist. Teacher. Telemarketer.

What are some challenges that you might not have expected?

On some days when I’ve been working all day, I get sick of talking, which makes for some stunted conversation sometimes.

What are the perks, if any?

You would think that I’d be swimming in freebies doing commercials for makeup products, cell phones, video games, chewing gum, refrigerators, apartment complexes … well, maybe I didn’t expect a free refrigerator or a free high-rise apartment. But I thought at least when I did the ads for Xylitol gum they’d throw a few complimentary packs of chewing gum my way, but no such luck. But I still get a kick out of hearing my voice on TV or on the bus or at the movies.