Yang Jae-woo, a 24-year-old Korean soccer player and actor, has been cast as the male lead in the upcoming Spanish romance film "Sigue Mi Voz (Follow My Voice)," making history as the first Korean actor to take a leading role in a Spanish feature film. Industry officials confirmed this groundbreaking casting on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in international cinema collaboration.
In the film, scheduled for release on September 12, Yang will portray Kang, a radio host and singer who becomes the object of affection for the female protagonist. The movie is based on Venezuelan writer Ariana Godoy's popular web novel, which has attracted an impressive 36.8 million views on Wattpad, a digital storytelling platform owned by Korean tech giant Naver. This adaptation represents another successful transition from digital literature to mainstream cinema.
Godoy has a proven track record in the film adaptation space. Her previous work, "Through My Window," was originally published on Wattpad from 2016 to 2018 before being transformed into a Netflix hit in 2022. The film achieved remarkable success, topping charts in 22 regions worldwide, demonstrating the global appeal of her storytelling.
"Sigue Mi Voz" tells the compelling story of Klara, played by Berta Castañe, who has spent months isolated at home following a mental health crisis. During this difficult period, she finds solace in listening to her favorite radio show and gradually falls for the voice of Kang, the late-night host she has never met in person. Through this connection, she slowly begins to find her way back into the world, creating a touching narrative about healing and human connection.
The film is being produced through a collaborative effort between Webtoon Production, an affiliate of Webtoon Entertainment, along with Spain's Zeta Studios and Beta Fiction Spain. This international production partnership reflects the growing trend of cross-cultural entertainment collaborations.
The casting process was particularly unique and specific to the story's requirements. The producers remained faithful to the original novel's character descriptions, where Kang is explicitly written as Korean. Director Inés Pintor, speaking to Vogue Spain in June, explained that they conducted open auditions specifically seeking a Korean actor who was fluent in Spanish and possessed the ability to play both guitar and soccer, matching the original character's diverse skill set.
Yang's background makes him uniquely qualified for this role. He moved to Spain at the age of 11 in 2012 to join Villarreal CF's prestigious youth team, giving him over a decade of experience living in Spanish-speaking culture. Currently, he plays for Mostoles CF, a team based in the autonomous community of Madrid, while also serving as a coach for the team's youth squad. This combination of athletic prowess, linguistic fluency, and cultural understanding positioned him perfectly for this breakthrough role that bridges his dual passions for soccer and acting.
