Actors Jung Hae-in and Kang Ha-neul have lent their voices to the animated film "Gill", based on Ku Byung Mo's bestselling novel of the same name.

The film "Gill" tells a dazzling story about Gon, the only child born with gills after being thrown into deep water, and the figures who were his entire world.

Directed by Ahn Jae-hoon, a leading figure in Korean animation widely loved for works such as "Green Days: Dinosaur and I" and "The Shaman Sorceress", the film adapts the bestselling novel by world-renowned author Ku Byung Mo.

Ahead of its release in Korea, the film has drawn significant spotlight after being invited to various international festivals, including the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, FrightFest in London, the Bologna 24 Frame Future Film Festival in Italy, the Tokyo International Film Festival in Japan, and the Taichung International Animation Festival in Taiwan.

The sorrowful destiny of Gon, who grows gills at the border of life and death and is rescued by strangers to live as a being unknown to the world, is deepened by the stellar voice performances of Jung Hae-in and Kang Ha-neul, who portray Gon and Kang-ha respectively.

Expressing his excitement about his connection to "Gill", Jung Hae-in shared, "It is both fascinating and a great honor. As a fan of the original work, I am simply happy to be part of this project." Regarding the fish-human character Gon, he offered a deep interpretation, saying, "Although he lives cut off from the world, I felt that deep inside, he always carries a sense of deprivation and loneliness regarding whether he is someone who has the right to exist, and whether he is someone who can be recognized and loved by others. It captures both the anxiety and solitude that only a survivor can feel, alongside a longing to reach out to someone."

He also raised anticipation for the film by stating, "The cool and beautiful emotions of the original novel are brought to life with even greater delicacy and sensitivity within the animation genre." Explaining his focus for the voice acting, he added, "I wanted to capture the faint yet clearly breathing voice of emotion."

Meanwhile, Kang Ha-neul, who has long had a strong interest in dubbing work, shared his thoughts on joining the project, saying, "I had always hoped for a good opportunity to come along, and I am grateful to join 'Gill'. From the moment I first read the script, I felt a strong attraction to the subject matter itself." He also introduced his character, explaining, "I think Kang-ha is someone who is awkward both inside and out. Through meeting Gon, he gradually comes to understand human nature and warmth."

Furthermore, he described his first impression of the animated film by noting, "Just the lighting and colors of the key art drawn in front of the script allowed me to immerse myself and read it all at once without stopping."

"Gill" features a rich and vibrant ensemble cast alongside Jung Hae-in and Kang Ha-neul, including Yu Jae-myung, musical actor Kim Sun-young, Jang Won-young, Kwon Hae-hyo, Jung Woong-in, Jo Han-chul, Park Ji-yeon, and Hwang Sang-kyung. The film will be released in theaters nationwide on September 9. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)