The SBS drama “I Hear Your Voice” is probably the most talked-about work among the short drama series that have aired this year. With ease, it glided past the 20% viewer rating that was out of reach for even “Gu Family Book,” “That Winter, the Wind Blows,” and “Queen of the Office.” It was a definite issue-maker, generating a chain of parodies and behind-the-scenes stories. How did a drama that was “rejected” by the producers become the most sensational drama of the year? 

▶ Viewers excited by the unfamiliar “multigenre”
Many producers rejected the synopsis of “I Hear Your Voice” because of its “multigenre,” which never fared well in the Korean broadcast industry. However, the influx of webtoons and American soaps over the past few years has left the viewers more intrigued than put off. In the first part of the drama when the characters are young, the drama is like a hard message thrown at society; the second part when the characters are all grown-up, it turns into a romantic comedy; and after Lee Bo-yeong’s mother dies, the drama again changes its color to that of a thriller.
“The scene where Jeong Woong-in (Min Jun-guk) murders Kim Hye-suk (Eoh Chun-shim) shocked many people because no one expected that turn of events,” said cultural critic Jeong Deok-hyeon. “With previous dramas, regardless of the genre, the viewers could predict the flow of the story as well as the ending. But that formula didn’t apply to ‘I Hear Your Voice.’”

▶ Lee Bo-yeong, Lee Jong-seok, and Jeong Woong-in Rediscovered
The actors also benefited from the drama. At first, expectations were low because the cast had neither an idol star nor a top star. However, Lee Bo-yeong was lauded for her portrayal of Jang Hye-seong and Lee Jong-seok (Park Su-ha) went up the rankings to become the hottest star in the industry. Despite the 10-year age gap, the pair handled the love life of a lawyer and a high school student with natural ease.
Lee Jong-seok (24) was convincing in his role as a high school boy with the ability to read people’s minds. His previous role as Go Nam-soon in “School 2013” was nowhere to be found as he returned with more diverse expressions and mature emotions. Lee Jong-seok, who often appeared as a student, is now at the lead among actors of his age.
However, the actor who received the most attention since his debut is probably Jeong Woong-in. His lines “I’ll kill you if you talk. I’ll kill even those who listen to you,” and “Kid, I think all the learned people here are on my side” brought about parodies after parodies. With his eerie looks and bursts of emotions, Jeong Woong-in probably benefited the most through the drama despite his role as the bad guy.