Nick Martineau Talks With Kpopmap About His Voice Acting Career, His Inspiration, And Upcoming Projects | Exclusive Interview

Nick Martineau is a Korean American actor, VO talent, and writer based out of Los Angeles. He was originally from Washington D.C., and had the opportunity to train with the industry's leading voice actors. This led to where he is today, a successful VO actor with a lot of reputable projects under his belt.

Nick's writing endeavours have also led him to work on various original TV pilots, features, and spec material that has a specific focus on Asian American identity. His career thus far has brought him to a path where he able to tune into his Eastern and Western culture, which is also a path that he hopes to continue to embark on.

With notable projects like "Squid Game," "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," "Call of Duty," "Lookism," "Physical 100," and most recently, Nickelodeon's "Bossy Bear," the future of Nick's career is looking phenomenal.

Kpopmap had the pleasure of getting to sit down with Nick to discuss his career as well as upcoming projects.

First off, do you mind introducing yourself and maybe explaining a bit of how you started working as an actor and voice actor?

My name’s Nick Martineau and I’m a biracial Korean American actor based out of Los Angeles! You might be familiar with my work as the voice of South Korean operator Horangi in "Call of Duty MWII and Warzone 2.0." I’m also the English voice of the Square Masked Manager in "Squid Game," Jin HoBin in Netflix's "Lookism," and most recently, the Super Flock in Nickelodeon’s "Bossy Bear." I was big into drawing, music, and filmmaking as a kid and didn’t figure out until high school that I wanted to be an actor. I’m an introvert and I sadly believed this misconception for the longest time that only extroverts could become actors. My introduction to acting was performing in the random short films that my friends and I would make, and I usually had to be in them because we were always short on actors. When I was in college, I picked up work as a background extra to make some side cash and that technically began my professional career as an actor. I spent the next few years really honing my craft, taking all the classes I could, and making the move from the Baltimore-D.C. area to LA.

Considering all the experience you’ve had working in the industry, which project would you say was the most challenging and why?

I can think of a handful of projects that have really tested me, each in their own unique ways. "Call of Duty" was the first time I felt like I was an athlete of the voice because of how physically strenuous the sessions were. "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" was a challenge because of how much of the script had to be readapted on the fly to fit mouth shapes while still honoring all of the complicated legal jargon. On a few shows, I’ve had to dub some very dynamic comic relief characters and those are always tricky because you have to sound as if you are as spontaneous as the original performer, with none of the leeway in timing. I also spent six months taking singing lessons for "Bossy Bear" and had to learn new ways of approaching musical material because I play four characters.

One of your most recent projects is playing the voice of Jin HoBin in the Netflix series “Lookism.” There is a lot of buzz surrounding the show mainly because the webtoon is so popular. Did you read the webtoon prior to filming? What kind of preparation was involved in taking on this project?

While I have several Korean friends who are avid fans of the webtoon, I had never read it myself. Netflix has an incredibly secretive process in place so there unfortunately wasn’t any time to prepare. I was simply asked to come in and record a new dub for Netflix, not knowing what the show was called or about. When I arrived for my session, I was told that a director and casting director I had worked with previously recommended me for the part of Jin HoBin, who English readers of the webtoon will know as Vin Jin. It was as surprising as you’d imagine it to be once I understood the popularity of the IP.

On a random note, are there any actors or actresses that you looked up to growing up, or look up to now? How have they inspired you to take on the career that you’re in?

I’m a huge fan of everything Robert Pattinson and Jonathan Majors are doing right now. Their rawness is something I really admire and you can tell that they have fun with it. I’m also a big fan of Steven Yeun and I’ve enjoyed watching him trailblaze a path to new opportunities for Korean American actors. I hope I get to work with any of them one day.

What is the best part about your job and what you do?

I’ve been lucky enough to have a career where I get to play a wide spectrum of very different characters. Nothing is ever stale and I love the fact that I get to go to work everyday and just play. It’s also incredibly fulfilling when I hear that fans, especially other Korean Americans, resonate with my work.

During times when your career and life get difficult, what are some things that you do to help lift your spirits?

I like to take breaks from whatever I’m working on, whether that be an audition or some writing, and spend time with my girlfriend or my friends.

Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to get into the acting business or in particular voice acting?

Above all, learn the craft of acting and learn to appreciate acting as an art form first. Having a headshot or a reel isn‘t a prerequisite to being a good actor. But strong observational and listening skills are because acting is all about listening and reacting, not just reciting your lines. The business of acting is fickle, unpredictable, and will often prove unconducive to the conditions required to do your best work as a performer. But having strong fundamentals will give you the tools to navigate whatever situation is thrown at you, whether it’s on a set or in the recording booth.

Are there any exciting upcoming projects that you want to share with your fans? Or even any personal projects that you hope to take on?

I play all four members of a Korean boy band known as the Super Flock in "Bossy Bear," which premieres March 6th on Nickelodeon. I can’t wait for everyone to meet Falcon, Owl, Flamingo, and Dove!

Lastly, what is one thing that you would like for people who are reading this interview and hearing about you for the first time to know about you?

Anyone hearing about me for the first time can find me on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @nickjmartineau.

Thank-you again, Nick for taking the time to sit down with Kpopmap and its readers. It was great getting to know you and we wish you all the luck in your career!