The Unexpected Journey of a Voice Actor’s Career
Aleks Le, the English voice actor behind Sung Jinwoo in Solo Leveling, has shared a surprising story from his past that has recently gone viral. In a resurfaced interview, he revealed that he intentionally sabotaged an audition for a role in a controversial harem anime. This revelation comes at a time when Le is also facing a recasting for his role in the Season 4 premiere of Rent-A-Girlfriend.
Le first gained attention through a long interview he did for the Trash Taste podcast, which took place on April 12, 2024. The two-hour conversation covered various aspects of his career and personal life. One particular segment, however, has sparked widespread interest online, especially on platforms like Reddit. In this segment, Le admitted to deliberately trying to fail an audition for a popular but risqué harem anime, only to end up winning the role anyway.
A Strategic Decision with Unintended Consequences
The interview focused on Le’s experience as Kazuya Kinoshita in Rent-A-Girlfriend, a series that concluded its third season in 2023. At the time, Le was still early in his voice acting career and had limited opportunities to land major roles. He was particularly interested in securing a part in Jujutsu Kaisen, which was gaining significant attention. To increase his chances, Le decided to audition for Rent-A-Girlfriend, even though he was not enthusiastic about the project.
Le had read the Rent-A-Girlfriend manga and was aware of its content, which many consider to be a guilty pleasure. He feared that if he performed well during the audition, he might end up getting the role, which he didn’t want. So, he made a calculated move—he intentionally gave a poor performance to ensure he wouldn’t be hired. However, to his surprise, he ended up winning the lead role.
The Challenges of a Controversial Role
Le later admitted that he wasn’t comfortable recording certain scenes, particularly one where Kazuya "solo leveled" himself in front of other people in the studio. This level of discomfort highlights the complexities of working on projects that may not align with an actor’s personal values or preferences.
Despite his initial reluctance, Le’s performance in Rent-A-Girlfriend eventually led to his casting in the English dub. However, the recent announcement of a recast for Season 4 has surprised many fans. Le’s role as Kazuya Kinoshita is now being played by Alex Mai, while Lizzie Freeman, who voiced Chizuru Mizuhara, has been replaced by Celeste Perez.
Reasons Behind the Recasting
On Instagram, Le explained that the decision to recast the roles was due to scheduling conflicts and the hiring of a new English dub staff for Season 4. While the change has raised questions among fans, it coincides with Le’s growing popularity after his role as Sung Jinwoo in Solo Leveling. He recently won an award at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, further solidifying his status in the industry.
A New Chapter in a Voice Actor’s Career
Le’s journey reflects the unpredictable nature of the voice acting industry. From sabotaging an audition to winning a role, and then facing a recasting, his experiences highlight the challenges and opportunities that come with a career in animation. As he moves forward, fans will be watching closely to see how his next projects unfold.
For those unfamiliar with Rent-A-Girlfriend, the show follows Kazuya Kinoshita, a 20-year-old college student who uses a unique method to date girls. His interactions with Chizuru Mizuhara lead to a series of comedic and romantic situations. The show, known for its lighthearted tone, continues to attract a dedicated fanbase.
As the world of anime and voice acting evolves, stories like Le’s remind us of the human side behind the characters we love. Whether through strategic decisions or unexpected changes, the journey of a voice actor is as compelling as the roles they bring to life.
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