|
Actor Ki Hong Lee has been careful not to play into Asian American stereotypes on his journey to Hollywood.
By Nalea J. Ko, Reporter
Published July 25, 2011
For showbiz newcomer Ki Hong Lee avoiding being pigeonholed as the geeky Asian American on TV was on his mind when he landed his first major role.
When the Korean American got the part of Paul on ABC Family’s “The Nine Lives of Chloe King,” he was careful not to play in to geek stereotypes by opting to wear his contacts instead of his glasses, among other things.
But Lee had nothing to worry about.
“When I first got it [the role] the description of him was kind of this comic book fan and when you first read that you think he’s a geek. So I was really worried like, ‘Are they going to dress me up nerdy?’” Lee said via telephone from Los Angeles, Calif. “But they’ve done a good job of showing different layers of the character.”
Lee got the role while also working at his parent’s restaurant, Tofu Village, which was in Little Tokyo before it closed. The show follows fictional character Chloe King, who is best friends with Lee’s character, as she discovers her super cat-like powers.
The entertainment business is new to Lee who did not pursue acting until recently.
He had previously performed in the production “Wrinkles” at East West Players. Other TV work on his resume includes gigs on “Modern Family” and “Victorious.”
Born in South Korea, Lee moved to New Zealand at about 7 years old. There he learned English. Lee later grew up in Southern California where he had to learn American English, spelling words like color and flavor without the British version with a “u.”
At church he dabbled in theatrical skits, but Lee didn’t take acting classes until his senior year at the University of California, Berkeley where he studied to be a teacher. After landing a lead role, Lee is now learning to manage everything that comes with fame: red carpet premieres, interviews and fans.
He spoke to the Pacific Citizen recently about his new fan attention.
Did you struggle with getting acting jobs before you landed on ABC Family’s “The Nine Lives of Chloe King”? Looking at the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) it seems like you’ve been steadily working.
Ki Hong Lee: Aw, man. I know that’s what it seems like.
But man, when I first started out I was going on all these auditions [laughs]. In the beginning I was not even getting a call back.
There were auditions where I just totally screwed up. I think I needed those. You kind of need to go through that in order to really learn how to audition well and effectively.
In a way that’s probably good that you’re so “green” because maybe you’re more appreciative of fan attention.
Lee: I think that’s important. Without fans what would we be?
It’s kind of weird for me still because I was at the premiere yesterday — the ‘Captain America’ premiere. I was leaving … and all of a sudden three kids who watch the show, three fans, they come over and they’re like, ‘Can we take a picture with you?’ And always I think I’m getting punked for some reason.
I was like, ‘Do you guys watch the show?’ And then she’s like, ‘Yeah! We watch every week!’ I was like, ‘Oh, OK. I guess I’m not [laughs] getting punked.’
Your name might be hard to pronounce for some people. Did you ever think of changing it?
Lee: I did change my name when I was in — what was it elementary or high school?
Even today I think, ‘Man should I just change, dude? It’ll be easier for people to remember.’ But it’s who I am. That’s my legal name.
That’s kind of who I am as an AA and a Korean American. That’s the reason why I kept it.
What name did you change it to?
Lee: Aw [laughs] … It was Thomas.
Do you ever get confused for the Korean star Lee Hong Ki?
Lee: Oh, Hong Ki! I hate that guy! Whenever I’m trying to look at myself on YouTube or on Google all his pictures come up. Some people think that we’re the same person [laughs].
I don’t hate him. I don’t know him. But I confuse myself sometimes. I try to look myself up and I get his stuff. I think it’s good. He’s a big star in Korea. People think he’s amazing.
You’ve talked about AAs being underrepresented in the media. Do you still feel that way?
Lee: I mean definitely I think we need more AAs in the media. But for me when I auditioned for this role they were asking specifically for an AA.
And when I read the e-mail when I first got it, I was like, ‘If I don’t book this role, I don’t know if I should be acting because it really is kind of who I am.’
Your character Paul is a lot like your real life personality?
Lee: I’m kind of playing an extension of myself and I’m very lucky because it’s a lot easier that way. I try to bring a lot of myself into the character.
What does your family think of you getting into acting?
Lee: They kind of thought it was a phase. They thought eventually that I would either go to grad school or I would become a teacher like I planned. When I started, when I got my agent and my manager and when I started booking roles, they’re like, ‘Whoa this guy maybe he has talent. Maybe he can do this.’
Do they watch you on “The Nine Lives of Chloe King?”
Lee: I get calls from my grandparents every Wednesday. I’ll probably get a call today. They tell me what happened in the episode [laughs]. My grandparents especially don’t know what’s going on. They don’t really understand English.
There’s an episode where I take my shirt off. They’re like, ‘What were you doing without your shirt? What were you trying to do?’
It’s funny [laughs] but kind of awkward trying to explain what my character is trying to do on the show. But they’ve been overwhelmingly supportive.
I read that you live at home with your parents and younger sister. Is that true?
Lee: Oh, man. I do live with my parents. You know all the cool kids are doing it these days [laughs].
Do you live at home so you can take care of your parents?
Lee: Man, they can take care of themselves! [Laughs] I’m just kidding. No, I think it’s just a money issue for me.
But you must be making money off the show?
Lee: You never know in this business when your next job is going to come, so I just want to kind of take it easy and just be with my parents for awhile.
What are you doing in your free time now that you’ve wrapped filming for the first season?
Lee: You know I just do whatever unemployed people do, you know, until my next job. I’m just trying to use this time to educate myself more. Just really use this time to regroup because TV schedules are pretty tough.
Also the show, I don’t know if you know, but we just got nominated for a Teen Choice Award for best break out series. The main actress Skyler Samuels got nominated for best break out lead character. We’re really excited for her and for the show. So hopefully it’s good things to come. |
