The Korean Beacon recently interviewed Justin Chon about his latest movie, “Crossing Over”, his inspirations, and what it’s like to be an Asian-American actor:
When you read the script for “Crossing Over,” what was most compelling about the story?
First of all, having a Korean story line is pretty rare with a film with big named actors. It was a full Korean story line that ended up in a movie in its entirety. In the original script it was pretty meaty. You just don’t see that story to much about a young Korean kid struggling through his adolescent times and it’s usually older and stereotypical stories. I thought it was very cool that they tried to humanize a Korean-American immigrant.Were you personally effected by playing your character?
I was totally effected. I had to really get into the character with a Korean accent in the movie and my accent is pretty thick. It’s been 4 years since I moved to Korea and I have to go back to a time where someone says something to you and you take it personally. You’re trying to prove yourself. So going back to that time really effected me and there were some very heavy themes.Can you relate in any way to your character?
Oh yeah. I grew up with these kind of kids but I was never really sympathetic and gave them a second thought. And playing the part, I felt real bad for not being nicer. My character is brought to America in Junior High and it’s difficult becuse you’re not the same ethnicity and it’s tough to deal with. I could totally relate and with any character I play; there are ways to connect to them.
