Koream Interview with Justin Chon!

Justin just did an interview with KoreAm Journal On-line, a huge Korean American magazine.  The link is below.  This is the same magazine that put him on the cover of their paper magazine in September.  He is doing a live interview on Tuesday, November 17th on the site, iamkoream.com at 7:00 pm PST.   Justin will also Present and Award to the Editor and Chief of US Weekly Magazine at the prestigious KoreAm Magazine Gala on Saturday, November 21st in Los Angeles.

Click Here To Read Rest Of Interview!

Q & A w/ ‘Twilight’ actor Justin Chon!

Justin Chon has quickly risen up the ranks of Hollywood actors in the past four years. The Korean American actor began his career in 2005 on the WB show “Jack & Bobby.” He later captured casting director’s attention in 2006 when he played Peter Wu in the Disney Channel film “Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior.”

He also played Tony Lee in the Nickelodeon sitcom “Just Jordan” and portrayed the son of Korean immigrants in the Harrison Ford movie “Crossing Over.” But his breakthrough appearance came in 2008, when he played Eric Yorkie in the film “Twilight,” based on the book by Stephenie Meyer.

Chon will be recognized with the Male Nova Award at this year’s Multicultural Motion Picture Association’s 17th annual Diversity Awards on Nov. 22 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. He will also reprise his role as Eric Yorkie in the upcoming “Twilight Saga: New Moon,” which opens nationwide on Nov. 20.

Justin recently spoke with Examiner.com about his acting career, the types of characters he plays and the ‘New Moon.”

You’ve played roles that are specifically Asian and also roles that were non-ethnic specific like Eric Yorkie in “Twilight.” How do you see yourself as a performer? Does race affect you?

I just see myself as an actor. I feel like we’re all in it together and at the end of the day, we all need each other. The Asian part of it… to make those projects, I think that it’s very much needed and important. I don’t neglect that whatsoever, but I’d also like to break those barriers and to say ‘Hey, I’m an actor. I can do a lot of different things.”

You’re in your late 20’s now. What’s it like to play a teenager?

It’s refreshing… it’s kinda just what I do… As an actor you can play different age ranges and different ethnicities. It’s no different than any other role, you just have to find what is the essence of the character and what it feels like to be that person… to find what’s at the core of this person.

I think the biggest thing is that when you’re in high school, you’re always trying to prove that your cool or whatever.. and I think the main thing is trying to find your identity. High school students try to get there in different ways and I think my character tries to find that.

Have you found yourself, your identity as an actor?

As an actor, I don’t really think you find yourself. I mean once you find yourself, I think it becomes boring and you become set in your ways. I think as an actor I think its’ not a bad thing but more of a gift. It’s something you’re always doing as an actor. You’re adjusting constantly.

In “Twilight” you play Eric Yorkie who was not written specifically as an Asian American character. Tell us about the role.

He’s supposed to be white but Catherine Hardwicke, the director of the first film, went to the producers and studio and convinced them to hire me for the part. There’s never any mention of my character being Asian or any talk of his ethnicity.

Do you think that’s a good thing?

I think it’s great. It does matter but at the same time I have nothing against playing ethnic specific parts. It’s wonderful to get those opportunities. It’s needed and there definitely is a place for it. But just the fact that “Twilight” is such a pop culture phenomenon made this a huge movie that a lot of people are seeing. I think it’s very important that people watch this movie and go “Hey, that guy goes to my high school.”

I mean why do we have to see this character as a certain type of person when it could be anybody. He could be Black, White, Mexican, Asian. I think high school is a good example of that. “Twilight” is reaching so many people and I think it’s a really good step in the right direction for diversity and opening up doors.

Special Thanks to Justin Chon and his publicist Anthony Turk for arranging this interview.

Justin Chon Wins Male Nova Award!

Diversity Awards to honor ‘Glee,’ ‘Parks’

Taraji P. Henson, Sanaa Hamri and Masi Oka recognized

Staff report

Oct 27, 2009, 05:04 PM ET

“Glee”

The cast of Fox’s “Glee” will be presented the Favorite New Television Cast Ensemble Award at the Multicultural Motion Picture Assn.’s 17th annual Diversity Awards on Nov. 22 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The event will also honor NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” as Favorite New Comedy Ensemble; CBS’ “NCSI: Los Angeles” as Favorite New Television Action Drama; ABC Family’s “Lincoln Heights” as Favorite Family Drama Ensemble Cast; and HBO as the 2009 Diversity Programming Network.

Justin Chon will be recognized with the Male Nova Award, while Hope Olaide Wilson is set to receive the Female Nova Award.

Taraji P. Henson will be honored as best actress in a drama for the film “I Can Do Bad All By Myself.” Masi Oka has been named best actor in a TV drama for “Heroes.”

Scott Hamilton Kennedy, who directed “The Garden,” will be celebrated as audience favorite — best documentary feature director.

The 2009 Visionary Award will go to film and TV director Sanaa Hamri.

Justin Chon Interview with Ningin.com!

Although you know Twilight’s Justin Chon as human Eric Yorkie, I’m happy to say that the humanity doesn’t stop there. After chatting with him yesterday for a few minutes he’s easily made it on my list of super down-to-earth people. That my friends, is a good list to be on. Aside from earning a spot on that list, he was able to dish on the upcoming New Moon movie and fill us in on what he’s been up to since we last chatted. A few times, he even turned the tables on me by asking me questions. JI: I understand you’ve recently attended the Pusan International Film Festival. Can you tell me about your experience and what you did there?

JC: I’d like to say that I felt out of place a little, I don’t know why they invited me. I felt like an outsider.

JI: Why is that?

JC: I don’t know, I just didn’t feel like I was a part of ‘the club’ or whatever. Everyone there had their own team and I thought it’d be okay if I went by myself… and um, it wasn’t okay.

JI: I’m sorry to hear about that.

JC: Yeah, it’s okay. I mean that’s just the way they do business there. Actually I learned a lot, I learned a lot about how they operate over there– I realized that I truly love working in America.

JI: Speaking of America, New Moon will be premiering soon. How are you prepping yourself for the madness?

JC: Absolutely no preparation at all.

JI: You’re just going to walk in there and be cool?

JC: What’s there to prepare for? I’ll uh…get a suit. I’ll uh…get a suit and on the day of I’ll show up with [my publicist] Anthony and we’ll… watch the movie. I think that’s the best preparation I can do.

JI: So, no emotional preparation? The premiere last year looked pretty crazy from what I’ve seen.

JC: What kind of preparation would you do?

JI: I think I would do a little yoga, call on Jesus and ask people to pray for me.

JC: Yeah, I think that’s actually a very good idea. I think I’ll have people pray for me too.

JI: With the success of Twilight going from being an indie film to a massive franchise, how has this affected your experience of filming New Moon?

JC: Not much at all. A movie set is a movie set, the only thing that’s different is they’re just a lot more protective with the people and they have umbrellas so photographers can’t take pictures. You know, the only thing that’s affected is personal freedom. You can’t just walk off the set and smoke a cigarette anymore and they have to know where you are at all times. They set up these black walls everywhere so you can’t escape the set. But other than that, filming-wise, filming is the same. Just a different director. There’s differences in those terms but with that, in terms of the work, it’s the same.

JI: As I’ve mentioned earlier, a handful of our readers including myself are Orange County natives, has life here changed fo—

JC: Didn’t you say you were from Rowland Heights or the San Gabriel Valley?

JI: I’m actually from Anaheim.

JC: Anaheim! My dad has a store on Ball and Chapman, The Mega Shoe Factory.

JI: I totally know where that is! I’ll check it out sometime when I need shoes.

JC: What high school did you go to?

JI: Orange High.

JC: Awesome. I went to University High in Irvine.

JI: Cool deal. So, has life here changed for you since Twilight happened?

JC: Life — I mean, in some ways, yeah. Like I get to travel a lot. Ya know, once in awhile I get recognized for something. But uh, yeah, I’ve been traveling a lot. In the last year I got to go to Paris, uh Spain, France…(laughs)haha Paris is in France, London, Florida, Korea, New York, Vancouver, Washington, Arizona, Australia, Chicago –twice…I think that’s it.

JI: Of those places, which place did you enjoy the most?

JC: Paris. Ya know what, I honestly thought I wouldn’t love Mona, I’d love Italy but uh…that’s not the case. I thought the French in France would be a bunch of high-nosed rude people, but that’s not the case. If you’re overly nice to them, they treat you with just as much respect. I think they’re just used to American people coming in and poo-poo-ing on sh**. And uh, they just don’t like that. So if you’re really nice, they’re nice to you. The thing I love about Paris was that it’s big city, but it has a really calm attitude. Everyone is just really chill and quiet. Not wild,

JI: Or frantic…

JC: Which I also love! But at the same time it’s fast paced. The subway doors opens before the car even stops — you get to where you’re going and once you get there, you relax. And I really like how everyone is into their own thing and not staring you. I remember I was on the train and some girls were screaming a song — no one gave a sh**. They just let them be teenagers, and no one was trying to reprimand them. Well, people laughed but it was awesome.

JI: What’s next on your list of places to travel to?

JC: I’m going to be back in Paris next week for a signing.

JI: For a Twilight convention?

JC: Yeah, me and a bunch of the other Twilight cast members usually do these conventions where we go to places and sign autographs. So, I’m looking forward to that because ::French accent:: I love Pareee.

JI: What other upcoming projects do you have in store?

JC: Nothing, just Twilight. After that, I’m going back to the drawing board and going to pilot season. I’m re-energized to be an artist and be kind of done with Twilight.

JI: I think that’s more than enough for now.

JC: Do you?

JI: Twilight seems like a lot in itself!

JC: Yeah! The thing is, I’m at a good chapter in my life but I think it’s time to expand the horizons you know. It’s been like, what…two and a half years?

Follow the Justin Chon Fansite on Twitter!!!

I finally started a twitter for the site so follow along if you will the username is

@JustinCFansite

Pacific Rim Interview w/ Justin Chon

Thanks Anthony!!! Check out the interview in parts 1, 2, 3, & 4! Enjoy!

‘Twilight’ star Justin Chon at the Pusan International Film Festival

‘Twilight’ star Justin Chon at the Pusan International Film Festival

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Photo: Partial from Twitter

Before The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse star Justin Chon (who portrays Eric Yorkie in the Twilight series films) posted that wonderful video, Turbo, on his Twitter, he was talking about how excited he was to attend the Pusan International Film Festival in Korea.

going to pusan south korea for the pusan international film festival..holla

Though he later posted that he was “lovin Korea,” he came on last night to tell his fans that he was not treated so well at the Pusan International Film Festival and asked his friends in the web world to post this picture of him at the festival.

why did the pusan film festival invite me if they make it seem like i wasnt even there.only photo i scrounged.post it everywhere!!

He later explained that he wanted to have people post it in spite of the festival.

POST IT EVERYWHERE!!!! I WANT TO STICK IT TO THEM FOR BEING MEAN!!!

Most followers of Chon issued sentiments to him of apology and sympathy, but a lot of them merely remarked at the fact that he looked great in the photo, so at least he got a great picture out of the deal.

Moral of the story: Follow Justin Chon on Twitter because he’s funny, sweet, and very talented.

MTV.com Review of “TURBO”

SOURCE

Say what you will about the “Twilight” explosion of the last year – and everybody seems to have an opinion on whether the phenomenon is awesome or annoying – but even the haters should have a hard time complaining about how many of the franchise’s stars are using their newfound power to help young filmmakers. Jackson Rathbone has been hard at work on flicks like “Girlfriend,” Robert Pattinson has been able to bring a wider audience to quirky indies like “Little Ashes” and “How to Be,” and now comes the latest boost from Justin Chon.“Check out this short film i did with a friend from USC,” Justin Tweeted Wednesday night, posting a link to a vimeo page with an impressive 20-minute-long film called “Turbo.” Also on the page is the trailer, both of which were posted by the film’s director Jarrett Lee Conaway.

In the flick, Chon plays Hugo Park, a teenage fast-food slinger in a futuristic world much like ours – but with far more advanced gaming. The video game of the day is “Super Turbo Arena 2,” a sleek “Street Fighter”-like battle simulation. But instead of controllers or a mouse, the players stand in front of a sleek screen, wear sunglasses and move around on top of a “Dance Dance Revolution”-like floor that reflects their every step on screen. Each participant plays as a highly-stylized badass fighter – and Hugo has modeled his own after his wheelchair-bound older brother with hopes of winning enough money to “fix his back.”

Battling a braggart named Shamus (David Lehre) and a hottie who goes by the name Ruse (Alice Hunter), Hugo works his way through the competition one battle at a time. Finally, Hugo and Shamus square off in a final battle where they have to play as themselves, with the host telling them: “You can’t hide behind your avatars any longer.”

Described on the site as being in the tradition of “The Karate Kid” and “Tron,” the flick is an impressive mix of the two. Conaway is a young director with limited funds, so it’s really saying something that his short film is better-looking (and smarter) than recent, similarly-themed duds like “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li” and “Dragonball Evolution.” Although set in the non-specific future, and highly stylized at times, “Turbo” hits a lot of gaming themes spot-on – right down to its fighters battling in arenas on beaches and in the desert.

You can bet that next time we track down Justin, we’ll be sure to ask him about the cool little flick – and whether he and Conaway would ever turn it into a full-length endeavor. But in the meantime, be sure to go check it out and let us know what you think down below.

”Turbo” the movie? Are you feeling it?

Watch “Turbo” on Vimeo!

Justin posted this on his twitter just a few ago!

@justinchon check out this short film i did with a friend from usc http://vimeo.com/6932347

Jarrett Lee Conaway the director of “Turbo” and friend of Justin Chon posted the movie on Vimeo for you all to watch! Please check it out!! I’m watching right now and it looks good so far!!!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW “TURBO” the Movie!

Justin featured on Allkpop.com!

source: Allkpop.com

They did another feature with Justin on their site. It’s cute, liked it alot! Gives you a little bit closer look at Justin and what he’s done and what he’s up to now.