Justin Chon in the Korean Beacon

source: Korean Beacon

If you’ve watched the vampire movie Twilight, then you’ve seen Justin Chon.  So what it’s like to be in one of the biggest movies in 2008 and then follow that up with a big role in a movie that has Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd and Harrison Ford acting along side of you?  For Justin, he’s enjoying his Hollywood ride and more importantly, enjoying his craft.  He sat down to chat about the movie Crossing Over and how his character effected him.

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.

What do you enjoy most about acting?
I feel like for the past few years, it’s been kinda like I gotta succeed or book the next thing. And recently, I feel like I’m enjoying it and having fun with it: not trying to meet expectations or wondering how I should act a certain part. I’m really enjoying acting because I’m more experimental and pushing boundaries. I’m really having fun with it and not making it a job. I just have freedom in my art.

Who are your inspirations?
In terms of actors, I’d say Mark Ruffalo, Crispin Glover, Robert Downey Jr., Tim Roth, and of course people like Johnny Depp. I really like the actors who are not so mainstream but beat the odds with their talent. It’s more about people who worked really hard. That’s who interests me.

Has it been difficult being an Asian-American actor?
Of course. I’m not going to lie. If anyone tells you something different then they’re lying. It’s amazingly difficult. You’re fighting for a few spots. When you go to the auditions, you see everybody: maybe it’s for a 25 year old part, and you see people from 18 to 40 years old auditioning. It’s really hard to get producers to believe in you to pull off a non-Asian role and take that risk. It’s starting to change a little bit.

Do you think America is more accepting of Asian-American actors in more prominent roles?
I would say that they give us a chance in prominent roles but not lead roles. They’re really capitalizing on Asian-American content i.e. Streetfighter, Dragonball. There’s a lot of Asian content being made, but they don’t always cast Asian people for the movies. It is a business and if their main guy doesn’t have a proven record for bringing in numbers then they don’t want to take that risk.

Do you know many of the other Asian actors?
We all know each other and we’re all friends. That’s kinda of a good thing about the Asian-American community: everyone knows each other and eveyrone’s friends and we support each other. No one is really trashing each other.

What has been the best experience so far on this ride?
The best part about the whole thing is sharing the experience with my family and friends. I went to a convention for “Twilight” in the UK and I got to take one of my friends and we also went to Italy. I was able to take my sister to the “Twilight” premiere. Also, having my dad and mom’s support is great. It’s more than just me experiencing things; it’s being able to share the experiences who are closest to me.

Have your parents been supportive?
Both my parents are artistic and my dad was an actor from 10 to 25 years old in South Korea. He even won awards in Korea. My parents are probably more critical of my work: he’s (dad) always critiquing. It’s cool that they can talk to me about my craft.

So what do you do when you’re not filming?
I own 2 shoe and clothing stores: the “Attic” in Buena Park and San Diego. They’re contemporary clothes and street wear. It’s stocked with local and unknown brands.

What’s your favorite korean food?
I luv gaktogee. I would just eat it without my food.

Thank Justin and good luck filming the next Twilight!

If you would like to celebrate the DVD release of  CROSSING OVER, you can join Justin tonight (Monday), June 8th at 6:00 pm PST / 9:00 pm EST on StarCam!  You can chat with Justin live and ask him the questions you want answered.

Just sign up at http://starcam.com/justinchon

“Crossing Over” comes out on DVD on June 9th.

Come Celebrate The Release of ‘Crossing Over’ with Justin Chon on STARCAM!

“TWILIGHT” & “NEW MOON”

FANS!

HELP JUSTIN CHON CELEBRATE

THE  DVD RELEASE OF HIS FILM,

“CROSSING OVER”

Join Justin on Monday, June 8^th at 6:00 pm PST / 9:00 pm EST on StarCam!

Because of the success of Justin’s StarCam Chat on May 3^rd where hundreds of fans joined him Live, Justin is celebrating the DVD Release of his film, “Crossing Over” with you, the fans!  Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to chat live with Justin.  Ask him the questions you want answered.

Don’t miss a minute of Justin’s chat.  Sign up NOW at…

http://starcam.com/justinchon

“Crossing Over” comes out on DVD on June 9^th!

###

New Movie Stills from ‘Crossing Over’!

source: The Weinstein Company

“Crossing Over Photos of Justin Chon as Yong Kim courtesy of The Weinstein Company”

“Crossing Over Photos of Justin Chon as Yong Kim courtesy of The Weinstein Company”

Winners of the Justin Chon contest over at Shooting Stars Mag!

source: Shooting Stars Mag

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest for Justin Chon. The five winners are:

Towerofbooks
Dani
Kelsey
Harmony
Bookworm

I contacted everyone BUT bookworm. I couldn’t find an email…so please get in touch? (Lauren51990 AT aol DOT com)

Remember, Crossing Over is out THIS month. I’m definitely going to see it…are you? Hint: The answer should be a resounding YES! Show your support.

Ningin’s Interview with Justin Chon

Mia from Ningin just informed me recently, of a great interview by TiffanyJLee with Justin!

source: Ningin

During the taping of the Boys vs. Girls episode of ABDC, I got the chance to speak with the friendly and laid back Justin Chon. The 27-year-old actor recently received national attention for his performance as Eric Yorkie in Twilight and is currently on the heels of another success: the upcoming film Crossing Over, an intense drama that weaves together several vignettes about immigrants in Los Angeles.

Why was he hanging out at ABDC, you ask? It turns out that Justin’s apparel store, Attic, which is located in San Diego and in his home base of Orange County, is currently supplying clothing for the boys of Quest Crew. In this two-part interview, we touch upon his past work, his inspirations, his dream projects and his ethos on acting. I enjoyed getting to know this passionate young actor, and I hope you guys will, too.

TJL: Can you tell us more about your store?

JC: It’s called Attic, and every season we’ve provided clothing for certain teams, and this year, we ended up providing clothes for Quest.

TJL: So, it’s more like an urban style, street wear kind of store?

JC: Yeah, and I’m out here to support the show and support them [Quest] and check it out [ABDC]. I’m a huge fan of the show.

TJL: In regards to your store, do you do any designing for the lines? Or is it consigned?

JC: No, it’s not consigned. We have accounts with different brands, and I’m not really too involved with the buying, but one of my best friends [James Yang] runs the store with me. He’s mostly in charge of that. But yeah, we just kind of got together and started buying a lot of clothes we like and [are] selling them now, yeah.

TJL: Very cool. It’s great if you can make a living doing that.

JC: Yeah, definitely.

TJL: I understand that your father was an actor in Korea, right?

JC: Mmhm.

TJL: What was that experience like for you, and how did that impact you as a kid?

JC: When I was young—growing up—I used to watch his black and white movies, and it definitely influenced me a lot because I was just like, “That’s possible?” Even back then, that was like in the 60’s, so that drove me to kind of follow my dreams. But there’s a little bit of a difference. He did it out of necessity; he needed to make money. I always had an interest in acting, but he allowed me to be like, “Okay, well, you can do it.”

TJL: Did he have any words of advice for you when you started getting into acting?

JC: I mean, he’s just like, “It’s a really lonely road. It’s a really hard life, but if you’re up for it, go for it.” And he gave me a few acting tips, and he continues to critique my work. [laughs]

TJL: And what’s his best advice so far?

JC: I would say… he says all the time, “You gotta make it real. You gotta make it truthful.”

TJL: And on that subject—on Eric Yorkie—what sort of preparation went into that role? Because it’s not typical [in mainstream American media] that a person of Asian descent is given a role that actually transcends all colors and barriers.

JC: Yeah. I just thought of it not in terms of color. I was just like, “What does this kid [Yorkie] need, and what does he want? And what’s his main driving force in life?” I just figured that he’s just like anybody else. He really wants to be liked, but really liked to an extreme. So, at his school—I boiled it down to one word: he’s like a diplomat.

TJL: Yeah, he is.

JC: Yeah, so he’s the type of guy in your school where he’s friends with one guy from each crew.

TJL: Ah, the interloper.

JC: Yeah! [laughs] So, he just drifts around. He has his little clique, but he’s in with everybody. So, he obviously has to be in a good mood all the time and [be] very energetic and [be] someone that people want to be around. And he might not be funny, but he tries to be.

TJL: Will we be able to expect to see him in the subsequent [Twilight] films?

JC: I think so, I think so.

TJL: People like [Yorkie]—when they’re always trying to please other people—are sometimes very repressed on the inside because they can’t show anger or loneliness, so will you eventually get a chance to play any of that in the later films?

JC: I don’t think in Twi—actually, I have no idea because I haven’t read the scripts yet, but I know in my other movie that’s coming out, you’ll see a lot of drama.

OC Register recognizes Justin Chon

source: OC Register

‘Twilight’ actor tackles Hollywood from Irvine

Justin Chon appears in the immigration film ‘Crossing Over’ with Harrison Ford.

By RICHARD CHANG

The Orange County Register

Justin Chon is a rarity for a twentysomething actor working in Hollywood. He still lives in Orange County – Irvine, to be specific. And he still lives with his mom – and likes it.

“She was getting kind of lonely, so I keep her company,” said Chon, who appears in a new movie being released this weekend, “Crossing Over.” He plays a Korean American high school kid who immigrated to the U.S. as an early teen.

“I love Irvine,” said the University High School graduate. “That’s my ‘hood. I went to USC and used to come home every weekend. It’s in my comfort zone.”

Chon, 27, an up-and-comer in the business, may be best known for his role as Eric Yorkie, a human high school student in the vampire teen blockbuster, “Twilight.”

To date, the film has grossed more than $367 million worldwide, according to boxofficemojo.com, and it hasn’t even been released on DVD yet.

When the young Korean American actor auditioned for and got the part, he didn’t know it would turn out to be the juggernaut that it is.

“It was just like any other audition,” he said. “Once I got hired, I was pretty excited, because it would possibly be a trilogy. It seemed like a young, hip kind of thing. But I had no idea how big it was going to be.”

Yet, as filming started and he saw random people hanging out on or near the sets, he began to get a sense of how popular the Stephenie Meyer novels were.

And when he saw the screaming crowds full of teenage girls at the premiere screenings, that’s when the sheer fanaticism for the books and the movie hit him.

“It just amazed me. I was surprised to see people camped out for two days to get a spot in front of the carpet. People already knowing my name. I was really surprised.”

A LATE START

But Chon hasn’t always been a recognizable name and face. In fact, he didn’t start acting until after he graduated with a business degree from the University of Southern California.

He enrolled in a two-year acting program, giving himself that amount of time to prove he could make it in the business.

His first role was in a TV series called “Jack & Bobby,” where he played a high school kid dressed in a toga.

After that, he worked with Disney, doing a few pilots and TV movies. He wound up working alongside Brenda Wong (“The Secret Life of Zack and Cody”) in “Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior,” a hit on the Disney Channel.

One role led to another, and then he landed the part in “Crossing Over,” which he actually filmed before appearing in “Twilight.”

A series of semiconnected immigration stories, “Crossing Over” also stars Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd, Jim Sturgess and Summer Bishil, who starred in “Towelhead” last year.

“It touches on a lot of different aspects about the struggles that noncitizens go through,” Chon said about the movie, which is playing at Regency South Coast Village in Santa Ana. “It’s spread out across the board, what people’s different struggles are. A lot of people – they get angry. They’re angry about illegal immigrants taking jobs. (This movie) puts a face on those people. It’s not only illegal people here. There are people genuinely trying to do it the right way.”

Though he didn’t act when he was a child, Chon was not completely oblivious to the vocation. His father was a well-known actor in South Korea when Justin was between 10 and 25 years old.

“I grew up watching my dad’s black-and-white films,” Chon said. “My parents were always supportive of me, in terms of expressing myself artistically. Art, musical instruments, singing – whatever I did, they were just really supportive.”

Nonetheless, they were concerned that their son would face difficulty making a living as an actor.

“They were worried, because of the stigma with acting in Korea – it’s hard to make a living. They were worried that I was going to starve or something.”

That’s why he pursued business in college. He hasn’t totally let that go: He co-owns two clothing stores called the Attic, located in Buena Park and San Diego.

‘WHAT’S HAPPENIN’, HOT STUFF?’

Growing up, Chon didn’t see a whole lot of Asian faces on TV or on the silver screen.

“In the ’80s, there weren’t a whole lot besides Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Long Duk Dong,” he said, the latter a reference to the bizarre, fresh-off-the-boat stereotype featured in the 1984 comedy “Sixteen Candles.”

But over the years, more Asian Americans began appearing on-screen, and Chon took notice.

“I saw John Cho when he came out in ‘American Pie,’ and he wasn’t playing a stereotype. I thought, maybe it is possible.”

Now, Chon is among a group of young Asian American actors who are trying out for all kinds of parts, whether they’re ethnic-specific or not.

“It’s really awesome. We all kind of feel each other’s pain, we’re kind of in the same club. No one’s really bitter. Everybody’s happy. It’s a really a good time for Asian American actors to show their potential.”

Though he is getting more audition callbacks and has signed to star in sequels two and three of “Twilight,” Chon doesn’t think he’s made it yet.

“I don’t think I’m a star. I just love to act. I’m not thinking I’m even close to where I want to be.”

Contact the writer: 714-796-6026 or rchang@ocregister.com

Also view story at MSNBC.com

Justin Chon on ‘Hollywood 411′!

If you missed it yesterday I found it on YouTube!

Enjoy!

“Crossing Over” Overview

source: Variety

A Weinstein Co. release of a Kennedy/Marshall Co. and Movie Prose production. Produced by Frank Marshall, Wayne Kramer. Executive producers, Michael Beugg, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein. Co-producer, Gregg Taylor. Directed, written by Wayne Kramer.
 
Max Brogan – Harrison Ford
Cole Frankel – Ray Liotta
Denise Frankel – Ashley Judd
Gavin Kossef – Jim Sturgess
Hamid Baraheri – Cliff Curtis
Mireya Sanchez – Alice Braga
Claire Sheperd – Alice Eve
Taslima Jahangir – Summer Bishil
Special Agent
Phadkar – Jacqueline Obradors
Yong Kim – Justin Chon
Zahra Baraheri – Melody Khazae
 

You can feel the characters being moved around like pieces on a chessboard in “Crossing Over,” an overweeningly deterministic mosaic of U.S. immigration case studies. Unlike “Crash,” to which it invites comparisons due to its identical structure, Los Angeles setting and similar socially conscious intent, Wayne Kramer’s film at least remains cognizant of why people want to come to the United States in the first place, and more plausibly blends positive and negative events. However, the way the picture dwells almost exclusively on cinematically exploitable elements — gangbanger crime, prostitution, honor killing, terrorism paranoia — gives it a sordid patina that even the classy, able thesps can’t offset. Harrison Ford’s presence atop the ensemble cast should boost this Weinstein Co. release to a decent opening, but longer-term prospects are modest.

A transplant himself — from South Africa, in 1986 — Kramer has come up with a wider range of immigrant stories than is the norm, in that the vignettes don’t predominantly deal with poor, Spanish-speaking characters from south of the border. Granted, the opening scene features a sweatshop raid led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Max Brogan (Ford), in which a young Mexican mother (Alice Braga) is taken away to be deported despite her having a young son, whose welfare Brogan decides to make his business.

But the way the film’s attention fans out provides some welcome fresh angles on the wide variety of the immigrant experience, in particular the illicit ways in which some, specifically those with showbiz aspirations, try to obtain real green cards or create phony ones.

Brit Gavin Kossef (Jim Sturgess) and Aussie Claire Sheperd (Alice Eve) are a couple who have grown apart, it is suggested, due to their uncertain status in the country. Gavin, an aspiring singer and atheistic Jew, plays club gigs and gets a job teaching music at a Jewish school on condition that he study the religion and keep his illegal status secret. Foxy blonde Claire, desperate to become “the next Nicole or Naomi,” makes a huge moral compromise after a chance meeting with Cole Frankel (Ray Liotta), a middle-aged green-card application adjudicator, agreeing to have sex with him for two months if he greases the path for her residency. This doesn’t go down too well with Gavin.

Brogan’s tough ICE partner Hamid Baraheri (Cliff Curtis) is of Iranian descent and his father, an enormously wealthy businessman who fled the 1979 revolution, is about to be finally naturalized an American citizen. However, the old man is none too pleased about what the New World has done to the morals of his daughter Zahra (Melody Khazae), who’s consorting with a counterfeiter — who’s been helping out Claire.

And so the dots begin to connect in Kramer’s screenplay, which is credible enough in its observations of assorted immigrant dilemmas but, when taken together, feels far too contrived due to the diverse characters’ forced interconnectedness. The idea, of course, is to suggest how everyone — citizens and illegals — are in this together, and the challenge for the country is to figure out how to be as fair and just as possible.

Subplot of Cole’s childless wife Denise (Ashley Judd), who just happens to be an immigration-preoccupied defense attorney, trying to convince her husband to adopt a Nigerian orphan is awfully ordinary and contrived, while another story strand involving a Korean teenager’s (Justin Chon) walk on the wild side feels like rejected scenes from “Gran Torino.” More bracing, although again nothing new, is the sorry fate of a Bangladeshi teenager (Summer Bishil, “Towelhead”) who has the audacity to present a not-unsympathetic view of the 9/11 hijackers to a school class.

Sense of forced coincidences and ironies goes way over the top — or under the bottom — in a climactic scene in which some highly unsavory personal dramas are played out against the backdrop of a mass citizenship ceremony at the L.A. Convention Center. Although there are winners and losers among the immigrants and the officials who deal with them, Kramer wraps everything up too tidily.

Very low-key and performing several of his scenes in grammatical Spanish with a mile-wide American accent, Ford successfully suppresses his superstar aura to integrate himself into the ensemble. Most perfs are right on the nose, with no subtext, although Curtis and Eve convey the enormous turmoil roiling inside them stemming from their untenable situations.

Production values are solid.

More than one option

• (Person) Wayne Kramer
  Actor, Director, Screenplay
• (Person) Wayne Kramer
  Actor, Music, Song

More than one option

• (Film) Crash
  1997 – James Spader, David Cronenberg
• (Film) Crash
  1978 – Joe Don Baker, Alan Gibson
• (Film) Crash
  1971 – Jose Ferrer, Charles Band
• (Film) Breach of Contract
• (Film) Crash
  2005 – Sandra Bullock, Paul Haggis
• (Tv) Crash

Camera (Deluxe color, Technicolor, widescreen), James Whitaker; editor, Arthur Coburn; music, Mark Isham; music supervisor, Brian Ross; production designer, Toby Corbett; art director, Peter Borck; set designers, Elizabeth Lapp, Everett Chase, Ann Harris Hayes; set decorator, Linda Sutton-Doll; costume designer, Kristin M. Burke; sound (Dolby Digital/SDDS/DTS), Lee Orloff; supervising sound editor, Scott Hecker; re-recording mixers, Steve Maslow, Greg Landaker; stunt coordinator, Kurt Bryant; assistant director, Nicholas Mastandrea; second unit camera, Colin Hudson; casting, Anne McCarthy, Jay Scully. Reviewed at Wilshire screening room, Beverly Hills, Feb. 11, 2009. MPAA Rating: R. Running time: 114 MIN.
(English, Spanish, Korean, Farsi dialogue)

Touched by Twilight’s Interview w/ Justin Chon!

Thanks so much to  Britt-ness from Touched By Twilight for the interview and for the kick ass graphic!  Enjoy!

Here is an excerpt from the interview…click the graphic above to view the interview!

Had you ever imagined that one character would give you so much exposure and gather you so many fans of all ages? How does this make you feel?

Never thought that a single film could do this for me and it feels great. I love “Twilight”. I love Eric and I love the fans!

Shooting Stars Mag – Interview with Justin Chon

They got a new interview with Justin about his up and coming movie “Crossing Over” here is an excerpt from their interview click the links below to view the rest of the interview!  They also have a contest for an autographed photo from Justin himself so make sure you sign up!

source: Shooting Stars Mag

Interview with: Justin Chon
Questions by: Lauren
http://www.justinchon.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1kqcuDKqr8
(Here is the film’s trailer)

When you heard about this role, what were the main reasons you wished to be a part of this?
When I read the script, I really wanted to be a part of this story. Although I was born here, my parents were immigrants to this country. My closeness to them and to many of my family friends who are immigrants made me realize that I could offer a true and honest depiction of this experience. I knew I could do the role justice and contribute certain true qualities and acting abilities.

CLICK HERE TO READ REST OF INTERVIEW