Justin Chon
{{Use American English|date=July 2023}}
{{short description|South Korean-American actor and director}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Justin Chon
| image = Justin Chon, Montclair Film Festival 2017, New Jersey (4x6)(cropped).jpg
| caption = Chon in 2017
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|5|29}}{{Cite web |last=Mike Rose |first=cleveland com |date=2023-05-29 |title=Famous birthdays list for May 29, 2023 includes celebrities Rupert Everett, Danny Elfman |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/05/famous-birthdays-list-for-may-29-2023-includes-celebrities-rupert-everett-danny-elfman.html |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=cleveland |language=en}}
| birth_place = Garden Grove, California, U.S.
| alma_mater = University of Southern California
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Actor
- director
- writer
- YouTuber}}
| birth_name = Justin Jitae Chon
| years_active = 2005–present
| children = 2
| spouse = {{marriage|Sasha Egorova|2014}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.tenthandfourth.com/}}
}}
Justin Jitae Chon{{cite web|url=http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/mtm/starspotlight.asp?sf=chon|title=Star Spotlight: Justin Chon|last=Morreale|first=Marie|website=Scholastic News|access-date=March 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208101327/http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/mtm/starspotlight.asp?sf=chon|archive-date=December 8, 2015|url-status=dead}} (born May 29, 1981) is a South Korean-American actor and filmmaker. He has directed three films, Gook (2017), Ms. Purple (2019), and Blue Bayou (2021).{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/la-riots-25th-anniversary-gook-director-justin-chon-reflects-998373|title='Gook' Director Justin Chon Reflects on L.A. Riots: "In '92, Everybody Was Angry"|last=Sun|first=Rebecca|date=April 29, 2017|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=March 28, 2018|language=en}} He is also known for portraying Eric Yorkie in The Twilight Saga film series.{{Cite news|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/08/from-twilight-to-gook-how-justin-chon-found-his-voice.html|title=From Twilight to Gook: How Justin Chon Found His Voice in His Own Painful Past|last=Yuan|first=Jada|date=August 25, 2017|work=Vulture|access-date=March 28, 2018|language=en}} He is a member of the K-pop parody group Boys Generally Asian.{{Cite web|url=https://nextshark.com/ryan-higa-kpop-parody-itunes-chart/|title=Ryan Higa and Friends Create K-Pop Group as a Joke, Gets #1 Hit on K-Pop Charts|last=General|first=Ryan|date=March 27, 2017|website=Next Shark|language=en-US|access-date=March 28, 2018}}
Early life
Chon was born in Garden Grove, California, and raised in Irvine, California, where he attended University High School.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2013/03/01/irvine-actor-drinks-in-possibility-of-stardom/|title=Irvine actor drinks in possibility of stardom|last=Koltnow|first=Barry|date=March 1, 2013|work=Orange County Register|access-date=March 28, 2018|language=en-US}} Chon is of Korean descent. His father, Sang Chon, was an actor in South Korea and later a shoe wholesales owner in Paramount, California.{{Cite news|url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-01-19/justin-chon-seeks-fill-hole-history-los-angeles-riots|title=Justin Chon seeks to fill a hole in the history of the Los Angeles riots|last=Tseng|first=Ada|date=January 19, 2017|work=Public Radio International|access-date=March 28, 2018|language=en-US}} His mother is a pianist.{{Cite web|url=http://abc.go.com/shows/deception/cast/justin-chon|title=Justin Chon {{!}} Deception|website=ABC|access-date=March 28, 2018}} He has a younger sister.{{Cite web|date=September 4, 2019|title=Irvine's Justin Chon explores Korean-American life in LA with new movie, 'Ms. Purple'|url=https://www.dailynews.com/irvines-justin-chon-explores-korean-american-life-in-la-with-new-movie-ms-purple|access-date=July 9, 2021|website=Daily News|language=en-US}}
Chon attended the University of Southern California (USC), where he majored in business. During college, he studied abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?blbdComCd=601006&seq=4163&mode=VIEW|title=GOOK Nabs NEXT Audience Award at Sundance|last=Conran|first=Pierce|date=February 6, 2017|website=Korean Film Biz Zone|publisher=Korean Film Council|language=en|access-date=March 28, 2018}}
Career
=Acting=
Chon started acting in 2005 in shows such as Jack & Bobby and Taki & Luci. He came to fame 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. In 2008, he played Eric Yorkie in the film Twilight, based on the book by Stephenie Meyer.{{cite news | author=Larry Carroll | title='Twilight' Gives The Green Light To Anna Kendrick, Justin Chon For Book-Turned-Movie | url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1581186/20080207/story.jhtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210015132/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1581186/20080207/story.jhtml | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 10, 2008 | publisher=MTV | date=February 7, 2008 | access-date=December 19, 2008 }} Chon reprised his role as Eric Yorkie in the Twilight sequel New Moon.{{cite web|title=New Moon Actors arrived in Vancouver |publisher=ReelzChannel |date=April 11, 2009 |url=http://www.reelzchannel.com/movie-news/3058/new-moon-actors-arrive-in-vancouver |access-date=April 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410055357/http://www.reelzchannel.com/movie-news/3058/new-moon-actors-arrive-in-vancouver |archive-date=April 10, 2009 }} He starred as the central character Jeff Chang, in the film 21 & Over in 2013. He also appeared in the independent film Innocent Blood that same year.
In 2014, Chon appeared as a lead character in crime drama film Revenge of the Green Dragons, which was executive produced by Martin Scorsese. In 2015, Chon starred as Sid Park, the trouble-making main character influenced by rocker culture in the independent film Seoul Searching, directed by Benson Lee, which made its premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.James S. Kim, Justin Chon Does His Own 'Seoul Searching', http://iamkoream.com/justin-chon-does-his-own-seoul-searching/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507123231/http://iamkoream.com/justin-chon-does-his-own-seoul-searching/ |date=May 7, 2015 }}
Chon trained for over two years in the Meisner technique at the Baron Brown Studio in Santa Monica and guest starred in the Studio web series Joanne Brown Is Here with Hana Mae Lee and Joanne Baron in 2016. Chon also held a role in the Korean-American comedy drama Dramaworld. In March 2017, he was cast as a series regular in the ABC crime drama Deception.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/elliot-knight-cast-the-cw-life-sentence-justin-chon-abc-deception-pilot-1202032890/|title=Elliot Knight Joins The CW's 'Life Sentence'; Justin Chon in ABC's 'Deception'|work=Deadline|date=March 1, 2017|first=Denise|last=Petski}}
Chon starred in the 2018 movie High Resolution with Ellie Bamber, directed by Jason Lester. The movie was based on the acclaimed novel Taipei by author Tao Lin.
=Directing=
Chon also co-wrote (with Kevin Wu), directed, executive produced, and starred in the 2015 feature film Man Up.Cynthia Brothers & Vu-Bang Nguyen, [http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/tv/2015/02/26/justin-chon-on-seoul-searching-and-manning-up/ Justin Chon on 'Seoul Searching' and 'Man Up']. The film made its premiere at the 2015 CAAMFest.CAAMFest, Man Up, http://caamfest.com/2015/films/man-up/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517053142/http://caamfest.com/2015/films/man-up/ |date=May 17, 2015 }} It was also screened at the 2015 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, making its West Coast premiere there.LAAPFF 2015, MAN UP, {{cite web|url=http://laapff.festpro.com/films/program/man_up_2015 |title=MAN UP - 2015 LA Asian Pacific Film Festival |access-date=April 24, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419013451/http://laapff.festpro.com/films/program/man_up_2015 |archive-date=April 19, 2015 }} The film is set in Hawaii and also stars Kevin Wu, Amy Hill, Parvesh Cheena, Nichole Bloom, Dion Basco, Samantha Futerman and more.Man Up, Official Film Page, http://www.manupfilm.com In March 2015, the film was acquired by "Off the Dock", a digital studio owned by Lakeshore Entertainment.{{Cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=2015-03-26 |title=Lakeshore Launches Digital Studio With Justin Chon-Kevin Wu Comedy |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/lakeshore-launches-digital-studio-with-justin-chon-kevin-wu-comedy-1201460990/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Chon has also directed several digital short films that are viewable on his YouTube Channel, including You're Stoopid (2013), Full Circle (2013) and 90 Day Visa (2015).ChannelAPA.com, Full Circle, http://www.channelapa.com/2013/02/full-circle-short-film-with-justin-chon.html
In 2017, Chon wrote, directed, produced and starred in a film entitled Gook, which premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the NEXT Audience Award and was picked up by Samuel Goldwyn Distribution.{{Cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=2017-04-19 |title=Sundance Next Audience Award Winner 'Gook' Picked Up by Samuel Goldwyn |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/festivals/sundance-winner-gook-samuel-goldwyn-1202034031/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} The film also won Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature Film, Best Director (Justin Chon), Best Actress (Simone Baker), and an Audience Award at the 2017 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.{{Cite web |title=2017 LAAPFF Jury Winners and Audience Award Winners Announced! |url=http://festival.vconline.org/2017/2017/2017-laapff-jury-winners-and-audience-award-winners/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=2017 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival |language=en-US}} The film further won Golden Space Needle Awards for Best Director (2nd Place or 1st Runner-Up) (Justin Chon) and Best Actress (5th Place) (Simone Baker) at the 2017 Seattle International Film Festival.{{Cite web |last=Knapp |first=J. D. |date=2017-06-11 |title=Seattle International Film Festival: 'Sami Blood,' 'At the End of the Tunnel' Come Out on Top |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/festivals/seattle-international-film-festival-sami-blood-siff-1202461887/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
=Other ventures=
Chon co-owns a chain of clothing stores, named the Attic, in California.AllKPop, Up in Justin Chon's Attic, http://www.allkpop.com/article/2009/04/up-in-justin-chons-attic
In January 2015, he began uploading edited vlogs to his YouTube channel on a weekly basis. Since November 2015, he has uploaded edited vlogs to the channel on a daily basis. He also creates short comedy videos on YouTube with his friends, and has appeared in videos on Ryan Higa (nigahiga)'s YouTube channel. Chon is also a member of BgA (Boys Generally Asian), a parody K-Pop group formed by Higa. The five-member group has released two singles and has risen up many South Korean music charts as well as American music charts.
In 2016, Chon wrote an editorial for NBC about the racism he faced in Hollywood roles and auditions.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/editorial-i-walked-out-racist-audition-n538896|title=Editorial: I Walked Out On a Racist Audition|last=Chon|first=Justin|date=March 15, 2016|work=NBCNews.com|access-date=April 29, 2016}}
Personal life
After dating for over a year, he married Sasha Egorova in October 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBcrs_zlxmQ|title=i got married...|website=YouTube|author=Justin Chon|date=January 1, 2015}} Their first child, a girl was born in December 2017. Their second child, a boy was born June 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BdYO3kRD6vz/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BdYO3kRD6vz |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |url-access=limited|title=Instagram snapshot|website=Instagram|author=Justin Chon|date=December 31, 2017}}{{cbignore}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
!Title !Role !class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2006
|Bobbi | |
| 2006
|Rong | |
| 2007
|Ricky | |
| 2008
| |
| 2009
|Ashley Mason |Morgan | |
| 2009
|Yong Kim | |
| 2009
|Turbo |Hugo Park | |
| 2009
|Eric Yorkie | |
| 2010
|Eric Yorkie | |
| 2011
| Ji-Kyung | |
| 2011
|The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 |Eric Yorkie | |
| 2012
|Ash | |
| 2012
|Rock Jocks |Seth | |
| 2012
|BJ | |
| 2013
|Jeff Chang | |
| 2013
|Innocent Blood |Brad Lee | |
| 2014
|Sonny | |
| 2015
|Sid Park | |
| 2015
|Man Up |Randall |Also director, writer, executive producer |
| 2016
|Seth | |
| 2016
|Jae Juarez | |
| 2016
|Jasper | |
| 2017
|Gook | Eli | Also director |
| 2017
|Daniel Chen | |
| 2018
|High Resolution |Paul Chen | |
| 2019
|Changrae | |
| 2021
|Antonio LeBlanc |
=Directorial work=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
!Title !Role !class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2013
|You're Stoopid |Director, writer |Short film |
| 2013
|Full Circle |Director, writer, actor |Short film |
| 2015
|90 Day Visa |Director, writer, actor |Short film |
| 2015
|Man Up |Director, writer, actor, executive producer |Feature film |
| 2017
|Gook |Director, writer, actor, executive producer |Feature film |
| 2019
|Director, writer, producer |Feature film |
| 2021
|Director, writer, actor |Feature film |
| 2022
|Director |TV series; 4 episodes |
| 2023
|Jamojaya{{Cite web |last=Guy |first=Zoe |date=December 8, 2022 |title=Cat Person Has a Date at Sundance Film Festival 2023 |url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/12/sundance-film-festival-2023-full-slate.html |access-date=December 8, 2022 |website=Vulture}} |Director, writer |Feature film |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
!Title !Role !class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2005
|Greek Chorus |Episode: "Under the Influence" |
| 2006
|Big Korea |Episode: "The Party Favor" |
| 2006
|Peter Wu |Television film |
| 2007–2008
|Tony Lee |30 episodes |
| 2009
|Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach |Joe Chang |Television film |
| 2011
|Harold Lam |Episode: "The Dig" |
| 2013
|Brian |Episode: "Menus" |
| 2015
|Byron Summers |8 episodes |
| 2016
|Seth Ko |9 episodes |
| 2016–2017
|Jae |5 episodes |
| 2018
|Jordan Kwon |13 episodes |
| 2021
|Yoon Kwan |Voice role; 3 episodes |
| 2021
|Seth Ko |9 episodes |
=Accolades=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
| scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Award ! scope="col"| Category ! scope="col"| Nominee(s) ! scope="col"| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Ref heading}} |
|---|
| 2022
|Entertainment | Pachinko |{{won}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{cc}}
- {{IMDb name|2014390}}
- [https://www.twitter.com/justinchon Official Twitter]
- [https://www.youtube.com/justinchon Official YouTube]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chon, Justin}}
Category:American male actors of Korean descent
Category:Male actors from Orange County, California
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:People from Garden Grove, California
Category:People from Irvine, California
Category:American video bloggers
Category:Independent Spirit Award winners
Category:Sundance Film Festival award winners