Christina Lee hosts Korean Beacons Weekly Monday Mashup highlighting some of the weekly headlines in Korean American news.

This week, January 25, 2009 we talk about:

Korean American Idol?
Judge Lucy Koh
Justin Chon speaks on behalf of CPAF
Kollaboration New York 5

Send comments to: beacon at koreanbeacon dot com

Wired Magazine interviewed Justin Chon and speaks out against violence against Asian women in the United States and of course he talks about the Twilight series.  He notes how the Asian culture is very quiet and that there may be many Asian women who are not speaking up about possible domestic violence.

What if all it took to help a charity raise $1 million was a simple online vote? Would you help then? The Center for the Pacific Asian Family hopes so, as the nonprofit competes with 99 other charities in the Chase Community Giving contest on Facebook.

CPAF, which helps Asian Pacific Islanders who have been victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, has lined up some impressive supporters for its star-powered public service announcements, including actor Justin Chon from the Twilight films. Other CPAF supporters include John Cho (Star Trek), Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy), Aaron Yoo (21, Disturbia), Archie Kao (CSI), Joe Hahn (Linkin Park) and Lisa Ling (Oprah).

The Chase Community Giving contest, with its social media angle and the involvement of so many celebrities, is a great way to get some attention to organizations like Center for the Pacific Asian Family, which runs a 24-hour support line, emergency and transitional shelters, and counseling services for victims and their families. All it takes to help out is a vote, whether it’s for CPAF or one of the other 99 charities. It won’t cost you a dime. Winners will be announced Saturday.

To find out more about CPAF and its mission, I shot off some questions to Chon. The queries were handed to a film crew that filmed the actor’s responses. Check out the video above for some firsthand insight into the charity as well as some Twilight: Eclipse tidbits for Twihards.

Oh, and what can moviegoers expect when The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, the second sequel in the teen vampire series, hits theaters this summer? “You can expect it to be very similar to the book,” Chon said, “but there will be a lot more action, and a lot more lovin’ because … the guys are tryin’ to get with Bella.”

Read More http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/01/justin-chon-charity-twilight/#ixzz0dat5gt58

Source: Wired

Hello. This is Justin Chon from “The Twilight Saga” (you may know me better as Eric). MTV invited to interview Muse and hang back stage at KROQ’s annual Almost Acoustic Christmas concert. It was my first time being backstage at any concert, so I was extremely excited to see what it was all about. I have to say that I haven’t had that much fun in a long long time.

I left my place at around 7 p.m. and headed over the the Gibson Amphitheater. When I got there, I was able to park in the VIP area because I was with the one and only MTV.

Once I got to the event, it was absolute mayhem. There were so many people in the backstage reception area. Famous people were just perusing about like nobody’s business. I met up with the MTV crew and we started our little adventure. I saw my friend Joe Hahn from Linkin Park. Right away had a little problem because he heard me mention my favorite band was Muse. (I settled it by saying they were my second-favorite.)

Once we got inside, I was able to interview people like Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin from “Superbad”), Dr. Drew, Deryck Whibley from Sum 41 and a bunch of others. However, the fun really didn’t start until I went back to where the band dressing rooms were. I ended up taking shots with Slightly Stoopid and hanging with the members of Phoenix. Chris from Vampire Weekend came up to me and asked, “Are you that guy from ‘Twilight?’” and I said yes. He then said “Let’s take a picture.” I was like, “What?! You’re the rock star!”

Later, I got to catch 311 and, at long last, Muse’s performance. They were absolutely amazing. After their set, I went backstage and there was a whole mess of people outside the dressing room trying to get a chance to talk or take a picture with them. But of course because I was with MTV, I got full access to the band and interviewed them. I was a little nervous before I went in but I did my tantric breathing and ended up being fine.

The interview went smooth as butter. After the interview was over I took a picture with them and tried not to look too excited. All in all, it was a night I won’t soon forget.

Christina Lee hosts Korean Beacon’s Monday Mashup highlighting some of the weekly headlines in Korean American news.

This week, December 14, 2009 we cover:

• Time Magazine Top 10 Movies: At #10, A Korean Film!
• JuJu Chang on Good Morning America
• Wondergirls on So You Think You Can Dance
• Korean Beacon 2009 Top 10 List: #10 and #9

Send comments to: beacon@koreanbeacon.com

Starting today we count down the top ten most influential Korean-Americans from 2009.  It’s been an incredible year with Korean-Americans becoming more prominent in every facet of life from entertainment to politics.  Till the end of the year, we’ll showcase these Korean-Americans who really stood out in 2009 and  today we begin the countdown with Mr. Justin Chon at #10.

When we looked at our web analytics logs, Justin Chon was one of the most searched people on our website and the two interviews we conducted with him had some of the highest traffic this past year.   Justin Chon had a breakout year with a key role again in the wildly popular Twilight Saga film (New Moon), which may end up being the highest grossing film this year.  He also had big roles in the movie Crossing Over, and the indie film Turbo.  Justin’s one of the rising stars in Hollywood and that can definitely be attributed to his work ethic.  Did you know that his role “Eric Yorkie” in Twilight wasn’t written for an Asian guy?   He obviously impressed enough for the casting agents of Twilight to cast him in the role of Eric.  In the film Crossover, he acted along side legendary actors Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd.  Justin is as Californian as they come but he portrayed a Korean immigrant struggling to adopt to America in Crossover. We had the opportunity to talk to him over the course of the year and he is truly a nerd when it comes to acting and we know he has range. Though his father was an actor in South Korea and he has the acting genes, he knows how much more he has to work.  It was obvious to us how much he respects his craft and how hard he works at honing his skills.  He’s very appreciative of the Twilight fame but his ambition is to work harder and to challenge himself with bigger roles.  Justin had a great year in 2009 and we know you’ll see more of him in 2010 and beyond.

The stars were out for the New Moon premiere in Los Angeles this week.  Everyone from 50 Cent to Robert Pattinson were walking the red carpet for the big premiere.  Of course Justin Chon was there enjoying in the revelry as one of the cast members of New Moon.  Sounds like it was one heckuva party in LA!  Check out pictures of Justin walking the red carpet.

The Twilight Saga continues with its second installment, with NEW MOON opening this Friday.  So what does it feel like to be in one of the most popular movie franchises?   Justin Chon knows how it feels because he’s in the Twilight Saga and he’s enjoying life more than ever.  However, he’s ready for new challenges.   Justin Chon sat down with us for a quick chat to discuss the upcoming movie and what life  looks like after The Twilight experience.

How was the recent filming of the Twilight franchise?
Second (New Moon) was great!  I really liked the director.  He was a funny guy and it was a pleasure to work with him.   For New Moon, there was more time taken and there was more budget for it.   For the third one, the director was very meticulous and it was also fun to make.

How was  filming in Vancouver?
I love Vancouver!  I’d live up there if I could.   People are really nice and it has a different vibe.  It’s beautiful scenery but it gets a little cold.   It definitely has four seasons.

So what gets you excited about this next installment of Twilight?
Just being a part of it.  It’s wonderful and I’m honored that I’m a part of this trilogy.  I’m proud, no matter how big my part is; in any form.

You’ve had a lot of fun going to award shows and filming Twilight?   How has life been for you? How has it effected you?
It’s great.  I feel the same like I was on Nickelodeon.   You start to figure out that this movie is a giant.  People go crazy over this movie.  It’s not so much about me, but when I get together with the cast, you really see how big it is.

Do you look back and say, it’s been a lot of fun and appreciate how far you have come?  Or do you just keep busy and not think about it?
I’m a kid at school who tries to be funny.  I thought about it after the third movie.   I’m going into pilot season and I’ve been reflecting a lot this past year.  I’ve been very fortunate to just do this.   You don’t really look back to much but I got far a little fast.   If for the next year things slow down, it’s not going to bother me.   I’m really gearing up for this upcoming pilot season. Twilight is now behind me, and now I can focus on the artist I really want to be.  Not just be one character.

Is that why you did Turbo (independent film)?
That was fun.   It’s something like that I always love doing: independent films with student directors.   You’re trying to do it together, experiment, and fail.

How have you improved as an actor in the last two years?
I feel like playing one character for a long time makes you really good.  I like expanding my horizons and it’s always good to work on new things.  Just get in bed with it.  I just feel like I’ve done this Twilight thing and it’s been a great experience.   I’m really glad I’m back to the grind – it excites me.  I’m really on fire and ready to go. Now it’s a good time and opportunity to push myself.

It seems like this fall season, there are more Korean and Korean-American actors working.   You have Ninja Assassin with a cast of Koreans and a handful of Korean-American actors in network TV shows like Ken Jeong in Community, John Cho in Flash Forward, and Tim Kang in the Mentalist.  Do you think Hollywood is embracing Asians more?
I do think Hollywood is embracing Asians more.  For example, the character I play in Twilight wasn’t meant for an Asian guy.  So I don’t think they wouldn’t hire an Asian unless there was something there.

What advice would you give other Asian-Americans trying to break into Hollywood?
Get the best acting training you can get.   If I got trained in New York or something, maybe I would have gotten more formal training.  I’ve got LA training which is a little bit of this and that.   It would’ve been nice to have some hardcore nine to five training for two to four years.

What are your ambitions now?
I used to confine myself and eliminate things and now I’ve kind of learned to go with the flow; not control my career.  It’s really not up to me.   What’s up to me is to train hard and become a better actor.

Thanks Justin!  Good luck with Twilight and we’ll see you soon.

New Moon opens up this Friday, November 20th.
In the second installment of Stephenie Meyers phenomenally successful TWILIGHT series, the romance between mortal and vampire soars to a new level as BELLA SWAN (Kristen Stewart) delves deeper into the mysteries of the supernatural world she yearns to become part of—only to find herself in greater peril than ever before.

Following Bellas ill-fated 18th birthday party, EDWARD CULLEN (Robert Pattinson) and his family abandon the town of Forks, Washington, in an effort to protect her from the dangers inherent in their world. As the heartbroken Bella sleepwalks through her senior year of high school, numb and alone, she discovers Edwards image comes to her whenever she puts herself in jeopardy. Her desire to be with him at any cost leads her to take greater and greater risks.

With the help of her childhood friend JACOB BLACK (Taylor Lautner), Bella refurbishes an old motorbike to carry her on her adventures. Bellas frozen heart is gradually thawed by her budding relationship with Jacob, a member of the mysterious Quileute tribe, who has a supernatural secret of his own.

When a chance encounter brings Bella face to face with a former nemesis, only the intervention of a pack of supernaturally large wolves saves her from a grisly fate, and the encounter makes it frighteningly clear that Bella is still in grave danger. In a race against the clock, Bella learns the secret of the Quileutes and Edwards true motivation for leaving her. She also faces the prospect of a potentially deadly reunion with her beloved that is a far cry from the one shed hoped for. With more of the passion, action and suspense that made TWILIGHT a worldwide phenomenon, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON is a spellbinding follow-up to the box office hit.

Maybe there is diversity in Hollywood?  It was announced today that Korean-American Justin Chon (of Twilight fame) will be recognized with the Male Nova Award at the Multicultural Motion Picture Assn.’s 17th annual Diversity Awards on Nov. 22nd at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Also receiving an award will be the cast of Fox’s “Glee”, which will be presented the Favorite New Television Cast Ensemble Award.  It co-stars Korean adoptee Jenna Ushkowitz.

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.

Congrats Justin Chon!

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Have you noticed the significant increase in Korean-American actors and actresses on TV and movies lately?  Have you noticed there are more men than women in Hollywood?  You would think that there would be more women in front of the camera because let’s be honest, Korean women are great to look at which makes sense in such a visual medium.  Not that the Korean men aren’t studs but who doesn’t like looking at a Korean women?  They are undeniably beautiful women.  Then again, I guess it does take more than just looking good in front of a camera to make it in Hollywood.

This is a an anecdotal story I’m going to share and it does not provide any empirical evidence as to why there are more Korean guys than gals on the screen.  However, it does suggest something.  In my earlier days living in NYC, I roomed with actors and guys who worked at a movie studio.  I was the odd man out because I had a regular job unrelated to the entertainment industry.  I once asked one of my buddies if he ever saw Asian guys out on the audition circuit.  He quickly responded, “Are you kidding me?!  Those guys get more work than most actors out there.”  Huh?! What?  He continued to tell me that though there are only a few roles seeking Asian male faces, there were even less auditioning for them and he suggested that I just give acting a try – even though I had very little acting talent.  Well, to best illustrate this perception, let’s do a quick roll call here.

Ladies on a TV show or in a film in 2009
Smith Cho, Moon Bloodgood, Grace Park, Jamie Chung, Kelly Choi, Margaret Cho, Jenna Ushkowitz, Sandra Oh, Lindsay Price & Yunjin Kim

Guys on a TV show or in a film in 2009
Daniel Henney, Tim Kang, Ken Jeong, Aaron Yoo, John Cho, Rex Lee, C.S. Lee, Justin Chon, Rick Yune, Sung Kang, Rain, Lee Byung Hun, Daniel Dae Kim & James Kyson Lee

We may have missed a few folks but these are the Korean-Americans who were in a prominent role in their film or show.  Now 14 to 10 in favor of the men doesn’t seem like a big difference, but if we were to count up the hours of coverage or viewer impressions, then we would see the greater disparity. We don’t have time to count up every second and sum it all up but here are a couple proxies.

Weekly TV program comparison: Tim Kang, Ken Jeong, Rex Lee, John Cho, C.S. lee, Daniel Dae Kim and James Kyson Lee are in key roles on current weekly network television shows.

Movies: Only Moon Bloodgood and Jamie Chung were in big screen films this year versus John Cho, Aaron Yoo, Ken Jeong, Justin Chon, Rick Yune and Sung Kang.  And don’t forget that Hollywood is really gambling with Ninja Assassins and the predominantly Korean cast with Rain as the lead role.

So what are we trying to say?  Simple observations suggest that America is becoming more accepting of the Asian male and there are more opportunities for them.  But what about the ladies?  My conclusion is that there’s that much more competition on the female side of the fence where they’re competing against more open non-ethnic/racial specific roles.  Though they may be going on casting calls for Asian-American woman between 25-30, they’re also going on casting calls for (all) women between 25-30.  I thoroughly root for all the Korean women on the big and small screen, but I wish there were more of them up there.   Don’t you?

Justin Chon who will be in the upcoming The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse movies is at the Pusan Film Festival, and he’s got a picture to prove it.  Apparently he was upset that the festival organizers didn’t treat him so well and this was the only picture showing he was present in the southern tip of South Korea.