The Amalgamation of the East and West’s rising actor – Steven Yeun

▲ Actor Steven Yeun at the EWP’s 47th Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction on Monday, Apr 22. Photo by Jin Ahn (K-Herald)  ⓒ2013 heraldk.com

Steven Yeun, most known for his role as ‘Glenn’ in the popular TV series ‘The Walking Dead’, took a break from fighting off zombie hordes to talk with K-Herald and share some of his experiences as an actor. Yeun first experienced his passion for acting through improvs and comedy back in college. Since then, he’s been landing national commercials, getting leading roles and featured in various TV shows. His undeniable talents were also praised when he was awarded last week on Monday, April 22 with the Breakout Performance Award at the East West Players’ 47th Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction. During the interview, he shares his upbringing into his acting career and provides insight for aspiring actors.

K-Herald: What was it about acting that made you want to choose that path as an actor instead of med school?

Steven Yeun: I think I just found a natural affinity towards it. I really liked having the freedom, especially in improvs, of just being creative on the spot. I think I always had a creative edge to me, whether it’d be music or photography. When I experienced
acting in college, I was like “Oh man, this is so much fun”. I have a personality where unless I’m having fun, I can get lazy about doing whatever it is. For me, acting was so much fun and even people in college encouraged me to pursue acting. When I moved to Chicago, I was offered to be represented so I’ve been very fortunate along the way. If anything, I can even quote it to God just being very nice to me.

KH: How does it feel to have received the Breakout Performance Award at the East West Players’ 47th Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction?

SY: It’s just a huge blessing to me. I never do well with looking at what I’m doing because it still seems unreal at times. I’m just really glad that I’m able to be a part of something so great and rewarding. I think things are slowly starting to get better for Asian-Americans in the entertainment industry. From what I’ve often seen with successful Asian-American actors is that it’s the people who take the craft very seriously and those that have such a huge passion for acting so their work pretty much speaks for themselves. Being an actor is not easy so I feel very lucky to have been given a role that isn’t stereotypical and is also a lot of fun for ‘The Walking Dead’. Overall, I look forward to future opportunities to come.

KH: What were some of the struggles you had to go through as an Asian-American actor?

SY: I’ll be honest – first of all, I think there are a lot of misguided implications within the industry. I think there is a misunderstanding that things are impossible and that nobody is giving opportunities for not just Asian-Americans, but for any other ethnicities. That’s actually untrue. I think the only struggles that I did come across was when I did run into people that ridiculed the idea of me being “Asian” or just people that don’t completely see outside the box. I remember once when I auditioned for a certain show and it was just this terrible thing where they basically just wanted me to play a dumb doll. I refused to take the job. That actually felt like a small victory for me afterwards, in terms of just holding my guns down and wanting to do what I want to do, which is basically be portrayed as what I am – an American person. Of course, being Korean is a very special part of my life because I do look the way that I look, I have the family that I have, I love the food that I love and the culture that I have too. However, it also falls as a background of me being more American.

▲ “Still shot of Steven Yeun in ‘The Walking Dead’”.(AMC)

KH: What is something that you now know that you wish you knew when you were first starting out as an actor?

SY: Speaking clearly from an actor’s standpoint and not from an Asian-American actor’s standpoint, I think something I wish I knew back then is to focus on the details, especially behind the camera. The camera picks up everything and it’s all a craft.
It’s all you working 100% of the time you don’t want to make any mistakes because someone will definitely see that on camera. I think that by watching, learning and really putting yourself out there, you can catch yourself before you make mistakes. I think that’s another big thing I wish someone would have told me; I figured it out on my own, which is to just put yourself out there. It’s not
about being better than the next Asian guy. You have to be better overall and if that’s the case, just work on being a good actor. Don’t worry about the way you look (at this point) *laughs*.

KH: Have you ever been injured on stage or on set?

SY: I’ve been injured on stage. Luckily, I haven’t been injured on set except for a few bumps and bruises. There is this one time I almost broke my leg. We were doing an improv scene and one of my friends thought it would be funny to jump on my back. I was on a step and as he jumped on my back, I lost my balance and landed straight on my shin at the edge of the stairs. That hurt quite a bit and I actually have a huge scar from that. I guess it serves as a reminder to brace yourself for people jumping on your back!

KH: If you could choose any actor, who do you want to really work with?

SY: I love the older actors. They have so much wisdom and insight. Koreanwise, I would love to work with Kang Ho Song. He’s just awesome. Whenever I saw him in a film, I’m just blown away because he’s so talented and I really liked him in the film, ‘Thirst’. He has a very natural grace to him and is a unique actor.

KH: What type of roles would you be interested in doing?

SY: Being able to get away from myself is always fun. I think seeing maybe how dark I can get would also be exciting. I’m open to anything that comes my way. As long as it’s a great experience, I think that’s the fun part of being an actor is that you’re allowed the opportunity to put yourself in situations that you never would be in real life.

KH: Can you say a few words of encouragement to other aspiring Asian-American actors?

SY: I challenge everyone to put themselves out there. I think the biggest mistake that a lot of people make is their fear. They’re really afraid of what others will think about them. The only way to get better is to put yourself out there more and more. That’s not just within the Asian-American community either. I think the best way is to give it all you have and expose your skills to everyone. That would be the biggest thing that I encourage. I’ve been very fortunate to have what I have and fortunate to have the opportunity that I have. It’s empowering, but at the same time it’s scary. I think if you keep pushing forward, keep empowering yourself and hold onto your standards, nothing or nobody can really take that away from you so, uh, good luck!