This character in the film, these things that he says which sound like advice and wise things, they are very common for Orientals. It's all the tradition.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
As an actor, you read so many scripts and parts written for Asian-specific characters, and you see a lot of stereotypes and a lot of one-note characters, especially in comedy.
The Asian culture has to be a part of what we see on TV and in movies.
I think the idea is to try and understand everything about the characters and where the character is coming from, from their point of view, why they say what they do. And not, 'Oh, but I would never say that. Why does the character say that?' But then making it as personal as possible.
Prior to 'Tokyo Drift,' the iconic perception of Asians in Hollywood films has been either the Kung Fu guy, the Yakuza guy or some technical genius. It used to be such a joke, to be laughed at rather than with.
Living in the West, you see how there's only two versions of how Asian men are supposed to be. Either they're very nice, yuppie husbands with children in ads, or they're IT geeks.
In Korean films there is only really a strong tradition of melodramas.
An actor tries to be versatile, to immerse himself in a different culture.
Marriage Asian-style is practical, contractual and, to the western mind, deeply unromantic.
I think everything that any actor does, I would assume, is shaped by how and where they grew up.
There's something very fine and lucid and rich in this tradition of the English actor.