We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ian Oh a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ian , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
When I was 24, I came to the U.S. with a dream of becoming a Hollywood actor. All I had was one luggage, a digital camera, and $2,000 cash. Breaking into the film industry and making a living as an actor, especially as a immigrant Korean, was not easy. For the first few years, I had to work nonstop just to survive and make a living in LA. I was cleaning dishes as a dishwasher, serving at Korean restaurants, cleaning buildings, and working at a Brazilian food truck. I was also a Taekwondo instructor, and sales manager at a clothing store, even worked as a realtor assistant, and many more like this.
Apart from all of this, I never stopped being auditioned, seeking opportunities to be on screen – from an indie production gig to background acting to voice acting. There were times that I really wanted to pack it up and move back to Korea, but then I told myself, “All of this shapes who I am. I am developing authentic and unique characters and stories. One day, these experiences would help me resonate with characters I play in films”. Looking back, those experiences really did help my acting and the people I met in those jobs became my lifelong friends and mentors.
I took advantage of every opportunity that came my way – from stage productions to independent films, as I believe ‘the more you do, the more confident you get’. After many years of knocking the doors, I got this role as Steven Yeun’s father in “Beef” (ep.8), the Netflix drama two years ago. I also played a lead role in the short film called “Loving Day” last year.
This industry definitely requires determination, dedication, and perseverance. I was determined and dedicated, and still am, I could stay optimistic about my career and stuck with it. And will keep going!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Actors portray the lives of others using their body, mind, and soul. What is important is to have a flexible attitude that approaches characters and stories with an open heart, seeking to understand and come closer to the characters. My desire is to encounter stories and characters that make me curious and draw me in. If I am not curious about the character that I am playing and his story, I don’t think I can really be effective in convincing the audience. I used to put in a lot of time working on the script, but now I try to spend more time sharing ideas with directors, writers, and key staff, trying to relate to the character, and really understand the life of the character I am portraying. I ask a lot of questions about the character as if I am getting to know somebody: What made him do this? What would he be thinking? How was his childhood? What are the traumas he has etc…. As an actor, I am also really motivated by the idea that film can bring people together, make people empathize with others, and think about the other side of the world. Whether it is fiction or nonfiction, being in films that tell great stories is always fascinating!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I always remind myself, “I am running my own race”. I have some actor friends who are already established, being in many feature films and TV series. On the other hand, I have friends who quit acting or are struggling to make a living as an actor. I try not to compare my career to other actors and just focus on what’s in front of me.
I also think being a good person is just as important as being a good actor. To be a person who is a delight to work with. As a matter of fact, I got some of my roles by referrals and I believe many actors do so too. Reputation is extremely important in this industry, as we work many hours, sometimes years on set with casts and crews. I try to be thankful for the opportunity that I am given and keep giving it everything I’ve got.
Lastly, to keep my confidence and self-esteem in a profession where I am constantly judged, critiqued, and rejected, I try to observe myself and give much care that I deserve. I work out, read books, spend much time with my loved ones, and pray every day to keep my mind and soul in peace.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Starting with my recent appearance as Steven Yeun’s father in a film called “Beef”(ep8), I played one of the major characters ‘Eugene’ in the series “Western Avenue” and played a lead role, Dylan, in a short film called “Loving Day” last year. It was a big step forward personally. I am just grateful that I can work between Korea and the U.S. This year, I will be working on a feature film in the U.S. which I am very excited about. I don’t even feel like I have scratched the surface of my potential. I would love to show a more colorful variety of myself in the characters in the future.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianohofficial/
- Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8144376/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
