Home / Arts and Entertainment / John Cho: Villain turn, Asian representation
John Cho: Villain turn, Asian representation
25 Sep
Summary
- Cho stars as a menacing pastor in "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother."
- He advocates for better Asian American representation in Hollywood.
- Cho reflects on early roles and racist typecasting struggles.
John Cho delivers a powerful performance as Pastor Hwan, a fanatical Christian leader, in the upcoming film "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother," set for release on September 25th. This role marks a significant departure for the actor, who has long advocated for improved Asian American representation in Hollywood. Cho candidly discusses his career journey, recounting early struggles with racist typecasting, including a humiliating experience on "The Jeff Foxworthy Show."
He finds common ground with the film's themes of ardent faith, noting that his own fundamentalist Christian upbringing in Houston influenced his portrayal of Hwan as a character who believes he is in service. Cho highlights the timeliness of the film, particularly in its humanization of Muslim Americans amidst rising Islamophobia, a cause he champions due to his own experiences as a Korean American in the industry.
The actor also touches on the viral #StarringJohnCho campaign and his reaction to it, expressing gratitude for the conversations it sparked regarding Asian representation. Reflecting on his iconic role as "MILF Guy #2" in "American Pie," Cho shares the unexpected challenges of early fame and its persistent recognition. He also confirms that "Harold & Kumar 4" is in development.
