Yann Yann Yeo – American Born Chinese

By starrymag | June 21, 2023

By: Paige Zinaman

 

 

Q) First, I’d like to congratulate you on the premiere of “American Born Chinese!” Tell us a little bit about the premise of the show.

 

A) Thank you, I am excited that the show is finally meeting the audience. “American Born Chinese” is a show that is a story of a teenager growing up, finding his own strength through his peers and his family. There are three worlds colliding in the show. The mythological world, sitcom world and the mortal world. You can see the Chinese mythology characters with fantastical action scenes and, also scenes that will touch your heart.

 

Q) How was your character Christine originally described to you?

 

A) When I first read the script, I immediately fell in love with Christine. That is a warm, caring, humorous mum that I would like to have. She is not perfect, but she tries her best.

 

Q) “American Born Chinese” is based on a graphic novel. Did you have any knowledge of the novel before coming to the role of Christine? And if so (or even if you didn’t) how did you make Christine your own?

 

A) I did not know of the graphic novel before I was approached with the script. But I quickly got a copy of it by Gene LuenYang and I loved it! Christine’s character was not a big part of the original story. That opened up the path for me to create an original character. Our show runner Kelvin Yu and our team of talented writers also wrote an incredible blueprint for me to start my wild imagination of a lovely human we all could fall in love with.

 

Q) I love that it intertwines modern day living with Chinese mythology in such a beautiful way, please share about how you wanted to approach that, and did you have any knowledge of the mythology before accepting the role? 

 

A) I grew up with the mythological characters of Sun Wu Kong played by Daniel Wu and Guan Yin played by Michelle Yeoh. It was a big part of me growing up. I simply love how they are intertwined together. They are characters from the book Journey to the West from the 16^th In the story Sun Wu Kong has to go through 81 trials to reach the scripture he is looking for. I always think it reflects on how we must go through trials growing up to head to our goals in life.

 

Q) Christine and Simon are constantly in a place where they’re pushing and pulling, and we see that wear on Jin (Ben Wang). What do you think it is about them that keeps that push and pull happening and would you want them to be any other way? 

 

A) Christine and Simon (Chin Han) are a couple who have magical chemistry.

 

Q) Throughout the episodes we also see Christine reminding Jinof where he came from and the importance of remembering that (which I find very beautiful). When you were filming scenes like those did you find yourself remembering your own parents telling you the same and did you bring that to the scenes? 

 

A) Not really — we are fourth generation immigrants in Malaysia, so my own experiences and relationships to my heritage and parents were quite different from Jin’s. But as a parent myself, I think what we try hardest to do when dealing with our kids is to make them better than ourselves. To teach them the things our parents couldn’t teach us. Christine is teaching these lessons for the first time. And that’s what I tried to bring to the character.

 

Q) The cliffhanger…let me tell you I was just staring at my screen like what just happened. Fingers crossed for season two! And if we do, what would you hope we see in season two and with Christine and Simon? 

 

A) I want to see development in the family dimension. I want to see the family growing stronger together.

 

Q) What I think is amazing is that “American Born Chinese” premiered during Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, where we celebrate all the achievements that really should be celebrated all year around for the Asian community. What did that mean to you and how do you think it impacted the show? 

 

A) I think it’s great. I’m from Asia you know, so this idea of “Asian-American” was quite new to me… a unique identity that was built here in the US. Having a month to celebrate that is such a wonderful thing. The point of it is to celebrate and amplify the voices of Asian-America, right? So, releasing our show during that month is perfect.

 

Q) You worked with such an incredible group of people from Michelle Yeoh, KeHuy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Chin Han and James Hong. What was that experience like and what was a moment from working with them that you’ve carried on outside of “American Born Chinese?” 

 

A) I am fortunate to work with these legends. I have most of my scenes with Chin Han who plays Simon. We spent lots of time discussing the characters. Sometimes we even got into arguments. I am very lucky that I have a collaborator who, in many ways, supports the ideas and is willing to take risks for the relationship we are portraying.

 

Q) What is the message you hope viewers take away from “American Born Chinese?”

 

A) I hope the viewers will be entertained by the show and be touched by the great story.

 

Q) What are the other recent projects that you have been busy working on?

 

A) My next project is Havoc, directed by Gareth Evans. I am looking forward to it. And also making a film with Anthony Chen back in Singapore.

 

Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of your work? 

 

A) Thank you for your constant support. I hope the roles I’ve played have brought you love, hope and joy.