Masami Moriya: [00:00:00] Well, Genevieve, thank you so much for joining me on the podcast today. Uh, now it’s nice that, uh, your, uh, Morgan reached out to us and that put you on, so thank you so much for joining.

Genevieve Kang: Yeah, I’m excited to be here.

Masami Moriya: Um, well, uh, first off, can you please introduce your yourself, uh, your name, location, and, uh, where your hometown is

Genevieve Kang: My name is Genevieve king and I’m currently living in Vancouver, British Columbia, and my hometown is

a smaller city in interior, BC know Ms. Cantaloupes.

Masami Moriya: CA can loops, right.

Genevieve Kang: Campbell’s.

Masami Moriya: Ha I, I saw that name today. I was like, okay, how do I say that? It’s a new one from me, right on. Well, uh, how’s your week been going? It’s been, uh, even busy working on other shows or just kind of like, uh, in, in between shows right now.

Genevieve Kang: I’m in between, uh, gigs right now. So it’s mostly, yeah, I’m just mostly at home. I’m working actually on a script of my own right now.

And [00:01:00] then otherwise I recently adopted a rescue pup from Shanghai. So it’s been also busy, just acclimatizing and, um, getting him adjusted to life in Canada. Um, and then also just, yeah, me, me getting used to being a new dog mom.

So

Masami Moriya: That’s so great. Yeah. I feel like a nice having a pet right now. And yeah, you adopted from Shanghai. Did they ship the dog or.

Genevieve Kang: what, so he, it kinda came as a surprise to me. I’ve been keeping my eye out for, uh, to, to, to adopt a rescue for a while. And, um, of mine, actually, she kept on sending me postings for this one dog and. he’s a lab mix. And I, that just, wasn’t the breed I envisioned myself with. He’s my first dog.

and I’m very much, I, I love anything like Husky, that was like a Wolf. I’m just like, my dog. But, uh, so I wasn’t really keen on just his appearance when she kept on sending [00:02:00] me this, this listing for, this dog who was, who was looking for a home and, uh, went by and she recently, the post was like, he’s still, he’s still available.

We should check it out. And so I logged on and I, I saw, um, basically I saw this video and some photos and heard his story and yeah, as soon as I saw his face, I was just like, oh my gosh, this is my dog. and, uh, yeah, it just felt very much aligned. And so I reached out to the organization, um, and, uh, that, that deals with the, the rescues there.

So it was rescue, pause, Canada, shout out. Um, yeah, with it, like the day I submitted my application a few hours later, I was being interviewed. And then on the spot, the adoption coordinator was just like, we think you’d be, um, With, uh, with this dog. And so within a few days, he was already being planned to, to arrive, uh, in Vancouver.

So, um, they were also trying to [00:03:00] rush to find him quickly. Um, and Yeah.

so within a few days he was in my possession and then here he is, the rest is all a month and a half ago. So it’s still fairly new.

Masami Moriya: Cool. And I seem to sleeping in the background. It’s a great, so I’d love to learn more about you. I think our audience would love to know about yourself as well. So, um, tell us a little bit about, you know, how you kind of started into your acting and now your screenwriting too. So I’m interested to hear more about that as well.

Genevieve Kang: Yeah. So I got into acting. I mean, I, the story goes for many actors, a young age, I love performing, um, and, uh, in storytelling, uh, but it wasn’t until I was in high school. I believe I was 14, um, when I audition for my first school play ever. And, um, Yeah. that was just my first experience. Like really on stage performing for an audience that wasn’t just [00:04:00] my family.

And I just fell in love with the experience. I fell in love with the whole, know, a script and, and bring, you know, taking the words and making it come to life on stage. I fell in love with the production aspect of it. Just, you know, it was, uh, it was, um, the play was the wizard of Oz, so it was a big ensemble cast.

And so just getting to work with all the other students in the school and, um, getting to sing and dance and act. so it was kind of from that point that, uh, it was really soon after I think within a few months that after I finished that play, that I, um, convinced my mom to let me get an agent. I guess per second, we pursue it professionally, but it was, it was more of a, like a fun kind of hobby thing for me at that point.

Um, and she let me, and then, yeah, and then from that point on was auditioning and, uh, yeah. That’s, I guess that’s how I kind of birth.[00:05:00]

Masami Moriya: Yeah. How did you, um, so what did you, who did you play in the wizard of Oz? Did you find.

Genevieve Kang: I didn’t know. I think a lot of people think that I, I, I played her. Um, but, uh, no, I played the barrister of munchkin land. Uh, yeah. Um, not as not a super significant role. Um, it meant a lot to me at the time, uh, no, I believe I just auditioned for, and again, this is where I was. I wasn’t, I was a bit timid about putting myself out there in terms of performance.

Um, because again, like I said, I didn’t really do a lot. Growing up in the public space, I put on shows and stuff at home. Um, but, uh, so I believe when I auditioned for the play, it was just like general auditions to join the, again, the ensemble cast. So I believe it was just, there was like dance auditions and singing auditions.

I don’t even think I [00:06:00] had to, I don’t even remember an acting audition. just kind of assigned students to us, like, okay, you’re going to play the judge of munchkin land. You’re going to play the mayor of munchkin land. and so, yeah, I think I literally had four lines in the whole play, but then I danced throughout the performance.

So.

Masami Moriya: No part is too small, right. It’s just everybody’s uh, so what, what, so you said you were, you were doing shows at home for your parents. So two questions kind of, I was like, how did your parents really support you in your acting early on? And then did, did they inspire you to audition or is it somebody at school who said you should audition for the play.

Genevieve Kang: Oh, good question. Um, my parents didn’t discourage me from performance. I think my parents, I think knew at a very young age that I, I, again, just like loved putting on costumes and playing make-believe and, and all that [00:07:00] again. I would so many kids do, uh, but. But Yeah. growing up my family, I come from a very academic family.

So like school was first and foremost and academics first and foremost was like the focus. then otherwise we were a pretty athletic family. So I have three older siblings and everyone was in various sports and activities growing up. And that was kind of what my parents knew. So academics in athletics.

they didn’t, I mean, I could ask them today, but I feel like it, the answer was, it would be the same of just, they didn’t really know of, you know, to put me in like a theater group or something that you just didn’t know where to kind of place me in that regard. in terms of where my interests were at a very young age.

Um, and, and so, no, I didn’t really have them either as a, I would say like a model of. They pursued it at one point in their lives, even just as a, as an extracurricular or a hobby or assigning trust. Um, it was very much, it felt like, kind of [00:08:00] my own saying, um, the one thing I will say, I know my mom did do some theater back in her day.

And so that came up kind of like later on, um, where, so maybe there’s a little bit of even just genetically, maybe I got it from her kind of thing. but, uh, in terms of the audition for the high school play, um, yeah, that’s a, that’s a great question because I don’t really know what inspired me to audition for it.

If it was just like an instinctual. Well, this is kind of like, I’m it just something that lights me up. So I might as well give it a shot. That’s I feel like the best answer I can get. I don’t remember there being a specific friend or family member who encouraged me. I think it was just my own. I’m going to take this leap and do it, even though it was kind of scary for me.

Masami Moriya: Yeah. University was telling you do it. Here’s the paper, sign your name.

Genevieve Kang: Exactly.

Masami Moriya: So, uh, know your parents, your, [00:09:00] your father is Chinese and your mother is Portuguese. Is that correct?

Genevieve Kang: Yeah. Yeah, that’s right.

Masami Moriya: But both immigrants from other people.

Genevieve Kang: Um, so my mom, my mom was born in Portugal, uh, and she and her family came to Canada. I think she was six when they moved here. Uh, my dad is fourth generation Chinese, so his family’s been in Canada for a long time. Um, and, uh, yeah, yeah,

Masami Moriya: Yeah. Do you, is there any, um, you find your heritage, um, in your life a lot or is it something that’s kind of like, you know, now I’m, I’m more Canadian than I am, uh, you know, Asian mixed, Asian Portugal, Portuguese.

Genevieve Kang: yeah. That’s a good question. Cause I think, um, Growing up. I feel like my parents did a really good job. Um, and still today it, it stands true, but did a really [00:10:00] good job of, uh, exposing me and my siblings to both cultures quite equally. Um, and yeah, I don’t really know how to answer that question. Cause it almost feels like to me, like my heritage is a big part of my life.

It was a big part of my life growing up and still is today. Like that mixed heritage, but it wasn’t something I like that was spoken about. It’s just, that’s just how I was raised and that’s all I knew. Um, but yeah, I think. race and Canadian. It’s like, I’m like all of those things I consider myself.

Yeah. Like it’s, it’s hard. It’s hard to answer that question a little bit.

Masami Moriya: Yeah, I’m mixed myself. So I kind of understand, like, you know, just, is it, what is it it’s just kind of like, this is life.

Genevieve Kang: right. It’s all we’ve ever [00:11:00] known. Um, I think as I get older, it’s interesting because one, I haven’t realizing how much I took for granted certain, um, aspects of either culture growing up. Like, again, it was, it was, felt like second nature, but also some things, you know, as a kid I’d like roll my eyes and was like, oh, this is ridiculous.

Or in being like where I grew up, um, it was, heavily populated, populated by Caucasians. So, um, to be kind of it, to be next and, um, to identify differently. Maybe some things would come up when I was a kid that was like, oh, that would highlight that I was different from a lot of my Um, but yeah, as I get older, I think I’m able to maybe zone in on certain aspects of my Chinese heritage or my Portuguese heritage that I’m just like, oh, these are things that are, I really value.

And I want [00:12:00] to celebrate more and honor more in my day-to-day or in moving forward. And as I to build my life.

Masami Moriya: Yeah, bring it back, bring it, brings it back. You’re like, oh, I really enjoyed that as a kid, but I don’t do it anymore. And so how do I continue it so that I pass it on to other people too.

Genevieve Kang: yeah, exactly. Yeah,

Masami Moriya: Yeah, it feels really it’s fulfilling at that point too. Sometimes it’s like, I think I had that at one point as well.

It’s just like, it feels like a hole was missing. And then when I’m putting, bring it back, oh, there’s something that I want to keep filling more and more with.

Genevieve Kang: yeah, yeah, no, definitely.

Masami Moriya: So you said your, your, how your mother, your father, uh, help you get an agent. I’m really curious about that. Cause I feel like most people, uh, agents find you, you have to wait for an agent to discover you. You just went to go find an agent. How did that work?

Genevieve Kang: Um, so, I mean, you can, uh, [00:13:00] there is the process of you, I guess you can submit to agents. You’d submit I dunno how it is if it’s still the same today, when I was first getting started, you could submit a photo. So a headshot a resume. If you have any work?

um, to present and maybe like a demo reel and you can submit these to agents and then they would maybe contact you if they were interested.

Um, I guess in my case, I actually was, uh, I was discovered in the sense I, so it adds to start. I was talking, I remember, uh, bringing up the idea with my mom. Um, but then was this like talent scout kind of coming through Kamloops. So, they were passenger Kamloops and doing an event. And my, one of my friends who was, uh, we were on the swim team, but like the local swim team together.

And one of my friends, she, uh, wanted to go to this because basically you would show up at this event and they’d basically say like, they give a bunch of [00:14:00] information about a potential, what was it? It was like a talent scouting convention. You could potentially be invited to if they saw potential in you.

Um, as someone it was for modeling and acting and primary, I think it was primarily modeling, but also there was an acting component to it. And so my friend invited me to go with her because she really wanted to go and she didn’t want to go well. And so my mom, let me go to this. And it was. Literally you show up and they just, they line you up then they basically say yes or no, it’s like Ruth it gets on your wall.

Um, which is a course. So much of the industry is based on that. And it’s um, yes, it’s interesting. But anyways, um, so I went with my friend and I mean, it was kind of a fun thing I was, but it wasn’t really thinking anything of it. It wasn’t at that point. I, I really, I was just a kid who grew up in Kamloops who liked performing.[00:15:00]

So I think I showed up and I was like in soccer shorts and a baggy t-shirt and my hair was undone. And like, I wasn’t looking to impress anybody. I was like, I’m here. And, uh, and I got the, yes. And I thought it was just like, we’d love to have you come to this convention. We think would be, see potential.

And again, just purely based off of my look, um, at this point. And so. was basically then me going home and convincing my mom, to let me go to this convention, which was in Banff, Alberta, I believe it was being hosted in Vance. Um, it was like over the course of a long weekend or something. It costs a lot of money.

So this is also the so, and so now, yeah, so now it’s just like, oh,

Masami Moriya: Yeah.

Genevieve Kang: potentially. Cause there was like hundreds of people at this convention and certainly there, then there is, there’s a panel there’s like there’s, I don’t know how many there was a lot that there was several, um, agents for modeling [00:16:00] and. And basically it’s over the course of the weekend. You’re doing like runway walking and all this stuff.

So, so they’re basically like auditioning you for modeling. And then there was also an active deployment where you could, you could prepare, um, a monologue and perform the monologue. And I, because I really wanted to act, I wasn’t so interested in modeling, I prepared a monologue and performed it. And ended up getting, I had, I think a total of seven, seven modeling agencies that were really interested in signing me.

Um, so, that was pretty good. And then there was two agencies, for acting that were really interested there. And there was fewer agencies for acting at the convention overall. Um, but anyways, so it kind of worked out for me, even though I drove out money to go to the state. Um, but that’s how I ended up finding my very first agent based in Vancouver.[00:17:00]

Um, and they were for modeling and acting, so it kind of worked out and, uh, Yeah.

it kinda just went from there.

Masami Moriya: So you said you had several, um, scouting around and inside wanting to work with you. How did you pick which one to.

Genevieve Kang: Yeah.

So kind of hilariously the, the agent I ended up signing with. So I had a F a, a friend in high school who she’s still an actress today actually. Um, and she, at the time in high school was I think, primarily modeling, she was getting into some commercial work as well. and, and she was like modeling all over it.

She was going to like Thailand and stuff. And, um, it was so funny because I sat down to meet with, because basically these agents that they show interest in you and you have these meetings with them at the convention. sat down to meet with this one year. And I’m looking through, I guess, like a look book they have of some of their existing clients.

And I flip the page and I see my friends from high [00:18:00] school. I was like, oh my gosh, I know her. And, uh, so then we the connection. Like she wrecked my friends. And so was, I think it just a familiarity and there were, it just felt like it’s like, oh, she looks my friend and she’s doing so well.

I’m like, maybe this is, this is a good sign. And, and to kind of just go with them because I wanted to, again, focus more on acting, uh, there was no sense in just signing with one of the modeling agencies that was, um, also interested. yeah.

Masami Moriya: Yeah. I think that’s a good, um, a way to figuring out who you want to work with one referral. So your, your friend already was there. And so it feels good. Um, but yeah, I think that’s, I think it’s really important because you know, I’m not an actor, but you know, people want me to act, okay, well, who would I choose if I did any acting?

I know my actor, friends are always looking for agents, but like, you don’t know if they’re going to be a scam, like you said, and who knows what it is. So, you know, I think it’s really good to figure out a process and way to choose. Um, if they are [00:19:00] just acting or, and modeling is all sudden. Points to think about.

Genevieve Kang: Yeah. And I think, I mean, I think it’s a little bit different because I do, I have friends who are though the past few years, they’ve kind of, they transitioned out of working with one agent and moved over to another and the reasons for different. And I actually just, uh, last year, got representation in U S so that, that was a process.

That’s just what my, my representing Canada we’ve been with them no longer than the agents in Vancouver, but I have in Toronto. Um, and I’ve been with Julia for over a decade now. Um, Signing with her was I kind of just fell into it. That’s a whole other story. But in getting my rep in LA, uh, last year, was, I was going through that actual process of meeting with different agents and really having to make more of a, a decision based on like, what is it I’m looking for?

Can they provide that? Um, and then super [00:20:00] important for me in, in, um, my team, is there other people I can communicate with and that we’re on the same page and then I, we can feel comfortable with one another. So there’s a lot of factors that go into forming that relationship.

Masami Moriya: Yeah. So what was your first gig? So I’ve seen like I’m B as like, was it Nickelodeon, was your first thing? Was it something else?

Genevieve Kang: No, that was, yeah. That’s my first TV and film job. So, um, yeah, I think I booked that, that was my third audition with my new agent. Um, so I think I was 15. Um, and yeah, it was exciting again, I was like coming in so green and like, not knowing it. I definitely wasn’t the, I dunno. I just, like, I didn’t know what to expect.

I think maybe at that point I had taken like an on like one on camera acting class intensive. So I barely knew what I was doing. Um, but yeah, it’s clearly worked [00:21:00] out.

Masami Moriya: Yeah. And over the years you were doing, um, one to two episodes for every show and, uh, things here. And, but then also, you know, it was listening to your, another podcast you’re on the Topanga, the Topanga canyon or the pink a moon.

Genevieve Kang: Yeah,

Masami Moriya: I did. I was like, listen to what else? Where else do you been on? But you were, you were doing, you’re finishing your master’s degree, you’re working jobs like a vegan bakery and nanny.

Like how did you balance those things? Um, all the time. And, and what was the decision to, you know, continue acting.

Genevieve Kang: Yeah. Uh, this is a really good question. Cause I think this is like a pretty integral part of my, my in the past decade is that I after high school, um, I wanting to act, but I didn’t, I didn’t have the courage to basically tell my parents, this is what I want to do. Um, and I just want to move to Vancouver and pursue it professionally.

And, [00:22:00] um, again, as I mentioned earlier, like come from a very academic family. So it was kind of just in the stars that you’re going to go and get a uniter degree and, um, have that education and then you’re going to get it a financially secure job. And so I, uh, yeah. I completely respect my parents and everything they had done for me and my siblings.

So it’s like, I get it. They really want it to provide this, this life and future for their kids and which they very much have. And so following high school, I, um, went to university, um, I guess the it, because I didn’t really want to do anything, but act, I basically applied to a few universities for general studies, except for one in Toronto, I applied to for the theater program.

And then when I got into that, I was like, okay, I’m going to have here, I’m going in, in studying theater. Cause that was kind of the closest thing I could get to, like going to act. And so I went off to Toronto, uh, did my undergrad in [00:23:00] theater, uh, following that, uh, as you mentioned, yeah, I did a master’s in communications that was to be quite honest.

Both. I was very interested in the program. It was a brand new program that had just come out. It was a joint program between York and Ryerson university in Toronto. Um, and it was a really interesting program, but I was also kind of buying time because I had finished my theater degree and I was just like, what am I going to do now?

What do you do with a theater degree? Um, and still here wanting to pursue acting professionally, but not point. It was kind of also, it wasn’t just like me lacking the courage to, to, I guess, say to my parents, this is what I want to do. It was lacking the courage in myself to be able to say, this is what I want to do and I can do it in as possible.

Um, so I, yeah, I did my master’s degree. And at the same time I’m working these side jobs and then pursuing. Kind of on the side and hoping that like something will [00:24:00] just land and it’ll certainly off my feet and I’ll, I’ll be set and I won’t have to worry about doing that transition. It’ll just acting will just happen for me and it wasn’t happening that way.

So I, I was working a lot of, um, uh, I said, I was nannying. I was working in restaurants. I was working at a bakery, um, just trying to balance all these jobs to pay the bills. um, still at this point, not enough to be able to like, look enough acting jobs, to be able to rely on that, um, solely as is my financial income and, um, and to, really pursue that full-time.

So then I, because I was getting tired of working all these odd jobs, I, uh, was, it was kind of during my master’s that I became more interested in this, but I got heavily interested in holistic nutrition. Um, and it was, did you with. Personal, um, health concerns, [00:25:00] um, but yeah, my master’s, I ended up doing my master’s thesis on topics related to nutrition and the lack of nutritional literacy.

So basically how people don’t know, anything about and, um, their health. And, uh, and that kind of led to just, again, my own like personal education on these topics. but because I was tired of working all these jobs to pay the bills, I really trying to think hard on what is something I can do that I could have flexibility in my schedule so that I can go to auditions.

but that was something I enjoyed a little bit more than working at restaurants, working at a bakery. and I, I thought of course, nutrition. So I, then I went back to school and became a holistic nutritionist and. Um, that allowed me to then I, I set up my own business. So I was, I had basically a consulting business, whereas working with clients, one-on-one doing a lot of consulting with, [00:26:00] um, various actual businesses in Toronto, where I was doing a lot of recipe development for them.

and, uh, yeah, that basically allowed me now set my own hours, have flexibility in my schedule so that I could continue to pursue acting. Um, so it’s kind of funny cause I’ll joke about how I became a nutritionist so that I can, that I could actually continue acting. Um, and then it was just within, I think two were his years, of, working as a nutritionist.

And again, I’m still pursuing, acting that acting just started to kind of take off. I, I had a moment where I did start to feel creatively unfulfilled and just pursuing my nutrition trajectory, um, that I realized, need to. Pursue acting full-time otherwise it’s like, I’m never, if I’m never going to take this risk, like, what am I waiting for kind of thing.

so I remember having like a mental switch about it. Um, I didn’t really [00:27:00] do anything on the physical plane differently, but then all of a sudden, just more auditions started rolling in and I just started booking consistently. Um, so don’t know if that’s like the power of manifestation and just like mindset and just putting it out in the universe and then, you know, seeing what comes.

But, but yeah, there was, there was like one day I woke up and I was just like, I’m being creatively unfulfilled right now. Just staying in the nutrition space as much as I love it. Um, and, uh, and yeah, I slowly, as I, as I started to, um, to work more in the acting.

industry, I was able to transition pretty seamlessly out of, um, as a nutritionist.

I, I just basically saved a lot of money so that I could fully take that leap. Um, and, uh, and then yeah, like kind of bet on myself to be honest,

Masami Moriya: No, I think that’s great. I think that’s the thing that people can kind of forget that this is, this is an art form and because it’s not paid very well, especially at the beginning, um, finding another job. But I think [00:28:00] what I learned, um, very early on was, you know, being an entrepreneur, finding your way to make money, not someone else’s thing.

When you have your own time, your own self income, um, you’re able to save up, use that make if money equals time, then you can use your money to buy yourself time, uh, to pursue acting, see your creative goals. one way to go about it. I think that I like, cause it’s like some way to, um, when you’re setting your own hours, you can take other time to do other things, which is really, uh, useful for your own energy and focus on how to develop that career.

Genevieve Kang: Yeah, no, totally. Um, and, uh, yeah, It just took me a really long time to get there.

Masami Moriya: It does. It never, never stops. Um, so I’m gonna, I’ll, I’ll give you your options to take this, but I do want to talk about, uh, the time you had lupus. And so if that’s something that you were you okay with talking about that for a minute?

Genevieve Kang: [00:29:00] Yeah. Yeah.

Masami Moriya: I have a question about it. So, um, for our other audience, when you were younger, um, you had to deal with lupus, which is, uh, anatomy, auto immune disease, where your body, um, your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs, but it also shows up in your skin.

Um, and as an actor, you know, you looks are a huge part of your career. Did that affect your career and in that way, or even just, um, the way you presented yourself and, you know, what did you learn from this experience?

Genevieve Kang: Yeah. So, yeah, it’s really interesting. So is so unique in that, uh, It’s for everyone. It can be different for everybody. Um, and it can essentially the condition can, um, attack different organs or, or systems within the body, uh, for me. And yeah, it can affect skin. For me, that seems to be like the organ that it was sex mostly.

Um, [00:30:00] and by that, I mean, so if I am, experiencing, what would you refer to as a lupus flare up? Um, so when you’re, you know, you, you have a lot of inflammation in the body and then you start to show more severe symptoms. Um, for me that does look like was first diagnosed, I actually, I did have like lesions all over my body.

Um, kind of like rash, like lesions. I also have the very distinctive, it’s called a malar or butterfly rashes. It’s like a rash that goes across the bridge of the nose and the upper cheeks. Um, and so. So right from the get go, it was something that was definitely affecting my skin. and then over the years, uh, if I have had a flare up and I’ve been really fortunate to, to be able to manage most of my symptoms, um, just with diet and lifestyle, that’s something that, again, I kind of came to on my own, um, years and years ago now.

Uh, [00:31:00] but if I am, how do I put it? Not even just a lupus flare up, but if my immune system’s suppressed, if I’m run down, I think for me a big thing is like, if I am experiencing chronic stress, which, and this probably goes for most people, but, um, my body will start to really, um, fight back. But in a way, you know, it’ll, it’ll retain.

And all sorts of see that in symptoms of I’ll get Exuma, I’m in various spots on my skin. And this is again, I hear this with lots of people when they’re under stress. Um, psoriasis is also another thing and that’s like, that is nowhere else to be on a, um, and, uh, then for me too, a big one is acting. So in my mid twenties, I had since I, since my diagnosis, um, in my teens, was in my mid twenties that I had, um, my, my biggest flare up.

And it was during a time that I was going [00:32:00] through, uh, uh, traumatic and tumultuous breakup. Um, and so emotionally I was going through a lot and my body just shut down physically. Um, and I developed a all over my body that was incredibly uncomfortable and painful. And, um, and, uh, I also developed acne at that time.

And I, before that point, I’d always had actually. Good skin, um, uh, in terms of acne. And, uh, so I was just like, what’s going on? Like, I’m, I’m, I’m not a teen anymore. I shouldn’t be having these breakouts, but I I’ve learned, and it’s something I’ve had to honestly kind of manage over the years. And, um, it was at that time, actually I did, that was one of my many breaks from the industry was following that breakup.

And when I was having this flare up and it was affecting my skin because it got to the point, I remember I was still auditioning and, um, sending in like audition tapes and all this stuff. And I finally got to a point where [00:33:00] I just couldn’t cover up with makeup and it just didn’t like, and it was affecting my confidence as an actor and I wasn’t feeling good about my work.

And, um, I had to take a step back, uh, for almost two years at that time, um, until until I healed. Um, and, uh, yeah. Does that answer your question? I can’t remember. There was some, yeah.

Masami Moriya: No. W w you know, I think we learned a lot here. Just, you know, what was your, not even just experience, but you know, how, how you dealt with it and you took time to step away from the unit. Right. And, and manage your stress, manage what was going on in life. And I think that’s completely not only valid, but a good step to take.

Um, and then you you’ve dealt with your diet. So you and your holistic, uh, holistic nutrition, you know, you said, I think you’re hurting the other podcast. We were very thinking about what you were eating. And I think that really affects us how our body works. And so, you know, um, I just think that’s, uh, it was just something I had heard on the other thing.

And I was just, I think it’s really important to think about, [00:34:00] um, how we take care of our bodies in such a terrible, a terribly stressful industry. Um, you know, that’s something that we need to work on ourselves as well. So I just wanted to touch upon that. So thank you for.

Genevieve Kang: Yeah.

Masami Moriya: Um, but now you’re on Netflix show locking key for season one and two. Um, this is your, uh, you know, from your other shows, this is your longest episodic role in a series. So I’m curious to hear, how did you, how did this role come about and like, what was your experience? Do you enjoy it? And, you know, I’d love to hear about what’s it working.

Was it working like on this.

Genevieve Kang: Yeah, So, um, the role came about, I auditioned, oh my gosh. It feels like forever ago. Um, was so much younger than now. Uh, I, I believe I was actually, I was actually at, um, at a film festival, the Whistler film festival promoting a movie. I was in, um, I got the call to audition for Jackie, [00:35:00] uh, which I later learned, they had been looking for, an actor to play this role for like several months prior to when I audition and they just couldn’t find anyone.

Um, and then I think it was coming down to crunch time and B. in the initial round of auditions, Wasn’t seen. but I think I it’s, and the reason I found that it was because I had some other actor acquaintances who had auditioned for the role, but again, like six, eight months prior to when I did. And so I get this audition, I just put it on tape and send it in.

And then, uh, within a few days I had received notice that they wanted to bring me in, to do a chemistry read with, uh, Connor who plays Tyler. Uh, and so then, yeah, so the next week I was in this chemistry read and it went pretty well, I guess. Um, and, uh, yeah, I’ve, I’ve really enjoyed my time on the show. Um, [00:36:00] it’s, is nice when you get to stick around for a while and kind of form relationships with the people you’re working with.

You’re not just doing, it’s not just like you’re, you’re coming in for few days or an episode here and there. Um, yeah. We all became like family. Um, and, and then in terms of my role, it’s, it’s also just fun to get, to live with a character, um, for a little while and, and get to grow develop them yeah.

As their archivals and everything. So, yeah, I’ve really loved my time on the show.

Masami Moriya: Yeah, that’s cool. Um, when did you start shooting that?

Genevieve Kang: The first season, the first season we started in February of 2019.

Masami Moriya: Yeah, it’s been awhile.

Genevieve Kang: If the also, I mean, I know it’s been what, two and a half years, it feels like it’s been like 20 years. [00:37:00]

Masami Moriya: Yeah. I just lost a couple of years and really thrown time away. Um, so, okay. So then what’s it like, um, you know, shooting it back to 20 19 5 finished around March may somewhere around there. Um, maybe a little further, but somewhere in 2019, right.

Genevieve Kang: Yeah.

Masami Moriya: Is that right? Right. Um, what’s it like to have this show them released during the pandemic?

Um, and you’re not able to go on tours at press releases and all that stuff. And you know, are you, is it, is it just like cover from your own home just to see yourself and see the popularity or, you know, how has that experience that post PR.

Genevieve Kang: Yeah. Uh, it’s a lot more fun if you can go places. Yeah. So with the first season, it was so great because, um, I guess we had our, our first season premiere because we did have a premiere in real life. It was about a year [00:38:00] after we started filming the first season and that first season. Uh, we were in LA for it.

Um, and he was actually right before kind of things locked down. So we were really lucky that we got to have that. and it was so much fun and yeah, it’s just so much more fun to be able to like talk real life, um, is, you know, is nice as it’s like able to with them over and whatnot.

It’s just not the same. and so this year I’m going to season coming out in the spring. You said the show coming out during the pandemic and it’s, it’s definitely different and an adjustment, but it’s, it’s kind of wild because realize, um, that it like how resilient and adaptable we are as humans, because it does also kind of feel just like, oh, this is just like the new of doing things.

Um, as much as it would be great to have, you know, to be able to engage with people more in person right [00:39:00] now. Um, yeah. It’s just kind of how it is. And, uh, sometimes there can be, I guess, pros to being in your own home and of your own home and in these conversations. Uh, also kind of like, it’s very personal, right?

Like kind of in your space right now and you’re also at mine, so yeah. It’s resting experience.

Masami Moriya: What was the biggest, um, lesson or biggest challenge you had during this whole experience for locking key or, uh, and balancing both being at home now in pandemic, but also just, um, you know, now this is your year in the second season. Part of it you’ve down developed, uh, longer relationships with your cast and crew.

Um, what’s been the biggest lesson here.

Genevieve Kang: Mm oh, wow. Um, [00:40:00] Particularly, I’m gonna this in terms of, I think something I’ve, I’ve really impacted by and, and learned in the past couple years in, in my line of work is, is how isolating it can be to be in, um, my industry. I’m going to say it particularly as an actor, just because I’m speaking as an actor, I have a conversation with some of my actor friends recently.

And as some of us have been, I was, so I moved to, I used to live in, I lived in Toronto for many, many years and I moved to Vancouver, just before actually things locked down and the pandemic really, um, happened. And so I then went back to Toronto fall to film season two, Um, but it was no, Toronto was no longer getting it.

Wasn’t I didn’t have my space. It was very much, I was being put up [00:41:00] in by the production while I was there. And, um, so essentially it was a kind of like a hotel living and it was the first time for me really getting hit with just how lonely it can be. Um, if you’re not careful. And if you aren’t, um, making an effort to connect with other people, how long it can be as an actor, especially when you’re traveling and you’re ending up in a new city or something, and you don’t know anybody, and maybe you’re not always working every day with your, your casting crews.

You’re not seeing people regularly. but just, yeah, all the kind of aspects of that. And then how also on top of that, of the pandemic work we have in terms of auditions were. As an actor, we’re doing all of our stuff on tape for ourselves and then submitting it. And so also not having that, um, time outside of our homes to engage with people in the audition room.

Um, we’re just by ourselves constantly. Um, and so, [00:42:00] so something, I guess, to answer your question about what I’ve learned is, is, how isolating it is, but then go with that, how important it is to make sure, I’m also prioritizing connecting with people, and this is something that connection is just like a major thing.

I, I, I value in my life in general. Um, and so, yeah, it’s, it’s been a bit, um, and I know it’s been compounded by again the year that week, but the couple of years that we’ve had with the pandemic and just everyone, I think feeling regardless of or not my industry, but everyone just feeling isolated or disconnected from people.

Um, so. Yeah. that answer your question?

Masami Moriya: Yeah, no, totally. I think, um, you know, NextGen was kind of like the biggest lesson to learn throughout your journey, but I think that’s a big part of it too, reaching out. I think just connection beyond the work is they could do the work all the time. You could be an audition, [00:43:00] you can be acting even in crew.

It’s like if you’re not also not making friends, but also just being with other people beyond, beyond, beyond set or beyond the chemistry rooms, um, you know, finding other, other common interests or other people to be with, to go hang with, because I think that’s because the industry is so small. It’s so. It becomes social, but then you find that you’re when, like a, another location where you’re all at none of you at home, but to then have your own hotel rooms and stuff like that, uh, to make, make the conscious effort to be, to do stuff outside as well.

I think that’s really important

Genevieve Kang: Yeah. Yeah, no, definitely.

Masami Moriya: is that one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned over your, over your entire career, or is there something that you feel like you it’s like advice like I’m trying to get to is like, what advice would you give to other emerging actors like yourself?

Genevieve Kang: Hm. Uh, I mean, [00:44:00] one piece is to kind of work what you were just saying about, I do think it’s really important to do other things, and this is where I, again, I, as much as it took me such a long time to step into, um, to really follow my heart and step into acting pursue it you know, full time. Um, have no regrets the trajectory I took.

And, and the fact that I also, I very much celebrate the fact that I do have like interests in life and I think that’s really important. Um, I think like you were just saying, like, I think it’s because this industry can be, um, it can feel like overstimulating in a lot of ways too. So I think it is really healthy.

And as, as I’ve mentioned previously, like I’ve taken multiple breaks over the 15 years that I’ve taken the game, the stretch taken many breaks along the way. And I think that can be really healthy and important, um, to just take a step back [00:45:00] and reevaluate and figure out like, know, reevaluate, like why you’re doing it.

It’s a really good one, but also just like go off and do other things go travel, go again, like connect with other people outside the industry. Um, certainly. Dip your toes into other hobbies or interests that maybe, maybe you didn’t think you’d be interested in, but you are. And you know, you may surprise yourself.

And, um, I think all of these, things can help make you actors make actors, more well-rounded and, um, in their work to begin with. So, uh, so yeah, that’s a big one. And then I’d say I can give another one. It would be to, uh, to just take the risk. And that’s like both in life is an actor and in the business of acting, um, like a chance on yourself.

Bet on yourself. Do do what I [00:46:00] eventually got to doing. Again, it took me, it took me my time to get there, which is totally fine. Um, and then also in your work as an artist, take a risk as well. think that’s another big thing I’ve learned past few years is just like, be bold in your choices. Um, and, uh, and if you fall flat on your face, like you’ll, you’ll learn.

I just feel like I feel very confidently that you’ll learn something in the process. And if you learn something, I don’t really see that as a failure by any means. Right. It’s, it’s actually kind of a win, so

Masami Moriya: Yeah, I think as an other PA other episodes, like fail, fail the first attempt in learning. Right?

Genevieve Kang: yeah, that’s great.

Masami Moriya: Um, no, I think that’s, that’s gonna be the, definitely how the episode is take risks and, um, I had it and bet on yourself. Right. I think that’s

Genevieve Kang: Yeah.

Masami Moriya: really big takeaways. Um, and like a lot of people are afraid to bet on themselves because it’s a [00:47:00] risk too, but I think it’s really important that we believe in ourselves.

Take that take that chance. And if we are really passionate about it and can really put the effort into it, we can do it

Genevieve Kang: Yeah, and I think that’s actually another, again, kind of with all that, all what we’re saying is just like the past of years with the pandemic as well, and just the realness of uncertainty in life and just like, there’s so much, I think for me, I’ve lived with, and as you know, artists, um, we live with that uncertainty in our or entrepreneurs, you know, we live with that uncertainty in our, in our work, but the last few years with the pandemic really highlighted, think just uncertainty in life in general.

and so, uh, yeah, almost kind of this feeling of you got nothing to lose, go for it

Masami Moriya: for sure. Um, what’s the one thing you want to be most known for? Like [00:48:00] what’s the legacy.

Genevieve Kang: Oh, wow. Okay. I think, I think this actually ties in quite nicely with, um, not to repeat myself over and over again, but with the, the notion of risk-taking, um, and, and having courage, it sounds so maybe broad, but just yet in life in general, I would love to be known as somebody who, um, Took risks. Um, did the things, even though I was afraid, [00:49:00] um, and, um, and doing all that and, and, and, and doing all of that with integrity. and before, you know, where I’m in, still in alignment with myself and, um, not selling out, but, uh, yeah, I think, Um,

taking risks because as, as, yeah, as we’ve been saying, I think that goes back to a lot of, not just on yourself, but, um, and taking a chance for yourself. I think that comes with, uh, building self-trust.

Masami Moriya: Um,

Genevieve Kang: I see that with a question mark on the end, but I,

Masami Moriya: no, but yeah, yeah, I get that.

Genevieve Kang: yeah. And that’s something I self-trust is something I been acutely aware of in my own life for the past several years. Um, [00:50:00] kind of just like looking at what that means to me, how that shows up in my life or does not show up. think we’re, you know, we live in a in a society that’s constantly telling us how to be and who we are and what’s right.

What’s wrong. And I think, you know, kind of drowning out some of that noise and getting quiet with ourselves and figuring it, you know, um, taking back our power and, um, yeah, figuring out what is best for you. and then trusting that, uh, and then, then acting from that.

place, um, to then take risks and be courageous and do the thing, even though you were.

Um, and then like, as you said, it back to what you, what you said about, um, was mentioned in another podcast of, uh, failing first step in, in learning. Um, and what are, I don’t know, what are we without learning growth and like, it kind of just [00:51:00] never ends. And I think that’s what can make licensed living so exciting.

Masami Moriya: Yeah, I like that. Self-trust and you know, if you’re gonna, we’re all gonna make mistakes and it’s not going to be your first. It’s not gonna be your last, I think you just, uh, just take on that. It’s like, you’re just going to have to pick yourself up the next day and keep trying. Cause it’s not gonna, if you, if you trust in yourself that you know what you’re doing, that you feel right.

And you feel that you have to just, you know, if you don’t think it’s right for you, it’s you just know it’s good for you. You know, it’s the thing you want to do. Um, the trust that trust that instinct, I think that’s really valuable to think about uh, so one last couple of questions. What, um, what would you be doing if you weren’t.

Genevieve Kang: Hm, there wasn’t acting. I’d probably be doing one of two things. I would, I there’s a good chance. I’d be doing something within the holistic wellness space. Um, it is something I’m very passionate about and it’s something I see [00:52:00] myself. Like I still want to have a presence in that space. Um, it is taking a little bit of a back in my life right now, but, um, as I was developing my business, so I, as I mentioned, I was doing like a lot of consulting work, but it was kind of at the juncture of, as I transitioned into acting full time, that I had really found my footing, uh, in the holistic wellness space.

And I was really figuring out what it was that I like really lit me up in that world. Um, and I had started to host these dinners. Um, where I would curate and design, um, a menu that was seasonal local, like featured, featuring seasonal, local fair. and the idea was to bring people together. I believe I called the mindful eating dinner events and the mindful aspect of it was, was simply just bringing people together share a [00:53:00] meal with one another, to be with one another and with the food they’re consuming.

Um, and then, like I said, to feature local seasonal ingredients. Um, um, I got, oh, I just had, I have a lot of fun in the kitchen, so I love to develop recipes and that’s again, a creative aspect in, in that space for me. Um, so I had a lot of fun developing the menus for the event. and I believe so I got to do one of those.

Um, and it went so, so well, I probably could have sold way more tickets, but I wanted to keep it very intimate. I said, I, I literally had like 10 to 12 people. It was, it was intimate and so lovely. Um, and I was planning to do, I had another, the second dinner event in the works, but then I booked job that unfortunately, the dates conflicted with the date of the event.

And I had to, it was like, that was like a very interesting, like telling point, just like, okay, I got to and choose and I chose acting, of course. Um, uh, there was something about these [00:54:00] events and what I really, again, because that I was consulting with clients on just like one-on-one work of how to, um, you know, help them with their own personal health and, um, how to alter their diet and lifestyle and that sort of thing, uh, which has its, you know, its own fulfillment, but I, I really loved the. The experience of bringing people together around food. I think that’s also, it goes back to just how I was raised and my, both my cultures are big on food and, and food experiences. Um, uh, and very much my, part of my wellness philosophy is that food can be all of fuel medicine and joy.

And so that’s also what I wanted to highlight with these dinners, um, that we can have like really delicious food, but it can also be nourishing and good for us. part of that nourishment is the coming [00:55:00] together and being present with one another and present with the food. Um, and then the seasonal aspect of the dinner events too, was to really highlight, uh, wellness.

And we as humans living in sync with the seasons and in sync with nature, um, and nature cycles, uh, which I think is one of the best ways for us all to be well and healthy. Um, something in that space, something maybe to do, like, I just want to throw dinner parties basically, but, uh, yeah. Yeah. That’s probably either that, or I’ve always said if I were to go back to school for something, um, I’m also I’m really into architectural design.

So if I were to go back to school for anything, I would probably go back to school and become an architect.

Masami Moriya: Uh, is so great. And I think that it’s really important to think about. Gatherings, the art of gathering. There’s a great book by, uh, uh, I’ve got any [00:56:00] right now, but you know, gathering people, but also around the food and in sync with the nature and understanding what’s, what’s healthy right now. What’s fresh.

Um, now, and then that it could, it could heal nonwhite bodies, but our, our souls as a food, but it’s home cooking. It’s people. I think that’s a really great way to think about it. You know, it could be room for, um, both in your future that you’re bringing your actor, friends together and your, your crew and all that stuff.

So that’s fantastic. And, um, you said your, your, uh, screen writing right now is this, you know, I’m looking, you know, what are you working on now? And, um, is a screenwriting something you’re going to try to pursue.

Genevieve Kang: Yeah. So I’m writing my first script and it’s incredibly daunting and the processes have been very slow for me. I’ve been saying for the past year that I’m working on a script and so it’s, it’s ongoing. Um, and, uh, yeah, I mean, it gets, it’s, I’m very much at a point in my career where, um, [00:57:00] one, in terms of like the, the next thing I, I like to a part of in terms of acting I’m, I’m being much more selective about, what those, those projects are.

Um, I really want to be able to connect with the content that I’m, um, again, putting out in the world and, um, So sometimes that means pickings are slim to be quite honest. Um, and, uh, so all that to say, I also, yeah, like end of last year, I was just like, I think I need to put my own ideas down on paper and start putting out my own stories.

Um, and, uh, so I started working on this script earlier this year and, uh, it’s very much a personal story about much based on my childhood and growing up mixed race. Um, so it touches on a lot of things of racism, identity, um, belonging and not belonging. [00:58:00] Um, those, those ideas can be, um, very much a coming of age.

And, um, yeah, right now a lot of the ideas and the script is very jumbled, but I have to, to get it out there, uh, at some point for sure. And, and yeah, moving forward, I think, um, I do see that as. Uh, like, uh, a big part of my future is, is, um, writing and I’d love to eventually get into directing and producing as well.

Masami Moriya: Good. Good. Get those stories and, uh, anything we should be keeping a look out for in the future. Obviously you go wash, talking key on Netflix right now, and there’s something else that we should be keeping an eye out for.

Genevieve Kang: Um, mean, walking key. Uh, but otherwise, like I said, I’m just, I’m working with my team right now to kind of find, um, thing. And, uh, maybe, maybe I’ll be the [00:59:00] next prominent Marvel superhero. Um, but, uh, yeah.

Masami Moriya: Okay. Great. Well, Genevieve, thank you so much for spending time with us and sharing, sharing your story. I think this was a really valuable, uh, interview for me.

Genevieve Kang: Thank you. I had so much fun talking.

Masami Moriya: Great. So where can people find you and your socials? You get on Instagram and stuff. Please tell us where people can follow your work.

Genevieve Kang: Yeah. Uh, I’m mostly on Instagram. My handle is at Genevieve G uh, yeah, that’s the, I have a Twitter account, but I don’t really, I don’t know how to use the

Masami Moriya: I don’t understand it.

Genevieve Kang: So just find me on Instagram. That’s where most of my stuff.

Masami Moriya: Fabulous. All right. Well, thank you again so much. I can’t wait for people to hear us. And, um, yeah, this is, I’m really excited to meet you. [01:00:00] Thank you.

Genevieve Kang: Thank you. so much, David.

Masami Moriya: All right. Take care.

Genevieve Kang: We

Masami Moriya: All right.