# Justin Chon

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Korean-American actor and director

Justin Chon Chon in 2017 Born Justin Jitae Chon (1981-05-29) May 29, 1981 (age 45)[1] Garden Grove, California, U.S. Alma mater University of Southern California Occupations Actor director writer YouTuber Years active 2005–present Spouse Sasha Egorova ​ (m. 2014)​ Children 2 Website www.tenthandfourth.com

**Justin Jitae Chon**[2] (born May 29, 1981) is a [Korean-American](/source/Korean_Americans) actor and filmmaker. He has directed four films, [*Gook*](/source/Gook_(film)) (2017), *[Ms. Purple](/source/Ms._Purple)* (2019), *[Blue Bayou](/source/Blue_Bayou_(film))* (2021)[3], and [Jamojaya](/source/Jamojaya). He is also known for portraying [Eric Yorkie](/source/List_of_Twilight_characters#Eric_Yorkie) in *[The Twilight Saga](/source/The_Twilight_Saga_(film_series))* film series.[4] He is a member of the [K-pop](/source/K-pop) parody group [Boys Generally Asian](/source/Boys_Generally_Asian).[5]

## Early life

Chon was born in [Garden Grove, California](/source/Garden_Grove%2C_California), and raised in [Irvine, California](/source/Irvine%2C_California), where he attended [University High School](/source/University_High_School_(Irvine%2C_California)).[6] Chon is of [Korean](/source/Korean_Americans) descent. His father, Sang Chon, was an actor in [South Korea](/source/South_Korea) and later a shoe wholesales owner in [Paramount, California](/source/Paramount%2C_California).[7] His mother is a pianist.[8] He has a younger sister.[9]

Chon attended the [University of Southern California](/source/University_of_Southern_California) (USC), where he majored in business.[6] During college, he studied abroad at [Yonsei University](/source/Yonsei_University) in [Seoul](/source/Seoul), South Korea.[10]

## Career

### Acting

Chon in 2009

Chon started acting in 2005 in shows such as *[Jack & Bobby](/source/Jack_%26_Bobby)* and *Taki & Luci*. He came to fame in 2006 when he played Peter Wu in the [Disney Channel](/source/Disney_Channel) film *[Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior](/source/Wendy_Wu%3A_Homecoming_Warrior)*.[2] He also played Tony Lee in the [Nickelodeon](/source/Nickelodeon) sitcom *[Just Jordan](/source/Just_Jordan)*.[2] In 2008, he played [Eric Yorkie](/source/List_of_Twilight_characters#Eric_Yorkie) in the film *[Twilight](/source/Twilight_(2008_film))*, based on the book by [Stephenie Meyer](/source/Stephenie_Meyer).[11] Chon reprised his role as Eric Yorkie in the *Twilight* sequel *[New Moon](/source/New_Moon_(2009_film))*.[12] He starred as the central character Jeff Chang, in the film *[21 & Over](/source/21_%26_Over_(film))* in 2013. He also appeared in the independent film *Innocent Blood* that same year.

In 2014, Chon appeared as a lead character in crime drama film *[Revenge of the Green Dragons](/source/Revenge_of_the_Green_Dragons)*, which was executive produced by [Martin Scorsese](/source/Martin_Scorsese). In 2015, Chon starred as Sid Park, the trouble-making main character influenced by rocker culture in the independent film *[Seoul Searching](/source/Seoul_Searching)*, directed by [Benson Lee](/source/Benson_Lee), which made its premiere at the 2015 [Sundance Film Festival](/source/Sundance_Film_Festival).[13]

Chon trained for over two years in the Meisner technique at the Baron Brown Studio in Santa Monica and guest starred in the Studio web series *Joanne Brown Is Here* with [Hana Mae Lee](/source/Hana_Mae_Lee) and [Joanne Baron](/source/Joanne_Baron) in 2016. Chon also held a role in the Korean-American comedy drama *[Dramaworld](/source/Dramaworld)*. In March 2017, he was cast as a series regular in the [ABC](/source/American_Broadcasting_Company) crime drama *[Deception](/source/Deception_(2018_TV_series))*.[14]

Chon starred in the 2018 movie *High Resolution* with [Ellie Bamber](/source/Ellie_Bamber), directed by Jason Lester. The movie was based on the acclaimed novel *Taipei* by author [Tao Lin](/source/Tao_Lin).

### Directing

Chon also co-wrote (with [Kevin Wu](/source/Kevin_Wu)), directed, executive produced, and starred in the 2015 feature film *Man Up*.[15] The film made its premiere at the 2015 [CAAMFest](/source/CAAMFest).[16] It was also screened at the 2015 [Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival](/source/Los_Angeles_Asian_Pacific_Film_Festival), making its West Coast premiere there.[17] The film is set in Hawaii and also stars [Kevin Wu](/source/Kevin_Wu), [Amy Hill](/source/Amy_Hill), [Parvesh Cheena](/source/Parvesh_Cheena), [Nichole Bloom](/source/Nichole_Bloom), [Dion Basco](/source/Dion_Basco), [Samantha Futerman](/source/Samantha_Futerman) and more.[18] In March 2015, the film was acquired by "Off the Dock", a digital studio owned by [Lakeshore Entertainment](/source/Lakeshore_Entertainment).[19]

Chon has also directed several digital short films that are viewable on his YouTube Channel, including *You're Stoopid* (2013), *Full Circle* (2013) and *90 Day Visa* (2015).[20]

In 2017, Chon wrote, directed, produced and starred in a film entitled *[Gook](/source/Gook_(film))*, which premiered at the 2017 [Sundance Film Festival](/source/Sundance_Film_Festival), where it won the NEXT Audience Award and was picked up by [Samuel Goldwyn](/source/Samuel_Goldwyn) Distribution.[21] The film also won Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature Film, Best Director (Justin Chon), Best Actress (Simone Baker), and an Audience Award at the 2017 [Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival](/source/Los_Angeles_Asian_Pacific_Film_Festival).[22] The film further won Golden Space Needle Awards for Best Director (2nd Place or 1st Runner-Up) (Justin Chon) and Best Actress (5th Place) (Simone Baker) at the 2017 [Seattle International Film Festival](/source/Seattle_International_Film_Festival).[23]

He contributed to directing the first two episodes of *[Chief of War](/source/Chief_of_War)*, a period drama miniseries for [Apple TV+](/source/Apple_TV%2B) starred and executively produced by [Jason Momoa](/source/Jason_Momoa).[24]

### Other ventures

Chon co-owns a chain of clothing stores, named the Attic, in California.[25]

In January 2015, he began uploading edited vlogs to his YouTube channel on a weekly basis. Since November 2015, he has uploaded edited vlogs to the channel on a daily basis. He also creates short comedy videos on YouTube with his friends, and has appeared in videos on [Ryan Higa](/source/Ryan_Higa) (nigahiga)'s YouTube channel. Chon is also a member of [BgA](/source/Boys_Generally_Asian) (Boys Generally Asian), a parody K-Pop group formed by Higa. The five-member group has released two singles and has risen up many South Korean music charts as well as American music charts.

In 2016, Chon wrote an editorial for [NBC](/source/NBC) about the racism he faced in Hollywood roles and auditions.[26]

## Personal life

After dating for over a year, he married Sasha Egorova in October 2014.[27] Their first child, a girl was born in December 2017. Their second child, a boy was born June 2023.[28]

## Filmography

### Film

Year Title Role Notes 2006 Puff, Puff, Pass Bobbi 2006 Fleetwood Rong 2007 Hack! Ricky 2008 Twilight Eric Yorkie 2009 Ashley Mason Morgan 2009 Crossing Over Yong Kim 2009 Turbo Hugo Park 2009 The Twilight Saga: New Moon Eric Yorkie 2010 The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Eric Yorkie 2011 From the Rough Ji-Kyung 2011 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 Eric Yorkie 2012 Detention of the Dead Ash 2012 Rock Jocks Seth 2012 Hang Loose BJ 2013 21 & Over Jeff Chang 2013 Innocent Blood Brad Lee 2014 Revenge of the Green Dragons Sonny 2015 Seoul Searching Sid Park 2015 Man Up Randall Also director, writer, executive producer 2016 Satanic Seth 2016 Heartbeats Jae Juarez 2016 Like Lambs Jasper 2017 Gook Eli Also director 2017 Dead Trigger Daniel Chen 2018 High Resolution Paul Chen 2019 Coming Home Again Changrae 2021 Blue Bayou Antonio LeBlanc Also writer and director[29]

### Directorial work

Year Title Role Notes 2013 You're Stoopid Director, writer Short film 2013 Full Circle Director, writer, actor Short film 2015 90 Day Visa Director, writer, actor Short film 2015 Man Up Director, writer, actor, executive producer Feature film 2017 Gook Director, writer, actor, executive producer Feature film 2019 Ms. Purple Director, writer, producer Feature film 2021 Blue Bayou Director, writer, actor Feature film 2022 Pachinko Director TV series; 4 episodes 2023 Jamojaya[30] Director, writer Feature film 2025 Chief of War Director TV series; 2 episodes

### Television

Year Title Role Notes 2005 Jack & Bobby Greek Chorus Episode: "Under the Influence" 2006 The O.C. Big Korea Episode: "The Party Favor" 2006 Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior Peter Wu Television film 2007–2008 Just Jordan Tony Lee 30 episodes 2009 Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach Joe Chang Television film 2011 House Harold Lam Episode: "The Dig" 2013 New Girl Brian Episode: "Menus" 2015 Sin City Saints Byron Summers 8 episodes 2016-2021 Dramaworld Seth Ko Main role, 19 episodes 2016–2017 Dr. Ken Jae 5 episodes 2018 Deception Jordan Kwon 13 episodes 2021 The Casagrandes Yoon Kwan Voice role; 3 episodes

### Accolades

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref. 2022 Peabody Awards Entertainment Pachinko Won [31]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Mike Rose, cleveland com (May 29, 2023). ["Famous birthdays list for May 29, 2023 includes celebrities Rupert Everett, Danny Elfman"](https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/05/famous-birthdays-list-for-may-29-2023-includes-celebrities-rupert-everett-danny-elfman.html). *cleveland*. Retrieved January 20, 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Scholastic_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Scholastic_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Scholastic_2-2) Morreale, Marie. ["Star Spotlight: Justin Chon"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151208101327/http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/mtm/starspotlight.asp?sf=chon). *Scholastic News*. Archived from [the original](http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/mtm/starspotlight.asp?sf=chon) on December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Sun, Rebecca (April 29, 2017). ["'Gook' Director Justin Chon Reflects on L.A. Riots: "In '92, Everybody Was Angry""](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/la-riots-25th-anniversary-gook-director-justin-chon-reflects-998373). *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Yuan, Jada (August 25, 2017). ["From Twilight to Gook: How Justin Chon Found His Voice in His Own Painful Past"](https://www.vulture.com/2017/08/from-twilight-to-gook-how-justin-chon-found-his-voice.html). *Vulture*. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** General, Ryan (March 27, 2017). ["Ryan Higa and Friends Create K-Pop Group as a Joke, Gets #1 Hit on K-Pop Charts"](https://nextshark.com/ryan-higa-kpop-parody-itunes-chart/). *Next Shark*. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_6-1) Koltnow, Barry (March 1, 2013). ["Irvine actor drinks in possibility of stardom"](https://www.ocregister.com/2013/03/01/irvine-actor-drinks-in-possibility-of-stardom/). *Orange County Register*. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Tseng, Ada (January 19, 2017). ["Justin Chon seeks to fill a hole in the history of the Los Angeles riots"](https://theworld.org/stories/2017/01/16/justin-chon-seeks-fill-hole-history-los-angeles-riots). *Public Radio International*. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Justin Chon | Deception"](http://abc.go.com/shows/deception/cast/justin-chon). *ABC*. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Irvine's Justin Chon explores Korean-American life in LA with new movie, 'Ms. Purple'"](https://www.dailynews.com/irvines-justin-chon-explores-korean-american-life-in-la-with-new-movie-ms-purple). *Daily News*. September 4, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Conran, Pierce (February 6, 2017). ["GOOK Nabs NEXT Audience Award at Sundance"](http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?blbdComCd=601006&seq=4163&mode=VIEW). *Korean Film Biz Zone*. Korean Film Council. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-MTV_11-0)** Larry Carroll (February 7, 2008). ["'Twilight' Gives The Green Light To Anna Kendrick, Justin Chon For Book-Turned-Movie"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080210015132/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1581186/20080207/story.jhtml). MTV. Archived from [the original](http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1581186/20080207/story.jhtml) on February 10, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["New Moon Actors arrived in Vancouver"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090410055357/http://www.reelzchannel.com/movie-news/3058/new-moon-actors-arrive-in-vancouver). ReelzChannel. April 11, 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.reelzchannel.com/movie-news/3058/new-moon-actors-arrive-in-vancouver) on April 10, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** James S. Kim, Justin Chon Does His Own 'Seoul Searching', [http://iamkoream.com/justin-chon-does-his-own-seoul-searching/](http://iamkoream.com/justin-chon-does-his-own-seoul-searching/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150507123231/http://iamkoream.com/justin-chon-does-his-own-seoul-searching/) May 7, 2015, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Petski, Denise (March 1, 2017). ["Elliot Knight Joins The CW's 'Life Sentence'; Justin Chon in ABC's 'Deception'"](https://deadline.com/2017/03/elliot-knight-cast-the-cw-life-sentence-justin-chon-abc-deception-pilot-1202032890/). *Deadline*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Cynthia Brothers & Vu-Bang Nguyen, [Justin Chon on 'Seoul Searching' and 'Man Up'](http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/tv/2015/02/26/justin-chon-on-seoul-searching-and-manning-up/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** CAAMFest, Man Up, [http://caamfest.com/2015/films/man-up/](http://caamfest.com/2015/films/man-up/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150517053142/http://caamfest.com/2015/films/man-up/) May 17, 2015, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** LAAPFF 2015, MAN UP, ["MAN UP - 2015 LA Asian Pacific Film Festival"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150419013451/http://laapff.festpro.com/films/program/man_up_2015). Archived from [the original](http://laapff.festpro.com/films/program/man_up_2015) on April 19, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Man Up, Official Film Page, [http://www.manupfilm.com](http://www.manupfilm.com)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** McNary, Dave (March 26, 2015). ["Lakeshore Launches Digital Studio With Justin Chon-Kevin Wu Comedy"](https://variety.com/2015/film/news/lakeshore-launches-digital-studio-with-justin-chon-kevin-wu-comedy-1201460990/). *Variety*. Retrieved November 22, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ChannelAPA.com, Full Circle, [http://www.channelapa.com/2013/02/full-circle-short-film-with-justin-chon.html](http://www.channelapa.com/2013/02/full-circle-short-film-with-justin-chon.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** McNary, Dave (April 19, 2017). ["Sundance Next Audience Award Winner 'Gook' Picked Up by Samuel Goldwyn"](https://variety.com/2017/film/festivals/sundance-winner-gook-samuel-goldwyn-1202034031/). *Variety*. Retrieved November 22, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["2017 LAAPFF Jury Winners and Audience Award Winners Announced!"](http://festival.vconline.org/2017/2017/2017-laapff-jury-winners-and-audience-award-winners/). *2017 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival*. Retrieved November 22, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Knapp, J. D. (June 11, 2017). ["Seattle International Film Festival: 'Sami Blood,' 'At the End of the Tunnel' Come Out on Top"](https://variety.com/2017/film/festivals/seattle-international-film-festival-sami-blood-siff-1202461887/). *Variety*. Retrieved November 22, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Otterson, Joe (April 14, 2022). ["Jason Momoa Apple Series 'Chief of War' Sets 'Pachinko's' Justin Chon to Direct (EXCLUSIVE)"](https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/jason-momoa-apple-chief-of-war-justin-chon-1235232677/). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. Retrieved May 27, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** AllKPop, Up in Justin Chon's Attic, [http://www.allkpop.com/article/2009/04/up-in-justin-chons-attic](http://www.allkpop.com/article/2009/04/up-in-justin-chons-attic)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Chon, Justin (March 15, 2016). ["Editorial: I Walked Out On a Racist Audition"](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/editorial-i-walked-out-racist-audition-n538896). *NBCNews.com*. Retrieved April 29, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Justin Chon (January 1, 2015). ["i got married..."](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBcrs_zlxmQ) *[YouTube](/source/YouTube)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Justin Chon (December 31, 2017). ["Instagram snapshot"](https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BdYO3kRD6vz). *[Instagram](/source/Instagram)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.instagram.com/p/BdYO3kRD6vz/) on December 24, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Galuppo, Mia (April 18, 2023). ["'Blue Bayou' Filmmaker Justin Chon, SB Projects Sets Movie About Zappos Founder Tony Hsieh (Exclusive)"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/justin-chon-scooter-braun-zappos-tony-hsieh-wonder-boy-1235376850/). *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved April 18, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Guy, Zoe (December 8, 2022). ["Cat Person Has a Date at Sundance Film Festival 2023"](https://www.vulture.com/2022/12/sundance-film-festival-2023-full-slate.html). *Vulture*. Retrieved December 8, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Voyles, Blake (September 14, 2023). ["83rd Peabody Award Winners"](https://peabodyawards.com/awards/winners/). Retrieved September 14, 2023.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Justin Chon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Justin_Chon).

- [Justin Chon](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2014390/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Official Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/justinchon)

- [Official YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/justinchon)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States Artists MusicBrainz Other Yale LUX

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