Exclusive Ningin Interview: John Cho

I had the opportunity to interview John Cho on the set at the Walt Disney Studio lot. I have to give props to John Cho who complimented me on my scarf right after I introduced myself to him. He asked if it was an Alexander McQueen skull scarf and I unfortunately had to admit that it was just a knock-off scarf I bought at a subway station in Seoul. He marveled that Seoul was a crazy city and we laughed about that. The man is kind, well-spoken and has a great sense of humor – and that definitely set the tone for the rest of the interview. In the interview he gave us the scoop on what we can expect in the second half of FlashForward’s first season, future projects and his preference between Sesame Street and Yo Gabba Gabba.

On FlashForward, a mysterious blackout causes the population to lose consciousness and see visions of their lives approximately six months in the future. John Cho plays FBI Special Agent Demetri Noh who does not experience a flash forward during the blackout and fears that this may mean that he will die. John was able to reveal that he does in fact know the fate of his character Demetri but could not share it (you’re going to have to watch!) However, he was able to give us some insight as to Demitri’s relationship with the other characters and how he feels about the cast he has the privilege of working with.

VN: Zoey (Special Agent Demetri’s fiancé played by Gabrielle Union) now knows about her vision, that it is somewhat in line with yours, how is she reacting to what is coming up?

JC: Zoey’s attitude is, and I think this is a really compelling part of the show, she is like, “Let’s get out of here, let’s stop working, let’s be together and run and enjoy ourselves and be together.” While I identify with that and I want to make her happy, Demetri is concerned with stopping what’s going to happen in an active way but in a passive way and he wants to continue his duties with the FBI. Which is a classic marriage conundrum, personal vs. professional, but with the most extreme circumstances.

VN: Anyone in the cast you haven’t worked with a lot but you want to work with?

JC: Yes, Sonya [Walger who plays Dr. Olivia Benford, the wife of Demetri’s partner Mark Benford]. Our paths don’t cross a lot in the show and it’d be great to do more with her. She’s just a delight to be around. Really, I don’t want to act with her, I just want to hang out with her. (Laughs)

VN: How about Dominic Monaghan’s character Dr. Simon Campos – now that his character has come out and said he might have caused the black-out.

JC: There’s a deep level of suspicion there. We’re having to use him and employ him in the FBI to solve what’s going on. So it’s a very strange relationship. There’s a mole too and we’re trying to figure out who that is so there’s a lot of looking over our collective backs.

VN: What are you starting after FlashForward? Upcoming movies?

JC: This summer we’re trying to do the next Harold and Kumar movie. That’s being organized. I haven’t seen a script. It’s called a Very Harold & Kumar Christmas. I’m told the script has been turned in and they are in pre-production.

VN: What about Star Trek?

JC: Star Trek is next year sometime I’m not sure when. I am greatly looking forward to returning to Star Trek. It was a dream job. It was a blast being on the Enterprise. The set was so cool. Working with JJ was fantastic. What I’m looking forward to the most about the experience is getting together with my friends again. We hang out but there’s nothing quite like working together with your friends. It’s a very special feeling. And that is a special project and a special franchise. I look forward to the camaraderie and getting together on the bridge and hanging out with my friends and working on something we like.

VN: Now that you’re a father, does that affect any roles you’re going to be taking? Will we be seeing you in a “Daddy Day Care?”

JC: (Surprised look) How did you know?! Ha ha.

VN: “Harold and Kumar raise a baby”?

JC: (laughs) Two stoners and a baby. I don’t know how much it would affect the work I would do but I would love to be on Sesame Street. But other than that, it’s more mechanical than thematic. I wouldn’t take a show that shot in Vancouver at this point. I don’t want to uproot my family. I would think twice about a job that took me away from home for a long time. I think about scheduling my time to be around my son more, that’s the priority in my life more than anything.

VN: Favorite Sesame Street character?

JC: Was Grover on Sesame Street or was he a Muppet? Grover was my character, my guy growing up.

VN: No Yo Gabba Gabba for you?

JC: Yo Gabba Gabba is cool. I’m not dissing Yo Gabba Gabba. (laughs) Uhh, I like me some double S!

VN: Last question, how badly should we prepare to have our minds blown with FlashForward second half of season?

JC: Do your utmost to prepare. Stock water. Make sure you know where the fire extinguisher is. It’s good stuff.

The second half of FlashForward Season 1 jump starts with a 2hr episode tomorrow, March 18 at 8:00pm. For more information, visit the official site

Interview by Vanessa Nguyen of Compassion in My Fingertips.

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