YOU MAY KNOW HIM AS THE RUTHLESS TAIPEI GANGSTER-KILLER, CHARLES SUN, IN NETFLIX’S HIT SERIES THE BROTHERS SUN, WHERE HIS MARTIAL ARTS SKILLS BECAME A VIRAL SENSATION, BUT NOW THE CULTURE-SHIFTING TAIWANESE AMERICAN ACTOR, JUSTIN CHIEN, IS ABOUT TO UP HIS SOCIAL STATUS BY PLAYING KING KUEI IN SEASON TWO OF NETFLIX’S LIVE-ANIMATED SERIES, AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER. AS THE NEXT CHAPTER PROMISES TO BREAK NEW GROUND, GET READY FOR JUSTIN TO RULE THE WORLD.

Left Shirt and coat **IM MEN**
Right Shirt, tie, vest, pants and shoes **Dunhill**, coat **Prada**

Before you joined Avatar for season two, had you ever watched the cult animated series? If so, what does the world of Avatar mean to you?

Only briefly! I quickly fell in love with it again after rewatching the show in preparation for filming. I have a colourful personal experience with both versions of the series. What is most emotionally moving to me about the world is the arcs that each of the main characters goes through — all of them have moments of growth and pain that really resonate with me.

There is such a dedicated fanbase to this series, so there is real responsibility in adapting and performing the material thoughtfully. Were you nervous or overwhelmed at all when you got the part?

I was very, very excited! I try not to worry too much and just focus on giving the project everything I have, then let it go and hope that the audience response is positive.

Tell us about King Kuei. For audiences who aren’t familiar with the show, is he a good guy or a bad guy, and what’s your version of him like? What did you try and tap into in preparing for the role?

He is the ruler of the Earth Kingdom and resides in Ba Sing Se. He ascended to the throne when he was barely a child. I don’t want to give away too much, but I will say that our version of Kuei is slightly different from the original. When I auditioned for the role, I gravitated towards someone who was deeply sensitive, thoughtful, pure, and troubled. I researched the life of Puyi, the last Emperor of China, who also ascended at a young age. I studied John Lone’s portrayal in the film The Last Emperor, and I also spent time listening to recordings I had of my grandfather, visualising his walk, pace, and how he would clasp his hands behind his back. Eventually, all this coalesced, and I sat with feelings of worry, anxiety, hope, and guilt, among others.

As an actor, which trope is more interesting to play, a good guy or a bad guy? Your character, Charles, in The Brothers Sun, was a ruthless and deadly gangster.

I think both are always interesting. One of the earliest lessons I received in acting school was that antagonists are never simply one-dimensional bad guys. I’m always looking at what a character’s purpose in the story is, and what is the character’s truth I can get behind, understand, and really believe in. I try not to think of characters as only good or only bad, as I think as humans we all have varying proportions of light and darkness within us. I’ve played several different types of characters, and sometimes the emotion of the day lingers — some days I go home and feel horrible, some days I feel happy.

Shirt and pants **Karmuel Young**, jewellery **Bvlgari**

The Brothers Sun must have been exhilarating to be part of, as it was a real breakout moment for you. What was it like working alongside the legendary Michelle Yeoh, and how was it being part of that cast, bringing that unique story to life?

The Brothers Sun was one of the best, most fulfilling moments of my life, and sometimes I still have to pinch myself when I think about the process of filming that show. Booking it came at the tail end of a really testing period in my career, and at times, I truly still have a hard time wrapping my head around just how much the role of Charles resonates with me. Working with Michelle was unbelievable. She is kind, warm, nurturing, down-to-earth, graceful, and powerful. I left that show having gained a friend, mentor, and mother all in one.

You bring a strong family-oriented, cultural depth to your roles, influenced by your Taiwanese roots. Are you writing any projects of your own to fully harness your talent for bridging cultures, and how does your multicultural background shape the roles you take on – do you have a preferred language to perform in?

I’m certainly developing projects that capitalise on my personal life experience of growing up in multiple places. Being a chameleon and getting to a native level of language fluency or cultural understanding is a goal that I feel like I’ll never completely accomplish, but I am always striving towards. I relish the challenge of attempting to play characters in other languages and markets. English is my first language, and I get way more nervous performing in other languages, but I kind of love it. I think that kind of pressure is what will force me to grow as an actor.

When you’re not dazzling us on-screen, what are some hobbies or interests that bring you joy and relaxation? Any quirky or unexpected passions that fans might not know about yet?

I’m currently obsessed with golf — it is very satisfying to bomb a drive or sink a long putt (I had my first eagle recently!). I train jiu jiu-jitsu regularly. Some people may know that I really enjoy cooking. I’ve spent a lot more time this past month reading/studying — some titles I’ve enjoyed are Digital Minimalism, A Thousand Splendid Suns, Abnormal Psychology (Seventeenth Edition), The Paper Menagerie and Other Short Stories, and Reasons to Stay Alive. I plan on picking up woodworking, too.

Left Sweater, pants and shoes **Emporio Armani**, ring **Cartier**
Right Jacket IM MEN

Left Blazer and shirt **Brunello Cucinelli,** watch **Breitling**
Right Tank Top and pants from **Karmuel Young**, jewellery and watch **Cartier**

Forgive me the woodworking pun, but what will you be “carving” up next in your career? Your Instagram bio reads, “You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.”

I’d love to do theatre again. I’d also love to do a romance story or a comedy. I want to do things that involve a big transformation. Roles that scare me. Stories that scare me. Wish me luck!