Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Friends from College’s Jae Suh Park

Jae Suh Park discovered her passion for acting at a young age, but it wasn’t until college that she decided to pursue it professionally. So, she packed up her life and headed for Hollywood. It was a decision that was hard at the time, especially for her parents, but it’s one that’s ultimately paid off. She’s since starred in blockbuster films and hit television shows including Friends from College, The Big Short, The Mindy Project, and countless others, but her greatest role is without question being a mother.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Jae about season two of Friends from College, the impact motherhood has had on her career, and the evolution of roles for Asian actors in Hollywood.

PC: How you discovered your passion for acting?
Jae: I was in second grade and my school was casting a play about tooth decay. The teacher ran out of parts and wrote another play for the two girls who didn’t have roles. It was about two dinosaurs: a carnivore and an herbivore. I played the herbivore, of course. I remember being on stage and actually believed that I was a dinosaur; it didn’t feel like pretend. It really made me feel like I was a dinosaur. When I left the stage, I was hooked. I was like, “I have to figure out what this is!” When I found out it was acting, a passion was born.

PC: It wasn’t until college that you made the decision to pursue acting as a career. What went into that decision?
Jae: I was really, really shy growing up. I didn’t want to tell anyone about my foolish desire, especially my parents, so I kept it inside. It’s something that I always wanted to pursue but never tried until I got to college. I took an Intro to Acting class and fell in love with it, so I decided to audition for plays, community theatre, and little things around town. It was then that I thought maybe I could do this.


PC: How challenging was it for you to make that pivot?
Jae: Well, it was still a secret. I was in plays and my parents came to see them, but they just thought, “Oh, she’s having fun, that’s great. This will be good for her. It’s a great hobby.” So that part wasn’t difficult to do, but when I finally told my parents that I wanted to become an actor and I was moving to pursue it, that’s when it was very difficult. It was especially very difficult for my mom.


PC: What was their initial reaction to that? Have they come around, given all the success you’ve had?
Jae: They were like, “No, you’re not going to do this. This is crazy. What are you thinking? Have you lost your mind?” There was a lot of fighting and screaming. I would say that they’ve come around to it. They know I’m on a show, so that helps. [laughs] They’ve made peace with it and they’re very, very happy that I’ve been able to make a living.


PC: You’re one of the leads on Friends from College on Netflix. For readers who may not be familiar with the series, can you tell us about it, your character, and what attracted you to the role?
Jae: The show is about good friends from college. Fast forward twenty years and some of them have remained friends. They live in the same city, though a few have gotten married and moved. They decide to move back into town where one of them has been having an affair with another person in the friend group, so chaos ensues.

I play Marianne. She’s the bohemian free-spirit of the group, and the keeper of that secret…at least in the first season. The show is about these individuals who are a little bit stuck, but they become their silly, college selves when they’re all together. It’s about those relationships, friendships, what connects us, and what moves us forward in our lives.

PC: What are some of the similarities/differences that you share with your character?
Jae: Well, she doesn’t follow many rules. She doesn’t believe in marriage. She doesn’t believe in RSVP-ing to weddings. She’s a free spirit. She has a very zen-like quality to her about life and love—I definitely share that part with her. She also loves her friends and wants to keep everyone together, which I also relate to.


PC: The series is returning early next year. What can fans expect and how has your character kind of evolved from season one?
Jae: Oh gosh, I don’t know if she’s evolved that much. Everyone remains pretty true to who they are, but there are a lot of outside changes that will challenge us.

PC: You’re also a mother and wife. How do you find the balance between your career and also your family?
Jae: It’s a constant challenge. I don’t know if anyone ever finds the perfect balance, but I think the challenge is good. You definitely become a better person. You have to have the balance; you can’t just do one thing, so I’m grateful for it.

PC: How would you say motherhood has impacted your career?
Jae: It’s definitely had a positive impact on me. I remember when I wasn’t a mom or a wife and I would have a bad audition, it would weigh on me for days or weeks. Now, I feel like I can let things go. I have this little person who needs me, so it’s not about me anymore. I have to feed her. I have to bathe her. I also think just that empathy alone has made me become a better actor as well. Acting is really about empathy and finding that in your character and their situation.

PC: What would you say is the biggest lesson you’ve learned being a part of this industry?
Jae: Patience! Patience for sure. You have to be in it. There’s no overnight success. You read all those Hollywood stories about overnight success, but overnight success is fifteen years. It’s you working your butt off. Nobody wants to hear that, though. Nobody wants to hear that you’re dying to get big to pay rent. It’s about hard work and patience. You have to love it. If you have the passion, you have to be willing to work for it.

PC: Were there ever any moments of self-doubt and how did you overcome that?
Jae: Oh gosh, yes! There were lots of tears. I remember getting so close to pilots when it was between me and someone else, and then the other person got it. After years and years, you start to question if this will ever happen. Then, luckily, little things will happen. Maybe you’ll get a commercial here, you’ll get a guest spot there, and that keeps you motivated. But I think what works for me, and this is true for most people, is that you have to find things outside of it; love, great friends, family. This business is so brutal and if it’s the only thing you have, you’re going to go crazy.

PC: There’ve been a lot of conversations about diversity and representation in Hollywood. As an Asian actress, what has your experience been like and have you felt the slow progress that’s being made?
Jae: Definitely! It’s really just starting in the industry. There are a lot more opportunities. You can’t cast a show these days and make every single series regular white—it’s unheard of now. The next step is to make these roles more three-dimensional, rather than just “The Best Friend” or “The Girlfriend”. We’ve seen with Crazy Rich Asians that people want it. They want to see different standards of beauty. They want to see these stories. It’s very exciting.

PC: For you personally, what has it meant to be part of this movement? You’re part of this change that’s happening in Hollywood.
Jae: You know, I hope so. My goal is to present a fun, interesting character that can represent one facet of being Asian. I feel like if I’m doing that then I feel super proud. I want someone to watch and be like, “Oh that’s an interesting character and she just happens to be Asian.”

PC: You’ve done a lot in your career, is there was a dream role that you have yet to play that you would love to play in the future?
Jae: I’m hoping that role will come. Right now, this is my dream role. I love being able to play such a fun character and to be on a show where my costars are all very, very lovely people and hilarious in real life. I also love getting to work with Nick, Francesca, and all the other producers and writers. Going back to the diversity issue, I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to play Marianne five years ago. She’s the “Phoebe” character and Asian women and men weren’t look upon for these roles.

PC: What would you say is the biggest thing that Marianne has taught you?
Jae: Marianne has taught me a lot about forgiveness. Being a Korean woman, that’s very difficult. She definitely taught me to be a lot more free. Just that free spirit thing has definitely seeped into my life, which I think is very helpful when you’re a parent.

PC: What advice would you give your daughter if she wanted to follow a similar career path?
Jae: I would say, “Ain’t no one giving you anything for free.” You know what I mean? You have to work. With the rise of social media and reality TV, people think they can show up and be a star. I don’t want that for her with anything she does in life. I want to make sure she’s willing to work for it, invest the time, and be patient. If it’s something that she truly loves, then she’ll have my support 100%.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Jae: Queer Eye

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Jae: Wicked

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Jae: Kendrick Lamar

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Jae: Big Little Lies

PC: Hidden talent?
Jae: That’s hard! All my talents are unhidden. [laughs]

Keep up with Jae by following her on Instagram, and binge-watch the complete first season of Friends from College on Netflix today. Season two premieres on January 11, 2019.

Photo Credit: Ashley Frangie // Makeup: Elizabeth Follert // Hair: Felicia Rials // Stylist: Veronica Graye