Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Love in Time’s Ki Hong Lee

Actor Ki Hong Lee ran away with our hearts as Minho in The Maze Runner franchise, made us laugh as Dong in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and guest-starred in shows like NCIS, Blue Bloods, and The Mayor. While he’s best known for his work in front of the screen, Ki Hong is ready to show a different side to his artistry as the cocreator and cowriter of Love in Time, which finds him teaming up with longtime friend James Chen and partner Chris Dinh.

Exclusively on Tapas Media, the next-generation digital publishing company that specializes in bit-sized comics and novels, Love in Time follows a time-traveling scientist named Locke who goes back to the 1800s to learn more about a virus that threatens to wipe out the human race. A malfunction leaves Locke trapped in the 1800s with only one shot to get back to present day. As that opportunity approaches, Locke meets the love of his life, Zoe, who turns his entire world upside down. Against his better judgment, Locke takes a glance at her past and future and learns her untimely fate. Will he risk it all to save her?

Pop Culturalist spoke with Ki Hong about Love in Time, collaborating with James and Chris, and learning how to flex a new creative muscle.

Career

PC: You’re an actor, producer, and writer. How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Ki Hong: I’ve always been interested in it. I remember doing skits in school and being a part of school plays in third or fourth grade. After college, I got more serious about it. I started taking classes, and it snowballed from there.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Ki Hong: I’ve been really lucky with some of the teachers that I’ve come across, whether it’s through theater school or private coaching. They’ve helped infuse their joy for the arts in me through their teaching.

On a broader scale, seeing other Asian American storytellers, actors, and writers have success in the industry has always been inspiring for me to see. One of the reasons that I thought acting was possible as a career was because I saw Aaron Yoo in Disturbia. I saw that he could do it, and I thought I should give it a shot too. Seeing yourself represented has played a huge part in my growth as an artist.

PC: You’ve had tons of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Ki Hong: Oh boy. I don’t know if I’ve had tons of success. I’ve been very lucky and grateful for the jobs that I’ve been able to do. I don’t know if there’s any particular moment, but I guess getting the call to be in The Maze Runner franchise was a big moment. Hopefully, I’ll be able to work a long time. That’s always the struggle for actors. What’s the next thing? When’s the next gig coming?

Love in Time

PC: You just launched your new sci-fi/K-drama comic series. Tell us about Love in Time.
Ki Hong: It has a little bit of everything for everyone. It’s a sci-fi/K-drama romance. It’s largely the brainchild of our writer-producing partner James Chen. I’ve known Chris Dinh [cowriter/coproducer] for a while. He introduced me to James. He wanted to meet up. He pitched me this idea to make a web comic. This was several years ago. I’d never heard of any web comics. They introduced me to it, and I dived into it. I got onto the Tapas app, and I did my research. I fell in love with the format and concept. It gave me an opportunity to control the narrative. I get to tell the story that I want to tell, and I get to guide where my character goes. That really appealed to me. I’m really fortunate to have James and Chris be part of this team because they really did most of the legwork. They were kind enough to bring me along.

We all sat together in the beginning to map out the whole series. We built the outline. I got to storyboard one of the episodes myself and send it to the artist. It was such a collaborative process and I really enjoyed it.

PC: How did the partnership with Tapas Media develop?
Ki Hong: We were very, very fortunate that Tapas was so willing and so enthusiastic about Love in Time. We pitched the idea to them, and they were on board with it from the get-go. They’ve been terrific partners for us. They’ve really helped get this story made. They’ve helped from the beginning, including helping us find the right artist. They also have a huge platform with other web comics.

PC: What can you tell us about Locke and his arc in the series?
Ki Hong: In the beginning, you’ll see that he’s a very closeted character. He’s an introvert and you’ll see the reasons why—a large part of that having to do with self-preservation. Through chance or faith, he meets the love of his life. It’ll flip his world upside down. He’ll have to come to grips with his entire worldview being changed because he loves this Zoey character. His arc will be someone who wants to maintain the status quo to completely shattering his world to make love work. Is it going to work? I don’t know. You’ll have to read.

PC: That’s a great teaser. You’re best known for your role in The Maze Runner and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. What’s that transition been like for you going from an actor to now a cowriter/coproducer?
Ki Hong: It’s definitely satisfied the creative need that I have. Oftentimes as an actor, you work, and then you go through some periods where you don’t have any work at all. Part of the struggle as an actor is that you have to fill that time with something creative. It’s been a nice break from acting. I get to flex a different muscle. I get to flex the producing/writing/creating muscle as opposed to going on set and bringing a character to life. I get to go back to paper and guide this character from wherever I can gather inspiration. It’s been a nice change of pace for me.

The best part of this whole experience has been getting to collaborate with James and Chris. They’re great people to work with. This experience would mean nothing to me if it weren’t for those two.

PC: Did you learn anything new about Chris and James through this process or yourself?
Ki Hong: It’s always a scary venture to enter a collaboration with two people you’ve never worked with before. I worked with Chris passively in the past but not directly. I’m glad it worked out. Both guys are cool people to work with. They’re genuinely nice people. I have a rule about not working with jerks. I don’t want to work with jerks. I’ve been really lucky. They’re also so creative. It’s been a blast.

PC: With you getting to flex a new creative muscle, did anything surprise you about this process?
Ki Hong: I’m not a very patient person. I like to work on something and have it come out right away. I like the instant gratification. I’ve learned that slow and steady wins the race. You have to let these ideas bake because not every idea you come up with will be the best idea you’ve ever had. It’s been a great learning experience in testing my patience and making sure the idea works before you go off and print something.

PC: What are you most excited for your fans to see?
Ki Hong: I hope they vibe with the story and appreciate the artwork. It’s one thing for us as writers to write the story, but these artists have worked really, really hard to create life to these characters. The artwork is incredible. Hats off to these artists. I hope these fans appreciate the story but more so the art.

To keep up with Ki Hong, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up your copy of Love in Time on the Tapas app.