Developing A True Character

by Brian Tee (Eddie Choi)

Eddie Choi is someone I relate to and a character that my heart and soul goes out to. Working from the script, I found so many qualities of Eddie that I live by within my own life. Eddie is a man of perseverance, work ethic, pride, and loyalty… almost to a fault. Though his past may have led him through the wrong paths, deep inside he is a character of great honor and integrity.

I wanted to go deeper into his past, and create a strong connection to his dark upbringing with gangs. But mostly I wanted to know the reasons why he chose that life. Like me and most other kids, he was just trying to find himself and be accepted. I talked to and hung out with some friends and gang members in Los Angeles to really get a feel of what he experienced. By combining my own experiences and those that I heard about from my friends even if I’m not able to repeat them—things like slanging, doping, stealing, trafficking, racketeering, and of course fighting--I was able to make Eddie’s past my own when I’m in character.

In developing Eddie, I also used a lot of my own love for my family, and brought morals and values into Eddie’s life. The thing with Eddie is that he’s experienced so much in his life already. He is like an old soul if you will, but one with a much softer side than what people might expect given how he’s grown up. He’s not just the hardass that many may see on the outside, but someone with so much more depth, compassion, and vulnerability. And I thank the writers for showing this.

It’s so great to have writers willing to collaborate. They are so talented and genius with their own ideas, but also open to hearing mine. With their help, some of the family qualities that Eddie didn’t have initially were added to scenes in the series. For instance, I told them about my life and how important my family was to me. I got personal and shared with them how I have been taking care of my grandmother for the past 10 years, and how she is the love of my life. The writers took my experiences and added them to Eddie’s. Sure enough, Eddie now has a grandmother in the show. And his relationship with her shows his deeper qualities and the motivations that round him out that are the backbone of Eddie as a character.

He’s not just a one-note type of guy. Throughout my career I have played many stereotypes of either the foreigner, bad guy, gangster, or techie geek. But now I am honored to be playing and creating one of the most complex characters I have ever played. But it doesn’t stop there and for me, it never will. That’s what I love about this character, this series. Because as the series and storylines grow, so will I… as Eddie Choi, a true character.