A few things to know about Minari star Alan S. Kim. He was just seven years old when he won his first movie role. That, of course, was his scene-stealing portrayal of David in Lee Isaac Chung’s beautifully-nuanced and semi-autobiographical Oscar-nominated film. Both he and David were born in the United States and spoke Korean as their first language. Unlike David — who lived in shorts and cowboy boots and sported floppy bangs — Alan is a bit of a fashionista. This is fitting, given his modeling roots (Pottery Barn Kids).
Even for Zoom interviews with outlets like Teen Vogue, Alan was sharply dressed in an all-black ensemble, with his hair neatly brushed to the side. And during this year’s awards season, the actor has been outfitted by designers such as Armani and Thom Browne.
Minari is up for six Academy Awards tonight, including marquee nominations for Chung (Best Director, Best Original Screenplay) and actors Steven Yeun (Best Actor) and Youn Yuh-jung (Best Supporting Actress). Alan — who won a Critics Choice Movie Award for best young performer — said he’s excited about reuniting with Chung and his castmates.
He’ll next be seen in the movie Latchkey Kids, as well as the TV series Nora From Queens, where he will be featured in flashbacks as the child version of Awkwafina’s dad (played as an adult by BD Wong). This was one of the last interviews the third-grader gave as an eight year old.
Teen Vogue: Will you be attending the Academy Awards in person?
Alan: The producer luckily got me to go to the Oscars, so yeah.
TV: What are you going to wear to the ceremony?
Alan: My mom says it’s a secret, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a tuxedo or something.
TV: Your Minari dad, Steven Yeun, was so serious in the movie. Is he silly in real life?
Alan: I guess so. After the scene where I “wet the bed” [makes finger quote marks to ensure we know he was just acting], my pants got wet, so I changed into new pants. I left it on the fan to dry and Steven was like, “이거 누구 팬츠야?!” (“Whose pants are these?!”)
TV: Did you name any of the chicks that were in Minari?
Alan: I took a chick and named it Chickie. I would let him down and pick up another random chick and be like, “Hi, Chickie.” I got messed up so much that I didn’t know which one was Chickie after he hopped away.
TV: Do you know that a lot of people think your acting is great?
Alan: [Shrugs] Yup, I know that. I feel just fine with it.
TV: Have you started work on Latchkey Kids yet?