Gloria John: Fighting Her Way Through Hollywood
photographer: Wes Klain
hair/Makeup: @makeupbytatjana
What is “A Wasp in the Wind Chime” about? Can you tell us more about the character you play in it?
This movie is about a female samurai finding out about her true past and how everything she grew up with was a lie. We have done much work on this project and I am excited to be producing and acting in this film.
What was it like to make that career change into acting after you had dedicated so many years to dentistry?
Honestly, everyone thought I was crazy to give up the career that I worked all my life towards and go for acting. The day I sold my practice that I had for 8 years, I cried, and I also sold the condo in Chicago that had many great memories. It did scare me a lot to move to L.A. to go for a dream that only a few can make a living in. But I knew in my heart that this was something I had to try even if I failed at it.
How has your background in dentistry translated into your acting career?
I think it translated into my casting type and work ethic. Casting always casts me as a strong, intelligent woman type. I don’t know how casting directors have this gift to just look through someone. I believe casting is the most important part of any film or T.V. success and they don’t get enough credit for their gifts. The sleepless nights of studying my ass off in college and dental school gave me the work ethic to push through all the hard times in general in acting and life.
What advice do you have for others looking to make a shift, like you did?
Expect to work hard but when you work hard on something you love to do, it becomes not exhausting but exhilarating. If you really want to follow your passion and feel that you have a purpose and gift to give to this world, find out everything you can in your power to do so. And if you still feel that you should do it, please don’t hesitate.
When you began acting, did you know you also wanted to be a producer?
No. I had no idea about producing or writing or directing. I just loved to act. I loved to explore characters’ lives and why they do the things they do. But after acting for a long time, you come across great stories and you want to tell your own stories or support making your fellow artist’s stories. So, I had to learn and collaborate with people that know what they are doing and put my faith in them.
Can you tell us more about what “The Consultant” is about?
The Consultant is a twisted, comedic-thriller series that explores the sinister relationship between boss and employee. When a new consultant, Regus Patoff (Christoph Waltz), is hired to improve the business at the App-based gaming company CompWare, employees experience new demands and challenges that put everything into question. including their lives.
What can people expect from your character?
I think my character will get a lot of heartfelt sympathy. I can’t say much yet, but it was a joy to play this character and so amazing to work with such an incredible cast and crew.
What motivates you to keep going?
Very important question. It changes as you grow in this art. I would have to say, “Hope in Humanity”. Hope in the audience and the world that the characters I play and stories I am a part of touch them enough to move closer to being better humans or open their minds more or to love better or to heal themselves. The media is a powerful tool to transform lives and to be a part of that is a gift to the artist.
How did moving from Chicago change your living conditions?
I had to be very uncomfortable and was very humble when I first moved here. My husband and I started at a tiny studio apartment and moved many times to be at our current home. I left home when I was 14 and lived by myself in a very poor condition in Chicago to become a doctor. I thought that struggle was much harder than moving to LA. When you have a dream, the struggles feel like an adventure. Everything is definitely more expensive in LA, but we made it through.
Do you have any messages you want to share with any women going through something similar? career shift.
If you think that you are called for the dream, don’t be afraid to make that transition. Start with one thing at a time. You can only take one step at a time to get to even the farthest destination. We all expire on this earth someday and to say you never went for something your heart desired to do would be very sad.
What challenges did you face along your journey to becoming an actress?
I hate to say it but definitely being an Asian American actress in the industry. We are not considered for all parts yet. I know there is a push for diversity, but Hollywood is still very much not color blind. Hopefully with so many Asian actors doing a wonderful job on films like “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and “The Whale,” we are considered for all parts in this industry.
Do you have fond memories from your childhood in South Korea?
Absolutely. I remember in my elementary school there was 64 kids in one classroom. I had a huge crush on this boy, and I remember I went to an amusement park with him and another classmate, and we went as a group to the swimming pool. In the summer, the school took all of us on a trip to the mountain side for a couple of days to sleepover. This was so much fun, and we played pranks on each other at night. Teachers told us ghost stories at night in the auditorium and everyone was afraid to go to sleep. I guess it was more precious for me because I totally fell in love with this boy in my class. He was very quiet, and we weren’t allowed to really talk to each other or see each other because his mother was very strict. Many years later I ran into him in a hospital elevator when I was visiting my grandmother. Can you believe the odds of that happening? His mother was a patient there. It was a quick visit from America to Korea to see my grandmother and turns out that he also moved to America.
I saw that you have a double Black Belt in samurai swords. Can you tell us more about what it was like to train for that?
provided by Gloria John
I believe I was the first woman to get double black belt in Kendo in Chicago. My sensei was a part of “Dae Han Kumdo” which is the original kumdo association there. I was the only girl at the dojo too. My boyfriend at the time was on the very top of the ranking in the dojo so I had no choice but to train hard. I was always very competitive. Our training was usually around 4 hours and then we all went out to eat together. My sensei would teach me techniques that could be used to beat someone who is bigger than me in strength so that I can spar with the guys. One day during sparring, my opponent tried to push me down to the ground and I was faster than him and he ended up falling and rolling across the floor and his Kendo skirt got twisted upside down in his crotch. No one really laughs in dojo but I saw my master smile with satisfaction. I still remember that.
What are you hoping for in your career in the next few years?
I’m hoping for great success on “The Consultant” so that all the cast and crew can be in amazing projects because they were amazing humans. For me, I would love to be a part of any superhero story like “Wanda Vision” and all the Marvel universes. I would love to play either a hero or the villain. I love the fantasy world too, like “Wednesday,” “Lord of the Rings,” and “House of Dragon”. I also love shows like “Pachinko” that just melt your heart.
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