About this episodeGreta Lee discusses her journey from a repressed Korean-American upbringing to becoming a celebrated actress, …AI summary
Greta Lee discusses her journey from a repressed Korean-American upbringing to becoming a celebrated actress, highlighting the surreal nature of her casting in 'Past Lives' after years of rejection. She shares anecdotes about her recent projects, including the box office success of 'Toy Story 5' and the technical challenges of filming 'The Last House', while also touching on her husband's recent black belt achievement.
Key takeaways 4
Greta Lee identifies with masculine role models like Val Kilmer and Nicholas Cage as a young girl to escape the pressure to be 'ladylike' and quiet in her Korean-American household.
The casting process for 'Past Lives' was a series of absurd rejections where she was told she was 'too old' or 'too American', only to get the role after the original castings fell through and director Celine Song gave her the job on a Zoom call during the pandemic.
Conan O'Brien's late-night career began with a sense of cosmic luck that confused his peers, exemplified by Tom Hanks telling him 'this doesn't happen' when Conan got his show at age 29.
Greta Lee's husband, Tac Teasian, recently earned his black belt in karate after seven years of training, involving intense choreographed katas tested in front of other black belts.
Notable quotes 4AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“I think it makes sense if you think about how much I was under this pressure to be more feminine, more like hyperfam, a lady, all of that. So, I just swung full throttle the other way and was like, Val Kilmer.”
▶ 13:30Greta Lee explaining why she identified with masculine movie stars as a child rebelling against cultural expectations.
“I felt like I had already gone to my own funeral. And it wasn't it wasn't like so desperately sad. It just felt so fact and I had made peace with it... but I know now looking back how well how dead I was.”
▶ 41:20Greta Lee describing her mindset before her breakthrough success with 'Past Lives', having accepted she would remain a supporting actor.
“Tom Hanks just as a writer from Saturday Night Live... he looked at me and he pointed at me and he said this doesn't happen what's happening to you. It doesn't happen. I don't think it's ever happened.”
▶ 38:33Conan O'Brien recounting how Tom Hanks reacted to Conan getting his late-night show, highlighting the improbability of Conan's early success.
“She birthed you as a human. And I I saw you uh and I cleaned you up a little bit and then touched you with my magic wand. And now you're international star.”
▶ 4:16Conan O'Brien jokingly claiming credit for Greta Lee's success during their comedic banter about their relationship.
Chapters & Sections (35)▼
0:03Comedic Banter and Language Playchapter1
2:24Language Play and Creative Origins
4:37Toy Story 5 Press Tour and Box Officechapter1
7:24Tom Hanks and Box Office Reaction
9:06Korean American Upbringing and Cultural Expectationschapter
13:05Childhood Role Models and College Journeychapter2
14:43Strategic Midwest College Choice
16:30Captain Tabag Band and Improv Comedy
17:56Neutrorain Sponsorship and TV Show Rewatcheschapter2
19:32Broad City and Girls Rewatch Discussion
21:45Lena Dunham Autobook Review
23:44Acting Career Paths and Industry Perceptionschapter
28:29Piercings, Tattoos, and Past Lives Casting Storychapter7
30:47Appreciating Fan Connection to Past Lives
32:13Past Lives Impact and Casting Story
34:06Audition Rejections and Misdirected Message
36:34Cosmic Casting Moments and Late Night Luck
38:01Unexplained Career Luck and Tom Hanks
39:36Unexplained Luck and Career Resilience
41:37Accepting Supporting Actor Role and Family Life
43:05Career Success and Movie Viewing Mishapchapter2
44:34Movie Viewing Mishap with Netflix
45:591980s Tech and Restaurant Pranks
47:24A Quiet Place Sound Issue and Marionetteschapter2
49:03A Quiet Place 35mm Film and Cassette Tape
50:24Marionette Puppeteers and Sound Issues
52:11Promoting Late Fame and Hyundai Palisadechapter1
54:25Hyundai Palisade Features and Family Experience
56:37Sona's Husband Black Belt Karate Milestonechapter1
58:13Karate Test Details and Dojo Mojo
1:01:15Karate Chops and Self Defense Humorchapter4
1:02:37Tac's Karate Skills and Gas Station Defense
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