The New York-based Interior Chinatown is a fresh and dynamic action-comedy television series based on the 2020 novel by Charles Yu. Starring Silicon Valley and Crazy Rich Asians actor Jimmy O. Yang alongside Ronny Chieng, the show takes a satirical yet heartfelt look at identity and representation.
The story follows Willis Wu, played by Jimmy O. Yang, a struggling character actor in Chinatown relegated to background roles, who dreams of stepping into the lead role of his own life. His world takes a turn when he inadvertently witnesses a crime, setting off a chain of events that challenge both his reality and his aspirations.
Jimmy Yang / Creator: Mike Taing / Copyright: © 2024 Disney. All rights reserved.
All episodes of the series, adapted from Yu’s critically acclaimed novel, debuted on Hulu on Nov. 19.
Creator: Mike Taing / Copyright: © 2024 Disney. All rights reserved.
One of the most delightful surprises in Interior Chinatown is seeing actors known for their impeccable comedic timing step into the realm of martial arts, showcasing a completely different side of their talents.
Jimmy Yang / Creator: Mike Taing / Copyright: © 2024 Disney. All rights reserved.
The fight scenes, crafted with precision and creativity, feature some of the most respected martial artists in Hollywood, including recent Black Belt Hall of Fame inductee Simon Rhee. The choreography was masterfully handled by Arnold Chon, a seasoned stuntman turned fight coordinator and stunt coordinator.
Photo courtesy of Arnold Chon
Chon’s martial arts background spans Tae Kwon Do and boxing, where he trained under legendary figures such as Jhoon Rhee, world champions Jeff Smith, Arlene Limas, and Elsa Cordero, as well as boxing icons Freddie Roach and Justin Fortune. These masters played a pivotal role in shaping his understanding of technique, precision, and discipline.
Photo courtesy of Arnold Chon
Arnold, what was the biggest challenge in working with actors like Jimmy O. Yang and Ronny Chiang, who are not martial artists, to make their fight scenes look authentic?
Jimmy and Ronny brought incredible energy and dedication to their performances. While both actors have martial arts training in their backgrounds, film fighting is an entirely different discipline. It’s about choreography, timing, and playing to the camera. I’ve worked with many martial artists transitioning into film, and it’s not always an easy adjustment. However, both Jimmy and Ronny really stood out.
Jimmy impressed me with his kicks, they were sharp, controlled, and dynamic. Ronny, on the other hand, seemed to have a natural confidence with his hands, delivering clean, powerful movements. Their willingness to learn and adapt was a testament to their professionalism.
Jimmy Yang / Ronny Chieng Creator: Mike Taing / Copyright: © 2024 Disney. All rights reserved.
What is the relationship between stunt performers and actors on set?
The synergy between the stunt team and the actors was incredible. Despite the limited time we had for both rehearsals and shooting, a common challenge in television, everyone worked seamlessly to make the most of it. I’m extremely proud of the entire team. The hard work, collaboration, and commitment from the actors and the stunt crew truly made the action come alive on screen
Photo courtesy of Arnold Chon
Your background is in TKD but your fights blend a myriad of styles. How did the design of the fights unfold, and how much pre-training was required?
Pre training is a crucial part of this process, but television schedules rarely allow for as much as we’d like. Despite the limited time, I focus on introducing the performers to the fundamentals of film fighting like selling hits, understanding safety distances, and working with camera angles. Once those basics are in place, it’s about fine tuning their movements to achieve the right rhythm, flow, and emotional beats. The key is to craft fights that resonate on screen while keeping the performers confident and safe.
Jimmy Yang / Ronny Chieng Creator: Mike Taing / Copyright: © 2024 Disney. All rights reserved.
The design of the fights is always a collaborative process with the show runners, director of the episode, actors, myself and the stunt coordinator. It starts with studying the script, understanding the story’s tone, and identifying the physicality of the characters. From there, I assess the actors’ strengths and backgrounds, aiming to bring out their individuality while ensuring the choreography feels authentic to their character. In this case, Jimmy’s strength in kicking and Ronny’s proficiency in punching naturally influenced the choreography. My role was to blend those strengths into sequences that not only showcased their talents but also kept the action dynamic and in line with the narrative.
Creator: Mike Taing / Copyright: © 2024 Disney. All rights reserved.
How did you balance the comedic tone of the series with the need for believable, high impact fight sequences?
Balancing the comedic tone with the believability of the fights in Interior Chinatown was seamless, thanks to the incredible talent on set. Both Jimmy and Ronny are absolute wizards when it comes to comedy, effortlessly bringing humor to their performances. On top of that, we were fortunate to have the visionary direction of Taika Waititi, whose brilliant ideas elevated the comedic elements even further. His unique approach ensured that the humor and action complemented each other perfectly, creating a dynamic and engaging experience.
Creator: Mike Taing / Copyright: © 2024 Disney. All rights reserved.
Can you share your approach to choreographing fight scenes that are both narratively significant and visually compelling for the audience?
Designing fights that move the story forward while keeping the sequences entertaining is both an art and a science. My approach begins with immersing myself in the backstory of the characters. Every move they make in a fight must reflect who they are, their motivations, and their emotional state. It’s not just about action; it’s about storytelling through movement.
The choreography must also remain true to the tone of the project. Whether the fights are gritty and grounded or stylized and larger than life, the moves need to resonate with the world the story inhabits. I focus on creating intricate exchanges, weaving offensive strikes with counters and defensive maneuvers that transition seamlessly into retaliatory actions. This not only adds depth to the fights but also keeps the audience engaged.
Above all, every sequence must hit the key story beats. A fight scene isn’t just about spectacle it’s a pivotal opportunity to advance the narrative, reveal character, and build tension. My goal is always to craft fights that feel organic to the story while keeping the audience on the edge of their seats, ensuring every punch, kick, or block serves a greater purpose.
What was the most rewarding moment during the production of Interior Chinatown, particularly in helping the actors master martial arts techniques?
The most rewarding moments during the production came from seeing the incredible collaboration and dedication of everyone involved. First, watching the actors work seamlessly alongside the outstanding stunt team that Brian Avery, our stunt coordinator, and I carefully assembled was truly inspiring. The stunt team played an essential role in bringing the action sequences to life, showing up every day with unwavering professionalism and a willingness to put their physical well being on the line. Their commitment to taking big hits and delivering breathtaking performances added a level of authenticity and intensity that elevated the entire production.
Second, seeing Jimmy, Ronny and Chris Pang, fully express themselves as martial artists was profoundly fulfilling. From their initial training sessions to their on screen performances, they embraced every challenge and brought their characters to life through their physicality. My goal was to prepare them to perform most, if not all, of their own action sequences and watching them achieve that was a testament to their dedication and hard work. It was an honor to guide their journey and see their transformation unfold on screen. Moments like these are why I love what I do.
Photo courtesy of Arnold Chon