Nico, thanks for taking the time to speak with Occhi Magazine. It’s much appreciated. What inspired you to transition from a career as a VC/Corporate attorney to acting?
Thank you for having me! The transition began when I realized I lacked a creative outlet. While climbing the corporate ladder, I started questioning, “Is this it?” and felt a strong need to explore other parts of myself. I used to be a professional ballroom dancer and did theatre in high school, so I knew I wanted to reconnect with creativity—I just wasn’t sure how. I tried pottery, painting, and singing, but acting was what truly stuck.
As I reflected more, I realized that storytelling had always been at the core of what I loved, even in my corporate work. In venture capital, I spent most of my time working with startup founders, and while I enjoyed the strategy and deal-making, what captivated me most were the stories of my clients—their struggles, their ambitions, the way they built something from nothing. I was drawn to the human side of it all, the drama, the emotion, the stakes. That realization made me see how much I valued storytelling, and acting became the most natural extension of that passion.
Of course, making the jump wasn’t easy. I had built a full life, with expectations from both my family and myself. In many ways, it felt like I was dismantling one identity to create another, and frankly, that was terrifying. I knew I wanted change, but I questioned whether I could truly make the transition.
What ultimately solidified my decision to pursue acting as a career—not just a hobby—was an unexpected cultural shift at my workplace. It felt like a push from the universe, a sign that it was time to pursue something more aligned with my values. So I took the leap and I’m very grateful I did.
Can you tell us about your character Ji Min in season two of ‘The Recruit’ and what drew you to this role?
Ji Min was such a fun character to play, and I’m incredibly honored that our amazing producers and executives trusted me to bring him to life—especially since this is my first role in the industry.
Ji Min is a gangster in Seoul who works as an informant for the Korean National Intelligence Service, specifically for Jang Kyun, played by Teo Yoo. He’s caught in a dangerous web of double-dealing, constantly playing both sides and putting himself at extreme risk. What fascinated me about Ji Min is his willingness to flirt with chaos—he knows he’s walking a fine line, yet he keeps pushing the limits, even when his life is on the line. The stakes are incredibly high, and I was drawn to the challenge of unpacking what drives someone to take such extreme risks. It’s a stark contrast to my own background as a lawyer, where risk aversion is second nature. That tension—between control and recklessness—was really exciting to explore.
On a personal level, I was really excited about the opportunity to film in Seoul. It’s a city that means a lot to me—I spent nearly every summer there as a young adult, and in many ways, it feels like a second home. I even worked there for a time, first as an intern at a hospital and later as a summer associate at a law firm. Being back, but this time as an actor, felt surreal. Walking the same streets in a completely different role was a reminder of how much life can change. That wasn’t what drew me to Ji Min, but I won’t lie—it was definitely a bonus.
How was your experience working alongside Noah Centineo and Teo Yoo?
Working with Noah and Teo was a dream come true. I never expected to collaborate with such accomplished actors so early in my career. Naturally, I was nervous and a bit intimidated at first, stepping onto the set with such big names. But both of them were incredibly warm, masters of their craft, and made a genuine effort to ensure the entire cast and crew felt valued.
Noah has this effortlessly infectious energy that elevates everyone around him. He wasn’t just a great scene partner—he was a leader, creating an environment where I felt both safe and excited every day on set. His ability to set the tone for a production is something I truly admire, and I’ve definitely taken a page from his book on what it means to lead.
Most of my scenes were with Teo, and I’m fortunate to now call him both a friend and a mentor. We recently had the chance to reconnect when I returned to South Korea last September after filming. It’s quite hard for me to describe how much admire Teo as a person. Teo has been incredibly generous with his time, offering invaluable advice not just about the industry but about the craft of acting itself. Because of him, I feel more confident in my ability to navigate this career and in trusting myself as an actor. For that, I’m eternally grateful.
Ultimately, both Noah and Teo aren’t just exceptional actors—they’re incredible human beings. I may be an adult, but I still hope to “grow up” to be like them. I feel incredibly lucky to have had the chance to work alongside them.
Have you had any mentors in your acting journey, and how have they influenced your career?
I’ve only been acting for about a year, so I’d say I’m still looking for mentors—please feel free to recommend some! Haha. That said, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to meet some amazing people in the industry who have helped guide me through this wild first chapter of my career. More informally, I consider many of my friends in the industry mentors as well since they all have more experience than I do. Kristian Bruun, also from The Recruit, and I have dinner frequently, and he’s given me invaluable advice—most recently on interpreting Shakespearean text.
Through these friendships and conversations, I’ve learned to fight for my career and that hard work truly pays off. More than anything, my mentors and friends have taught me to trust my gut and think bigger for my career. This past year has been a whirlwind of change, and at times, I struggled to believe in my own path. But hearing from people who have walked this road before me has reinforced how invaluable instincts are—to lean into the fear, embrace the chaos of this industry, and stay grounded. Beyond the craft and the business, they’ve also reminded me that keeping a cool head and being a good person matters just as much as talent and opportunity.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when transitioning from law to acting?
Imposter syndrome, for starters. I’m sure everyone says that, but I’ve never felt it more than when stepping into this industry. My first day on set was terrifying—especially knowing I’d be working with Teo and Noah. I kept wondering, Can I really do this? Am I even supposed to be here? As grateful as I was for the opportunity, the transition from my corporate career to acting happened so fast that it felt surreal. Trusting my ability to act—and, in tandem, just exist on set with these incredible actors—was a huge hurdle to overcome. And to be honest, it’s still there. Fortunately (or unfortunately), most of my actor friends tell me it never fully goes away, so at least I’m not alone.
Another challenge was adapting to an entirely new skill set. Coming from a corporate background, I was used to taking orders, removing myself from emotion, and thinking strategically. I spent my days talking numbers, drafting contracts, and getting an odd sense of satisfaction from a well-crafted clause. Now, I’m reading scripts, developing characters, and learning to be emotionally open in ways I never had to be before. It’s been a fun but definitely humbling learning curve.
And, of course, there was the industry lingo. I had no formal training in film, so I was constantly playing catch-up. There was even a funny moment once on set when someone asked me for a “half apple,” and I thought they meant an actual half of an apple—turns out, it’s a small platform used on set. I kept thinking, What is my character going to do with this apple? Why do I need it? I’ll never forget that day.
What do you consider your biggest success in your acting career so far?
I don’t think I can top playing Ji Min on The Recruit. Honestly, I was blown away by the opportunity—not just to take on this character, but to work with such an incredible cast and crew across both North America and South Korea. Production even flew me out to Seoul, which was surreal. For this to be my first gig is something I never could have imagined, let alone planned for. So without a doubt, playing Ji Min on The Recruit has been the biggest success in my acting career so far.
What challenges have you encountered in your new career, and how have you overcome them?
On a technical level, one of the biggest challenges has been understanding the intricacies of what makes a great story—and, by extension, a great character. As an actor, it’s not just about delivering lines; it’s about embodying a fully realized person with depth, history, and motivation. Early on, I struggled with how to build rich character backstories and truly connect with the nuances of a role. I quickly realized that immersing myself in storytelling made me a better actor. Reading scripts and analyzing character arcs helped me understand how motivations evolve throughout a story, not just within individual scenes. This process taught me how to craft my own characters more naturally, giving them richer depth and intention.
To bridge that gap, I leaned into what I do best—studying. I’ve always been intense when it comes to learning new skills, and I think that comes from my background as an athlete. As a former skier and swimmer, I was used to pushing myself, drilling techniques, and breaking things down to improve. I approached acting the same way. I made a habit of reading multiple scripts a week—not just to understand dialogue, but to track character motivations across an entire story. I’d then watch the corresponding films to analyze how those arcs translated on screen.
Breaking down performances and discussing them with friends in the industry helped me see patterns and choices I wouldn’t have noticed on my own. The more I did this, the easier it became to build my own characters from the ground up. Over time, this practice gave me a stronger foundation and greater confidence in my ability to bring a role to life. When I’m passionate about something, I go all in, and acting has been no different.
How have your language skills influenced your acting opportunities and roles?
From an opportunity standpoint, speaking multiple languages allows me to take on a wider range of roles and play more dynamic characters simply because language adds depth to a person. I’ve noticed that I embody a slightly different version of myself depending on the language I’m speaking—whether it’s in the way I express emotions, carry myself, or even the rhythm of my speech. I try to bring that awareness into the characters I develop, using language as another tool to shape their identities.
But beyond just expanding the roles I can play, language has fundamentally changed how I approach acting. Language carries so much nuance—it influences how people think, how they express themselves, and how they engage with the world. Since language is deeply tied to culture, it naturally informs a character’s background and perspective. The way someone speaks, their rhythm, and their word choices can reveal so much about their upbringing, personality, and emotional state. Understanding those subtleties helps me create more fully realized characters.
On a more personal level, language also plays a huge role in connecting with scene partners. Acting is about more than just delivering lines—it’s about tone, rhythm, and subtext. Being able to pick up on those nuances, especially in languages where meaning can shift dramatically based on intonation, allows me to connect more deeply with my co-stars. And honestly, it just makes the whole process more fun!
Can you share some insights about your upcoming feature film, LI LEE?
For sure! LI LEE started as a passion project after a pretty rough summer dealing with family medical issues. I wanted to laugh, shut my brain off for a bit, and just enjoy writing something fun. I felt overstimulated by everything going on in my life, so diving into a creative project became a way to escape. At the same time, it gave me an excuse to feel productive while learning more about character and story.
At its core, LI LEE is about the chaos of friendship and just how far two best friends will go for each other—literally. Li and Lee embark on a wild journey that forces them to confront the depth of their bond. And more importantly, do they love each other enough to lose their balls for one another? It’s ridiculous, over-the-top, and full of mayhem, but beneath all the absurdity, it explores the extreme, and sometimes irrational, lengths we go to for the people we love.
What started as a small passion project has turned into something bigger than I ever expected, and I’m incredibly grateful. People have been really excited about the film, and we recently had a table read that went extremely well. Fortunately, some of the attendees from our table read have already contributed funding, and we’re now gearing up to officially pitch and set things in motion—which makes it all the more exciting.
What are your future goals in the acting industry?
I mean, the list is long, but generally speaking, I’m still so new that I just want to try everything. Obviously, booking more roles is a big goal, but beyond that, I’d love to take on a character that lets me use both English and some of my other language skills—maybe a spy role, which would be a fun contrast to Ji Min. I also think playing an attorney, someone in tech, or even a chef would be a great experience, given my background in all three industries.
More than anything, I want to continue growing as an actor and adding more tools to my toolkit. Right now, I’m focused on building a strong foundation—challenging myself, working with great collaborators, and refining my craft. Developing LI LEE has also made me think a lot about the creative side of the industry, and I’d love to explore more storytelling opportunities, whether that’s writing, producing, or helping bring unique projects to life.
One thing that’s really important to me is helping bring underrepresented voices to the forefront. The Asian diaspora is something I deeply care about, and I’m especially interested in bridging the understanding between cultures—not just between East and West, but even within Asian communities themselves. There’s often a disconnect between those raised in Asia and those who grew up abroad, and I see myself as someone who sits squarely in the middle of that experience. Exploring those nuances through storytelling is something I hope to do more of in the future.
Long-term, I want to work on projects that excite me, whether that’s action, drama, or something completely unexpected. I think some of the best careers are built by taking risks and staying open to new challenges, and that’s the approach I want to take as I move forward.
What advice would you give to someone looking to make a career change into acting?
I’d say if you know deep down that acting is what you want to do, then go for it. Of course, there are a lot of practical considerations—finances included—but if you can make it work, I strongly recommend taking the leap. Life is too short not to try. That’s what I told myself, and I truly believe you never know what might happen—I certainly didn’t. Yes, this industry is chaotic and unstable, but it makes my heart flutter. And as a romantic, I’ve always been a proponent of following the flutter.
Additionally, don’t beat yourself up over not starting sooner. Early on, I wished I had begun acting at a younger age, but now, I’m grateful to have started when I did. Having lived a whole other life before this has given me a stronger head on my shoulders, the ability to communicate effectively, and a sense of perspective. If I had found any level of success or failure in my teens or college years, I don’t think I would have handled it as well as I can now. Everything happens in its own time.
In contrast, if you’re unsure about making the leap, give yourself the space to figure it out. You don’t have to decide today. Exploring creativity and stepping outside your comfort zone is a process, and everyone moves at their own pace. Changing careers is scary, and you want to be sure it’s the right decision for you. Taking the time to reflect and understand what you truly want will only help in the long run. And while you’re exploring, have fun—getting to know what you love is the best part!
Images by Ashley Barrett Photography
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