Young Mazino Dishes on His Role in Beef and the First Time He Met Jimmy (Extended) | Tonight Show

TL;DR

Young Mazino discusses his journey in acting, from moving to New York to starring in the hit show "Beef," and shares a special moment with Jimmy Fallon.

Transcript

-Welcome to the show. -Thanks for having me. -Yeah. This is your -- This is your talk-show debut. -First time. -Wow. This is... [ Cheers and applause ] I'm honored. I'm honored. -It's quite surreal. -Yeah. -Actually, this is not the first time we met, though. So, eight years ago, when I first moved to New York and -- -We've met each other? -Eight y... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎤 The actor had a memorable encounter with Jimmy Fallon eight years ago, which they both remember vividly. They made eye contact and had a weird recognition of sorts.
• 🎭 The actor went through trials and tribulations when pursuing his acting career in New York. He had to grind and work on student films and short films before landing a role in "Beef."
• 💡 The actor had moments of doubt and considered quitting acting multiple times. He questioned whether he was truly happy pursuing this career and had to reevaluate his goals and happiness.
• 👦 Initially, the actor's parents were not supportive of his decision to drop out of college and pursue acting in New York. However, after seeing his success in "Beef," his father called him and said he was a good actor.
• 📺 "Beef" is a hit show on Netflix and the actor's performance has received early buzz for Emmy nominations.
• 👥 The actor credits the success of his performance to the talented set design, lighting, and scene partners he had on "Beef," including Steven Yeun, Ali Wong, and the showrunner Lee Sung Jin.
• 🎬 A clip from "Beef" is shown, showcasing the actor's character interacting with a coworker and a potential love interest.
• 📺 "Beef" is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

Questions & Answers

Q: Did Jimmy Fallon recognize Young Mazino during their first encounter?

Yes, according to Young Mazino, Jimmy Fallon made eye contact with him and stared at him pensively during their first encounter.

Q: What inspired Young Mazino to pursue acting?

Young Mazino moved to New York with the goal of becoming an actor.

Q: Did Young Mazino face any challenges before landing the role in "Beef"?

Yes, he worked on various indie films, university student films, and short films before getting the opportunity to be on "Beef."

Q: Did Young Mazino consider quitting acting at any point?

Yes, Young Mazino contemplated quitting acting multiple times, questioning his happiness and whether his pursuit was still aligned with his true self.

Q: How did Young Mazino's parents initially react to his decision to drop out of college and pursue acting?

According to Young Mazino, his parents were initially unsupportive of his decision, especially his father, who highly valued education and had different expectations for his son.

Q: What did Young Mazino's father say after watching "Beef"?

Young Mazino's father called him and simply said, "Young, you're a good actor," indicating his approval and pride in his son's performance.

Q: Who were Young Mazino's scene partners in "Beef"?

Young Mazino worked with actors Steven Yeun and Ali Wong on "Beef" and credits them for contributing to his performance.

Q: Is "Beef" receiving early buzz for Emmy nominations?

Yes, "Beef" is receiving early buzz for Emmy nominations, and Young Mazino's breakout performance is being touted as deserving of recognition.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Young Mazino talks about his first encounter with Jimmy Fallon eight years ago, which left a lasting impression on both of them.

• He shares the trials and tribulations of pursuing acting in New York and how serendipity played a role in his success.

• Mazino opens up about contemplating quitting acting and the support (or lack thereof) he received from his parents, as well as the positive response he received from them after they watched "Beef."