Story | Connie Li Photography | Evaan Kheraj Stylist | Sarah Darcey Hair & Makeup | Melanie Neufeld/ Lizbell Agency
In the 2017 Hollywood superhero flick Power Rangers, Ludi Lin portrayed the black-clad Zack Taylor, making quite an impression. A year later, he was in Aquaman as the sinister underwater warrior Murk; but his role as Shaolin monk Liu
Kang in Mortal Kombat, based on a MMA video game, made him a household name.
Shirt: Cos, Jacket: Alexander Mcqueen, Glasses: Dior, Pants: Abercombie
So what a delight it was to catch up with Lin during the Awaken Autumn promotion organized by Holt Renfrew Canada. Lin’s openness and genuine spirit came through without disguise or exaggeration.
Career Path
Q: You speak various languages, studied theatre performance, dietetics and medicine, and are proficient in martial arts, including Muay Thai. Which of these have helped you most in preparing to be an actor?
A: Playing lots of games as a kid was unquestionably the best preparation for my career. Living life truthfully, filled with wonder and imagination, is still one of the most helpful things I do to keep the magic alive.
Going with an organ analogy, there are different things you can do to benefit different parts of your body. Muscles need protein and energy, a heart needs cardio and the brain needs thought. I prepare for different roles depending on what the roles require. There’s also the outside factor of taking inspiration from my surroundings. I always save space for grace and give rise to surprises.
Q: You’ve worked with different film and TV teams in Hollywood and China. What are the differences between them and how did you blend in with different teams?
Coat: Burbery, Suit: Alexander Mcqueen
A: I see a lot of similarities at all levels of production. We’re all just here to tell a story. How that comes about can sometimes be different. Production in China is like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. You can work at it from different angles across the board and there are so many ways to achieve the big picture.
Western production is like stacking wooden Jenga blocks. You have to go layer by layer, build a strong foundation, make the right connections and get yourself to a higher playing field.
Q: Do you have mentors or close friends in the business? If so, have you learned from them?
A: My friends are the extension of my thoughts and feelings. They’re the most essential things in my work and life. I admire people who can say they have mentors. I’m really not sure where you get one of those, or how to make it official. Does it just happen, like making a friend, or is it something more official, like a marriage? I don’t know, but countless people have helped me become who I am and I wouldn’t know myself nearly as deeply if it weren’t for them. I’m grateful.
Sweater: COS, Pants: JW Anderson, Shoes: Stacy Adams
Q: What is the happiest memory you have being an actor so far?
A: Taking mum to the premier of Power Rangers was great. That really hit me in a soft spot. She was crying from joy, which is just so honest and truthful. That makes me so happy.
Q: What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career? How did you deal with it? What did you gain from these experiences?
A: There have been a lot of disappointments and it makes the journey very interesting. The one thing I’m trying to learn is to love the way I suck at various things. It’s in the way that I suck I find the joy in getting better at things. If I thought I was good at everything, then I’d only spend time doing that and never be learning. I can’t imagine that’s
much fun.
Sweater: Sandro, Pants: Visvim
Q: Are you afraid of being typecast for your roles in fantasyand kung fu movies?
A: Nope. I’m not afraid of anything. I’m kidding, I think a healthy dose of fear makes life a lot more interesting. But
for some reason, typecasting is one thing I have no fear of. If it happens, it’ll be mildly annoying, and when something is
annoying, we usually find ways to get out of it fairly quickly.
On Set
Q: What has been your favourite role? You once said you shared yourself with the role you played, so how did you do it?
A: Picking a favourite role is like picking a favourite organ. Some do make more of an impact than others, but they’re all
pretty important for you to work properly. Sharing myself with the roles I play means something as simple as to connect myself to the story and to let the story connect with others who see and hear it.
Shirt: Oak + Fort, Pants: Abercrombie, Shoes: Stacy Adams
There are storytellers who create imagery in ways I haven’t thought of. So when I give myself to the story and take a little bit back from it, I get so much more out of life. We’re all influenced by stories, and if I want to influence others with my stories, I have to let them influence me in return. Fair is fair.
Q: When you’ve had your own ideas about a role, did you ever have to argue with a director about a scene?
A: First of all, I don’t think I’ve ever argued with a director. I just think there are better ways to getting what we all want—a good movie. I just put my ideas out there and show them how I think it could be done. In acting, words are cheap and actions count. And I’m not precious about my ideas. I have so many and most of them are bound to suck. So I try and once in a while, maybe I’ll get one that’s brilliant.
Q: In Power Rangers, many scenes were computer generated. You had to act by imagination on set. What’s that like? Did you use a stuntman during filming? Were you ever in danger?
A: Remember when you were 4 or 5, when the backyard was a magical kingdom, your bathtub was an endless ocean and there were hideous monsters underneath your bed? It’s just like that.
Yes and yes. I love to learn and do my own stunts, but sometimes there are insurance issues and there’s just not enough
time to do them all safely, so the doubles have to step in to help out. I’m really proud when what they do can add to my character. So I focus on the acting and the fighting… and sometimes the posing.
Overalls: Carhartt
Daily Life
Q: Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do when you are home alone?
A: I think chillin’ is very important. Learning to play a song, hanging with friends, or just being able to sit and reflect inward brings me joy.
Q: You are fit and have a healthy lifestyle. Any thoughts you’d like to share about staying healthy?
A: It’s good. Do it.
Q: You have visited many cities in the world? Which one is your favourite?
A: More and more, I’ve grown very nostalgic about Hong Kong and I haven’t lived there for close to 20 years. But I also
like the place I’m in right now, wherever that may be. I enjoy whatever time I have there because I know everything is only temporary.
Lin was in Vancouver shooting the second season of the action drama Kung Fu with the American TV network CW at the time of this interview. In this season, he plays the dashing son of a billionaire living a life that everyone envies, but harbouring immense hatred for his father. Lin said he looked forward to engaging the audience with twists in the
plots. Kung Fu Season 2 is slated for March this year, and it’s promising to be binge worthy.
Lin says home is wherever the work is. As to where he will be for the Lunar New Year, he says the Kung Fu production will be ongoing, and he will be working on an action project of his own, Serpentine, which will keep him in Vancouver.
At 34, Lin is reaching the golden period of his career, with lots of opportunities to showcase his talent. Work will undoubtedly take him around the world. Wherever he will be, and whatever he will be doing, I’m sure his star will continue to shine for years to come.
