The actor first made a name for himself in the role that truly launched his career as a child film star—the younger version of Marcus, a character portrayed by Randall Park in the popular Netflix film Always Be My Maybe. That performance put him on the map and opened doors to more opportunities. Not long after, he landed a recurring role as Mason on the well-loved ABC sitcom Black-ish, further solidifying his presence in the entertainment world. He’s been open in interviews about how meaningful it is for him to be a new voice in an industry that has historically underrepresented non-white actors, and he’s proud to help shift that narrative.

Before all the spotlight, though, his journey began much more humbly. His very first role came through his mother, Jean Shim, who cast him in her short film titled Starlight Inn. In that project, he played a character named Hunter—and that experience was the spark that ignited his passion for acting. From there, he started doing commercials, steadily building his resume and gaining confidence. As his early success grew, he began landing roles with major studios. One notable early appearance was on the hit show New Girl, where he showed up briefly as a trick-or-treater—a small part, but one that added to his growing momentum. Throughout it all, his mother, a director herself, remained a key influence and supporter. And today, as his career continues to rise, the actor remains grounded, focused, and excited for what’s next.