Billy Choi

Billy immigrated with his family to Queens, New York when he was just 3 years old. His parents left Seoul, Korea in search of a better life for Billy and his older brother. New York being one of the most ethnically diverse places in the world exposed Billy to many different cultures. He learned French, Spanish and Italian while in the New York City Public School system while mastering English and speaking Korean at home with his family. Billys' parents worked 18 hour days to make ends meet and barely had time to spend with their sons. This left Billy home alone with only the television and his imagination as his companions. He watched "Rocky" and Sylvester Stallone became his hero. This formed his love of movies and he developed a thirst for cinema and entertainment. He voraciously watched whatever he could and got lost in the imaginary world which was an escape from the lonely solitude. Although in New York, Hollywood was never too far away. While in junior high it came literally to his doorstep. "It Could Happen To You" starring Nicholas Cage and Bridget Fonda was being filmed directly across the street from his house in Woodside, Queens. During high school "A Bronx Tale", Robert De Niro's directorial debut chose Billy's High School, Bryant High School in Long Island City as their location. He also saw the local Wendy's restaurant on Queens Boulevard transformed into a 'McDowells' for the film "Coming to America" starring Eddie Murphy. If that wasn't exciting enough, the film "King of New York" starring Christopher Walken used his dad's business as part of their production in Bushwick, Brooklyn as did the film "Ghost" starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. Seeing movie magic being made was a thrill and cool coincidences especially for someone who loved movies but Billy still had no inkling of what this meant. Hindsight is 20/20 and at the time Billy didn't imagine himself as an actor or see himself ever being in Hollywood. In 2006, Hollywood came knocking directly at his door when an independent film starring John Cho of "Harold and Kumar" and "Star Trek" fame called "West 32nd" was being filmed in Flushing, Queens. At the time Billy was rapping and pursuing a recording contract and his manager arranged for an audition in the film. Billy got the part and has been acting ever since.