Unforgettable Vanguard Award: Justin Chon

“Gook,” directed, written, and starring Justin Chon, brought a lot of attention to the actor this year, especially after it picked up the Next Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

Chon, who will be honored with the Vanguard Award at Kore Asian Media’s 16th Unforgettable gala, presented by BMW, on Dec. 9, 2017, received widespread critical acclaim and positive audience approval for “Gook” (including a slew of accolades: the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature Film, Best Director for Justin Chon, Best Actress for Simone Baker and Audience Award at the 2017 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival).

Inspired by Chon’s own childhood, “Gook” follows two Korean American brothers as they look after their late father’s shoe store and strike up a friendship with an 11-year-old African American girl against the backdrop of the 1992 L.A. riots.

Chon, who was born in South Korea and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, began his acting career in 2005. Chon is best known for his roles in “Twilight” and “21 & Over,” as well as for his first feature film, “Man Up,” which he co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in.

Chon has regularly uploaded vlogs to his YouTube channel and created short comedies with friends on YouTube.

Next year, we can look forward to seeing the actor in the upcoming ABC crime drama series “Deception,” where he will play a witty and energetic street musician, as well as in the independent romance film “Taipei.”

Watch the trailer for Justin Chon’s “Gook” below:

As the presenting partner of the 2017 Unforgettable Gala, BMW of North America continues its longstanding commitment to celebrating diversity. The gala is also supported by gold sponsors Private Internet Access and Pechanga Resort & Casino, along with silver sponsor M&L Hong Foundation. A teaser for the film “Beats of Paradise,” which showcases the rhythmic beauty of gamelan, or traditional Indonesian music, and its influence on Balinese culture, directed by Livi Zheng and executive produced by Julia Gouw, will officially launch at the Unforgettable Gala.