Welcome to an exciting look into the acting world of Justin Chien! Justin Chien is a talented actor who is capturing the attention of audiences with his dynamic performances. While he is perhaps most widely known for his breakout role in a popular recent TV series, he has also been part of various other interesting projects, including movies and short films, showing his range and dedication to his craft.
Bio
Full Name | Justin Chien (Chinese: 錢裕揚) |
Date of Birth | January 4, 1996 |
Age | 29 (as of 2025) |
Birthplace | Taiwan |
Nationality | Taiwanese-American |
Ethnicity | Taiwanese |
Languages | English, Mandarin, Spanish |
Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
Weight | Approximately 183 lbs (83 kg) |
Hair Color | Black |
Eye Color | Brown |
Education | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television Production, University of Southern California (USC) |
Additional Training | Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute; The Groundlings School |
Family Background | Father: Carl Chien (CEO of J.P. Morgan Taiwan); Mother: Virginia Hu (businesswoman); Grandfather: Fredrick Chien (former Taiwanese diplomat) |
Martial Arts | Over 10 years of Muay Thai training; Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; Black belt in Taekwondo |
Notable Works | The Brothers Sun (2024), Continuum (2018), Fine China (2020), Endless Yesterdays (2021), Two Sides: Unfaithful (2021), Sun Moon (2023), Century Egg (2024) |
Breakthrough Role | Charles Sun in Netflix’s The Brothers Sun (2024) |
Other Roles | Allan in Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase; Appearances in FUBAR, Kodama, and The Order (2021) |
Producer/Writer Credits | Continuum (2018), Fine China (2020), Endless Yesterdays (2021), Reverallium (2017) |
Awards/Nominations | Nominated at the Chinese American Film Festival |
Net Worth | Estimated between $1 million to $5 million (as of 2024) |
Relationship Status | Unmarried; has a girlfriend whose identity remains private |
Hobbies & Interests | Fitness, martial arts, music (plays guitar and piano), photography, hiking, cooking, reading, volunteering (teaches acting to underprivileged children), fashion, animal advocacy |
Social Media | Instagram: @justin_chien (over 150,000 followers) |
Philanthropy | Supports aspiring filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds; mentors young talent; collaborates with organizations promoting diversity and inclusion in the arts |
Future Plans | Developing a feature film focusing on Asian American experiences; exploring virtual reality storytelling; aims to collaborate with emerging filmmakers and artists; interested in roles that challenge him artistically; plans to promote Taiwanese culture through his work |
The Beginning of an Acting Journey
Every actor’s journey starts somewhere, and Justin Chien’s path to the screen is a story of passion and perseverance. Before gaining wider recognition, Justin honed his skills and participated in various projects that helped him grow as an actor.
These early roles, often in short films or smaller productions, are a vital part of his development. They allowed him to experiment with different characters and storytelling styles, building a strong foundation for his future success.
It’s these foundational experiences that shape an actor’s ability to take on bigger and more complex roles later in their career. Justin’s early work shows his commitment to learning and improving, which is key in the competitive world of acting.
Taking on roles in short films, for example, provides unique opportunities. Actors in short films often get to work closely with directors and fellow actors, learning the ins and outs of filmmaking on a smaller scale.
This can be incredibly valuable experience, teaching them about pacing, character development within a limited time, and how to make a strong impact with less screen time.
For Justin, these early projects were like building blocks, each one adding to his skill set and understanding of performance. They also provide material for actors to showcase their talent to casting directors and producers, helping them to land bigger roles.
Moreover, participating in various independent or smaller productions allows actors to explore different genres and types of characters they might not get to play in larger commercial projects. This diversity in early roles helps an actor become more versatile and adaptable.
It shows their willingness to take on challenges and step outside of their comfort zone, which are important qualities for a long and successful acting career. Justin Chien’s early work, though perhaps not as widely seen as his later roles, is a crucial part of his story and demonstrates his dedication to the art of acting from the very beginning.
It highlights the hard work and commitment that often go on behind the scenes before an actor becomes a familiar face to audiences worldwide.
Breaking Through: A Significant TV Role
Justin Chien’s career reached a new level with his significant role in the 2024 TV series, The Brothers Sun. This show became a major talking point and introduced Justin to a global audience.
In The Brothers Sun, Justin plays the character of Charles Sun, who is the elder son of a powerful Taiwanese crime family. The series blends action, comedy, and drama, creating a unique and engaging story. Charles is a skilled and serious character, deeply involved in the family’s business, but he is also complex and has layers that the audience gets to explore throughout the series.
His performance in The Brothers Sun was widely praised for its depth and presence. Playing a character like Charles required a combination of intensity, vulnerability, and believable action sequences. Justin’s portrayal allowed viewers to see the challenges and internal struggles of his character, making him relatable despite his dangerous lifestyle.
The show itself tells a compelling story about family, loyalty, and identity, and Justin’s role as Charles is central to these themes. He effectively conveyed the weight of responsibility that his character carries, as well as his protective nature towards his family.
The success of The Brothers Sun brought Justin Chien into the spotlight, highlighting his capability to lead a major television series. This role was a significant milestone, marking a breakout moment in his career. It’s the kind of role that can open doors to many new opportunities and allow an actor to showcase their talent on a large scale.
Exploring More Projects: Movies and Shorts
Beyond his prominent television role, Justin Chien has also been active in the world of movies and short films. These projects allow him to explore different characters and work with various creative teams. While perhaps not as widely distributed as a major TV series, each movie and short film adds to his experience and showcases different facets of his acting ability.
One of his notable movie roles is in the 2023 film Sun Moon, where he plays the character of Horace. Taking on a role in a feature film provides a different kind of acting experience compared to television.
Movies have their own pace and structure, and actors need to adjust their performances accordingly. His participation in Sun Moon indicates his ability to work in different formats and take on diverse roles within the film industry. While details about the film’s plot and his character Horace might vary, being cast in a movie demonstrates continued growth in his acting career.
Justin has also appeared in several short films. Short films are excellent platforms for actors to experiment, take risks, and collaborate on unique and often innovative storytelling.
Some of the short films he has been a part of include Kodama (2023), Century Egg (2024), Pool Boy (2021), Reverallium (2017), Consent or (2016), Cyclists (2016), Minolta (2015), Summer Soundtrack (2020), Many Names (2018), Number 2 (2019), and Window Breaker (2024). Each of these short films likely offered him the chance to delve into different characters and narratives.
For example, a short film like Kodama might have presented a specific emotional challenge or a unique concept to explore. Similarly, a short film titled Pool Boy could have been a dramatic or perhaps even a comedic role, requiring a different set of acting skills.
Working on Century Egg in 2024 shows his continued involvement in diverse projects even after his major TV success, indicating a passion for storytelling in various forms. Short films are also frequently featured in film festivals, providing actors with exposure to industry professionals and film enthusiasts.
His roles in short films like Reverallium, Consent or, and Cyclists from earlier years highlight his persistent dedication to acting before gaining mainstream recognition. These projects, while perhaps having a smaller audience, were undoubtedly crucial in developing his craft and building his resume.
Television Appearances Beyond The Brothers Sun
While The Brothers Sun is his most prominent television role to date, Justin Chien has also made other appearances on the small screen. These roles, though perhaps smaller, are important parts of his television career and show his experience in this medium.
One such appearance was in the TV series Two Sides: Unfaithful in 2021, where he played the character of Mikey. Appearing in a series like this allowed him to gain more experience in the format of ongoing television narratives.
Television acting requires a different approach compared to film, as actors often need to develop their characters over multiple episodes and work with a faster production pace. His role in Two Sides: Unfaithful provided him with this valuable experience, allowing him to understand the demands of episodic storytelling and build consistency in his portrayal of a character over time.
While the specific details of the series and his character Mikey would provide more context, his inclusion in the cast demonstrates his continued work in television prior to his breakout role.
Another interesting television credit is his appearance in Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase in 2021, where he played the character of Allen.
Talent showcases like this are significant opportunities for emerging actors to be seen by casting directors and executives from major production companies like Disney. Being selected to participate in such a showcase is an acknowledgment of an actor’s potential and talent.
It provides a platform to perform in front of key industry figures, which can lead to future opportunities in television and film. His participation in this showcase suggests that his talent was recognized early on, paving the way for bigger roles down the line.
Looking ahead, Justin Chien also has a TV series titled The Season listed as being in pre-production. This indicates that he continues to be involved in television projects and is looking to further expand his presence in this medium.
A role in a new series in pre-production is an exciting prospect, suggesting that he will continue to bring his talent to television audiences in the future. The type of series and his role in it remain to be seen, but it’s a positive sign of his ongoing career development in television.
These television appearances, including Two Sides: Unfaithful and the Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase, along with upcoming projects like The Season, demonstrate Justin Chien’s consistent engagement with television acting.
Each role, regardless of its size, contributes to his experience and visibility in the industry. They show a progression in his television career, leading up to his significant role in The Brothers Sun and indicating a continued path in this exciting field of entertainment.
A Look at Future Projects
The success Justin Chien has achieved, particularly with The Brothers Sun, suggests a bright future with many exciting possibilities. As mentioned earlier, he has a TV series called The Season in pre-production, which is something to look forward to.
He has short films like Ashes: One Heart to Kill and Radiochrome in pre-production and post-production respectively, as well as Same listed as completed for 2025. Continued work in both series and shorts shows his ongoing dedication to his craft and his interest in participating in a variety of projects.
For Ashes: One Heart to Kill, which is in pre-production, Justin is listed as playing the character of Jude. The title suggests it could be a role with dramatic or action elements, offering him another chance to showcase his range. A short film in pre-production means that the project is actively being planned and prepared for filming, indicating that Justin is attached to upcoming productions.
Radiochrome, which is in post-production, has him listed as playing Ray Kwon. Post-production means that filming is complete, and the project is in the editing and finalization stages. This suggests that Radiochrome will likely be released in the near future, giving audiences another opportunity to see his work. The name Ray Kwon doesn’t give away much about the character, but being in post-production means the work is almost ready for viewing. The completed short film Same, expected in 2025, adds another credit to his filmography and shows continued output of his work. The title is intriguing and could suggest a variety of themes or narratives. Having projects already completed or in various stages of production indicates a busy and active period in his career following his recent success.