The real world is kind to Jamie Chung.
The actress headlines the new ABC Family miniseries “Samurai Girl” (Friday at 8 p.m.).
Fans of reality television will remember Chung for appearing as herself on MTV’s “Real World: San Diego” and “Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Inferno II.”
“You’re in college, and it’s free rent for three months? Sold,” Chung said. “I grew up watching the show, and it was an opportunity I didn’t want to pass on. I found some of my best friends from the show.”
But being a familiar face didn’t open doors in the industry.
“If anything, it made it more challenging,” she said. “When I would go in to audition, they wanted to make sure I was taking it seriously. Someone from a reality background would blow it off. That’s the stereotype. Acting is something that I always wanted to do. I did plays in middle school, high school and college, but it was drilled into me get an education and climb the corporate ladder.”
After graduating from the University of California – Riverside with a degree in economics and administrative studies, she decided to try acting. Her determination paid off.
As Heaven Kogo in “Samurai Girl,” Chung performed many of her own marital arts stunts, even fighting with a real sword when possible.
“The most martial arts experience I had (before this) was tae kwon do for two weeks, and I sprained my finger and I quit,” she said. “The stunt guys did a fantastic job training us, teaching us the basic moves, teaching us the fight choreography and making it look sharp.”
Chung said she connected with her character’s relationship with her father and growing up in a traditional family. She believes young viewers will relate to Heaven as well.
“Kids are thrown into a really interesting situation in their teen years,” Chung said. “It is how you overcome them that you find yourself. That’s exactly what Heaven went through. It’s really about the obstacles that are thrown at you during your life. Heaven emerges strong and independent.”
ABC Family may turn “Samurai Girl” into a series, and Chung would love that. Chung will be seen next in the Disney Channel movie “Princess Protection Program” in January and will hit the big screen in the spring in “Dragonball.”
“I’m grateful to be one of the few Asian actors with a job. And I would like to play a part where color of skin doesn’t matter. What I really want to do is have a lasting career in this industry.”
