Billy Choi(II)

Billy's journey began with a transcontinental move, as he and his family left Seoul, Korea, when he was just three years old to start a new life in Queens, New York. In the bustling melting pot of New York City, Billy's young mind was exposed to a rich tapestry of cultures, fostering his curiosity and shaping his linguistic prowess. Alongside mastering English, he effortlessly picked up French, Spanish, and Italian during his time in the New York City Public School system, all while maintaining his Korean language skills at home with his family.

Raised in an environment where hard work was the norm, Billy's parents tirelessly toiled 18-hour days to make ends meet, leaving their sons to navigate much of their own upbringing. This solitude became the catalyst for Billy's deepening love of cinema, which found its roots in the stories he discovered through the television screen. Watching the legendary "Rocky" saga and admiring Sylvester Stallone, who became his hero, Billy's thirst for cinema and entertainment grew insatiable.

Despite living in New York, the epicenter of filmmaking seemed worlds away until serendipity intervened. During his junior high years, Hollywood literally knocked on his doorstep when the movie "It Could Happen To You," starring Nicholas Cage and Bridget Fonda, was filmed right across the street from his home in Woodside, Queens. High school brought further brushes with cinematic magic, as Robert De Niro's directorial debut, "A Bronx Tale," selected Billy's school, Bryant High School in Long Island City, as a filming location. He also witnessed the local Wendy's on Queens Boulevard transform into the fictional 'McDowells' for Eddie Murphy's "Coming to America." To add to the excitement, his dad's business in Bushwick, Brooklyn, played a part in the production of "King of New York" starring Christopher Walken and "Ghost" featuring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze.

These encounters with the filmmaking process were exhilarating and filled with cool coincidences for a devoted movie lover like Billy. Yet, at the time, he had no inkling of what the future held in store for him. In 2006, Hollywood came knocking once more, this time directly at his door. An independent film, "West 32nd," starring John Cho of "Harold and Kumar" and "Star Trek" fame, was being filmed in Flushing, Queens. At the time, Billy was pursuing a career in rap and actively seeking a recording contract. His manager, however, arranged for an audition for a role in the film, and Billy seized the opportunity. With the role secured, his path as an actor unfolded, and he has been immersed in the world of acting ever since.