Yuji Okumoto - From Karate Kid 2 to Cobra Kai and Beyond

Patrick is joined by friend, actor, director, and producer Yuji Okumoto. He talks about the experience of playing the role of Chozen in The Karate Kid Part 2 in 1986 and revisiting the role decades later on Cobra Kai. He talks about the audition process, memories of the great Pat Morita and Tamlyn Tomita, and the aftermath of being in a massively popular movie in the 1980s.

(0:00) Intros

(0:48) What was it like auditioning for Chozen?

(4:48) Afterwards did he feel like you had a good shot?

(7:32) Reaction after getting the part?

(9:30) Tamlyn Tomita

(11:28) Toughest part of the shoot?

(15:21) What was the deal with Chozen's MASSIVE pecs?

(20:24) The Tomato-Throwing scene

(25:35) Knowing Chozen was going to be an iconic character?

(30:48) Karate Kid Part 2 blows up

(38:31) Instant fame post-KK2

(42:38) Are people still surprised Yuji "speaks English well"?

(46:41) What was it like finding roles AFTER The Karate Kid Part 2?

(1:00:54) Shooting True Believer in Folsom State Prison

(1:03:27) Pat Morita liked to party

(1:05:32) On Asian American representation today

(1:10:05) On the return of Chozen in Cobra Kai

(1:14:53) Where Chozen's been the past 3 decades

(1:19:50) Yuji's recommendations for actors, filmmakers, and restaurateurs

(1:25:21) Outro

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: youtu.be/aV3a0VxaJao, youtube.com/PatrickEpino

Yuji Okumoto: twitter.com/yujiokumoto, instagram.com/yuji_okumoto

Kona Kitchen, Yuji's restaurants: konakitchen.com

Cobra Kai: netflix.com/title/81002370

Awesome Asian Bad Guys: amzn.to/3RNmvXD

The Paper Tigers: amazon.com/Paper-Tigers-Jim-Sporleder/dp/B01KKY8SCC

Odesza: youtube.com/watch?v=ZkwoBbkSh7k

Patrick Epino: twitter.com/PatrickEpino, instagram.com/patrickepino

National Film Society: nationalfilmsociety.com, twitter.com/NatFilmSociety, instagram.com/nationalfilmsociety

Email the show: nationalfilmsociety@gmail.com

Music by Paper Son: paperson.bandcamp.com, soundcloud.com/paper-son

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