With several small-screen credits to his name—most notably The Umbrella Academy and this year’s breakout hit Beef—Justin H. Min has established himself as a bona fide television star. In Shortcomings, the feature directorial debut from actor Randall Park, Min steps into the role of a leading man—although not exactly of the Prince Charming variety. In the friendship comedy, he portrays Ben, a messy, self-absorbed manager of a movie theater in Berkeley, California, whose search for purpose and connection leads him to far-flung places. Here, the actor discusses taking on such a relatable character and the lengths he went to for his first acting gig.
Shortcomings is based on a graphic novel by Adrian Tomine. Had you read it before you received the script?
No, but I immediately went out and purchased the book. I gobbled it up. The most exciting part of the job was getting to play this sort of broken, three-dimensional person, which is not something that I’m often afforded in this industry. I was ready to allow the guy to be flawed and to stumble through life in the way that I myself do. I often say Ben, my character, is like me before therapy. It was a little flashback.
It’s interesting the film takes place on the north side of Berkeley, California, which is very specific.
It is very specific. And I think the cities in the movie—Berkeley, Oakland, and New York—play a pivotal role in describing different characters and the season of life that they’re in.
What was your first paid acting job?
It was a Japanese McDonald’s commercial, and it was quite traumatic because I had to eat 40-odd burgers that day. I remember driving home that night and saying to myself, “I don’t know if I can do this job.” I didn’t have McDonald’s for at least three months after that, but I caved. And McDonald’s, fortunately, became wonderful again.
When you were growing up, who was your cinematic crush?
Tony Leung, in all of Wong Kar-Wai’s movies. I remember seeing him and thinking, This man is so cool, so sexy, and is so good at what he does. He’s also a fashion inspiration of mine. Actually, I should study his smoking if I ever have a role where I need to smoke.
What’s your secret skill?
Consuming an exorbitant amount of food and then having that sustain me for a while. For instance, if there’s a day where I know I have a lot of things going on and I might not be able to catch lunch, I can have three breakfasts in one, and that will sustain me for the day.
Do you cook?
I do. Not very well. I’m more of an assembler.
You’ll make avocado toast or something.
Exactly—12 avocado toasts for the day.
Min wears a Balmain jacket; Hermès shirt and pants; Christian Louboutin shoes; stylist’s own socks.
Where was your first on-screen kiss?
I did a guest spot on a medical drama called Pure Genius, and I was bedridden. I was dying! My poor wife on the show was clinging to me, asking me to live, and she gave me a kiss.
Did you come back to life?
I did! It had a happy ending.
Senior Style Editor: Allia Alliata di Montereale. Senior Fashion Market Editor and Menswear Director: Jenna Wojciechowski. Hair for portfolio by Mustafa Yanaz for Dyson at Art+Commerce; makeup for portfolio by Emi Kaneko for Tom Ford at Bryant Artists; manicures for portfolio by Michelle Saunders for Chanel. Set design by Peter Klein at Frank Reps. Special thanks to Ms. Bebe at Outfitters Wig Shop in Hollywood.
Produced by Connect the Dots; Executive Producer: Wes Olson; Producer: Zack Higginbottom; Production manager: Nicole Morra; Production coordinator: David Cahill; First photography assistant: Trevor Pikhart; Second photography assistant: Jeremy Eric Sinclair; Digital Technician: Brendan Pattengale; Postproduction by Lucas Rios Palazesi at Quickfix; Fashion assistants: Tori López, Tyler VanVranken, Molly Cody, India Reed, John Celaya, Kaamilah Thomas, Emily Cancelosi, Allie Kessler, Juliana Bassi, Karla Garcia, Jacqueline Chen, Cosima Croquet; Production assistants: Mateo Calvo, Aspen Miller, Nico Robledo, Griffin Koerner, Danielle Rouleau, Nicolo Battaglini, Juanes Montoya, Juan Calvo, Lily Cordingley, Nathan Gallie, Cameron Hoge, Jack Fahey, Cole Ewing, Karlie Ofstedahl; Hair assistants: Takao Hayashi, Andres Copeland; Makeup assistants: Amelia Berger, Willie Huang; Manicure assistants: Rachel Messick, Marissa Asprer; Set assistants: Christopher Crash Richard, Winston Willingham; Tailors: Irina Tshartaryan, Elma Click, Gayane Mnatsakanyan at Susie’s Custom Designs, Inc.