Hoon Lee in Banshee
Back in April (I think) I watched the first season of Banshee as Sky Atlantic's constant trailers caught my eye and I had noticed the flamboyant guy who had just blown up a building. After much researching I realised 1) Alan Ball is part of the team so this meant that bald guy was of the LGBT kind 2) it would mean lots of sex and swearing. 3) This bald guy was named Hoon Lee and happened to be Asian American/Korean American. Thus my mind went OMG maybe I should just sit down and watch this.
I wasn't sure what to expect so while Sky Atlantic were showing the first season once a week, I got through the ten episodes quickly in maybe 2-3 weeks while sending out application forms and numerous copies of my CV to companies.
In all honesty I don't know if I genuinely liked the series or not. It was so damn brutal, seriously sexed up but somehow it also had insinuations of homo-eroticism. While I completely acknowledge Antony Starr's buff physique and scarily intense acting, Hoon Lee's character Job actually got me through my Banshee viewing even though he didn't appear in every single episode. In the few times Job did appear he got the best lines. His sexuality hasn't actually been confirmed but Hoon describes Job as a transvestite. But wow what a killer transvestite he is. A BAMF for sure.
It seems many characters of the LGBT kind get the one-liners. Lafayette in True Blood for example. He's gay and always had a sharp tongue and could be incredibly bitchy, moreso than women of any sexuality. It is a common trend when it comes to LGBT guys. I've noticed it with relatives I know IRL who are gay and dress very well. They speak eloquently yet can be real bitches when they have to be.
How often do you see on any TV series a full-blooded Asian who happens to be a showy Transvestite with the ability to act rather masculine and tough at the same time in a non-OTT manner? I think it's fantastic when an Asian guy who is manly in real life is willing to dress up flamboyantly, put on make-up and wear killer heels but at the same time show his tv character isn't some weakling "uke."
The problem is, since it's just been one season, we don't know what else Alan Ball and the Banshee writing team have in store for Job. I want him to keep on being a snarky BAMF hacker. But do I want him to have a romantic interest? There's a part of me that would probably cringe if it goes down that route because I worry Job might be end up as a submissive (Gay) Asian. All the Asian stereotypes that I detest in Western TV could pop up. Should this character just stick to being an independent, "don't need to always rely on people" type of guy? I don't know if I will stick around Banshee fandom to watch season 2 but for Job/Hoon Lee's sake I might consider it.
Hoon Lee has voice acted as Splinter in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, portrayed sneaky Asian characters of the villainous role (stereotype for sure. I remember him in Blue Bloods) and now an Asian transvestite with killer computer hacking skills. I think this is a guy we should keep an eye on. Versatile Asian American actor yes please. He even tweets back to fans. I sent him a tweet on how great he was in Banshee and he replied with a thank you, saying he can't wait to see what season 2 will offer Job.
Here is his Collider interview.
Randomly It seems Banshee has a lot of morally grey characters. The protagonist "Lucas Hood", Sugar, Anastasia and especially Kai Proctor who was often seen as the enemy but showed different sides to his character in many situations later on in the series. He has a Saitou Hajime feel. You don't know whether he'll turn around and betray the 'heroes' or not.
I wasn't sure what to expect so while Sky Atlantic were showing the first season once a week, I got through the ten episodes quickly in maybe 2-3 weeks while sending out application forms and numerous copies of my CV to companies.
In all honesty I don't know if I genuinely liked the series or not. It was so damn brutal, seriously sexed up but somehow it also had insinuations of homo-eroticism. While I completely acknowledge Antony Starr's buff physique and scarily intense acting, Hoon Lee's character Job actually got me through my Banshee viewing even though he didn't appear in every single episode. In the few times Job did appear he got the best lines. His sexuality hasn't actually been confirmed but Hoon describes Job as a transvestite. But wow what a killer transvestite he is. A BAMF for sure.
It seems many characters of the LGBT kind get the one-liners. Lafayette in True Blood for example. He's gay and always had a sharp tongue and could be incredibly bitchy, moreso than women of any sexuality. It is a common trend when it comes to LGBT guys. I've noticed it with relatives I know IRL who are gay and dress very well. They speak eloquently yet can be real bitches when they have to be.
How often do you see on any TV series a full-blooded Asian who happens to be a showy Transvestite with the ability to act rather masculine and tough at the same time in a non-OTT manner? I think it's fantastic when an Asian guy who is manly in real life is willing to dress up flamboyantly, put on make-up and wear killer heels but at the same time show his tv character isn't some weakling "uke."
The problem is, since it's just been one season, we don't know what else Alan Ball and the Banshee writing team have in store for Job. I want him to keep on being a snarky BAMF hacker. But do I want him to have a romantic interest? There's a part of me that would probably cringe if it goes down that route because I worry Job might be end up as a submissive (Gay) Asian. All the Asian stereotypes that I detest in Western TV could pop up. Should this character just stick to being an independent, "don't need to always rely on people" type of guy? I don't know if I will stick around Banshee fandom to watch season 2 but for Job/Hoon Lee's sake I might consider it.
Hoon Lee has voice acted as Splinter in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, portrayed sneaky Asian characters of the villainous role (stereotype for sure. I remember him in Blue Bloods) and now an Asian transvestite with killer computer hacking skills. I think this is a guy we should keep an eye on. Versatile Asian American actor yes please. He even tweets back to fans. I sent him a tweet on how great he was in Banshee and he replied with a thank you, saying he can't wait to see what season 2 will offer Job.
Here is his Collider interview.
Randomly It seems Banshee has a lot of morally grey characters. The protagonist "Lucas Hood", Sugar, Anastasia and especially Kai Proctor who was often seen as the enemy but showed different sides to his character in many situations later on in the series. He has a Saitou Hajime feel. You don't know whether he'll turn around and betray the 'heroes' or not.