Before joining the show, what sort of acting work did you have?
Although I did several short films and international commercials I originally started off with stage and musical theatre. That was probably my forte.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
Mum got me into acting to improve my speech and English. Even though I am Australian born, being raised up in a family where both parents are from a different country meant I had soaked in their accent and their own form of English vocabulary.
Through $5 drama classes ripped off from the back pages of the newspaper is how I really got started.
I never knew that the commencing of speech therapy would lead to such great wonders.
You were in the top ten of Dolly Magazine’s ‘Neighbours’ Next Big Star’ contest. What was this experience like?
That experience was all a blur. It happened so chaotically, so rapidly and I literally have no recollection of what happened. I saw photos of the contest and I’m like "….when did this happen? And why the frick is my hair yellow?" hahaha
But it lead me to great wonders. It must’ve been a great experience.
What did your audition process involve?
Acting the same scene over and over again to several judges for several stages of the competition.
Although I did several short films and international commercials I originally started off with stage and musical theatre. That was probably my forte.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
Mum got me into acting to improve my speech and English. Even though I am Australian born, being raised up in a family where both parents are from a different country meant I had soaked in their accent and their own form of English vocabulary.
Through $5 drama classes ripped off from the back pages of the newspaper is how I really got started.
I never knew that the commencing of speech therapy would lead to such great wonders.
You were in the top ten of Dolly Magazine’s ‘Neighbours’ Next Big Star’ contest. What was this experience like?
That experience was all a blur. It happened so chaotically, so rapidly and I literally have no recollection of what happened. I saw photos of the contest and I’m like "….when did this happen? And why the frick is my hair yellow?" hahaha
But it lead me to great wonders. It must’ve been a great experience.
What did your audition process involve?
Acting the same scene over and over again to several judges for several stages of the competition.
You joined the show as exchange student Sunny Lee in 2009, what was it like joining the show?
I was lamely overwhelmed. A young taurean child stepping into the red zone of a battlefield. I knew I had fear in my guts but I had this crazy jolt that wanted to commence the job immediately.
Sunny was bought into the show at a time when producers had been slammed about the lack of cultural diversity in the cast. What did you think about this?
These actors are all from such diverse cultures, backgrounds and traditions and I, being, a fifteen year old child felt disgusted and disappointed that the world would perceive multiculturalism only through the outer appearance ("skin colour" excuse the lack of political correctness) of the cast. It's unbelievable what the media creates which hide the true nature of us human beings.
"We are one, But we are many and from all the lands on earth we come.." the song states the truth.
What was it like working so closely with the iconic Kennedy’s, Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher?
Quite Professional.
Are there any similarities between you and Sunny?
The truth is, everything Sunny Lee did was HaNy Lee trying to come out.
I really struggled to find HaNy Lee through the process of acting Sunny. I was young and I had moved to a different state. But even before Neighbours I was always in and out of school because I was performing all the time.
As a young teen I desperately wanted to fit in and make friends but I never had the chance to stay put in one place for long enough to create a bond with anyone. I was a mess.
Just like Sunny.
After a DNM I had with Margot Robbie one night everything inside of me faltered to pieces. She told me to be myself and it clicked, that the truth was I was Sunny Lee day in and out and HaNy Lee never existed.
Being 17 and realizing that i was living & acting as a fake person my whole life up until then really shook me up.
I’m glad I came to this realization though. My Motto now is to be honest to myself.
I was lamely overwhelmed. A young taurean child stepping into the red zone of a battlefield. I knew I had fear in my guts but I had this crazy jolt that wanted to commence the job immediately.
Sunny was bought into the show at a time when producers had been slammed about the lack of cultural diversity in the cast. What did you think about this?
These actors are all from such diverse cultures, backgrounds and traditions and I, being, a fifteen year old child felt disgusted and disappointed that the world would perceive multiculturalism only through the outer appearance ("skin colour" excuse the lack of political correctness) of the cast. It's unbelievable what the media creates which hide the true nature of us human beings.
"We are one, But we are many and from all the lands on earth we come.." the song states the truth.
What was it like working so closely with the iconic Kennedy’s, Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher?
Quite Professional.
Are there any similarities between you and Sunny?
The truth is, everything Sunny Lee did was HaNy Lee trying to come out.
I really struggled to find HaNy Lee through the process of acting Sunny. I was young and I had moved to a different state. But even before Neighbours I was always in and out of school because I was performing all the time.
As a young teen I desperately wanted to fit in and make friends but I never had the chance to stay put in one place for long enough to create a bond with anyone. I was a mess.
Just like Sunny.
After a DNM I had with Margot Robbie one night everything inside of me faltered to pieces. She told me to be myself and it clicked, that the truth was I was Sunny Lee day in and out and HaNy Lee never existed.
Being 17 and realizing that i was living & acting as a fake person my whole life up until then really shook me up.
I’m glad I came to this realization though. My Motto now is to be honest to myself.
Sunny had a negative reception among TV critics during her time on the show? What sort of feedback did you receive from the media and fans?
I just got wiser.
There will always be negative reception whatever I do and anywhere I go and following those negative critiques comes improvement for all elements in my performance for the present and future.
What was it like being a part of the teen gang at the time – Donna (Margot Robbie), Ringo (Sam Clarke), Zeke (Matt Werkmeister), Bridget (Eloise Mignon) and Declan (James Sorensen)?
It felt like, I was a part of a teen gang. hahaha
A particular storyline involved Donna stealing Sunny’s first kiss after she learns that Sunny had been the one writing the love letters from Ringo. What did you think about this?
It could've been a hotter kiss. It should have been a hotter kiss. *wink face*
Do you think Sunny was a stereotypical Asian teen or was she a character trying to break the stereotype?
Did you see the makeup and clothes she wore? So perfectly stereotyped for an Asian character. The crew departments definitely knew what they were doing to make Sunny Lee "Asian".
Who would you liked to have worked with more?
Everyone. One more time.
What did you think of Sunny’s departure?
Quick. Neat.
I just got wiser.
There will always be negative reception whatever I do and anywhere I go and following those negative critiques comes improvement for all elements in my performance for the present and future.
What was it like being a part of the teen gang at the time – Donna (Margot Robbie), Ringo (Sam Clarke), Zeke (Matt Werkmeister), Bridget (Eloise Mignon) and Declan (James Sorensen)?
It felt like, I was a part of a teen gang. hahaha
A particular storyline involved Donna stealing Sunny’s first kiss after she learns that Sunny had been the one writing the love letters from Ringo. What did you think about this?
It could've been a hotter kiss. It should have been a hotter kiss. *wink face*
Do you think Sunny was a stereotypical Asian teen or was she a character trying to break the stereotype?
Did you see the makeup and clothes she wore? So perfectly stereotyped for an Asian character. The crew departments definitely knew what they were doing to make Sunny Lee "Asian".
Who would you liked to have worked with more?
Everyone. One more time.
What did you think of Sunny’s departure?
Quick. Neat.
You left Neighbours five years ago, what have you done since moving away from Ramsay Street?
I have been a part of numerous wonderful productions.
Melbourne Hisense Arena and I have never been so close. I keep going back to perform solo there for different production companies and shows.
I also just finished filming Wentworth TV Series and there is another TV Movie coming up so be watching out.
Currently in South Korea signed to a Global Music Company polishing me up for an upcoming K-Pop debut scheduled for Nov-December in Europe, Early 2015 in Asia!!
Are you still in touch with any of your former co-stars?
Unfortunately no. Everyone is so busy.
Would you ever consider returning to the show? If so, how would you like your character to return?
Yes of course. I would come back as Sunny Lee not HaNy Lee (as mentioned above) and she has a son. Who could the father be?
And to top off the chaos she's brought along with her, the second dilemma is that she has just bought one of the houses on Ramsay Street and is prepared to stay. *cue evil laugh*
Were you a fan before joining the show? Do you still watch the show these days?
I don’t have time to socialize or take breaks. Therefore I have no time to watch tellie. A bit of a strawman argument but anyways… I could really go for a bite of my girlfriend’s homemade lasagna right now.
Finally, for a show that nearly didn’t make its first anniversary, it’s amazing to see it approach 7000 episodes and a 30th anniversary. What do you think is the secret of the ongoing success of Neighbours?
Neighbours being successful?... it was just meant to be. DO not question fate. hahaha
I have been a part of numerous wonderful productions.
Melbourne Hisense Arena and I have never been so close. I keep going back to perform solo there for different production companies and shows.
I also just finished filming Wentworth TV Series and there is another TV Movie coming up so be watching out.
Currently in South Korea signed to a Global Music Company polishing me up for an upcoming K-Pop debut scheduled for Nov-December in Europe, Early 2015 in Asia!!
Are you still in touch with any of your former co-stars?
Unfortunately no. Everyone is so busy.
Would you ever consider returning to the show? If so, how would you like your character to return?
Yes of course. I would come back as Sunny Lee not HaNy Lee (as mentioned above) and she has a son. Who could the father be?
And to top off the chaos she's brought along with her, the second dilemma is that she has just bought one of the houses on Ramsay Street and is prepared to stay. *cue evil laugh*
Were you a fan before joining the show? Do you still watch the show these days?
I don’t have time to socialize or take breaks. Therefore I have no time to watch tellie. A bit of a strawman argument but anyways… I could really go for a bite of my girlfriend’s homemade lasagna right now.
Finally, for a show that nearly didn’t make its first anniversary, it’s amazing to see it approach 7000 episodes and a 30th anniversary. What do you think is the secret of the ongoing success of Neighbours?
Neighbours being successful?... it was just meant to be. DO not question fate. hahaha
Interviewed August 2014