Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
August 10, 2021
“My father was a sailor from Singapore who met my mum in the United Kingdom,” said actress Mayling Ng. “(When I was a child), he took us to Singapore and it changed who I was and how I saw the world. I really connected to my culture and started to actively do martial arts and watched more Hong Kong cinema than Western growing up.” In “The Suicide Squad,” which released in theaters and on HBO Max on August 6, she plays “Mongal, a malevolent, muscular alien. Such a joy to play!” Currently a resident of Venice in California, Ng stays in touch with her fans on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Q: Where are some of the places that you’ve lived?
A: The U.K., Tenerife, Singapore, Bali, Hong Kong, Philippines, Thailand and many more adventures trying to find my home. I’ve never lived in one place as long as I have lived in Los Angeles and still love it. I think once I get my forever home in Malibu with coastal sunsets and a pitbull from the pound, I’ll be done and put my suitcases away!
Q: Have you been injured during filming?
A: I do my own fight scenes, weapons scenes, and wire work. But after a hip injury that affects me every day from being bucked off a horse and rushed to hospital from a film set in South Africa, that’s it now. I now have certain limits that I know I can do and others I happily let my stunt double do (since) I’m not as qualified or as skilled as they are. In “The Suicide Squad,” there was a 50-foot fall with no wires into water that I could never do, that my fabulous stunt double, Courtney Chen, did.
Q: How has being an Asian actress affected your career?
A: With my name, I was being asked to audition for typical Asian roles, but never booked (since) I’m naturally built like a rhino. A few years ago, there was an audition where they asked for a small Asian doll, but I was still asked to read. When I walked in, the casting director looked up and nearly fell off her chair. We both laughed. But thankfully, I’m making my own way now with my own look as the warrior, superhero, or strong woman. I’ve never felt I belonged anywhere, hence why I’ve lived everywhere, trying to find my place. The same applies to my work. I was never white or Asian enough. I think now, the world finally realizes there is just us. People.
Q: What was it like not traveling much during this pandemic?
A: Working on location has always been a perk for me. This is the longest I haven’t flown internationally in one given year since I was 13 years old. It’s been quite strange, but we all went through our own struggles. I’m not one to complain, but I am missing my brothers badly!
Q: What travel plans did you have to cancel?
A: Every year, I go to my family on the Canary Islands of Tenerife and visit my brothers who own Venture Restaurants. I get happily plump on giggles, food, and wine. So, I didn’t do that and now have another niece to meet there, too.
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: When I lived in Singapore, I would visit Bali all the time to see my friends from when I lived there. It has the most amazing pink sunsets, which is why I also love Los Angeles. It has nearly the same sky.
Q: What untapped destination should people know about?
A: When I lived in the Philippines, I would visit the remote islands, which are known to be the most beautiful beaches in the world. I also loved Vietnam, because the culture remains, especially the further (you go) from Ho Chi Minh. Even though it’s busy, it’s not as tourist driven as places like Thailand. And the fresh food, spice and local cuisine make it so easy to eat healthy.
Q: What are your five favorite cities?
A: Singapore, Hong Kong, London, New York, Paris.
Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A: South America and Australia.
Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: I bring old stuff I can leave behind like PJs, sneakers and gym gear that are about to die. So, I return without having to carry or buy extra baggage. I always buy things on my travels for memories. Also, if I’m working on a film, I bring a mini kitchen. [Laughs] I’m known for it and have it on my YouTube channel. When I did “Wonder Woman” in Italy, one suitcase was full of kitchenware – a blender for protein drinks, George Foreman grill for chicken and a popcorn machine. I’m naturally chubby with muscle, so I have to control the diet. Otherwise, it’s a real struggle to stay in the costume.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A: Hopefully I’m not getting ripped and shredded for a role, so I can indulge in the local dishes. Food is half the experience.
Q: What is your best vacation memory?
A: When I lived in Tenerife and had a successful restaurant, I had a dream to live in Hong Kong and do martial arts movies. I took my little brothers to Hong Kong with an ex-boyfriend and had the best giggles eating dim sum, climbing Lantau big Buddha and exploring night markets for two weeks. Ten years later, I was living in Asia with no ex and no restaurant, just two suitcases. I was (cast) as the villain of my first martial arts movie (“Lady Bloodfight”), which led me from Hong Kong to Hollywood. Be careful what you wish for. It may come true!
© 2021 JAE-HA KIM
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