Go Away With … Devin Kawaoka

By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune and other outlets
October 22, 2024

From playing a doctor on “Chicago Med” to starring opposite Harrison Ford and Michael Urie in the Apple TV+ series “Shrinking,” Devin Kawaoka is in his element bringing diverse characters to life. He’s particularly fond of Charlie, the fictional character he portrays in “Shrinking.” “Charlie is the kindest, most level-headed, ever-patient husband you could ask for,” the Los Angeles-based actor said. “He feels deeply, sees the best in people and is always up for adventure – or some quality time over a glass of wine. He’s easy! If that’s not a good travel partner, then I don’t know what is.” Fans may follow the actor on social media (username @devinkawaoka).

Q: Do you have any upcoming trips planned?
A: I have not yet been to Japan and plan on spending some quality time there to take in the breadth of the country visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, and most importantly Hiroshima, which is where my family is from.

Q: Have you visited places for work that were so nice that you traveled back there later for a personal trip?
A: I traveled to Salt Lake City for work a while back and got a taste of that good, good snow. I’m a downhill skier and I had never loved conditions more. The snow was plentiful and each run felt like you were walking through the most beautiful park. I went back the following year on a ski trip and it was even better than I remembered.

Q: What has it been like filming “Chicago Med” at Cinespace Film Studios and on location in Chicago?
A: We mostly film “Chicago Med” at the studios, so my experience of Chicago as a city comes in my downtime. And I love to experience any city through my stomach. Lula Cafe and Ever Restaurant were highlights, along with a deep dish and Chicago dog tasting tours. I also love a bike ride up Lake Shore Drive and into Old Town on a sunny weekend day.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: Not to be a cliche, but I love Paris. The food, wine, art, pastries, architecture, streets, martinis – I love all of it. I could sit at a cafe with a gin martini and people watch all day, all night.

Q: As an Asian American, did you grow up with a sense of belonging in Rochester, New York?
A: The Asian American community at my high school was rather small. So while I loved my friends and community for what it was, my sense of belonging came from family and then in college when I met more people like me.

Q: What untapped destination should people know about?
A: On my trip to Egypt, I was blown away by the beauty and hospitality of Luxor. Beyond the sites, the people were kind and the food was delicious.

Q: What was a trip you took as a child that stands out?
A: When my grandfather retired from a GM factory in Michigan, he sailed on a boat he built in his backyard down the canals to the Atlantic Ocean and landed in the Florida Keys. On that boat, we had so many adventures when I was a kid – including two weeks in the Bahamas, where my fondest memory was catching fish off the back of the boat for the most delicious dinners.

Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A: Don’t over plan. Sometimes a day in a hotel resting your weary head is what you need to truly enjoy your destination.

Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you prefer a food truck or fine dining?
A: Tough question. I love the best food and I’ve learned that this can come in many forms. Can I say lobster roll from a food truck by the coast in Maine? The finest of ingredients with the simplest of preparations is always the best.

Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A: Mammoth Mountain for skiing, Solana Beach for bodyboarding and Big Sur for communing with the trees.

Q: If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A: My most magical New Year’s was Hana. The journey on the Road to Hana is a New Year’s resolution itself that [will] leave you focused and refreshed for the new year.

Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?
A: I speak very basic Spanish, enough to get myself around Mexico on holiday. But unfortunately, I don’t pick up languages easily. This is the one thing that I would give to myself if there were no rules – the space and time to learn as many languages as possible, starting with Japanese.

Q: What are your five favorite cities?
A:  New York City, Paris, Amsterdam, Istanbul, and of course, Chicago.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A: Japan. Are you sensing a theme? Please, someone cast me in a movie that shoots there so I can go for a long time.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: A Google map of saved locations I want to prioritize to visit, a dressier outfit for a nice dinner and a toothbrush.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A: For a road trip? Arby’s roast beef sandwich, a bag of Combos or one of those Hostess gas station fruit pies.

Q: What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A: I am a researcher. I love to have reservations made for all the tough-to-get-into restaurants and tourist sites. My biggest tip is to create a Google map with all the stores, sites, parks [and] museums you want to visit, so when you find yourself in a neighborhood, you can see other places that you want to prioritize efficiently. This will save you a lot of time and really help you to discover the scope of a city. That being said, leave room for spontaneity and exploration. This is when you can find hidden gems.

Q: What is your worst vacation memory?
A: I got stuck in traffic once and missed a sunset cruise I had booked in Paris on the Seine to see the Eiffel Tower in its nighttime glory. It was our last night and the only thing I can do now is go back to Paris and book the tour again. Darn.

© 2024 JAE-HA KIM
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