Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
June 16, 2020
Tiffany Chu plays an artificial intelligence robot named Sophie in the Twitch series “Artificial” – a primetime Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Innovation in Interactive Media. Her other projects include the lead role in Justin Chon’s film “Ms. Purple” and producing credits on the podcast “Your Buddy Justin Lee.” Born in Taipei, Taiwan, and raised in San Jose, California, Chu studied film at the University of California Irvine. The Los Angeles resident interacts with fans on Instagram. “Artificial” airs on Twitch on Thursdays at 8 pm CDT.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. Taiwan. Most of my family is there. I can’t rave enough about the delectable food, night life and beautiful hiking trails. Transportation is super convenient there as well. When you arrive at Taoyuan International Airport, buy a prepaid SIM card before you leave the airport. They have SIM card package options depending on the length of your stay. (I would recommend that you) make sure to bring a good pair of walking shoes, get a Mass Rapid Transit pass, go eat, drink boba milk tea and explore. Night markets are a must!
Q. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A. I like to see travel as a way to learn, understand, gain a new mindset and see things from a different perspective through the people, food, music and culture I encounter. We are all the same, just from different places with different experiences. It humbles and inspires me.
Q. If you could only pick one place to eat, which would you choose: a casual meal at a street cart or food truck or fine dining at a nice restaurant?
A. Fine dining. Nothing against street carts or food trucks – they’re yummy, too – but fine dining to me is eating and experiencing art.
Q. Where is the most romantic destination?
A. Santorini (Greece), Blue Lagoon (Iceland), Paris, Maldives, Bali.
Q. Do you speak any foreign languages? And in the same train of thought, do you pick up new languages easily?
A. I learned a bit of French in high school. My family speaks Mandarin and so do I, fortunately. From my dad’s side, I also know a tiny bit of Hakka. I appreciate them instilling my culture in me. Language is a huge gateway to that. I was the kid who secretly enjoyed Chinese school – not so much the homework, though! But I understood at a young age how important it would be for me to continue being exposed to the language and culture. I think I can pick up languages pretty quickly, especially if I’m completely immersed.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A. Kula (Maui), New York City, Taipei, San Francisco, Kyoto (Japan).
Q. Where do you travel to frequently?
A. I usually travel to Taiwan during holidays or breaks because most of my family is there. Family is home.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. Paris, Rome, London, South Korea, New Zealand, Thailand, Argentina. The list is endless.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. A good pair of walking shoes for exploring, resistance bands for working out, workout clothes, sunglasses, toiletries, hair tie, supplements, portable charger, refillable insulated water bottle for cold or hot liquids and my skin care regimen of face masks, face wash, toner, Le Mieux TGF-B Booster serum, makeup wipes, lotion and cream.
Q. What would be your dream trip?
A. Mars. I believe Elon Musk is working on that.
Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A. Asking people who are either from (the destination I’m traveling to) or have been to that destination. I would also do a little research on my own, check the weather. And once I get there, I would also ask locals for their favorite spots.
© 2020 JAE-HA KIM
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