Pod Meets World – Episode Summary: "Keone Young Meets World"

Release Date: May 26, 2025
Guest: Keone Young
Host(s): Danielle Fishel, Ryder Strong, Will Friedle
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Pod Meets World, hosts Danielle Fishel, Ryder Strong, and Will Friedle welcome renowned actor Keone Young to discuss his extensive career, experiences on the iconic series "Boy Meets World," and his perspectives on representation in Hollywood. The conversation delves deep into Keone's journey as an Asian American actor navigating a predominantly non-diverse industry.

Early Life and Upbringing

Keone Young shares his roots, growing up in Hawaii as a third-generation Asian American. He discusses his parents' backgrounds, with his grandfather hailing from China and his grandmother from Japan, both born in Honolulu.

Keone Young [20:57]: "I'm a third generation from my, my grandfather was from China. My grandmother and grandfather on my mother's side was from Japan, but my parents were born in Honolulu."

Despite his parents' aspirations for him to pursue traditional professions like medicine or law, Keone admits to struggling academically due to the rigid, rote-based educational system of his youth.

Keone Young [23:54]: "I was considered what we call in Japanese, yogurt, which means dirty, you know, the filthy part of life."

Discovery of Theater and Acting

Feeling alienated at school, Keone found solace in community theater, where he immersed himself in set design, lighting, and eventually acting. His early experiences included roles in classic plays like Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman," which ignited his passion for acting.

Keone Young [24:46]: "I got inspired to the theater and also if you know musicals, there's a lot of chorus parts where people would sing and dance. I had a bass voice."

His mentorship under industry professionals and the influence of peers, including future stars like Bette Midler, shaped his aspirations and commitment to the craft.

Transition to Hollywood

With limited financial resources, Keone moved to California with just $400, enrolling in the Pasadena Playhouse to pursue his acting dreams. There, he studied various disciplines, from Method acting to ballet and opera, broadening his skill set.

Keone Young [31:31]: "I think that's what Deadwood has allowed me to do was to come onto every, every project to be able to say, okay, let me give a dimension to this that is not just two dimensional or four dimensional."

His dedication paid off as he amassed over 280 acting credits, including notable roles in "Diff'rent Strokes," "Heart to Heart," "St. Elsewhere," and "Webster."

Experience on "Boy Meets World"

Keone discusses his audition and subsequent role as a professor at Penbrooke University on "Boy Meets World." Although he initially found the audition process challenging, referring to the lines as "gibberish," he emphasizes the importance of sound and subtext in acting.

Keone Young [49:33]: "Sound is as important as words. You know, that's what I was taught from my mentor, Mako. He says sound tells you the truth."

During his time on the show, Keone reflects on the demanding nature of three-camera sitcoms, the pressures from showrunners like Bud Yorkin and Norman Lear, and the struggle to balance artistic integrity with the show's commercial demands.

Keone Young [55:15]: "My job was just doing what I was told and that was it."

Despite these challenges, he appreciated the camaraderie with fellow actors and the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals.

Keone Young [54:15]: "They would bring up shows, movies that they had seen me in, you know."

Upon later viewing his episodes, Keone candidly critiques his performances, embodying the self-reflective nature of actors constantly striving for improvement.

Keone Young [57:16]: "I was terrible. You know how you think as actors, you always look at yourself. I could have done that. I should have done this."

Impact of "Deadwood" and Professional Growth

A significant portion of the conversation centers around Keone's role as Mr. Wu in the critically acclaimed series "Deadwood." He highlights the influence of creator David Milch, who pushed actors to deeply understand and embody their characters beyond the script.

Keone Young [62:05]: "He pushed you as an actor to uncover the character. Deadwood has allowed me to find my own identity as a character."

Keone praises "Deadwood" as a groundbreaking show that blends Shakespearean depth with the Western genre, setting a high standard for television storytelling.

Will Friedle [62:07]: "It was truly lightning in a bottle. It was incredible."

He credits "Deadwood" with enhancing his ability to bring multi-dimensionality to his roles, influencing his subsequent projects and approach to acting.

Perspectives on Representation and Hollywood

Keone delves into the evolving landscape of Asian representation in Hollywood. He acknowledges strides made by contemporary actors like Steven Yoon and Henry Golding but critiques ongoing stereotypes that portray Asian men as effeminate or submissive.

Keone Young [74:52]: "Asian American men have a place in our story of America."

Drawing parallels with historical challenges, Keone emphasizes the necessity for authentic and diverse portrayals that move beyond tokenism.

Keone Young [77:43]: "Asian men are still shown in a non-positive light. It could be shown in a more positive light."

He advocates for cultural authenticity and urges the industry to showcase the multifaceted nature of Asian American identities.

Closing Reflections

The hosts express admiration for Keone Young's candidness and his significant contributions to both "Boy Meets World" and "Deadwood." They commend his dedication to the craft and his ongoing commitment to personal and professional growth.

Danielle Fishel [82:07]: "Your career is staggering. The things that you've done are just amazing."

Keone's humility shines through as he reflects on his journey, underscoring the challenges and triumphs of being an Asian American actor in a competitive industry.

Notable Quotes

• Keone Young [23:54]: "I was considered what we call in Japanese, yogurt, which means dirty, you know, the filthy part of life."
• Keone Young [49:33]: "Sound is as important as words. You know, that's what I was taught from my mentor, Mako. He says sound tells you the truth."
• Keone Young [57:16]: "I was terrible. You know how you think as actors, you always look at yourself. I could have done that. I should have done this."
• Keone Young [77:43]: "Asian men are still shown in a non-positive light. It could be shown in a more positive light."

Conclusion

This episode of Pod Meets World offers a heartfelt and insightful conversation with Keone Young, shedding light on his remarkable career and the broader context of Asian representation in television and film. Listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of acting, the perseverance required to carve a niche in Hollywood, and the ongoing journey towards authentic diversity in media.

Follow Pod Meets World:

• Instagram: @podmeetsworldshow
• Email: podmeetsworldshow@gmail.com
• Website: podmeetsworldshow.com