Sam Song Li: A Journey through Storytelling and Stardom

Actor, content creator, writer, director—Sam Song Li is a versatile talent, but above all, he identifies himself as a storyteller. Balancing multiple roles isn’t simple, yet Li effortlessly excels in each one.

Sharing the screen with Michelle Yeoh is a rare honor, one that Li proudly claims. Portraying her son Bruce in “The Brothers Sun,” he delivers a breakthrough performance. While this role propelled Li into the spotlight, Li’s talents have been showcased in various other productions. Perhaps you will remember Li in Amber Liu‘s “Other People” music video. The music video has garnered 6.4 million YouTube views and Li can take pride in contributing to that success.

In a recent interview with HypnoticAsia, the versatile storyteller delves into his career journey. Li is offering insights into his role in “The Brothers Sun” and his aspirations for the future.

Additionally, HypnoticAsia had the privilege of conducting a photoshoot where Li artistically tells his story. HypnoticAsia is thrilled to share these amazing shots below (with more on HypnoticAsia’s gallery).

Exclusive Interview with Sam Li

Online, you’re described as an actor, as well as a content creator, but how would YOU introduce yourself?

Oh, great question! I think acting and content creation has left such an immense impact on my identity. It’s all I’ve known and worked at for the last decade. And I would say, I’m a storyteller first and foremost. Acting and content creation goes hand-in-hand as part of my way to express myself creatively these days. So I would also consider myself an artist, a creative at heart. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in acting and was this your first career choice?

Funny enough, my first career choice was to work behind the camera! I always thought I should become a cinematographer or director. When I was growing up, I didn’t think my chances of becoming an actor were that great. I just never really saw people that looked like me in movies or TV, it was so rare. But once I started to dip my toes in the acting pool, I fell in love with it, and realized it was the only thing I truly wanted to do. Acting has taught me so much about the human condition, and why we do the things we do. Why we choose to behave in certain ways and the complexities of how people work. The feeling of endless exploration, even to this day is what continues to draw me into the world of performing arts. 

Can you discuss a challenge you’ve faced in your career and how you overcame it?

I remember my very first “professional” acting audition was so brutal for me. I was attending college at UC Berkeley at the time, in the bay area. I got an audition to play a younger brother for a new studio sitcom, but the audition was in-person in Los Angeles. I had never been called in before, so the moment I received the appointment via my email I immediately booked a 10 hour greyhound bus trip to Los Angeles overnight. I skipped two days of class, I didn’t get any sleep on the ride there, working on my audition. And the moment I stepped into the audition room, I blacked out. I was so nervous, I had never felt so judged before and I couldn’t even muster a word out. Needless to say I did not get the part.

I was so devastated and that experience made me question my choices of pursuing this career. But what I realized is that this is such a common experience. Everyone gets nervous when they experience something new and challenging. Those feelings will pass, or at least you get more accustomed to managing them. When I get nervous now, I try to channel it into excitement. Apparently on a chemical level, excitement and nervousness are very similar. Excitement however, always leads to better outcomes!

In your opinion, what are some of the most exciting opportunities or advancements in the acting scene right now?

I think the appreciation and embrace for new, diverse stories is something the industry here in America has never quite experienced. There are so many unique projects that highlight different communities, so to see these projects not only get made, but thrive, is incredible. 

I saw that you produced and directed music videos and shorts, is there one in particular that holds a special meaning? If so, which and why?

I’ve been making a lot of comedy sketches on my social media pages these days. It’s usually about modern dating, or just relationships etc. I think I have a lot to say about it because it can just feel so absurd at times. Our generation is so cursed when it comes to dating, haha. Making videos has always been a creative outlet for me, but it’s even better when I can share them with many others online, and it’s always a fascinating experience for me when a video goes viral and I can see how or why people relate to a video in the comment section. I try to approach my videos from an angle of social commentary, so I think a lot of people online are resonating with a collective experience. 

Sam Li in The Brothers Sun

In “The Brothers Sun,” Li serves as a compelling protagonist whose story resonates with themes of tradition, identity, and the universal quest for self-discovery. Through his journey, viewers are invited to explore the richness and complexity of the immigrant experience and the enduring power of family and heritage.

If you haven’t watched him as Bruce in The Brothers Sun on Netflix yet, head on over and do that!

You acted alongside many phenomenal actors such as Michelle Yeoh, and up and coming actors like yourself, Justin Chien, and more. Can you give us more insight on your relationships with the actors?

Justin is an incredibly hard working guy! Although we could not be more different on screen in The Brothers Sun, I think we are quite similar people in real life. We’re always sending each other memes on instagram, and we have a very similar sense of humor. I hope we can continue to work on projects together in the future!

And speaking of people who I hope I can continue to work with in the future, there’s also Michelle Yeoh, haha! Working with Michelle was a life changing experience. I’m sure not only for me, but for the rest of our team as well! She is so gifted, so nurturing, sweet and sincere. I hope to exude the same confidence and elegance that she always has, and I just feel so lucky to have worked with a role model like her this early in my career. 

Unfortunately the series ended with one season. Where do you envision your character heading after the events of the series? What do you think his future holds?

I’m heartbroken that we cannot explore more of The Brother Sun universe at this time. I think Bruce’s entire life was flipped upside down in the span of like a week, haha. That changes a person, and I would love to have explored a more confident, determined version of Bruce. I think baby Bruce was just tossed into the deep end of the pool, and season one was all about him trying to stay afloat. But it would be so cool to see him learn to swim, to take some strides and grow into a man. And obviously, he was bound to become the Dragon Head eventually. Obviously!

We saw that you’ve been in 2 shorts since then, how different did it feel filming those after filming “The Brothers Sun”?

Being a part of The Brothers Sun taught me so much about the duties of a professional actor, I can certainly feel the impact in my work today. It’s difficult to explain everything that I’ve learned since then in a short answer here. But I think it’s made me a lot more confident in my choices and my abilities. I think when we put 100% of our effort into our work, regardless of the scale or scope of the project, we will always grow and get better with each passing endeavor. I’ve felt the same way with these recent projects I’ve been a part of as well, and everyone you meet along the way will always teach you something new. 

Do you have your next acting gig or career move lined up?

I’m definitely hoping to work on another project soon, haha! I love to explore characters and traits outside of the ones I’ve previously portrayed, and I’m in the mix(in the running) for a few exciting roles and projects as we speak. But since nothing is official or confirmed, I sadly cannot give a concrete answer at this time. 

Special thank you to the team:

Interview/Executive Producer: @dianabananna9 | Talent: @thesamlitv
Creative Director/Photographer: @yuna.photos
Stylist: @ry_phung | Hair/makeup artist: @jordann_nguyen
Photo assistant: @brokescreen | Wardrobe assistant: @korizosa