Degrassi's rising actor, Shannon Kook-Chun, attends Columbia College on Nov. 18th to speak with students and special correspondent, Fikile Moeti, about his diverse background and acting roles.
I was screaming the entire video because he's so perfect. The reason why he didn't state if he was gay or straight is because he doesn't want to put up barriers between him and his fans. He can appreciate and enjoy the love and adoration from his fans regardless of gender. Love is beautiful and shouldn't be segregated, just like race. He's actually a genius, and he's brilliant at expressing himself. I love you Shannon Kook-Chun :) Cheers
In Norway it's the same way. Asking if he's gay wouldn't be rude in this context. I love his answer though. I think it's the best possible answer he could give as an actor acting as both straight and gay characters. He seem reflected. I like that a lot, and respect him for it. Gay or straight, whatever: It's a personal matter which others don't really need to know.
@lukejhendry15 that doesnt necessarily mean that he isn't of black ancestry either seeing as you yourself said that coloued ppl is south africa tend to be of mixed race. and even if him being half black and half white were to come up it would be an understandable curiosity since racial definitions in North America aren't defined the same and he clearly stated mulatto as a term he would use (though begrudgingly) to describe himself which is defined as someone of mixed white and black ancestry.
@prodigychild1988 Thank you! Especally for the Australian Aboriginal Peoples, the mixed race children were called "half-caste" and the governmeny was horrible to them so thank you for mentioning them :)
He has said in an interview that he's straight. I think he just wants to be respectful to the character and the character's audience and not be patronizing by admitting he's straight all the time. (check the :16 second mark on RU-vid video watch?v=jWi2Hf4plOM)
@LoLoGirl404 His nationality is South African since he was born and raised there. He's of various ethnicities.So do you mean South African as in ethnicity or nationality?
Yes. He even says at 1:19 "My mum's coloured." Which I'm sure you know means she's Black South African considering the face that he is South African mixed with Chinese.
He didn't really avoid it, he was more like explaining that if he said he wasn't gay straight up, some people would feel dissapointed since it has touched some people who experienced the same. He didn't wanna hurt those people, so he answered it in a thoughtful way (: Unlike just saying " oh no i'm not"
he's actually half coloured south african, which is a mix of black, european, and sometimes other races(think louisiana creole)... so, yes, technically he has some "black" in him, but coloured is a separate racial group in south africa.
@WorldofNene it's not so much as it "matters" it's just interesting if anything, b/c generally speaking when one is half black the black shows more. His mother is probably bi-racial. But ethnicity IMO is just a very intersting thing b/c we are not all exactly alike.
he's half chinese and half "coloured" southafrican, which I suppose could mean a number of race mixtures that's not 100% black or 100% white. I'm guessing the Chinese part is the part that gives him light skin, maybe together with some white.
I understand his fustration when people do a double take on being half black. People do that to me too its ridicolous how much people care . Like seriously why does it matter?
@WorldofNene You're right it doesnt show more in all cases(I didn't that I said it did), but more often than not it does. However, I don't per say obsess over it. I mean, I may say "oh really, I wouldnt have guessed" and just move on. I'm not going to be like "OH MY GOD, YOU HALF BLACK? ARE YOU SERIOUS?" But it is an interesting thing though that sometimes it's obvious and other times it isnt. It's funny how genetics can operate at times. That you have to admit. Where are you from?
lol I don't think his sexuality matters though. Because in 90% of his interviews they ask him "Are you Gay" and he strays away from the question. But he is always saying that he will play any role to the best of his abilities whether gay or straight. He also said in an interview that he is just living his life with No Labels! If he dates a girl, he dates a girl, if he dates a guy, he dates a guy! That's what his view point is! But he is an amazing actor and I love him in "The Conjuring"
@internetfan2005 i dont agree with that in all cases the black side doesnt show more. I notcied here in America they seem to care so much here it shoudnt be anything new all the cultures here. On my moms side in her country there not like o wow ur half black? wow thats interesting whats ur mom and dad look like ? and all in my face about its definetly different here . i understand curiosity but why do people act like its so shocking when you dont look like your half black. Its genes thats it.
Shannon Koo-Chun is South African and Chinese. He said colored is a descendant of black, but a different culture. @ 1:13-1:16 listen very closely. He mother is colored meaning she is black. Back in the 1950s and 1960s during racial discrimination white people would always called black people colored people so what are you talking about??
