Fri Jul 25, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich

SDCC Interview: Jamie Chung Talks 'Samurai Girl'

The former 'Real World' star talks about her latest sword fighting adventure

In a few short years actress Jamie Chung has began to establish herself as one of the most sought-after young actresses working in Hollywood. From her first apperance as a cast member of MTV's Real World San Diego through appearances on Days of Our Lives, Veronica Mars and CSI: New York, Jamie's career continues to advance into bigger and more challenging roles.

More recently, Jamie is co-starring as Chi Chi in the Dragonball feature film based on the hugely popular media franchise and will be starring in ABC Family's mini-series Samurai Girl, which debuts in September, as the title character Heaven. We caught up with Jamie recently at the San Diego Comic-Con to talk with her a bit about Samurai Girl, her character and how she feels naked without a sword.

COMICMIX: Hi Jamie, thanks for talking to us.

JAMIE CHUNG: Sure, my pleasure.

CMix: So, tell us a bit about your character in Samuari Girl.

JC: Sure. She's a 19 year old girl named Heaven who's adopted by one of the wealthiest families in Japan. During some tragic events she ends up finding out her family is influenced by the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia.

In an effort to find out how involved her family is with the mafia, she also discovers that she's a part of some ancient prophecy which leads her to question who she really is and makes her go a journey of self-discovery to find out the truth about herself and where she comes from.

CMix: What about the show itself?

JC: The show is action- packed and full of romance and comedy. I really think everyone is going to find something to relate to while watching it. We've really got something for everyone.

I watch the show and I'm really proud of it. I really hope its the next Alias. Really, its sort of a combination of Gossip Girl and Alias.

CMix: Do you have to do extensive combat training for your role? Do you have a martial-arts background?

JC: Well, I had about two weeks of tae-kwon-do when I ws younger until I broke my finger. But really, I'm very athletic and we had some really great martial-arts teachers for this. Its all about muscle memory and learning the moves so we worked on them a lot.

It worked out really well. What I think I like best are my kicks. I can kick.

CMix: Since you play the Samurai Girl, you also use a sword as well?

JC: Oh yes. Do I. it's like I'm married to my sword.

I actually feel naked without it.

CMix: This show is a mini-series but do you see it going farther? Where do you see your character going?

JC: Heaven has so much to grow into. This is her first major adventure and its a rollercoster for her. I really think the story lines can support the show going for a long time because Heaven really has a lot of room to grow. She's only 19 after all.

CMix: Ok Jamie, thank you very much.

JC: Thank you.

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