10 Things about Genevieve Kang
What were some motivating factors that led you into the entertainment industry and how did you get your start as an actress?
I’m not sure it was the entertainment industry that I wanted so much to be a part of, as it was that I simply wanted to perform — and if I could do it for a living, all the better. I fell in love with acting after performing in my first high school production. Soon after, I signed with an agent and have been acting professionally on and off, ever since. The entertainment industry can be overwhelming and the rejection that comes with the territory is exhausting, often discouraging. I’ve taken many breaks from the industry over the past several years and I would recommend it to anyone. Take care of your mental health, first and foremost. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Which actor’s body of work made a positive impact on you and your approach to the business?
I’ve long admired the work of Natalie Portman and Alicia Vikander. They both have such amazing resumes and rightfully so. Both are incredibly talented. For much of my time in the industry, though, I’ve honestly been happy to have any job at all. It’s a competitive career path and sometimes, you just want that on-set experience (and a paycheck). However, as I’ve grown in my craft over the past few years, I’ve definitely become more selective about the roles I take on. Now more than ever, I want to do work that’s meaningful, where I can collaborate with other amazing creatives, and continue to challenge myself by approaching material that’s new and exciting.
You’re currently on the Netflix series, Locke & Key. How were you first introduced to the project and what made you excited to be a part of it?
I was at the Whistler Film Festival promoting a film when casting asked me to audition for the role of Jackie. I sent in an audition tape and within a few days, I was scheduled for a chemistry read with Connor Jessup, who plays Tyler Locke. I wasn’t familiar with the graphic novels prior to auditioning, but upon reading the first four scripts, I immediately wanted to be a part of the project. The series has all aspects of family drama combined with horror, fantasy, mystery, and magic. Our writers do such a great job at mending together each of these aspects to create a nuanced and thrilling story, based on the source material but very much its own adaptation. And the cast? How could I say no?
As mentioned, you play the role of Jackie Veda. What can you tell us about her personality, the good and bad sides?
Jackie is described as the moral compass of the story. She’s honest, caring, compassionate, and smart. She truly tries to see the best in others, but she also isn’t afraid of confrontation. Jackie will say what she really thinks and she has a good sense of self. To me, these are all really strong traits. I guess where Jackie may lack strength is in her ability or willingness to stray from the world as she knows it, which we see some of in season one when she’s exposed to more of the supernatural and magic elements of Keyhouse. She’s very much in disbelief at first (we see her literally flee the room at news of the magic) and it takes her a while to come around and be in support of this newfound information. That being said, maybe it’s not a weakness at all. She’s simply questioning the unknown.
What do you enjoy most about bringing her character to life and do you share any similarities with her?
Definitely. When I first read for the part of Jackie, it felt so natural for me to step into her shoes. I see a lot of myself in her. She has strong core values, she’s incredibly loyal, and she has a very good sense of self. Like Jackie, I always try to see the best in others, sometimes to my own detriment. Seeing potential in others, who might not see it in themselves, only for whatever expectations I may have, to be left unfulfilled. People are disappointing and sometimes they’re not who we hoped they would be. Jackie experiences some of this with Tyler.
For those who have not already tuned in, what can you share about what we can expect on this season of Locke & Key?
In as few words as possible: family drama, high school drama, magic, mystery, and demons.
Aside from acting you’re also the founder of KIKAN BLVD., which focuses on holistic well-being. Tell us more about this and what inspires you about the work?
KIKAN BLVD. is a modern holistic lifestyle brand dedicated to optimizing health and vitality. My philosophy in wellness, is rooted in the concept of origin and the idea that we already have all we need, in order to sustain an elevated state of well-being and thrive. We simply need to nurture a deeper understanding of self. What inspires me most about this body of work, is witnessing individuals come back to themselves through deep healing, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. To be well holistically, is to be courageous enough to examine all aspects of self. My work as a nutritionist has included individual guidance, hosting educational workshops, and my personal favourite, mindful eating dinner events. Since transitioning to acting full-time, KIKAN BLVD. has taken a necessary pause as far as my professional commitments. However, I will always be passionate about health and wellness, and I would love to re-enter that space when it feels right. In the meantime, I’ll continue to share glimpses of this passion via my social channels.
If you weren’t working as an actress, what career course would you pursue instead?
If I wasn’t acting, I’d likely be pursuing a career in holistic wellness. I’m not exactly sure what that would look like. There’s so many different possibilities for creating within the wellness space, so much room for opportunity and growth. Maybe I would evolve KIKAN BLVD. or perhaps marry together my commitment to modern holistic wellness with my love for travel and design. Growing up, I wanted to be an architect and I still sketch floor plans in my spare time. Combining all of these interests would be exciting!
When it comes to fashion, which designers and styles appeal most to your personality and sense of style?
I’ve previously — and kind of perfectly — described my style as if Georgia O’Keefe’s aesthetic had a love child with the costumes from the cast of Little House on the Prairie (yes, the 1980’s television series). I wear a lot of jeans or wide-legged pants with tees. I love utility jackets and chunky knits, but I also adore a puff sleeve blouse or a floral print dress.
In the past several years, I’ve become much more conscious about the clothing I wear, choosing to support smaller, independent brands when I can. Fast fashion is one of the biggest offenders to both environmental health and human rights. I jump at the opportunity to support a brand or designer that makes products, which are both ethically-sound and that use sustainable materials and processes. Fortunately, there are so many great makers that fit the bill. Some of my favourites include DÔEN, Christy Dawn, Wol Hide, Caron Callahan, and Jungmaven for hemp tees. For more refined pieces, I’m a fan of Rachel Comey, Shaina Mote, and Batsheva. I’m also lucky to have a number of women in my life, who just so happen to be creators of their own sustainable clothing lines. Check out Soft Focus for comfy and chic loungewear, Abel for naturally hand-dyed organic cotton blouses, and coming soon is Immortelle, a hemp clothing line. Shopping secondhand or choosing vintage is another great option that’s not only aligned with my core values for sustainability, but can also be a lot of fun.
We look forward to seeing how things develop on Netflix’s Locke & Key. What other projects do you have coming up in the near future?
I’m currently working on my own writing. Otherwise, it’s a bizarre time in the industry with so much on pause until further notice. I’m eager to start filming season 2 of Locke & Key, but we really don’t have any timeline as of yet for when that might be.
Twitter: @Genevieve_Kang
Instagram: @GenevieveKng
Photographer: Laura Baldwinson
Stylist: Cheyenne Hoffman
Glam: Nadia Hoecklin