Rong Fu harbored a love for performing from a young age, translating into a versatile career on stage and screen that spans drama and comedy. Born in Qin’an and raised in Toronto, the actress and writer has amassed a significant body of work, including appearances in Workin’ Moms, Warehouse 13 and Rookie Blue. Rong also penned a short film, May Flowers, which premiered on CBC: Canadian Reflections in 2020.
Rong’s next project is a K-drama-inspired rom-com called Hello (Again). Created by Nathalie Younglai and Simu Liu, Hello (Again) follows the convoluted romance between chef Jayden (Alex Mallari Jr.) and ER resident Avery (Fu). Avery and Jayden meet in the park and fall hopelessly in love one day. However, the sparks soon stop flying. Six months after their breakup, a chance encounter sends Jayden into the past to the day he met Avery.
I had the privilege of chatting with Rong about her role in Hello (Again), what audiences can expect from its freshman season, her favorite rom-coms and more.
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This interview is condensed for length and clarity.
Melody McCune: We at GGA love a good origin story. What’s Rong Fu’s origin story?
Rong Fu: My origin story started in middle school when I first joined our drama club. I’ve always wanted to try acting. I auditioned for the school play in grade six and didn’t get the part. I was so devastated. So, when grade seven came along, and I was at my new school, there was a drama club. I was like, “I want to try this.” I loved it.
Then, I went to an arts high school for drama. While I was in high school, I started doing theater outside of school through the Factory Theatre and Tarragon Theatre, where they had a lot of youth programs. That’s where I got introduced to the theater community in Toronto. I got to see what was possible career-wise with pursuing theater. By grade 11, I was like, “Yep, this is what I’m doing.” I applied to theater school. I went to York University, and I haven’t looked back since.
MM: Let’s talk about Hello (Again). Can you tell me what it’s about and how you got involved with the project?
RF: Hello (Again) is a K-drama-inspired rom-com. It’s one of those “time loop love stories,” where the two main characters, Jayden and my character, Avery, meet on a fateful day and fall in love. As life happens, their relationship falls apart. Through mysterious circumstances, Jayden gets the opportunity to win back Avery through trial and error and many different timelines.
I got involved with this project when my agents put me out for an audition. I remember reading the synopsis, character description and audition site, and I fell in love with it. I’m a sucker for rom-coms. It’s always been my dream to be in one, and I love the characters and writing. I put a tape together and got cast. We shot the teaser in the summer of the pandemic in 2020 and the series last year, over five days in October.
MM: Do you share any similarities with your character?
RF: I identify a lot with Avery, and I see a lot of her in my best friend. I remember I told my best friend about this project, and she was like, “This sounds like my life.” She’s also a doctor, so that’s part of it. But I think I love Avery because she’s confident and witty; she knows what she wants with her relationship with Jayden, where they meet, and she flirts by giving him a hard time. That’s me.
For the longest time, my flirting tactic was giving the guy a hard time, which didn’t work well. I’m like, “Why don’t they like me?” So, I love those spicy relationships with a bit of conflict. I love the character and the relationship between the two of them.
MM: Describe this season only using three words.
RF: Fun, exciting and heartfelt.
MM: If you could have any character in rom-com history guest star on the show, who would it be?
RF: Can I get Keanu Reeves?
MM: The answer is always “yes” when it’s Keanu! What can audiences expect for this season?
RF: I think they can expect a fun romantic comedy with a sci-fi twist and solid storytelling from an Asian perspective. But it’s not only about Asians or Asian themes. It just happens to feature Asian voices, and that’s what I love about the project and why I was drawn to it. It’s a great, fun rom-com you can enjoy while snuggling on the couch on your day off. I love shows like that.
MM: Those are the best. You mentioned you’ve always wanted to do rom-coms. Do you have any favorites?
RF: Miss Congeniality.
MM: Oh, that’s a good one.
RF: It’s probably one of my favorite movies of all time. If it’s ever on TV, if it’s even on a screen passing by, I will watch it. I love it so much.
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MM: You were a founding member of Asians in the 6ix, a community-based collective of Asian artists in the entertainment industry. Last year, you programmed free industry workshops to uplift and support fellow Asian artists. How important is it to you to elevate Asian voices, especially in an industry that unfairly skews white, and do you have plans to continue providing support?
RF: Representation is incredibly important, and I think supporting one another is critical because it’s a harsh industry. When you have shared experiences, that’s where we can connect and uplift each other.
I would love to. Last year it was essential for us to build some connection, given the pandemic kept us at home and apart from one another. This year with Asians in the 6ix, I am stepping back a bit because of life things, but I will always support from the sidelines, whether it’s through organizing or social media. I think this year, my focus will be more in-person and one-on-one with my peers and members of my community.
MM: You’ve amassed quite a few theater credits. Do you have a favorite role you’ve done so far?
RF: I always like to say my favorite role is the last role I did, to be diplomatic. But genuinely, one of my favorite roles I’ve played on stage was Fiona in an adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, called Sherlock Holmes and the Raven’s Curse.
Fiona is Sherlock Holmes’ Chinese adopted cousin on the Scottish side of the family who’s this globe-trotting adventurer and probably the only woman Sherlock has ever loved, the only person that’s smarter than him. That was an incredibly fun role.
Sherlock is such an iconic character and to play a character of the same caliber opposite that role was a lot of fun. I got to do a Scottish accent, and I got to be in Calgary. There were a lot of firsts.
MM: Do you have advice for aspiring creatives looking to break into the industry?
RF: Again, going back to community is so important. No one can make it on their own. Be bold and reach out to people you know, like artists whose work you admire, and give them a shout. We’ve all done it to some degree and would love to give back.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to pick someone’s brain or to ask them a question. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am without all of the mentors I’ve had and the artists who gave me advice when I was starting.
MM: Is there anything else on the horizon for you, career-wise?
RF: I have a couple of projects coming out this year that I filmed last year. You can see me in Pretty Hard Cases on CBC. I shot a couple of episodes of Good Sam and Skymed, coming out later this year, and The Kings of Napa, on OWN. Later in the summer, a film I did for BuzzFeed and Lionsgate, My Fake Boyfriend, will be coming out. I have a fun appearance in that.
MM: Have you binge-watched anything interesting lately?
RF: I’ve probably watched way too much television.
MM: I feel that!
RF: I binge-watched Love Is Blind. My partner and I love trashy reality shows. I stayed up till 4:00 AM the other night finishing Crash Landing on You. It’s so good. I’ve also been watching a lot of Demon Slayer, anime and Stranger Things. I love Outlander.
MM: Name your top favorite films.
RF: Don’t judge me.
MM: No judgment!
RF: Shrek is one of the only VHS tapes I had as a kid. So I probably watched it over 150 times. I don’t know if you recall, but there’s a scene in I Am Legend where Shrek plays in the background, and Will Smith is standing there watching, mouthing the dialogue.
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MM: I do remember that.
RF: When I saw that scene, I was like,” I am Will Smith.” I never felt more seen in my entire life—other movies: Miss Congeniality. I love Howl’s Moving Castle. Kung Fu Hustle is one of my favorite movies, and I’ll say the first Harry Potter. They’re all very nostalgic films for me.
MM: Thank you so much for chatting with me, Rong! Congratulations on everything!
RF: Thank you, Melody!
You can follow Rong on Twitter (@rongideas) and Instagram (@rongideas). Hello (Again) begins streaming on CBC Gem on Friday, March 25.
This interview was originally published on 3/18/22.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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