(continued)

So you've had a lot of luck lately. But I'm sure everything didn't come easy. What sort of trials have you faced in your career?
Before, the biggest thing was breaking [Asian] stereotypes. They expect you to do accents. And I've gotten to the point that, if it's funny because it's Asian I won't do it. If it's funny because it's me, I will. People will put that in there just because the writing isn't funny; they figure they can give a character an Asian accent and it'll be funny. Then I'd protest and they'd say fine, don't do it. We won't hire you.

At the same time, I think it's ironic, because it's much easier to break into the industry as an Asian. When you're starting out, you have no credits. But TV and film roles are looking for diversity, because people can deny it but there's always affirmative action happening. They'll give the one-liner to an Asian or a Latino to satisfy their diversity quotient. They'll give those smaller things to beginning actors.
I never thought my character would be in a romance novel. Asian-Americans aren't typically viewed as romantic leads in the media, so I think it's great to know that people are interested.
It kind of disillusioned me, because once you get in you realize there's a ceiling to your career that you have no control over. That disillusioned me, but then Heroes completely changed my world.

You've said in previous interviews that your character in Heroes is very much an extension of who you are in many ways. What about him is like you?
The idea that he gets to live his dream right now as a superhero and I get to live my dream now as an actor. I still have to find my soul mate. But that's been a difficult wish to make come true.

But you must be getting a lot of attention from the female persuasion.
That's true, but I'm still on the search for The One.

What's your ideal girl?
Someone who's comfortable with herself, who's spontaneous, who's smart, and of course cute and loves to have fun. One quirky thing for me is someone who can sing. To find a girl who would be willing to harmonize with me would be very cool.

Speaking of love interests, you're having a Sweet Valley High–style romance novel created after your character's first love, Charlie. How does it make you feel to have everyone interested in your character's love life?
I never thought my character would be in a romance novel. Asian-Americans aren't typically viewed as romantic leads in the media, so I think it's great to know that people are interested. Although people are now getting interested in my own personal love life.

And what do you make of that?
It's awkward, but flattering. I'm like, why do you want to know about me? Trust me, Milo [Ventimiglia] has a more interesting love life. Even Zach [Quinto]. Like, why me?

Speaking of your Heroes costars, is there anything going on between you and Kristen Bell?
Me and Kristen? She's a great friend. I absolutely adore her. She's fantastic. But we'll leave it at that.

Can you at least give us any clues about what will happen to your character this season?
Well, he'll be in feudal Japan for a little bit. He meets his childhood hero and unfortunately gets disillusioned because it's someone completely different. So there's going to be a lot of him trying to right what's wrong. And with the space-time continuum, whenever you try to right something in the past, well, some things were meant to be and some things aren't.

That's a little fatalistic.
I know.

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