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Ken Jeong, renowned for his comedic roles in films such as The Hangover and Crazy Rich Asians, as well as his role as the energetic clue master on The Masked Singer, made a striking impression with a dramatic performance in “Eugene’s Story,” featured in Fox’s anthology series Accused.
“They crafted a narrative specifically with me in mind,” Jeong shared in an interview with Gold Derby. “This is my first time taking on a dramatic lead. I was eager to accept this challenge. Opportunities for serious roles are few and far between for me—understandably so—but I felt truly honored that they considered me for a program as esteemed as Accused. It has become one of my most cherished experiences.”
In “Eugene’s Story,” Jeong portrays a jewelry shop owner who finds himself on trial after he accidentally shoots his wife, Grace (Jamie Chung), while confronting her troubled history. The episode was brought to life under the direction of Michael Chiklis, with writing contributions from Howard Gordon, Jimmy McGovern, and Albert Shin.
“There’s a saying that comedy is harder to perform than drama. Yet, from a comedian’s perspective, I disagree! Drama is more challenging,” Jeong stated. “To be engaged in every scene and tackle something outside my comfort zone was undoubtedly more demanding. Michael Chiklis and I were both aligned in our desire to explore that challenge. He as the director and I as the actor.”
Jeong referred to his experience as resembling “on-the-job training,” indicative of Chiklis’s dedication to pushing him to realize his acting potential. “Michael was incredibly helpful with his guidance. It felt like a full-circle moment since I had a minor role on The Shield early in my career and never had the chance to connect with him then. I joked with Michael about how this was the reunion from The Shield that no one anticipated. It was great to collaborate with him; we’ve formed a solid friendship.”
“I would often ask Michael for line reads, particularly in his The Shield character Vic Mackey’s voice for fun,” Jeong joked. “Watching him perform was a true pleasure.”
Jeong also commended Jamie Chung, noting their previous collaboration in The Hangover sequels, for helping him deliver a standout performance. He highlighted the writing team’s “incredible” skill in addressing themes of guilt and burden often felt within the Korean community. “‘Eugene’s Story’ profoundly illustrated that through its narrative. I could deeply empathize with Jamie’s portrayal of Grace, especially during her monologue. As a fellow Korean, I resonated with the humiliation tied to her battle with addiction and the shame associated with seeking help. Eugene’s desire to redeem her and preserve his family spoke volumes to me. This was a relatable struggle, but Eugene’s methods were misguided,” Jeong reflected.
Despite uncovering Grace’s troubling past through her ex-boyfriend Rex (Zane Holtz), Eugene remains steadfast in his commitment to keep his family intact. “I completely relate to that as a Korean,” Jeong remarked, noting the cultural emphasis on solving problems independently, even when the law does not accommodate such reasoning in this scenario.
“Howard has a remarkable ability to craft morality tales,” Jeong added. “This narrative invites reflection and contemplation. For me, being able to step into a dramatic lead role as Ken Jeong is truly beyond a dream come true.”
All episodes of Accused are now streaming on Hulu.
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