Shin Koyamada in Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior
Born in Okinawa, Japan, Shin came to the United States in September 2000 at the age of 18 to pursue his love of acting. Shin’s most notable role was in The Last Samurai as Nobutada, friend to Tom Cruise's character, Algren. Now Shin plays Shen, a young Buddhist monk who was reincarnated over thousands of years to accomplish his mission in the United States to train Wendy Wu.
I feel like I’m from the United States. All my friends are American. When I came here I didn’t think I was going to be out of it but I was very comfortable with American culture and people.
ASIANCE: You’re a black belt in Karate.
Shin: I have a 3rd degree blackbelt in Karate. I earned my blackbelt when I was 18 in Japan and I studied Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Chinese Martial Arts. I became a 6 time US National Champion in the United States in Kung Fu. I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and I studied Kyudo (Japanese Archery) and Yabusame.
ASIANCE: How was it working with Brenda?
Shin: Working with Brenda was a lot of fun. She is nice to work with. Her Martial Arts is pretty good. Basics are very nice. Obviously she knows what she is doing. She’s definitely a quick learner, even gymnastics she picked up. I was very impressed with how she controlled herself. Martial Arts is not an easy sport. It definitely takes a lot of time to learn. I was very impressed with her.
ASIANCE: What do you think of the Asian American media landscape?
Shin: I think it’s changing. The movie “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” changed a lot of aspects of martial arts in the world. The Last Samurai, Memoirs of a Geisha, Hero. I really believe the United States world is uniting and moving in that direction.
ASIANCE: How were you received when you first came here in 2000?
Shin: I feel like I’m from the United States. All my friends are American. When I came here I didn’t think I was going to be out of it but I was very comfortable with American culture and people. As soon as I came to the United States, I joined Kung Fu school and all my cousins’ brothers and sisters were American. I was at classes everyday and training with them everyday. They taught me about culture and my Kung Fu teacher became like my father. He taught me a lot of things about business, industry and Martial Arts and how the United States cultures and traditions are.
ASIANCE: Who would you like to work with?
Shin: I don’t have a particular person. I’d like to make a meaningful movie that empowers people in the world. I’d love to work with different actors, actresses, directors and studios. This is my passion to be in this industry and act and socialize and meet new people.
ASIANCE: What do you have coming up next?
Shin: I’m going to make a movie with Ken Russell. Ken Russell is an English director. We’re going to make a movie some time this year. I have a Japanese Sunrise movie which is probably going to be distributed by Sony Pictures. I am going to be starring in the movie. We are probably going to shoot the movie next year either January or February. Also, I have a production company with a lot of movies in development. Joel Silver is interested in one of my feature films. Lions Gate is interested in working with us on a movie. Morgan Freeman and Meg Ryan are interested in working on a movie I have. Definitely one of the movies will make it happen.
ASIANCE: Do you have a girlfriend?
Shin: (laughs) Yes.
ASIANCE: What qualities do you look for in a woman?
Shin: I don’t look for it. When you meet someone natural, someone that fits you, you are very comfortable to be with. You are not forced to do anything. I don’t care where she’s from as long as she is fun, comfortable and natural to be with. As long as she’s fun. She can go anywhere. Talk about guys and girls. You can both be yourself!
ASIANCE: Any advice to Asian Americans?
Shin: I always tell my friends, “If you have a dream! Go for it!” Follow your instincts. Do not give up your dream. If you don’t have one, know what you want in your life. Maybe you need to take a moment and find what it is in your life then go for it all the way and have fun!
Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior premieres June 16 at 8 pm on The Disney Channel
Brenda song your the coolest and pretty and nice i love the show your in like the suite life of zack and cody and get a clue with lindsay laohan my favorite movie is wendy wu homecoming warror
I am originally from France. I saw Wendy Wu on Disney Channel. Yes, Shin you were so great in the movie!! I thought you were so fuuny on a kids scooter! It would be awesome if this movie plays in France, too. I tell my friends about you in France!!!!!!!!!!
This was the first movie I’ve ever seen you in, but I hope to see more of you. You are so cute!!!!
Oh my god….your fighting scenes were UNBELIEVABLE! How could you move so much and fast!! You were awesome in The Last Samurai, too! I am your fan! Way to go!
You are so cute! You are so good in Wendy Wu Homecoming Warrior! I am your huge fan of yours..!!!! I am gonna watch you again on Wendy Wu!
omg!!! you are soo cute too bad you have a girlfriend. i thought you were so good in wendy wu homecoming warrior!!!! if you ever break up with your girlfriend i’m availible!!
Hey wow i thought u were so awsome in wendy wu homecoming warrior it was awsome i loved it and wow you are very handsome sad to hear u have a girlfriend(*BUmmed out*) lol oh well hope ur realtionship is strong hope to see u in other movies and definatly going to buy everyone u star in lol
sup….shin i like ur movie it waz awesome n the best movie i ever saw…..well anyways….wut kind of culture r u????….well me i’m hmong jux like brenda….well got to go so bye…bye!!!!…n u ROCK!!!!
Shin and Brenda,
u guys are totally awsome together! You need to be in more disney movies more often! Keep reaching for the stars!(Although I know you’ve already reached them and r shooting for the moon!
the ievl is hiru.
Hey there, good job on…everything you have accomplished in your life so far. you’re still young, so while you are still here….live your life to the fullest!!! Love ya….
YOU are every word you can use for sexy and I am your bigest fan nobdy I mean nobody can beat me I loving you If they think they can they can come to my house andI’ll beat them up.plus I think my name would be cute as rebecca Koyamada. So love me to
I think and know so that shin is the cutest boy on earth and I agree with the person that said be in more movies.
I Wish I was you.
hey shin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i just wanna say i love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!you are soooooo cute and funny!!!!!!!!!i love you in wendy wu you were really funny and cute!!and your moves are awesome!!!!i love japan for it’s nature and cherryblossoms and i read you grew up around nature!it must have been so wonderful!!i have not seen the last samurai but i heard you make people cry,i’m looking foward to seeing it.you really should be in more movies.you and brenda rocked you two look awesome together and make a great team!you rock shin koyamada i love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!i will always be your biggest fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
….YU= You. Weel one last comment. You were so good. Awesome stunts!! I love you!!!
Shin I saw the movie Wendy Wu Homecoming Warrior ans wow !!!! You were so cute !!! Yu and Brenda Look so good together!! Too bad you have A girlfriend!! Well you Rock ans Keep on making Movies. I llok on forward on seeing your cute face. I love you!!!!
Shin! You ARE amazing actor! You were so FUNNNNY and CUTE in Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior..I mean you are AWESOME….especially martial arts..
by the way u look like my brother but people say he looks like Bruce Lee
you are soo cool shin u make me want to hug u sooo much eheh okies
I liked yu on both movies.
Shin, Congratulations on your Disney Movie!!! Also, on The Last Samurai! Your natural Kung Fu abilities will keep you in harmony and balance in your life. Keep training….Kung Fu is a Way of Life and good for you.
‘Jolly Good’ on Wendy Wu Homecoming Warrior!!! I REALLY enjoyed your movie….You made me laugh so much :-))))
Hi Brenda your so so so so so so so so so pretty. I have a friend who looks like you her name is Hannah pretty to were planting to write to you and Ashely.I want to be a super star like you.I think your nice well I nere meet you.I`am in viting you and Ashley for my Birthday O.K. can you tell Ashley about it please well ,bye @->->- P.S. W
Hey shin, this is Katie from Palestine. You have a girlfriend? You are so cute but, I guess you have already have heard that. I had a crush on you ever since I saw you in The Last Samurai movie. Do you know Orlando Bloom,if you do hook me up with him. Well getting LOW on words. G2G LOV:Katie
I think your action was off the hook!!!!! You are so Hansome. If i was old enough i would want to marry you. But i will be 18 in a 3 years so if you break up with your girl look for me ok.
I WOULD LOVE TO BE IN ONE OF YOU MOOVIES BECAUSE I LOVE ACTION MOVIES TOO!! I THINK WE WOULD MAKE A GOOD COUPLE EVEN IF WE ARE DIFFRENT RACES. I WOULD LOVE TO VISIT JAPAN WITH YOU!! HOLLA AT ME IF YOU CHOOSE TO BREAK UP WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND(BUT YOU MIGHT WANT TO WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER11,2010)bYE BOO-BOO.
I love you so much but i respect yor relationship with your girlfriend But i still wish i was 3 years older so i could possible marry you.
wow some ppl are realy freakin out on this thing ^ ^…i wonder if he ever reads this stuff. He’s so cute ^^ im glad that he has a girlfriend and is happy.
chin you were funny wen you said i was wondering why i sirvived this time to wendy aka brenda shin if you break up with your girl friend call 724 439 09 54 call me please
o my god shean i am your biggest fan in the movie i feel bad for you wen on one could give you a ride i cried in this movie 2 times first wen you could not get a ride the 2 wen you de feated yon lo wen the myth wsa now over that was scard i love you as a friend you are soooooooooooooo cool
HEY SHIN YOU REALLY GITTERED IN WENDY WU HOMECOMING WARRIOR .YOU WERE SOOOO AMAZING YOU ARE SO HANDSOME YOU MUST BE SENT FROM THE HEAVENS ABOVE. STAY SWEET LOVE ALWAYS ROSE
Shin is so awesome. Brenda is awesome too.
Dear Shin,
I’m Magdalain. I very like you and your film’s.
I don’t speak English because I’m Polish.I’m a happy girl and friend’s pet’s. I like you!!!
Bye,bye,bye…
Hai,watashi wa daisuki dayo…you are really amazing and beautiful…wont take my eyes of you…i can’t..lol.
Shin you are so cute!- and you are so talented you and many other actors and actresses have inspired me to become an actress as well in the future!
Hi Shin!!! I’m from Denmark… so I’m not so good at english. Can I just say that I LOVE YOU!! I love the movies your in! I also like your Martial Arts. My brother and me are crazy about Japan… AND YOU!
I saw you the first time in The Last Samurai. I used to turn of the TV when you die. I also saw you an Disney Channel in Wendy Wu Homecomming Warrior. You are just so great in that movie!
LOVE YOU!!
Loves from Denmark
i think you soo hot…omg and i love your stunts..
you wanna teach me some..
hello!sorry for disturbing u..hehehe,i just want u to know that im a huge fan of yours ,your such a great actor iguest that’s why I fall for you the first time I saw you..I cant deny that i felt sad when i find out that u have a girlfriend but its okey bec.as they say 2 me its just a puppylove by the way thanks!
hello!sorry for disturbing u..hehehe,i just want u to know that im a huge fan of yours ,your such a great actor iguest that’s why I fall for you the first time I saw you..I cant deny that i felt sad when i find out that u have a girlfriend but its okey bec.as they say 2 me its just a puppylove.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
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dont worry i didn’t forget my idols birthday! its me again…hehehe i hope you’ll get what u want ….
Myspace Happy Birthday Comments & Graphics
Myspace Happy Birthday Comments & Graphics
Myspace Happy Birthday Comments & Graphics
I like Shin – I hope he gets more work here in the states.
hey shin I just want to say that you are sooo cute.Though mainly i love your martial arts skills they are awesome im a black belt in taekwondo myself i wish i could do that dragon whips tail kick you did in wendy wu home coming warrior.