Now that Christmas programming is in full swing on the Hallmark network, we can expect to see an incredible amount of favorite actors–both leads and supporting–and that is exactly why I am highlighting the immensely talented Cardi Wong today. Recently, I had the opportunity to watch Road To Christmas, and it just so happens that Cardi’s performance in this entertaining film caught my eye, and he was quite amenable to doing a quick interview with me. This movie actually premieres in Canada tonight (W Network, November 17th), and U.S. viewers will still be able to catch this movie on the reairings (check the Hallmark Channel schedule). It is my honor to share this impressive young talent with my readers today!

Photo credit: Taylor Kare photography

RH: Why did you decide to pursue a career as an actor? What kind of training have you had?

CW: As a young kid, I ALWAYS loved entertaining people and making them laugh. I was definitely a kid who played with toys. Not only did I make them have EPIC battles, but I also made up storylines and relationships that, looking back, were pretty intricate for that age.

It all really clicked for me the day I watched my older cousins play. He played Rumplestiltskin, and the way he captivated the audience was so inspiring I knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life. That led me to high school where I knew I was going to really focus on drama class. I did the lunchtime announcements, improv, and I was a lead in the school plays by my senior year. I went on to graduate from Capilano University’s Acting for Stage and Screen program and signed with an agent. I’m currently training with Deb Podowski at Austin Tuck studios, and I am just enjoying every moment that I get to do what I love.

Taylor Kare photography

What was your first professional job in the industry and what are your memories of it?

This is actually a fun little tidbit, but my first ever professional gig was directed by Allan Harmon who also did Road to Christmas! It was a docu-drama kind of show called Untold Stories of the ER and I played a kid who separated his shoulder. It was filmed at an old hospital named Riverview. I remember trying to explore and look around, but there were so many long corridors, it totally creeped me out so I just stayed near crafty to eat goldfish crackers and bananas.

You have had small roles in several Hallmark movies. What are some of your special memories from Hallmark roles?

Yeah! I’ve had my fair share of smaller waiter/photographer type roles in Hallmark, but I always enjoyed them because they shot in such beautiful locations. For The Wedding March, we shot at this BREATHTAKING golf resort by the water and mountains. I did a role on The Birthday Wish, and that was the first time I met Jessy Schram (who plays Maggie in Road to Christmas), so you can imagine how excited I was when I saw her at the wardrobe fitting/read through. The Birthday Wish was also where I met David Lewis, who is just as charming as you’d imagine, if not more! Working with Lori Loughlin on Garage Sale Mysteries: Picture A Murder was incredible too; she was just so warm and fun to work with.

Road To Christmas

Hallmark viewers just saw you on your biggest role with the network so far in Road To Christmas. What did you like most about your character and the shoot as a whole?

Road to Christmas was my all-time favourite filming experience. I think you can really tell how much fun we all had on set. Chad Michael Murray (Danny Wise) was so awesome to work with, he had great stories, and my sister always bugged me to come visit set to see him. If you told me four years ago that I was going to play Chad Michael Murray’s adopted brother, I probably would’ve laughed and advised you to go see a doctor. I really got to know Jessy Schram, and I am just counting down the days until we get to work together again.

My favourite part was the snowman relay! We shot it at 4 AM, and we were all delusional from exhaustion, but that made it so fun. You know when you used to have sleepovers and you’d stay up all night laughing? That’s what it was like. In my opinion, our snowman had the most personality and should have won. It was also my last day on the movie, so it was that much more special.

Recently, Dragged Across Concrete came out. What did you enjoy most about that role and film?

Dragged Across Concrete was the coolest set experience because I played a store owner who gets held up by a robber. They attached these things called Squibs on me which, through a wire and some buttons, explode to replicate blood and gunshots. It got really loud so during the scene we all had earplugs in, and I got my first stunt actor credit.

What other upcoming roles can you mention?

I’m not sure how much I can say about it, but I’m in Winnipeg right now shooting a sequel to a popular Hallmark movie. Stay tuned!

Also, be sure to catch me in Christmas Pen Pals on the Lifetime Network in the U.S. December 15th and December 22nd on Super Channel Heart & Home in Canada.

Chad Michael Murray, Cardi Wong Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

As an Asian in the industry, how have you seen things change in terms of opportunities for Asians in film/TV?

I truly feel like representation is getting better as we go on. Which is great. With the #oscarsowhite movement along with many others fighting, we are reaching a point where even my fellow Asian actor friends are being cast as main love interests and more than just one-dimensional characters. Not to mention Hallmark casting me as a supporting lead and putting me on the poster. I understand it has to be a slow and steady process, but it’s a great start and I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity.

Rebecca Staab, Cardi Wong Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

What special holiday traditions do you and your family enjoy at this time of year?

Haha! My family is not as extra as Maggie’s when it comes to celebrating Christmas, but my older sister Karen has a huge family dinner. She’s a fantastic cook, so I always look forward to my classic third and fourth servings of delicious turkey dinners (and obviously saving space for second and third servings of warmed apple pie and vanilla ice cream. Anyone else hungry all of a sudden?)

I really would like to thank everyone for watching Road to Christmas and for all the love and support that I’ve gotten from it. That’s what makes me happy to go to work every day.

Russel Baer Photography

I adore highlighting actors who are playing a variety of supporting characters in the industry today, and I also have an affinity for Asian industry professionals because sometimes they are traditionally and inadvertently overlooked. Thankfully, Cardi has had such a wealth of excellent opportunities to shine over the course of his career, and I am immensely gratified to see networks like Hallmark featuring casts that are more representative of the diverse nature of our world’s population without sacrificing quality storyline and dynamic talent. Cardi is one of those actors who has striven to give his very best no matter the size or significance of the character, and his determination and patience have served him well in this business. Now that he has had the chance to portray a role that capitalized on his skill and giftedness, I have no doubt that other roles will soon be coming his way (maybe even a leading role??). I applaud Cardi’s attention to detail as well as his complete embodiment of every role he undertakes, and I look forward to seeing much more from him in 2019 and beyond.

If you have not seen Road To Christmas as of yet, I invite Canadians to tune in tonight (November 17th) to the W Network and witness his talent for yourself. (Hallmark viewers in the U.S. should check their schedules for upcoming airings of this new holiday classic.) Viewers can also rejoice that we will see him in Christmas Pen Pals next month (see details in his responses above).  Additionally, I invite you to visit his links below and hit the “follow” button on his Twitter and/or Instagram account so that you can keep up with all of his exciting news and upcoming films/shows where we can see him. I am especially grateful to all the filmmakers who made the brilliant decision to cast Cardi in the ideal roles to demonstrate his prowess over the past few years, and I am expectant for so much more from this fantastic young man in the days, months, and years to come!

FOLLOW CARDI

Twitter

Instagram

IMDb

Spread the love

Tweet