S2E07 | Emmy Nominee Charles Melton on "Beef: Season 2," Self-Doubt and Finding Austin

Emmy-nominated actor Charles Melton joins United By Rice to talk about stepping into Season 2 of Netflix’s "Beef" and why creator Sonny Lee knew he wanted Melton for Austin after seeing his performance in "May December." Melton, currently nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for "Beef," opens up about building Austin from his own experiences with self-doubt, the influence of Korean cinema on his performance and why some of the show’s funniest moments only work when the actors refuse to play the joke. He also reflects on working alongside Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Cailee Spaeny and legendary Korean actor Song Kang-ho, including an emotional moment watching Song quietly prepare on set that left Melton in tears. The conversation becomes especially personal as Melton discusses his Korean American identity and what it meant to film the finale in Korea, where members of his Korean family were able to visit his set and watch him work. As Melton explains, returning to his roots affected him "spiritually, on like a DNA level" and ultimately helped inform his performance as Austin. Plus, Melton talks about what draws him to a role, authenticity and vulnerability as an actor, what may be ahead in his career, and the Korean comfort foods that immediately remind him of home.