“12 Fascinating Insights and Reasons to Rewatch It Now”
“Beef,” created by Lee Sung Jin, is a Netflix hit that challenges the model minority myth. It has struck a chord with those who grew up in the 90s, evoking familiar feelings and experiences.
The show’s attention to detail and portrayal of the Asian American experience make it feel relatable and universal. It goes beyond stereotypes, showing authentic emotions like love, hate, frustration, and dissatisfaction.
After one month, “Beef” is still in Netflix’s Top 10. Originally planned as a limited series, there’s now a desire to continue the story of Danny and Amy. By supporting the show, we can contribute to more seasons and enjoy this brilliant representation of Asian American life.
If you need a reason to watch or rewatch “Beef,” here are 12 interesting facts about the show and its creator, Lee Sung Jin. It’s a peek behind the scenes of this powerful and impactful series.
1 ) The Awesome 90s Soundtrack of “Beef”
The hit series “Beef” features an incredible 90s soundtrack that adds a powerful emotional touch to every scene. Creator Lee Sung Jin had a clear vision and carefully selected specific songs that perfectly matched the mood and intensity of each moment throughout the entire series. These well-timed needle drops create a strong connection between the viewers and the characters.
The music plays a significant role in reinforcing the idea that both main characters are struggling with their past. Lee skillfully incorporated songs from his own formative years, evoking a sense of nostalgia and relatability. In one memorable scene in episode 7, a particular song echoes the sentiment, “Oh simple thing, where have you gone…”
It’s amazing to learn that Lee managed to obtain permission to use all the songs he wanted. Despite initial doubts, he successfully convinced artists like Hoobastank and Fred Durst through passionate and heartfelt emails. Thanks to his determination, he secured the rights to every single song used in the series.
2 ) Steven Yeun’s Impressive Praise Singing in “Beef”
We’ve heard about how Lee Sung Jin’s road rage experience inspired the creation of “Beef” and how both Lee and Steven Yeun attended Korean churches during their childhood. But one delightful surprise in the series is Steven Yeun’s incredible singing of praise songs.
In the show, Yeun’s character, Danny, showcases his talent by belting out praise songs, adding an unexpected and enjoyable element to the story. Interestingly, the praise team featured in the series is from a real church in Pasadena, led by Lee’s college best friend, Jason Min. It’s also worth noting that Justin Min, who plays Edwin in “Beef,” is Jason Min’s brother.
Overall, Steven Yeun’s impressive singing skills and the inclusion of a real church’s praise team contribute to the authenticity and richness of the series.
3 ) Beef’s Music Impresses Grammy-winning Producer
During the “Fun with Dumb” podcast, Lee Sung Jin shared a remarkable incident involving Beef’s sound producer, who has collaborated with renowned artists like Beyonce and Adele. The producer was astonished by the group’s performance and was “blown away” after the first take, describing it as “f*cking perfect.”
Curious about the music’s origin, the producer asked Lee if all Korean church bands were as exceptional as Beef. Lee’s response was affirmative, stating that the musical talent displayed in the series is indeed a common trait among Korean church bands, confirming that they are truly remarkable performers.
4 ) Not Following the Ivy League and Investment Banking Path
Similar to many Korean American households, Lee’s parents instilled a narrow view of success, emphasizing professions like doctor, lawyer, or banker. Lee, with an impressive SAT score of 1560, pursued a degree in Economics at the University of Pennsylvania, intending to enter the world of investment banking.
However, after graduating, Lee decided to veer off the pre-planned path and follow his creative passions with no concrete plan in mind. He loaded up his car and headed north to pursue his dreams. In an unexpected turn of events, during his first week in New York, all his belongings were stolen from his Honda CRV. Despite this setback, Lee remained determined and didn’t look back on his journey towards creative fulfillment.
5 ) Lee Sung Jin’s Experience in Korea and America
Lee Sung Jin’s life has been a mix of experiences in both Korea and America. He was born in Korea and moved to the United States when he was only nine months old. Throughout his life, he lived in four cities across three states (Illinois, Minnesota, and Los Angeles).
There was a period from 3rd to 5th grade when Lee and his family returned to Korea, but they eventually came back to Minnesota. The decision to return was influenced by a difficult experience for Lee at school, where he faced physical punishment from his teachers. He recalls being hit with a “really thick stick” every day, which was something his parents found too harsh, even by Korean standards.
6 ) Lee’s Path to Embracing His Given Name
During middle school, Lee became frustrated with his American teachers mispronouncing his Korean name, Sung Jin Lee. In response, he asked people to call him “Sonny,” and the nickname stuck. In the early stages of his writing career, he used “Sonny Lee” as his professional name.
However, after several years and a lot of self-reflection and personal growth, Lee decided to embrace his given name, “Lee Sung Jin.” He made this decision to honor the tradition of placing the last name first, as is customary in Korea. Through therapy and introspection, Lee gradually became more comfortable in his own identity, and he now proudly goes by his true name.
7 ) Before His Hollywood Journey, Lee’s Musical Dreams
Lee Sung Jin’s true passion lies in music, which he considers his “first love.” Before venturing into Hollywood, he dreamt of becoming a professional musician. During his time at the University of Pennsylvania, Lee showcased his musical talents by singing a cappella in a group and even auditioned for O-Town.
Beyond his vocal abilities, Lee is also skilled in playing various musical instruments, including the violin, guitar, and piano. During his pursuit of a musical career, he briefly interned at an indie music label and performed gigs with his band in New York City. Though he eventually transitioned to the world of television and filmmaking, his love for music remains an integral part of his identity.
8 ) Lee Reveals the Strength in Being Vulnerable
In “Beef,” we witness a rollercoaster of emotions between Danny and Amy, often bordering on rage. However, their ongoing feud uncovers the transformative power of being vulnerable and showing our true selves, even at our lowest points. Lee Sung Jin, in an interview, shared a profound insight, drawing inspiration from a Ram Dass quote: “We’re all just walking each other home.” This sentiment beautifully captures the idea that embracing vulnerability can lead to deep connections and personal growth, allowing us to support and understand one another on our shared journey through life.
9 ) A Reunion of Talent Creates TV Magic in “Beef”
Even before “Beef,” Lee Sung Jin and Steven Yeun were already friends, and both had previously worked on the show “Tuca & Bertie.” While “Beef” marked Lee’s debut as a showrunner, he had an extensive career as a writer and producer for over ten years. This explains why many of the cast and crew were brought together from their past collaborations on shows like “Undone,” “Dave,” “Silicon Valley,” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
The camaraderie and creative synergy didn’t end there. Lee, Yeun, and Jake Schreier, who directed six episodes of “Beef,” will reunite for Marvel’s “Thunderbolts.” In this new project, Schreier will be directing, and Lee will be contributing as a script rewriter. The reunion of these talented individuals promises to bring more television magic to the screen.
10 ) The Finale’s Home Invasion: A Toned-Down Version
Believe it or not, the finale’s home invasion scene was initially much bloodier in the early scripts. It had a higher body count and was quite gruesome. However, Lee Sung Jin has since acknowledged that Jake Schreier and the studio executives advised him to tone it down. While Lee doesn’t reveal who was eventually spared, he humorously suggests that if you think of a character’s name, they were probably dead in the earlier drafts.
11 ) Lee’s Remote Finale Direction Amidst Covid
Despite battling Covid, Lee Sung Jin managed to direct the “Beef” finale from the comfort of his home. Assisted by Jake Schreier, who was physically present on set, Lee used an iPad with his face on it to virtually oversee the filming process. He expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I’m very happy with how it turned out.” This marked Lee’s first experience directing a show.
12 ) A Disheartening Incident Surrounding “Beef”
Recently, there was a disturbing and false story related to David Choe (Isaac), a friend of Lee, Yeun, and Wong, involved with “Beef.” Some people feel that the response from Lee, Yeun, and Wong, as Executive Producers, was delayed, and that Choe should have apologized again publicly for creating this false story.
While it’s true that the situation is troubling, we must remember that “Beef” is a fictional show and should be viewed as a separate entity from real-life events. While accountability is essential, we should not let this fictional account overshadow the achievements and success of the show itself. Let’s focus on appreciating the show’s creativity and storytelling, while addressing real-life issues separately.
