Bowen Yang Hasn’t Warned His Mom About His Nude Scene in “The Wedding Banquet”: ‘I Want Her to Be Surprised’ (Exclusive)

Bowen Yang’s Surprise for His Mum in ‘The Wedding Banquet’

Bowen Yang, the talented actor from Saturday Night Live, is set to star in a remake of the 1993 romantic comedy ‘The Wedding Banquet’. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Yang revealed a surprising detail about his role in the film – a nude scene. Despite this, he chose not to warn his mother about it, wanting her to experience the moment of surprise while watching the movie.

The 34-year-old actor shared that when his mother, Meng, asked him when she could see the film, he simply mentioned the release date without mentioning the nude scene. Yang mentioned, “I was like, ‘April 18th.’ And then it dawned on me, ‘Oh, she’s going to see my ass.’ But it’s going to be great.” When asked if he gave his mother a heads up, Yang joked that he wanted her to be surprised about it.

Yang expressed his excitement for his parents to see the film for various reasons, particularly because they have been supportive throughout his journey of self-acceptance. Reflecting on his coming out story, Yang mentioned that his parents initially struggled to understand his sexuality but have since embraced and accepted him for who he is.

In ‘The Wedding Banquet’, Yang plays the character Chris, a commitment-phobic nature guide from Seattle. The story revolves around Chris’s boyfriend, Min, who remains closeted to his conservative family. To avoid an unwanted situation, Min comes up with a unique plan that involves Chris’s best friend Angela and her partner Lee. This remake of the classic film delves into themes of love, family, and acceptance.

Yang shared that when he watched the original film, he was still closeted to his parents following his experience with conversion therapy. He acknowledged how the storyline of hiding one’s true self from their family resonated with him during that period of his life. Despite the emotional connection to the original film, Yang approached the script for the remake with a sense of detachment, focusing on portraying his character authentically.

One of the central themes of the movie that struck a chord with Yang was the idea that “people are all we’ve got”. This sentiment resonated with him on a personal level, reinforcing the importance of relationships and connections in one’s life. ‘The Wedding Banquet’ explores these themes through a heartfelt and humorous narrative that will captivate audiences.

As the release date for ‘The Wedding Banquet’ approaches, Bowen Yang eagerly anticipates the reactions of both his fans and his family. The film, which stars Kelly Marie Tran, Lily Gladstone, and Han Gi-chan alongside Yang, is set to hit cinemas nationwide on Friday, April 18th. For more insights into Bowen Yang’s journey and his experience filming the romantic comedy, be sure to grab the latest issue of PEOPLE magazine.

In conclusion, Bowen Yang’s subtle surprise for his mother highlights the personal connection he has with his work in ‘The Wedding Banquet’. The themes of love, family dynamics, and self-acceptance portrayed in the film mirror Yang’s own journey, making this project all the more significant for the talented actor.