The animated comedy, Fairfax returns on Amazon Prime Video.
Fairfax tells the story of four middle school hypebeasts navigating their lives through the gaze of social media and popular influencers. While drawing attention to the many themes impacting the world as we see it today, there are added elements of humor and sarcasm. The Gen Z shenanigans have returned on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Starring Skyler Gisondo (The Righteous Gemstones) as Dale, Kiersey Clemons (Sweetheart) as Derica, Peter S. Kim (Yes Day) as Benny, and Jaboukie Young-White (Someone Great) as Truman; and star-studded guest appearances from Billy Porter, Zoey Deutch, Camila Mendes, Yvette Nicole Brown, Annie Murphy, Guy Fieri, John Leguizamo, and more! Based in the streets of Los Angeles, the new season tackles diversity issues, identity bias, LGBTQ issues, cancel/woke culture, ‘drop culture’ in fashion, clout-chasing, social media popularity vs. reality and the importance of friendship.
The Knockturnal: Tell us about your character in the show.
Peter S. Kim: My character’s name is Benny Choi. He is a thirteen year-old hypebeast, he is a sneaker god! He is probably the coolest person I know. I was inspired by my younger brother who is very cool and street fashion forward– I clearly am not. I look like a dungeon and dragons nerd which I am but there are so many people in my family that I got to channel for this character. He’s just a loveable, confident, cool kid!
The Knockturnal: Give us a general description about the show and the Gang Gang.
Peter S. Kim: The show is called Fairfax and it’s about four middle schoolers who go to Fairfax Middle School and are constantly trying to keep up with the hype and get clout any way possible. Season 1 starts out with the Gang Gang figuring out how to get to their icon’s lair which is Hiroki Hassan of Le Train. Season 2 starts off with the Gang Gang realizing that there’s a new hype fashion god in town and they have to figure out how to stay loyal or how to switch sides and chase the clout.
The Knockturnal: Would you stay loyal or would you chase the clout?
Peter S. Kim: 100% I am loyal. Benny and I, we’re very aligned. I don’t care if you don’t look cool– if you are my favorite, I’ll ride or die.
The Knockturnal: Was there a favorite clout chasing scene in Season 2 that was super fun to perform?
Peter S. Kim: All of them were so fun but honestly my favorite was the Fairfax Flea episode and how Benny took Dale under his wing, showing him what the hype is all about, what Fairfax is centered around (ie. the Flea market) and how absurd it gets. That was probably my favorite.
The Knockturnal: Who is the audience for the show and what do you hope they take away from it?
Peter S. Kim: It’s definitely adult animation so if you like animated comedy that is smart and often biting and satirical then this is the show for you. I hope that young millennials and Gen Z are watching this because we are celebrating them and satirizing them at the same time. But it’s really for anyone who is interested in a comedy show about an ensemble– that’s what it really comes down to. It’s about these four kids’ friendships and how they support each other, everything else is just icing on the cake.
The Knockturnal: Who are some of your favorite social influencers?
Peter S. Kim: I follow a TikToker named Brittany Broski who is just hilarious. She got famous for drinking kombucha and reacting to it which is the most Gen Z thing– that would fit into Fairfax, the show. I love her. I love the Black Forager. She’s a nerdy black girl who goes out to forests and forages for edible plants and mushrooms and makes honey and tea out of them. As for brands, I don’t really subscribe to a lot of cool brands– I’m pretty boring but I like my shoe game and I’m a Nike guy. My boyfriend always says, “you are really brand loyal” but I’ve worn Nike since I was three so I can’t wear anything else. I get stuck in one groove.
The Knockturnal: Are you a sneakerhead like Benny?
Peter S. Kim: I wouldn’t say I’m a sneakerhead but I appreciate good footwear.
The Knockturnal: How did you get your start in acting?
Peter S. Kim: Well I actually was a Data Scientist for Yahoo for 7 years and then one day while I was working in San Francisco, I tried stand up comedy and my whole life changed. Since then I have been on the stages of Second City and that’s really when I started acting– improv and sketch. I got a couple of commercials and TV spots in Chicago and then I said “you know what, I think it’s time for LA,” so I came out here. I didn’t think I was going to be an actor. I didn’t study it, comedy led me to it.
The Knockturnal: Are you enjoying the LA grind?
Peter S. Kim: Yeah! I enjoy creating in LA. It’s a fertile ground for that. There are so many people who are willing to collaborate and are wanting to create. Everyone wants to be creative. There’s a plethora of like minded people and I’m really enjoying the space here.
The Knockturnal: Who would you like to collaborate with, director/actor wise in the future?
Peter S. Kim: I would love to collaborate with Adam McKay. He is also from Second City and I really admire his work and his voice. I would also love to work with Taika Waititi, that would be amazing and Margaret Cho, my first comedy icon.
The Knockturnal: What’s next for you?
Peter S. Kim: I have a couple of TV developments in the works but what I am most excited about is writing and directing a short film. It is about two eighteen year old Christian gay boys who have a wild night at camp and their lives are changed forever.
The Knockturnal: Where are you in that process?
Peter S. Kim: We’re doing pre-production. We’re getting the budgets and locations together.
