Entertainment

Geek Girl Star Sandra Yi Sencindiver Talks About Working on the Netflix Series, Her Upcoming Projects

Published

4m ago

Jun 27, 2024 / 7115 Views

Evan Walker

Sandra Yi Sencindiver is showing off her versatility with every project. The Korean-American-Danish actress is impressively diversifying her reach and scoring roles left and right since making the leap into Hollywood. You might have seen her in the Emmy-nominated sci-fi series Foundation or the Amazon Prime fantasy The Wheel of Time. Most recently, she played the enigmatic Yuji Lee on Geek Girl, the series on Netflix about an awkward teen who becomes a supermodel. It’s quite a departure from her usual characters but also a welcomed addition to showcase her versatility.

In fact, Sencindiver has an illustrious acting portfolio under her belt that extends from the screen to the stage. Long before her feature film debut in the Danish crime flick The Shooter, Sencindiver started in the Danish theatre scene. Since then, she made her way to the echelon of Danish theatre becoming the artistic director of the theatre company danskdansk (Danish Danish). At the same time, she graced numerous primetime dramas in Scandinavia such as 2900 Happiness and Bäckström. Her refreshing turn in the Netflix series, Geek Girl as fashion designer Yuji Lee is quite the long overdue transformation and a chance to “flex (her) funny bone” as she tells us.

Born in Busan, Sencindiver was adopted in the US before making the move to Denmark in her early childhood. This is why beyond just acting, whether on screen or stage, Sencindiver is also an advocate. Particularly, in her desire to make Danish film and TV more diverse and inclusive, she became one of the initiators of the campaign, “A Bigger Picture” which amassed huge coverage across the globe. Tipping off her activism hat, the work brought about the push for policy changes.

In the wake of the premiere of Geek Girl on Netflix, audiences have lauded the series for its neurodivergent representation. It’s something that Sencindiver is proud to be part of. In our interview, she also talks about her approach to playing Yuji Lee, the need for change in the industry, and her next exciting project: Alien. Sencindiver might be wearing a lot of hats, but she always has room for more.

Sandra Yi Sencindiver geek girl netflix — Sandra Yi Sencindiver as Yuji Lee in the Netflix series, *Geek Girl*. Image credit: Netflix

Geek Girl actress Sandra Yi Sencindiver dives into the Netflix show

After being in back-to-back sci-fi projects, you’re now on Geek Girl, the Netflix series. What about this project attracted you?

I really loved the larger-than-life, eccentric character. I also wanted to flex my deadpan funny bone. Yuji is so different from the other characters I have given body to. So, I really wanted to be a part of something that my daughters could watch and enjoy. It makes me so proud to have been a part of a story that features neurodivergent characters and puts forward the message of loving and accepting yourself as you are.

Yuji is not a woman of many words. Where do you think that personality comes from? What’s her backstory?

Yuji is an ultra-focused artist who is very dedicated to her work and her art. Sometimes, she can get so absorbed in the search for the ‘essence’ of something that she locks everything else out. She is somewhat of an odd bird—original, eccentric and perfectionistic almost to a fault. I imagine that her success and recognition only came at a high cost. Her path to being a high fashion designer was probably a long and hard-earned feat. After all, she is an immigrant, a woman of colour as well as socially awkward, coming up in a comPetitive field such as high fashion.

Throughout the show, Yuji has this big looming presence whether she’s there physically or not. What was your approach to ensure that she is seen that way?

It’s a combination of elaborate teamwork. First, the writers are to be credited. It’s on the page that everyone wants to meet Yuji Lee’s demands and approval. Then, the costume department puts me in gorgeous, minimalistic black clothes and accessories and the hair and makeup department makes me look sleek and powerful.

And credit goes to my costars. An actor cannot play high status, the other actors must give it. For example, Matthew Jordan (Filip) and I worked out a little choreography for each scene, where Filip would assist Yuji with different props. For instance, a cup of tea, perfume, phone, jacket, sunglasses, and so on. And the director decided to give the character some over-the-top entrances and exits which also gives the character weight.

Sandra Yi Sencindiver — Image credit: Netflix

Yuji being a fashion icon, can you tell us about your own fashion sense?

The fashion was also an aspect that excited me about Geek Girl. I loved the care and detail that went into it. It wasn’t “TV-fashion”. We weren’t pretending it was high fashion, but we used the iconic John Rocha archival dresses in the show. (Note: John Rocha is the father of the show’s producer Zoe Rocha). I love fashion and design and I really enjoy dressing up, styling and playing around. In my world, you can never be overdressed! I do like Danish designers like Roccamore and Monies, whose jewellery Yuji actually wears in the show. Brands that prioritise quality and who put a lot of care and effort into the design. I also love hunting for second-hand and vintage designer clothes. It doesn’t have to be high fashion, big expensive labels or logos. I just really appreciate quality, craftsmanship, and well-thought-out design.

One of my favourite scenes with Yuji is the interaction between her and Harriet when she talks about having a talisman to remind her “never lose sight of [her]self”. Is that something you relate to in real life?

Luckily, I have not had the burden of being famous or recognised. I live a rather normal life in Denmark where I can be myself. This Business can however affect your self-perception and sometimes the so-called fame, glitter and glamour can screw with your head. I think it’s important to have friends and family who know you for you and not for your work and fame. And those relationships can keep you grounded so you don’t lose sight of what is real and what really matters.

Sandra Yi Sencindiver looks back at the Danish entertainment industry and her advocacy

You’ve been an advocate of making Danish films, TV and theatre more diverse. How has the situation changed over the years?

The campaign “A Bigger Picture” which I was one of the initiators of, only came out in February 2023. It went viral and a lot of people in the Danish industry suddenly understood that the Danish film and TV industry has a long way to go in terms of fair and diverse representation. Previously, there’s been some good collective discussions, where people in power, gatekeepers, and institutions have realised and voiced that change is needed. This is a great start.

But talk is nothing without action. So, the necessary next step is looking at discriminatory practices, collecting data, research, and statistics and making strategic short and long-term policies to make real change. Even though I primarily work abroad, I am still very engaged in this activistic work in Denmark. My work abroad and the projects I’m involved with also help and inspire me to see where and what we can do better in Denmark.

On Geek Girl I have certainly experienced first-hand how Zoe and her team wanted to be mindful, sensitive and inclusive in regards to areas such as neurodiversity, anxiety, gender, culture, race and more. And for the audience, who are the reason why we do it, this is the first time I have received so many messages from people who feel seen and understood.

As someone of Korean-American-Danish background, how did you navigate the Danish entertainment industry?

Early in my career, I did try to push back and challenge the narrow perception of what I could play. But there was only so much I could do. I wasn’t offered a lot of screen opportunities and when I finally did get a cast, I would end up being very discouraged and heartbroken. Even though a director really wanted to cast me, a broadcaster would veto me because I wasn’t white. So, I primarily worked in the theatre field and created theatre groups where we could put other perspectives forward and I could play and embody human experiences that were not stereotypical and diminished. So very early on, I became an activist when it came to my art and work. It was literally born out of necessity.

When and why did you decide to take the leap and work in the US? And also what prompted you to move from theatre to the screen?

The leap to working abroad and from theatre to the screen was the same leap. Things started to change around five years ago in 2019. It was quite a risky leap! Being a woman of colour in her late 30s, the statistics were not in my favour!

But with the growing awareness and need for diverse representation on screen, in the aftermath of political and cultural change with Black Lives Matter, MeToo, and blockbuster hits like Crazy Rich Asians and Black Panther, the demand for another kind of actor started to change abroad. One of my dear colleagues Thomas Chaahing brought this to my attention. And he gave me the gentle push and encouragement to go abroad and find an agent. And I did so. Here we are five years later, happy, thriving and working!

What would you say is the “essence” of Sandra Yi Sencindiver?

I believe in sisterhood and solidarity. I have been through the whole mill, been last on the call sheet, been vulnerable and discriminated against, and not been taken seriously because of my gender, race, background, class and age. So, I try not to take my current privilege and good fortune for granted. I take pride and responsibility in trying to make structural change, create equal opportunity and in helping other underprivileged follow their dreams.

What’s next: Sandra Yi Sencindiver on the joys of the sci-fi genre

Back again to sci-fi, you’re part of the upcoming Alien series. Is there anything you can tell us about regarding the project?

Oh, that is very, very secret. I’m working with brilliant, ambitious people. Noah Hawley runs and writes the show, the creator behind the Fargo TV series. The work in front and behind the camera is exquisite. I really enjoy working with my new colleagues although I don’t think any cast or production can top the kindness and cuteness on Geek Girl.

The original Alien movie is so iconic. How does it feel to be part of that? And what do you think about female representation in the genre in general?

I’m privileged and grateful to be a part of something so iconic and loved. I have loved Alien and especially Aliens which I watched on repeat back in the age of VHS! In any genre, Hollywood has been (in)famous for poor female representation. Alien is from 1979! So, if we to this day champion Sigourney Weaver’s amazing portrayal of Ellen Ripley as a great female representation, we still have a long way to go.

What do you enjoy most about when it comes to sci-fi projects?

Clever sci-fi can lift our societal norms, biases, and expectations out of the present day and subvert them to help make us see and realise the absurdities of today’s society and maybe imagine a different tomorrow.