Ken Leung On How ‘Trade’ Followers Assume He is A Banker

Ken Leung is probably greatest recognized for his portrayal of ruthless banker Eric Tao on the HBO drama “Trade.”

The position has introduced him unprecedented ranges of consideration, however the actor admits there’s an surprising draw back to being such a essential a part of the present’s success.

In keeping with Leung, he’s now steadily mistaken for an precise finance skilled, with folks within the trade usually assuming he works in banking.

Paradoxically, Leung seems to be transferring even farther from the world of finance in actual life, not too long ago increasing his portfolio to incorporate vogue and modeling work.

Leung has been taking part in the position of Eric on “Trade” for greater than 5 years. In that point, the actor says the character has grow to be his most recognizable to the viewers.

“I’ve to say, virtually completely now, it’s ‘Trade,’” Leung mentioned throughout an interview with GQ Journal. “It’s significantly folks in finance who’re excited to inform me they’re in finance.”

Previous to “Trade,” Leung was most likely most recognized for taking part in Miles Straume in “Misplaced.” The NYC native talked about that there was a resurgence in fan engagement for the character.

“Not too long ago we had a 20-year anniversary of ‘Misplaced,’ which was so way back,” Leung mentioned. “It’s a bit surreal to out of the blue hear about it once more.”

Leung is fast to level out that there’s a serious distinction between his real-life persona and that of Eric Tao on “Trade.” Talking to GQ, Leung didn’t mince his phrases when describing the Pierpoint govt.

“Eric is just not a pleasant particular person,” he mentioned.

Due to that, Leung admitted that he’s usually uncertain methods to reply when followers inform him that Eric reminds them of somebody they know in actual life.

“Plenty of instances I’ve heard, ‘Oh, you remind me of this boss I had,’ and I all the time say, ‘I’m so sorry to listen to that,’” Leung mentioned. “They usually don’t imply it that method.”

Regardless of Eric’s ruthless repute, Leung believes that the character should be able to change.

“(Eric) is extra prone to come clear,” Leung defined. “In that he has the added agenda of discovering a path to his youngsters.”

Leung is nearing 60 and has spent greater than half of his life working in Hollywood. Having constructed a profession largely outlined by appearing roles on tv and movie, the “Particular person of Curiosity” star is now gravitating in the direction of vogue and modeling for the primary time.

In keeping with Girls’s Put on Each dayLeung is a part of a vogue marketing campaign for Principle’s Spring 2026 assortment, in what’s the first main marketing campaign of his profession.

Leung is joined within the endeavor by “The Bear” star Molly Gordon, who spoke positively in regards to the clothes featured within the shoot.

“The garments really feel relaxed and thought of on the similar time, which makes them really feel extremely pure to put on,” she mentioned.

Leung says his latest foray into the world of vogue was impressed by watching his castmates on “Trade” tackle related tasks.

In keeping with the veteran actor, being surrounded by performers who’re comfy crossing into the style world sparked his personal curiosity.

“I’ve been witnessing my castmates on ‘Trade’ do numerous issues like this,” Leung advised GQ.