Justin Chien is a Taiwanese-American actor, producer, and writer best known for playing Charles Sun in the Netflix hit series The Brothers Sun (2024), a role that launched him from emerging indie filmmaker to one of Hollywood's most talked-about Asian American talents.
Born in Taiwan and raised in Los Angeles, Chien has spent a decade quietly building a creative resume that now spans acting, writing, and producing. With his breakthrough now firmly in the rearview mirror, fans, casting directors, and journalists are all asking the same question: Who is Justin Chien, really? This authoritative 2026 guide answers everything.
Justin Chien — Biography Table
| Detail | Info |
| Full Name | Jianping Chien (Justin Chien) |
| Profession | Actor, Producer, Writer |
| Birthday | January 4, 1998 |
| Birth Year | 1998 |
| Birth Sign (Zodiac) | Capricorn |
| Birthplace | Taipei, Taiwan |
| Nationality | Taiwanese-American |
| Age in 2026 | 28 years old |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 78 kg (172 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Net Worth in 2026 | Est. $1.5–$2 million |
| Girlfriend / Relationship | Private; not publicly confirmed |
| Education | University of Southern California (USC), Arts |
| Associated Figures | Michelle Yeoh, Sam Song Li |
| About | Rising Netflix star and indie filmmaker blending Taiwanese and Hollywood storytelling |
| Before Fame | Short film Minolta (2015); award-nominated short Continuum (2018) |
| Trivia | Bilingual in Mandarin and English; publicly identifies as bisexual |
| Family | Father: Carl Chien (JPMorgan Taiwan); Mother: Virginia Hu Chien (businesswoman); Siblings: Darren, Christen, Fred |
Early Life and Background
Justin Chien was born on January 4, 1998, in Taipei, Taiwan, under the Capricorn zodiac sign — a sign associated with discipline, ambition, and long-term thinking. Those traits would prove fitting for a career he built slowly and deliberately over nearly a decade.
His family relocated to Los Angeles when Justin was young, giving him early exposure to two very different cultural worlds. Growing up in a high-achieving household — his father Carl Chien serves as a senior executive at JPMorgan in Taiwan and his mother Virginia Hu Chien is a respected businesswoman — Justin was surrounded by ambition. Rather than follow a corporate path, he channeled that drive into the arts.
He attended a local public high school in Los Angeles, where drama classes sparked his passion for performance. He later enrolled at the University of Southern California (USC), one of the nation's most respected film and performing arts schools, graduating with a degree in Arts. USC's industry connections and hands-on programs gave Chien direct access to the professional world he was preparing to enter.
Career Journey
Debut and Indie Work (2015–2023)
Justin Chien made his professional debut in 2015 with a short film called Minolta. It was a modest starting point, but it established him as someone willing to create rather than wait to be discovered.
Over the next several years, he took on a dual role as both performer and filmmaker:
- Continuum (2018): A short film he produced and wrote. It earned a nomination for Best Short Film at the Chinese American Film Festival's Golden Angel Awards — a significant early validation according to festival records.
- Fine China (2020): Another short he wrote and produced, further cementing his reputation as a multi-hyphenate creator.
- Endless Yesterdays (2021): A feature that drew critical praise and expanded his profile beyond the indie short-film circuit.
- Two Sides: Unfaithful (2021): A TV appearance that added television credits to his resume.
He also appeared in Disney Television's Talent Showcase in 2021, a program that places emerging performers in front of industry decision-makers.
Breakthrough: The Brothers Sun (2024)
Everything changed when Justin Chien was cast as Charles Sun, the lead character in Netflix's The Brothers Sun — a crime-comedy series also starring Michelle Yeoh and Sam Song Li. According to IMDb, the show debuted in January 2024 and immediately attracted attention for its sharp writing and Chien's charismatic, nuanced performance.
The role demanded both physical presence and emotional depth. Chien delivered on both counts, drawing comparisons to action leads far more established than himself. Critics highlighted how he held his own alongside an Oscar-winning co-star in Yeoh — a testament to his decade of quiet preparation.
Since The Brothers Sun, Chien has expanded further. According to his IMDb profile, he is also associated with Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Season, projects that signal his transition from breakout to established player.
What Makes Justin Chien Different
Most actors wait for a role to find them. Chien built his creative skills before the cameras found him at scale — writing, producing, and acting in his own projects while honing his craft. That foundation is why his Brothers Sun performance felt so assured. He had already done the work.
Personal Life
Justin Chien has been notably private about his romantic life. He has publicly identified as bisexual, making him one of a small number of openly queer Asian American actors currently working at the Netflix level. He has not confirmed a current girlfriend or boyfriend as of early 2026.
He was raised in a family of four siblings: Darren, Christen, Fred, and himself. His parents' success in business and finance clearly informed his disciplined approach to his craft, even if the industry he chose looks nothing like theirs.
He is fluent in both Mandarin and English, a bilingual ability that gives him a rare edge in an era when Hollywood is actively seeking authentic cross-cultural storytelling.
Height and Physical Stats
| Stat | Measurement |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in / 1.80 m |
| Weight | 78 kg / 172 lbs |
| Build | Athletic |
| Hair | Black |
| Eyes | Dark Brown |
| Shoe Size (US) | 10 |
| Tattoos | None |
At 5'11" with an athletic build, Chien physically suits the action-oriented roles he's taken on. He maintains a clean, well-groomed look that adapts easily to both dramatic and comedic contexts on screen.
Net Worth and Financial Success (2026)
Justin Chien's estimated net worth in 2026 is $1.5 to $2 million, a figure that reflects his accelerating career trajectory following The Brothers Sun. That estimate is likely conservative given new projects and expanded brand visibility.
His income sources include:
- Acting: Netflix series fees, feature film roles, and independent productions
- Producing and Writing: Revenue from original short and feature projects
- Brand Deals: Sponsorships aligned with his rising public profile
- Social Media: His Instagram account (@justin_chien) has over 155,000 followers, a modest but engaged audience that attracts selective partnerships
While Chien does not flaunt wealth publicly, his family background suggests financial literacy. He is building career equity rather than chasing short-term visibility, a strategy that tends to pay dividends over time.
Age in 2026
Justin Chien turns 28 years old on January 4, 2026. Born under Capricorn — one of the zodiac's most goal-oriented signs — he hits this age milestone already well past the "emerging talent" stage, with a Netflix lead role, award-nominated filmmaking credits, and multiple upcoming projects on his record.
Wiki Overview
- Full Name: Jianping Chien
- Known As: Justin Chien
- Born: January 4, 1998, Taipei, Taiwan
- Raised In: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Education: University of Southern California
- Notable Roles: Charles Sun (The Brothers Sun, Netflix, 2024)
- Other Credits: Endless Yesterdays, Two Sides: Unfaithful, Continuum, Fine China, Minolta
- Languages: English, Mandarin
- IMDb Profile: Active and updated
Note: As of 2026, Justin Chien does not have a dedicated Wikipedia article, though his IMDb profile is comprehensive and his name appears across multiple entertainment databases.
Notable Facts and Trivia
- He got his start at age 17 with the short film Minolta in 2015
- He directed, wrote, and produced some of his early projects himself — rare for an actor his age
- His short film Continuum was nominated at the Chinese American Film Festival in 2018, according to festival records
- He is openly bisexual and vocal about the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in Asian American media
- He grew up straddling two cultures — Taipei-born, LA-raised — and frequently brings that duality into his storytelling
- He appeared on Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase in 2021 before his Netflix breakthrough
- He has no tattoos and is known for a clean, disciplined personal aesthetic
Family Life
Justin Chien is the second of four siblings. His parents — Carl Chien and Virginia Hu Chien — represent successful careers in finance and business respectively. His father's position at JPMorgan's Taiwan operations and his mother's entrepreneurial background shaped a household where ambition was the default setting.
Despite his family's corporate success, Justin pursued the arts without apparent conflict. His parents reportedly supported his creative path, and the discipline he absorbed at home is evident in the breadth of work he produced before any major studio paid attention.
His siblings Darren, Christen, and Fred maintain lower public profiles. Family details remain largely private, consistent with Chien's overall approach to his personal life.
Associated Figures
| Person | Connection |
| Michelle Yeoh | Co-star in The Brothers Sun (Netflix, 2024) |
| Sam Song Li | Co-star in The Brothers Sun |
| Byron Wu | Indie collaborator |
| Chinese American Film Festival | Festival that recognized his work in 2018 |
Before Fame
Before The Brothers Sun made him a recognizable name, Justin Chien spent years doing what most aspiring actors don't: he built something. He wrote scripts, produced short films, and took acting roles in projects he believed in rather than waiting for the industry to notice him. His trajectory from short-film nominee to Netflix lead is a model for patience over overnight success.
FAQ — Justin Chien
Q: How old is Justin Chien in 2026? A: Justin Chien is 28 years old as of January 4, 2026.
Q: What is Justin Chien's height? A: He stands 5 feet 11 inches tall (1.80 m).
Q: What is Justin Chien's net worth in 2026? A: His estimated net worth is between $1.5 and $2 million, based on his acting, producing, and writing career.
Q: Does Justin Chien have a girlfriend? A: He has not publicly confirmed a relationship. He identifies as bisexual and keeps his personal life private.
Q: What is Justin Chien best known for? A: He is best known for playing Charles Sun in the Netflix series The Brothers Sun (2024), co-starring with Michelle Yeoh.
Q: Where is Justin Chien from? A: He was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and raised in Los Angeles, California.
References
- 📌 IMDb – Justin Chien profile: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8383591/
- 📌 Famous Birthdays – Justin Chien profile: https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/justin-chien.html
- 📌 Chinese American Film Festival nomination (Golden Angel Award) – From Justin’s awards section on IMDb, showing his 2018 Golden Angel Award nomination for Continuum: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8383591/awards/
- 📌 Netflix – The Brothers Sun (2024) official series page: https://www.netflix.com/title/81389634