James Boss eldest of two children was born in Hollywood California and raised in Hacienda Heights California by Korean American parents Sun Kim and Young W Kim He began martial arts training at the age of 6 Upon graduating high school he attended The Art Institute of Los Angeles studying graphic design He later began acting at the Howard Fine Studio studied under Ivanna Chubbuck and then relocated to South Koreas Seoul Institute of the Arts to further his study in theater He codirected his first play Liar Reversal to critical acclaim in 2011 In 2010 he starred and directed in the worldwide release of White Wall an action post apocalyptic film set in a dystopian society In 20122017 he went on to write direct and act in three short films that was nominated and won awards in several established film festivals around the globe Working between the South Korean and Hollywood film industries his career has been well noted for his DIY approach in movies and music videos