The Chicago Med Star You Might Have Forgot Starred In The Fast & Furious Franchise
Throughout its seven seasons, NBC's "Chicago Med" has managed to establish itself as one of the most unique, refreshing medical dramas on television — no small feat, considering just how oversaturated that genre is. In a world where shows like "Grey's Anatomy" and "E.R." have dominated the television landscape for multiple decades, it's incredible that "Chicago Med" managed to break through and become as popular as it currently is.
Part of the reason why "Chicago Med” manages to feel so unique amongst all of its competitors is because of its place in the world of the "One Chicago” franchise. The "One Chicago" universe incorporates the stories and characters from "Chicago Med," "Chicago P.D.," and "Chicago Fire" into a single overlapping narrative. All three of the series regularly feature crossover episodes that are incredibly unique and are akin to something more like the Marvel Cinematic Universe than what you'd normally see on network television.
As such, it's normal to see characters overlap between the three series, though seeing the actors who play them in other projects may still be a bit jarring to fans who know them best from their roles in the "One Chicago" franchise. A great example of this is one prominent "Chicago Med" star who had a major role in "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" long before stepping foot in Gaffney Chicago Medical Center.
Brian Tee played the villain in Tokyo Drift
In "Chicago Med," Brian Tee plays Dr. Ethan Choi, the enigmatic chief of emergency medicine at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. Choi is an incredibly complex character who consistently struggles to manage his own emotions in the high-pressure, life-or-death environment of the hospital — though more often than not, his skill and leadership help the team prevail. Prior to his time on "Chicago Med," Tee co-starred as Takashi, a rival of protagonist Sean Boswell (Lucas Black) and the main antagonist of "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift."
In the film, Takashi is colloquially known as Drift King, or D.K., due to his incredible prowess at street racing. Takashi's family has direct ties to the Yakuza, and Takashi is frequently seen using incredibly violent (and often downright illegal) methods in order to win his races. In the end, Takashi is defeated in a race by Sean and is exiled from Tokyo indefinitely as a punishment for losing. It's definitely intriguing to see Tee taking on such a one-dimensionally evil antagonist, especially considering the depth he shows in his performance in "Chicago Med." In any case, watching Brian Tee portray the villain in "Tokyo Drift" is certainly jarring for those who know him best as Dr. Ethan Choi.