GLEE: Harry Shum Jr. on Meeting Mike’s Parents, Singing and Tina

After more than two years — and one song about how he couldn’t carry a tune — Harry Shum Jr. (Mike) will finally get the chance to sing in tonight’s brand new episode of GLEE.

“I’ve been taking vocal lessons,” Shum told me last month. “Preparing for that moment when Ryan Murphy says, ‘Here. Here’s a song. Do what you wish.'”

But singing isn’t the only milestone for Shum in the hour. Fans are also introduced to Mike’s parents, Mike Sr. and Julia, and Shum was clearly excited to be exploring the Chang family dynamic with Keong Sim (who plays Mike Sr.) and Tamlyn Tomita (who plays Julia).

“They’re incredible, they’re great,” Shum said. “I thought they brought a different perspective of parenting to the show. A different perspective on how parents are, and their views on why they want their kids to be a different way. And the control they might want in terms of where their kids go to. And obviously I’m a big fan of Tamlyn Tomita from her previous film THE JOY LUCK CLUB and I was so delighted to be working with her. It was awesome.”

However, one thing you won’t see from the Chang family in “Asian F” is Tina interacting with her boyfriend’s parents.

“Not yet,” Shum laughed. “That will be a scene in itself, I think.”

As for the lovebirds, Shum told me things are still going strong with the duo.

“The romance is still kickin’, still going, still going good,” he said. “But there will be some bumps in the road that we have to get through throughout the school year.”

Given that Tina openly wept while serenading her boyfriend (due to how much she loved him, naturally), does Shum think the duo have what it takes to make it the distance?

“Tina is an emotional character,” Shum noted. “Very emotional. I think when puppies smile, she starts to cry. I think she’s truly in love with Mike Chang and you can tell obviously by how long they’ve been together, but also by the way that they act. I think you’ll see a lot more interaction with them where you’ll be able to see reasonings why they are in love with each other and why they are with each other. It’s sweet. It’s a high school relationship and you never know where it’s going to go. It could last a while or it could only last the school year. What’s great about it is the now and we get to see how it will keep going or how it will end.”

What do you think? Do you hope Mike and Tina make it?

And really, how excited are you to hear Mike sing?!

Related:

GLEE SPOILERS: “Asian F” Teasers
GLEE: Chris Colfer on His Dream Musical Number, His Choice for a Kurt & Blaine Duet and More…
GLEE: Jayma Mays and Dot-Marie Jones Tease Season 3

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