Catherine Haena Kim has joined season 2 of ABC’s steamy drama “Mistresses” with a recurring role playing Anna Choi. Adding suspense to this season, we’ve caught up with the gorgeous Korean-American actress to find out more about her role on Mistresses, learn her best beauty secrets and get a peek into one of her most memorable (and unplanned) European vacations!

FACTIO MAGAZINE: With your recurring role on Season 2 of ABC’s “Mistresses,” what do you love about playing Anna Choi?
CATHERINE HAENA KIM: The writers have entrusted me with such an intricate storyline, dealing with betrayal, attempted suicide, heartbreak, and trying to figure out where you belong. It’s so much fun bringing their words to life and finding a connection with someone who seems completely different than you at first glance.

FM: What is a typical day like for you on the set?
CHK: I get to the lot and go straight into hair and makeup, where those goddesses put me together! I usually run into other cast members there, which is always fun because I wouldn’t get to interact with them otherwise. I usually have some downtime to run lines in my dressing room and do some vocal or physical warm-ups. We rehearse and block out the scene that we’ll be shooting with the director, and then finish getting ready while the crew goes to work to light the set, get cameras in place, etc. Then, we shoot! I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to any of it; it’s all like little kid dream stuff. Everyone enjoys being there too. In between camera setups, I get to hang out with the actors I’m working with or catch up with the PAs. Sometimes, I get super ambitious and go to the set gym to work out if I have enough downtime. If all else fails, I just avoid craft services at all costs!

FM: How are you similar to your character Anna? How are you completely different?
CHK: She’s trying to figure out who she is and where she fits in. She’s far from home and trying to create a new home for herself. I’m really close to my family who’s across the country in New York. I’m lucky that I found some amazing friends in LA right away, but it definitely took a minute for me to find my little go-to spots and settle in. I think discovering who I am and what I want will be an ongoing challenge, maybe forever! I think that’s a good thing. On the flip side, fortunately, I’ve never reached a point where I felt hopeless, where I felt like I didn’t have even one person to turn to and eventually attempted suicide. I’m very grateful for that.

FM: How did you get your start in acting?
CHK: I was pretty shy growing up, but when I did speak up, I was pretty animated. In 6^th grade, the school play was Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” and every girl wanted to be ‘Miranda.’ I didn’t even brave auditioning, but the teachers saw something in me and just gave me the part. I’m so thankful to them. I was hooked. I got into community theater and never turned back.

FM: What beauty products can’t you live without?
CHK: So many! Right now, I’m obsessed with Alterna haircare products, which don’t have as harsh chemicals as most other stuff out there. I surprisingly use their Brightening Blonde Shampoo 1-2 times a week to prevent my highlights from getting too brassy. Also LOVE the mascara, L’Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes in Black Lacquer. It’s as good as any super expensive one out there, and you can buy it at a drugstore.

FM: What are your favorite brands and where do you shop online?
CHK: Some of my favorites are MinkPink, Emma & Sam, Paper Heart, oooo Zara!, and I adore Forever 21 to be honest. They have such cute things, and everything’s pretty much under $20. Can’t beat that! Online, I love Nastygal. They always have fun trends. I love that the founder, Sophia, turned a passion into a thriving company, and I love their motto #girlboss.

FM: You embody the quintessential California lifestyle (yoga, healthy eating and frequent rides down the strand on your beach cruiser!). What are some of your favorite hangouts in LA?
CHK: The Santa Monica Pier concerts just started! It’s so much fun to bring a blanket down to the beach, watch the sun go down and catch up with friends while listening to some great music. There are so many fantastic restaurants in LA. Too many to even mention. My favorite place by far though is up in Malibu. It’s a kitschy outdoor restaurant with upside down umbrellas for an awning called Malibu Café or M Café. It’s at Calamigos Ranch. You can go paddle boating, shoot pool, there’s always a fun folky band that plays Sundays during the day. It’s a nice little escape.

FM: Where is your favorite place to travel and why?
CHK: I’m always down to go somewhere new, but my favorite place to go to is always New York. It’s home. There’s something about New York City that’s electric. Every neighborhood is different. So many incredible mom and pop shops to the most inventive eateries. The theater! The fashion. The museums. The hustle and bustle. The lights. The people…and if I ever feel over-stimulated, I can hop on a bus and go home to the suburbs.

FM: What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
CHK: I don’t know. I’m pretty simple. French fries with ranch. Throw in some chocolate. Sit me on my couch in front of a good comedy. Heaven.

FM: What are people surprised to know about you?
CHK: I can be a little impulsive. Once I booked a flight to Europe, flew out three days later to meet some buddies and ended up doing five countries and 10 cities in 15 days, all unplanned.  I packed lighter than the boys I traveled with! Hostels with slanted floors; Milan men’s fashion week; Wimbledon; dancing til the sun came up in Mykonos; luxuriating in natural hot springs on the island of Ischia, and 4^th of July in Paris at the Brittany Spears concert because I couldn’t think of anything more American at the time!  Still one of my favorite trips to date.

Photos by Benjo Arwas