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www.groovekorea.com / September 2014 86 Rhodes, a native of Las Vegas, first arrived in Korea in 1994 as a very different person. “I came to Korea as a Mormon missionary,” Rhodes says with an almost apologetic tone. “Self-righteousness is a blindfold.” His evolution becomes even more pronounced when set against his actions at Pride a few weeks ago. “At the parade a protester laid down in front of the (pro- cession),” explains Laura Di Nucci, a friend and fellow actor. “(The man) said that his leg was hurt but he was just trying to stop the parade. Nevada lay down next to him and started to sing him love songs. He was able to move this guy with- out any threat or violence.” Rhodes is a man with a heart that outweighs all bound- aries. “He often helps in translating between his Korean and foreigner neighbors,” says David Pipes, a fellow actor, “to make his neighborhood a more pleasant environment.” He once got a call in the early morning hours asking him to tell a waitress to bring the “sauce that comes with meat” over the phone. He did it. This kind of care and generosity, which comes with a dose of eccentricity, carries over to his acting career. According to Juana Urbano Jiménez, an actor and model, Rhodes is renowned for showing up to shoots carrying a coffee machine. “He takes his soy milk, cups, syrup and cookies,” says Jiménez, “just so everybody can have the coffee they want.” From Mormon mission to Seoul Pride Edited by Jenny Na (jenny@groovekorea.com) COMMuNITy ‘He tries to put a smile on anyone’s face, even strangers. I think the reason why he has to make videos is because when he is alone he feels the necessity to share his jokes with the world.’ Juana Urbano Jimenez