Big Phony
Big Phony | |
|---|---|
| File:Big Phony Bobby Choy Photo.jpg Korean-American singer-songwriter Big Phony (Bobby Choy) | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert Choy |
| Also known as | Bobby Choy |
| Origin | New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Indie, folk, acoustic |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, filmmaker, podcaster |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Website | https://bigphony.my.canva.site |
Big Phony (born Robert Choy), also known as Bobby, is a Korean American singer-songwriter, filmmaker, and podcaster based in Los Angeles. Known for his intimate and introspective acoustic style, he has released multiple full-length albums and performed at international festivals including South by Southwest (SXSW). He is also recognized for his acting role in the feature film and web series Ktown Cowboys and for starring in the autobiographical film Fiction & Other Realities (2019).[1]
Early life
Bobby Choy was born and raised in New York City. He attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, studying visual arts.[2] He later relocated (reportedly to Los Angeles) before moving to Seoul, South Korea in 2011.[3] In a 2016 interview, Choy said he adopted the name “Big Phony” around the time of his first album release in 2005, due in part to concerns about racial perception in the music industry.[4]
Career
Music
Following Big Phony's 2005 self-released debut album "Fiction & Other Realities", he has released multiple albums and EPs, many through self-distribution (e.g. via Bandcamp).[3] His music is described as raw, emotional, and intimate, often recorded with minimal instrumentation.[5] In 2014, he released two full length albums simultaneously, *Bobby* and *Long Live the Lie*, exploring both acoustic and electronic elements.[6] His music has been featured in television, film, and advertising, and he has toured internationally.[7]He has performed at **SXSW** on multiple occasions.[8]
In 2011, Choy wrote the lyrics to "To Find My Way," the theme song performed by Andrea Bocelli for the Korean war epic My Way. The song was later included in Bocelli's live album (Japanese Version).[9]
Choy’s music has also appeared in a variety of media. Several of his songs have been licensed for **film syncs**, including placements in televisions such as The Good Doctor, Royal Pains, Transit Love, independent films and festival screenings.[1] His work has also received **television airplay** and radio rotation in the United States and South Korea.[1]
Press and reception
Big Phony’s work has received coverage from major media outlets.
In 2023, Rolling Stone named him one of the "Rising Asian American and Pacific Islander Artists" to watch.[10]
The *Wall Street Journal* has profiled Choy in an article on Korean musical globalization, noting his move from New York to Seoul and his role in bridging cultures via folk music.[11]
His performances at SXSW have been highlighted by NPR on multiple occasions. **NPR** included *Big Phony* among its “Austin 100” playlist selections, citing his song “I Love Lucy” as a standout for festival exposure.[12]
Big Phony has also been profiled and reviewed in multiple other outlets including *Seoulbeats*, *Korean Indie*, and *Hypnotic Asia*, often highlighting his intimate style and self-produced ethos.[3][4][6] The official press kit also notes that his music has been featured in **film festival programming, broadcast TV placements, and curated playlists**.[1]
Film and acting
Choy starred as "Robby" in both the 2010 web series Ktown Cowboys and its 2016 feature film adaptation, which premiered at SXSW.[13]
Choy wrote, co-directed, and starred in *Fiction & Other Realities*, a semi-autobiographical musical drama screened at festivals including CAAMFest, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival.[14] The film is also distributed in South Korea under the alternate title *Music and Reality*.[1]
Podcasting
From 2020 to 2024, Choy co-hosted The Noonchi Podcast with stand-up comedian Danny Cho, where they discussed Korean & Korean American culture, media, and identity.[15]
Personal life
Choy has lived in Seoul from 2011 to 2024, maintaining ties to both Korean and U.S. music communities.[4] In a 2023 list of rising AAPI artists, *Rolling Stone* noted he was “born and raised in New York City” before relocating to South Korea.[16]
Discography
- *Fiction & Other Realities* (2005)
- *Smoking Kills* (EP, 2006)
- *Straight to Bootleg, Volume 01* (2008)
- *Kicking Punching Bags* (2010)
- *An Introduction to Big Phony* (2011)
- *Straight to Bootleg, Volume 02* (2012)
- *Bobby* (2014)
- *Long Live the Lie* (2014)
- *Big Phony* (2016)
- *Straight to Bootleg, Volume 03* (2016)
- *Hey, Not So Fast* (EP, 2018)
- *The Silent Motto* (EP, 2019)
- *Music & Reality (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)* (2021)
Filmography
- Fiction & Other Realities / Music and Reality – writer, director, lead actor (festival screenings)
- (see also) IMDb credits listing Choy’s film credits[17]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Big Phony Press Kit". Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ "Bobby Choy LinkedIn". Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "K-pop Indie Gem: Big Phony". 19 April 2014. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Interview with Big Phony". 29 January 2016. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ "Big Phony – The Silent Motto". March 2019. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Album Review Big Phony "Long Live the Lie"". 10 March 2014. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ "Big Phony Official Website". Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ "Big Phony Is the Real Deal". 26 March 2016. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ "Andrea Bocelli to Sing 'My Way' Theme Song". Soompi. December 14, 2011. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ "Rising AAPI Artists 2023". Rolling Stone. May 2023. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ Fusilli, Jim (20 October 2014). "Globalization With an '80s Beat". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ "The Austin 100: A SXSW 2015 Mix". 3 March 2015. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ "Ktown Cowboys". Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ "CAAMFest: Fiction & Other Realities". Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ "Bobby Choy LinkedIn". Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ "10 Rising AAPI Artists You Need to Know". Rolling Stone. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
- ↑ "Robert Choy (Big Phony) – IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
External links
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