The Umbrella Academy's Justin H. Min Says Being in Netflix Family with Cousin Ashley Park Feels Like 'Living in a Simulation' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Justin H. Min on The Umbrella Academy and Ashley Park on Emily in Paris.Photo:Courtesy Of Netflix

Courtesy Of Netflix

Though he only had a few lines in the first season ofThe Umbrella Academy, his character Ben Hargreeves quickly became a fan-favorite and has gone through many transformations since then.

Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE, Min reflects on his role as theNetflix series comes to a closewith its fourth and final season, premiering on Thursday, Aug. 8. “This show was so formative in my life [and] my career,” Min explains. “It was my first big break, as they call it in Hollywood. To be with this cast on the show was life-changing and just so much fun.”

“I loved every season, but there was obviously something about the first season, which will always just remain seared into my memory, just because of the newness of it all,” he adds, noting that the initial “swell of support” from fans for his character was a big factor in the writersbringing him backin a larger capacity for later seasons.

“Even though my part was quite small, I was just a little kid in a candy store just getting to watch everyone play and act and do what they love,” he says of working with his costars. “This whole press tour is making me quite nostalgic about these six past years that we’ve spent together.”

Justin H. Min as Ben Hargreeves on The Umbrella Academy.Christos Kalohoridis/Netflix

Christos Kalohoridis/Netflix

“I love her to death, and I’m so glad we get to share this experience together,” he says. “It feels like this is a dream. It feels like we’re living in a simulation, the fact that we’re related and that we get to be on two great shows on Netflix. What are the crazy chances that that has happened?”

Min adds that they’ve also leaned on each other as they navigate the spotlight. “We’ve been able to support each other through this process,” he adds. “As much as opportunities like this are amazing, they’re weighty as well. It comes with a lot of responsibilities and a lot of pressure. We’ve been able to be a sounding board for each other through this process. I couldn’t be more thrilled for her and just happy to share this experience.”

The Umbrella Academy cast for season 4.Mark Seliger/Netflix

Mark Seliger/Netflix

AsThe Umbrella Academycomes to a close, Min hopes fans are satisfied with the conclusion. “I want them to take away whatever they want to take away,” he explains. “Some people watch our show just to laugh and escape. Some people watch our show because it reminds them of their dysfunctional families. Some people watch our show because they love superheroes and powers. I want you to get whatever you need from our show.”

“For those who’ve been on the ride since the beginning, thank you so much,” he adds. “I hope we did justice to these characters, and the comic books, and the ending. Endings are never easy. They’re never easy for us to swallow because change is hard. But I hope they stay with us until the end.”

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The fourth and final season ofThe Umbrella Academypremieres globally on Thursday, Aug. 8 on Netflix.

source: people.com