Have you noticed the significant increase in Korean-American actors and actresses on TV and movies lately? Have you noticed there are more men than women in Hollywood? You would think that there would be more women in front of the camera because let’s be honest, Korean women are great to look at which makes sense in such a visual medium. Not that the Korean men aren’t studs but who doesn’t like looking at a Korean women? They are undeniably beautiful women. Then again, I guess it does take more than just looking good in front of a camera to make it in Hollywood.
This is a an anecdotal story I’m going to share and it does not provide any empirical evidence as to why there are more Korean guys than gals on the screen. However, it does suggest something. In my earlier days living in NYC, I roomed with actors and guys who worked at a movie studio. I was the odd man out because I had a regular job unrelated to the entertainment industry. I once asked one of my buddies if he ever saw Asian guys out on the audition circuit. He quickly responded, “Are you kidding me?! Those guys get more work than most actors out there.” Huh?! What? He continued to tell me that though there are only a few roles seeking Asian male faces, there were even less auditioning for them and he suggested that I just give acting a try – even though I had very little acting talent. Well, to best illustrate this perception, let’s do a quick roll call here.
Ladies on a TV show or in a film in 2009
Smith Cho, Moon Bloodgood, Grace Park, Jamie Chung, Kelly Choi, Margaret Cho, Jenna Ushkowitz, Sandra Oh, Lindsay Price & Yunjin Kim
Guys on a TV show or in a film in 2009
Daniel Henney, Tim Kang, Ken Jeong, Aaron Yoo, John Cho, Rex Lee, C.S. Lee, Justin Chon, Rick Yune, Sung Kang, Rain, Lee Byung Hun, Daniel Dae Kim & James Kyson Lee
We may have missed a few folks but these are the Korean-Americans who were in a prominent role in their film or show. Now 14 to 10 in favor of the men doesn’t seem like a big difference, but if we were to count up the hours of coverage or viewer impressions, then we would see the greater disparity. We don’t have time to count up every second and sum it all up but here are a couple proxies.
Weekly TV program comparison: Tim Kang, Ken Jeong, Rex Lee, John Cho, C.S. lee, Daniel Dae Kim and James Kyson Lee are in key roles on current weekly network television shows.
Movies: Only Moon Bloodgood and Jamie Chung were in big screen films this year versus John Cho, Aaron Yoo, Ken Jeong, Justin Chon, Rick Yune and Sung Kang. And don’t forget that Hollywood is really gambling with Ninja Assassins and the predominantly Korean cast with Rain as the lead role.
So what are we trying to say? Simple observations suggest that America is becoming more accepting of the Asian male and there are more opportunities for them. But what about the ladies? My conclusion is that there’s that much more competition on the female side of the fence where they’re competing against more open non-ethnic/racial specific roles. Though they may be going on casting calls for Asian-American woman between 25-30, they’re also going on casting calls for (all) women between 25-30. I thoroughly root for all the Korean women on the big and small screen, but I wish there were more of them up there. Don’t you?
University of Pennsylvania grad and New Jersey native Aaron Yoo returned to the Philadelphia area this past weekend to show his support for the Philadelphia Asian-American Film Festival. Aaron is one of the up and coming Korean-American actors who already has a very impressive resume in his young career. He’s had featured roles in Disturbia, 21, The Good Guy and other films. And it doesn’t stop there with a busy 2010 scheduled. He came to Philly to inspire other young people considering a move into acting.
“You open up avenues for kids who might not normally pursue acting, dance, theatre, that sort of thing,” said Yoo.
The AMC website had an interesting feature this week, looking into the next generation of Asian-American actors and actresses. It seems that 2009 was the year where Asian-Americans were more prominent in film and hopefully it only increases. They called out not only the success of Ken Jeong and John Cho, but a few other Korean-American actors. Interestingly, 6 of the 8 actors they featured were Korean-American. Wohoo! Here’s the excerpts of what they’re saying about them.
Aaron Yoo The 30-year-old actor appears in four movies this year alone, the latest being Friday the 13th, in which he graciously allows Jason to smash him into a pulp. Yoo also carried a drunk Ari Graynor around in 2008’s Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist, and played a suburban sicko in Disturbia (2007). Other actors looking to emulate his success can start with his hipster haircut, possibly accomplished with a pair of kitchen shears.
Jamie Chung Korean-American beauty Chung’s star is on the rise. She’s scored roles on shows like C.S.I., and even won the Female Stars of Tomorrow Award at this year’s ShoWest industry tradeshow alongside her cheeky Sorority Row castmembers. Next she’ll star alongside Shannen Doherty and Dylan McDermott in Burning Palms, a satire about Los Angeles. Not bad for a girl who kicked off her career on The Real World!
John Cho Cho’s been starring in the Harold and Kumar movies since 2004, and had small roles in big hits of old like American Beauty and the American Pie series. But this year he proved there’s more to his talent than stoner humor as he filled George Takei’s considerable shoes, portraying Lt. Hikaru Sulu in Star Trek. Look for Cho in Caller ID in 2010… and perhaps on the Trekkie convention circuit as well.
Justin Chon This Californian has acting in his blood: His father was a movie star in Korea before coming to America. Chon, 29, began his acting career on shows like The O.C., before breaking out in the immigration flick Crossing Over and landing a part in a little movie called Twilight — in which he plays a cute guy who gets good grades and hangs out with Bella Swan. Which means: He’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
Ken Jeong With roles in The Hangover, Knocked Up, and this month’s Couples Retreat, 40-year-old Jeong has shown the range of his comedy this year. In The Hangover, he bosses the cool kids, speaks in falsetto and gets naked as ruthless Asian crime lord Mr. Chow. Regarding his (100 percent gratuitous) nude scene in that role, Jeong commented: “I think the country is ready for tiny Asians to expose themselves.” Bring it on
Moon Bloodgood She’s in regular rotation on TV, but Bloodgood finally made her big mark in the cinema with this year’s Terminator Salvation, as resistance fighter and love interest Blair Williams. The 34-year-old model-turned-actress (and a member of the Maxim Hot 100) is a Dutch-Korean stunner who started out as a Lakers girl. Look for Moon in Bedrooms, out later this year.
Hollywood has come a long way when it comes to the roles that Asian-Americans play on the the screen. I was browsing through cable TV this morning and on ABC Family, I happened to land on a channel of an Asian guy, played by Aaron Yoo, kissing his girlfriend in the movie, Lindsay Lohan. Historically, it’s been nearly impossible for Asian actors to have a any type of romantic role in Hollywood. You won’t see a love scene or anything sensual, but if you check out Labor Pains, you’ll see history in the making. Go Aaron!
Aaron Yoo is in New York this week and he’s a primary cast member of the movie “The Good Guy,” which is being featured at this week’s Tribeca Film Festival. You definitely have seen Aaron if you’ve watched 21 or Disturbia. Not to long ago Aaron was a starving actor, pounding the pavement in New York. Now he’s on top of the world as one of the best Korean-American actors in Hollywood. He’s been on a roll with key roles in Disrturbia, 21 and many more films. Go check out Aaron in “The Good Guy” if you’re in New York. Read more>
Plot summary from IMDB: Some guys on Wall Street seem to have it all: good looks, easy charm, and easy money. Tommy Fielding is one of those guys. Riding a streak of good fortune and a budding romance that could finally be the real thing, the rising young star chooses to spread the wealth, taking his seemingly hapless co-worker Daniel under his wing. But in teaching Daniel the ways of money and seduction, Tommy could become the unwitting agent of his own downfall. As the pressure builds for Tommy at work and in his new relationship, ‘The Good Guy’ gives a true insider view of the culture of Wall Street and explores what it means to be ‘good’ in that world. The answer might surprise you.
Korean actors and singers are the most popular across Asia, and with that success, many of these artists are trying to break into the biggest country for entertainment: the good ol’ USA. A couple of magazines have taken notice such as this week’s People Magazine highlighting the attempts of the Wonder Girls, Se7en and BoA entering the U.S. BoA just released her self-titled American album in mid-March. Se7en is touring the coutry from New York to Atlanta (this weekend) and the Wonder Girls just finished off their first set of concerts in the U.S. with the JYP Tour.
Complex magazine has taken notice as well but they must have an affinity for Koreans because they’ve done polls on the Wonder Girls and Girls Generation as well as features on Jarah Mariano and Grace Park. In a recent issue, Complex raises the flag on the Korean invasion into the American market: ”Which Korean entertainer will become an American star?”
In their (subjective) opinion, they rate the crossover potential of Boa, Se7en, Jeon Ji-Hyun, Rain, Bae Seul-Ki and Lee Byung-Hun. There’s certainly challenges for these artists to import their brand and talents into the U.S. market, but there are a few folks who reside state side that are doing it organically: Tim Kang, Aaron Yoo, Sung Kang, Kim Yun-Jin, Daniel Dae Lee, John Cho, Grace Park, Justin Chon, Moon Bloodgood and many more. I guess it’s attacking the U.S. market domestically and internationally.
From our friends PK and Roy, it’s the opening film to Kollaboration 2009. Moon Bloodgood is hilarious singing some songs from Lady Gaga and Beyonce. You’ll soon be seeing Moon Bloodgood in the new Terminator movie with Christian Bale. I think you can sing Moon.
You know you’ve seen him but you can’t put your finger on it. You’ve probably seen Tim Kang in a series of commercials for Shell Gasoline and AT&T/Cingular. Well, Mr. Kang is quietly becoming the most successful – as in booked gigs – Korean-American TV actor in the U.S. He’s currently in CBS’ latest hit, “The Mentalist.” He’s had various stints in “The Office,” “The Sopranos,” “Ghost Whisperer” and many more TV shows. Most recently he’s made a jump onto the big screen in “Rambo IV” and “Mr. Sandman.”
There’s a nice little feature of Tim Kang in Chosun about his latest success. Interestingly, he started out with a regular job but everytime he passed by the American Repertory Theatre on this way to and from work, he was compelled more and more to become an actor. It’s obviously worked out for him but the road was certainly slow at the beginning. It’s great to see Tim and others like John Cho, Aaron Yoo, Justin Chon and others make in roads with Hollywood. It’s still a long way till we see a Korean-American be the featured actor but we’ll get there.
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