How Were Asians Treated in Hollywood During the 'Korean Wave' When Only White Men Existed?
# How Asians Were Treated in Hollywood During the 'Korean Wave' When Only White Men Existed
The recent news of Korean actors Kim Tae-hee and Park Hae-soo making their Hollywood debut in the Amazon Prime Video production 'Butterfly' has caused quite a stir. The production and lead role have been taken on by Korean-American actor Daniel Dae Kim, who is expected to continue the recent Korean wave that has swept through the United States.
In recent years, films such as 'Parasite' and the Netflix series 'Squid Game' have been sweeping awards shows, causing an unexpected 'Korean wave' in Hollywood. Actors such as Jung Ho-yeon, who made a name for herself in 'Squid Game', appeared in Alfonso Cuarón's 'Disclamer' alongside Kate Blanchett, while Lee Jung-jae took on the lead role in 'Star Wars: The Acolyte'.
Other Korean actors such as Kim Yoon-ji , Yoo Teo, Lee Sang-hee, and Son Jong-hak have also made their way into Hollywood through various projects, causing a lot of buzz.
However, in the past, Hollywood was an insurmountable wall for Asians, and even now, terms like 'first Asian' or 'first Korean' are still used in award shows and interviews.
On the recent episode of JTBC's 'Actor's Roundtable', Daniel Dae Kim shared his honest past experiences of auditioning hundreds of times in order to make it in the US. He advised fellow actor Roh Sang-hyun, who was visiting the US for a Disney meeting, and opened up about his own struggles. He said, "At that time, there were very few Asian actors in Hollywood. There were no roles for Asian male leads or romantic leads. Everything was for white male actors only."
As an Asian actor, he faced many challenges and limitations in Hollywood, but now, with the rise of the Korean wave, more opportunities are opening up for Asian representation in the industry.
In my opinion, it's great to see more diversity and representation in Hollywood, and I hope to see more Asian actors making their mark in the industry. The 'Korean wave' has definitely brought about positive changes in the entertainment industry, and I look forward to seeing more diverse stories and characters being portrayed on screen.
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