Film / Television
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The Acting Road: Better in America or in Korea?

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Written by On November 18, 2011

Having lived in America as an Asian for the past thirteen years, I’ve spent most of my formidable growing up years having not watched my race well-represented in the media. Perhaps its because Asian Americans do not form a huge proportion of the population in the US, so it only makes sense that Asian actors only appear as bit parts in movies. And when they do make appearances, it’s as a doctor, a nerd, or a ninja. Or ninja assassin. Take your pick.

But in all seriousness, due to the growing popularity of Asian American YouTube stars, such as KevJumba and Ryan Higa and even Wong Fu Productions, things may be changing for Asian American entertainers.

While Asians were hardly ever showcased in the US media, Asian American teens growing up had KevJumba and Ryan Higa to relate to. “Hey, that’s the Asian guy who’s really funny,” people might say. And you say to them, ”See? Asians can be funny (not just nerdy) after all!”

But even though Asian American entertainers are ripping apart YouTube (Ryan Higa’s channel is still one of the most-watched on YouTube), how are they actually doing in the real entertainment world (aka L.A.)? Are they receiving substantial parts or are they actually better off going to Korea (in my opinion, the best of Asian cinema) when they are serious about pursuing acting careers?

Let’s look at Arden Cho. Arden is a pretty well-known actress and performer in the k-pop world considering she has not actually worked in the Korean entertainment industry as a performer. You might remember her as having been an MC for several K-pop concerts when they came to the US, such as the JYJ USA Tour back in 2010, and more recently the MTV Iggy Show, hosting G.NA, BEAST, and others last month. Other than that, she’s been seen with some top-notch K-pop stars, such as K-pop queen BoA, and recently she revealed her close relationship with G.NA. She and G.NA even created a self-made video encouraging others to go after their dreams of performing, telling them not to give up even if there are many obstacles in the way.

However, her relationships with k-pop stars aside, I believe that Arden Cho really wants to make a name for herself here in America as an actress above all else. And I give her full props – the girl works hard. She and a slew of other up and coming Asian American performers – David Choi, Megan Lee, and Clara Chung – to name a few, are really trying their best to do what they love and to rep Asian Americans in America. And it’s hard, because even if you have a lot of dedicated fans, Hollywood producers and directors still very rarely turn your way for a role.

Personally, I think Arden doesn’t get enough work in the States. She proved her acting chops in Ryan Higa’s first mini-movie, Agents of Secret Stuff, and despite the fact that the movie was well-received and viewed by millions, famous directors still aren’t necessarily knocking on her front door.

Another example is the Asian American actress Jamie Chung. Jamie is best known for having been a contestant on the MTV show The Real World: San Diego, and since then she has gone on to receive really incredible high-profile roles in Hollywood movies such as Sucker Punch (same director as 300), The Hangover Part II, and she will be the lead role in a movie to be released later next year (Eden). Though many claim she has little acting talent, I would say she is one of the luckier and more successful Asian American actors in Hollywood.

On the other hand, there is also the path of Asian American going back to their roots in Asia to act. One particular actor that comes to mind is Daniel Henney. Daniel Henney is half Korean and half Irish, hailing from Michigan, and just happened to make his acting debut in Korea, with the popular drama My Name is Kim Sam Soon, despite speaking no Korean. What a feat. And it doesn’t help that he has godly looks (at least to many Korean women). Since then, he has gone on to act in several American movies and recently returned to Korea for the 2010 action drama The Fugitive: Plan B.

Another example that many tend to overlook is the famous (and now infamous) Han Ye Seul. Han Ye Seul was born and raised in Los Angeles, but after she received her Associate’s Degree in the States, she went to Korea to pursue her acting career. The K-pop culture aside, many may have raised eyebrows at such a move. Han Ye Seul was not a fluent Korean speaker before she moved to Korea, and back in the days when she moved (around 2003), Korean cinema was not as well-established as it is now. However, her efforts and persistence clearly paid off, as she is currently one of Korea’s most popular and in-demand actresses. On top of it all, Korea now has perhaps the most advanced and prominent entertainment industry in all of Asia, so she clearly made a wise choice to forgo the Hollywood path for the Hallyu path.

What do you think? Do you think aspiring Asian (especially Korean) American actors should stay in the States or give Korea a go first? Given the recent scandal with Han Ye Seul and Spy Myung-wol, perhaps one might look at Korean television from another perspective. Even though one might get less screen time in the States, at least they won’t be worked to exhaustion on live-shoot sets in Korea. There are benefits to both, but as an Asian American, I find the current presence of Asian Americans in Hollywood to be discouraging and underwhelming, while I know that the pressures of working in Korean entertainment run sky high. It’s a toss-up for me, but definitely a topic worth discussing.

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  • Anonymous

    Hell if I know why Asians aren’t seen on TV as much as other ethnicities. From my standpoint, it’s not like anyone has anything against Asians. They’re popular on YouTube, and as a result from anime and manga, many people have a deep love and respect for Asian cultures (specifically Japan). Aside from the “nerdy” stereotype, there isn’t anything negative attached to Asian Americans (and being nerdy isn’t a bad thing, either). There are Asians seen on TV all the time, though they really aren’t as numerous as whites, blacks, and Hispanics. This could be because they’re a smaller minority. I see Asians in cartoons (not anime, cartoons), like Numbuh 4 in KND, though this probably doesn’t count.

    Come to think of it, I think I am seeing more Asians in entertainment than I have in the past. Like, in movies and on TV shows. I think Asian Americans are beginning to grow in the entertainment business and in a decade or two I’ll probably be seeing many more Asian Americans on TV.

    Other well-known Asians in American entertainment: Harry Shum Jr., Jenna U. (she plays Tina on Glee and has a really long last name that I can never remember), Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee (a house-hold name), Jet Li, Ziyi Zhang, Sandra Oh, Lucy Liu, and more that I can’t think of right now. Some of these people have movies in their home countries but they’re still known in the US.

  • Igbygrl

    I think for Asian Americans they can take either path. Asian Americans can have the best of both worlds  because they can speak englush fluently, and if they are proficient in the language that is their heredity then even better. They can learn and evaluate both cultures and take it into perspective in the roles they take. Of course being an an Asian actor in Asia will get you more lucrative roles. But the possibilities are endless you are an actor in both industries. Daniel Henney is smart when it comes to this. He knows that acting roles in Hollywood for an Asian actor is few, so he takes his career into Korea which is pretty darn smart if you ask me. 

    As for Arden Cho: I think she is only limiting herself if she only wants to concentrate being an actor in America. No movie producer or casting director will want to cast some Host or VJ without any experience in the acting field. The more movies and TV roles you did on your resume the more they will consider you for the part. As for Jamie Chung: Sure she is getting roles in America but she is getting roles that sterotype Asian women. She mostly plays the submissive, Asian sex pots or a white washed Asian who only dtes white men.   I consider Jamie Chung the actress version of Telia Tequala (SP?) because of she is depicted through the roles she takes.

    Anywayz back to the point..Daniel Henney got roles in America because he honed his skills Asia first. Hes not selling himself short with limited roles of nerds and ninjas. So I’m definitely rooting for Arden but like I said she is only selling herself short if she wants to only concentrate an acting career in Hollywood. Whereas Jamie already sold herself to the cashcow devil.

  • Animasaurus

    Sandra Oh who is Korean and currently a huge star for her role in Grey’s Anatomy is well loved in Hollywood and even won a golden globe! I think the advertisement industry is also a good route for asians since they also appear in commercials often for that ‘diversity aspect’. While I am also a minority, I can relate to under representation and stereotypical roles. But I think that with a younger generation starting to slowly take over, people are becoming more welcoming and over time things will change. I think Korea’s culture it’s more about the mentality of hard work to obtain success. It’s about personal preference. I’d much prefer the former than the latter but there are many who think likewise.

  • saylor

    I love how Asians only refers to East Asians.  I guess I should go to Britain if I wanna be recognized as Asian.  

    Anyways, I personally think none of the people you’ve listed here have any acting talent whatsoever.  Love Wong Fu Productions, Nigahiga, and KevJumba is hilarious, but acting talent???  production talent maybe, but even that is a long shot.  Actually that’s wrong they have some modicum of talent, but nothing that makes me go boo hoo why aren’t people recognizing these guys.  Not gonna lie.  

    Agents of Secret Stuff was supposed to be the gateway for Arden Cho into getting Hollywood roles???? There was nothing particularly noteworthy about her performance or that film really.  These people seem to be famous in their motherland simply for being really good looking.  And they are, but there are much more talented people than them not getting recognized or getting roles!  

    I’ve never seen Han Ye Seul act so I’m not sure about her acting talent.  Anyways there are quite a lot of Asians that are getting roles.  Much more than than in the past.  But let’s face it, it’s an industry where it’s hard for white women to get roles.  You would think they would have cream of the crop roles, but in reality there are very few roles for women then there are men.  It’s hard for African American people to get roles that aren’t stereotypical.  And they’ve fought really long and really hard in this country to gain freedoms (which I am grateful for) .  It’s going to be even harder in a country where Asians are a minority and aren’t homogeneous (Asian is a very board term) for them to get a role outside of the stereotypical Asian.  (read I mean all Asians too).   

    The entertainment industry is a long, hard road.  People scoff all the time that Korean entertainers work so much harder than their American counterparts.  Sure Koreans have a horrible work schedule compared to their American counterparts (and that’s all Koreans, not just those in the entertainment industry), but you have to work hard really really hard if you want to make it in American entertainment.  At least the majority does.  yeah there’s a few that have connections, yadda yadda but you still have to work hard to keep your fame or career.  What’s sad in both worlds is that you’ll be forced to do things you never thought you would have to resort to, in order to succeed ( I honestly hope the greedy, shady side of these businesses end).  

    Despite all that it’s changing, which is a very good thing.  We have people like NatalieST listed below, Kal Penn, Irfann Khan, Michelle Yeoh, etc etc.  While not household names yet or totally recognizable, they are making a name and paving the way for Asian American/ Asian actors. 

    • lay

      ‘Anyways, I personally think none of the people you’ve listed here have any acting talent whatsoever.’

      i don’t know those who are mentioned in the article except Han Ye Seul and Daniel Henney, but i believe what you said above applies to them. oh … add another one, Dennis Oh.

  • Bmastou

    Daniel Henney is one hot guy, i don’t know about the other three, but I’ve watched him in dramas,  emotion wise… there is nothing there. I I’ve only watched him in two dramas and I can’t remember their names (thats how unmemorable he is) other than that I could stare at him all day, just don’t give him a script.

  • Renie

    Unfortunately Hollywood isn’t fair. That’s why minorities play the same roles in movies and are placed in a box. This then gets shipped to other countries who believe everything in the movies are real. It begins to weigh negatively on whole races of people rather than individuals. I pray for the day that Hollywood represents the population of the country, but they keep saying minorities don’t sale. That’s why you always see white people playing Asian roles like the travesty that was Dragonball: Evolution. smh
    But I think that’s crap! Hollywood you can do better!

    • Anonymous

      I wish Hollywood would realize that the reason why minorities don’t sell is because our attention has virtually been diverted away from the mainstream media since the advent of the Internet. There’s nothing on American TV or in Hollywood for Asian-Americans to particularly relate to. As a result, Asian-Americans turn to the internet and discover things like anime or K-pop (because ironically they feel more connected to the pop culture produced halfway across the globe by people speaking in languages they don’t even necessarily understand, than the pop culture produced by their own country) to keep themselves occupied instead of turning on the actual TV. I mean, the vast majority of us don’t even care about the MTV awards unless some Asians that we personally feel associated with (like Big Bang) show up.

      Now imagine if Hollywood had actually tried to accurately represent Asian Americans all along. It’s possible that all those hours we spend on K-pop now, could have been poured into the mainstream American media market instead. Well… your loss, Hollywood.

  • Anonymous

    It seems to me that most of the American TV shows and movies (those for broad audience not cabel TV or indie movies cause those are usually pictures of reality) got this formula – there should be at least one African-American, one Asian (very broad term but I mean Asian as a race), one Latino-American and lately also one Muslin (if he/she is from Far East the better). Or gay character. Well, combination of them. Like in Benetton commercials. But I was watching two TV shows lately (Grey´s Anatomy and Mentalist) and both shows have Asian main characters and supporting characters as well. And Chinese actors and actresses are also seen in Hollywood movies. I don´t say Hollywood is fair (20 years most African-American I have seen were playing criminals) but maybe there´s also not enough materials for them. Like I haven´t seen many Caucasians in Korean or any other Asian movies as well. It´s true there is often than ninja-nerd-triada cliché but it goes both ways. Caucasians in Asian movies are usually rich and evil, soldiers or cultural ignorants.

  • ScarlettJ

    Watch Nikita people. Maggie Q is the Asian lead- one example where Asian woman become the lead. Another fav of mine is Lucy Liu who starred as lead in cashmere marfia, which was cut :(

  • becky

    I understand the all the arguements but you’ve also got to understand, its not hollywoods responsibility to to represent you as an asian you’re suppose to do it yourself, hollywood is a business, not a civil right society if asians are not being represented properly on tv then asian american cinema is not selling or people aren’t buying the films so hollywood will not invest, that means asians in america aren’t doing something right.If you don’t like the way you’re being represnted of course do it yourself go to Korea, China. I think there are some very talented actors or actresses in Korea who would do great in hollywood like Cha seung won, (just avoid the ninja auditions) 

    • saylor

      good point. I’m a little tired when people put the bulk of responsibility on hollywood to recognize asians (especially not very talented asians like most of the people here).  no other industry in the world is expected to do this, like ditu3ka says.  but I think it has to do more with american history though in terms of how minorities are treated and how minorities have achieved so much.  alot of that is due to the civil rights movement that allowed for better treatment of minorities and women.  now it’s ingrained in society(which is a good thing).  

      we react in shock and horror when we see korean celebrities doing blackface.  if any entertainer were to do it in america they would never work in the entertainment industry again.  i mean that’s the kiss of death for your career.  70 years ago it wouldn’t have been a big deal. that’s how far society has come in terms of thinking of minorities, but we still have a long way to go and thus the outrage when people perceive (often times correct) feeling of racism against a minority and why people look to Hollywood as the holy mother that will take away the problems for all their races or at least be the stepping stones for it. 

      …i feel like my input added nothing to this comment…it seems random and all over the place. sorry guys i can’t articulate my thoughts well.  

    • Nan

      I disagree with you. In some ways, it’s true that hollywood should not bear the entirety of the blame for not casting asian-americans in acting roles, obviously there needs to be an increase in the number and quality of aa actors. But it’s unjustifiable to say that asian american cinema isn’t selling simply because of the fact there have been very few films that have cast asians period much less in lead roles. Which is due to the inherent racism and sexism in hollywood. Hollywood is unwilling to cast minorities and women in lead roles despite what the box office tells them. Slumdog Millionaire made millions but Dev Patel hasn’t had the main role in a movie since. Will Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Halle Berry and Morgan Freeman are all certified movie stars, but when was the last time you saw a promising young African-American actor or actresses as the main character in a film that didn’t specifically call for a black lead.

      • becky

        well that depends on your definition of “young” I can think of quite a few films like “princess and the frog” yeah I know its a cartoon but the female lead was black that was a first. Another is the next James bond in which the role of money penny (thats quite an important role) is going to be played by Naomie Harris, you probably know her from Ninja assasin. Those are roles that were not written for black people. now I think you misunderstood me. because black americans have actually improved their situation a little, people like Tyler Perry (not a fan of his) own studios so they can make films and blacks make an effort to go see his films, so they’re seen as  profitable, thats what I meant. If asian  American filmakers are making films to represent asians the way they want, but no one is going to see their films then, all these guys can rely on is the big hollywood execs, and they’ll do what they wanna do.

  • Gazza

    Anecdotal Evidence As To Why Hollywood Should Consider Hiring More Asian Actors:

    I started watching The Big Bang Theory because I was channel surfing one day, and I saw an Indian guy. Now TBBT has become one of my all-time favourite shows, and Raj is still my favourite character- not because he’s the same ethnicity as me, but because he’s not stereotyped, and he’s a well developed character.

    • Anonymous

      I thought Raj is kind of stereotyped in “The Big Bang Theory”.
      His parents (every time they have communicated through webcam) have done what a lot of Indian parents have done–set up him on a date with another childhood friend–, they’re pushed their children into becoming greatly successful (Raj has a PhD in astrophysics, Raj’s brother is a medical doctor, and his sister is a lawyer), and he’s made fun of because of his accent (but you don’t see that when he hangs out within the group of friends).
      Not to mention that Leonard attempted to practice moves from  the Kama Sutra on Raj’s sister. And there’s the episode where Leonard, Howard, and Raj go out to see a comet shower and they eat hash brownies and Raj is doing accents’ impressions.

      You should look into Russell Peters — not only has his best comedic acts been “Outsourced” and “The Green Card Tour; but in the movies, he’s been in “Source Code” and I saw him in the trailer for soon-to-be-released “New Year’s Eve”.
      Also, “Hawaii Five-O” is introducing more Asian actors weekly since it started.

  • Music=Love

    I actually have been noticing more and more Asian actors in movies and on t.v. It’s just that there isn’t enough Asians out there to really make a stamp in Hollywood. As Blacks we barely make a stamp of our own in the acting industry, but we are getting there and it takes time, I mean even now with the exception of a few most Black people or portrayed as thugs or have very ghetto characters. Asians need to be strong and persistent. Do what makes you happy, if you want to stay in America than stay or if not then don’t, but know that if all the Asian Americans who have yet to get their big break leave to another country then Asians will never be represented in the American industry.

  • Capri08

    I agree with Music=Love stand point, there has been an increasing number of asians in small and big screen. But just because k-pop is getting popular doesn’t mean that everything Asian will. I mean Korea just started opening it “doors” to the rest of the world. It take time and effort. Be it back in Asian or America. 

    But here’s another point of view, do you see a lot of foreigners in Asian films, or even television dramas. 
    And when you do, they portrayed as the rich old white guys, the black street thug or gangster, or the foreigner who just nod their head to the main character, who trying to look cool speaking english. Forget any other ethic group.
    I’ve seen more diversify roles for Asians and Asian Americans than I seen for foreigners in Asian films and television shows. 

    • kellner

      well, i don’t see a lot of foreigners, let alone foreign actors/actresses living in Asia…so the comparison doesn’t make much sense to me.

      • saylor

        yeah but you also don’t see foreigners portrayed as something other than evil person in set film….and plus these east Asian (all Asian countries) countries are incredibly nationalistic.  if you diversify the foreigner role to other than evil guy, then you change can gradually change a cultural notion which is the argument people are making here for people entrenched in the society.  

      • Capri08

        When an Asian actress/actor acts in a hollywood movie it doesn’t mean that they are living there. In fact most of them live in their native country. Why should it be different for foreigners in Asian films. I think the comparison is the same. Actress/Actors are the same no matter where they are from, isn’t that the whole reason why Asian actresses/actors want to make in hollywood, and have different roles other than action star? The same can be said for foreigners in Asian films. 

  • Anonymous

    I’ve been wondering where Daniel Henney disappeared to…
    Other than having smaller roles in “Wolverine: Origins” and “The Fugitive: Plan B”, he hasn’t been really active in the entertainment industry anywhere — U.S. or S.K.
    I saw him in “My Name is Kim Sam Soon” after the series ended and I was trying to figure out what his appeal towards Korean women was — other than his model looks (sorry, I didn’t enjoying his acting every time he was on-screen in the drama and it was not because I was rooting for Hyun Bin way before he got famous too).Look, I gave the guy another chance and watched “Seducing Mr. Perfect” (in which once again he spoke in English). To me, he’s greasy like Choi Siwon is — they both seem to depend more on their appearances to bypass their attempts in acting.

    • http://twitter.com/no1Salope Riley Davis

      As a fan of both Siwon and Daniel, I somehow agree fervently with the ‘greasy’ comment. I have been trying to put my finger on the exact feelings they evoke when on screen and you nailed it. 

    • anne

      Daniel Henney is starring in an independent film called “Shanghai Calling” to be released next year (stars Eliza Coupe, Bill Paxton, Alan Ruck). He recently tweeted that he has joined as a cast in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new movie “The Last Stand”.

  • Anonymous

    Interesting commentary. I forever remember the Real World episode in which Jamie Chung’s mother visits her and tells her that a good girl would not live with boys. Look where she is now?

    • Anonymous

      Aww, man. I totally remember that too.

  • http://twitter.com/no1Salope Riley Davis

    In regards to Asian-American cinema, there is a market for it. I obviously am not Asian but when the Filipino-American movie ‘The Debut’ (go see it, its great!) came out back in 2000 I made sure to support it all the way from London. The huge success of the London Korean Film Festival shows that people will go and watch movies to see the Asian experience at any cost. But Hollywood and mainstream media dont give a fuck about minorities. We know this for a fact by the way they love to white-wash all the great Asian focused films like The Last Airbender, Speed Racer, Dragon Ball Z and soon AKIRA. Basically what needs to happen for Asian-American cinema is an Asian Tyler Perry. As much as people in my community loathe Perry for some of the coonery he puts out there, we cannot deny that the man puts butts in seats and employs a lot of ignored (and great) black actors. So all these guys like Wong Fu productions-that are doing great work-need to step up their game and go the Tyler Perry route. Produce plays and films and get the work out there. It can be done-the world has watched black actors go from being maids and mammies to starring as the leads in big blockbusters-it took us damn near 80 years to do it but we did it. I know this can be done for the Asian community and I will be supporting it all the way.

  • SprinklesOnYourIceCream

    Sorry if I seem off subject

    As far as Asian in foreign film are doing very well. China, India, Japan and South Korea have develop great cinema recognition all over the world. For Asian-Americans state side I have very little sympathy or empathy for not making much grounds.

    There are many factors Asian-Americas (AA) did not consider. There lack of presence in America cinema is also link to the social and political issue AA have here racially. Unlike other minorities AA simply are just to quiet yet complain about receiving roles that misrepresents them and their community. 

    Personally as a fellow minority but of non-Asian background  I can understand the frustrations but still doesn’t make me empathic. Blacks along with Latinos have fought very hard to make face in Hollywood but in a positive way but also in the United States. I have to give so much respect to the Black community for supporting each other. Black entertainment started during the silent movie era. Only Black own companies supported each other. The only role given to Blacks were slave, servant, or something more derogatory. It took Blacks decades to receive or be consider for more prestigious roles that went beyond stereotypes.  Now you have people like Will Smith who are top leading male actors like Tom Cruise. But he doesn’t have to play the “gangster” or “hood rat” role. He started out on Fresh Prince that depicted a rich but Black family. Support of Black own production companies and Black actors who push forward for better roles. The same for Halle Berry and her Oscar win. Many well rounded and talented Black actresses were refuse the Oscar because of the color of their skin. Now its being consider less of a factor.

    It is the same for Latinos during the 50′s and 6o’s. When immigration was high and Latinos wanted to break into Hollywood. The doors were close on them even to work backstage. Actors like Desi Arnaz ( I Love Lucy) created his own production company and hired Latinos. Now even Afro-Latinos like me are being represented through actresses like Zoe Saldana who star in Avatar and remake of Star Trek.

    The unity of a minority community what brings forth change and those minority actors in support. Taking stereotypical roles is difficult but you sometimes have to crawl through knives to find success. This may take decades and relies heavily on the persistence not just from entertainers who are Asian but people within their community. I think AA feel uncomfortable being label as minority in the United States. Because AAs have been so poltical quiet some feel Asian should just integrate with no problems. WRONG

    If the image of Asian actor must show dominance is through the ability of being more politically aware. Not just them selves but also with their community. Being comfortable as being label a minority and learning how to overcome instead hide away from that factor.

    AAs need to show unity and stop dividing each other up base on their heritage background in order make ground state side.Relaying on your foreign Asian culture is a stepping stone but it doesn’t push door open. There should be more companies like Wong Fu Productions who are supporting Asian actors across the heritage spectrum. This will push doors open.Going overseas is good but remember don’t forget state side. Nice you can explore on foreign soil but what will that do when you come back home?

    • Anonymous

      You said it best! I completely agree!

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  • http://profile.yahoo.com/G4YEZ75723SO7262VEMHAJ4W4M nou

    Han Ye Seul, one of the most sought after actresses…? You’re joking right.