Before this gets sliced and diced by the Korean blogosphere, I thought I would get in my shot. The Chosun has one of those template “Korea Conquers [blank]” stories today. This one is about Hollywood actors. Par for the course in these types of pieces, they pile-on by claiming almost every actor with a drop of Korean blood, and they proclaim Sandra Oh (best know to me as the secretary on Aril$$, and being a dead ringer for my Math teacher in High School) as the “most successful actor with Korean heritage”. Reading the article reminds me, why does the Korean media never claim comic Margaret Cho, my pick for most successful, as theirs?
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33 Comments
Koreans aren’t the only ones with this obsession. How many times have you heard/read that entertainer/athlete/news anchor/serial killer X is from Canada?
It is almost jarring to see the plain face of Canadian-born actress Sandra Oh next to Korean-born actresses whose looks helped them make the A-list. Kim Yunjin’s career took off in Korea, but I doubt Sandra Oh could have done the same, even if she speaks fluent Korean.
I also noticed that Bobby Lee went with no mention. I guess comedians just don’t get much respect.
I couldn’t disagree more.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Ahn
…in light of the prejudices that existed in Hollywood against Asian actors up until recently, I’d say Mr. Ahn had an incredibly succesful career.
We all know him…”Grasshopper, as soon as you are able to grab the rock from my hand you may leave the temple. . . .” That was Philip Ahn.
“Battlestar Galactica’s” Grace Park is the most noteable omission. She’s probably as high profile as Sandra Oh and the “Lost” Koreans.
Another plain face is Sook-Yin Lee of “Shortbus” fame/infamy.
You’re pigeonholing her. Sook-Yin Lee is a multi-talented individual who has quite an impact on Canadian culture over the last 15 years, first as a member of the alternative band, Bob’s your Uncle, then as a VJ for Much Music (she’s the one they slotted to interview Alanis Morrisette as she was promoting Jagged Little Pill…you could tell she was cynical of Canada’s former Queen of Pop’s new image), and now has the host for CBC radio’s Definitely Not the Opera.
You’re pigeonholing her. Sook-Yin Lee is a multi-talented individual who has had quite an impact on Canadian culture over the last 15 years, first as a member of the alternative band, Bob’s your Uncle, then as a VJ for Much Music (she’s the one they slotted to interview Alanis Morrisette as she was promoting Jagged Little Pill…you could tell she was cynical of Canada’s former Queen of Pop’s new image), and now has the host for CBC radio’s Definitely Not the Opera.
‘who has had’
…and how can we forget Kim Jong-il’s stunningly acclaimed role in Team America: World Police?
“SomeguyinKorea” Phillip Ahn was more than just a successful actor but also the son of “Dosan”, (Ahn Chang Ho) the famous Korean educator and leader that unfortunately died before the Second World War ended. One might visit the Dosan Park near Apkujongdong the next time they are out that way too.
Elgin,
I’m aware of that. I thought I had that covered by linking that Wikipedia article.
http://www.philipahn.com/pacessay.html
Reminds me. I am going through the first season of LOST right now. Is it just me or does Daniel Dae Kim have the worst Korean accent you ever heard.
The two articles I linked also mention that he was the first Korean born in the United States…the first Korean-American.
In my eyes, Sandra Oh is at the far opposite direction from beauty. How’s she in your eyes?
Why is she famous? Was her acting performance excellent?
Korean media even reported this http://news.sbs.co.kr/section_.....1000198960 with much time.
This report may have been brought by the inner content of the reporter who may think he/she unearthes Korean heritage.
Generally, there’s conspiracy.
Some knows media physiology and uses media, and others don’t know media physiology or would not use media; that makes the difference.
Hey, is this girl pretty?
http://www.sundayjournalusa.co.....p?id=12201
^^
Korea is an easy country for Gyopo Young-hee to rake money and fame.
Gosh, she’s never pretty in my eyes again. Don’t blame me that I’m full of jealosy. I think endless Korean actresses and singers beautiful except of course BoA.
They are like people in The Great Stone Face by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
I’ll correct the word ‘actress’ to she-actor or female actor, for I’m a P.C.ist.
He has claimed in interviews that’s his strong “Pusan” accent coming through.
I could be wrong here, but considering the hubbub which took place only a few weeks ago, doesn’t the title of ‘most successful actor with Korean heritage’ already belong to The Hub™’s own Almond Tease?
“The two articles I linked also mention that he was the first Korean born in the United States…the first Korean-American.”
Depends on your definition, Philip Jaesohn was naturilised as an American citizen in 1890 therefore he is arguably the first Korean American.
Also were there any births in korea of american mother/father who might be the first korean american?
This article reminds me of my friend from Korea who asked me “Considering her mediocre looks why is Reese Witherspoon so popular in America?” to which I replied may be simply because she’s talented?
Don’t get me wrong Hollywood values vanity like no other but in some aspects I think Korea takes it to another level. To which degree I am starting to slowly discover….
Arghaeri,
Come on. Isn’t it obvious that there was at least one Korean there before he was born?
Why should Koreans want to claim Margaret Cho? If I was Korean, I would be calling her a Yankee too!
In my experience, Korean people use the ’success’(in inverted commas, since my experiences in China and Japan have told me that the “Hanryu” is not the big thing its made out to be) of Korean entertainment in the Asia region as an excuse to boost ego. For example, there are Korean people who visit China expecting to see Korean shows and signs everywhere just because they’ve heard that a certain music is popular there, or a show, etc. From a viewpoint of person who may be connected with those people, its really not helping Korea, and possibly my own reputation. Especially when news articles like this one get out. But maybe I’ve gone over the top, and made a mountain out of a molehill (a pretty big molehill to start off with- my weak attempt to defend myself).
By the way, about Daniel Dae Kim’s accent, when Southern Cross Ten aired Lost (I’m from Canberra- Aus if you dont know the city) I just started laughing, turned off the TV, and never watched that show again.
Soktemp,
Daniel Dae Kim’s accent has greatly improved since the first season. It’s not perfect, but it does appear he’s aiming for a Pusan accent (any Pusanites here with their impressions on his accent?). What makes me laugh, though, is how they try to pass off Hawaii as Korea in some scenes. Sure, there are palm trees in Korea on Cheju, but I doubt a cheabol would have its headquarters there.
The dead giveaway, however, is how many foreign cars are on the streets in the background.
“Come on. Isn’t it obvious that there was at least one Korean there before he was born?
Someguy,
Is this some kind of existensialist tangun type theory of yours, koreans arriving on earth before they are born, perhaps you need to get off your grasshopper addiction and stick to more traditional means of acheiving euphoria!!!
(PS If in doubt I’m jesting….)
Also aren’t you shooting yourself in the foot, it was you who claimed Philip Ahn, as the first Korean-American (1911) [see 15], {wikipedia only claimed him as the first born of korean parents in the US, not the first Korean-American}, I merely pointed out that there was at least one Korean-American before him in [1890].
However since you ask, It may well be obvious to you that there were Koreans in america before Philip Jaisohn, but given he was amongst the first recognised groups of koreans in american in 1885, and given the hermit kingdom status of korea prior to then, it’s not so obvious to me. Even if you’re right if they weren’t naturalised they were not korean-americans. As for any possible progeny in that time window, given the above, its a possibility, but you’ve already noted the official view that Philip Ahn was the first progeny of koreans born in America…
Actualy for me the dead giveaway is the lack of that ugly wood and overstuffed international orange pleather furniture in the boss’s office (not to mention he forgoes the green felt underglass desktop).
“Arghaeri,
Come on. Isn’t it obvious that there was at least one Korean there before he was born? ”
“Someguy,
Is this some kind of existensialist tangun type theory of yours, koreans arriving on earth before they are born, perhaps you need to get off your grasshopper addiction and stick to more traditional means of acheiving euphoria!!!
(PS If in doubt I’m jesting….)”
You’re parents haven’t taught you where kids come from yet?
‘your parents’, darn it.
Someguy, Read the comment, not yopur perception…
and no they never did, heard something about a gooseberry bush though from the grandparents; mind your that where I heard about the Lytchett Treacle Mines too….
crap I can’t do “your” correctly either
Sook-Yin Lee is Chinese-Canadian, right?