Can Asian Americans Break America's Media Bubble?
“Asian-Americans
are the only minority group whose share of New York acting roles declines, and
they were also the least likely to be selected for roles that would
traditionally be played by white actors.” - Randy Gener
(Asian Americans: Why Can't We Get Cast in NYC?)
As a Korean American, I've always been confused to why there was a huge entertainment wall between the Koreans and the Americans. Why is it that still, in this decade, is there barely any Asians in the media spotlight? Aside from small supporting roles, there was never a HUGE part where an Asian was a lead. Right? Being an Korean American, I was constantly under the society's lens as an Asian who would strive to do "big." And by big, I mean, as a doctor, a nurse, a teacher, everything else aside from any hint of an entertainment business. Asians are put into one general viewpoint as people with slant like eyes, yellow-ish skin tone and a heavy foreign accent. And so, Asians are constantly portrayed as the funny Asian neighbors or the Asian with the heavy accent in which the main leads mock.
Asians are slowly overtaking the United States, as shown in this graph, new immigrants of Asian race are raising to a 36% in 2010 and are still growing. However, if Asian immigration is continuing onto have an excessive growth, why is it that only 2.3% of Asian Americans are casted in any type of entertainment business?
Dragon Ball Z, Avatar the Movie, and 21 are all examples of "white-washed" media where, originally, Asian themed ideas have White lead actors where Asians come onto the side as supporting roles. WHY? It might be a hint of racism and prejudice, but, it's more about the money. Entertainment is still a money making business, the media knows that if Asians are the lead, the consumers might not be comfortable and will shed away from the idea which loses money.
Not only are actors not given a chance in the American entertainment, music too aren't very flexible. K-POP, also known as Korean Pop, is a highly liked music style where the stars are younger, better dressed, great looks with constant catchy tunes. Because K-POP overtakes all of Asia, from Thailland to China to Japan and so forth, it was destined for K-POP to break the American Entertainment bubble. Boa, queen of K-POP, Wonder Girls, the newest "IT" girls during their prime and Girls Generation, the hottest girl group in Korea right now all tried in breaking the media bubble and failed miserably. However, one remained, PSY! WHY?!
Psy isn't the cookie
cutting image of a K-Pop idol, he's old, he's not fit and he simply doesn't make the cut. Now, why did he receive the fame he received through his hit single, "Gangnam Style?" He did not try as hard or was as serious in comparison to other Korean Idols who dreamed of making it big in the states. Psy gave off a nonchalant atmosphere where he seemed like he was simply enjoying the stage. What Psy primarily focused on was the accessibility to his performance, Americans were able to digest this comical style and even parodied his infamous "horse riding" dance move. Psy made sure he didn't lose his Korean pride and only gave simple Korean terms for people to enjoy and follow along. Psy did not go by the "books."
What makes Boa, SNSD, Wonder Girls different from Psy? They were trying too hard and did not enjoy their stage. Yes, there is a hint of language barrier, racial tension and maybe even a typical stereotypes of Asian Americans. However, Psy overcame all that through his own distinct voice. We are in a media spectacle where Asians are slowly having more air time and Korean influence under the entertainment business. Asians might not make it big right now and some may have even failed, but, similar to Psy, people need to find their own distinct voice and slowly burst the media bubble in the States.
*PDF File to Final Paper*
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1WQ8WizhnLMU0JYbF9id09meTg/view?usp=sharing
Heewon Kim is a Rutgers University Newark Undergraduate student majoring in Journalism/Media Studies with a minor of Psychology. Born and raised as a Korean American, she has gone through the struggles in trying to make both ends meet with her cultural background. She argues of the participation from Asian Americans in the entertainment business and pushes forth so that Asian Americans too have a chance in Hollywood or any other entertainment business.
Heewon Kim
Professor Cacoilo
Convergence Final Presentation
4 December 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment