What we observed is that asians tend to be showy when with caucasians telling asians see my status is uplifted. When they get married then they realised what it is like having to put up with all the diferences. I am not a racist but this is fact of life .

@ 19AWC

Hi AWC,

Regarding your comment on being accepted in Korea, I understand how you feel. The twist is that I feel the same way in Canada. I was born in Korea and grew up in Canada. Despite Toronto being the most diverse city in the world, I still, at times, feel that I am not truly accepted.

I think it's great that we foreigners can be seen in korean movies or drama because we see koreans on tv all time in U.S.A and i feel like koreans finally opened up to us foreigners, i am in the another hand half korean my father is white and mother is korean which i am very proud of, i was born here in korea and raised by my mother until 13yrs old than went to U.S.A, i tell you what i have some stories to tell, it was very hard in both of the world, but i now am in korea for little while and enjoying being with my mom and i am very proud to say that i can speak both very well and learning korean history!!! so good luck to all you foreigners and everyone else as well...

Hey everyone! You can read tamna the island episode 3 recap at http://kdramafanatic.blogspot.com

It's nice to see that Korea is opening up to more foreigners in the media.. However, it's probably me.. I've found most of the dramas that use foreign actors are mostly Caucasians (if not all). Doesn't it give a mixed message saying only form of "decent" foreigners are all Caucasians or the world contains only East Asians and white / Caucasian race?

Korean media often portrays that a person being "American" or "English" has to do with his/her skin color as much as the language ability. However in reality about 40% of the US populations are nonwhite. Thus it creates more problem for the foreign English teachers (or workers) who despite being better qualified get ignored due to his or her "skin color".

Darker skinned people are often portrayed negatively in Asian media. It's especially visible in Japanese culture, in Hana Yori Dango where muggers were all blacks. Unfortunately Korea isn't that far behind on that stereotype .

PS: I remember watching a trailer of a indie movie on this issue. I think it's called "Bandhobi" or "Friend". It's about a Bangladeshi foreign worker living in Korean society and how he deals with it. I'm thinking of watching that to get a different prospective..

Attention Asian Americans on this forum:
In a 'multi-cultural' country like the United States, there is still a huge problem with how asians are portrayed in the media. If anybody knows anything about American film history, they could see that not very much has changed in how American film industry portrays asians since Charlie Chan, and Sixteen Candles. Asians are very under represented and type casted with negative roles, (nerds, nail shop ladies, dragon lady hookers, gold digging villians, martial arts roles) here and there is still a lot to be done to educate people about different kinds of racial issues in society. Before any asian americans start giving a damn about a white french man making appearances in Korean dramas, they need to think about what is happening to their representation in the media and voice for positive changes when it is needed.

Agreed.

It's such a wide matter.Asians do complain that they are being discriminated but they do descriminate as well to get back at those who made them feel "different". It's a vicious circle and we need to step out of it. It seems like the moving has started.
I live in Romania and over here asians are being quite discriminated. Personally i love Asia ( far east especially) and asians. I hate people who discriminate asians , but it's always gonna be good people and bad people.
As for the black , i think they will easily be integrated as well . in Buzzer Beat there was a black guy that had a part. Not a big part , but still.
And black americans discriminate really bad sa well.
I hate that in asian dramas when they bring caucasians they emphasise so much that they are different and they dye that hair ridicously blond and blue eyes.
It would be nice if they just made them act asian people.(because inside many caucasians are asians).And they should let them be dark haired and have dark eye colour in order to make the audience accept them .
As a conclusion in order to get accepted , you need to accept, in order to get something , you need to give something.

people are afraid of difference, once they get past that fear and get to know each other on a personal level they find out your just the same as me, same insecurities fears hopes and dreams
i love kdramas and would really like them to be shown on british tv so they could experience your colourful and beautiful culture
i would really like to taste some korean food it always looks delicious in the dramas where in england can i taste your food

black british kaddict

well im mexican and live i've lived in the U.S. for over 12 years and i love asian tv but aside from whites i have yet to see any hispanic foreigners over there. I wish they would have a latino over there it would really give a lot of encouragement and acceptance to further foreigners (not just whites) but im glad they are accepting different ethnicities on tv now:)
-are there any hisanic or mix hispanic actors in asia?

You do realize that Insooni, one of the most popular singers in S. Korea ever is 1/2 black?

Also you do realize that a black woman was recently appointed into a high position of GOVERNMENT in South Korea?

Yes Korea needs to make inroads into being more fair to minorities. This is absolutely true.

But, considering what they have been doing compared to other nations, South Korea is doing a lot.

This is an interesting topic. I am an older foreigner but speak fluent Korean having lived here for many years. It would be fun to act (I used to stage) but does anyone know who to contact? I have heard all kinds of horror stories about the entertainment industry. Also do you all think there would be roles for an old grandpa?

Given that there (still) aren't a lot of non-Asians in Korea, the Koreans seem to be more accepting of other races than Americans. Yeah, Americans might act like they're more open-minded, but in fact they're not. Asians have been in the U.S. in large numbers for a century now, but in almost all cases Americans of Asian descent, especially Asian males, have been restricted to playing martial artists, villains, or foreigners. Even when they do play regular Americans, they are almost always relegated to minor roles. Asian women's experience in Hollywood has been marginally better, yet even then they are usually made to play emotionally-challenged, hard-liner types: call to mind Deb Chen of 'ER' and Cristina Yang of 'Grey's Anatomy'. The most successful Asian male character, Hiro Nakamura on 'Heroes', was a Japanese man played by Asian American actor Masi Oka. In other words, Americans studios somehow can't just portray Asian Americans as regular Americans. That's just a way of saying that, unfortunately, Americans don't really accept Asians as Americans. Which is just a way of being racist. Even when they're not cast as villains, Asians are never allowed to display their full humanity. Sadly, the most prominent roles for Asians have generally been as villains or caricature, even in recent years--think of the Fast and Furious movies, the Hangover, Rush Hour 2, Crash, etc.
So it's great that Koreans, despite having less experience with foreigners and other races, don't spend a lot of time stereotyping them like Americans do. While they display a lot of naivety, they don't dehumanize their non-Korean characters--in fact, they let the male ones get the girl!

Phew!! luckily I am from Malaysia. Over here, nobody care if you are Korean, Indian, Chinese or Malay. We are so use living in a multi racial nation. In fact, I am mix product of Chinese, Javanese. Foreigner living in Malaysia are so bless because they are treated equally like the local and if not better.

Nice post. One thing to keep in mind is that KBS’s Global Talk Show [aka Misuda, aka Chatting with Beauties] is totally scripted. These women are puppetts and the writers tell them what to say. That is also true of "Reality TV Shows" as well. Strange world welive in.

As of now, March 2011. Before, I'd remember that there is a Korean law that forbids many foreigners on Korean TV or media. Not just about foreign residents of Korea, but also entertainers from other countries that can't promote on TV.
How has this changed from then compared to today?
Why was it that that law to implemented in the first place?
Would someone enlighten me.

I'm a bit late on the bandwagon here, but even though I might be years late, and after reading ALL these comments in the wee hours, I want to add two cents. Or maybe one, since I'm hoping this will be short. Heh, I hear some people or more like fewer people, saying we (I'm American) aren't as open-minded and accepting as we say. I don't entirely disagree with that. But I find it that a lot of the time, the ones doing the discriminated are immigrants (minorities) themselves. Seeing that I'm biracial (yes, I am another one on here), I'll comment on my two sides (Asian and Black). Although, as of now I don't remember it happening to me, I've seen store workers (they were Middle-Eastern every time) follow my friends in the store as they were shopping. Another time, two Chinese women (I'm aware we are talking about Korea, but this a valid point since, theres a assumed language barrier) were badmouthing a friend of mine (she's Black). However, little did they know shes completely fluent in Mandarin. She didn't say anything disrespectful, but kindly greeted them and told them thank you when leaving in Mandarin. They were so baffled. So the point I'm getting is that minorities are discriminating minorities here in the US. Even in this so called open-minded community, I don't blame Hollywood entirely for the bad image. We are the same ones showing how much we believe in stereotypes just by our actions and words. If you do not want to be discriminated, then you shouldn't discriminate. I'm not saying that if you discriminate against others you deserve to have the same done onto you, I'm saying that you should be mindful and put yourself in the others position.

*** Quick add: I was dating this Korean-American boy just a couple years back, and no, I was not motivated by my love
of kdramas or kactors or anything, this was before my drama and kpop addiction, and his mother hated me when she found out I was Black (the other half of me was tainted I guess). He didn't break up with me even to that. I was so afraid of his mom >>. I remember she picked him up one day from school, I made sure I kept my distance (I've watched too many kdramas not to know, joke). We didn't even speak for her to hate me. We didn't even meet. I think she thinks I corrupted her son and made him go against her (which I didn't, not forcibly, that was all him). I felt bad for him. But anyway, this goes to back to the point I was making about minorites discriminating minorities and not neccesraliy trying to clear the air first. I mean, really, I would have prefered 100% for her to not like me for her son for shallow reasons, like if I wasn't pretty enough, than be characterized by my ethnicity (and not even all of it !). Well, on a GOOD note, my step-dad is Korean-American (it's mere coincidence) and there's not discrimination with his family. Though, his mom died at the begining of my 'rents relationship, so I didn't get to meet her. Though, I'm sure she was accepting and nice (actually, she remarried to a white man, maybe that's why my step dad is so white-washed to be frank, and that's not a bad thing necessarily). So yes, my family is a mixture of cultures. Arg, I have veered off course. Anyway, not so quick point end***

Now, on the other hand, I also understand how this bad image and stereotyping for black people come from in Asian countries, a of course that includes Korea. Actually, just yesterday I saw a video of two black women fighting on a city train, one of them was a mother and didn't even realize her baby in her stroller rolled out the subway door until super long after. It's things like this that make me personally, and I'm damn sure other people in the Black community, embarrassed. And honestly, sometimes a bit ashamed. Here I am saying that all of us aren't like that, we don't all rob places, we don't all drink kool-aid and love fried chicken (there's so many non-Black people who do), we don't all have our pants on the ground, we don't all have sour attitudes, all while not speaking proper English. And let me be one of those that don't fall in that group. I'm not college age yet but as a youngin' I'm sure my English is proper (I used commas, though, I didn't capitalize all my proper nouns, I apologize, cut me some slack, I'm super tired). And you know what, sometimes I feel the need to set myself apart and let people know we are not all like that. But then I feel like my point isn't being taken entirely, yes, maybe they do agree that I don't follow the stereotype. But then they might say, "Oh, she's just the exception." Sigh. You can't win right?

And to reply to the Brillian Legacy comment about episode one where Lee Seung Gi's character made an ignorant comment about black people, I was turned off by it too. But honestly, I've heard the same type of remarks and in some cases, saw the remarks of the same nature in action, in past dramas. I didn't let it get to me, I really didn't want it to.

But anyway, I lost my thought on that along the way, now to finally make the "one cent" point I was talking about earlier. Someone above mentioned Korea be more accepting because of some few additions (read up). But I'm going to call those the exceptions. And no, I am not being hypocritical here. Name more than 3 events/ people to convince the rest of us. The supermodel Chanel Iman is Korean and Black. When her mother (Korean) had her in Korea she was exiled iirc. Chanel Iman then ended up being on the cover of Korean Vogue and was "accepted." And of course we know Hines Ward, "accepted" AFTER he won that NFL thing he won, the superbowl (sorry again, tired mind, bear with me a wee bit longer). OH OH OH. And Tiger JK married Tasha (half-Korean, half-Black, popular female rapper) and she gave birth to a son. The poor innocent child was subject to hateful, racist comments from k-netizens. Now, isn't that going a little too far? Even Tiger JK posted that he wished things wouldn't happen this way.

I think Japan might be a little further ahead, even if they haven't completely or maybe not even half-complete-ly (almost? near there?) accepted other races, I noticed they seem to (partially) accept mixed-races there at least. Crystal Kay (Black and Korean actually, she grew up in Japan though) is a singer and is popular. She has a song with BoA iirc, and correct me if I am wrong, one with Arashi too. And for sure she ha sa song with popular duo Chemistry (love them).

And whoever you bring onto the screen, I hope at least they can act, even if they can't fluently speak Korean and the Korean actors are then forced to speak (sometimes cringe-worthy) English.

I've forgot any other thoughts I had. So tired. But that was by one cent turned into a dollar.
(I've been typing for 3-4hours)
I should get a blog :/.

Morning, dramabeans.

Omfg, why is it SOOOOOOO long ?! Ugh, rambling gets me no where.

I always enjoy watching foreigners in Korean drama. Though many do lack acting skills they are still a part of intergrating diffrent cultures together on one screen. I am always thrilled to see Korean actors on the big screen here in America as well. I always wish for their popularity to grow because I have come to love Korea through Dramas and music. The culture is multi-fasited and lovely, though still a tad prejudice against bi-ratial relationships. It is alway fun to speak to Korean people in their native language. It surprises them, I've found. I went up to one man in the hospital and he had a child who was crying for her mother while she was beeing seen. I walked up and said hello and tried to interact with the child a bit and the whole time he wasn't even aware I was speaking Korean to him until they were leaving. He was so startled, it was funny. It was also the first time I got to speak Korean to another person who understood it so it was quite the experiance.

My name is Perry Zanett, and a few Seoul-based agents have told me that I could do quite well for myself in Korea, as I have a very impressive resume. The trick is actually getting to Korea, and I am moving heaven and earth to do so. Does anyone out there know if any studio, production company, talent agency, producer, or director can pay my way there, with me paying him/her/the company back out of the salary paid me, or any other way I might get to Korea? Also, does one need a work visa to take acting jobs in the ROK?

i'm algerian girl but i love korean drama because tihs i want be a actor in korean drama ............i'm Brunette have a long hair black and black eyes Longitudinal 1.60 Funny and I have positive energy i not get tired quickly

I am also Western and starting my acting career in Korea soon. Hope you enjoy it.

White people, especially White men, already enjoy positive representation in Korean culture. White people are usually perceived as more beautiful, wealthy, fun, and sophisticated than others, even Koreans.

What Koreans really need to do is to start treating darker-skinned foreigners as equals.

Newsflash: Portraying White dudes as desirable heroes is NOT progress. That's pretty much the colonial mentality all over again.

Koreans do not have a "long way to go." The so-called multicultural society in the West is nothing to hold up as a standard. It is a complete dog's breakfast. You can respect and enjoy other people's culture without developing a so-called multicultural society. One of the big attractions of Korean drama is the strength of culture that is portrayed, and that comes with knowing who you are. Don't give up anything for so-called Western values. The hypocrisy over here is mind-numbing.

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