Korean-American Actor John Cho Talks Films, Politics
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Korean-American actor John Cho says that Hollywood movies have not changed their portrayal of Asian people. Hollywood has not really changed. Asians should say "no" if they don't want to be insulted -- the situation will never change if Asians put up with insulting portrayals in Hollywood movies.
The 32-year-old actor was selected one of the 50 Hottest Bachelors of the year by People Magazine. John Cho played a leading role in "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" and "Better Luck Tomorrow", and is now considered a promising young actor. The critically acclaimed comedy, "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle", features a young Korean-American man and his Indian-American friend, who live through an adventure to get to the White Castle burger joint in New Jersey. With his starring role, John Cho is catching everyone's attention. This writer met with the actor in Los Angeles to talk about movies, success and politics.
Cho received the 12th Multicultural Award at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 17 (local time). The Multicultural Motion Picture Association gives the award to television and movie actors who contribute to the advancement of cultural diversity. With this award, Cho moves one step closer to cementing his place as a top Asian actor.
Cho immigrated to Los Angeles in 1978, when he was just six years old, with his father, who was a reverend. His father had always told him to become a person who helps other people. Cho majored in English Literature, because his father always taught him that there were more important things than making money. He decided to become an actor when he acted in the play, "Warrior Woman", at college. Seeing people who were over 50 years old trying perform in plays, Cho thought that if a job can make people study and learn something even at that age, then that job must be worth having.
He denies that he has become an instant success. Cho says that he has not finished climbing the ladder of success, but that he is going up step by step. He is enthusiastic about getting involved in encouraging Asians, including new immigrants, to participate in politics and also enthusiastic about the MTV campaign, "Speak Up". He joins campaigns like this because he thinks that the voter turnout of immigrants and their children are relatively low and that political cynicism is not helpful.
His advice to Korean actors, actresses and directors who want to make inroads into Hollywood is surprising. Cho says that with the Korean film industry booming, why would they want to come to Hollywood where they can hardly communicate. If Hollywood is a big box, then the space for Asians is very small. He wonders why these actors would want to go through hardships in the U.S., speaking English instead of their mother tongue.
Park Eun-joo
The 32-year-old actor was selected one of the 50 Hottest Bachelors of the year by People Magazine. John Cho played a leading role in "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" and "Better Luck Tomorrow", and is now considered a promising young actor. The critically acclaimed comedy, "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle", features a young Korean-American man and his Indian-American friend, who live through an adventure to get to the White Castle burger joint in New Jersey. With his starring role, John Cho is catching everyone's attention. This writer met with the actor in Los Angeles to talk about movies, success and politics.
Cho received the 12th Multicultural Award at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 17 (local time). The Multicultural Motion Picture Association gives the award to television and movie actors who contribute to the advancement of cultural diversity. With this award, Cho moves one step closer to cementing his place as a top Asian actor.
Cho immigrated to Los Angeles in 1978, when he was just six years old, with his father, who was a reverend. His father had always told him to become a person who helps other people. Cho majored in English Literature, because his father always taught him that there were more important things than making money. He decided to become an actor when he acted in the play, "Warrior Woman", at college. Seeing people who were over 50 years old trying perform in plays, Cho thought that if a job can make people study and learn something even at that age, then that job must be worth having.
He denies that he has become an instant success. Cho says that he has not finished climbing the ladder of success, but that he is going up step by step. He is enthusiastic about getting involved in encouraging Asians, including new immigrants, to participate in politics and also enthusiastic about the MTV campaign, "Speak Up". He joins campaigns like this because he thinks that the voter turnout of immigrants and their children are relatively low and that political cynicism is not helpful.
His advice to Korean actors, actresses and directors who want to make inroads into Hollywood is surprising. Cho says that with the Korean film industry booming, why would they want to come to Hollywood where they can hardly communicate. If Hollywood is a big box, then the space for Asians is very small. He wonders why these actors would want to go through hardships in the U.S., speaking English instead of their mother tongue.
Park Eun-joo
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