The rise of K-pop in America has been a long-awaited phenomenon, creating a significant buzz in the music scene. The genre is not only characterized by its innovative sound and mesmerizing performances by incredibly talented artists, but it also showcases a diverse array of attractive individuals. Their ability to rap, sing, act, and dance—often as Asian performers, predominantly from South Korea—has captivated many, including myself.
Three years ago, I ventured into the K-pop world while seeking Mando-pop for my children, hoping to cleverly encourage them to learn Chinese. (Let’s be clear; just because they’ve enjoyed a few songs or shows doesn’t mean they are fluent. They are bilingual and biliterate thanks to my relentless effort and investment.) I never imagined that I would willingly sacrifice my dignity for a chance to connect with groups like BTS. Despite my partner’s assumption that my interest is purely about the appealing physiques, a major reason I adore K-pop is that it presents a fresh narrative: Asians can be cool, talented, and attractive—so different from the stereotypes I encountered growing up in the ’80s, ’90s, and even the 2000s.
It’s exhausting to constantly revisit the lack of Asian Americans in the entertainment industry. This ongoing discussion feels like reopening old wounds, reminding us of our exclusion and the subtle microaggressions that come with it. The question “Where are you from?” seems to follow me relentlessly, often leading to the even more invasive “Where are your parents from?” despite the fact that I was born and raised in California.
Seeing K-pop trending on social media, artists becoming memes, and the simultaneous popularity of K-dramas and Korean films brings a glimmer of joy to my otherwise cynical heart. However, it’s not enough.
While I’m grateful my children will have positive representations of East Asians—far removed from the outdated portrayals like Short Round from Indiana Jones or Long Duk Dong from Sixteen Candles—K-pop does not equate to Asian American representation. Though artists like Jay Park, Eric Nam, Jessi, and Amber Liu are making strides, they had to travel to South Korea to achieve fame, only then to bring it back to the U.S. This journey is all too familiar for many Asian Americans: America often rejects us, leaving the path to success through Asia, hoping it will grant us the recognition we deserve back home.
Even when we do create American films, we often find ourselves relegated to the Best Foreign Language Film category, as seen with Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari and Lulu Wang’s The Farewell. This is perplexing for a nation with no official language and a significant immigrant population.
While I’m thrilled to see my children represented in pop culture by East Asians, it’s important to note that K-pop stars do not accurately reflect the diverse experiences of Asian Americans. In 2018, Asian Americans made up 6.5% of the U.S. population, yet our representation in pop music remains dismal. A study of new artists signed to major labels revealed that only 2.35% were foreign-born Asian, and a mere 0.67% were Asian American.
I take pride in BTS’s achievements, such as their Grammy nominations and Billboard successes, but the small number of prominent Asian American artists is concerning. I yearn for a future where Asian Americans—not just K-pop stars—are frequently in the spotlight, where visibility is so common that my children won’t even think twice about it.
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In summary, while K-pop has created a more visible space for Asians in the entertainment industry, it does not provide a comprehensive representation of the Asian American experience. The journey toward true inclusivity and visibility for Asian Americans in mainstream media is ongoing, and there is much work to be done.
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