Fresh Off The Boat star Randall Park has discussed the importance of representation in the media.
In an interview with The Huffington Post, Park discussed Fresh Off The Boat in time for season 4’s premiere. “As far as the cast and the crew ― we’re a family,” Park said. “The pressure isn’t there as much as it [was] in the previous seasons.”
“I can’t wait for people to see this season, because it’s just so good,” Park adds.
When asked about dealing with stereotypes, Park defends the show as dealing with stereotypes tastefully, reflecting a deeper understanding. “On our show, when you do see something that could be construed as stereotypical, it never feels stereotypical because you get the background behind it, the humanity behind it.”
The 43-year-old Korean American actor also went on to emphasise the importance of representation in the media. “The media is so powerful and it really shapes the way people think,” Park explains. “If you’re not represented in the media, for a lot of people — and definitely for people in certain parts of the country — you’re invisible. You just don’t exist.”
“To have a show like ours, and other shows that reflect diverse perspectives, it shows the country and the world that we’re human beings. That we’re complex with stories that anyone can identify with, but we also have certain elements that are different. But those differences are worth celebrating. Those differences are cool. Those differences are not to be ashamed of.”
