Daniel Dae Kim is questioning Hollywood’s approach to Asian representation, calling out what he sees as an “overcorrection” in how roles are cast.
Daniel Dae Kim is questioning Hollywood’s approach to Asian representation, calling out what he sees as an “overcorrection” in how roles are cast.
“Right now, there’s a focus on nationality-specific casting when it comes to Asian Americans that I feel is an overcorrection,” Kim said. “Very often, when we’re cast, if the role calls for a Korean American, they will not see a Japanese American or Chinese American or any other Asian nationality.”
While casting directors are attempting to recognize cultural nuances, Kim noted that many of these decisions are not rooted in authenticity.
“Often, the role itself has not been thought through,” he explained. “It doesn’t require any kind of specificity in the story as it’s being told, or in the specifics of the character, because very often, it’s not even being written by an Asian person. So they don’t know the difference in what they’re asking for, and yet casting is being very specific.”
The Hawaii Five-0 and Lost alum acknowledged that there are moments when specificity matters — such as language requirements, or portraying a historical figure with deep cultural ties. But when it comes to telling Asian American stories more broadly, he believes identity should not be used as a barrier.
“Anytime there’s a role that focuses, to me, on the American experience of being Asian — that’s something that no matter [if] you’re Korean, Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, that’s something we all share in common as Asian Americans,” Kim said. “And we all know what it feels like to be othered. That’s a common experience. So to me, the nationality isn’t as important.”
Kim added that the push for specificity began with good intentions: “because originally, it was like, ‘Well, we can’t just consider them all as one.’” But he feels it’s time for casting directors to be “a little bit more sophisticated now about how we can open opportunities to actors.”
This belief informed his casting choice in Butterfly, where he plays a Korean American spy. His on-screen daughter, played by Japanese American actress Reina Hardesty, was deliberately chosen by Kim.
“That was a deliberate choice on my part, because what the significant part of her character was is the idea of feeling alienated and alone in America. You don’t have to be Korean American to feel that way,” he explained.
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For Kim, the inconsistency becomes even clearer when comparing Asian actors to others in Hollywood.
“When African American actors are hired, very rarely are they asked, where is their country of ancestry? Whether you’re Botswanan or from the Ivory Coast, it’s not pertinent. Especially if you’re playing an American,” he said.
He also pointed to the long list of non-American actors who have been cast as iconic American superheroes.
“How many of our superheroes who are playing American are from other countries like Australia and England?” Kim asked. “And yet we don’t ever ask whether that’s important relevant, and it doesn’t limit them from taking those roles. In fact, we welcome them.”
“Anytime there’s a role that focuses, to me, on the American experience of being Asian — that’s something that no matter [if] you’re Korean, Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, that’s something we all share in common as Asian Americans,” Kim added.
