Daniel Dae Kim calls out ‘overcorrection’ in Hollywood when casting for Asian characters
Daniel Dae Kim criticizes nationality-specific casting for Asian characters
- Daniel Dae Kim has criticized what he terms an 'overcorrection' in nationality-specific casting for Asian characters in the entertainment industry.
- He argued that casting often demands a specific Asian nationality even when the role does not require cultural or language-based specificity, particularly if the character is not written by an Asian person.
- Kim suggested that for roles focusing on the shared 'American experience of being Asian', nationality is less important as the feeling of being 'othered' is a common experience.
- He acknowledged that nationality-specific casting is valid when there is an authentic language requirement or the character is a real person with significant cultural ties to a particular country.
- Kim highlighted a double standard, noting that British actors frequently portray American superheroes without their nationality being questioned, unlike the scrutiny often faced by Asian American actors.