For those keeping tabs on the music scene, the rapid rise of K-pop (Korean pop) in America has been a long-awaited phenomenon. This genre is not only unique in its sound but is also brought to life by incredibly talented and attractive performers who can sing, dance, and act — often while representing Asian identities, predominantly South Korean. I eagerly consume every bit of it.
My journey into the world of K-pop began three years ago when I was searching for Mando-pop (Mandarin pop) to introduce my children to Chinese culture, hoping to sneak in some language learning. (Let me clarify: my kids aren’t fluent simply because they’ve heard a few Chinese songs or watched shows; they are bilingual because I’ve invested significantly in their language education.) I never imagined I would be willing to sacrifice my dignity for even a fleeting chance to connect with the K-pop sensation BTS. While my partner jokes that I’m drawn to K-pop for the attractive performers, the deeper reason is that I finally see Asians represented as cool, talented, and desirable — a stark contrast to the narratives I grew up with in the ’80s and ’90s and even into the 2000s and 2010s.
It’s exhausting to continuously recount the lack of representation for Asian Americans in music, film, and the arts. This repetitive discussion serves as a painful reminder of our invisibility and the feeling of being an outsider in my own country. I often face the question, “So, where are you from?” and after sharing my California roots, it leads to the follow-up, “Where are your parents from?”
Yet, seeing K-pop trending on social media and witnessing the rise of Korean dramas and films brings a flicker of joy to my heart. However, it doesn’t fill the void completely.
While I’m grateful that my children have access to images of incredible East Asian figures instead of outdated stereotypes like Short Round from Indiana Jones or Long Duk Dong from Sixteen Candles (a John Hughes film I’ve never appreciated), K-pop is not a substitute for Asian American representation. Although artists like Jay Park, Eric Nam, Jessi, and Amber Liu are Asian Americans making waves in K-pop, they’ve had to travel to South Korea to achieve fame and then bring that success back to the U.S.
This is a reality many Asian Americans know all too well: the journey often requires finding success abroad before being recognized at home. Even when Asian Americans create films in the U.S., they can find themselves categorized as foreign, as seen with Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari and Lulu Wang’s The Farewell. It’s disheartening to be labeled as foreign in a country where so many of us have deep roots.
While I am thrilled to show my kids the diverse representation in pop culture, it’s not nearly enough. The K-pop phenomenon does not encompass the full spectrum of Asian American experiences. In 2018, Asian Americans, including multiracial individuals, made up 6.5% of the population, yet our presence in the music industry remains minimal. Studies show that only 2.35% of new artists signed to major labels were foreign-born Asian, and a mere 0.67% were Asian American.
I celebrate the achievements of groups like BTS, who have broken barriers in the music industry, but the stark contrast in representation for Asian American artists is troubling. I long for a future where Asian Americans are so prevalent in the spotlight that my children and their descendants will take their visibility for granted.
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In summary, while K-pop has brought visibility to Asian artists and has positively impacted the representation of East Asians in pop culture, it does not fully address the need for authentic Asian American voices. The disparity in representation and acceptance of Asian Americans remains a pressing issue that requires ongoing attention and advocacy.