We’re moving!

We’re moving address to “http://orientalis.sentientmind.com“. Please visit the site at that address. Many things will be updated soon with interesting articles, history, as well as tidbits on Asian male representation in the media and how it is reflected in society.

Asian Stud: Oh Ji-ho

Here is another hot-off-the plate Asian Adonis from South Korea. Oh Ji-ho (b. 1976, 6’0″) has recently appeared in a few films, prior to which he was a model of sorts. He’s also attracted some contraversy as a woman recently killed herself over him.

Asian Stud: Edison Chen

This Chinese-Canadian’s popularity has exploded in recent years throughout Asia. Though born and raised mostly in Vancouvor, Edison (b. 1980, 5’10”) Chen’s family is originally from Hong Kong. After re-establishing himself in HK, he has become wildly popular singer/actor. Again, almost unknown in the US with the exception of a role in the remake of The Grudge 2.

Asian Stud: Won Bin

Heartthrob and actor Won Bin (b. 1977, 5’10”) has been in only limited roles in film and television in his native Korea, but this fact has not limited his status as male sex icon. His career is definitely on the rise.

Asian Stud: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai

World renowned actor Tony Leung’s talent is undeniable – arguably the world’s best actor in the judgement of many. This Hong Kong native is lauded the world over for the soulful expressions conveyed by his eyes alone. Most Westerners are familiar of Mr. Leung through his collaborations with director Wong Kar-Wai’s many art house flicks. Most recently he’s appeared in Andrew Lau’s “Infernal Affairs” (remaded as Scorsese’s “The Departed”, though the original is much better), Zhang Yimou’s “Hero”, Wong Kar-Wai’s “2046”. To date, Mr. Leung has not ventured into any English speaking roles due to what he considers as a dirth of quality roles given to Asian actors in Hollywood. However, this might change as there are rumors of his English film debut in a lead as a detective.

Asian Survivor Guy: Take Two

A bit late. But, just want to give a point of praise for Yul Kwon for winning Survivor 13; whilst playing the inherently duplicitous game with a lot of integrity and representing Asian male image well. We should note also that part of his motivation for joining the show was to improve what he perceived (as we do) as the unfair and skewed media representation of Asians. You go dude, fight the good fight.

Here is a great brief on his victory from the San Francisco Chronicle: ‘Survivor’ winner shattered stereotypes en route to victory

Asian Stud: Louis Koo Tin-Lok

Hong Kong based Lous Koo (b. 1970) has become somewhat of a fixture in his native home town. The 5’11” actor started out mostly in television and has become quite popular in Asia, but of course unknown in the US and the West. While it is common in the East for people to be well-familiar with Western media – in fact, they are inundated with it) – the reverse is never reciprocated in the West. Primarily, this is due to the fact that American media regularly export, but seldome import any Asian media in the mainstream – unless it’s patently slated for the ‘artsy’ crowd; while the more mainstream Asian ‘pop’ movies designed for mass consumption never makes it to US shores because the Hollywood studios will leverage their monopoly and buy the rights to Asian films and REMAKE/bastardize them with an all White cast. Well, we can rant on this more later …

Asian Stud: Daniel Wu

Daniel Wu (1974, 6’2″)  is another good example of the still outstanding implicit prejudice placed upon Asian American males. Although born and raised in the US, you won’t see Hollywood courting this actor’s service in any major roles anytime soon. Instead, the Asian nerd/geek, sexually inept stereotype continues to be the sanctioned Hollywood mold. Consequently, Daniel Wu has “off-shored” himself to find work and success in the Hong Kong film industry. Fortunately, I hope the tides will change if the issue is address honestly.

Asian Stud: Dylan Guo

Adding more. Here is Taiwanese-based singer/actor/model Dylan Kuo. Why is it that you never see men such as him portrayed in American media. He is considered by many female admirers to be the architypical male with his chiseled features and 6’3″ stature.

The Asian Survivor Guy

The following is taking from tv.com forum for the Survivor: Cook Island reality TV show. As most of you know, CBS divided the tribes into races this season. The original post thread is at: The prejudice against Asian Americans. Yul is kicking arse on Survivor.

The prejudice against Asian Americans – Yul Kwon case study | 09/16/2006 6:28pm This message is really for the majority of Americans who think Asian Americans are completely accepted and face no prejudice in the United States. The so-called ‘model minority’ myth is also conveniently used by some to decry other minorities who are not as successful. I’m not angry or trying to call folks racists. I just hope folks who read this can honestly reflect whether they hold these prejudices, which are common. (Everyone has them, but we should learn to eliminate them if possible).

I’ve noticed that some people are calling Yul Kwon a ‘quiet sleeper’ candidate for winning this Survivor. Is this grudging respect? Or continued condescention to Asian Americans? The primary thesis of this post is to call this sentiment out as an example that most Asians have to work twice as hard and be twice as smart in order to achieve the same level of grudging acceptance. (The same scenario often is true for other minorities).

I’ve seen people say that there’s no overwhelmingly strong player this year. No ‘GI Joe’ like all-American-boy Colby. Yul Kwon, who by all qualifications appears to be some mutant uber-American man, with the most insane qualifications I’ve ever met, white-asian-black-latino-whatever, is considered only moderately strong. Yeah, right. In what world will Americans then actually consider an Asian American male a strong challenge, a tough and powerful leader? Or is his natural talent negated because he’s ‘overachieving’.

Let’s review his qualifications:
1. Valedictorian at high school. (Okay, good big no big deal. Thousands of valedictorians out there)
2. Stanford Phi Beta Kappa (Okay, now we’re getting somewhere. Clearly smart. Actually immensely smart. We’re looking at .01 percent of total Americans smart)
3. Helped start a national drive to increase minority bone-marrow donors. (Pretty impressive to obtain national reach as a college student. Still, he was helping a close friend, but that emphasizes loyalty)
4. Yale law school (Nothing more unusual here. No more impressive as Stanford PBK)
5. Passes two bar exams before he’s 30, including the very difficult California bar. Then helps write homeland security legislation with Sen. Joe Lieberman. (Alright, so he’s not just smart, but showing clear ability to become a leader and speak with rare articulation — remember, he’s a lawyer).
6. Passes the Marines officer candidacy. Boxes and is a novice Ultimate Fighter. (Okay, so he’s not only a leader, but extremely strong individually. Reinforces a willingness to serve the public)
7. Joins McKinsey and Google. (Aside from some small hedge-funds, McKinsey is the single most exclusive hiring company in all the world. They look for smart folks, of course, but more importantly folks who are able to easily convince a group of CEOs of cooperation and advice. His departure for Google shows an independent streak that is willing to explore new challenges, despite the fact that working at McKinsey is already so exclusive it’s sick).

I ask you to find another person in this world who matches Yul Kwon’s qualification in brains and brawns combined. Frankly, I can’t find another… maybe one or two people in this country. Now I ask you this question: if you put two white folks in a room, one who has someone like Colby’s skills and another with Yul Kwon’s skills, who would you consider a favorite? Of course the white person with Kwon’s qualification.

But here in American an Asian American guy with that qualification is barely registered as equal or inferior to someone like JP. Remember, we’re not just talking about brains here.

How does this become a problem? Because Americans rarely think of Asians as strong leaders with group skills, some Asian male who is fighting for a promotion in his company has to be clearly twice as strong as his white counterpart. This is why you rarely find Asians as executives despite the fact that they excel during the more meritocratic process of schools. Once ‘perception’ and ‘connections’ come into play in terms of moving up the corporate ladder, then Asians have to suffer the same prejudice as other minorities.

Seriously, that Yul Kwon is a freakin’ beast. Of course he might not win a game show, since luck factors prominently, but purely on abilities he is not just the strongest Survivor on this island, but EVER. Compare any other young man on past shows.