Daniel Dae Kim has voiced concerns over what he describes as an “overcorrection” in Hollywood’s casting of Asian characters, per independent.co.uk. In a new interview with American Masters PBS, the actor stated that there is too much focus on casting an actor of a specific Asian nationality, rather than on writing a well-developed character.
Kim highlighted that this trend often results in a Korean American role not being open to a Japanese American or Chinese American actor, even when there’s no cultural or language-based requirement. He argued that the American experience of being Asian is a shared one, and that focusing on nationality limits opportunities for a wider range of actors who understand what it’s like to feel “othered.”
He contrasted this practice with the casting of other groups, noting that African American actors are rarely asked about their country of ancestry, and British actors frequently play iconic American superheroes without question. Kim pointed out that actors like Andrew Garfield, Tom Holland, and Henry Cavill, all British, have successfully portrayed American heroes like Spider-Man and Superman, roles for which their nationality was never an issue.
Kim acknowledged that this “overcorrection” likely stemmed from an attempt to move beyond the belief that all Asian cultures were the same. However, he urged casting directors to adopt a more sophisticated approach that ensures more opportunities for all Asian American actors.
