|
Post by moreshige on Feb 24, 2005 18:16:29 GMT -5
The other day I just saw abc's LOST episode and boy did it make me want to yell at the TV. I know that the writers intended an asian couple and not necessarily a korean couple but I was really dissapointed with their story and their dialogue. Interestingly enough, my mother knew immediately that with the exception of the wife and the husband's father that they weren't speaking korean as if a native would speak korean. In fact, my mom said the husband spoke korean as if a second generation korean would speak korean! lol And he's supposed to be a native speaker! The wife's father's korean sounded so awkward. We knew right away that he wasn't korean or at least a korean who had good command of the language. It almost reminded me of MASH episodes where they would use any asian actor to speak korean. But what was worse than having to endure the terrible dialogue was the story. How typical....to portray the couple to be involved with asian organized crime. Man, if I had a dime for every american movie/show that depicts asians with gangs, guns and murder... Well, actually I don't mind but it seemed very weird to see Koreans involved. I'm ranting because there are no american shows (current or past) that depicts korean-americans as we really are. And when I finally do get a chance, all I see is this garbage bullsh**t. For example, why can't we have instead of the story of the divorced black father and son be a korean father and son? I know this show is intended for american audiences but com'on....enough with the stereotypes already.
|
|
|
Post by IAPD3000 on Feb 25, 2005 11:23:42 GMT -5
It was a good show. So What's wrong with it?
The only thing I see in "Lost" was action and drama. There are no sterotypes in Wednesday's episode. The Wife (played by Yun-jin Kim) kept this secret of speaking English because of her husband (Daniel Dae Kim) past. Remember that the wife's father is a mob boss!
|
|
|
Post by moreshige unlogged on Feb 25, 2005 12:32:19 GMT -5
It was a good show. So What's wrong with it? The only thing I see in "Lost" was action and drama. There are no sterotypes in Wednesday's episode. The Wife (played by Yun-jin Kim) kept this secret of speaking English because of her husband (Daniel Dae Kim) past. Remember that the wife's father is a mob boss! Dude, did you even read my post or are you being facetious? The fact that the wife's father is a mob boss *IS* an asian stereotype although to me it's not really a korean one which is wierd and funny at the same time. But what's worse is that their story (the couple) revolves around organized crime. There aren't many american shows that represent koreans as they really are in life. In fact, I can say confidently there are NONE. My rant is against the couple's story not the entire series. And the fact that their story has a connection with asians and gang violence etc. in american films/shows just adds to an overall gross misrepresentation of koreans and asians in general. I know the wife kept her secret of speaking english. So what's your point? And I said her korean along with the husband's father is believable. What's not believable, given the husband's not-so-perfect korean was his astonishment that his wife can speak english. But this is just a minor point because non-korean speaking people wouldn't notice this flaw. Actually, I don't mind american movies that depict asians around crime/violence. I mean, koreans and other asians themselves make the same movies. I'm angry that these are the ONLY ones I see made by american directors/writers. (ok, with the expection of "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle"...lol but this is a comedy) That's why I turn to korean dramas because they depict (for the most part) REAL people I can relate to. Anyway, I'm usually not the overly sensitive guy about things of this nature. But maybe people in this forum can understand that from having watched korean drama that at the very least koreans/asians' stories don't just revolve around organized crime.
|
|
|
Post by seven stars on Feb 25, 2005 13:01:36 GMT -5
I hear you my friend, and I echo those sentiments. I suppose the fact that this still takes place with regard to Asian Americans is in some measure the result of the docile demeanor that many of these people groups have taken toward the contemporary American media. Much work has been done to remove the stereotypical African-American, and Latin-American in television and movies. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that "Lost" could not have gotten away with stereotypical portrayals of characters from the aforementioned ethnic groups. But Hollywood, and TV have recently approached Asian-Americans differently.
Recently, my wife and I watched the movie "Just Married". I can't recommend it, because it wasn't very good. Some friends strongly encouraged us to borrow their copy and watch it, so we did. Having said that, the aspect that I found noteworthy was the representation of a Japanese man who served as butler for a rich white family in the film. He was portrayed as rather clueless and overemotional with an emphasis on his mediocre grasp of the english language. The creators of this movie would rebuff my criticism by calling it comic relief, and by poiting to the absurdity of the stereotype as the source of the film's humor in those scenes. Nevertheless, I adhere to my position that the creators of that movie would never even have considered including a stereotypical Black or Latino character, for comic relief or otherwise.
|
|
|
Post by skinz on Feb 25, 2005 14:26:58 GMT -5
Much work has been done to remove the stereotypical African-American, and Latin-American in television and movies. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that "Lost" could not have gotten away with stereotypical portrayals of characters from the aforementioned ethnic groups. Much work has been done? I'm sorry to say but I strongly disagree with that statement. African-Americans and Latin-Americans have been so stereotyped that its not even a concerned to them no more and actually uses those stereotypes to gain money. IMO, Asian-Americans have been heavily bombarded with the martial arts deal. Hong Kong exports of kung fu films actually hurts the image of many Asians because it creates a one dimensional aspect of a whole culture. Have there ever been a strong powerful Asian woman,in american films, who didn't know kung fu? How about a Asian man who actually showed some emotion?
|
|
|
Post by seven stars on Feb 25, 2005 15:06:21 GMT -5
Once again you force me to clarify my statement Skinz. Thank you for that. (My gratitude is genuine).
I suppose I was trying to emphasize the fact that Asian character portrayals are more vulnerable today than are that of certain other ethnicities.
|
|
|
Post by Lovely on Feb 25, 2005 16:48:10 GMT -5
I used to be addicted to "Lost" in the beginning. But I keep forgetting to watch the show and then I just stopped watching it. The last episode I saw was the one where the Korean actress and this Caucasian actress were on the island. The Caucasian actress said something and the Korean actress smiled meaning she understood English. So the Korean actress just said, "Please don't tell anyone." And that's all I saw.
|
|
|
Post by chigirl68 on Feb 25, 2005 17:14:13 GMT -5
Not my show. I still watch Smallville on Wed at 7pm.
|
|
|
Post by ID on Feb 25, 2005 18:40:53 GMT -5
Much work has been done? I'm sorry to say but I strongly disagree with that statement. African-Americans and Latin-Americans have been so stereotyped that its not even a concerned to them no more and actually uses those stereotypes to gain money. IMO, Asian-Americans have been heavily bombarded with the martial arts deal. Hong Kong exports of kung fu films actually hurts the image of many Asians because it creates a one dimensional aspect of a whole culture. Have there ever been a strong powerful Asian woman,in american films, who didn't know kung fu? How about a Asian man who actually showed some emotion? www.ruthlessreviews.com/80saction/americanninja.html{read with a an open mind, and asense of humor. please.}
|
|
|
Post by skinz on Feb 25, 2005 19:18:27 GMT -5
Ha Ha! American Ninja! Man, that brought back some memories. The 80s had the best action flicks with some of the worst stereotypes concerning Asia. Bloodsport anyone? How about Kickboxer? And my personal favorite Big Trouble in Little China.
|
|
|
Post by Eowyn on Feb 25, 2005 19:52:20 GMT -5
Not my show. I still watch Smallville on Wed at 7pm. oh lol, I do confess: I watch Smallville too.
|
|
|
Post by moreshige unlogged on Feb 25, 2005 20:26:23 GMT -5
Ha Ha! American Ninja! Man, that brought back some memories. The 80s had the best action flicks with some of the worst stereotypes concerning Asia. Bloodsport anyone? How about Kickboxer? And my personal favorite Big Trouble in Little China. Oh man, you bring back memories....Remember the movie,"They call me Bruce" Terrible stereotypes but funny. And there's so many more from the 80's.
|
|
|
Post by ID on Feb 25, 2005 20:53:39 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by skinz on Feb 25, 2005 23:19:04 GMT -5
And though it has nothing to do with the subject, why are Yi Ko and Yi Ui MIn prancing through the flowers, in your banner? Hahaha! Yeah, I was meaning to change that. My girlfriend cousin got a hold of what I was doing and decided to have a few laughs. I'll change it ASAP since those two deserve more than that. P.S. Never leave your work unattended when teenagers are around.
|
|
|
Post by Lovely on Mar 1, 2005 15:23:00 GMT -5
I stopped watching Smallville for awhile. However, I had to watch last week's episode just because Lana, Clark, Lex, and Lana's boyfriend (I forgot his name...was it Jason?) went to China ;D.
|
|