Korea gained the greatest prominence after the emergence of different KPOP groups in the late 1990s and early 2000s, giving birth to more at the current time. Their movies and series also became well-known to others, called “K-Drama.” Then people start to adapt to the Korean culture, from trying different dishes to adapting the fashion style and visiting various tourist spots.
But that doesn’t stop there. In Hollywood, most individuals, especially those not Americans by birth, find it challenging to step in. However, these artists managed to make a name in the industry. The following list below includes ten actors/actresses who have exceptional talent and stand out for their outstanding work as Korean-Americans:
#10: John Cho
John Yohan Cho, best known as John Cho, is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Harold Lee in the Harold & Kumar movies and Hikaru Sulu in the rebooted Star Trek film series.
John Cho’s Early Life
John Cho’s Early Roles
In 1999, his breakthrough finally came when he made an appearance in teen romance comedy American Pie and helped coin the phrase “MILF.” He went on to play other roles and became a hit in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, a slacker comedy in 2004.
Cho earned top billing and a great deal of fan appreciation as one half of the hapless stoner pair in “Harold and Kumar” and its 2008 sequel, becoming a go-to for laughs in both film and television.
Assuming one of science fiction’s most prominent roles in “Star Trek,” which aimed to tell the legendary franchise’s genesis tale, he found himself in the spotlight once more in 2009.
#9: Sung Kang
Sung Kang, also known as Kang Sung-Ho, is a Korean-American producer from Clarkston, Georgia, and an actor who plays his first major role as Han Lue in Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift. The role he played was a mentor to Sean Boswell, which is the main character of the film.
Sung Kang’s Early Life
Sung Kang’s Early Roles
As the narcissistic President Gin Kew Yun Chun Yew Nee in the Korean drama spoofing “Tae Do” or “Attitudes and Feelings, Both Desirable and Sometimes Secretive,” Sung has frequently appeared on MADtv.
Besides his acting, he also used to own a restaurant named “Saketini” with his wife. However, for an unknown reason, it was close in early 2013.
#8: Tim Kang
Yila Timothy Kang, also known professionally as Tim Kang, is a Korean-American actor best known for playing “Kimball Cho” in the film “The Mentalist.” Tim’s career achievement is admirable for a unique reason. He had a prosperous career in business before realizing his love for acting.
Tim Kang’s Early Life
Moreover, Tim also experienced working as a stock dealer in the now-gone “Pacific Exchange” in San Francisco. Because of how well he did his work, he was given the opportunity to be promoted.
Tim Kang’s Early Roles
Tim Kang became a well-known actor due to his portrayal of “Kimball Cho” in the film he starred “The Metalist.” Although Tim Kang has had a long and distinguished career, he is most well-known for this role.
Furthermore, Tim Kang also took his first acting lesson when he was 26 years old. Then later earned an MFA from the “American Repertory Theater/Moscow Art Theatre,” which is part of Harvard University.
Tim performed as “Swiss Cheese” at “ART” in the Bertolt Brecht play “Mother Courage and her Children.” He performed in two additional plays under the ‘ART’ umbrella.
Moreover, Tim soon made his acting career as Dr. Harrison Wong in the crime-drama series ‘The Sopranos’ in 2002. He made his big-screen debut the same year in the romantic comedy “Two Weeks Notice,” in which he played a role of an attorney by the name of “Paul.”
#7: Daniel Dae Kim
Kim Dae-Hyun, professionally known as Daniel Dae Kim, is known for his portrayal of Dr. Jackson Han on The Good Doctor, in which he is also the producer. As an actor, director, and now producer, Daniel Dae Kim has built a career out of portraying diverse and stereotype-breaking roles.
Daniel Dae Kim’s Early Life
Daniel Dae Kim’s Early Roles
And in 2005, Kim was recognized as one of the “Sexiest Men Alive” by People Magazine.
#6: Arden Cho
Arden Lim Cho, also known as Arden Cho, is a Korean-American renowned TV actress, singer, and model. She gained the most notoriety for her portrayal of Kira Yukimura in the MTV supernatural teen drama “Teen Wolf.”
Arden Cho’s Early Life
Arden Cho’s Early Roles
In 2004, Cho began her modeling career and was crowned “Miss Korea Chicago.” It ultimately gave her another opportunity to take part in the Miss Korea pageant in Seoul.
She appeared in guest spots on “Mad TV” and “CSI: NY.” She was enlisted to portray Sarah in the online series “KTown Cowboys” in 2010.
However, In her acting career journey, Arden Cho already made an uncredited appearance in the film “The Break-Up” in 2006. And then she also appeared in other short movies, such as “Spy Games,” “Forgotten,” and “Layover, on the Shore.”
#5: Amy Anderson
Amy Anderson is an American comedienne, writer, and actress. She has been singing, playing the piano, and the guitar for many years as a classically-trained musician. She was compared to “a slim Margaret Cho” and “a heterosexual, Asian Ellen.”
Amy Anderson’s Early Life
Amy Anderson’s Early Roles
She participated in the “Fresh Ink Series,” a venue for aspiring artists to display their work. Amy established the monthly “ChopSchtick Comedy” event at the Hollywood Laugh Factory and Hollywood Improv venues, and it was a smashing hit.
Amy was confident in her artistic abilities. Since then, the comedian has continued to rise in the comedy world while also acting in a few well-known American dramas and sitcoms, such, to name a few, “The Newsroom,” “Modern Family,” and “Raising Hope.”
#4: James Kyson Lee
A Korean-American actor named James Kyson is most known for playing Ando Masahashi on the NBC television program “Heroes.” He has also made cameos on shows like Hawaii Five-0, NCIS: Los Angeles, Sleepy Hollow, Elementary, and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.
James Kyson Lee’s Early Life
James Kyson Lee’s Early Roles
James Kyson Lee’s most notable performance was as “Ando” in the Heroes cast, for which he was recognized in Time Magazine’s Person of the Year 2006 edition in the category of “People Who Mattered.”
Furthermore, he participated in improv with L.A., founded the Asian-American improv group “Room To Improv,” and he has studied comedy at The Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade, and I.O. Los Angeles’s west side.
James, one of today’s most exciting and versatile actors, was recently featured in the Netflix film Yes Day and Lovecraft County HBO series. James was selected by Buzzfeed as a Top 10 Asian-American Leading Man and by T.V. Guide as “Hollywood’s 25 Hottest.”
#3: Steven Yeun
Steven Yeun, also known as Yeun Sang-Yeop, is a Korean-American actor. He is well-known for portraying the roles of Glenn Rhee and Sebastian on the TV series comedy “The Big Bang Theory” and horror drama “The Walking Dead.”
Steven Yeun’s Early Life
After meeting an American doctor with the same name, his parents decided to change his name to “Steven.” Before relocating to the United States, his family initially traveled to Canada, where they resided for a year.
In 2005, he studied Bachelor of Science in Psychology, concentration in neuroscience from Kalamazoo. He was initially supposed to go to medical school; however, Yeun soon realized he loved acting, so he switched to the theater.
Steven Yeun’s Early Roles
In addition to “The Big Bang Theory” and “The Walking Dead,” Yeun has appeared in several movies and short films, including “My Name Is Jerry,” “Blowout Sale,” “Mayhem,” and “Okja,” to name just a few.
#2: Will Yun Lee
Will Yun Lee, also known as William Yun Lee, is a Korean-American actor and martial artist. He is best known for his roles as Danny Woo in the supernatural drama series Witchblade and Jae Kim in the science fiction drama series Bionic Woman.
Will Yun Lee’s Early Life
At the age of three, Lee started training, and during his early years, he worked as a teacher at Lee’s Tae Kwon Do, their family company in Napa, California.
Will Yun Lee’s Early Roles
He was selected as one of People’s “50 Most Beautiful People” in 2002, which led to him landing prominent parts in “Die Another Day,” “Torque,” and “Elektra.”
He was once more honored by People in November 2007, this time as one of the 15 “Sexiest Men Alive” on their list. His most recent appearance was in the blockbuster CBS television series “Hawaii Five O” pilot as Sang Min.
#1: Ken Jeong
The Korean-American actor Ken Jeong is most recognized for his humorous portrayal of Leslie Chow in the “The Hangover” movie series. In addition, he gained considerable notoriety for his portrayal of Ben Chang in the hit comedy “Community.”
Ken Jeong’s Early Life
Kendrick Kang-Joh Jeong, professionally known as Ken Jeong, was born on July 13, 1969, in Detroit, Michigan, USA. However, his family was originally from South Korea, but he was born in Detroit and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina.
His father was employed as a university professor in North Carolina. And Ken grew up in a home with two elder twin sisters.
While he was in school, he excelled in his studies and received several honors, which were his family’s top priority in their household. In later interviews, he claimed that although his father was a serious person, he had a fantastic sense of humor, which he inherited.
In addition to participating in several extracurricular activities, Ken attended Walter Hines Page High School in North Carolina.
Ken was a significant member of the student government besides playing the violin in the school orchestra and participating in quizzes.
Ken completed high school at the age of 16 and had excellent grades. He also received the title of Greensborough Youth of the Month.
In 1990, Ken completed his undergraduate degree at Duke University with the goal of becoming a doctor. His M.D. was completed when he continued his studies at Chapel Hill School of Medicine in North Carolina.
Ken Jeong’s Early Roles
In the “Big Easy Laff-off” in 1995, Ken took part, and the judges encouraged him to move to Los Angeles since they thought his skills were excellent. Ken became a regular at the Laugh Factory and the Improv following this victory, feeling confident.
He began working at Kaiser Permanente after moving to Los Angeles to pursue a professional comedy career. He made his acting debut in 1997 as a doctor in the television show “The Big Easy.”
He began taking acting seriously after receiving his first significant cinematic break in 2007 with the release of “Knocked Up.” His breakthrough to national recognition came with the release of 2009’s “The Hangover,” and he hasn’t looked back since.
He has performed as an actor in movies including “Pineapple Express” and “Zookeeper.” His television roles have also aided his increasing prominence throughout the years.