Being John Cho
July 20, 2016 2:25 PM Subscribe
John Cho, star of the new Star Trek movies, Harold & Kumar, and Selfie, as well as the recent internet meme #starringjohncho, gives an honest, insightful interview about his experience as a Korean-American actor in Hollywood. Plus, an answer to the question: should Mr. Sulu have a human husband?
I like that he has views about whether playing Condorman would be good for his career. This is a really fun interview.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 2:51 PM on July 20, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 2:51 PM on July 20, 2016 [3 favorites]
I was so excited for Nicole Chung to get to interview him for the NY Times after If John Cho Was Your Boyfriend!
posted by ChuraChura at 3:18 PM on July 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by ChuraChura at 3:18 PM on July 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
I heart John Cho. And I appreciate that he manages to be supportive of the movie while acknowledging the legitimate concerns that people have and not being a dismissive asshole about it. It's something that a lot of actors struggle with, heh.
Bummed that they cut out a kiss. I read another article saying that there was no kiss in order to make everything as prosaic as possible, but surely a quick peck on the cheek wouldn't be mutually exclusive with that goal. I have a hard time believing that TPTB weren't influenced by the desire to keep Sulu's gayness as "non-threatening" as possible. But that's me being a cynic.
Did I mention that I heart John Cho?
posted by imnotasquirrel at 3:42 PM on July 20, 2016 [5 favorites]
Bummed that they cut out a kiss. I read another article saying that there was no kiss in order to make everything as prosaic as possible, but surely a quick peck on the cheek wouldn't be mutually exclusive with that goal. I have a hard time believing that TPTB weren't influenced by the desire to keep Sulu's gayness as "non-threatening" as possible. But that's me being a cynic.
Did I mention that I heart John Cho?
posted by imnotasquirrel at 3:42 PM on July 20, 2016 [5 favorites]
I will love John Cho, aka my Choverlord, until 5 minutes after I'm dead, and this interview only strengthens my resolve to do so!
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 5:23 PM on July 20, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 5:23 PM on July 20, 2016 [3 favorites]
I know the rest of the interview is super deep and good, but I also loved how he can just get weed handed to him on the street at random any time he asks.
(because OF COURSE HE CAN).
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:32 PM on July 20, 2016 [7 favorites]
(because OF COURSE HE CAN).
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:32 PM on July 20, 2016 [7 favorites]
Great, entertaining, smart interview. This quote is a wonderful combination of funny, insightful, self-deprecating and clever. I didn't know I love John Cho until now, but now I do:
It’s funny because I hear a lot of stories about Asian guys who have been mistaken for me. People come up to me like, “I used to get mistaken for you all the time.” And it’s funny to see the phenotypical variety in these men. Manny Pacquiao types sometimes. It’s funny, on the one hand, that so many people have been mistaken for me, but then, how come the inverse doesn’t work? If there are so many John Chos out there, couldn’t I just be the non–John Cho? But it doesn’t work that way, apparently. I guess I look more like John Cho than those other guys. That’s my edge.
posted by dubitable at 5:48 PM on July 20, 2016 [7 favorites]
It’s funny because I hear a lot of stories about Asian guys who have been mistaken for me. People come up to me like, “I used to get mistaken for you all the time.” And it’s funny to see the phenotypical variety in these men. Manny Pacquiao types sometimes. It’s funny, on the one hand, that so many people have been mistaken for me, but then, how come the inverse doesn’t work? If there are so many John Chos out there, couldn’t I just be the non–John Cho? But it doesn’t work that way, apparently. I guess I look more like John Cho than those other guys. That’s my edge.
posted by dubitable at 5:48 PM on July 20, 2016 [7 favorites]
If Klingon have multiple anatomicals, perhaps a multi-penised warrior may be a pretty satisfactory mate.
posted by Monkey0nCrack at 6:04 PM on July 20, 2016
posted by Monkey0nCrack at 6:04 PM on July 20, 2016
John Cho on meeting Morrissey and being occasionally mistaken for another famous actor (youtube)
posted by lomes at 6:31 PM on July 20, 2016
posted by lomes at 6:31 PM on July 20, 2016
I enjoyed this interview a bunch, and appreciate that there's a bit more space to breathe when it comes to new-Trek Sulu being gay. Much of what I'd read about this and the cast's interaction with George Takei seemed to consist of single-line quotes and Twitter posts, most of which sounded like everyone was ignoring Takei's input.
The cynic in me wonders how much, if any, of the Cho's explication is revisionist. I'd like to think none of it is, but have to remember that capital-B Business affects everyone. Even Asian actors playing gay helmsmen in space.
And then I think about how much credit I give him because, well, he's one of us. Or I'm one of his kind: a Korean dude who grew up in the US. Do I feel that what he says and believes in is more valid because of this? Do I really want to discuss race and can I extrapolate who I want to be and how I want to live to be inclusive of everyone, and not just my particular niche minority group? Or will I fall into the trap of arguing about who's suffered more, or who deserves more, or why "who deserves more" is or isn't a dangerous line of conversation?
It's all very strange to me, because I feel like I'm about as privileged as one could be. Yeah, I'm Korean, but I was born in the US. Sure, my folks came to the country from Korea with very little money and we lived on the ass end of Queens. But my pop managed to finish his training and found work as a physician. Our neighbors were as varied and welcoming as any group of people could be. Yeah, I experienced racism and continue to do so, but, shit: I'm an American, and basically a lot of the abuse I endured is similar the abuse anyone of any background might endure because sometimes, some people are just assholes to everyone.
Still, I'm Korean-American. That part where Cho writes about burden? Totally rings true. The infantilization that occurs when I can't reply in Korean to relatives or other Koreans? Yeah. Happens. And if I feel so comfortable with the idea that I lead a privileged life as a US-born fellow who speaks American English, why did I go bananas and hoot and holler when I saw a Korean guy in a Listerine commercial on the TV, oh, around fifteen or so years ago? "YES! DOOD. WE MADE IT! HE'S FUCKING SWISHING MOUTHWASH LIKE A WHITE GUY!"
It must be because Korean Listerine-Swishing Man tells us that it's ok to be Korean. And on TV. Shilling products like any other person. He's one of us. Or I'm one of his kind: not merely Korean, but someone any Korean can be. And so, too, it is with John Cho: he's not just someone any Korean could be: he's someone anyone might want to be.
It can be so refreshing to be reminded about the fact that we live in a time where people can talk about minority issues so frankly. As a society, we've come so far over the past handful of decades, and I'd like to think that discussion about and changes in social mores will accelerate as this wonderful platform that is the internet continues to grow. At the same time, it's terrifying to read and hear about how much bigotry persists and saddening to know that the very same tools of social media provide equal voice to the hateful and the terrible. He could be one of us? Or I could be one of their kind? Internet, dog, etc.? Is it any sort of victory to share such equality?
A while ago, my middle brother was getting married in New York. Sorta fancy building in a sorta fancy part of the city. My father decided he would drive there from Virginia. And try to find parking. Yeah, he ran late. I waited outside for him. Not much time passed before I realized people were taking pictures of me. Then people were taking pictures of their friends standing next to me. My pop's late. My brother's getting married. Where the fuck is he? What the hell is going on? WHY ARE THERE SO MANY PEOPLE TAKING PICTURES OF ME?
Then I got it, and intoned: "I am NOT the guy in 'Heroes.'"
And then the people dispersed. My father showed up. The wedding went as planned. I was telling my brother about it, and talked about how people just assumed I was the guy on the show because I'm Asian. Nevermind that I'm taller. And that the actor, Masi Oka, is Japanese. Fucking racists stereotypi-- "huh? What?" I asked my brother.
And he said: "Maybe they thought you looked good."
No, man. They're racists. No one thinks we look good.
"That's kinda ra--"
And they kept on taking photos.
"Maybe they thought were were important, or saw that some people were taking photos, and so assumed you were a celebrity?"
No, man. I told them I wasn't the Yatta! guy. They all dispersed.
"Maybe they left not because they're racist, but because you're an asshole."
I still think he's wrong, and I'm still convinced that people mistook me for Hiro of "Heroes." But then I try to believe that people in general are good and mean well and that I may have achieved something that could be considered to have some merit: that I wasn't seen as someone based on my physical appearance. That they didn't know or care that I'm a Korean guy who grew up in the States. That I had finally found myself on equal footing with members of a group where race didn't matter.
That I was one of them. You know. An asshole.
posted by herrdoktor at 9:47 PM on July 20, 2016 [24 favorites]
The cynic in me wonders how much, if any, of the Cho's explication is revisionist. I'd like to think none of it is, but have to remember that capital-B Business affects everyone. Even Asian actors playing gay helmsmen in space.
And then I think about how much credit I give him because, well, he's one of us. Or I'm one of his kind: a Korean dude who grew up in the US. Do I feel that what he says and believes in is more valid because of this? Do I really want to discuss race and can I extrapolate who I want to be and how I want to live to be inclusive of everyone, and not just my particular niche minority group? Or will I fall into the trap of arguing about who's suffered more, or who deserves more, or why "who deserves more" is or isn't a dangerous line of conversation?
It's all very strange to me, because I feel like I'm about as privileged as one could be. Yeah, I'm Korean, but I was born in the US. Sure, my folks came to the country from Korea with very little money and we lived on the ass end of Queens. But my pop managed to finish his training and found work as a physician. Our neighbors were as varied and welcoming as any group of people could be. Yeah, I experienced racism and continue to do so, but, shit: I'm an American, and basically a lot of the abuse I endured is similar the abuse anyone of any background might endure because sometimes, some people are just assholes to everyone.
Still, I'm Korean-American. That part where Cho writes about burden? Totally rings true. The infantilization that occurs when I can't reply in Korean to relatives or other Koreans? Yeah. Happens. And if I feel so comfortable with the idea that I lead a privileged life as a US-born fellow who speaks American English, why did I go bananas and hoot and holler when I saw a Korean guy in a Listerine commercial on the TV, oh, around fifteen or so years ago? "YES! DOOD. WE MADE IT! HE'S FUCKING SWISHING MOUTHWASH LIKE A WHITE GUY!"
It must be because Korean Listerine-Swishing Man tells us that it's ok to be Korean. And on TV. Shilling products like any other person. He's one of us. Or I'm one of his kind: not merely Korean, but someone any Korean can be. And so, too, it is with John Cho: he's not just someone any Korean could be: he's someone anyone might want to be.
It can be so refreshing to be reminded about the fact that we live in a time where people can talk about minority issues so frankly. As a society, we've come so far over the past handful of decades, and I'd like to think that discussion about and changes in social mores will accelerate as this wonderful platform that is the internet continues to grow. At the same time, it's terrifying to read and hear about how much bigotry persists and saddening to know that the very same tools of social media provide equal voice to the hateful and the terrible. He could be one of us? Or I could be one of their kind? Internet, dog, etc.? Is it any sort of victory to share such equality?
A while ago, my middle brother was getting married in New York. Sorta fancy building in a sorta fancy part of the city. My father decided he would drive there from Virginia. And try to find parking. Yeah, he ran late. I waited outside for him. Not much time passed before I realized people were taking pictures of me. Then people were taking pictures of their friends standing next to me. My pop's late. My brother's getting married. Where the fuck is he? What the hell is going on? WHY ARE THERE SO MANY PEOPLE TAKING PICTURES OF ME?
Then I got it, and intoned: "I am NOT the guy in 'Heroes.'"
And then the people dispersed. My father showed up. The wedding went as planned. I was telling my brother about it, and talked about how people just assumed I was the guy on the show because I'm Asian. Nevermind that I'm taller. And that the actor, Masi Oka, is Japanese. Fucking racists stereotypi-- "huh? What?" I asked my brother.
And he said: "Maybe they thought you looked good."
No, man. They're racists. No one thinks we look good.
"That's kinda ra--"
And they kept on taking photos.
"Maybe they thought were were important, or saw that some people were taking photos, and so assumed you were a celebrity?"
No, man. I told them I wasn't the Yatta! guy. They all dispersed.
"Maybe they left not because they're racist, but because you're an asshole."
I still think he's wrong, and I'm still convinced that people mistook me for Hiro of "Heroes." But then I try to believe that people in general are good and mean well and that I may have achieved something that could be considered to have some merit: that I wasn't seen as someone based on my physical appearance. That they didn't know or care that I'm a Korean guy who grew up in the States. That I had finally found myself on equal footing with members of a group where race didn't matter.
That I was one of them. You know. An asshole.
posted by herrdoktor at 9:47 PM on July 20, 2016 [24 favorites]
should Mr. Sulu have a human husband?
Nope. This is history's moment to embrace the pan-sexual roto-plooker. Don't pass up this opportunity.
posted by mikelieman at 11:29 PM on July 20, 2016
Nope. This is history's moment to embrace the pan-sexual roto-plooker. Don't pass up this opportunity.
posted by mikelieman at 11:29 PM on July 20, 2016
Is the ST universe ready for drones?
posted by mikelieman at 11:29 PM on July 20, 2016
posted by mikelieman at 11:29 PM on July 20, 2016
Every time I hear from John Cho I love him a little more. He's a national treasure, and it's a crime he isn't given more high profile rolls. John Cho as 007? Yes please!
A friend of mine talks about similar issues of race and how it affects him as an Asian American. He's not a big John Cho fan. For Reasons, not the least of which is that John Cho kind of is the One Asian Guy that gets cast everything. Which I get his frustration. But it was nice to be able to point to this interview and say "see, he says the same things you've been saying!"
Also, the power to conjure pot on demand is hilarious and so beautiful. I don't partake, and yet I still find Harold and Kumar one of the bestest movies. Apparently so do others.
And Selfie was great. I'm still said it was canceled. Tv needs a John Cho vehicle.
#morejohncho #bringbackselfie
posted by [insert clever name here] at 12:26 AM on July 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
A friend of mine talks about similar issues of race and how it affects him as an Asian American. He's not a big John Cho fan. For Reasons, not the least of which is that John Cho kind of is the One Asian Guy that gets cast everything. Which I get his frustration. But it was nice to be able to point to this interview and say "see, he says the same things you've been saying!"
Also, the power to conjure pot on demand is hilarious and so beautiful. I don't partake, and yet I still find Harold and Kumar one of the bestest movies. Apparently so do others.
And Selfie was great. I'm still said it was canceled. Tv needs a John Cho vehicle.
#morejohncho #bringbackselfie
posted by [insert clever name here] at 12:26 AM on July 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
This is a slight tangent about Asian-American identity and masculinity, since it was brought up here. Some further reading/listening, for y'all...
This interview with rap music queen(!) Sophia Chang was so good. For starters, she had basically managed the RZA, the GZA, the Ol' Dirty Bastard (shout-out if you read that w/ that cadence, btw) throughout their careers...
Anyway, she's on NPR's Mic Check w/ Ali Shaheed, talking about being a woman in hip-hop, but then drops in with some serious heat (emphasis mine):
Anyway. (flex emoji)
posted by raihan_ at 1:05 AM on July 21, 2016 [7 favorites]
This interview with rap music queen(!) Sophia Chang was so good. For starters, she had basically managed the RZA, the GZA, the Ol' Dirty Bastard (shout-out if you read that w/ that cadence, btw) throughout their careers...
Anyway, she's on NPR's Mic Check w/ Ali Shaheed, talking about being a woman in hip-hop, but then drops in with some serious heat (emphasis mine):
You know, f*** a model minority. F*** your model minority, whatever you think I'm going to be, your f****** geisha-to-go. You think I'm just going to be your submissive little girl that goes and runs your errands for you and I keep my mouth shut when daddy is talking at the table or at a party. F*** you, man. I'm not the one for you. You go find somebody else then.There's also this AWESOME interview w/ Fresh Off The Boat's Constance Wu, for even more interesting stuff.
[...]
[There's] a vision of Asian masculinity that I don't see here, and to this f****** day I don't see it. The way that my brothers are emasculated. If you look at Asians and you look at the women, you look at my sisters and how we are absolutely fetishized, in terms of sexuality, OK? And then you look at my brothers, and how they're emasculated, and how Asian men aren't sexy, none of that stuff, it's infuriating. I don't want either of those s****. I don't want that.
Anyway. (flex emoji)
posted by raihan_ at 1:05 AM on July 21, 2016 [7 favorites]
Dear John, I #FeministJohnCho at Reappropriate.
posted by bettafish at 1:48 PM on July 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by bettafish at 1:48 PM on July 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
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