Koreans are increasing their presence in Hollywood. You have people such as Aaron Yoo, who recently played a hilarious role in the movie '21' popping up more frequently in movies these days. While most of these roles are given to native english-speaking Koreans, you do have some from the motherland playing roles in Hollywood as well, such as Yunjin Kim from Lost. You also have kpop idols such as Rain (Bi) with roles in the movie Speed Racer, and se7en working in the United States trying to release an album here. With the increasing presence of Koreans in Hollywood, who will truly break out? Sooner or later there will be a Korean superstar in America, but will it be soon rather than later? Only time will tell, here are the profiles of the Koreans with various roles and making their contribution in Hollywood:
John Cho
35 years old, born in Seoul, South Korea. Moved to Los Angeles, California when he was six years old. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1996 with a BA in English. After graduation he taught English shortly at Pacific Hills High School in West Hollywood, California. He was voted one of the sexiest men alive in 2006 by "People Magazine". He popularized the term 'MILF' as the MILF Guy in 'American Pie'. He was one of the main stars, playing Chau on the now defunct sitcom 'Off Centre'. He also had roles in 'Bowfinger', 'Better Luck Tomorrow', and 'American Beauty'. His most famous role is his role as Harold in 'Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle'. You can see him later this year in a recurring role as Harold in 'Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay' and next year as 'Sulu' in 'Star Trek'.
Aaron Yoo
28 years old, born in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Graduated from Ivy League University of Pennsylvania in 2001. In 2007 had roles in 'Disturbia' and 'American Pastime', recently played a role in the movie '21'.
Grace Park
34 years old, born in Los Angeles, California. Graduated with a degree in psychology at the University of British Columbia. She was named in the "Maxim Online 2006 Hot 100 List". She had roles on 'Romeo Must Die' and 'Stargate SG-1'. Her most famous role is as Sharon Valerii in the hit tv show 'Battlestar Galactica'. She doesn't like being confused with another famous Grace Park (famous korean golfer). She currently resides with her husband / real estate developer Phil Kim in Vancouver.
Leonardo Nam
28 years old, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Moved to Sydney, Australia at the age of 6, and studied architecture at the University of New South Wales. At 19, he followed his dreams of being an actor and moved to New York City. He has played roles in 'The Perfect Score', 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift', 'American Pastime', and more recently 'Vantage Point'.
Sandra Oh
36 years old, born in Nepean, Ontario, Canada. She was offered a journalism scholarship at Carleton University, but against her parents wishes she rejected it and paid her own way to study drama at the National Theatre School of Canada. Somehow she was on the list of the "50 Most Beautiful People" by "People Magazine" in 2005. She has had various small roles in her career, her most famous role was as Dr. Christina Yang in 'Grey's Anatomy'. She has won a 2006 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series and a 2006 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for her role on 'Grey's Anatomy'.
Sung Kang
36 years old, born in Gainesville, Georgia. He has had roles in 'Pearl Harbor', 'Better Luck Tomorrow', 'War', and 'Live Free or Die Hard'. However, his most famous role came as he played the role of Han in 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift'. He's also a restaurateur, owning a restaurant named Saketini in Brentwood, California. He will reprise his role as Han in the upcoming 'Fast and the Furious' prequel movie.
Tim Kang
35 years old, born in San Francisco, Califronia. Graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a B.A. in Political Science. Received an M.F.A. from the A.R.T. Institute at Harvard University. Also studied acting in Russia at the Moscow Art Theatre School. You've probably seen him in the past in Cingular & Home Depot commercials. His TV credentials includes roles on 'Third Watch', 'The Sopranos', 'Law & Order', 'The Office', and 'The Unit'. He recently played a role in the movie 'Rambo'.
Will Yun Lee
37 years old, born in Arlington, Virginia. His father was a Taekwondo grandmaster. Was offered an athletic scholarship and majored in Political Science and minored in Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley. Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World 2002 by "People Magazine". His various roles in the movies include 'Die Another Day', 'Torque', and 'Elektra'. His various TV roles include 'Witchblade', and 'Hustle'. His most famous roles on TV were in 'Bionic Woman' and as the main star in Mariah Carey's music video 'Boy'.
Yunjin Kim
34 years old, born in Seoul, South Korea. Moved to Staten Island in New York City when she was ten. Attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, studied drama at the London Academy of Performing Arts, and earned a degree in drama at Boston University. After graduation, she had small roles on MTV, and ABC but she moved back to Korea in 1997. She had some hits in Korea such as 'Shiri' and became a household name there. She came back to America in 2003, and her most famous role is on the TV series 'Lost'.
Daniel Dae Kim
39 years old, born in Pusan, South Korea. Moved to Easton, Pennsylvania at the age of two. Graduated with a major in political science at Haverford College. Obtained his theatre major at Bryn Mawr College. Named one of the "Sexiest Men Alive" by People Magazine in 2005. His various TV credits include 'NYPD Blue', 'Beverly Hills 90210', 'Seinfeld', 'Charmed', 'Angel', 'CSI', '24', and his most famous role as Jin in 'Lost'. He also had some movie roles in 'Cradle 2 the Grave', 'Hulk', and 'Spider-Man 2'.
Rick Yune
36 years old, born in Washington, D.C. Older brother of actor Karl Yune, graduated from Ivy League Business School Wharton in 1994. Qualified for the Olympic Trials in Tae Kwon Do at the age of 19. He was a hedgefund trader on wall street, and modeled for Versace & Ralph Lauren before turning to acting. He had some TV roles in 'Alias', 'Boston Legal', and 'CSI'. His most famous movie roles were in 'The Fast and the Furious', and 'Die Another Day'.
Karl Yune
32 years old, born in Washington D.C. Younger brother of Rick Yune. Studied in business, literature, philosophy at Columbia University. He changed his major to theater after one day trying out the role for Romeo in Romeo & Juliet and winning the part at Columbia University's School of Arts. His most famous roles were in 'Anaconda' and 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. He will also be in the upcoming movie 'Speed Racer'.
Jang Dong-gun
36 years old, born in Seoul, South Korea. He went to school at the Korean National University of Arts but dropped out before he obtained a degree. He was famous for his various TV roles in Korea. And his most famous role was in 'Taegukgi: Brotherhood of War'. He's not trying to have a full fledged career in Hollywood but he will have his first role as the main star in 'Laundry Warrior'.
Lee Byung-hun
37 years old, born in Seoul, South Korea. Majored in French Literature at Hanyang University, and majored in theater and cinematography at Graduate School of Joongang University. He has an IQ of 155. He made his TV debut in 'Asphalt My Hometown'. His movie roles include 'Joint Security Area' and 'Shiri'. His most famous role was in 'Everybody Has Secrets' which became a hit in Japan. His first venture into Hollywood will be as Storm Shadow in the upcoming movie GI Joe.
Rain (Bi)
25 years old, born in Seoul, South Korea. He's a Korean pop singer, dancer, model, and actor. In 2007, Rain topped Time Magazine's online "Most Influential" user poll, he's also topping the list thus far in 2008. He also made it into People's 2007 list of the "Most Beautiful People" in the world. He has already made it big in Korea and other Asian countries, and is now trying to do the same in America. He will play a role in the upcoming movie 'Speed Racer'.
Se7en
23 years old, born in Seoul, South Korea. Debuted under agency YG Entertainment in 2003 and has become a megastar in Korea and Asia. He is now trying to bring his act over to the United States. Se7en has been working with former CEO of LaFace Records, Mark Shimmel and Grammy-winner Rich Harrison on his first American album. Fabolous, Three 6 Mafia, and others will be featured on his US singles. He recently held a controversial party at the Hiro Ballroom in New York City. No word yet on when his American Album will be released.
Joon Park (Park Joon Hyung)
38 years old, born in Seoul, South Korea. He moved to California when he was young and attended California State University, Long Beach. He is most famous for being in the kpop group g.o.d. There was a scandal when it was revealed that he was lying about his age, saying that he was much younger than he really was. In the past year, he has moved back to California to pursue a career in acting. He will play a role on 'Speed Racer' and also as 'Yamcha' in 'Dragonball'.
Bobby Lee
35 years old, born in San Diego, California. A comedian who is best known for his roles on MADtv. While attending community college, he was spotted by La Jolla's Comedy Store legendary manager Frank Burns and was offered a gig there. His breakout came in 2001 when he was offered to join the cast of MADtv. He had a brief appearance in 'Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle'.
Jamie Chung
25 years old, born in San Francisco, California. Worked as a waitress in Riverside, California before being asked to try out for MTV's "The Real World". She was selected to be on "The Real World: San Diego". She has also played roles on 'Days of Our Lives', and 'CSI'. She will be playing Chi-Chi in the upcoming movie 'DragonBall'.
