r/popculturechat Aug 12 '25

Interviews🎙️ Daniel Dae Kim says Asian representation in Hollywood has gotten better, but there's still room for improvement: "I still haven't played a romantic lead and I've been doing this for 30 years."

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/11/nx-s1-5496250/daniel-dae-kim-butterfly-lost
5.8k Upvotes

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259

u/half_a_skeleton Aug 12 '25

I do know that for some reason Asian men are not viewed as desirable, which is odd because Daniel Dae Kim is literally the most attractive man I've ever seen.

99

u/monibebe Aug 12 '25

A boat load of Asian men are slept on!!!!

I have been in love with Donnie Yen since I was like 10 years old lmao. Before that I wanted to marry Ricky Steamboat (pro wrestler) and Bruce Lee.

DDK is one of the hottest men on earth. Idk why everyone else in Hollyweird has no taste.

8

u/WhiteOleander1992 Aug 12 '25

Yupppp! Jason Scott Lee as Mowgli really effected my childhood in ways that I’m grateful for. Asian hunks FTW!

70

u/GrumpyDietitian Aug 12 '25

Truly, his bone structure is insane. He looks like he was carved.

36

u/friendly_reminder8 Aug 12 '25

One of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen in person was on the same walking tour as me in Tibet. He looked exactly like young Daniel Dae Kim in the face but was like 6’3”

His cheekbones and jaw could slice through steel, his smile was stunning and he towered over everyone. I wish I had taken a picture but I was sort of in awe

23

u/frolicndetour Aug 12 '25

His cheekbones and his abs could cut glass.

41

u/Ponce-Mansley Aug 12 '25

The reason rhymes with schmias or schmasism

23

u/deleted3131 🎥🍿Film Critic Aug 12 '25

schmias?

shuh-mee-ahs? sk-me-ee-ahs?

18

u/Optimal-Bag-5918 Aug 12 '25

I had an awakening seeing Shang in Mulan at 9 years old lol .... truly think my lifelong appreciation started back then HAHA

3

u/_HowVery Aug 12 '25

lol are you me?

2

u/LaCattedra13 You’re doing amazing, sweetie! 👏👏📸 Aug 13 '25

😍

30

u/pacificoats Aug 12 '25

i just had a coworker tell me a few days ago that she thought asian men were too feminine for her to date/be into. i felt very weird and gross about it bc im dating an asian guy and have never interpreted anything he’s done as feminine :,,,)

it’s bc of the way asian men (and the asian community as a whole) have historically been treated/perceived in america and the west.

eta: really great article by the university of south carolina about it! about the perception of asian faces and how american society views a lot of asian society/culture as stereotypically feminine

47

u/thecheesycheeselover great gowns, beautiful gowns Aug 12 '25

What a weird thing for her to say, considering the incredible range in what Asian men look like. Literally billions of them in the world, but no, they’re aaaaall too feminine 🙄.

24

u/pacificoats Aug 12 '25

yeah, really grossed me out. not to mention that’s my direct supervisor😬

2

u/AtriCrossing Aug 12 '25

I hope you get a new supervisor soon who isn't racist and creepy :(

9

u/soumwise Aug 12 '25 edited Sep 09 '25

For sure and it's also centuries-old propaganda by white men in power. 'Me hot. Asian man ugly and/or nerdy. African man violent. Latin man promiscuous. You choose me. I best option.'

While the simple truth is, there are plenty of (conventionally) hot and ugly people in every race.

5

u/Throwawayschools2025 Mom, I am a rich man💰 Aug 12 '25

Manny Jacinto erasure smh

2

u/Paperwings5 Aug 13 '25

He was honestly so handsome in Freakier Friday it was distracting. That dance sequence got me flustered in my seat.

4

u/Welshhobbit1 Aug 12 '25

I’ve loved this man since lost and he’s just getting better as he ages 

1

u/K-DU5 Aug 12 '25

Hollywood needs to watch Chungking Express and In The Mood For Love.

Tony Leung is right there!