Actor Daniel Dae Kim says he believes there’s an overcorrection in focusing on nationality-specific casting for Asian roles. In a recent interview, Kim explained that while it’s essential to have authenticity in certain roles, the emphasis on specific nationalities can limit opportunities for actors from different backgrounds.
Kim pointed out that often, roles are not written with specificity in mind, yet casting is still done with nationality requirements in place. He emphasized that when the role focuses on the broader Asian-American experience, there shouldn’t be ethnic-based limitations in casting.
Instead, Kim advocates for more sophisticated casting practices that consider the common experiences of all Asian Americans, regardless of their national identity. He used his own production, Butterfly, as an example, where he cast a Japanese American actress to play a Korean American character’s daughter, highlighting that nationality isn’t always relevant when it comes to the character’s emotional journey.
Kim also noted that this approach is not unique to Asian actors; non-American actors can take on roles without being asked about their country of ancestry. He cited examples like British actors playing American comic book characters, suggesting that nationality-specific casting should be reevaluated in Hollywood.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/daniel-dae-kim-overcorrection-nationality-casting-asians-1236352081