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How more Korean actors are breaking into Hollywood thanks to shows like Squid Game
Shows like Squid Game and KPop Demon Hunters are helping South Korean actors overcome barriers and find new opportunities in the US
Reading Time:4 minutes
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When actress Amy Baik was cast in a South Korean advertisement last year, she thought she had landed a promising gig.
But after filming wrapped, she was shocked to learn that both the director and advertiser had cut her scenes – not because of her performance, but because she lacked a facial feature prized in South Korean beauty standards.
“The reason was that I don’t have double eyelids,” says Baik, 26.
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“After receiving that feedback, I started to reconsider what kind of appearance Korea wants,” she adds, explaining that it “made me wonder how I can survive as an actor in South Korea”.
That experience pushed her towards a different market. The global success of Parasite, Minari and Squid Game has opened doors for South Korean performers in Hollywood – and spawned a cottage industry of consultants helping actors navigate American casting.
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“Hollywood’s the dream … the ultimate pinnacle of acting accolades,” says Julia Kim, a Korean-American casting director who worked on Minari, Amazon Prime’s Butterfly and KPop Demon Hunters.
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