A few months back the Asian American reality show produced by Tyrese lit the Internet on fire. The cast for the Ktown Reality Show has finally been revealed. This picture was posted on twitter and shows the 8 cast members. 4 guys and 4 girls that will be on the show. With our research, we found that people competing include Young Lee, Jennifer Field, Joe Cha, Scarlet Chan, Violet Kim, Peter Le, Steve Kim, and Jasmine Chang. The pilot episode was shot over the weekend at BCD, Bohemians, and BoBo’s in Koreatown. From what we hear, there was drinking and drama on the set. Here’s a few more pictures from the pilot episode:
update: Asian Jersey Shore Cast Reel now available
update: K-town Reality show recasted
update: K-Town Reality Show : episode 1
K-Town Reality Show : Episode 2
K-Town Reality Show : Episode 3
K-Town Reality Show : Episode 4
K-Town Reality Show : Episode 5
K-Town Reality Show : Episode 6
K-Town Reality Show : Episode 7
K-Town Reality Show : Episode 8
K-Town Reality Show : Episode 9
K-Town Reality Show : Episode 10
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Peter Le interview during casting call
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Hah, the second girl to the left is the palest. 😀
I used to live in Korea (Pusan and Seoul) and I’ve seen this show. I had some Korean friends visit and they saw the show. Aside from saying Monchong, meechin myeong and “dumb show” they felt that it just showed all Koreans in a very bad light. How sad that Korean Americans are watching this show and think it has good feelings for all Koreans. You all are just sad and whor.s for the camera. How sad.
I lived there, I speak Korean and I’m not korean but I can see how this is insulting to Koreans. As they said you all are Americans and definitely not Korean so stop faking…….
@Huh: There is validity in your point. However, do you really think this show will portray Asians in a positive light? Do you think Italians and Italian Americans are proud of the way their culture is portrayed on Jersey Shore? I would take quiet, polite, studious and intelligent over drunkard, douchebag, hoebag, loud, obnoxious, and attention whore any day of the week.
Anyone think it’s interesting that Tyrese, a half-Chinese half-black man is producing it?
I don’t see how this is any more embarrassing or pointless than the regular “Jersey Shore”. which millions of people watched BTW. Jersey Shore didn’t make me ashamed to be American, so this shouldn’t make anyone ashamed of being Asian either. I really don’t think it has anything to do with race at all. They are YOUNG people acting like YOUNG people. just on camera. calm down.
I think I would have far less qualms with this show or the idea of this show if it didn’t try to market itself as some culture barrier breaking show. Just call a spade a spade. This isn’t about breaking down cultural stereotypes or showing off the multi-dimensional facets of Asian culture, it’s a show that follows the exploits and shenanigans of some colorful characters. Sell it for what it is. It’s giving people their 30 minutes or whatever of fame and to get some notoriety. Can’t get attention for nothing something good? Do something stupid. Paris Hilton. Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, blah blah blah. No such thing as bad publicity, only publicity.
So cut it out with the kumbaya sh*t and pretending that this is to create world peace and tolerance. It’s a car wreck with a global audience.
Anyone that say’s this is an insult to asian culture is stupid, you act like asian culture is perfect without flaws… no culture is perfect. I think this show will enlighten people that asians are people just like everyone else and hot sexy asians on TV isn’t a bad thing.
There are no asian representation on American Idol, pop music, etc. Even Will Smiths ugly child had to make a movie that had an asian theme.
This is part of asian culture, so quit trying to act like asian culture is perfect and can’t be touched, it is great and includes everything from high GMAT scores to sexy bodied boys and girls! I CAN’T WAIT TO WATCH THIS SHOW!!!!
@Sheree: You’re right, we would like to see more Asian-Americans represented, but even moreso, we want to see Asian-Americans as RESPECTED entertainers. People do not respect the cast of Jersey Shore; they’re just bunch of dumb kids to laugh at. We want to see an Asian George Clooney or Julia Roberts – people who we can look up to for their actual acting careers.
@Eric: Perhaps there will be more Yellow Fever. Who knows? I don’t think there needs to be a tv show for that haha. Making Asian men more accepted? I don’t think so…One of the guys is supposedly a gay pornstar. I don’t see “The Situation” or any of those guys on the Jersey Shore as “cool men”…just really dumb douchebags, but perhaps it’ll work…I guess we’ll have to see what their personalities are like.
@Huh: Our “Asian culture” is NOT about being smart and studying. Of course this comes from the strong belief in RESPECT (which this show obviously does not take into consideration). I don’t know how you feel, but I don’t see how respect can be looked down upon in any culture. I’m not saying that they should have a show with Korean nerds dressed in Hanboks (Korean traditional clothes) doing some folk dancing and singing trot. I’m saying that it should show some of our roots and even SOME of our culture. Remnants of “cultures” are shown in SO many huge TV shows – whether they be family values or whatnot. Need I remind you that many cultures are based on being quiet (think hundreds of years ago). Many countries have obviously broken out of these binds by using intellect, not throwing mindless ragers. Yes, there is MUCH more to us Asians than being “quiet, always studying pushovers”, but there is also MUCH more to us than this show.
I realize that this is all business, but this show although produced by Tyrese was also created by Asian-Americans. To see our people exploiting our own race for money and to have a kick out of it is honestly very disheartening. I would think that these Asian Americans would think about the consequences – however small they may be – this show would have on our reputations. I really hope this show does so poorly that it won’t have the chance to be an embarrassment
hey finally a show where we’re not liquor store owners, doctors, or geeky!
“There is more to us than that.”
I, for one, would be glad to see that we too are contributing our fair share to the decline of Western civilization.
All you haters need to stop being punks that you weren’t chosen and take your jealousy somewhere else! Of course it’s going to have twists and turns, f*cked up plots by the producers, take advantage of stereo types, and piss people off.. it’s a reality show. Unless you truly know any of the cast members, who are you to judge? Shut up and let them represent!
oh f*ck, did you see the pecs on that guy? f*cking ridic
wow this is going to make us look so bad. But this is going to be funny to watch. hahaha
I like the concept that Asians arent just nerds, but i dislike the characters. the girls look like cougars.
i rather watch the hills.
they should cast someone like dumbfoundead. i wouldn’t mind having him rep ktown for all of us to the rest of the world. he’s putting k-town on the map in the underground hiphop scene right now.
Tyrese Gibson is half Chinese? wtf? maybe you’re mistaken him for Tyson Beckford who is part Chinese, just like Ne-Yo haha.
Anyways, I don’t know why most of you who hate this idea of a “Asian-American” type of Jersey Shore are complaining. Just like Britney Spears and Lohan, you can change the channel if you don’t like it. Who cares if they’re disrespecting “Asian” culture. What is Asian culture to begin with? Confucianism or something? The cast doesn’t look like FOBs (Fresh off the Boat), so how does even affect “Asian” culture? it looks like a mixed of Korean, Chinese, and one Viet and mixed Asian on there. Frankly, Asian-Americans barely get any recognition on TV. It doesn’t really matter if people don’t respect Jersey Shore, it’s not like people are going to watch this for the “acting”. People don’t watch the REAL WORLD or all those VH1 reality shows for the good quality. It’s all about the DRAMA! It’s the Tila Tequila of Asian-Americans.
Most people don’t even recognize drama with Asians, besides hating each other and crying about their parents not supporting them dancing. So You Think You Can Dance, America’s Best Dance Crew, America’s Got Talent…always has to have an Asian-American telling the whole world that their parents don’t support them.
Also to the person who says this is insulting to Koreans. Last time I checked, Koreans are known for the “Dramas” and “plastic surgery” type of celebrities, so if we’re talking about attention whores…Koreans are on top of that list. It’s not a myth as to why Korean girls are known to have some of the worst mood swings and temper tantrums. I’m part Korean, so I would know. Also Koreans are known to love to have their “Netizens” go crazy on any kind of scandal, even broke down the Korean soccer coach to the point he quit because of them! haha…oh ya, let’s not forget Jay Park who put on his “MYSPACE” that “Korea is Gay. I hate Koreans”. Yet, now he’s like a huge superstar on Youtube because of KOREAN fans.
The point is, DRAMA SELLS and people love to watch it including Koreans, Chinese, Japanese, other Asians, or any race for that matter. I can’t wait to see this show! whose going to be the Asian girl who reveals she hates her own race and only dates WHITE GUYS!????
@Rick
No one said Asian culture is perfect.
@Evan
You are right. Jersey Shore is Jersey Shore, it doesn’t make Americans feel ashamed of being American. But for Asians, we are under a different light. As Asians are still trying to break into the entertainment industry and show that there are APA talents worth air time, it doesn’t help in any way for a bunch of nobodies wanting their 15 min of fame to get on television, drink, and have sex.
In a perfect world race shouldn’t matter and we should all be able to enjoy this show for what it is..entertainment. However, from the very foundation of this show it has negative connotations regarding the Asian culture.
First thing regarding people mentioning how either Asians are finally expressed in a different light. Asian women have been portrayed as sex objects, porn stars, and ditsy blonde counterparts since Asians were first portrayed in Western entertainment. Having another group of drunk sleazy Asians is not doing anything for the image.
I have to admit having Asian guys not being portrayed as the “geek” is somewhat refreshing, however, why not some variety? There are things between jock and geek, which to be honest is where most of us Asian Americans fall under.
When it comes down to it I have nothing against this show, it is entertaining and would not be offensive at all if it was aired in Asia along with a variety of television shows depicting Asians. However, it is completely ignorant to think that this show is not meant to be racially sensitive. The show casted ONLY Asians, isn’t that in itself suggesting that the show is attempting to depict a specific race under a specific light?
@KeepItReal
Tila Tequila is Asian-American. Therefore this can’t be the Tila Tequila of Asian-Americans. She already is Asian-American.
You make some fairly biased and ignorant comments regarding Korea. Being part Korean is not an excuse and does not give you authority on the subject. It’s like if I went to my black friend Jordan, who is 6th generation African American, and asked him “What do you think of people in Ghana?” And then quote him as an authority on Africa in my research paper.
If you have any idea how Korean society (not just Korean, any Asian society) works, how entertainment is viewed, and also how entertainment companies are RUN, it is fairly different from America.
“What is Asian culture to begin with? Confucianism or something?” That’s like asking, “What is American culture to begin with? Christianity or something?”
“It’s not a myth as to why Korean girls are known to have some of the worst mood swings and temper tantrums.” It sounds like you had some bad experience with Korean girls. Cite your sources. Craziness is not quantifiable.
I am going to go ahead and boldly state on behalf of (most) members on this board and say: please do your research.
@Ron
None of us are jealous that we didn’t make it on the show. I work in a fairly respectable corporation, make six figures, and I blow it while traveling around the world. I didn’t get to where I am today because I did what those kids are doing on television.
And I do know one of them personally.
It’s not jealousy. It’s outrage.
Jon.
Thanks for twisting my words. What I meant was, this is a show with a bunch of Tila Tequilas. Drama. Quite Simple, I already know Tila Tequila is Asian-American. She’s actually mixed, but that’s besidse the point.
I never said just because I’m Korean it gives me authority, however the same basis can be said of all the Asians posting on here. Why do people care so much and want to give their opinion as to why this show is going to suck and why it might disrespect “ASIAN” culture to begin with? it’s because we’re all “ASIANS” right?
If you want to use the “RESEARCH” comeback on me, I can say the same thing to you. Saying Korea is entirely different is a perfect example, because as you can see…people are lumping all “ASIANS” into one as if there’s one UNIFIED CULTURE when it comes to Asians, when there isn’t one. So I don’t see how this is DISRESPECTING Asian culture. You might as well just agree with Joseph Cao, who represents Louisiana, and used “ASIAN” culture when it really was specifically Japanese culture.
Nice way of being a hypocrite and trying to speak in behalf of this board, when clearly you are only ONE PERSON and that does not GIVE YOU the AUTHORITY to represent everyone.
“What is Asian culture to begin with? Confucianism or something?” That’s like asking, “What is American culture to begin with? Christianity or something?”
The United States of America would be a country, which Christianity is a huge influence on the COUNTRY.
ASIA is a continent which includes many different ethnic groups, religions, and COUNTRIES.
The fact that you’re just twisting my words, tells me you are not getting the point. Are you Korean? you seem offended. Are you one of those people who cried after watching Just Kidding Films and their video of “Korean History Channel”?
Anyways, this show does not DISRESPECT ASIAN culture because there’s no such thing as Asian culture or COUNTRY. There’s obviously people from East Asia, South East Asia, and South Asia that may look and believe in entirely different things.
I guarantee that anybody that is familiar with Korean pop culture will not deny that their celebrities are infamously known for having eyelid surgery, nosejob,etc. That Korean pop music is also highly influenced from American pop culture as well. Chinese media also has it’s differences, especially with the government having the right to ban movies and have more control over the internet (such as NO YOUTUBE). Then go to the Philippines, where MIXED Celebrities are more likely shown through the media. Oh yes, let’s not forget about skin color. We all know whether it’s from China to the Philippines, to even India…having light skin is quite popular.
I personally hate reality TV shows and I’ll probably hate this show too. However, if we want equal representation we need it covered on all bases, even if we don’t like some of them. We can afford to dirty up our image. If people think this is how all Asians must act like, frankly they shouldn’t be allowed to breed.
So some of those guys are better dressed than I am, more fit but they are also as douchy looking as asian guys can get. Pale asian girl on the left is hot though.
Why don’t think pick more varied looking Asian people? They all look like they just came out of a Fast and Furious movie.
WHY!!!! WHY!!!
yes, ktown is full of douchebags and slutty girls but not all Korean-Americans are like this! i’m sure everyone on this show believes they’ll get big just like the cast from Jersey Shore and since they live their lives this way ANYWAY why not make it big right?
but COME ON! not all of us are douchebags and retarded. you don’t have to set this kind of image for all of us. good job guys. i hope your family and future kids watch this show and cringe in embarrassment.
Why the f*ck are you guys even talking about Asians? This show is about Asian Americans in K-town. Make the distinction. We are separate from the people living in Asia. (Assuming they live in their own countries, and are not migrants in some other Asian country) They do not have to deal with being a minority.
Some of you see this show as good for showing the party animal portrayal of Asian Americans instead of the geek stereotype. That’s a valid point. Some of you see this show as bad because it shows us in a bad light, and will hinder us in our progress for better representation in media. That kind of makes sense, but if not this way then how? Are you just going to wait for the perfect role model to jump into the limelight? Strategically speaking, it’s better to be an idiot everyone sees than to be invisible. To be invisible is to be unrepresented, like how our predecessors were all forgotten from California gold miners to the Transcontinental railroad workers to the Louisiana sugar plantation coolies. F*ck. Just look at Bruce Lee opened the way for all the later martial arts actors. Too bad few have broken out of his mold, it’s tough but someone needs to….whatever.
So, at the least this show disrupts the one stereotype of Asian Americans as geeks. If the reality show cast manages to demonstrate more than the expected “Jersey Shore” personalities, then more power to us. If not, we just have to try next time.
I do not get why the f*ck Tyrese thinks he can make a show about Asians. And why the hell is this sh*t taking place in K-Town when some of the cast members aren’t even Korean!?!? Everyone knows LA Korean’s are EXTREMELY segregated, especially when the sun goes down in K-Town. I don’t how good looking one is, if they’re not Korean, they can’t even get into a club in K-Town unless they’re rollin’ with other Koreans. WTF.
I will chime in and say as a Korean-American this is awesome and its about F’IN time!
People often times forget that as studious as Koreans are, they also have a knack for partying and having fun just like everyone else in this goddamn world. Why put up a facade of having Korean or any Asian Americans on television as singular, one-dimensional individuals when that only tells half the story. Last time I checked, there was and still is a significant number of Koreans who do what these cast members do on the show.
To echo what some of the other posters have said earlier, it is REFRESHING and groundbreaking to see Asian-Americans, ESPECIALLY the MEN, in an unadulterated sexual manner where we aren’t type casted as the nerd, FOB or Martial Artist. This show could break a lot of barriers and create many new opportunities for all of you.
Don’t hate, just relate.
The problem asian-americans have in the media isn’t negative exposure, it’s a lack of exposure. the APA community has come a long way in terms of getting roles on TV, but the stereotypes still persist because of underrepresentation. I think this show will be a net positive. Almost a decade ago, the movie Better Luck Tomorrow was considered revolutionary for showing multi-dimensional asian-american characters on the big screen. Similarly, I hope this show will send a message to Hollywood that asian-americans are just normal human beings that a larger mainstream audience can relate to.
Economically, if the show is successful, it will weaken the excuse that “people don’t want to see Asians” commonly expressed by casting directors and producers. Props to Tyrese for taking such a risk.
nobody besides asian americans will probably watch this anyways so who cares about all this sh*t
and i don’t really care about how “its bringing everyone’s views of koreans up or down” just be a good person to everyone and people will respect you. stereotypes will never go away so just deal with it.
you can either rise above them, or keep preaching to people who already feel this way
so there.
uhhh are all these ppl even korean? Le is a viet last name and Chang’s chinese isn’t it? granted i suppose they all look korean.
So far I think Sheree says it the best.
At first I thought this was going to be a show about stereotypical Asians that do math homework, play Warcraft, and spend all their time not getting laid. I was pleasantly surprised.
I think it is great to have a show that depicts Asian Americans just like any other American would be depicted. This show plays on American stereotypes. It’s the stereotype that rest of the world thinks when they hear “American.” I am Asian and this is a good thing. A fresh new perspective in a media that reinforces the same stereotypes over and over.
Previously the only roles for Asians rested solely on Kung-fu and comic relief. You have the Jackie Chan’s and the Jet Li’s and Lloyd (gay secretary) and Hiro (FOB) from Entourage and Heroes respectively. (I am aware there are exceptions.)
This show is a step in the right direction no matter how over the top and “douchey” it might be. My white friends have never gotten angry when white people are portrayed as idiots so what grounds do asians have to be pissed? Instead, its displaying another side of Asian Americans and sends the message that stupidity is universal!
On a side note, one night I want to show up and punch one of the girls in the face just to keep the tradition alive. Nothing malicious. 🙂
Yul Kwon from Survivor is still the Asian American man that people should be judged against! Stanford undergrad, Yale JD, Google/McKinsey and Co, and a person making a difference in the Asian American community. He was able to show how people of Asian ethnic backgrounds are intelligent, resourceful, and athletic.
None of the people in this KTown cast seem like they are those type of individuals. In fact, just the premise of this TV show means it will lean towards drama and stupidity. I don’t see how these people will change the perception of Asians for the better. Did Jersey Shore help Italian Americans? No, it just perpetuated the Guido stereotype.
Side thought: I wonder which of the girls will be the Asian Snookie and get punched in the face by a drunk guy.
wow…that dude is HOT…that’s all i’m saying…wow…
Doesn’t Peter Le have a “fitness” website where you can see him nude? I’m just saying.
This will be interesting. Wish they had more regular looking asians and not the .000001% asians.
It’s okay. I’ll still watch it. Good Luck.
Um, have any of you even been to Ktown in LA, partied at Vel, etc etc? There are a lot of work hard-play hard Asian Americans there who are intelligent and can shoot down 20 shots of Crown. Anyone with half a brain will know that not every Korean American is like the cast and that reality in reality tv is a rather loose term. Its a good thing IMO…. if you don’t like it, switch to the Discovery Channel, don’t hate.
@Andrew,
Oh how far society has fallen when douchebaggery and whorism were considered mainstream “American” culture…
“Hey look at us, we can be just as retarded as those people there!”
Yeah, they’re not all Korean / Korean American, but the entire cast is obviously Asian American. Obviously, you folks haven’t Google’d the names very well, but there’s some NSFW links that come if you check the names.
One of the guys has a nude website.
One of the girls is an ex-stripper, with a blog with writing, and some pretty, ummm, revealing pictures.
I’ll let y’all figure who is who… but get ready for the s#!tstorm when this show hits the airwaves…
Haha… most of those surnames are Chinese. This isn’t about Koreans at all, other than that is it in Ktown. They should have filmed in San Gabriel instead.
I can’t wait to watch this show!!! Obviously, those who like reality tv will like this show, simply bc there will be plenty of drama and eye candy. Wooot!!
No one will watch it. Everyone is sick of Jersey Shore. Plus, no one wants to watch a bunch of ugly people getting drunk and saying stupid things.
Everyone is calling VK, the korean snooki… what a terrible nickname to have.
I think it’s positive for Asian Americans, simply because it shows us images of Asian Americans that the media doesn’t usually show. No one is going to base their whole idea of who Asian Americans are based on this show. If anything, this show will just throw something else in the pot and pose a contradiction to the typical meek, geeky model minority stereotypes. Plus, this will be one of the only media representations of Asian American men as proactive sexual beings rather than emasculated figures of comic relief like Long Duk Dong from “Sixteen Candles” or Ken Jeong’s character in “The Hangover.” This show seems like it will directly contradict the stereotypes many people have about Asians, and that’s a good thing. My only worry is that Asian Americans who want to distance themselves from the geek stereotype will start idolizing these drunkards and overdo it, like certain Asian American frats have.
I think most of you commenting are full of crap, especially @spr1592003 when you say that you have seen the show. How is the possible when it said the Pilot was just filmed, No One Has Seen This Show Yet! So why are so many people quoting how they know what this show will be like and the cast members are bad representatives for this kind of show. It sounds like all of you are misrepresenting the “Asian” race by jumping to conclusions before you have even seen a single clip of the show let alone an episode. As a Korean – American, I judge things for myself, not based on conjecture and assumptions made from looking at a couple of pictures posted. When the show airs and you can’t stand it then complain. In the meantime, why don’t you give the producers a chance to show their idea? From my little Google research, it looks like there are Three Korean producers and Tyrese is a part of the project.
I’m very disappointed is many of your comments posted here. Why not give these people a chance, that’s what America is all about.
The show won’t survive after 1 season. Unlike the Jersey Shore series who’s fan base is typically Italian Americans and Caucasians, there isn’t enough Asian fan base with a low enough mental capacity to watch this show. Other ethnicity groups will get only be offended by how Asians could demonstrate this outlandish behaivor when they clearly see realize it’s a make-believe show. In a way, I hope this show does some good to make Italian Americans/Caucasians realize they are smarter/brighter than tv actors. Hopefully, it will make them stop and think their own time is more valuable than wasting it by watching Jersey Shore or K-Town. Maybe they might do a series on a farm called Amish-Paradise. Last I heard, the Amish were using I-Phones.
VK looks like my SIL — trust me, given the choice VK would rather be called the Korean Snooki. and my SIL’s millionaire on paper bf better not see this VK b/c he’d probably dump my SIL and her kid for VK since she is comparatively baggage-free. on the plus side this would be a catfight to watch.
To Laura… You make the point about Tyrese’s race. What’s the issue. Why are you so focused on pointing that out? Where are you trying to go with this? Why should it be strange that he has identified a market, as he has many friends in the Korean community along with a long history of business ventures, both in entertainment and other industries. Anyway, just get to your point, since I’m now intrigued?
GRK… you are ridiculous… Julia Roberts… Clooney… Ha.ha.ha..!!! I can picture you now!!! Give me a break!!!! I’m Middle Eastern and all I have are people around me represented as terrorists all day and you think Koreans and Asians have it hard. You’re a bloody joke!!!!! Try walking in my shoes (thanks Depeche). We all have it hard. Its up to us to produce and start our own production to make a change. There are plenty of positive Asian actors these days (though there should be a hell of a lot more). But look at other groups such as mine that have barely any good representation and think before you put out that sob story around this show…. Jeez
@Bruce, Yeah, if they had Dumb on the show, maybe it would be somewhat tolerable, but I don’t think I’d want to see him star on this kind of trash either. He’s too good for this.
@B.S. Kim, I’m also confused as to why people are saying they’ve already watched it, but to still give them hope for a positive outlook on Korean Americans on this show is to be naive. You can infer from the released photos that it’s obviously going to involve make-believe “real” drama, lots of drinking, stupidity, etc. Even in the interviews and casting calls, they’re looking for people that are “fun”. You can’t tell me that you looked at those pictures and thought that there was going to be something intelligent going on through the episodes.
In a word, this is a fail. Even before it’s out.