In the United States, the white male patriarchy has long decided how to define masculinity — words like unemotional, strong, and dominant come to mind. This idea of masculinity can be harmful because it tells men that they can only act in certain ways. When you add racism and xenophobia (both now and in the past) to this, it creates a confusing picture of what makes an Asian American man. They are often portrayed in one of three ways in the media and our broader society: as weak and not manly, as tough criminals, or as wise, old kung fu masters. This mix of representations makes it hard for Asian American men to fit into what society thinks a man should be.
There is much discussion around the narrow representations of Asian men. Exploring the complexities of Asian male identity through a creative lens, the short film “Seoul Switch” adds to this conversation by offering a much-needed fun and fantasy-imbued perspective. Written and directed by Liann Kaye and starring former K-pop idol Kevin Woo, the film delves into contrasting portrayals of Asian masculinity in American and Korean contexts.
“Seoul Switch” tells the story of two characters — Korean American DJ from Ohio and K-pop idol Moon — who switch places. In the same vein as the American film “The Parent Trap,” this premise allows the film to examine different facets of Asian male identity similar to the way “The Parent Trap” examined different kinds of femininity. From the stereotypical insecure Asian American to the idealized K-pop star, “Seoul Switch” does a great job in a short amount of time to convey how masculinity changes depending on context.
Exploring Asian Masculinity: Humor and Identity in “Seoul Switch”
Coming off a stint on Broadway as a cast member in the history-making musical “KPOP,” Woo really shines in this film. He plays both DJ and Moon to great effect and is believable as both the insecure and…
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