[Opinion] Korean Sweethearts

The boom in having Asian lovers was during the 1990’s in American high society. Those were the days when eating Japanese cuisine such as “sushi” and Chinese noodles with chopsticks were symbols of an educated person. Director Quentin Tarantino, who made a comet-like appearance as a “promising, naughty kid” after releasing controversial films including “Reservoir Dogs” and “Pulp Fiction,” was dating Korean-American comedian Margaret Cho. This kind of boom was rising in college campuses as well, as Ivy League white students used to strive to be the first to cast amorous glances at Asian girls.

The most symbolic example was when director and actor Woody Allen, admired by New Yorkers, set up house with the 35-years-younger Soon-yi Previn, the adopted Korean-born daughter of his former wife Mia Farrow. Farrow adopted the then seven-year-old Soon-Yi from Korea when she was living with conductor Andre Previn. Allen was fiercely scorned by all as he fell in love with his stepdaughter, and it produced a variety of interpretations why Allen, famous for his sophisticated comedy, fell in love with an ordinary Korean girl.

Hollywood action star Wesley Snipes held a wedding ceremony with the 11-years-younger Park Na-gyung in March last year, after living with her and bringing up a son and a daughter since late 1990. Snipes visited his wife’s home in Korea, flown there in his own plane. Recently, Nicholas Cage, well known to Korean fans through “The Rock” and “Leaving Las Vegas,” married a 20-years-younger Korean immigrant named Alice Kim who was working in a restaurant. Twice divorced, Cage is said to have fallen in love with Kim once he met her at a Korean club in Los Angeles.

What is the reason why male top celebrities who had a lot of experiences in “one night stands” marry younger Korean women? Three Korean women who became wives of celebrities have ordinary appearances and don’t have much money and special talents. What top celebrities really crave for seems to be things in common, innocence, devotion to husbands, and a restful home. I also expect Korean men’s charms to win Hollywood female stars, and I hope star son-in-laws in Korea rest for a long time with their Korean wives.

Oh Myung-chul, editorial writer, oscar@donga.com