Oh: Asian Actors Face Obstacles in US

Sandra Oh ( Korean name: Oh Mi-ju), a 35-year-old Korean-Canadian actor who has made a name in Hollywood, delivered a lecture before the general pubic in Manhattan on June 19.

Playing the role of Christina Yang, a cold but passionate intern, in ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, which was also aired in Korea, Oh has become a prominent star, winning the best supporting actress award in this year’s Golden Globe Awards. Oh is the first Korean to win a Golden Globe.

Leading the atmosphere with her unique volubility, Oh shared what she experienced until she began to stand out in Hollywood as an Asian.

Born in Ottawa, Canada, Oh said, “I wanted to be a dancer. But, being attracted to the realization that acting can connect the outside world and me, I decided to become an actress.”

Graduating from National Theater School of Canada, she began her acting career by beating out more than 1,000 other hopefuls and landing the title role in the CBC television film “The Diary of Evelyn Lau.”

Moving to the U.S. to broaden her acting horizons, Oh confessed, “While a ‘beautiful white actress’ could be on the right track, once she becomes prominent in a work, an Asian actress keeps facing obstacles however good her previous work was.”

She said that she cried many times to her mother when she faced an obstacle, but added, “However, I never gave way to despair. I’ve always had a conviction that I could be successful one day.”

A large crowd of Americans flocked to Oh’s lecture that day which was hosted by the Asian Cine-Vision and supported by the New York Times and Asia Society, demonstrating her status in American pop culture. Oh’s parents attended the lecture as well.

Jong sik Kong kong@donga.com