Why Finally Having an Asian Ken in the New Barbie Movie is a Win for Representation

Nathan Chen
Asian Voices Matter
3 min readApr 4, 2023

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Hey folks! Have you heard the news? We’re finally getting an Asian Ken in the new Barbie movie, and Simu Liu is playing the role!

Simu Liu in “Barbie.” — Warner Bros

For years, Asian men have been underrepresented in Hollywood, especially in leading roles. It’s like we were invisible or something. But now, we’ve got Simu Liu, who not only has the good looks but also the talent to make a mark in the industry.

If you’re not familiar with Simu Liu, he’s the star of Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He’s a Canadian actor who started his career in the web series Yappie and Kim’s Convenience. He’s also a writer and a stuntman, which makes him the ultimate package.

But back to the topic at hand. Having an Asian Ken in the new Barbie movie is a big deal. For one, it breaks the stereotype that Asian men are not attractive or desirable. We’ve seen it in Hollywood movies before where Asian men are either portrayed as nerds, martial artists, or the best friend of the white protagonist. It’s like we don’t have a chance at being the leading man.

But with Simu Liu playing Ken, we’re showing the world that Asian men can be just as sexy, charming, and swoon-worthy as any other race. And let’s not forget the impact this has on young Asian boys who will finally…

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Nathan Chen
Asian Voices Matter

I'm Nathan Chen, a queer Asian writer advocating for LGBTQ+ issues, Asian representation, work life & mental health. Let's explore life's complexities together!