MTV may have a new “situation” on its hands.
The Asian Pacific American community is eager, but nervous, for what an upcoming reality television show, “K-Town,” could mean for how society perceives Koreans and other APAs. The show, which draws comparisons to MTV’s popular reality television show, “Jersey Shore,” could bring light to an underrepresented minority on television, but it could also reinforce stereotypes.
The show, which has not yet been picked up by MTV, is rumored to feature eight characters. Among the cast are Young Lee, Jennifer Field, Joe Cha, Scarlet Chan, Violet Kim, Peter Le, Steve Kim and Jasmine Chang, according to the website of Channel APA, a publication about APA news.
Daniel Jo, a junior biology major, said the show highlights the importance of the Korean community in America, though he questioned its integrity.
“It seems they geared it to make it the next ‘Jersey Shore,’” Jo said. “My fear is that the same thing will happen to Koreans,” Jo said. “For example, a white kid will watch [the show], see all the drama and talk about how crazy and judgmental Koreans are. Then they will go out to the diner, see some Koreans around a table, and will automatically assume things based on what they saw in the show.”
Gina Kim, a junior public health major, also said she was concerned and unhappy about the looming reality television show.
“If it’s anything like ‘Jersey Shore,’ it’s not going to show any Korean culture besides the partying, drinking, and ‘acting stupid’ aspect,” Kim said. “I don’t need people to assume I act like them.”
On “Jersey Shore,” MTV emphasizes less admirable habits of the stars. These include relationship drama, Pauly D’s gelled hair, Snooki’s hair bump, tanned skin and materialism. The show incited controversy for embracing the term “guido,” a derogatory term for Italian-American men.
Kim said “K-Town” is dangerous because it may not be an accurate representation of most Korean Americans.
“In Jersey Shore, we don’t all assume that Italians just go to the gym, tan, and do laundry,” Kim cited as an example.
