--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the States I might be an Asian face…" description: "\"In the States I might be an Asian face, look different from everyone else in TV and in music, but in Korea I look like everybody else, in Asia I look l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/eric-nam-7940_asian_in-the-states-i-might-be-an-asian-face-l_1796540.jpg" --- # In the States I might be an Asian face, look different… ![“In the States I might be an Asian face, look different from everyone else in TV and in music, but in Korea I look like everybody else, in Asia I look like everybody else.” quote by Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/eric-nam-7940_asian_in-the-states-i-might-be-an-asian-face-l_1796540.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/eric-nam-7940_asian_in-the-states-i-might-be-an-asian-face-l_1796540.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/eric-nam-7940_asian_in-the-states-i-might-be-an-asian-face-l_1796540.jpg) > “In the States I might be an Asian face, look different from everyone else in TV and in music, but in Korea I look like everybody else, in Asia I look like everybody else.” [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He notes differing perceptions of his ethnicity depending on location, highlighting cultural identity fluidity. **In simple terms:** His appearance is seen differently in the US versus Asia. Key Takeaway Embrace the multifaceted nature of identity. Themes identity culture perception Mood thoughtful analytical Type cultural personal When to use this quote - cross‑cultural work - public image - personal branding Key Concepts race media representation globalization Questions to Reflect On - How do you navigate cultural expectations? - What role does media play in shaping identity? A Different Perspective Identity can be contested by stereotypes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asia Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asia-look-1993286/) [Asian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian/) [Asian Face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian-face-291144/) [Everybody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everybody/) [Everybody Asia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everybody-asia-1993288/) [Face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/face/) [Korea Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/korea-look-1993285/) [Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [States Asian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states-asian-1993287/) ## Related quotes > [Let's face it. How often do you see an Asian face in films and television? They are practically invisible. Now and then, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-moreno/let-s-face-it-how-often-do-you-see-an-asian-face-in-films-and/) [Rita Moreno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-moreno/) > [You know, we never grew up with Asian American role models in the entertainment industry, unfortunately. I'd never seen an Asian face singing on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/you-know-we-never-grew-up-with-asian-american-role-models-in-the/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [“Asian face and local language skills to handle the cash. I had just returned to the States from Vietnam, having left the military under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/asian-face-and-local-language-skills-to-handle-the-cash-i-had-just/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [One of the great joys of my life post-'Friends' has been being approached by Asian women who have told me how much it meant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-tom/one-of-the-great-joys-of-my-life-post-friends-has-been-being/) [Lauren Tom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-tom/) > [Growing up, the only Asian face I saw on air was Connie Chung or extras on M\*A\*S\*H. That was it. You could either be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/su-chin-pak/growing-up-the-only-asian-face-i-saw-on-air-was-connie-chung-or/) [Su-chin Pak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/su-chin-pak/) > [Pre-'Tokyo Drift,' I was like: 'Am I gonna play Yakuza #1 and Chinese Waiter #2 for the rest of my life? Is America even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sung-kang/pre-tokyo-drift-i-was-like-am-i-gonna-play-yakuza-1-and-chinese/) [Sung Kang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sung-kang/) > [We recognize that there have been acts in the past that are Asian or Korean who tried to go, 'Hey, I'm a huge star…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/we-recognize-that-there-have-been-acts-in-the-past-that-are-asian-or/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [Even if you look at 'American Idol,' or 'X-Factor,' or 'The Voice' or anything, it was always difficult to see an Asian or an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/even-if-you-look-at-american-idol-or-x-factor-or-the-voice-or/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [I've always been very passionate about trying to have Asian-Americans or Asian faces be more prominent in mainstream media.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/i-ve-always-been-very-passionate-about-trying-to-have-asian-americans/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [Asian-Americans are fighting for space and fighting for visibility and for acceptance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/asian-americans-are-fighting-for-space-and-fighting-for-visibility/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [I felt pretty good growing up. I didnt feel a lot of prejudice or racism. But I do remember, if there was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-henry-hwang/i-felt-pretty-good-growing-up-i-didnt-feel-a-lot-of-prejudice-or/) [David Henry Hwang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-henry-hwang/) > [When I made it, I still didn't wave the flag and say, Yeah go Asian people. I do want people to know that about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-hugo/when-i-made-it-i-still-didn-t-wave-the-flag-and-say-yeah-go-asian/) [Chad Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-hugo/) > [If you do a black character or a female character or an Asian character, then they aren't just that character. They represent that race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-mcduffie/if-you-do-a-black-character-or-a-female-character-or-an-asian/) [Dwayne McDuffie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-mcduffie/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) ## More by Eric Nam > [I learned Spanish as my second language from middle school through high school. I grew up volunteering at homeless shelters and tutoring kids of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/i-learned-spanish-as-my-second-language-from-middle-school-through/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [On any collaboration, you want to respect your music and the other's music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/on-any-collaboration-you-want-to-respect-your-music-and-the-other-s/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [When you first make money, you're just excited that you have it and just buy things on a whim. You don't really think about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/when-you-first-make-money-you-re-just-excited-that-you-have-it-and/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [I actually received a lot of messages from Central and South American artists who complimented my songs and showed interest in collaborating with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/i-actually-received-a-lot-of-messages-from-central-and-south-american/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [I know people love Supreme. I never got on the wagon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/i-know-people-love-supreme-i-never-got-on-the-wagon/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [It's become hard for me to trust people and though I'm the type to go, 'everybody is born good,' you come to question that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/it-s-become-hard-for-me-to-trust-people-and-though-i-m-the-type-to-go/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [I think K-pop bands rock, and their success raises my spirit to perform better on stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/i-think-k-pop-bands-rock-and-their-success-raises-my-spirit-to/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [It was a dream to be a singer/performer, but I never thought I had a chance or had a real shot; I never thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/it-was-a-dream-to-be-a-singer-performer-but-i-never-thought-i-had-a/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [It's easy to talk about how great love is or how you feel heartbroken after a breakup, but it's not as easy to talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/it-s-easy-to-talk-about-how-great-love-is-or-how-you-feel-heartbroken/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [Asian-Americans are fighting for space and fighting for visibility and for acceptance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/asian-americans-are-fighting-for-space-and-fighting-for-visibility/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [I was part of the Atlanta Boy Choir probably like fourth and fifth grade. I personally didn't enjoy the type of music that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/i-was-part-of-the-atlanta-boy-choir-probably-like-fourth-and-fifth/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [I've always been very passionate about trying to have Asian-Americans or Asian faces be more prominent in mainstream media.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/i-ve-always-been-very-passionate-about-trying-to-have-asian-americans/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [Sunbae-hoobae seniority is a very tricky, weird kind of thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/sunbae-hoobae-seniority-is-a-very-tricky-weird-kind-of-thing/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [Typically in Korea when I perform I have a full band, a ten-piece band, and that's a completely different monster in itself to prepare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/typically-in-korea-when-i-perform-i-have-a-full-band-a-ten-piece-band/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [I want to position myself as a great singer/songwriter in Korea, then jump off that into different markets. South-east Asia, China, Japan - I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/i-want-to-position-myself-as-a-great-singer-songwriter-in-korea-then/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) [Explore all 86 Eric Nam quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) ## More Asian quotes > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [If you do a black character or a female character or an Asian character, then they aren't just that character. They represent that race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-mcduffie/if-you-do-a-black-character-or-a-female-character-or-an-asian/) [Dwayne McDuffie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-mcduffie/) > [When I made it, I still didn't wave the flag and say, Yeah go Asian people. I do want people to know that about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-hugo/when-i-made-it-i-still-didn-t-wave-the-flag-and-say-yeah-go-asian/) [Chad Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-hugo/) > [I felt pretty good growing up. I didnt feel a lot of prejudice or racism. But I do remember, if there was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-henry-hwang/i-felt-pretty-good-growing-up-i-didnt-feel-a-lot-of-prejudice-or/) [David Henry Hwang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-henry-hwang/) > [When you are in America, at least for me, as an immigrant, I try to be as Americanized as I could. I just want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/when-you-are-in-america-at-least-for-me-as-an-immigrant-i-try-to-be/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [I always tell Asian actors, especially Filipinos wanting to break into Hollywood, to study, study and study and show their best. I haven't stopped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-lee/i-always-tell-asian-actors-especially-filipinos-wanting-to-break-into/) [Reggie Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-lee/) > [The narrative needs to change. Asian-American actresses don't want to be the damsels in distress anymore. We don't want to be saved, especially by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-chung/the-narrative-needs-to-change-asian-american-actresses-don-t-want-to/) [Jamie Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-chung/) > [It's always fun to see faces that are either familiar or resemble yours. I was fascinated by movies like 'Big Trouble in Little China'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ng-chin-han/it-s-always-fun-to-see-faces-that-are-either-familiar-or-resemble/) [Ng Chin Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ng-chin-han/) > [In view of China's growing military strength and intentions, the best way to safeguard Asia's permanent peace and prosperity is to have all Asian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-costa/in-view-of-china-s-growing-military-strength-and-intentions-the-best/) [Jim Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-costa/) > [I think Li Na and some other Chinese ladies have done so many amazing things for Asian tennis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kei-nishikori/i-think-li-na-and-some-other-chinese-ladies-have-done-so-many-amazing/) [Kei Nishikori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kei-nishikori/) > [I don't want to have people brought in simply because they are black or Asian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-phillips/i-don-t-want-to-have-people-brought-in-simply-because-they-are-black/) [Trevor Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-phillips/) > [We grew up in rural Arkansas without any Koreans close by, and when I go to Korea feel out of place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-isaac-chung/we-grew-up-in-rural-arkansas-without-any-koreans-close-by-and-when-i/) [Lee Isaac Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-isaac-chung/) > [I've been lucky to come up when there's such a huge explosion of women, and especially Asian women, in music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-zauner/i-ve-been-lucky-to-come-up-when-there-s-such-a-huge-explosion-of/) [Michelle Zauner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-zauner/) > [I knew I was half Chinese, but Iceland is so homogenous that I wasn't able to identify with the Asian part of myself. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laufey/i-knew-i-was-half-chinese-but-iceland-is-so-homogenous-that-i-wasn-t/) [Laufey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laufey/) [Browse all 1,157 Asian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In the States I might be an Asian face, look different from everyone else in TV and in music, but in Korea I look like everybody else, in Asia I look like everybody else.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Eric Nam" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/in-the-states-i-might-be-an-asian-face-look-different-from-everyone/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Asian" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/in-the-states-i-might-be-an-asian-face-look-different-from-everyone/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/eric-nam-7940_asian_in-the-states-i-might-be-an-asian-face-l_1796540.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/eric-nam-7940_asian_in-the-states-i-might-be-an-asian-face-l_1796540.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/eric-nam-7940_asian_in-the-states-i-might-be-an-asian-face-l_1796540.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In the States I might be an Asian face, look different from everyone else in TV and in music, but in Korea I…” — Eric Nam", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Eric Nam", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In the States I might be...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/in-the-states-i-might-be-an-asian-face-look-different-from-everyone/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/in-the-states-i-might-be-an-asian-face-look-different-from-everyone/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```