◄ IMDb Polls
Poll: Crazy Sexy Asians
The popularity of the "Starring John Cho" memes highlight another of the many problems Hollywood has with casting - the assumption that worldwide audiences can only reliably relate to straight white male protagonists. From an interview in Salon magazine with up-and-coming actor Jake Choi, "Asian men in media are so de-sexualized and emasculated. Part of it is fear and racism. An Asian woman can be with a white man because that doesn't compromise white male sexuality and dominance and the perception of straight white male insecurity. Crazy Rich Asians (2018) aside, Asian men are mainly portrayed as emasculated. Even ads do a better job than films to portray sexy Asians.
When Jet Li and Aaliyah made Romeo Must Die (2000) they shot a kissing scene, but it was cut from the film. Now, wanting to be objectified might sound silly or superficial. But framing an up-and-coming actor as a swoon-worthy hunk is a major part of how Hollywood grooms leading men like Channing Tatum, Michael B. Jordan and Chris Pratt.
Which of these swoon-worthy Asian actors do you think has the most "hot leading man" potential?
* actors must currently be between 20 and 40 years old
Make Your Choice
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Amir Arison
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#3
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Jay Chou in Now You See Me 2 (2016)
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Ian Anthony Dale as Simon Lee Still from "The Event"
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Manish Dayal
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Ali Fazal
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#8
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Henry Golding in Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
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Daniel Henney in Criminal Minds (2005)
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Manny Jacinto
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Mahesh Jadu
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#13
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Rahul Kohli in iZombie (2015)
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Shazad Latif in 'Salting the Battlefield' by David Hare
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Ki Hong Lee in The Mayor (2017)
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Ludi Lin
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Simu Liu
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Gerrard Lobo
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Max Minghella at an event for The Internship (2013)
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Hasan Minhaj in Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King (2017)
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Mike Moh
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Kevan Ohtsji
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Chris Pang
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Dev Patel in Lion (2016)
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Rain in Ninja Assassin (2009)
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Jordan Rodrigues in Dance Academy: The Movie (2017)
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Vincent Rodriguez III at an event for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015)
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Harry Shum Jr. in Shadowhunters (2016)
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Yoshi Sudarso
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Actor Lewis Tan for Muscle Fitness Magazine
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Joe Taslim
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Talu Wang
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Kris Wu in Somewhere Only We Know (2015)
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Steven Yeun in The Walking Dead (2010)