Sandra Oh with a Megaphone... Hollywood Korean-American Actors Unite to Condemn Hate Crimes

Atlanta Shooting Incident Spurs Call for Unity via Rallies and Social Media
Daniel Dae Kim Testifies Before U.S. Congress

▲Sandra Oh, a Korean-American actress in Hollywood, holding a megaphone at the 'Stop Asian Hate' rally

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Korean-American actors active in Hollywood, including Golden Globe TV Drama Best Actress winner Sandra Oh, raised their voices against hate crimes following the Atlanta shooting incident that left a total of eight dead, including four Korean-American women.

According to CNN on the 21st (local time), Sandra Oh attended the "Stop Asian Hate" rally held on the 20th in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, saying, "For the first time, we have been able to raise our voices about our fear and anger regarding Asian hate crimes," and "I am proud to be Asian," urging unity and solidarity among Asians.

She also posted on social media platform Instagram expressing condolences for all victims of the Atlanta shooting and racial violence, saying, "I know many people are afraid, but now let's not be afraid," and "Let's be proud to be Asian."

Steven Yeun, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for the film Minari, also showed solidarity by sharing on Twitter President Joe Biden's remarks criticizing Asian hate crimes and the website address to support Asian victims.

Daniel Dae Kim, a Korean-American actor who is also active in Hollywood alongside Sandra Oh, testified as a witness at a U.S. congressional hearing on the 18th, testifying about structural violence and discrimination against Asian Americans in U.S. society.

He also appeared on CNN and revealed a family story that his younger sister was a victim of a hate crime in 2015, calling for the eradication of hate crimes. Daniel Dae Kim said in the interview, "My sister was running near our home when a man drove up and shouted at her to run on the sidewalk instead of the shoulder," adding, "Even after she moved to the sidewalk, the man reversed his car and hit her, knocking her down." He continued, "The investigating police did not treat this case as a hate crime," and pointed out, "Although the perpetrator had a history of assaulting other Asian women, the police only charged him with reckless driving."

Eric Nam, a Korean-American singer born and raised in Atlanta, urged through an op-ed in the U.S. current affairs magazine Time, "Assuming there was no racial motive in the Atlanta shooting is itself racist," and pleaded, "Now, please listen to our voices." Please listen to our voices.