{"id":12502,"date":"2012-03-04T00:03:27","date_gmt":"2012-03-04T00:03:27","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-10-15T11:49:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T11:49:24","slug":"can-an-asian-american-be-the-next-american-idol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/?p=12502","title":{"rendered":"Can an Asian American be the next American Idol?"},"content":{"rendered":"

America voted, and the Top 10 contestants on \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d have been chosen \u2013 including Heejun Han, who record producer and \u201cIdol\u201d mentor Jimmy Iovine plainly thought was in the wrong competition.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me tell you about Heejun,\u201d Iovine said during a taped segment on Thursday night\u2019s live show. \u201cThis guy completely confuses me. I get the personality, I get the schtick, I get the whole thing. Sort of a good voice. This isn\u2019t \u2018American Comedian\u2019\u2013this is \u2018American Idol!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

After listening to Iovine\u2019s critique, Han brushed off the blunt assessment with his characteristic quick wit.<\/p>\n

Host Ryan Seacrest gravely asked Han, \u201cWhat did you think about what Jimmy had to say about \u2018American Comedian?\u2019\u201d<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Without missing a beat, Han replied, \u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d <\/p>\n

Perhaps you’ve heard of Heejun Han, the 22-year-old Korean American from Flushing, Queens.<\/p>\n

To many, he may seem an unlikely star. He’s known for his likable personality, but also for shaking his arms before each performance to get the nerves out. Idol judge and Aerosmith leading man Steven Tyler said Han’s song selection on Tuesday night \u2014 Robbie Williams’ “Angel” \u2014 was a miss.<\/p>\n

But when he opens his mouth to sing \u2014 that\u2019s when US pop star Jennifer Lopez gets a little teary. His initial performance \u201creally impressed and shocked\u201d Randy Jackson. Even Tyler said previously he thought Han \u201ccould be the next American Idol.\u201d<\/p>\n

Han isn\u2019t the first Asian American to be on American Idol, but the overwhelming love and attention he\u2019s getting on camera and off makes it seem that way.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most talented Asian-American singers have struggled to break into the US music scene.<\/strong> But even as Asian Americans have trouble getting the attention of US music producers \u2014 a problem many artists blame on racial barriers \u2014 imported K-pop, or Korean pop music, is growing in popularity in the US.<\/p>\n

K-pop groups have landed on stages like Madison Square Garden and the Letterman show, while most Asian-American artists are self-supported<\/strong>, reaching their audience primarily through YouTube.<\/p>\n

And many more Asian Americans are making the reverse journey to Asia in search of opportunities to perform.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just want to be an ordinary nerdy Asian guy that pursues his dream in the US,\u201d he said.
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