List of Korean Americans

The following is a list of Korean Americans who are famous, have made significant contributions to the American culture or society politically, artistically or scientifically, or have appeared in the news numerous times.

List

Art and design

* David Choe, an abstract artist
* Frank Cho, comic book artist ("Spider-Man", "The New Avengers"), writer, and co-creator ("Liberty Meadows")
* Doo-Ri Chung, fashion designer
* Peter Chung, animator, creator of cult animated TV series "Æon Flux"
*Doug Juhn, art director, visual effects concept art, montage design ("Elektra", "Daredevil", Superman Returns", "Friday Night Lights")
* Derek Kirk Kim, cartoonist and author of critically acclaimed graphic novel "Same Difference and Other Stories"
* Jin Kim, senior creative designer at Toyota's CALTY design studio in California; lead designer of the Toyota FJ Cruiser
* Scott Kim, puzzlemaster, artist, computer game designer
* Nic Cha Kim, creator of Gallery Row in Downtown Los Angeles
* Jae Lee, comic book artist ("Namor the Sub-Mariner", "Inhumans")
* Jim Lee, best-selling comic book artist ("X-Men", "Batman", "Superman") and co-creator ("Gen¹³", "WildC.A.T.s"); co-founder of Image Comics
*Lela Lee (1974 - ) actress and cartoonist, creator of the comic strip and animated cartoons "Kim", "the Angry Little Asian Girl" and "Angry Little Girls"Lela Lee - [http://www.international.ucla.edu/asia/article.asp?parentid=5896] "I am Korean American. My parents immigrated and I was born here. I was actually the only daughter to be born in the U.S. I grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles, an hour east of Los Angeles. When I grew up, there were probably two other Asian families and we were made fun of. They would say, "Oh are you Chinese?" And I would say, "No." And they would say, "Are you Japanese?" And I would say, "No." And they would say, "Well, what are you then?" I would say, "I'm Korean" and they would say, "Where is that?" My parents were probably part of the first influx of Koreans to come to the U.S. at that time in the early 70s."]
* Maggie Oh, Digital artist (', ')
* Nam June Paik, Korean-born artist; father of Video Art
* Andy Park, comic book artist ("Tomb Raider", "X-Men")
* Peter Shin, a director of Family Guy
* Amy Sol, a contemporary artist based out of Las Vegas, Nevada [ [http://www.myartspace.com/blog/2007/08/art-space-talk-amy-sol.html] "Art Space Talk: Amy Sol"]
* Peter Williams, CEO Department of Design, Inc. / Webmaster ("Dean Guitars", "Eagle Rock Entertainment")
* Tommy Yune, comic book writer/artist ("Speed Racer", "Robotech") and animation director ("")

Business & Economics

* Youngsuk Y.S. Chi, Vice Chairman & President of Elsevier Inc., former Chairman of Random House Asia, former President of Random House Inc., Board Member of Princeton University, KACF, Association of American Publishers, Princeton University Press.
* Jason Chon, CEO of Locus Telecommunications, Leader of the Board, former International Sales Manager for Samsung Electronics.
* Brian Chung, CEO and President of Frontier Logistics Services
* Wendy Lee Gramm, economics professor, former chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and wife of former Senator Phil Gramm
* Jemo Kang, Founder and President of Princeton BioMeditech Corporation
* David J. Kim, CEO and founder of C2 Educational Center, and son of martial arts grandmaster and star of the cult classic movie "Master Kid" Bobby J. Kim.
* Dow Kim, Executive Vice President and President of Investment Banking and Global Markets (Merrill Lynch)
* John S. Kim, CEO New York Life Investment, Vice Chair of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) Board of Directors, former President of CIGNA Retirement and Investment Services, former President, Chief Executive Officer at Aeltus Investment Management, and former Chief Investment Officer at Aetna Retirement.
* Chong-Moon Lee, Chairman of AmBex Venture Group, Chairman of Board for Nara Bancorp, Inc., and Founder of Diamond Multimedia
* John J. Moon, Managing Director of Riverstone Holdings LLC, and former Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Capital.
* Lucas Roh, CEO and Founder of Hostway Corporation
* Sung Won Sohn, CEO and President of Hanmi Financial Corporation, former Chief Economist of Wells Fargo & Co.
* Shari Song, Founder of KAPS - Korean American Professionals Society

Entertainment

* Denyce Lawton, actress, model
* Chris Chan Lee, filmmaker
* Philip Ahn, actor
* Jessica Anderson (actress), actress
* Brooke Ashley, adult film actress
* Alexander Baik, Producer and Personal Manager
* Nicole Bilderback, actress
* Moon Bloodgood, actress
* Johnny Yong Bosch, actor best known as Adam Park in "Power Rangers".
* Theresa Hak Kyung Cha, author, video/filmmaker
* Steve Byrne, comedian, actor
* Erwin Cho, The Amazing Race 10 contestant
* Godwin Cho, The Amazing Race 10 contestant
* Henry Cho, comedian-actor
* Timothy Chang, comedian-actor

* John Cho, actor who appeared in the "American Pie" franchise and as star of "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle". He is also a singer for the group called Left of zed"
* Margaret Cho, comedian and former star of the television sitcom "All American Girl"
* Justin Chon, actor
* Alexandra Bokyun Chun, actress, filmmaker
* Daniel Chun, writer, co-producer ("The Simpsons")
* Philip W. Chung, playwright, founder and Artistic Director of Lodestone Theatre Ensemble
* Jon Gosselin, father of sextuplets and a subject of the reality show, Jon & Kate Plus 8
* Bong Soo Han, "Father of American Hapkido", best known for his role as evil Dr. Klahn in 1977 John Landis comedy The Kentucky Fried Movie
* Daniel Henney - model, actor in South Korea
* Gene Hong, producer, writer, and actor on Wild 'N Out
* Joseph Kahn, music video and movie director
* Michael Kang, writer/director ("The Motel (film)", "West 32nd")
* Sung Kang, actor ("The Motel (film)", "Better Luck Tomorrow", "")
* Daniel Dae Kim, actor
* Evan C. Kim, actor, best known for his role in the 1977 John Landis comedy The Kentucky Fried Movie
* Jacqueline Kim, actress
* Johnny Kim, a film actor, producer and director
* Michael Kim, sportscaster on ESPN television
* Paul Kim, Top 24 contestant, American Idol (season 6)
* Yunjin Kim, actress
* Chanel Iman, fashion model
* Stacy Kimball, contestant
* Yul Kwon, contestant on
* Becky Lee, contestant on
* Bobby Lee, comedy actor for "MADtv" [Bobby Lee - [http://www.international.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=20262] "Korean King of Comedy: Bobby Lee"]
* Hyun (Mookie) Lee, contestant
*James Kyson Lee, actor
* Lela Lee, actress and cartoonist
* Sung-Hi Lee, model who appears mostly in soft-core nude photoshoots [Sung-Hi Lee - [http://www.beyondhollywood.com/gallery/category/sung-hi-lee/] "Korean hottie Sung Hi Lee"] *
* Patricia Ja Lee, actress, best known as Cassie Chan in "Power Rangers".
* Meg Frampton, musician, older sister of Dia Frampton
* Dia Frampton, musician, younger sister of Meg Frampton
* Will Yun Lee, actor ("Die Another Day")
* Masuimi Max, fetish model, contestant on Fear Factor
* Leonardo Nam, actor ("The Perfect Score", "")
* Dennis Joseph O'neil, model and actor
* Nina Noh, singer/dancer ("Superstar USA")
* Sandra Oh, film and television Actress
* Ho Sung Pak, actor, ""
* Linda Park, Korean-born actor ("Enterprise")
* Steve Park, actor ("In Living Color")
* Soon-Yi Previn, actress; wife of Woody Allen; adoptive daughter of Mia Farrow
* Lindsay Price, television actress
* Phillip Rhee, actor ("Best of the Best" movies), Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido master
* Eddie Shin, actor
* Grace Park, actress, Battlestar Galactica
* James Sun, first runner-up, The Apprentice 6
* Brian Tee, actor ("")
* Cher Tenbush, model, actress "Beauty and the Geek"
* Samuel Yang, model, actor, comedian, musician, songwriter, dancer, cartoonist
* Natasha Yi, model
* Aaron Yoo, actor ("Disturbia")
* Jordan Young, adult film actor
* Johnny Yune, comedian/actor ("They Call Me Bruce?")
* Karl Yune, model and actor ("Memoirs of a Geisha", "Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid", brother of Rick Yune)
* Rick Yune, model and actor ("Die Another Day", "The Fast and the Furious")

Journalism

* Juju Chang, ABC News anchor and reporter
* Virginia Cha, CNN News anchor
* Liz Cho, ABC News anchor and reporter
* Sophia Choi, CNN Headline News, KVBC anchor
* Sunhee Grinnell, Beauty Director of Vanity Fair and wife of artist Toland Grinnell.
* James Kim, Former senior editor at CNET.
* Lee Ann Kim, anchor and reporter for KGTV and executive director of the San Diego Asian Film Festival
* Michael Kim, ESPN anchor
* Corina Knoll, Senior Editor of KoreAm Journal
* K.W. Lee, founding president of the Korean American Journalists Association
* Janice Min, Editor-in-chief of US Weekly magazine
* Suchin Pak, MTV News anchor and reporter
* Alice Rhee, NBC News producer
* Alina Cho, CNN News correspondent
* Lisa Kim, NBC News News Anchor for NBC11

Literature

*See Korean American writers for a more extensive list
*Leonard Chang, American-born writer
*Heinz Insu Fenkl, author
*Lee Herrick, author, poet
*Angela Hur, authorcitation|last=Choi|first=Minsoo|title=Korean American Author Angela Hur to Hold Book Signing in Washington D.C.|periodical=Dynamic Korea|publisher=Embassy of the Republic of Korea|publication-place=Washington, D.C.|date=2007-09-12|accessdate=2008-03-14|url=http://www.dynamic-korea.com/etc/people_new.php?uid=200700037074]
*Nora Okja Keller, author
*Richard E. Kim, author
*Chang-Rae Lee, author
*Don Lee, author, editor of "Ploughshares" literary journal
*Linda Sue Park, American-born author; winner of the 2002 Newbery Medal for "A Single Shard"
*Therese Park, author
*Mia Yun, author

Medicine and Public Health

* Augustine M. K. Choi, Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, former Chief of Pulmonary Medicine at University of Pittsburg.
* Dennis Choi, neuroscientist at Emory University, member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, former Executive Vice President for Neuroscience at Merck, former Chairman of the Department of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
* Howard Choi, a spinal cord injury specialist
* Jim Yong Kim, Francois Xavier Bagnoud Professor Health and Human Rights at Harvard University and former Director of HIV/AIDS at the World Health Organization
* Howard Koh, Harvey V. Fineberg Professor of the Practice of Public Health and Associate Dean for Public Health Practice at the Harvard School of Public Health and former Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health.

Music

* David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra
*Charles Kim, Lead singer and writer for the rising band Sol of Madison. Their newest release, Synesthesia, encompasses the band’s aesthetic of simplistic melodies mixed with technologically-fresh ornamentation and carefully crafted lyrics. Sol was selected as one of the top 25 college bands in the nation for the 2005-2006 MTVu Best Music on Campus Competition. Since then, Sol has played with various national acts including Robert Randolph and the Family Band, G. Love and Special Sauce.
* David Choi, popular musician on youtube & song writer. Choi has garnished over 35,000 subscribers and is known as youtubes #11 most subscribed of all time.
* Ahn Trio, Juilliard-educated classical music trio, featured in print and television ads for Gap [ [http://img.kbs.co.kr/pageerror/] "The Korean classical piano trio “Ahn Trio,”"]
* Danny Ahn of g.o.d, rapper based in South Korea
* Priscilla Ahn, alternative/folk singer
* Amerie, R&B singer-songwriter, actress [ [http://www.askmen.com/women/singer_100/145_amerie.html] "Half Korean, half African-American, Amerie has lived all over the world..."]
* Sarah Chang, violinist [ [http://smclubusa.com/] "Meanwhile, under the subtitle “Becoming a World-Famous Violinist,” the unit also pays tribute to Korean-American violinist Sarah Chang..."]
* Trish Doan, Former bass player for Canadian metal band Kittie
* Joe Hahn, founding member of alternative rock band Linkin Park, multi-platinum and Grammy Award-winner [ [http://www.yolk.com/v082/linkin1.html] "Hahn, a Korean American..."]
* Hei-Kyung Hong, soprano with The Metropolitan Opera Company
* Stephanie Hwang of Girls' Generation, singer based in South Korea
* Eru, Ballad/ R&B singer.
* Danny Im of 1TYM, R&B singer based in South Korea.
* Sumi Jo, Coloratura Soprano
* Brian Joo of Fly to the Sky, R&B singer based in South Korea.
* Jessica Jung of Girls' Generation, singer based in South Korea
* Crystal Kay, J-pop (Zainichi Korean) singer [ [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/columns/SoundDecision.php?id=74] "Korean-American sensation Crystal Kay, are among Japan's best and most established..."]
* Paul Kim, classical pianist.
* Soovin Kim, violinist from New York City.
* Malea McGuinness, adult contemporary singer
* John Myung, bass guitar player of progressive metal band Dream Theater [ [http://www.metakorean.com/blog/archives/2005/02/07/interview-with-john-myung-korean-poker-pro/ MetaKorean » Korean American Community » Interview with John Myung, Korean Poker Pro ] ]
* Dan Oh, musician, disc jockey, songwriter
* Karen O, lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
* Ken Oak, vocalist of "Ken Oak Band"
* Hyun-Woo Lee, R&B singer based in South Korea
* Eugene Park, violinist based in South Korea
* Joon-Hyung Park of g.o.d, rapper based in South Korea
* Lena Park, R&B singer [ [http://www.solid07.net/albumreviews/lenapark5.shtml] "Yet with Lena Park, and a selected number of Korean artists..."]
* Mike Park, ska and punk musician, founder of Asian Man Records [ [http://www.kaffeinebuzz.com/musicreviews-mikepark-northhangookfalling.php Kaffeine Buzz - Music Reviews - Mike Park - North Hangook Falling ] ]
* Sooyoung Park, singer and guitarist in indie bands, Seam and Bitch Magnet
* Teddy Park of 1TYM, singer based in South Korea.
* Todd Park Mohr, lead vocals/guitars/keyboards/saxophone of Big Head Todd and the Monsters
* Craig Pfunder, lead vocalist and guitarist of VHS or Beta
* Susie Suh, singer-songwriter, signed with Epic Records [ [http://news.sfobserver.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=6dbc13fd29d1ea37c41f1fb84354ccbe] "For Emerging Korean-American Singer Susie Suh, Songs are Like Tattoos"]
* T, R&B singer based in South Korea
* Ha Jin Rhim, R&B singer based in South Korea
* Tim, R&B singer based in South Korea.
* Steve Seung-Jun Yoo, singer kicked out of South Korea

Politics and government

* Joseph Cho, City Councilmember of Cerritos, California
* Michelle Park Steel, California State Board of Equalization, elected to represent 8.5 million California taxpayers.
* John J. Choi, Saint Paul City Attorney, appointed by Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman (D) in January 2006.
* Jun Choi, Mayor of Edison, New Jersey
* Dr. Steven Choi, Irvine, California City Councilmember and candidate for California State Assembly
* Philip Y. Choi, Councilman (D) of Leonia, New Jersey, first elected Korean-American in Leonia, New Jersey
* Judge Herbert Choy, appointed to the U.S Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and first Asian American appointed to the federal bench.
* Shinae Chun, Director of the Women’s Bureau, Department of Labor (George W. Bush administration) [citation|url=http://www.dol.gov/wb/SHINAE.htm|title=Director's Bio - Shinae Chun|publisher=Department of Labor|publication-place=United States|date=2001|accessdate=2008-03-14]
* Wendy Lee Gramm, chairwoman of the Regulatory Studies Program at George Mason University's Mercatus Center, the wife of former United States Senator Phil Gramm. Gramm held several positions in the Reagan Administration, including heading the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA).
* Hoon-Yung Hopgood, member of Michigan State House of Representatives, first Korean-American elected to public office in Michigan
* Sukhee Kang, City Councilman of Irvine, California
* Harry Kim, Mayor of Hawaii County
* Jane Kim, San Francisco Unified School District Commissioner
* Jason Kim, Councilman (D) of Palisades Park, New Jersey, the first Korean-American elected on the East Coast of the United States (2004).
* Jay Kim, former Republican Congressman from California
* Jennifer Kim, Austin city council member (2005-present)
* Harold Hongju Koh, Dean of Yale Law School and former Assistant Secretary of State during the Clinton administration (See below.)
* Jerry Kong, Trustee on the Buena Park School District Board of Education in Buena Park, California, and at 27 years of age the youngest current Korean American in elected office.
* Ilryong Moon, At-Large Member, former vice chairman, and former chairman of Fairfax County School Board; former member of Fairfax County Planning Commission in Fairfax County, Virginia
* Ronald Moon, Chief Justice of the Hawai'i Supreme Court
* Sunny K. Park, Georgia, Secretary & Treasure; Georgia Ports Authority, former member of The White House Commission on Asian Americans. SunnyPark.com
* Paull Shin, Washington state senator; Korean adoptee
* Anna Song, Trustee on the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
* Wendy Van Horne, 2006 Green-Rainbow Party candidate for Massachusetts Lt. Governor.
* John Yoo, conservative Berkeley law professor and former Deputy Attorney General in the United States Department of Justice
* Sam Yoon, Boston City Councillor (2005-present), first Asian American to be elected to the position in the city.
* Art Yoon, Mayor of Hermosa Beach, California, April 13, 2004 - January 25, 2005

Religion

* Hae Jong Kim, Bishop of the United Methodist Church

cience and technology

* Natalie G. Ahn, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Biochemistry at University of Colorado at Boulder, co-discover of MAP Kinase pathway.
* Jung-Hoon Chun, MIT Professor of Mechanical Engineering
* Suk Ju Hong, chemical engineer, BS, MS & Ph.D from Seoul National University, retired from Kodak, who invented and pioneered laser digital printing plate process. He is the grandson of Hong Jin.
* Hyung-Soon Kim, inventor of the nectarine fruit.
* Jeong H. Kim, President of Bell Labs
* Peter S. Kim, President of Merck, former MIT-Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research biochemist, member of National Academy of Sciences.
* Benjamin Lee, theoretical physicist
* Hae-Seung (Harry) Lee, MIT Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
* Mark L. Polansky, NASA astronaut.

ports

* Cha Seung Baek, MLB player
* Eugene Chung, former NFL player, first Asian-American to be drafted in the 1st round, played offensive line.
* Hank Conger, baseball player
* Emily Cross, Olympic fencer
* Toby Dawson, Olympic skier. He won the bronze medal in men's freestyle skiing at the 2006 Torino Games.
* Marcus Demps, American football player
* Will Demps, American football player
* Anthony Kim, professional golfer
* Christina Kim, professional golfer
* Kevin Kim, tennis player
* Tae Man Kwon, Hapkido Grand Master - 9th Degree Black Belt
* Jeanette Lee pool player, nicknamed "The Black Widow" for her tendency to wear black [Jeanette Lee - [http://www.onthesnap.com/players/jeanette_lee.htm] "As a first generation Korean American, Jeanette was raised in a bilingual household which stressed both Korean traditional values and the American ideal of opportunity."]
* John Lee, former football player
* Lloyd Lee, former football player
* Sammy Lee, diver, first American-born Asian Olympic gold medalist
* Naomi Nari Nam, figure skater
* Angela Park, professional golfer
* Richard Park, a Korean-American NHL player
* BJ Penn, a mix martial artist
* Jhoon Rhee, Tae Kwon Do master and entrepreneur
* Dawn Riehl, Bodybuilder and powerlifter.
* Terrmel Sledge, MLB player
* Sonya Thomas, aka "Black Widow," competitive eater, holder of 29 world titles.
* Hines Ward, football player, MVP of Super Bowl XL
* Michelle Wie, professional golfer
* Alex Yi, soccer player
* John Yim, Professional Drifter, Formula D series
* James Yun, Professional wrestler

Other

* Gregory Lee, the first Korean American Firefighter/Paramedic in the United States. Lee retired in 2002 from the Los Angeles County Fire Department after 30 years.
* Jaegwon Kim, William Herbert Perry Faunce Professor of Philosophy at Brown University
* Philip Jaisohn, first Korean to become an American citizen; first Korean American to receive an American medical degree
* Young-Oak Kim, first Asian American colonel to command a U.S. battalion, leader of the famed 100th Infantry Battalion 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most decorated unit in U.S. military history, made up predominantly of Japanese American soldiers, whose families were interned during World War II.
* Sonya Thomas, top-ranked competitive eater
* Sho Yano, child prodigy
* Seung-hui Cho, student responsible for the Virginia Tech massacre

References

External links

* [http://www.seattlekaps.org/ KAPS] - Korean American Professionals Society.
* [http://www.arirangeducation.com/ Arirang] - Interactive history of Korean Americans.
* [http://www.koreamjournal.com/ KoreAm Journal] - News, stories, and issues of Korean Americans nationwide.
* [http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/chhan/Chung-Souk_files/koramelit.htm/ KorAmeLit.htm] - Selection of Korean-American Literature