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Philip Jaisohn (1864-1951) -

Seo Jae-pil, better known as Philip Jaisohn, was the first Korean-born US citizen. He was a prominent figure in Korean-American politics, a renowned physician, and a dedicated advocate for Korean independence.

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Philip Ahn (1905-1978) -

A pioneering Asian-American actor, Ahn enjoyed a prolific career spanning 40 years and over 270 roles. Before achieving Hollywood success, he worked as a rice farmer in the Sacramento Valley. In 1984, he became the first Asian-American film actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ahn is best known for his portrayal of Master Kan on the TV series 'Kung Fu' (1972–1975).

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Chloe Kim -

Chloe Kim has already achieved snowboarding greatness. She became the youngest woman to win Olympic gold in snowboarding at 17, a feat she repeated at the 2022 Winter Olympics. A six-time X Games gold medalist, Kim has solidified her place as a snowboarding legend.

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Steven Yeun -

Yeun rose to fame playing Glenn Rhee in 'The Walking Dead' series, and his powerful performances in films like 'Minari' (2020) and shows like 'Beef' have solidified his status as a critically-acclaimed actor. More recently, Yeun's charming personality has also earned him the status of "internet boyfriend."

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Roy Choi -

Choi is the renowned chef who spearheaded the gourmet food truck movement with his innovative Korean-Mexican taco truck, Kogi. Choi's cuisine, like his iconic Korean taco, reflects the immigrant experience by creatively fusing flavors from different cultures.

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Awkwafina -

Awkwafina, the versatile actress, comedian, and rapper, rose to fame with her unique comedic style. Following successful supporting roles in films like 'Ocean's 8' (2018) and 'Crazy Rich Asians' (2018), Awkwafina's performance in 'The Farewell' (2019) earned her a Golden Globe, making her the first woman of Asian descent to win in a lead actress category.

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Daniel Dae Kim -

Born in South Korea, Daniel Dae Kim immigrated to the US as a child. He rose to fame portraying Jin-Soo Kwon in 'Lost', and later starred in 'Hawaii Five-0' and 'The Good Doctor.'

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Sammy Lee (1920-2016) -

Lee was the first Asian-American man to win an Olympic gold medal, a feat he accomplished at both the 1948 London and 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Facing racial discrimination, including limited access to public pools, the swimmer reportedly honed his skills in his coach's backyard. 

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Greta Lee -

Born and raised in Los Angeles to South Korean immigrant parents, Lee's powerful performance in the acclaimed 'Past Lives' (2023) earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. In the Academy Award nominated film, Lee portrays Nora, a South Korean woman who immigrated to Canada as a child and now resides in New York.

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Margaret Cho -

The acclaimed stand-up comedian, actress, and musician is known for her insightful social and political commentary. After gaining prominence on her sitcom 'All-American Girl' (1994–1995), she established herself as a leading voice in comedy, tackling issues of race, sexuality, and social justice with her signature wit and candor.

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Emma Broyles -

Born in Anchorage, Alaska, to parents with South Korean heritage, Broyles was crowned Miss America 2022, becoming the first Miss America from her home state.

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John Cho -

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Cho moved to Los Angeles as a child. He gained prominence with roles in 'American Pie' (1999) and the 'Harold & Kumar' films before joining the 'Star Trek' franchise reboot in 2009.

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Randall Park -

Born in Los Angeles to Korean immigrant parents, Park is best known for his role as Louis Huang in the sitcom 'Fresh Off the Boat.' He previously gained recognition for his comedic roles in shows like 'The Office' and 'Veep.'

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Younghill Kang (1898-1972) -

Often called the "father of Korean-American literature," Kang is best known for his novels 'The Grass Roof' (1931) and 'East Goes West' (1937). As a Korean independence activist, he fled to the US in 1921 after facing persecution. He earned degrees from Boston University and Harvard University before embarking on a career as an author and educator.

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Ken Jeong -

The renowned actor and stand-up comedian gained widespread recognition for his iconic role as Mr. Chow in 'The Hangover' trilogy. Jeong also delighted audiences with his comedic performances in 'Community.' He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2024.

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Charles Melton -

Born in Juneau, Alaska, to a Korean mother and an American military father, Melton rose to stardom as Reggie Mantle in 'Riverdale.' Starring in 'The Sun Is Also a Star' (2019) solidified his leading man status, further showcased in his acclaimed role as Joe Yoo in 'May December' (2023).

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Juju Chang -

American television journalist Hyunju "Juju" Chang was born in Seoul. She immigrated to the US with her family as a child and grew up in California. Prior to her current role anchoring 'Nightline,' she served as a news anchor for 'Good Morning America.'

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Jenna Ushkowitz -

Born in Seoul and adopted by an American family, Ushkowitz is known for her role as Tina Cohen-Chang on 'Glee.' She has also excelled on Broadway, starring in musicals like 'The King and I' and 'Waitress.' As a producer, she has won two Tony Awards for 'Once on This Island' and 'The Inheritance.

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Aubrey Frances Anderson-Emmons -

Anderson-Emmons, the daughter of a Korean-American comedian, gained fame as Lily Tucker-Pritchett on 'Modern Family' (2009–2020), where her portrayal of a Vietnamese-born child adopted by a gay couple offered a nuanced representation of family dynamics. Notably, she became the youngest Asian-American child star to grace the red carpet at the Emmy Awards.

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Joe Hahn -

The musician, DJ, director, and visual artist of Korean descent is best known for being a member of rock band Linkin Park. Hahn has contributed significantly to the band's sound and visual identity, sound engineering all eight of their albums and directing many of their music videos.

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Jenny Han -

Han is an acclaimed author and screenwriter known for her bestselling young adult novels. She wrote the 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' and 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' series, both of which she adapted into successful film and television projects.

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Grace Park -

Born in Los Angeles to Korean parents, Park was later raised in Vancouver, Canada. The American-Canadian actress is known for her roles in the science fiction hit series 'Battlestar Galactica' and in 'Hawaii Five-0'. She has also starred in the ABC drama 'A Million Little Things.'

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Arden Cho -

Born in Amarillo, Texas, to Korean-American parents, Cho is best known for her role as Kira Yukimura in the 2011 MTV series 'Teen Wolf.' She gained further recognition as Ingrid Yun in Netflix's 'Partner Track,' a series that follows a driven young lawyer navigating ambition and personal ethics in the competitive world of New York City law.

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Jim Yong Kim -

Yong Kim made history as the first Asian-American president of an Ivy League institution, leading Dartmouth College. As former director of HIV/AIDS at the World Health Organization (WHO), he established his position as a global health leader. He also served as president of the World Bank (2012-2019) and was named one of the world's 50 most powerful people by Forbes in 2013.

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Larry Kwak -

Dr. Kwak is a world-renowned physician and scientist, who has pioneered groundbreaking innovations in immunology and cancer vaccines. Recognized for his transformative work, he was named one of Time's 100 most influential people in 2010.

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Andy Kim -

Born in Boston and raised in South Jersey, Kim made history in the 2024 general election by becoming the first Korean-American senator and the first Asian-American senator from New Jersey.

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Yumi Hogan -

Maryland's first Asian-American First Lady, Hogan served alongside her husband, Governor Larry Hogan, from 2015 to 2023. Born in South Korea, she immigrated from South Korea to the United States in her twenties. Hogan is an accomplished artist and an adjunct professor at Maryland Institute College of Art.

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James Park -

Park co-founded wearable activity trackers company Fitbit in 2007, serving as its CEO and president since its inception. He was recognized as one of Fortune magazine's 40 Under 40 in 2015. Park attended University School in Cleveland, Ohio, where his Korean immigrant parents ran a diverse range of businesses, including a wig shop, an ice cream parlor, and a fish market.

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Rick Yune -

A Korean-American actor, screenwriter, producer, and martial artist, Yune is best known for his roles in films like 'The Fast and the Furious' (2001), 'Die Another Day' (2002), and 'Olympus Has Fallen' (2013). He also starred in the Netflix series 'Marco Polo.'

Sources: (Oakland Asian Cultural Center) (IMDb) (Los Angeles Times) (Variety)

See also: The differences between North and South Korea

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