A few miles west of downtown L.A. lies an Asian mecca that features the highest concentration of nightclubs and 24-hour businesses in SoCal. Take a walk through these streets when night hits sunny Los Angeles, and witness the city's finest come out to party, play, and shoot soju.
Naturally, it's this vibrant neighborhood in which the new network reality TV show K-Town is set. Described by the media in early reports as "an Asian version of Jersey Shore", the show features eight young people of Asian descent living and partying together in L.A.'s Koreatown.
But what draws viewers to reality TV? Not glimpses of hopping nightlife and crowds, but the outrageous individuals that dominate the shows. The same characters which draw us in week after week.
Within most successful reality TV shows a star is born within the series. Mike Mizanin, Mike Sorrentino and Jamie Chung are just a few examples from this last decade. K-Town appears to have an intriguing cast, but it's not difficult to see who's fueling the most media attention.
She's 2006's Miss Asian America, an embodiment of K-Town's east-west style, and has all the swagger necessary to captivate cameras. Canada, meet Jennifer Field.
Photo credit: John Agcaoili of Darkside of the Moon Photography
What's it like going from beauty pageant role model to the comparative grittiness of reality shows? Which, if any, felt more natural?
Admittedly, moving in and out of two very different worlds—pageantry and reality television—has been challenging. I view both as expressions of myself, and they are just two arms of my profession as an artist. The way one acts at a holiday gathering with grandparents, or if one is invited to dine at the White House, would not be the same as one would be kicking it with one's crew of best friends, or say, alone with a partner. I like to look at the transition through that lens. Both pageantry and reality modes for me are a shade of Jenn, an equally valid side of Jenn.
How often do you party in LA's Koreatown?
When I first moved to LA, I landed smack dab right in the middle of this bustling neighborhood, and I was blown away at the opportunity to be immersed in the culture I always craved more of. Growing up with my fellow Vietnamese and Filipinos, I only had one or two Korean friends. I probably went out to the Koreatown bars a couple times a month in the beginning. I was so excited to be in a nightlife that spoke Korean, where the signs were in Korean, and the music videos on tv were Korean. It's like Seoul in the late 80s here. Like Seoul, but a decade or so behind (haha).
Photo credit: John Agcaoili of Darkside of the Moon Photography
Media has been saying that the K-Town reality show will change perceptions of Asian-Americans. How do you feel about being at the forefront of this, especially since you've gained so much of the spotlight among the cast?
It has been an exciting experience and I can only hope that being at the forefront of what I see as a revolution will be for the greater good. I hope that with so much attention garnered, I can turn this around, maximize my professional aspirations, and GIVE BACK. With popularity comes power, I feel. You can use that power for good, abuse it, or just relish it. My plan is to relish it a little, and put it to work in my Asian American community, as I have been since I won the Miss Asian America title. I have no idea what 2011 will have in store for us ... I hear fame is very addicting, and once you get a taste, you can't get enough.
Do you feel being Hapa has intensified the popularity you've gained from the show? Have you noticed if it's gotten you more attention from guys while partying in Ktown?
Definitely being the only mixed race person has raised eyebrows and piqued people's interest. I have read plenty of blogs and articles mentioning that I don't even look Asian, or that I'm a Koreaboo. Whatever the public feels, I think that Hapas are a part of the Asian American landscape and that mixed Asians around the world would probably agree that the cultural dichotomy we have tried to balance our whole lives, ought to be profiled more in mainstream media. In regards to partying in K-Town, guys always check me out whether that is due to curiosity, or some, ahem, other reason.☺
You mention in another interview that your mom wanted you to be, "like all the other White girls." And that she was disappointed when you told her you wanted to marry a Korean. How did that upbringing and her views effect yours while growing up?
I am constantly at odds with my mom when it comes to my love life. She was never happy with my suitors, and growing up, I rebelled, and eventually it led to me moving out with my boyfriend at 19 against her wishes. She thinks she knows Korean men better than I do, and if she wanted a life for her kids in Seoul she would have stayed and married someone back home. She thinks if I'm American, and had the blessing of growing up here, why not marry an American (aka White boy)? What my mom does not understand, is that Korean-American men are Americans, and they are most likely different culturally than the Korean men she grew up with. Race is not important, personality and a heart of gold is ... and whoever brings that to me wins.
Do you tend to date Asian guys or White guys? Do either of them see you are more Asian or White?
As a preteen, I was always taking Asian guys to school dances. Being sent to a private high school on the less diverse side of town, I was around the most White boys I have ever seen in my life. It was like the movies! Since then, I have dated all colors of the rainbow...but most Asian guys don't last more than a couple of dates.
I am on the lookout for one who matches me in passion, individuality, and with his masculinity. Yup, I said it. Being a strong woman, I need an even stronger man.
Asian guys I have dated always saw me as their "White girl". White guys I have been with always thought of me as Asian ... especially in bed, they say there I am most Korean.
Have you ever met a Canadian, and if so, what did you think?
As a spokesmodel for Champ Car (now IRL), a lot of my handlers, the race car drivers, and fellow pageant titleholders, were Canadian. This was due in part to the popular open wheel races in Edmonton, Toronto, Mont-Tremblant during my year as Miss San Jose Grand Prix. And I always thought, Canadians are just like Americans, but more chill. Less anxious, and happier. Maybe it is because I laugh everytime they say the cute "about" as "aboot", or they know they have an enviable universal health care system. I have vacationed in Victoria, B.C. and Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, and am dying to visit Toronto and Vancouver one day.
What's coming up for you, post K-Town?
An ambitious drama titled Turmoil, in one of my most challenging roles to date. We are aiming this project at the top film festivals around the world (crossing fingers!). I have two shorts as well I will be shooting with longtime collaborator Matthias Koenigsweiser, and with the brilliant Billy Barnes.
