Asian Representation in American Media
Despite recent progress, Asian representation in American media remains low. A study by Variety found that while Asian characters increased from 3% to 16% in streaming content between 2007 and 2022, stereotypes persist and only a small percentage have central storylines or leading roles.
Alex Landi: Breaking Barriers
Alex Landi, a Korean-Italian actor and model, is making waves in the entertainment industry by playing multifaceted characters that challenge stereotypes. In the long-running medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” Landi portrays Dr. Nico Kim, the show’s first Asian and openly gay male surgeon.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Born in 1992, Landi’s Korean heritage comes from his mother’s side, who immigrated to the United States from Korea. He began his acting career with small roles in shows like “Bull” and “Prillen Short Shorts.” In 2018, he landed the groundbreaking role of Dr. Kim in “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Representation and Advocacy
Landi is proud to represent both the Asian and LGBTQ+ communities through his role. He believes that breaking stereotypes and giving marginalized groups a voice is crucial. “I just hope I do it right. I want to take these two categories and make everyone look strong,” he said.
Romantic Storyline and Impact
As Dr. Kim, Landi’s character has a significant romantic relationship with Dr. Levi Schmidt, played by Jake Borelli. This storyline has been praised for its positive representation of LGBTQ+ relationships and its challenge to traditional gender roles.
Future Prospects
Landi’s work in “Grey’s Anatomy” has helped pave the way for increased representation of both Asian and LGBTQ+ characters in mainstream media. We can expect to see more groundbreaking roles from this talented actor in the future.