Bill Handel’s recent series of derogatory comments about Koreans is not just offensive—it’s an indictment of the lack of accountability within broadcast media.
As a prominent radio host at KFI (AM 640) and an attorney, Handel’s platform carries significant influence. Recognized for his broadcasting achievements with an induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009, he should know better.
For the past seven months, Handel has freely used his radio platform to demean Koreans, with each new comment escalating in severity. The Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA) has rightfully called for KFI (AM 640) and iHeartRadio to take swift and decisive action. It’s time for them to listen.
Handel’s remarks have been as consistent as they are appalling. On October 3, he joked about a children’s book by saying, “Is it translated into Korean? Don’t use too much ketchup,” a thinly veiled reference to the outdated, racist trope linking Koreans to dog meat consumption.
Similar rhetoric surfaced on his September 25 show, where he grouped Korea and China as “dog-eating” countries. By September 16, he had gone even further, referencing dog meat soup recipes in response to a presidential debate comment about Haitian immigrants. This wasn’t satire—this was pure bigotry.
But it didn’t stop there. In August, while discussing Airbnb, Handel described Koreans as “tourists who speak no English and are completely, totally obnoxious.” His words are not only degrading but perpetuate dangerous stereotypes that fuel prejudice and hate.
These aren’t isolated incidents. Handel’s history of racist remarks spans more than a decade. Back in 2011, he claimed, “Koreans don’t like Filipinos unless you cook them dog meat,” and accused Korean landlords of not caring about tenants.
His list of targets has grown over the years to include Armenians, Muslims, and other minority communities. In 2009, he suggested the U.S. government “sell” Glendale, a city with a large Armenian population, to “get rid” of Armenians. These words aren’t “jokes.” They’re deliberate attacks masked as humor.
Despite MANAA’s efforts to meet with iHeartRadio and KFI executives, the only response has been a hollow “We’re grateful for the feedback” email. This is not enough. When prominent media figures engage in repeated hate speech, it’s not just a reflection on them—it’s a reflection on the platforms that enable them.
Radio stations wield immense power in shaping public discourse. They have a responsibility to ensure that airwaves are not used as tools of division. Silence and inaction from KFI and iHeartRadio send a clear message: profit and ratings matter more than basic decency. But there’s a cost to this approach—one that manifests in growing anti-Asian hate crimes, increased public distrust, and irreparable harm to communities.
The Korean American community, along with other marginalized groups, deserves the same compassion and protection. Media companies like iHeartRadio have a duty to protect communities, not embolden those who attack them.
Accountability is overdue. Handel’s platform should not be a haven for racial slurs disguised as “comedy.” KFI and iHeartRadio must issue a formal apology, suspend Handel’s show, and implement stronger policies to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Media corporations have done so before—they’ve suspended and even fired other hosts for less.
If KFI and iHeartRadio want to show they’re serious about combating racism, they need to take action now. Anything less is complicity. Words have power. It’s time for KFI and iHeartRadio to show that hateful words have consequences.
By Mooyoung Lee lee.mooyoung@koreadaily.com
