A Friends actor has spoken out about racism he faced on set in 1997. Steve Park, a second-generation Korean American actor now appearing in Mickey 17, claimed that a production staff member used a racial slur while searching for fellow actor James Hong.
According to The Independent and other media reports on March 5, Park recently discussed the incident on a podcast. He described the set as “toxic” and alleged that a staff member said, “Where the f** is the Oriental guy? Get the Oriental guy,”* while looking for Hong.
Park stated that in 1997, Hollywood often ignored racism, and no one tried to change it. Shocked, he reported the incident to the Screen Actors Guild. The guild advised him to inform a major newspaper, but the story never appeared in print.
The experience had a lasting impact. Park said he felt trapped in a worldview dominated by racial issues, which led him to step away from acting. He also sent an email to acquaintances about the lack of respect in the industry. According to him, the email resonated nationwide.
Friends, one of the most successful sitcoms of all time, has long faced criticism for its lack of diversity.
Park resumed acting in 2013 with Bong Joon Ho’s Snowpiercer. He has since regained prominence with a role in Bong’s upcoming 2025 film Mickey 17.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
