Wikipedia

List of Korean Americans

The following is a list of notable Korean Americans, including original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants.

To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are Korean American or must have references showing they are Korean American and are notable.

Art and design

Business

  • Nelson Chai, investment banker and former CFO of the New York Stock Exchange
  • Do Won Chang, founder of Forever 21
  • Charlotte Cho, esthetician, author and co-founder of Soko Glam
  • Timothy Hwang, founder and CEO of FiscalNote and president of the National Youth Association (NYA)
  • Sabrina Kay, founder and chancellor of Fremont College[3]
  • David Kim, former CEO of Baja Fresh
  • Daniel J. Kim, founder of Red Mango
  • James Kim, founder of Amkor, billionaire
  • Jim Kim, founder of venture capital firm Formation 8
  • Peter Kim, founder of Hudson Jeans[4]
  • Moon Kook-jin, founder of Kahr Arms, manufacturer of the Desert Eagle
  • David Lee, former senior vice president of finance at Best Buy, former CFO of Zynga; COO and CFO of Impossible Foods[5][6]
  • Brian Lee, co-founder of Legalzoom.com, ShoeDazzle.com, and The Honest Company
  • Chong Moon Lee, founder of Diamond Multimedia
  • Curtis Lee, founder and CEO of Luxe
  • David Lee, real estate developer
  • Young Lee, co-founder of Pinkberry
  • Thai Lee, CEO and president of SHI International, billionaire[7]
  • Ilhan New, founder of La Choy
  • Jane Park, founder of Julep, cosmetics company[8]
  • James Park, founder and CEO of Fitbit[9]
  • Sung Won Sohn, professor of economics at California State University, former president of LA Hanmi Bank
  • Daewon Song, co-founder of Almost Skateboards[10]
  • James Sun, CEO and founder of GeoPage.com; The Apprentice finalist
  • Michael Yang, founder and CEO of mySimon, founder & CEO of Become.com and Michael Yang Capital Partners I LP[11]
  • Gideon Yu, co-owner of the San Francisco 49ers and Executive Chairman and CEO of Bowers & Wilkins
  • Richard Yoo, founder and former CEO of Rackspace

Criminals and murderers

  • Seung-Hui Cho, murdered 32 people at Virginia Tech before committing suicide with a gun
  • Fullerton Boys, Korean gangsters

Culinary arts

  • Danny Bowien, chef and owner of Mission Chinese Food in San Francisco and New York
  • David Chang, chef, owner of Momofuku Noodle Bar, Momofuku Ko and Momofuku Ssäm Bar in New York City
  • Andrew Knezovich (Park Sung Hyo) chef and the co-owner of My Commissary Kitchen,[12] an establishment of certified kitchen services that support and incubate culinary diversity, businesses, and professionals in Norfolk, Virginia.
  • Roy Choi, co-founder and head chef of Kogi Korean BBQ food trucks and restaurants in Los Angeles
  • Deuki Hong, former Executive chef at Baekjeong NYC and chef and owner of the Sunday Bird in San Francisco; author of Koreatown: A Cookbook
  • Judy Joo, chef, owner of Jinjuu Restaurant (London and Hong Kong) Iron Chef on Iron Chef UK; judge on Iron Chef America and The Next Iron Chef; host of Korean Food Made Simple Cooking Channel; judge on Kitchen Inferno
  • Ann Kim, chef and co-owner of Young Joni and popular pizzerias in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Beverly Kim, finalist on Top Chef (Season 9); first winner of Top Chef Last Chance Kitchen; chef-owner of Parachute, Chicago, Illinois
  • Kristen Kish, winner of Top Chef (Season 10); chef at Stir, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Edward Lee, contestant on Top Chef (season 9); host of television show Culinary Genius
  • Corey Lee, chef-owner of Michelin-starred Benu in San Francisco; former head chef at The French Laundry

Entertainment

Journalism

Law and government

Elected officials

Literature

See Korean American writers for a more extensive list.

  • Matthew J. Baek, illustrator, children's book author, and graphic designer
  • Steph Cha, novelist
  • Leonard Chang, novelist, short story and TV writer
  • Alexander Chee, fiction writer, poet, journalist, and reviewer
  • Kah Kyung Cho, philosopher and writer
  • Franny Choi, poet
  • Mary H.K. Choi, author
  • Sook Nyul Choi, children's storybook writer
  • Susan Choi, novelist
  • Jenny Han, author of children's and young adult novels, including the 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before Series'
  • Euny Hong, journalist and author of The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation is Conquering the World through Pop Culture
  • Hyun Yi Kang, scholar and writer
  • Minsoo Kang, historian and writer
  • Younghill Kang, early Asian American writer; has been called "the father of Korean American literature"
  • Crystal Hana Kim, author
  • Elaine H. Kim, writer, editor and professor in Asian American Studies
  • Elizabeth Kim, journalist and novelist
  • Eugenia Kim, author
  • Mike Kim, author
  • Myung Mi Kim, poet
  • Nancy Kim, author, lawyer
  • Richard E. Kim, author, professor of literature
  • Suki Kim, author, investigative journalist, novelist
  • Suji Kwock Kim, poet, playwright, author of Notes From The Divided Country
  • Corina Knoll, editor, journalist
  • Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee, writer and artist
  • R. O. Kwon, author
  • Don Lee, author, editor
  • Ed Bok Lee, poet, writer
  • Min Jin Lee, novelist
  • Mary Paik Lee, author of Quiet Odyssey(1990)
  • Walter K. Lew, poet and scholar
  • Nami Mun, novelist
  • Gary Pak, writer, editor and professor of English, noted as one of the most important Asian Hawaiian writers
  • Ty Pak, writer; speaker on Korean affairs and literature
  • Linda Sue Park, American-born writer
  • T. K. Seung, philosopher and literary critic
  • Cathy Song, poet
  • Jane Jeong Trenka, author of The Language of Blood
  • Monica Youn, poet, National Book Award finalist
  • Young Jean Lee, playwright and director
  • Ji-Yeon Yuh, reporter, writer, editor and professor in Asian American history

Military

  • JoAnne S. Bass, 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, first female senior enlisted service member of any United States military branch, first Asian American to hold the senior enlisted position in the Air Force
  • Daniel Choi, U.S. Army officer and gay rights activist
  • Susan Ahn Cuddy, first female gunnery officer in the United States Navy
  • Major Gen. Sharon K.G. Dunbar, Commander of the Air Force District of Washington (AFDW); Commander of the 320th Air Expeditionary Wing, headquartered at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
  • Jeff Hwang, U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and 1999 winner of Mackay Trophy
  • Andrew Kim, former head of CIA's Korea Mission Center
  • Richard C. Kim, U.S. Army brigadier general, Deputy Commander of United States Army North
  • Colonel Young-Oak Kim, highly decorated U.S. Army combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War; first non-white to command an Army combat battalion in US history
  • Fred Ohr, World War II ace fighter pilot
  • Peter M. Rhee, trauma surgeon and military veteran[17]
  • Sue Mi Terry, CIA intelligence analyst specializing in East Asia

Music

  • Ahn Trio, Juilliard-educated classical music trio, featured in print and television ads for Gap[18]
  • Priscilla Ahn, alternative/folk singer
  • Ailee, singer based in South Korea
  • Amerie, R&B singer-songwriter, actress[19]
  • Anderson Paak, singer, rapper and multi-instrumentalist
  • Aaron Kwak, also known as Aron, member of South Korean boy band NU'EST
  • Sarah Chang, classical violinist and recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize[20]
  • Arden Cho, model, actress who also displays her singing and songwriting talents on YouTube
  • David Choi, singer-songwriter and YouTube sensation
  • Jae Chong, music producer, formerly of R&B group Solid
  • Clara Chung, singer
  • Dumbfoundead, rapper
  • Dia Frampton, musician, younger sister of Meg Frampton
  • Meg Frampton, musician, older sister of Dia Frampton
  • Shinik Hahm, conductor, professor
  • Joe Hahn, founding member of alternative rock band Linkin Park, multi-platinum and Grammy Award winner[21]
  • Heejun Han, singer and American Idol finalist (season 11)
  • Laine Hardy, singer and American Idol winner (season 17)
  • Hei-Kyung Hong, soprano with The Metropolitan Opera Company
  • Kim Samuel, former Produce 101 Contestant & Soloist
  • Danny Im, member of South Korean hip hop group 1TYM, R&B singer based in South Korea
  • Yuna Ito, Korean-Japanese, America-born J-pop singer and actress
  • Jessi, singer and rapper
  • Brian Joo, member of South Korean duo Fly to the Sky, R&B singer based in South Korea
  • Jessica Jung, singer, musical actress of the South Korean version of Legally Blonde: The Musical; former member of group Girls' Generation; sister of Krystal Jung
  • Krystal Jung, singer, dancer, actress, model; member of South Korean group f(x); sister of Jessica Jung
  • Nicole Jung, singer, dancer, rapper and former member of KARA
  • Crystal Kay, J-pop (Zainichi Korean) singer[22]
  • Bobby Kim (Ji-Won), SMTM Season 3 winner, rapper, singer, composer with IKON, MOBB
  • David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra
  • Earl Kim, pianist and composer; Harvard University professor
  • Eli Kim, member of South Korean boy band U-KISS
  • George Han Kim (also known as Johan Kim), singer and member of former R&B group Solid
  • Paul Kim, classical pianist
  • Rebecca Kim, rapper, ex-member of band After School
  • Stephanie Kim, singer, dancer and member of South Korean girl group The Grace
  • Soovin Kim, violinist from New York City
  • Andy Lee, singer, actor, and member of South Korean boy band Shinhwa
  • JinJoo Lee, guitarist and member of DNCE.
  • Kodi Lee, pianist and singer-songwriter
  • Megan Lee, singer, actress
  • Sean Lee, violinist, four-season concertmaster and teaching assistant at Juilliard
  • Sunny Lee, singer, radio host, member of South Korean group Girls' Generation
  • Kevin Kwan Loucks, pianist and arts entrepreneur
  • Nancy McDonie, singer and member of South Korean group Momoland
  • Lucia Micarelli, violinist
  • Eric Mun, rapper, actor and leader/member of South Korean boy band Shinhwa
  • John Myung, bass guitar player of progressive metal band Dream Theater[23]
  • Eric Nam, singer and TV host based in South Korea
  • Soon Hee Newbold, composer, conductor and violinist
  • Karen O, lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
  • Ken Oak, vocalist of Ken Oak Band
  • Eugene Park, electric violinist in South Korea
  • Jae Park, singer-songwriter, composer, and guitarist for South Korean band Day6
  • Jay Park, hip hop singer, rapper, b-boy, dancer, and former ex leader of 2PM
  • John Park, singer and first runner up of Superstar K2, Korean version of American Idol, semi-finalist on American Idol.
  • Park Joon-hyung, rapper and leader/member of South Korean pop group g.o.d
  • Lena Park, K-pop, R&B singer, songwriter, composer
  • Mike Park, ska and punk musician, founder of Asian Man Records[24]
  • Teddy Park, member of 1TYM, singer/rapper/producer based in South Korea.
  • Todd Park Mohr, lead vocals/guitars/keyboards/saxophone of Big Head Todd and the Monsters
  • Peniel Shin, rapper, and member of South Korean boy group BTOB
  • Son Hoyoung, singer and member of South Korean pop group g.o.d
  • Johnny Suh, singer and rapper in the band NCT 127
  • Susie Suh, singer-songwriter, signed with Epic Records[25]
  • T, R&B singer based in South Korea
  • Nosaj Thing (Jason Chung), electronic musician
  • Tiger JK, musician
  • Tim, R&B singer based in South Korea
  • Kevin Woo, singer, dancer and member of South Korean Boy Band U-KISS
  • Steve Seung-Jun Yoo, singer and dancer formerly based in South Korea
  • Kevin Moon, singer, main vocalist, a member of The Boyz
  • Tiffany Young, singer, musical actress Fame as Carmen Diaz; member of South Korean group Girls' Generation
  • Michelle Zauner, singer and songwriter who performs under the name Japanese Breakfast

Religion

Science, technology and education

  • Tae-Ung Baik, professor of law at the University of Hawaii Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law; legal scholar of international human rights law and Korean law
  • Victor Cha, professor in Asian studies, former Director for Asian Affairs in the White House's National Security Council
  • Dennis Choi, neuroscientist at Emory University, member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, former executive vice president for neuroscience at Merck, former chairman of the department of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
  • Howard Choi, spinal cord injury specialist
  • Esther Choo, emergency physician and professor at the Oregon Health & Science University
  • John Chun, designer of AC Cobra and Shelby Mustang GT350 and GT500 models; Tonka Toys designer[26]
  • Jefferson Han, one of the main developers of "multi-touch sensing" technology, owner of Perceptive Pixel company
  • Moo-Young Han, physicist
  • Dennis Hong, professor and the founding director of RoMeLa (Robotics & Mechanisms Laboratory) of the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department at UCLA[27]
  • Waun Ki Hong, Division Head and Professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and pioneer in field of cancer chemoprevention and cancer medicine.[28][29]
  • Hyun Yi Kang, scholar and writer; chair of Women's Studies and Associate Professor in Comparative Literature and English at University of California, Irvine
  • Minsoo Kang, historian and writer at University of Missouri
  • Sung-Mo "Steve" Kang, chancellor of University of California, Merced; former professor of electrical and computer engineering at various institutions
  • Larry Kwak, world-renowned physician and scientist who has pioneered breakthrough innovations in immunology and cancer vaccines; and named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2010.[30]
  • Jaegwon Kim, William Herbert Perry Faunce Professor of Philosophy at Brown University
  • Jeong H. Kim, president of Bell Labs
  • Jim Yong Kim, Francois Xavier Bagnoud Professor Health and Human Rights at Harvard University; former director of HIV/AIDS at the World Health Organization; 17th president of Dartmouth College; president of the World Bank
  • Peter S. Kim, president of Merck, former MIT-Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research biochemist, member of National Academy of Sciences
  • Howard Koh, professor of the Practice of Public Health; associate dean for Public Health Practice at the Harvard School of Public Health; former Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health
  • Bandy X. Lee, psychiatrist with Yale University and the co-author of the book, The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump
  • Benjamin W. Lee, theoretical physicist (influenced development of the Standard Model)
  • Chang-Rae Lee, professor of creative writing at Princeton University; novelist
  • Marina Lee, co-founder of an international program on empathy and global citizenship development in youth
  • David Oh, NASA engineer and lead flight director of the Mars Curiosity rover[31]
  • Andrew S. Park, Methodist theologian
  • Gary Pak, professor of English at University of Hawaii; one of the most important Asian Hawaiian writers
  • No-Hee Park, Dean of the School of Dentistry at the University of California, Los Angeles.
  • Mark L. Polansky, NASA astronaut
  • Michelle Rhee, former chancellor of District of Columbia Public Schools; education reform advocate
  • Sebastian Seung, computational neuroscientist, brain and cognitive sciences professor at MIT, and author of Connectomes
  • Nam-Pyo Suh, doctor of engineering of Carnegie Mellon University, 14th president of KAIST in South Korea
  • Jeannie Suk, assistant professor of law at Harvard Law School; award-winning writer
  • Meredith Jung-En Woo, dean of the college and graduate school of arts and sciences at the University of Virginia, professor of political science and Korean studies
  • Ji-Yeon Yuh, professor in Asian American history and Asian diasporas at the Northwestern University
  • Joon Yun, radiologist; founder of Palo Alto Institute

Sports

  • Darwin Barney, MLB player; grandfather is from Korea and grandmother is from Japan
  • Marissa Brandt, Olympic ice hockey player
  • Eugene Chung, former NFL player, first Korean American to be drafted in the 1st round, played offensive line
  • Simon Cho, Olympic speed skater; won the bronze medal in men's 5000 meter relay at the 2010 Vancouver Games
  • Hank Conger, MLB player
  • Emily Cross, Olympic fencer; won the silver medal in foil team at the 2008 Beijing Games
  • Toby Dawson, Olympic skier, won the bronze medal in men's freestyle skiing at the 2006 Torino Games
  • Bill Demong, Olympic skier; mother is half Korean[32]
  • Marcus Demps, American football player
  • Will Demps, American football player
  • Jake Dunning, MLB player
  • Tommy Edman, MLB player, mother is from Korea.
  • Tom Farden, head coach of the Utah Red Rocks
  • James Hahn, professional golfer
  • Benson Henderson, mixed martial artist, former UFC lightweight champion
  • John Huh, professional golfer
  • Vicky Hurst, professional golfer
  • Anthony Kim, professional golfer
  • Chloe Kim, elite snowboarder, Winter X Games gold medalist (superpipe, 2015) Olympic gold medalist (halfpipe, 2018)[33]
  • Christina Kim, professional golfer
  • Kevin Kim, tennis player
  • Jessica Pegula, tennis player; daughter of Terry and Kim Pegula
  • Kim Pegula, businesswoman and co-owner of Pegula Sports and Entertainment (Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, and other teams) alongside her husband Terry; born in Seoul and adopted by an American family at age 5
  • Younghoe Koo, American football player
  • Tae Man Kwon, Hapkido Grand Master; 9th degree Black Belt
  • Jeanette Lee, pool player, nicknamed "The Black Widow" for her tendency to wear black[34]
  • John Lee, former football player
  • Sammy Lee, diver, first American-born male Asian Olympic gold medalist
  • David Lipsky, professional golfer; mother is from Korea
  • Moon Tae-jong, professional basketball player
  • Kyler Murray, NFL quarterback
  • Kevin Na, professional golfer
  • Naomi Nari Nam, figure skater
  • Jim Paek, NHL hockey player
  • Angela Park, professional golfer
  • Jane Park, professional golfer
  • Richard Park, NHL player
  • BJ Penn, mixed martial artist and former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion
  • Rob Refsnyder, MLB player; born in Seoul, South Korea, and adopted by a couple from Southern California when he was five months old.
  • Jhoon Rhee, taekwondo master and entrepreneur
  • Terrmel Sledge, MLB player
  • Daewon Song, professional skateboarder
  • Sonya Thomas, aka "Black Widow," competitive eater, holder of 29 world titles
  • Hines Ward, football player, MVP of Super Bowl XL
  • Michelle Wie, professional golfer
  • Alex Yi, soccer player
  • Ariane Andrew also known as Cameron, professional wrestler
  • Mia Yim also known as Jade, professional wrestler
  • James Yun, professional wrestler
  • Ben Leber, NFL Linebacker

Other

  • Philip Jaisohn, first Korean to become an American citizen; first Korean American to receive an American medical degree
  • Song Oh-kyun, Korean independence activist
  • Song Yi-kyun, Korean independence activist and aviator

References

  1. ^ a b Lela Lee – [1] "I am Korean American. My parents immigrated and I was born here. I was actually the only daughter to be born in the U.S. I grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles, an hour east of Los Angeles. When I grew up, there were probably two other Asian families and we were made fun of. They would say, "Oh are you Chinese?" And I would say, "No." And they would say, "Are you Japanese?" And I would say, "No." And they would say, "Well, what are you then?" I would say, "I'm Korean" and they would say, "Where is that?" My parents were probably part of the first influx of Koreans to come to the U.S. at that time in the early 70s."
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  3. ^ "Turning Adversity into Opportunity - YPO". Ypo.org. October 6, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  4. ^ "Korean-American jean brand CEO gets spotlight". Koreaherald.com. August 26, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  5. ^ "Impossible Foods Names David Lee As COO and CFO". Prnewswire.com. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  6. ^ "NetKAL - Network of Korean-American Leaders". Netkal.org. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  7. ^ "Thai Lee Owns America's Largest Woman-Owned Business: Forbes". Iamkoream.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015.
  8. ^ "Jane Park Co Founder (Julep)". Startupgrind.com. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  9. ^ "Fitbit's launch in Korea a big step for company". Koreajoongangdaily.joins.com.
  10. ^ ""Dr. Chef" Jay Lee hopes his Ribsticks BBQ restaurant smokes the competition". Cleveland.com. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  11. ^ Ho, Soyoung (January 12, 2009). "Bankers, Grocers and Lots of Kims". Forbes.
  12. ^ "Chefs Decontructed". Chefs Decontructed. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  13. ^ Bobby Lee – "Archived copy". Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2006. "Korean King of Comedy: Bobby Lee"
  14. ^ Sung-Hi Lee – [2] Archived August 20, 2006, at the Wayback Machine "Korean hottie Sung Hi Lee"
  15. ^ "Eun Yang". NBC4 Washington.
  16. ^ Kristie Cattafi (January 3, 2019). "Palisades Park makes history in Bergen County, swears in first Korean-American mayor". NorthJersey.com - part of the USA Today network. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  17. ^ "The Making of Peter Rhee". Iamkoream.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2015.
  18. ^ "페이지를 찾을 수 없습니다". Img.kbs.co.kr. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  19. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 10, 2006. Retrieved May 21, 2006.
  20. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 28, 2006. Retrieved May 21, 2006. "Meanwhile, under the subtitle “Becoming a World-Famous Violinist,” the unit also pays tribute to Korean-American violinist Sarah Chang..."
  21. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 8, 2006. Retrieved May 21, 2006. "Hahn, a Korean American..."
  22. ^ "Sound Decision - Greeting(s)". Animenewsnetwork.com. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  23. ^ "MetaKorean » Korean American Community » Interview with John Myung, Korean Poker Pro". January 18, 2006. Archived from the original on January 18, 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  24. ^ "Home". Kaffeinebuzz.com.
  25. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved May 21, 2006. "For Emerging Korean-American Singer Susie Suh, Songs are Like Tattoos"
  26. ^ Walsh, Paul (July 18, 2013). "Obituary: John Chun, design wizard behind the Mustang Shelby sports car". Star Tribune. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  27. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  28. ^ https://www.nfcr.org/scientists/waun-ki-hong/
  29. ^ http://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=3342
  30. ^ "Larry Kwak M.D., Ph.D., oncologist and researcher - City of Hope". Cityofhope.org. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  31. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 18, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  32. ^ "Helen Demong: an Adirondack woman who opens doors". Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  33. ^ "Snowboarder Chloe Kim is a triumph for asian-americans". www.outsideonline.com. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  34. ^ Jeanette Lee – "Archived copy". Archived from the original on August 24, 2000. Retrieved September 2, 2006. "As a first generation Korean American, Jeanette was raised in a bilingual household which stressed both Korean traditional values and the American ideal of opportunity."

External links

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