
A Korean Heartthrob Bodyguard (Presidential Escort) and My Son (May 2017)
To celebrate Mother’s Day, my eldest son came from Washington and showed me a photo on his phone.
With my dim eyesight, I could barely make out the image—it was of a handsome bodyguard of Korea’s new president. Alongside it were reactions from American women who were clearly smitten by him.
But what truly caught my attention were the expressions on the women’s faces.
Some looked utterly charmed, hearts fluttering.
Others, upon learning he was already married, looked visibly disappointed.
It was from an American website, one of many where photos like these often pop up.
What I didn’t expect, however, was the deeper insight that followed from my son—something that turned what could’ve been just a passing chuckle into a meaningful conversation.
According to him, the website is known not only for funny or entertaining images but also for trying to break down stereotypes.
He reminded me that in American society, there still exist subtle, sometimes unconscious, biases against Asian men—
Stereotypes that paint them as short, flat-faced, with narrow eyes…
And beyond appearance, often portrayed as timid or unassertive.
But the image of this dashing presidential bodyguard was helping to break those misconceptions—one photo at a time.
Not only did he represent Korea well, but he also played a quiet yet powerful role in reshaping how Asian men are perceived.
I found myself wishing that Korea’s new president, too, would help dismantle outdated prejudices and build a country where people are recognized for their true merit and effort.
And as for my son—who just finished his second year of law school—
I had a fleeting worry:
Is he spending too much time browsing sites like this, instead of studying?
But then I realized—that was my own prejudice creeping in.
For someone studying law, what could be more important than understanding the weight of prejudice and the need to overcome it?
And it seems my son already knows that well.
Starting next week, he’ll begin his internship at a law firm.
And I quietly hope that—not just with his good looks,
but through his ability and hard work—
he, too, might help elevate the image of Korean men,
and of Asian men as a whole.