Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

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Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

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MTV correspondent battles stereotypes, bad music

Not only has MTV News correspondent SuChin Pak covered the Sundance Film Festival and MTV Video Music Awards in her short career, but she has also interviewed celebrities such as George Lucas, Britney Spears and P. Diddy.

When she was asked about the intelligence and character of today’s celebrities at a speech Monday night at Norris University Center, Pak hesitated.

“Britney Spears is a prime example of what’s gone wrong with music today, ” said Pak, whose fire-engine red streaks stood out for the largely Asian-American crowd of 200 students who packed into the Louis Room.

“I was very impressed with Method Man and John Mayer,” she said. “They are intelligent, articulate celebrities.”

Others, like Spears and hard-rock icon Fred Durst, didn’t get the thumbs-up from Pak.

“I interviewed Fred Durst,” Pak said during her first-ever public speech, sponsored by the Asian-American Advisory Board. “There wasn’t a whole lot going on up there.”

She spoke about her life of interacting with celebrities on one of the nation’s leading networks, and explained the countless hurdles faced by Asian Americans in today’s entertainment and media industry.

Pak, who has worked at MTV News for a year and a half, said she started to capitalize on the momentum of producing, shooting, editing, researching and writing full features.

“It’s still a competition,” she said. “As an Asian American, I feel like I’m auditioning for my job everyday.”

Minorities in the entertainment industry today face a variety of challenges, Pak said, emphasizing the type-cast, stereotypical roles traditionally given to Asian Americans.

“I look at my Asian-American friends who are actors,” Pak said, “and I still see them playing roles entitled Mean Karate Kid 12.”

Pak said it’s difficult for Asian Americans to combat the subtle racism in the working world and find their voice in the industry, even though Asian-American personalities such as Connie Chung have carved a place in the media.

“It’s very much a white male club. … You have to own your own success,” Pak said. “You have to believe that you earned it.”

Although many people might be skeptical of Pak’s contribution to the entertainment industry, she said her toughest critics are Asian Americans, including her mother.

“It’s jarring for my mother to see things I wear and who I attend events with,” said Pak, who was clad in denim and a chocolate cardigan. “The Asian-American community is very critical of what I do, calling me a sellout at times.”

Although her job is tough, Pak said she wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“She’s amazing,” said Stanley Wong, a Weinberg freshman. “She has opened so many doors in the Asian-American community.”

“It’s rare to have an Asian-American role model like SuChin Pak in the media,” said Alan Fu, AAAB chairman.

Pak reflected on her experiences in America.

“It was just hell,” she said. “I remember being called Stinky Sue and SuChin Puke.”

Born to Korean immigrants, Pak alluded to the embarrassment and humiliation she initially felt toward her family.

“I never thought my parents could teach me anything,” she said. “I realize I’m only here today because of everything my parents taught me.”

Like many other Asian-American parents who want their children to craft careers in law, medicine or business, Pak said hers were no different.

“It’s the holy Asian trinity — law, medicine or business. After graduating from (the University of California,) Berkeley, I thought I would probably end up in law school,” she said. “I didn’t plan a career in television.”

After a couple of gigs in high school, Pak landed a job as host of “Newton’s Apple.” While working on the PBS show, Pak also started the long hunt for a coveted media internship.

“I didn’t win a fucking contest,” she said. “It takes a long time to break through.”

Although Pak wants to start her own production company in the future, she said she doesn’t plan on leaving MTV anytime soon. Rest assured, she’ll be there “10 to the hour, every hour.”

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Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881
MTV correspondent battles stereotypes, bad music