Four Asian dudes have re-created some of the most famous male underwear ads our time in an effort to dig deep into the question: “Why aren’t Asian men considered sexy?”
In a new video for BuzzFeed, Eugene Yang questions why there’s still so much bias against Asian guys, particularly when it comes to dating and sex.
“There’s a lot of old and tired comedy in media and entertainment that makes fun of Asian men for not being sexually attractive,” Yang says.
Related: If your dating profile says “No Asians” then you’re a “trash gay,” Korean comedian says
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
He continues, “We decided to bring in four everyday Asian-American guys to recreate iconic underwear ads, who represent a wide diversity of body types, sexuality, and just general amounts of f*ckability.”
The guys recreated Justin Bieber’s 2015 CK advert, Jamie Dornan’s 2009 CK advert, David Beckham’s 2008 Armani advert, and, of course, Mark Wahlberg’s 1992 CK advert.
We’d say their mission has been accomplished!
Check out the rather racy video below.
Related: This Asian man says he only dates white guys because they are ‘the gold standard of desirability’
jess_lopez
Where are the hot guys?
zxcv
Again, less racism. Better is expected
natekerchel
Who said Asian men are not sexy? We might find individuals not sexy but we can’t generalise because none of us have met every Asian man. How do we define sexy – there is no list to consult, and finding someone ‘sexy’ is very much a personal determination. I have had ‘relationships’ with men from all continents and many countries. I never found a whole group of people I considered not sexy. I cannot define sexiness even for myself – it is different in each person I meet. For some its because I find them funny, for others because they are clever, others because i sense great empathy. So I dont understand how an entire race of people can be considered ‘unsexy’. It is a very short-sighted attitude to adopt. This story is very similar to another one on this site about racism and I imagine there will be the same comments about ‘personal preference’. I accept that we all have ‘preferences’ – I just dont think you can exclude entire races of people based on the handful you might have met.
NOUHAVENT
If they are denying jobs, a place to live, or medical care than that’s racism. Not wanting to have sex with people is not racism. As gay people we should be aware that you can’t change who you like, it’s just who you are.
Large Marge
I like skinny twinks. Always have and always will. I’ve varied a few times but those are abberations. What turns me on is skinny twinks or twink-olds.
I am very okay with asians as long as they meet that criteria. I am less okay with blacks. I guess that is racist, but I don’t find blacks attractive in general…. except Marlon Wayons. A few other black guys I guess, but I stay away.
Does that make me a bad person? I’m not really racist and believe in BLM and all that and support it, but when it comes to sex??? I’m not that interested. Call it residual racism???
I work at a casino. I see lots of people every day…. and I see a few very hot black guys. I’d never approach them because I can’t at work and would frankly be to scared to at a club…. I just don’t know what we’d have to talk about that relates to each other.
I know some may be like me and articulate, but many are the ‘thugs’ we hear about. Am I being more racist yet? This is reality and I’ve dealt with these people who prove themselves thugs.
The fact is that there are very many prominent differences between the black community and the asian community and the white community (oh and trump is building a wall against the hispanic community).
It’s a fact. I wish it wasn’t, but it is. That being said, I’m trying to elevate myself above that. I’m trying, but also not really sure how to do so.
I do not think it bad that a white person wants only a white person. For compatability, they will most likely work best! Why is that a bad thing? It’s like a cultural thing almost… Somebody from the USA who meets somebody from China is gonna have a hard time…. but it could work too.
I do also think that limiting yourself, you may miss out on the angel you always wanted and the love of your life.
In conclusion, I don’t know what the f*ck I’m doing. Trying to figure it out still.
natekerchel
At least you are honest about how you feel and the confusion it brings sometimes. Most people will find this a difficult subject. But it is through exchanging thoughts and ideas that we learn and develop and grow. You are like everyone else – as you say ‘trying to figure it out’. Maybe we base our feelings about certain groups based entirely on our own limited experiences. You mentioned about ‘thugs’ – that has been your experience you say. But for me it is totally the opposite. My experience of Black people is one of a cultured, educated and dynamic group. I don’t think I have ever met anyone from any ethnic minority I would describe as a ‘thug’. So we are all products of our own limited experiences.
Roan
Yes, you are a racist. And several other things as well. The fact that you are honest about it isn’t refreshing. It’s disgusting.
ChrisK
What you have is a fetish.
natekerchel
Roan – although I tend to agree with you about the other contributor being racist and that racism is disgusting, I also agree with Phutureprimitive that his beliefs are based on his past experiences. That is not excusing anything – it is simply recognising why something happens. If we just accuse people and ostracize them without offering an alternative way then we will never change attitudes. When we send criminals to prison part of what we expect is rehabilitation to take place. If that does not happen then we will be sending that person back to prison time and time again. People learn best when they are given good examples or role models.
Roan
natekerchel, sorry but I don’t cut any slack for that. It’s 2017. Not 1917. There’s no excuse for this bs. Finding yourself and being racist are two entirely different things.
NOUHAVENT
@Roan you throw racism around like not having sex with a person you have zero sexual attraction is the same as denying them their basic human rights. Its 2017 and you should know that shaming gays for not sleeping with who you deem proper is not okay. Gay rights are about sleeping with who you want without being forced into some mold society thinks you should be.
natekerchel
Understanding why people behave as they do is not the same as approving of what they do. And it is absurd to dismiss past experiences as inconsequential. If I grow up in a home where I am taught that homosexuality is a sin, it is extremely likely that I am going to turn out to be homophobic. You seem to deny that reality in your comment about ‘not cutting any slack’. No one suggested that racism should be tolerated – only that you have to understand where it came from. If we dont kill the root the weed will just keep coming back. If someone has been brought up by racists in a racist community and country then you should not be surprised he turns out to be a racist. When you want to change someones – sometimes deep seated – belief system you have to show a better way for them to go. What you suggest is like sending people to prison but not offering any kind of rehabilitation – that does not work.
PhuturePrimitive
Again, at least you’re being honest about your thoughts and can see that a lot of them might be based in bad experiences. In my opinion, I think every racial/ethnic/social group/religion has its crappy people, but I also think every group has its decent people, too. We can’t just make sweeping generalizations about groups of people (be them all bad or all good, either) because humans are multifaceted in their behavior and their beliefs. My father is a white American man, and my mother is a mixed-race Latina woman (indigenous and black), I fall somewhere in the middle of ALL those things. I’ve seen white people who I think are lowlifes, but I’ve also seen good white people, too. I’ve seen Latino/Black individuals who are lowlifes, but I’ve seen good ones, too. The same can be said for any group (Asian, gay, lesbian, trans, Muslim). There’s a spectrum. I can’t assume your race/ethnicity, but I can deduct from your post that maybe some of your notions about black people (particularly) being thugs might be cultural? (as in what you’ve heard in your life?)
Sometimes the best exposure is to speak and associate with people– get to know them. See their character. Their experiences. You might be pleasantly surprised. I definitely think that cross-cultural/interracial relationships can work. Sometimes the differences are the most enlightening parts of the relationship.
PhuturePrimitive
Sorry, this was meant to be a response to Large Marge.
Roan
NOUHAVENT… His beliefs are both dehumanizing and racist. He’s not attracted to a black person for any other reason than their race. He writes about certain types of black men as attractive, but others (“these people who have proven themselves”) are thugs (another racist term). Was the person he encountered a “thug” because they were black and not “articulate?” (these are his words) What does he call a white person who isn’t articulate? He believes “The fact is that there are many prominent differences between the black community and the Asian community and the white community.” He thinks that “For compatability [sic], they will most likely work best!” and here he’s referring to white people dating each other. His reference for an Asian person is “somebody from China”. He encounters people of all races on a daily basis, but yet he quantifies them based on immutable qualities. He admits that he is racist and writes it off as a “a cultural thing.” This isn’t solely about sexual compatibility, it’s about his world view. The “no blacks, no Asians” caveat that he abides by, and that we so often see in our community, isn’t a preference, it’s racism. That’s a difficult and uncomfortable notion for our community to accept.
Neonegro
My attraction to a certain group has nothing to do with past experience or cultural factors.
I am only sexually attracted to my fellow black men.
No matter the culture, class, education, economic standings etc……all they have to be is black.
There is nothing to work on or to defend and I am not missing anything.
Asia does not exist for me sexually, it’s a waste land.
whatsaywhat
Oh for heavens sake. Ever been to Hong Kong? Tokyo? There are plenty of gay guys who are not into white guys and that’s all there is to it. Nobody is having a hysterical freak out about their sexual preferences, are they? It’s only narcissistic Americans even wasting their breath on this silly conversation.
What a complete and utter joke that anyone should judge and/or shame you based on what physical features you are (or are not) attracted to.
Is the offense-takers gonna tell us we’re all misogynists next because we’re not attracted to women?
Please.
Roan
Neonegro… no one ever said that black people couldn’t be racist.
whatsaywhat… physical features and gender versus race are entirely different things.
Roan
So yes, if you exclude people based on race… then you are racist. You can’t write it off to preference and get a free pass. Go ahead and ask yourself why you immediately exclude based on race. Make a list of the factors and your reasoning. Feel free to post it.
Neonegro
Gladly Roan,
I don’t find the cranial features, the hair texture, the physical built of certain races sexually stimulating.
The negros features however excite me to no end. It’s more than just skin color. For example, the hamitic blacks of the horn of Africa especially Somalia also do not excite me sexually.
But I don’t advocate preventing any group from enjoying all rights, nor do I try to impose my sexual views on others.
If in your world view you see that as racism, I am absolutely fine with it.
But the brain makes the dick rise for what the brain desire. No PC preaching or shaming attempt will change that.
It’s a big world for everyone to find their niche.
Roan
Neonegro… Call it whatever makes you feel better, but it’s still racism.