The long-awaited “K-town” reality show will be coming to a computer screen near you.
After more than a year of delays, the much buzzed-about unscripted series is set to debut on July 2 on the LOUD channel on YouTube, a new pop culture channel hosted by media company Electus.
“K-town” has been regarded as an Asian American version of “Jersey Shore,” the fist-pumping MTV train wreck that boasts millions of viewers. The Koreatown version is backed by actor Tyrese Gibson’s production company HQ Productions. The press release announcing the show’s debut revealed that two cast changes have been made.
Jennifer Field, the hapa model and aspiring actress (and arguably the world’s worst karaoke singer), and muscle-bound gay porn star Peter Le will no longer be on the show. They will be replaced by Cammy Chung, described in the press release as “K-town’s sweetheart” and Jowe Lee, described in the press release as the “prince of K-town.” OK.
Other cast members include stylist Jasmine Chang, bisexual ex-stripper Scarlet Chan, single mom and bartender Violet Kim, “Mohawk” Steve Kim, party promoter Joe Cha and party promoter Young Lee.
By showcasing hard-partying Asian Americans with hearts of gold, the show’s creators hope to break longstanding Asian stereotypes.
“Asians have always been viewed through the media as either exaggerated stereotypes or the one-dimensional model minority,” said executive producer Mike Le, according to the press release. “K-Town is a celebration of what it’s like to be a young Asian in America today. It’s not just about playing the piano and being great at math. We’re also sexy, stylish, have swagger, and can party with the best of them.”
By going the YouTube route, creators of the show — which will feature 10 episodes each 10 minutes long — are hoping to connect with the new generation of media consumers.
“Everyone is looking for subculture, subculture, subculture, and no one has really ever explored this sort of Asian American world in L.A., so it was just perfect timing,” executive producer Liz Gateley told The Hollywood Reporter. “We’re so excited about it.”
Gateley and fellow executive producer Tony DiSanto are both former MTV programming executives credited with producing hit reality shows “Jersey Shore” and “The Hills.”
