Gail Kim Interview: Talks WWE, TNA, Future of Her Career, Molly Holly, Her Culture, Fans, etc

http://www.schemamag.ca/indepth/2012/02/gail-kim.php

What's a nice Korean Canadian girl from Toronto doing in a wrestling ring? While that may be on some people's minds tonight as they watch her match tonight on Spike TV against Jessie Kresa. The Total Non-stop Action (TNA) Wrestling champion sat down with Schema to discuss her wrestling career, her Korean-Canadian identity, and her thoughts on gender and race in the WWE.
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WWE Raw, live on Monday June 30th, 2003. For wrestling fans, it started off as a typical Monday night show: a showcase of bad actors and steroid junkies. [wow really..] Wrestling follows a script, with writers following a system which plays out every week. But then—something unexpected: Gail Kim stepped onto the wrestling scene.

"The young Asian-Canadian from Toronto, Gail Kim, making her way to the ring. Her first appearance live here on RAW," announced Raw commentator Jim Ross.

Kim did more than walk into a ring that night‐she also stepped into uncharted territory. A Canadian wrestler of Korean descent, she was a rare sight for Raw wrestling fans.

On a Monday night show, a title doesn't change hands to a rookie wrestler in her debut. Yet, things didn't go regularly in this elimination style match for the Women's Championship. The incident occurred when Jazz, the Women's Champion got injured early in the match and had to be carried out by officials. So this meant that what WWE writers probably had written was not going to happen. Instead, on this Monday night, fans received the unexpected moment they were watching for. As a wrestling fan, I remember fondly Kim's first WWE performance and her win. It's a scene that I reminisce on favorably, and that I relate to the last year I was still interested in following pro wrestling. Her title win was a refreshing change in an oft sociopolitical complicated and backwards industry. Whether it was planned or accidental, that match made Raw memorable during a time when it was starting to lose its appeal and stars.

How did you feel when you became the inaugural TNA Knockout Champion, and the first woman to ever win both the WWE and TNA Championships? Were you surprised by how fast your success was in the industry?

It actually wasn't fast. To reach that point took at least six years of wrestling. I'm glad everything happened the way it did. No regrets. I believe everything happens for a reason in your lifetime. Good or bad. They are all learning experiences.

When did you know you wanted to become a professional wrestler? What advice would you give to aspiring wrestlers and entertainers?

I knew when I was 23. I knew when I was so hooked on watching wrestling and I saw the likes of Trish Stratus, Victoria, Molly, Jazz etc. What they now call the golden era of women's wrestling. I watched them and thought, "Hey! I can do that! I also thought, there are no Asian women. I can be that person."

Where do you see yourself in the entertainment industry in the next 5 to 10 years?

I'm not sure. I've been lucky enough to be doing this for as long as I have. I have a television project in the works right now but I'm the type that I don't talk about it till it's actually done Hopefully things go well and I can reach that ultimate goal of having my fitness line. That's what I dream about every day.

Being of Asian descent, a Canadian citizen by birth, and someone that has spent a large part of their life working in the United States, you have a very diverse background. Can you tell me how you identify yourself, and which culture you relate to the most?

I definitely always describe myself as Korean Canadian. I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada so that's mostly what I knew growing up socially. But my parents spoke to me in Korean mostly and raised my sister, and I in a traditional Korean household. I can honestly say I relate to both cultures. I definitely feel like I want to explore and learn my Korean heritage a lot more.

On that note, you've done photo shoots and promotions in Korea. Do you feel a strong connection to your Korean background, and do you think your ethnicity has contributed to your popularity? Have you thought about participating in Korea's booming media industry?

I do feel a strong connection. I always have and that's probably because of my parents. I think they did a great job raising us in Canada but still exposing us to the Korean culture. I don't know about it contributing to popularity, but I can definitely say I feel as if it makes me different in a good way. It differentiates me from everyone else and I love that. I do know that I get a lot of positive support from fans of ethnic backgrounds and Asians who say that they are proud of me and what I've accomplished and that definitely makes me proud and grateful for the position I'm in. I definitely have always wanted to participate in Korea's media industry! I always have. I guess I've been sidetracked for the past 10 years with my wrestling schedule, so it's been definitely difficult for me to pursue. Ultimately, I would love to work there one day and my goal would be to put out a fitness wear line there one day.

Since you're on the road so often, when you visit your hometown of Toronto, Ontario what are some of the changes you've noticed over the past couple of decades that most surprise you? What do you miss most about home when you're on the road?

Every time I go home, I notice it's becoming more and more multicultural and the traffic gets worse lol. I plan all my days visiting around traffic. I always knew Toronto so well but last time I drove there, there were new streets, buildings ... it's just developing so quickly! It's overwhelming sometimes. I miss my family and friends most of all. Definitely don't miss the winters though!

On TSN's Off The Record, it's been discussed how Canadian fans tend to cheer for who they want, not who the booker's want. Have you noticed a difference between your American and Canadian fans?

I really don't but I really haven't been in front of the Canadian fans as often as I would like. I haven't been there in a while it seems. All I can tell you is that our Canadian fans rock!

As one of the few Asian wrestlers from North America that's on television every week, do you feel you have a responsibility to represent Asians a certain way to your audience? Are there any Asians you currently look up to in the North American entertainment industry, or that have inspired you?

I definitely feel as though I'm representing Asians everywhere and not just Asian, but females. Especially in such a business that is so male dominated. I always said I don't want to be the stereotype of what an Asian is portrayed and so far, I feel like I've been happy with the way things have gone. I really admire people like Maggie Q and Grace Park. They are two women in the entertainment industry who are not only beautiful, but play strong women on television. I love the whole femme fatale role Maggie plays, and I get inspiration from her for my character in wrestling. The only difference is that I play a villain right now. I also love Margaret Cho. She's outspoken, funny and I think she says what's on her mind and I love that. Kimora Lee Simmons comes to mind too. She started in modeling and runs an empire now while being a mom to 3 kids. That's an amazing woman right there!

Professional wrestling tends to have a very male oriented viewing demographic. Are there any specific female wrestlers you look up to?

I always looked up to Molly Holly who is no longer wrestling. She gave me my break in this business. The thing I admire most about her is not only her talent but the fact that she is genuinely so nice and kind hearted. A great person to know.

Wrestling has been known to push characters that are sometimes based on stereotypes and racial caricatures (Iron Sheik, Muhammad Hassan, Cryme Tyme, Jimmy Wang Yang, La Resistance). Were you ever given a role that you felt you were being stereotyped, fetishized, or that made you uncomfortable? How did you deal with it?

I don't think I can remember a time feeling uncomfortable because I was never forced to play the stereotypical role but that may be because I didn't know how. I can't speak fluent Korean (I regret quitting Korean school as a child now!) So it was difficult to put me in that role. The only time I felt uncomfortable was when I was asked to do things that were overtly sexual or anything dance related lol! I think I'm sexiest when I'm myself. As for the dancing part, I have 2 left feet!

Why do you think that there hasn't been an Asian male in pro wrestling that has found an equal amount of success in the United States? Do you think you'll ever see an Asian male with a world title for a major American wrestling promotion?

It has been a really long time since there has been an Asian male who is dominant in wrestling. I'm not sure why. There are plenty of talented pro wrestlers in Japan. The business has changed so much since the day I entered the business and it has become more entertainment based. That could be a possible reason.

I've read that you rolled out of the ring during that Battle Royal on WWE Raw out of frustration towards the fact that you weren't getting many matches booked or story lines. Why do you think they didn't feature you enough?

I've talked about this many times up to this point, which I don't mind but I think the fans and myself have moved on from this topic. To clarify, that was not the reason why, there were many reasons why including some disrespectful situations and the way women were treated; so I decided to move on. I did, and I'm happier than ever and I will never know reasons why so I choose not to worry about that anymore. I can only look forward and try to do positive things from now on. Impact Wrestling has been home for me and it's just been a confidence building, pro female wrestling environment. I feel like I don't have to limit myself anymore.

Make sure to check out
Follow Gail Kim's tweets at @gailkimitsme
Gail's official site TheGailKim.com.

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