TV Anchor Michelle Won A young Asian-American woman finds her position in the entertainment world By Jefferson Shaynor Reporter, anchor, and TV host Michelle Won grew up in Edison, New Jersey as the typical model minority daughter, expected to pursue medicine or law.  She continued on to Stanford University and completed not just a Bachelors degree but a Masters Degree as well.  But after completing both she realized she had a different path to follow. “I think that deep down my parents hoped my passion would be medicine or law,” Michelle recounts. “But my parents constantly remind me that they want me to pursue my passions. My dad can always be found saying, ‘Do what makes you happy.’ My mom inspires me with her fearlessness of conquering the uncharted.  Both have always said they will support me in whatever it is I choose to do unless I decide to join the circus. Even then, maybe.” At just 23 years old, she now co-hosts the first-ever English news show on an ethnic channel: TVK News English Edition, which has been widely considered a pioneer show.  She has an uncanny way of seeking out talented young Asian Americans to feature in her program. She is also an editorial assistant at NBC in Los Angeles, which is how she spends her weekends. And to top it off, she is the executive producer and host of a comedy series called "Kickin' It." Even more surprisingly, she has time to manage an underground hip hop group on the side. _______________________________ She has an uncanny way of seeking out talented young Asian Americans to feature in her program. _______________________________ Michelle Won describes herself as “an anchor, a reporter, a writer, a dreamer. During my year in Los Angeles, I have found my passion - turning news into stories that viewers can relate to and really feel in their hearts. That is why I write, cut, edit, and produce everything on my own. In particular, I like to interview the artistic to extract unexpected and often extraordinary stories.” Her interviews include John Legend's co-producer Paul Cho, Justin Timberlake's art director Gene Hong, the Ken Oak Band, Jin the Emcee, Korean pop star Wheesung, the Far East Movement, Roger Fan, and Teddy Zee. Michelle interviewing Lawrence Ng at the livedigital launch. Anchor, reporter, writer, and dreamer, Michelle Won. Michelle’s story is a compelling one: a 1.5 generation Korean American who went against expectations and mounted the immense discrimination against both Asian Americans and women in America's media arena. Regarding her aspirations for the future, she eventually would like to be a correspondent for a show like Primetime or Dateline or MTV. However, she is generally flexible about what she is doing as long as there is something challenging and interesting involved. In her own words, “I just want to love what I am doing and know that in some way I am doing something useful.” Jefferson Shaynor is Michelle Won’s personal manager. This website: Copyright © 2006 Dream World Media, LLC. / Urban Mozaik Magazine. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed in Urban Mozaik Magazine are not necessarily those of Urban Mozaik Magazine and the publisher cannot be held responsible for them. This website/publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.