Self-described as a “Chinatown Rock” band — think edgy synth pop meets new wave — The Slants are easily one of the most successful Asian American bands in the world. Besides rocking out on stage and playing with the likes of Mindless Self Indulgence and Shounen Knife, they also do awesome things such as lead workshops across the country on race and diversity to empower young audiences.

You would think a cool band like that would have no problem trademarking their name. But the U.S. denied their trademark for being “TOO ASIAN.”

Read my full article at Buzzfeed

It’s hard to deny the success of Korean pop music in America today. From Girls Generation performing on The Tonight Show with David Letterman to Psy‘s number one hit, “Gangnam Style” topping the charts in 2012, it seems that Korea — and its cultural “Kpop” exports — is here to stay.

Selling out arena-sized venues to tens of thousands of screaming fans, and raking in millions in merchandise sales, Korea’s cross-cultural marketing strategy for American market entry is arguably the largest contributor to Korea’s success in the American music industry. …