Tonight on Nightline.
Inner Beefcake
What do Jeremy Lin, Daniel Dae Kim and John Cho have
that these guys don’t?
This Asian tycoon says his foolproof dating boot camp
can take them from zero to hero.
We tag along on their dates to find out.
From the global resources of ABC News
with Terry Moran
Cynthia McFadden
and Bill Weir in New York City.
This is Nightline
March 2, 2012.
Coming up: helping guys and busting stereotypes
this self described Asian playboy says he can make a Casanova out of anyone
inside his dating boot camp.
ABC News Nightline from New York City
with Cynthia McFadden.
And so on this Friday night, a dating coach
who calls himself the Asian Playboy
who’s taking dead aim at a lingering stereotype
that Asian men just don’t get it when it comes to dating.
He says that his techniques can make lady killers out of anybody
virtually overnight.
It’s not cheap
but is his boot camp worth it?
ABCs Juju Chang takes a look.
It’s been called the nerd handshake
Jeremy Lin and fellow Knick Landry Fields pretend to study the bible
and finish by putting imaginary glasses into a pocket protector.
But Lin has managed to dunk and dazzle
his way to overcome the Asian geek stereotype.
Growing up Asian American, my sisters and I were painfully aware of the biases
but it was worse for my brother.
Pop culture is full of Asian nerd caricatures.
Think Long Duk Dong in Sixteen Candles
or Mr. Chow in The Hangover.
You know the assumptions
good at math, not so good with the ladies.
That’s where JT Tran comes in.
He’s the self styled Asian Playboy.
He believes it’s possible for any Asian American man
in fact any guy, to channel his inner heartthrob.
Think Harry Shum Jr. from Glee
John Cho from Star Trek
or Daniel Dae Kim of Hawaii Five-O.
What’s your best pick up line?
My best pick up line is simply to come to you and tell you that you are beautiful.
It’s not that hard to mess up when you’re nervous and you’re stuttering.
Touch, turn, release.
Full teeth. Everybody say cookies.
So you’re actually expected to go home and do this homework
because I know how my Asian brothers are.
Welcome to the ABCs of Attraction
JT’s dating boot camp for Asian men.
He’s teaching these guys how to walk, talk and dress
in order to pick up women.
I didn’t go on a single date until I was in college.
JT says he can help these guys because he was once in their shoes.
You weren’t always the Asian playboy. You were a bit of a nerd.
Absolutely. Absolutely.
I majored in aerospace engineering.
A rocket scientist.
Yeah
Ronald is here coz he wants to expand his options in the dating arena.
You’re buff, you’re handsome, you’ve got style.
Why are you here?
I want to just break out of my Asian circle.
My friends aren’t as willing to go out to mix clubs because ...
they’re just more Asian centered.
I’d like to taste the rainbow, you know what I mean?
JT’s rise from geek to guru
has inspired Ronald and his classmates to fork over a jaw-dropping
$3500
for a weekend of JT’s romantic styling.
Paying attention…
paying attention…
paying attention
Controversial tip #1 – get rid of what he calls the Asian poker face.
You got to change your facial expressions.
If you’re telling a sad story, look sad.
If you’re telling an exciting story, look excited.
Tip #2 – the touch, turn, release.
Go like this.
When you make eye contact, smile.
Next up, a little fashion advice.
When you roll up this and it also makes your torso look longer.
On hand to assist JT is Sarah
a blonde wingwoman in 4-inch stilettos
and a wingman, a former rock and roll rowdy named Gareth.
Just do this because this is an exercise, right?
Here are my bling-bling.
After 2 days of lectures, it’s time for a little field research.
Look at these handsome Asian men.
Ronald and his colleagues are dressed up and ready to go.
I practiced whatever I’ve learned today
and I’m gonna give it a try and see how it goes.
The guys are hesitant at first.
I need to come in with a little bit more energy.
But with more pep talks and some liquid courage
the guys loosen up.
Ronald introduces himself to a pretty blonde.
They get to talking
and soon he’s giving her a palm reading.
His newly acquired pick up skill seemed to be working
all the way to the dance floor.
Back at the hotel, the guys meet for a post mortem
and Ronald is the man of the hour.
You’re the one making guys jealous
like “I wish I was that guy.”
Just seeing all these guys around me, just
staring at me, just dancing with this…
from then on, it was just really, just like very easy.
Ronald spoke to the blonde a few times after
but discovered she had a serious boyfriend.
However, he now says he’s more confident about dating both Asian and non-Asian women.
For the rest, just one night out and one step closer
to overcoming the Asian geek stereotype.
That was a lot of fun.
I’m sort of stuck with you guys
everybody here like push.
Who is a better man today than they were yesterday?
Alright group hug.
And they’ve discovered that the only way to break the stereotype...
is to not believe it.
For Nightline, I’m Juju Chang in New York.
A philosophy worth considering.