Charles Melton's Ethnicity: The Actor's Mother Emigrated from Korea & His Father Is an American

Charles Melton is of mixed ethnicity and was born to parents who met in Korea. Over the years, the actor has opened up about feeling like he was not White or Korean enough and felt compelled to defend his Asian heritage in light of the hate crimes against his community that plagued America.

Charles Melton has made a name for himself as a talented actor and is best known for playing Reggie Mantle in "Riverdale." However, a few years ago, the actor added social activism to his impressive résumé when he spoke up against Asian hate crimes in America.

The "Riverdale" star was born to a Korean mother and a White American father, and due to his father's line of work, the Hollywood star has lived around the world. However, Charles Melton's childhood was also littered with experiences of racism and microaggressions for being of mixed ethnicity.

But now, the actor has decided he will no longer be silent about his past and has opened up about the conflict he felt about his ethnic identity and the trauma that came with it.

Charles Melton Is a First-Generation Asian-American on His Mother's Side

Charles' mother, Sukyong Melton, was born in Korea, where she met the actor's father, Phil Melton, who is White American with English roots. Phil was stationed in Korea during his time in the army, and despite the taboo connotations that came with their interracial relationship at the time, the pair married.

They relocated to the States in the 1990s, a little while before welcoming their son in Juneau, Alaska. However, Charles and his family have lived worldwide, from Tennessee to Korea and Germany.

Charles has expressed his admiration for his mother, who had never been to America before and did not have so much as a driver's license or friends when she moved. "[...] That takes a lot, and my mom did that." Charles said. The actor added:

"I'm first generation on my mom's side, and my mother became a citizen when I was eleven or twelve years old. Just to be a part of that process, quizzing her every day, every week, until she became a citizen, was a beautiful thing."

Charles Melton Used to Suppress His Half-Asian Ethnicity

During his childhood, Charles used to feel conflicted about his roots. Although he grew up in a home that embraced Asian and American cultures, including eating Asian cuisine and speaking both languages — something the actor thought was normal — he began feeling ashamed.

"Trying to fit in at school, I chased the American dream by being a star athlete, all the while suppressing my Asian identity. I remember even beating everyone to the punch by making Asian jokes before anyone else would," Charles said.

Charles Melton on Being of Mixed Ethnicity and Protecting His Community

A few years ago, when violent crimes against Asians swept across America, Charles Melton admitted to feeling like the years he spent turning a blind eye to microaggressions and racism contributed to the hate his people were facing.

However, that would soon change, as the "Riverdale" star — co-starring Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, and Cole Sprouse — was committed to using his platform to defend his community and shed light on his experiences as a half-Asian.

"I want to reconcile my identity and come to terms with who I am despite the pain. [...] This is where I'm at. I am Charles Melton, and I am a proud Korean American," the actor wrote.