Paul Kim had plans not just for his career but for his community when he auditioned for the sixth season of American Idol in Los Angeles. With hopes of eliminating stereotypical "William Hung"-style ideas about Asian American Idol contestants, the 25-year-old Korean American took no prisoners with a performance of "If I Ever Fall in Love" that judge Randy Jackson called one of the best male vocals he'd heard that season. Kim made it to Hollywood and proceeded to make the cut into the top 40 and top 24 -- despite the fact that he insisted on always performing with no shoes. Kim's barefoot style wasn't enough to keep him in the top 20 however, and he was sent home in the subsequent round of eliminations.
Paul Kim
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