Read These Blogs

'Minari' is about immigrants who speak Korean. That doesn't make it 'foreign.'
Viet Thanh Nguyen says the Golden Globes Awards' restrictive categorization of Minari as a "foreign" film rests on a narrow definition of what makes a story American.

* * *
Steven Yeun Reflects on His 'Walking Dead' Demise: 'I Was Always in Service to This Larger Narrative'
The death of Glenn Rhee upset many Walking Dead fans, but Steven Yeun says seven seasons of the show helped him build the skills and confidence he needed for other roles -- and to speak up on the job.

* * *
7-Year-Old Alan S. Kim Is the Breakout Star of 'Minari,' and the Antidote to 2020
Lee Isaac Chung's Minari may be an ensemble drama at heart, but it does feature one inarguable breakout performance by its young star: Alan S. Kim.

* * *
The mental health toll of being a 'model minority' in 2020
"Especially when you talk about the invisibility of some of their issues, in a sense, it's almost a self-fulfilling prophecy," psychologist Richelle Concepcion said.

* * *
How The New Yorker Fell Into the "Weird Japan" Trap
Elif Batuman was duped by a source's fabrications about the country's rent-a-family industry. What went wrong?

* * * Naomi Osaka: Athletes, Speak Up
"Sports have never been apolitical, and as long as they continue to be played by human beings, they won't be."

* * *
The Lonely Legacy of Spam
Once seemingly alone in their love for the canned meat product, many Asian Americans today are finding comfort in each other's shared histories.

* * *
Have Yourself a Lonely Little Christmas
"I've spent many a holiday by myself. And you know what? It can be absolutely thrilling."

* * *
How Younghoe Koo's career went from NFL nightmare to the Pro Bowl
When Younghoe Koo faced a major career setback three years ago, he was determined to try again, and again, and again. Now he's a star kicker for the Atlanta Falcons.

* * *
Ken Leung on the Industry Finale, Working With Lena Dunham and Becoming the Veteran
An interview with Ken Leung, who plays Eric on HBO's Industry.

They Call Us Bruce 118 - They Call Us Bugs Bunny

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I hos an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we welcome Eric Bauza, the new voice of Bugs Bunny. We discuss issues of diversity and inclusion in voice acting, "cracking the code" of a good impression, and how a Filipino kid from Canada ended up as the voice of animation's most wascally wabbit.

Read These Blogs

How Fake News Is Hatching in Immigrant Communities
Right-wing conspiracy theories have infiltrated Asian and Latino communities through social media platforms like WeChat, WhatsApp, Facebook, KakaoTalk and YouTube. Organizers say that older immigrants who don't consume mainstream English-language media can be more susceptible to disinformation about American politics.

* * *
What the Asian-American Coalition Can Teach the Democrats
Viet Thanh Nguyen says the Asian American community's ability to form a solid majority around a shared politics despite its many differences is a model for the Democratic party -- and the nation.

* * *
The Truth Behind Indian American Exceptionalism
"What is forgotten is that before Indian Americans became a model minority, we were regarded as a problem minority. Also forgotten is the extent to which the U.S. engineered the conditions that allowed certain nonwhite groups to thrive."

* * *
How the pandemic threatens to destroy America's three remaining Japantowns
An eviction crisis is intensifying long-standing pressures on America's three remaining historic Japantowns -- from displacement to urban renewal -- and it could lead to their collapse.

* * *
She Saved Thousands of Best Friends. Then Covid-19 Killed Her.
Valerie Louie rescued dogs and matched them with families, including ours. These beloved pets helped countless people bear up during the pandemic, making her death a particular Covid-19 cruelty.

* * *
How This Restaurant Owner Has Pivoted To Endure The 'Craziest' Ride He's Been On
Sung Kim, owner of the Korean-inspired eatery Chick-N-Bap with five locations in upstate New York, shares how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected his unique business model.

* * *
‘A Sugar & Spice Holiday,’ ‘House of Ho’ And Accepting Mediocre Attempts At Asian Representation
The Lifetime holiday rom-com and the HBO Max reality series bring Asian American representation to two generic, highly mass-produced genres.

* * *
Challenging patriarchal practices makes "House of Ho" more than just a Vietnamese Kardashians clone
Judy Ho, one of the stars of the HBO Max's House of Ho, spoke to Salon about abiding by her immigrant parents' expectations until being on a reality show let her break free.

* * *
Why Cracklin' Oat Bran is key to Daniel Dae Kim's productive morning
If you work 24 hours a day, like Daniel Dae Kim does, you better eat a good breakfast.

Sushi Restaurant Vandalized with Racist Graffiti

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America



Police Arrest Man Accused Of Spray-Painting Hate Speech On Restaurant
In the Sacramento area, authorities arrested a man accused of spray-painting hate speech on the front of a restaurant. 43-year-old Lahn Hansen faces various charges including committing a hate crime. The incident happened early Thursday at Umai Bar and Grill in Elk Grove. Hansen was reportedly caught on surveillance footage and identified. Evidence linking him to the vandalism was located inside of his vehicle, where police also located narcotics, burglary tools and items related to a previously reported church burglary.

* * *


Rock Thrown Through Window Of Foster City Vice Mayor's Home
In the Bay Area, police are investigating after a rock was thrown through a window of the home of Richa Awasthi, Vice Mayor of Foster City. The incident occurred on Tuesday night. In a letter distributed by the city, Awasthi said the large rock broke the glass and blinds and nearly hit her husband in the head. Her two children were also in the home when it happened. Police are investigating the incident as felony vandalism though there are no suspects or motive identified. This is actually the second time an incident like this has occurred against a local elected official this year. In June, San Mateo Councilwoman Amourence Lee also had a rock thrown through her window. It's worth noting that Lee and Awasthi are Asian American councilwomen and the only sitting women of color on their respective councils. Doesn't sound like a coincidence to me.

* * *


Bong Joon Ho and Lee Isaac Chung Talk 'Minari'
Variety hosted a conversation between Bong Joon Ho, Oscar-winning director of Parasite, and Lee Isaac Chung, writer/director of the critically-acclaimed Minari. The two filmmakers discussed creating on-screen families, telling personal stories and their work with actor Steven Yeun.

* * *


Ted Chiang's "The Truth of Fact, The Truth of Feeling" is Being Developed for TV
Acclaimed science fiction writer Ted Chiang's short story "The Truth of Fact, The Truth of Feeling" is being developed as an hour-long TV drama. Set against the backdrop of technology that grants users exact recall of their past, the series combines a kidnapping with a messy adult love story in a cautionary tale about privacy in the modern world. The short story was originally published in 2013 by Subterranean Press, was a Hugo Award finalist and later became part of Chiang's collection Exhalation.

* * *


Tamlyn Tomita Returns as Kumiko in a Clip from Cobra Kai
As the latest trailer for season three of Cobra Kai revealed, Tamlyn Tomita and Yuji Okumoto will reprise their roles as Kumiko and Chozen, repsectively, from The Karate Kid Part II. In this advance clip, we get a glimpse of Kumiko and Daniel's reunion. Cobra Kai season three premieres January 8 on Netflix.

They Call Us Bruce 117: They Call Us House of Ho

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I hos an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we welcome producer/friend Jes Vu and Salon culture editor Hanh Nguyen to discuss the new HBO Max reality show House of Ho. We talk about actual crazy rich Asians, family dysfunction, airing out your dirty laundry, and The Good, The Bad and The WTF of Asian Americans on reality television.

The First Cambodian American Elected Official in Long Beach

And Other Things To Know From Angry Asian America.



Suely Saro is the First Cambodian American Elected Official in Long Beach
When she is sworn in Tuesday, Suely Saro will become the first Cambodian American council member in the history of Long Beach, which has since the 1980s hosted the nation's largest concentration of Cambodian American refugees. She may also be the first Cambodian American elected to office in California.

* * *


Anthony Veasna So, Author of Highly Anticipated Story Collection, Dies at 28
Anthony Veasna So, author of a highly anticipated debut story collection, had died. He was 28. His death was announced Thursday by his publisher, Ecco, which did not immediately provide additional details. In Afterparties, to be published in August, he drew upon the tragedies his family endured in Cambodia during the rule of the Khmer Rouge and his own struggles with sexual and cultural identity.

* * *

😈 JACKSON HE FOR SIX 🔱

THE FIRST CHINESE BORN PLAYER TO SCORE A TOUCHDOWN IN FBS HISTORY.

🎥 https://t.co/ai5cgW0WIH pic.twitter.com/cAJoY90Jao

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) December 12, 2020

Jackson He Becomes First Chinese Player to Score TD in FBS History
On Friday, during Arizona State's 70-7 victory over Arizona, a little bit of history was made. Jackson He, junior redshirt from Shaoguan, China, scored a touchdown for the Sun Devils, becoming the first Chinese-born player to score a touchdown in Division I Football Bowl Subdivision history.

* * *


The Joy Luck Club Added to National Film Registry
The Library of Congress has included 1993's The Joy Luck Club, directed by Wayne Wang, as one of this year's selections for the National Film Registry, an archive of motion pictures chosen for their “cultural, historic or aesthetic" importance to the nation’s understanding of cinema.

* * *

Behold, Baby Bruce, Future Asskicker
This citizenship documentation, recently shared by the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, shows a three-month-old Bruce Lee, as presented to U.S. immigration officials in 1941.

Read These Blogs

A year of loss, heartache, looming eviction — and rescuing itself — for Chinatown
The pandemic and anti-Asian racism have decimated Chinatowns in New York, San Francisco and Seattle, but many residents are turning to one another for help.

* * *
Why I, a South Korean immigrant, think Donald Trump made America great again
Progressive, grassroots movements, fueled by nothing but the collective faith and desires to restore America's true promise, sprung up across the nation. Millions have rallied to defend democracy, across ages, genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and sociopolitical leanings. Without President Trump, these movements would not have been as, shall we say, tremendous.

* * *
Leading By Example: How Naomi Osaka Became the People’s Champion
In the two years since Naomi Osaka became an international tennis phenomenon, she has used her platform to call attention to issues affecting Black people.

* * *
What's in a Page: Searching for Sylvie Lee author Jean Kwok's writing career started with a doodle
Jean Kwok’s upbringing in a Chinese immigrant household didn’t necessarily encourage creativity. The author of Searching for Sylvie Lee talks about how she started her writing career.

* * *
Ang Lee on 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' 20 years later
Tuesday marked the 20th anniversary of the release of Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.

* * *
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' turns 20: Why Jen Yu is the Asian heroine we're still looking for
Twenty years after the release of Ang Lee’s iconic film, some are still searching for a heroine like Jen Yu.

* * *
Kelly Marie Tran talks 'unfair pressure' of playing Disney's first Southeast Asian princess
At first, actress Kelly Marie Tran felt a lot of pressure in her role as the voice of Disney’s first Southeast Asian princess in the upcoming animated film Raya and the Last Dragon. But she's come to look at the situation differently.

* * *
Jacky Lai on Starring in Lifetime's First Asian-American Holiday Movie: 'The Industry Is Changing'
Actress Jacky Lai is making history with her latest project, Lifetime's A Sugar & Spice Holiday.

Read These Blogs

Asian American And Pacific Islander Turnout Helped Hand Biden Georgia
President-elect Joe Biden carried Georgia with less than a 13,000-vote lead, a tiny margin made possible, in part, by historic turnout among Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the Peach State. It's the first time in nearly 30 years that Georgia voters chose a Democrat for president.

* * *
Why it's time to retire the term 'Asian Pacific Islander'
"API" came out of a movement strategy to unify different Asian American group. Now, some Pacific Islander community leaders say it's time to claim, celebrate, and advocate for themselves.

* * *
Tony Hsieh's American Tragedy: The Self-Destructive Last Months Of The Zappos Visionary
When the business icon died in a fire last week, questions abounded. The answers seem rooted in a Covid-period spiral, where he turned to drugs and shunned old friends.

* * *
From Chinatown Pretty To Nora From Queens, Chinese Grandmas Are 2020's Fashion Icons
Not only do Chinese grandmothers have experience and wisdom to share, but also practical, functional, and pattern-ladened clothes.

* * *
'Be Water' Reexamines Bruce Lee from an Asian-American Lens
"I wanted to make sure that Bruce Lee's story wasn't just lensed in the view of a cultural icon, but as an Asian American icon, as an Asian American. And I think that story has been lost in his narrative over time and that really propelled me towards making this film."

* * *
The NFL's best origin story belongs to Younghoe Koo
There might be equally improbable NFL journeys out there, but there aren't any better than Younghoe Koo's.

* * *
Riz Ahmed knows his worth. With the gut-wrenching 'Sound of Metal,' he ensures you do, too.
In Sound of Metal, Riz Ahmed stars as a punk metal drummer who begins to lose his hearing.

* * *
Warrior's Olivia Cheng on Bringing Activism to Her Art
"The norm for many Asian actors is to play the 'dependable exposition giver' -- constantly available and helping the leads solve the case, or as a doctor in a hospital without a full character arc. My role in Warrior is to play complexity and humanity in all its colors: joy, humor, grief, pain, conflict."

* * *
Dianne Doan on 'Warrior,' Season 3 Hopes, and Landing Her 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Role
"I don't think 'Warrior' is done."
* * *
Momona Tamada's Week: 'Satisfying' Baking Videos and Peace Through Podcasts
Momona Tamada, who stars in The Baby-Sitters Club, had a head start on our new, socially distant reality.

All The Asians On Star Trek - 11: Rosalind Chao

The Podcast In Which We Interview All The Asians On Star Trek.



All The Asians On Star Trek is the podcast in which we interview all the Asians on Star Trek. In Episode 11, we welcome Rosalind Chao. She is best known for her recurring role as Keiko O'Brien on multiple seasons of both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. A veteran actress whose career started when she a teen, her long list of film and TV credits include MASH, The Joy Luck Club and Mulan.