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How a skid row store faces the tensions in Black-Korean history — by discussing its bleakest chapters
Danny Park, owner of Skid Row People's Market in Los Angeles, wants his store to be more than its inventory. On a given shift, employees might serve as therapists, social workers, confidants or mediators.

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Food Is Identity. For Korean Chefs Who Were Adopted, It's Complicated.
Raised in the U.S., Korean American adoptee chefs are exploring a heritage they didn't grow up with through restaurant cooking -- and finding both fulfillment and criticism.

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For Asian American cooks, ties with Italy run deep
They may not share a common origin, but evidence suggests that these starchy foods developed concurrently for hundreds of years, with China coming first.

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Why Wearing a Mask Makes Me Feel Powerful
"Over the years, my constant poker face hardened to such a point that it could cut diamonds and became so natural that it took little effort to maintain. People often told me—unsolicited, of course—that I looked unhappy, or bored, or even contemptuous."

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The Biggest Boba Fan in the World
Nataraj Das is an audio-visual engineer and drinks 200 boba beverages a year.

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East West Players: Asian American Visibility, Also Sustainability
How the historic theater company East West Players has stabilized both its mission and its finances.

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Pop iconoclast Rina Sawayama: 'Drag is turning trauma into entertainment. That's what I'm doing'
British-Japanese pop star Rina Sawayama's genre-mashing second album is the product of her hard-won self-knowledge. She talks about reckoning with her Asian identity, forgiving her mother and her determination to be happy.

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Why Brandon Perea's 'Nope' Audition Made Jordan Peele Cry
Breakout ator Brandon Perea's unexpected take on Angel, the Fry's worker, so won over Nope director Jordan Peele that he decided during their meeting to rewrite the script.

All The Asians On Star Trek 28: Eric Bauza

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 28, we welcome voice over artist Eric Bauza. He played the role of "Cerritos Conn Officer" and other characters on several episodes of the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks. Outside of Star Trek, he's a prolific voice over artist with dozens of credits, having provided voices for some of animation's most iconic characters -- including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Tweety most recently in Bugs Bunny Builders. He talks about getting his breaks as a voice actor, almost getting cast as another Lower Decks character, and making merchandise from obscure Canadian kids TV shows.

They Call Us Bruce 162: They Call Us Love and Noraebang

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 host 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 key creatives behind the k-drama/telenovela-inspired narrative podcast rom-com Love and Noraebang: co-director Amy S. Choi, co-writer Quincy Cho, and actress Julia Cho. They discuss telling stories with joy and authenticity, and why Randall Park is the perfect voice of Los Angeles.

All The Asians On Star Trek 27: Away Mission with Andrew Ahn

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 27, we embark on another Away Mission, in which we invite fellow Asian American fans of Star Trek to do a deep dive into an episode of their choosing. For this edition of the Away Mission, we welcome filmmaker Andrew Ahn (Fire Island, Driveways, Spa Night) to discuss "Timeless" from season five of Star Trek: Voyager -- a perennial series favorite. We discuss, among other things, why Deanna Troi is a gay icon, how survivor's guilt over faulty phase variance data can really age you, and Andrew's big ol' crush on Ensign Harry Kim.

In 'Quantum Leap,' Time Travel is Not Just For White People

Raymond Lee stars in the new 'Quantum Leap' reboot as Dr. Ben Seong.


I cannot express how I excited I am for NBC's upcoming restart of Quantum Leap. Not only was a huge fan of the hit 1990s time travel drama, I'm pretty psyched to see Raymond Lee in the starring role as the titular leaper.

The original show centered Dr. Samuel Beckett, who unwillingly finds himself "leaping" through space and time into the identities of individuals, helping history along the way before leaping into the next life. In the update, Lee stars as quantum physicist Dr. Ben Seong, who sets the reboot in motion when he makes an unauthorized leap into the past. His team begins searching for answers, scrambling to bring him home before he gets in too deep."

Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive preview on the new show, including some insightful background information on Dr. Seong from Lee and the showrunners:

Described as a spiritual scientist, quantum physicist Dr. Seong has a specific approach to time travel. "He is compelled over and over again to make the right decision, even if his own life is at stake, so he is a much better person than I am in real life. He's something to strive for," Lee says. Dr. Seong immigrated from Korea with his mother, which will be integral to the story Quantum Leap is telling. "We're telling an immigrant story at its core, and it is how Ben is experiencing life moving forward," Lilien explains.

More here: Quantum Leap bosses preview thrilling new chapter

Read These

She's running for Congress, despite the anti-Asian attacks against her
Yuh-Line Niou is campaigning to represent New York's 10th District, which now includes two Chinatowns.

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Kristi Yamaguchi Is Remembered as the Perfect Olympics Hero. It Wasn't Always That Way.
The figure skater won a gold medal, but to many, she still had to prove she was American.

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Brazen robbery of $60,000 Rolex in 99 Ranch parking lot shocks Asian Americans
A shocking robbery in the parking lot of a 99 Ranch has shocked the Chinese community in San Gabriel Valley.

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Constance Wu Doesn't Need To Apologize
Constance Wu revealed that vicious community backlash over her tweets -- yes, those tweets expressing frustration over Fresh Off The Boat's renewal -- made her suicidal.

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Watching my son watch 'Ms. Marvel' feels like a game-changing event
Ms. Marvel is an important step forward for Muslim American representation on screen.

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My hot, rowdy Indian summers at Hindu youth camp
Actor and filmmaker Sujata Day remembers how over several summers attending Hindu camp as a camper, then a counselor, she overcame bears, a serial killer and the wrath of the gods.

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Discovering the Modern South Asian Ritual of Making Chai
Sujata Day is obsessed with her homemade chai and doesn't go a day without it.

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Panda Express' orange chicken changed the game for American Chinese food 35 years ago
Panda Express' orange chicken, the quintessential American Chinese invention that helped bolster a nationwide craze for Chinese takeout, turned 35 on Friday.

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John Cho Has Entered His DILF Era
"I have found myself speaking about issues of race -- often against my will -- it seems like for all my career," says John Cho. But his latest film, Don’t Make Me Go, cares less about identity than everything else.

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Henry Golding and His Powers of Persuasion
Jane Austen wrote William Elliot as one of literature's most memorable cads. In a buzzy new Netflix adaptation of Persuasion, Hollywood's nicest guy proves it's a role he was born to play.

They Call Us Bruce 161c: They Call Us Live From New York - Part 3

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 host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, recorded live at The Greene Space at WNYC, we welcome tech entrepreneur/thinkers Anil Dash and Ben Sun to talk about Asian American impact on the tech industry (and get nostalgic about Asian Avenue). Part 3 of the in-studio "RISE Conversations" in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month and inspired by RISE: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now. Produced with the generous support of UBS.

They Call Us Bruce 161b: They Call Us Live From New York - Part 2

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 host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, recorded live at The Greene Space at WNYC, we welcome writer/comedian Karen Chee and costume designer Minji Kim to talk about Asian American visibility in fashion and entertainment. Part 2 of the in-studio "RISE Conversations" in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month and inspired by RISE: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now. Produced with the generous support of UBS.

They Call Us Bruce 161a: They Call Us Live From New York - Part 1

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 host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, recorded live at The Greene Space at WNYC, we welcome chef Dale Talde, food personality Agnes Chung Talde and writer Frankie Huang to talk about the rise of Asian American food culture. Part 1 of the in-studio "RISE Conversations" in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month and inspired by RISE: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now. Produced with the generous support of UBS.

Read These Blogs

He Had a Dark Secret. It Changed His Best Friend’s Life.
Tin Chin and Mo Lin were inseparable at the homeless shelter. But one of the men wasn't who he seemed to be.

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Hopes And Fears As DACA Goes Back To Court
As the DACA program's fate is argued in the courts, many DACA recipients worry about their futures.

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How a Marvel musical parody gave Aidan Park the role of a lifetime: an Asian superhero leading man
Comic Aidan Park returns to musical theater in his new role as Dr. Strange in the Lyric Hyperion's "The Streaming-Verse of Madness.”

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Some Surprising Good News: Bookstores Are Booming and Becoming More Diverse
Lucy Yu was certain that a bookstore "focused on Asian American and immigrant stories" was just what Chinatown needed, so she opened Yu and Me Books -- one of more than 300 new independent bookstores that have sprouted across the United States in the past couple of years.

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Don Lee On Making Korean Stories For A Global Audience, With His Special Brand Of Action
Korean actor Don Lee (aka Ma Dong-seok) is playing the long game -- and it’s paying off.

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Close-Up on: Mariko Tamaki
In Anne of Greenville, an adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, Mariko Tamaki imagines Anne Shirley as a queer, Japanese American disco enthusiast trying to make her way in a new school in the middle of nowhere.

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What Working At Marvel Is Really Like, According To Ms. Marvel's Co-Creator
Ms. Marvel co-creator and executive producer Sana Amanat talks about the best advice she’s ever gotten and working through impostor syndrome.

They Call Us Bruce 160: They Call Us Kathleen Kim

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 host 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 Kathleen Kim, the puppeteer behind Ji-Young, the first Asian American muppet on Sesame Street. She talks about the process of bringing Ji-Young to life, her surprising journey as a puppeteer thus far, and The Good, The Bad and The WTF of working on Sesame Street.

All The Asians On Star Trek 26: Amanda Wong

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 26, we welcome artist Amanda Wong. She is a background painter on seasons two and three of the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks. Her other credits include Carmen Sandiego, Rick and Morty, My Little Pony: The Movie and DC Super Hero Girls. She talks about becoming a Trekkie at 7 years old, her path to working in animation, and why it's important to get the specific nuances of Cardassian floor patterns just right.

Read These

Wis. school board dismissed book about Japanese American incarceration as being 'unbalanced'
Parents are pushing back after a committee whose members sit on a Wisconsin school board did not move forward with approving a book about Japanese American incarceration during World War II for a sophomore English literature class.

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A Korean man's shocking killing on streets of L.A. sends his daughter searching for answers
Cathy Lee wants more answers from officials in the fatal stabbing of her father, Dal Keun Lee, outside his South L.A. laundromat in May.

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"She hardly goes out": Racism is keeping many Asian Americans from going to the doctor
Pandemic-related hate crimes against Asian Americans have left many feeling unsafe in public. The consequences of missed health care will have lasting effects.

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H.T. Chen, Choreographer of the Asian Experience, Dies at 74
H.T. Chen merged Eastern and Western influences in his modern dance works, and his dance center was a cultural anchor in New York's Chinatown.

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The Challenges That Keep Asian Chefs From Cooking How They Want
While all chefs are tasked with weighing the challenges of filling a dining room, Asian American chefs often have the added burden brought by the expectations and assumptions made by diners.

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Listen: The myths of MSG and 'clean' eating
On the Season 3 finale of Extra Spicy, host Soleil Ho speaks to comedian Jenny Yang about the problem with "clean" eating and her open invitation to Goop.

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S.F. artist Irene Poon's photographs capture small, beautiful moments in Chinatown and elsewhere
With an approach to street photography more friendly than voyeuristic, San Francisco photographer Irene Poon invites viewers to recollect that the majority of life is made up of small, inconsequential but beautiful moments.

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The Chinatown Nightclub Dancer Who Helped Squash Asian Stereotypes
In the 1930s and 40s, Mary Mammon was a singing and dancing sensation in San Francisco Chinatown's red-hot nightclub scene.

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Having tasted his fair share of hate, Jeremy Lin is now on a mission to redefine love
Ten years after Linsanity, Jeremy Lin is a cultural icon, a flag bearer for the Asian American community, with fans all over the world. And he can also lay claim to being an NBA champion. What's next?

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How Mahjong Laid Tiles for Chinese America
The popular game helped forge a new identity as it crossed classes, gender and generations.