They Call Us Bruce 237: They Call Us 3 Body Problem

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 co-creator/executive producer Alexander Woo and director Derek Tsang, two of the key creators behind the Netflix series 3 Body Problem. They talk about the challenges of adapting Liu Cixin's epic science fiction novels for a global television audience, the authenticity required to re-create a dark moment China's history, who is responsible for what is possibly the best line of dialogue in the entire series, and the painstaking considerations that went into making that one really horrific scene. If you know, you know. Also: The Good, The Bad and The WTF of making 3 Body Problem.

They Call Us Bruce 236: They Call Us Monkey Man

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 our old friends Sujata Day (Definition Please, Heroes' Feast) and Dino-Ray Ramos (DIASPORA) to talk about the action revenge thriller Monkey Man, written/directed by and starring Dev Patel. We discuss this new take on storytelling from the South Asian diaspora, this blessed era of the Dev Patel Glow-Up, some of the political, religious and cultural controversy surrounding the movie, and of course, the badass action sequences (both borrowed and new) -- including the moment that had everybody in the movie screaming. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of Monkey Man.

All The Asians On Star Trek 36: Garrett Wang - Part 3

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 36, we conclude our conversation with Garrett Wang. For seven seasons, he starred as Ensign Harry Kim on Star Trek: Voyager. In Part 3 of our interview, Garrett talks about the nuances of cross-cultural casting; negotiating the relative Asian-ness of Harry Kim (how "Asian" is playing the clarinet?); his very first on-camera acting role as an extra in Death Wish IV; and the heartbreaking missed opportunity to reprise the role of (a finally promoted) Harry Kim in Star Trek: Picard.

They Call Us Bruce 235: They Call Us Asian American Studies

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 Pawan Dhingra, associate provost and associate dean of the faculty at Amherst College and current president of the Association for Asian American Studies. He talks about the newly minted AAPI Studies program at Amherst -- the first of its kind for liberal arts colleges -- what's behind the seemingly sudden surge of interest in Asian American Studies, and how the field still needs to grow and expand. Pawan also talks a bit about Kumon, the South Asian stranglehold on the spelling bee, and his incredibly titled book Hyper Education: Why Good Schools, Good Grades, and Good Behavior Are Not Enough.

All The Asians On Star Trek 35: Garrett Wang - Part 2

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 35, we welcome back actor Garrett Wang. For seven seasons, he starred as Ensign Harry Kim on Star Trek: Voyager -- which, at present time, makes him the Asian with the most screen time across the entire Star Trek franchise. In Part 2 of our interview, Garrett talks about some of the early struggles in his acting career -- including parental disapproval -- his personal favorite episodes of Voyager, and how, perhaps contrary to popular perception, Harry Kim was actually the "busiest" man in the Delta Quadrant.

They Call Us Bruce 234: They Call Us Avatar: The Last Airbender

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 Albert Kim, showrunner of Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender. He talks about the epic challenge of adapting the beloved animated series, "remixing" the original show's story elements for the streaming format, the cultural considerations that go into building an Asian-inspired fantasy world (does Iroh have an accent?) and casting Asian and Indigenous actors for these iconic roles. Plus: Jeff divulges Albert's personal email address. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender.

All The Asians On Star Trek 34: Garrett Wang - Part 1

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 34, we welcome actor Garrett Wang. For seven seasons, he starred as Ensign Harry Kim on Star Trek: Voyager. In Part 1 or our interview, Garrett talks about the epic, arduous audition process that earned him the role of Harry Kim, the glacial pace of Hollywood diversity from the nineties to now, and the meaningful moment he realized he was carrying the banner of Asian American representation on Star Trek.

They Call Us Bruce 233: They Call Us Asians in Baseball

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 Kim Cooper and Scott Okamoto, co-hosts of the podcast Asians in Baseball, just in time for spring training. They discuss the current renaissance of Asian and Asian American players in Major League Baseball; becoming a baseball fan in this extraordinary moment; Shohei Otani's ass; the Lenn Sakata Fan Club; and the unifying love of Kim Ha-Seong. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of Asians in baseball.

They Call Us Bruce 232: They Call Us Olivia Cheng and Dianne Doan

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 Olivia Cheng and Dianne Doan, stars of the badass action series Warrior (now on Netflix!). They talk about how the show has embodied the fighting spirit of Bruce Lee; some of the initial trepidation and concerns they had about their roles; and why Olivia is the Ginger Rogers of Warrior. Also: a guest appearance from Dianne's dog and why Olivia's early role as "Dim Sum Girl #1" actually completes an interesting full-circle moment.

Get Your Official Stay Angry Hoodie

By request, we've put it on a hoodie.

The official "Stay Angry" shirt design is now available as a hoodie! It has been truly wonderful to see this shirt out the wild, rocked by awesome people. By request, we've put it on a hoodie. We've printed up a limited test run of this popular design, so get it while you can. Perfect for staying angry in cooler weather.

Illustrated by Irene Koh, the iconic design is printed on a lightweight, super-soft white, 52/48 Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton/polyester Bella + Canvas sponge fleece unisex pullover hoodie, with white drawcord, pouch pocket, ribbed cuffs and waistband. It's cozy, but not super bulky. I like to layer it under a jacket.

Get it here: Stay Angry Always Hoodie

They Call Us Bruce 231: They Call Us Past Lives

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 Asia Society in New York City, Jeff welcomes newly minted Academy Award nominee Celine Song, writer/director of Past Lives. (Spoiler warning!) They discuss the real-life autobiographical moment that inspired her film's bilingual, bi-cultural center; telling a story about the people who hold and know the different parts of ourselves; and how things might have ended up differently for Nora and Hae Sung if they just had better tech and a stronger internet connection.

Read These

Netflix Just Quietly Added the Best Martial Arts Epic You Haven't Seen
Max never truly knew what to do with Warrior, but the series will find a new audience on Netflix.

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Asian Americans Are Often Invisible in Polling. That's Changing.
Polling Asian Americans while accurately reflecting the diverse difference in opinion within the community has traditionally been expensive. Few pollsters have made the investment, leaving Asian Americans without a voice in public opinion polls, which are seen as a key part of the democratic process. Without survey data, there’s little information about what issues matter to Asian Americans.

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Lunar New Year traditions were abstract until my grandmother died
"Most years, I visit my family in Taiwan for Lunar New Year. And each trip, since I was very small, I have found myself before a family altar, with a stick of smoking incense in my hands, wondering exactly what I’m supposed to do, think or say...But something clicked during this year's trip to Taiwan."

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The Divided Landscape of Indian American Politics
"You can tell that an ethnic group is really flourishing in the United States when they start to produce prominent xenophobes and racists, particularly of the anti-Black variety. The trajectory from victim to victimizer is one of the surest markers of upward social mobility... One of the few intriguing developments in the 2024 Republican primary is fresh evidence that Indian Americans -- or at least a significant cohort of them -- might join this longstanding trend."

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Some Authors Were Left Out of Awards Held in China. Leaked Emails Show Why.
The Hugo Awards, a major literary prize for science fiction, have been engulfed in controversy over revelations that some writers may have been excluded based on their perceived criticism of China or the Chinese government. After weeks of suspicion in the science fiction community, newly released emails show that the awards were likely manipulated because of political concerns.

* * *
Ed Park's Korean-American Epic Blends Conspiracy and History
"Park is not writing a historical novel, hoping to dramatize some episode or series of episodes in the past. He is building an alternate history of Korea and its relationship to the United States in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, telling a story by mining and transforming the historical record. And it begins with a question that returns again and again, until it is almost like a chant in a protest: What is history?"

* * *
For Dallas Liu and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Zuko and Iroh's relationship 'was the most important thing'
Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Dallas Liu, who play Iroh and Zuko in Netflix's new live action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, were already huge fans of the original animated series when they were cast as the beloved uncle-nephew duo.

* * *
These Grandmas Are Going to the Oscars
In the documentary short Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó, filmmaker Sean Wang chronicles the inner lives of his grandmothers, 96-year-old Yi Yan Fuei (Nǎi Nai) and 86-year-old Chang Li Hua (Wài Pó). Now, the film is nominated for an Academy Award.

They Call Us Bruce 230: They Call Us Nai Nai & Wài Pó

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 filmmaker Sean Wang, director of the Academy Award-nominated documentary short Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó, a love letter to his own grandmothers. He talks about making an unapologetically personal film about the everyday lives of these two extraordinary women, why Wài Pó wields a sword, and the amazing gift of getting to experience the film's success as a family. Also: The Good, The Bad, and WTFarts of making Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó.

They Call Us Bruce 229: They Call Us The Most Asian Costco

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 ring in the Year of the Dragon and welcome back friend, journalist and fellow podcaster Ada Tseng to talk about her Los Angeles Times piece which asked and answered a very important question: Which are the "most Asian" Costcos in Southern California? They discuss why the wholesale chain holds a particular appeal for Asian American shoppers, the specialty items you can only find at the Most Asian Costcos, and the spiritual journey of purchasing Kirkland clothing. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of Costco.

Twenty-Three Angry Years

Happy Angryversary.

What is time? Seriously, how is it that I'm writing they twenty-third annual version of this post?

Yes, good readers, today happens to be the 23rd anniversary of Angry Asian Man. On this day in 2001, just a few minutes past midnight, I fired up the file transfer protocol and uploaded the very first version of this blog, scotch-taped together with rickety HTML, early Internet energy, and the recklessness of youth. Good times.

At the start, I was just trying to carve out a little corner of the internet to express myself, back before I even knew this space would eventually be known as a blog. So I started writing, and we were off. And what do you know? We picked up a following along the way. And it's been a ride. We've had some wins, endured some heartache, and tried to start a conversation about community, identity, where we've been and where we're going.

And somehow... it's now been two decades and change. I say this every year, but I'm serious: I feel like I did the math wrong. 23. Not a nice, round, commemorative number. Just a number that says I've been doing this for a long-ass time. I've dedicated twenty-three years of my life and sweat and heart to this website. But I'm thankful that it's given me purpose. I'm thankful for the opportunity to contribute a small part to the Asian American conversation. And I most thankful for all the great people this space has brought into my life.

I'll be the first to admit that I've slowed down, and the actual blogging is not what it once was, as I've diverted a lot of attention to podcasting, publishing and other projects. Also: I'm tired. Twenty-three years later also means twenty-three years older. (Seriously, what is time?) But I'm still in it. We're keeping it going.

Thanks for being part of this journey. Stay Angry.

- Phil

They Call Us Bruce 228: They Call Us Lunar New Year Love Story

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 graphic novel superstars Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham, who have joined forces for Lunar New Year Love Story, a heartwarming rom-com about fate, family, and falling in love. They talk about Gene's real-life origins of merging Valentine's Day and Lunar New Year celebrations, the bad dates and relationships that inspired some of their characters' turmoil, and the natural pan-Asian diversity that infuses the cast and community narrative of Lunar New Love Story.

Read These

Which SoCal Costcos are the 'most Asian'? (Hint: Look for the durian and lumpia)
In anticipation of the Lunar New Year, the Los Angeles Times conducted some very important research, powered by Southern California's Costco-shopping readership, to answer a burning question: Which Costco is the "most Asian"?

* * *
From therapy to qigong: survivors of the Monterey Park mass shooting are still searching for healing
For many Asians, therapy is taboo -- but a year after the worst mass shooting in Los Angeles County's history, some elders in the community are embracing it to heal and process their collective trauma.

* * *
Asian elders return to the ballroom after the Monterey Park shooting: 'Dancing takes me to joy'
A year after a gunman opened fire at a nearby dance studio, Alhambra's Lai Lai Ballroom is a refuge, with neon-lit dancefloors and Cantonese pop hits. Despite the horror of the shooting, many survivors have resumed dancing, both as a way to heal and as an expression of defiance.

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How Asian American voters could help determine who gets George Santos' former seat
Nearly 1 in 5 voters in New York’s 3rd Congressional District are Asian American.

* * *
Palestine Is in Asia: An Asian American Argument for Solidarity
Edward Said's Orientalism brought a burst of intellectual energy to Asian American liberation. The wider solidarity he called for is even more important today.

* * *
A Chinese and a Taiwanese comedian walk into a bar ...
Comedians Vickie Wang and Jamie Wang -- no relation -- create comedy over the cross-strait tensions between China and Taiwan, reminding their audiences that the tense relationship between the two governments doesn't mean there should be tension between Taiwanese and Chinese people.

* * *
A new Avatar awakens: Inside The Last Airbender's live-action reincarnation
Water, earth, fire, and air converge as the stars and creative team behind Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender, a live-action fantasy reimagining of the beloved animated show, lay out what the legions of cross-generational fans can expect.

* * *
Young Filmmaker Lives His 'Fairy Tale' at Sundance
Sean Wang, a first-time director, received the Sundance Film Festival's audience award for his coming-of-age film, Dìdi. He also got the ultimate prize: a distribution deal.

* * *
Lulu Wang on 'Expats', Nicole Kidman and Recreating Hong Kong On-Screen
The Farewell director Lulu Wang discusses her glossy, disquieting new television show Expats, set in the world of Hong Kong's elite.

* * *
This 'Expats' Star Can't Believe She's Actually in It
Watching scenes of herself with Nicole Kidman Expats, Ji-young Yoo said that "it still feels like I was Photoshopped in." The Amazon series is one of three big coming projects for the 24-year-old.

* * *
Mr and Mrs Smith's Maya Erskine: 'I looked at Angelina Jolie and thought, well, I can't be her'
Maya Erskine has gone from cringe-comedy outsider to starring with Donald Glover in a remake of the Hollywood blockbuster, Mr and Mrs Smith. She explains why living up to Angelina Jolie's 'total goddess' was not an option.

They Call Us Bruce 227: They Call Us The Greatest Night in Pop

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 back filmmaker Bao Nguyen, director of the documentary The Greatest Night in Pop, which goes behind the scenes of the fateful, once-in-a-lifetime night in 1985 when music's biggest stars gathered to record "We Are the World." He talks about the unique way this iconic pop song transcended cultures and generations, why he told this story like a heist movie, and getting to film at Bruce Springsteen's house. He also may or may not explain Dan Aykroyd's participation in "We Are the World."

They Call Us Bruce 226: They Call Us Justin Chien & Sam Song Li

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 Justin Chien and Sam Song Li, the stars of the Netflix family crime drama The Brothers Sun. They talk about getting their big shot to play Charles and Bruce -- the titular Brothers Sun; acting opposite the queen herself, Michelle Yeoh; and all the hard work that went into kicking ass (and not getting your ass kicked) in the show's epic fight scenes. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making The Brothers Sun. (By the way, this episode happens to be sponsored by Netflix and The Brothers Sun.)

Dev Patel is Out for Revenge in 'Monkey Man'

'Slumdog Millionaire' star makes his directorial debut with a gritty action thriller produced by Jordan Peele.

Holy crap. Dev Patel makes his feature directing debut in the revenge action thriller Monkey Man. Produced by Jordan Peele, the movie follows one man's quest for vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless.
'Slumdog Millionaire' star makes his directing debut with a gritty action thriller from producer Jordan Peele.

Inspired by the legend of Hanuman, an icon embodying strength and courage, Monkey Man stars Patel as Kid, an anonymous young man who ekes out a meager living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he is beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash.

After years of suppressed rage, Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city's sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him.

Watch the trailer:

They Call Us Bruce 225: They Call Us The Brothers Sun

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 back our favorite usual suspects, Rebecca Sun of The Hollywood Reporter and Dino-Ray Ramos of DIASPORA, to do a deep dive into the Netflix family crime drama The Brothers Sun, starring Michelle Yeoh (but not before a brief recap of recent award show happenings, including the Emmys and Golden Globes). We discuss "rice rocket energy," the #1 Seafood Restaurant, why the San Gabriel Valley is the perfect setting for this Asian American gangster show, and our hopes for a second season of The Brothers Sun. (By the way, this episode happens to be sponsored by Netflix and The Brothers Sun.)

This Spring, Baseball Returns to Manzanar

The Manzanar Baseball Project will stage two games at the Manzanar National Historic Site.

Here's an incredible project that could use your eyes and dollars -- a unique community event that combines sports, history, memory and social justice. This spring, The Manzanar Baseball Project will stage two baseball games on a newly restored field at the Manzanar National Historic Site in the Mojave Desert.

Manzanar was the first of ten detention camps where Americans of Japanese ancestry were unjustly imprisoned by the U.S. government during World War II. Overall, it was the largest mass incarceration in American history with 120,000 people being imprisoned between 1942 and 1945.

For many incarcerated Japanese Americans during this time, resilience meant creating a sense of "home" in any way possible, including playing sports. And in the 1940s, baseball was the most popular sport in the country -- including and especially in the camps, where dozens of leagues were formed with hundreds of players.

'Beef' Wins Big at the Emmy Awards

Netflix series wins eight awards, including Outstanding Limited Series, Best Actor and Best Actress.

The Netflix limited series Beef was a big winner at the 75th Emmy Awards on Sunday night, taking home eight trophies including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, Lead Actor for Steven Yeun and Lead Actress for Ali Wong. Series creator Lee Sung Jin also took home awards from writing and directing.

Beef is the first show created by and starring Asian Americans to win an Emmy for Outstanding Series. Ali Wong's win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology makes her the first Asian American woman to win an Emmy for a lead role. Steven Yeun's win is only the third Emmy for a Lead Actor of Asian descent.

Read These

How Asian is your Costco? Help us find SoCal’s most 'Asian Costco' for Lunar New Year
As the Lunar New Year approaches, the Los Angeles Times is asking some important questions: Which are the most "Asian Costcos" in SoCal? And how did Costco become such a hit in Asian American communities?

* * *
Asian American eligible voters grew more than any other racial group since last presidential election
"The fact that Asian American eligible voter growth is five times that of the population overall is still striking and would seem to demand the attention of any campaign looking to expand its reach."

* * *
How I honored the 300 who reached a refugee center in Asia only to die before trip to U.S.
Joseph Ruanto-Ramirez shares about working with the Khmer American community of San Diego to hold a ceremony for the nearly 300 refugees who were processed from 1980 to 1995 at the Philippine Refugee Processing Center in Morong, Bataan, Philippines, but died before they were able to cross the Pacific to come to the United States.

* * *
Could 'Parasite' Star Lee Sun-kyun's Death Lead to a Social Reckoning in Korea?
The death of actor Lee Sun-Kyun, considered a suicide, has put a spotlight on Korea's current political and social climate, with potential ramifications for the country's status as a global soft superpower.

* * *
An Open Letter to Independent Lens about "Beyond Utopia"
Concerned film producers say the documentary Beyond Utopia, which recently aired on PBS' Independent Lens, presents an unbalanced and inaccurate narrative about Korean history and North Korean society.

* * *
Family drama and brutal fight scenes get equal footing in 'The Brothers Sun': 'It's a balancing act'
In Netflix's The Brothers Sun, which collides the Asian American family ethnoburb with gritty gangster action, the tone veers sharply from action to family drama to comedy and back again -- by design.

* * *
Michelle Yeoh Still Kicks Ass (Not That We Ever Doubted It)
The Oscar winner on her new Netflix series, The Brothers Sun, and mothering onscreen and off.

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"Damn, lady!": "Brothers Sun" team on that ending, Michelle Yeoh's "torture" input and what's next
The Brothers Sun co-creator Byron Wu and director Viet Nguyen talk about Michelle Yeoh's power moves at the end of season one, and what could be next for the Sun clan in a possible second season.

* * *
How Jenny Yang Scored Her First Action Role — Fighting Michelle Yeoh
Comedian Jenny Yang tells all about her path to Netflix's The Brothers Sun.

* * *
Avatar: The Last Airbender showrunner opens up about making series without original creators
When Albert Kim first got the call from Netflix to work on the live-action series adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, his reaction was basically "Hell yeah!" But then it was "Holy shit! Do I really want to do this?"

Stephanie Hsu Gets 'Laid' in New Comedy Series

Peacock orders 'f-ked up rom-com' from writers Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna.

Peacock has given a straight-to-series order for the comedy Laid, starring Stephanie Hsu and from writers Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna. Let me stop you right there -- I will absolutely watch this.

More here: Stephanie Hsu to Star in 'Laid' Comedy From Nahnatchka Khan for Peacock

But here's some more information. Laid revolves around a woman who finds out that her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her "sex timeline" to confront her past in order to move forward.

A Front-Row Seat to a Geo-Political Dance

S. Leo Chiang reflects on U.S., China and Taiwan relations in his short documentary 'Island in Between'

Filmmaker S. Leo Chiang was born in Taiwan, grew up in the United States, worked extensively in China and now lives in Taipei. This mix of experiences has given him a front-row seat to the complex, decades-long dance between these nations. In his short documentary Island in Between, Chiang reflects on his relationship with Taiwan, the U.S. and China from the islands of Kinmen, just a few miles from mainland China.

Kinmen, also known as Quemoy, is a group of islands governed by Taiwan that were the front lines of the first and second Taiwan Straits Crises decades ago. They lie just a few miles from mainland China, and these days, locals are unsure what escalating tensions mean for the future.

Island in Between, part of the New York Times' Op-Docs series was recently announced on the short list for the 2024 Academy Awards, in the category of Documentary Short Film.

Watch it here:

'Soldiers of Christ' Cult Killing Shakes Korean Community

33-year-old Sehee Cho was tortured and killed during the group's "initiation" process."

In Georgia, members of a Korean religious cult were charged in the murder of a 33-year-old woman who was killed during the initiation process into a group that called itself Soldiers of Christ. Police say Sehee Cho was held captive for weeks, tortured and starved her until she died.

Officers discovered Cho's decaying body in the trunk of a car, left in the parking lot in metro Atlanta's busy Korean business district. Video evidence shows the group beating Cho with a belt and putting her in ice baths. Seven individuals, including the group's leader Joonho Lee, face charges of felony murder, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence and concealing the death of another.

They Call Us Bruce 224: They Call Us New Year 2024

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 back our pals Rebecca Sun of The Hollywood Reporter and Dino-Ray Ramos of DIASPORA to take one last look back at the year that was, plus a look forward, with a special super-sized edition of The Good, The Bad, and The WTF (What's The Future). We discuss, among other things, the post-Everything Everywhere All at Once Multiverse, messy Asians, controversies, Beef, Past Lives, Joy Ride, Shortcomings, Elemental, hopes, dreams, fears, and much more. This episode is sponsored by the Netflix series The Brothers Sun.

House Bill Aims to Restart "China Initiative"

Controversial Trump administration program targeted Chinese academics for possible espionage.

The Department of Justice ended a controversial program nearly two years ago called the China Initiative, which targeted mostly ethnic Chinese academics and their links to China. The program was stopped in 2022 after criticism of racial profiling. Now, a proposed House spending bill wants to bring the initiative back.

More here: House bill aims to restart controversial DOJ program that targeted Chinese academics

So yeah, we're still doing this. The China Initiative, created during the Trump administration, was an effort to investigate and prosecute Chinese espionage in the United States, and targeted academics and scientists of Chinese descent who found themselves under scrutiny for past affiliations with Chinese institutions.

About 90% of the more than 70 cases prosecuted under the initiative involved people who were ethnically Chinese. Just about a quarter were convicted and usually for much lesser charges. In February 2022, the Department of Justice ended the China Initiative, citing in part racial and ethnic bias, though the FBI says it still has more than 2,000 cases related to China. The DOJ did not respond to a request for comment. And now a proposed House spending bill wants to restart the initiative.

In some cases where the Justice Department was unable to find evidence of espionage, officials brought lesser charges, only to drop them -- but not before damage was done to the scientists' reputations and careers. The suspicion extends to national security employees with ties to Asia, who are regarded as potential intelligence threats because they have family members in, say, China or Taiwan.

More here: Asian American Officials Cite Unfair Scrutiny and Lost Jobs in China Spy Tensions

'Beef' Wins Big at the Golden Globes

Netflix series wins Best Limited Series and lead acting categories for Steven Yeun and Ali Wong.

The Netflix road rage drama Beef cleaned up with historic big wins at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday night, taking home trophies for Best Limited Series, and Best Actor and Actress for Steven Yeun and Ali Wong.

Ali Wong is the first actress of Asian descent ever to win in Best Actress in a Mini-series or Motion Picture for TV. Steven Yeun is only the third actor to win in the category. And Wong and Yeun are only the third duo in Golden Globes history to win both lead limited series acting categories.

Beef won the award for Best Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Motion Picture -- the first-ever honor for a show created by and starring Asian Americans. Accepting the award, series creator Lee Sung Jin thanked the nameless driver involved in the road rage incident that inspired the show.

They Call Us Bruce 223: They Call Us K-Culture

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 close out 2023 and welcome critic and commentator Jae-Ha Kim to talk all things "K" -- from K-dramas to K-pop, and all the other ways Korean pop culture has spread its infectious K-embrace across the globe. We discuss the best K-dramas of the year (according to Jae-Ha), what happens when BTS takes a break for military service, and the recent tragic death of Lee Sun-kyun. I also admit -- nay, declare -- my love of NewJeans.