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 poet/author/activist Bao Phi and Minnesota Star Tribune columnist Laura Yuen to discuss the ongoing and escalating crackdown by federal immigration operations in Minnesota. They talk about Laura's recent piece about her family and their citizenship; the temperature on the street, particularly in the wake of recent killings by ICE agents; the widespread fear and uncertainty among community members just trying to move through their lives; and the kindness of everyday Minnesotans who are helping each other survive the siege. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of being in Minnesota right now. This episode is sponsored by Chinese Republicans, a new play from Roundabout Theatre Company.
When hell broke loose on the streets of south Minneapolis, where protestors clashed with federal officers -- less than a block from where Alex Pretti had been killed about an hour earlier -- Tracy Wong opened the doors of her restaurant, My Huong Kitchen, for people to take safe refuge from the tear gas and flash bangs, offering water, comfort and a place to recover. Video of Wong in this extraordinary moment has since been shared thousands of times, and the community has come back to her restaurant with thanks and support
"For over five years, my family and I have been living, working, and commuting across the Twin Cities suburbs. We are Hmong -- the biggest Asian ethnic group in Minnesota. We are scared. We are cautious. We feel like our identity will make us a target. We still go about our everyday lives, but with uncertainty. And we are paying attention, checking for daily updates—observing who is speaking out against what's happening, and those who aren't."
Disturbing, gruesome news out of New Jersey... A 37-year-old man accused of killing his parents in their home has now been charged in connection with their deaths. Patrick Lin was arrested and charged on several accounts, including first-degree murder. When authorities searched his bedroom, they found a notebook with a wishlist that included "to kill someone and get away with it."
Comedian Ronny Chieng is the latest entertainer to lend his voice to public service announcements for the MTA's subway service in New York City. If you ride the subway, you might hear him utter some helpful encouragements like, “Can you please move into the train so other people can get on?" Or "Unless it’s old school hip-hop, nobody wants to hear your music or your phone call. Put your headphones on."
This LEGO® Lucky Cat building set creates an eye-catching display piece and is said to bring good luck and prosperity to the owner. Best of all, the paw has a pendulum action to replicate the beckoning or waving of traditional Lucky Cat figurines.
This newly established website was created by community volunteers and allies to provide rapid response resources in support of AAPI families and communities who have been harmed by ICE surge in Minnesota. Click through the links for various rapid response efforts underway led by -- and for -- Hmong, Southeast Asian American, and other AAPI communities in the greater Twin Cities.
On Wednesday, immigration agents detained a volunteer food shelf delivery driver at a St. Paul community center. Over the objections of staffers and legal observers, federal agents approached, handcuffed and detained Thao Xiong in the center parking lot, where they can be seen on video forcing him into one of three black SUVs. "I showed them my documents already,” Xiong can be heard attempting to explain.
"I’m not writing this to call anyone out or even correct anyone. This shit is incredibly bad. But I really do hope that all these people who are just now taking the red pill and seeing America for what it is will also see that it always has been this way and can join forces with us. Those people organizing in Minneapolis and St. Paul (and all the other cities brutalized by ICE) are heroes. I want those people to know they are not inventing something new. They are continuing the fight that has always existed in this country. They should be proud of that, and they should feel connected to that. The Japanese Americans could have used people like that in 1942."
Seven Japanese American soldiers will be promoted to officer ranks in a solemn ceremony Monday, eight decades after they died fighting for the U.S. during World War II despite having been branded "enemy aliens."
Fong Khang hoped his legal troubles were over when the Minnesota Board of Pardons unanimously agreed on January 20 to set aside eight convictions -- from crimes committed nearly 20 years ago -- that were threatening his ability to remain in the United States. But less than 24 hours later, federal agents stopped Khang on his way to work and took him into custody. Now he's facing possible deportation.
Sithy Yi fled genocide in Cambodia and came to the U.S. as a refugee in 1981. She was ordered by an immigration court to be removed from the country in 2016, but her removal was withheld out of concerns she would be tortured if she returned to Cambodia. After 10 years complying with ICE instructions and initiating a still-pending visa application, she was detained last month at a regular immigration check-in. Her attorney says Yi's detention was a form of punishment and to instill fear in immigrant communities.
"Recent election cycles in New York City have made one thing clear: coalitions of immigrants and racial minorities are scrambling the old equations of local power. Grassroots organization and victories by progressives -- like Zohran Mamdani's in the recent Mayoral election -- and the creation of new Asian-majority constituencies have created a political landscape that looks markedly different from the one that came before it."
Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and EJAE -- the singing voices of Huntr/x -- were on All Things Considered to talk about Kpop Demon Hunters and its breakout success. Speaking to NPR's Ailsa Chang, they explored their journeys as artists, the dreams they have for the future of the Kpop Demon Hunters universe and how they've honored their Korean heritage through their work in the film.
At long last! KPop Demon Hunters has finally given die-hard fans a glimpse at Hasbro and Mattel toy lines. The toy companies unveiled a slew of items at Nuremberg Toy Fair, including new dolls, action figures, collectibles, games and role play items inspired by the hit animated feature.
"Asian Americans, in particular, have always struggled with being perceived as perpetual outsiders, no matter how long we've lived in the country. When immigrants of my parents\' generation started families here in the 1970s, many of them figured their children would fit in and thrive here, so long as they gave their children Western names and made sure they could speak perfect American English. I always felt they went overboard, that we didn't have to whitewash ourselves to gain acceptance. A half-century later, I'm thinking maybe my parents were onto something."
Sorry, Wrong Asian. The images of ChongLy Thao's arrest by ICE in St. Paul sparked outrage in Minnesota and across the internet. Thao was led out of his home in freezing weather, wearing nothing but his boxers and a blanket draped around him. Agents did not present a warrant, nor did they ask Thao for identification. He was released shortly afterward. Turns out, one of the guys they were looking for was already in prison.
Alabama is finding new ways -- using old laws -- to criminally charge undocumented immigrants. Federal courts in the state are using a law last applied during the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II to charge immigrants who don't register themselves.
In Ohio, five people were arrested for their involvement in a highly organized burglary ring targeting Asian Americans. Authorities in the Cincinnati suburbs gathered intelligence indicating that the suspects were planning to burglarize a home and caught them in the act. The group is accused of target Asian American small business owners in the area for years.
Attention filmmakers! The Center for Asian American Media is launching SILK STREAM, a new digital short film series. This initiative is a contemporary, digital-first reimagining of CAAM's groundbreaking SILK SCREEN anthology, specifically designed to engage a cross-generational audience, with a strong focus on digital-native viewers. They're looking for narrative and documentary shorts that not only explore the depth of the Asian American experience but also possess a distinct visual flair and the undeniable energy of contemporary pop culture. Learn more and submit here.
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 chef Hasung Lee, aka "Culinary Monster," one of the breakout contestants from season two of Netflix's hit Korean cooking competition show Culinary Class Wars. He talks about his journey from Korea to the United States to train in some of the world's best kitchens; getting cast on the show as a Black Spoon chef -- including how he got his nickname; his unique focus and confidence while competing in each cooking challenge; and which fellow contestants' dishes he wishes he could have tasted. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of competing on Culinary Class Wars.
Forget the Idol Awards. KPop Demon Hunters is officially in the running at the Oscars. Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were announced on Thursday morning, and as expected, Kpop Demon Hunters earned two nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for "Golden."
Now, does this mean we can expect to see a live performance of "Golden" by Huntr/x, aka EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, during the Academy Awards broadcast? (Honestly, that's all I've wished for since the moment I saw this movie.) EJAE says it's "definitely" a possibility, if she can get over her stage fright.
Ryan Coogler's epic horror drama Sinners made history with a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and a variety of technical categories -- including Best Cinematography for Autumn Durald Arkapaw. Her historic nomination makes her the first woman of color -- and only the fourth woman ever -- to be recognized in the category.
Chloe Zhao's emotional historical drama Hamnet earned eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress. Zhao, who previously won for directing Nomadland, becomes only the second female director to be nominated twice for Best Director. She is also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Documentary filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir scored not just one but two nominations -- one for directing the documentary feature The Perfect Neighbor and another for the documentary short The Devil Is Busy, which she co-directed with Christalyn Hampton.
How in the hell did Park Chan-wook's No Other Choice earn exactly zero Oscar nominations? International Feature? Best Director? Best Actor? None. Nothing. Zilch. Completely ignored by the Academy. Somehow the master auteur behind Oldboy, The Handmaiden, and Decision to Leave has still never seen one of his films get a single Oscar nomination. This shit is rigged!
EJAE, one the songwriters and breakout stars to emerge from Kpop Demon Hunters, will sing and star in a Super Bowl commercial for hydration brand Liquid I.V. In this teaser, EJAE is seen looking into a bathroom mirror before we hear a voiceover of her singing Phil Collins' 1984 hit "Against All Odds." The full 30-second commercial will air during the first half of the Super Bowl on February 8.
Kaohly Her took office as the first woman and the first Asian American mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota, the week an immigration officer fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen who lived nearly 15 miles west of her city. "Nobody ever comes into an office and within the third day of being in office there's an ICE shooting. But I also understand that this is the moment in which you are asked to lead, and so you step up and you lead... I hope I'm rising to the moment."
Sighhhhhh. During a House oversight hearing, Ha Nguyen McNeill, the acting director of the Transportation Security Administration, defended her agency's practice of sharing information about travelers suspected of having deportation orders with agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She said her agents were "absolutely" allowing ICE agents access to passenger data to help with their deportation efforts. Disgrasian.
Seattle Children's Theatre has joined the growing list of artists who wish to no longer be affiliated with the Kennedy Center following President Trump's takeover. The theatre has announced that it willbe pulling its upcoming production of Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story from the Kennedy Center's Family Theatre venue. The show, about martial arts legend Bruce Lee before he became famous, was supposed to run in April. Not anymore. On behalf of Bruce's global fandom, thank you.
Alan Chikin Chow, the multi-hyphenate creator behind Alan's Universe and YouTube's most-watched Shorts creator, is partnering with Netflix for a new scripted series in collaboration with HYBE America. The new series will follow a misfit crew of aspiring pop idol rejects enrolled in an arts academy who come together to form a co-ed band. The emerging artists who will star alongside Chow will release original music concurrently with the series.
Federal immigration agents bashed open a door and detained a Hmong American man in his Minnesota home at gunpoint without a warrant, then led him out onto the streets in his underwear in subfreezing conditions. ChongLy “Scott” Thao, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was then reportedly driven out to the middle of nowhere, where ICE agents finally reviewed his identification, then brought home with no apology. What in the fuck.
Prime Video has released first-look images of Riz Ahmed in his new showbiz comedy series Bait. The six-part series follows Ahmed -- who also serves as writer and showunner -- as struggling Brit actor Shah Latif, whose world implodes when he finds out he's in the running to play the next James Bond. The series premieres on March 25.
With the latest edition of the Sundance Film Festival kicking off this week, here's an overview of the exciting new film projects by Asian and AAPI filmmakers -- including eight feature categories and five short programs -- premiering in the 2026 lineup.
New England! Applications are now open for ASPIRE's 2026 Youth Leadership Program (YLP), dedicated to supporting the development of emerging Asian American women leaders. Designed specifically for high school students (open to sophomores and juniors), YLP caters to their needs as rising leaders in their social, academic, and future professional communities. Learn more and apply here.
Just for fun, here are some cool character posters from one director Park Chan-wook's latest diabolical masterpiece No Other Choice, one of my favorite movies of 2025. If there was any justice motivating deities of cinema, this film would be showered with accolades during awards season -- including and especially for star Lee Byung-hun.
"What made King truly radical was his desire to act on this empathy for people not like himself, neither black nor American. For him, there was “no meaningful solution” to the war without taking into account Vietnamese people, who were “the voiceless ones.” Recognizing their suffering from far away, King connected it with the intimate suffering of African Americans at home. The African-American struggle to liberate black people found a corollary in the struggle of Vietnamese people against foreign domination."
It's a good day to reflect on tise 2019 TIME essay by Viet Thanh Nguyen, who considers Martin Luther King Jr.'s much lesser-known speech, "Beyond Vietnam," far more necessary and insighful -- and urgent -- than the speech is he most remembered for.
This is the awesome story of Elizabeth Yi and the obscure song she sang nearly 30 years ago -- "Reunion," as part of the late '90s indie band Korea Girl -- that unexpectedly became TikTok-powered viral hit in 2025, and rediscovered by a new generation of listeners.
Meet Connie Chan, the San Francisco Supervisor who is running in a competitive race to replace the finally-retiring Rep. Nancy Pelosi -- and leaning hard into her Chinese American heritage to get her name out, build community coalitions, and court the city's Chinese American voters.
Hong Kong veteran martial arts actor Bruce Leung Siu-Lung passed away last week at the age of 77. Yes, he was one of the many "clones" of the Bruceploitation era. More recently, he was seen as "The Beast" in Stephen Chow's 2004 blockbuster Kung Fu Hustle.
Known in the 1970s as one of Hong Kong's "Four Dragons" alongside Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Ti Lung, he had established a multi-faceted career as an actor, stuntman, action choreographer, and director.
