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 Tadashi Nakamura to talk about Third Act, his acclaimed documentary about his father, pioneering filmmaker Robert A. Nakamura, aka "The Godfather of Asian American Media." Tad talks about growing up in the shadow of his revered artist/activist parents, and the pressure that evolved into pride and partnership; making the movie he always knew that he had to make, and the challenges of putting himself front and center in the film; and how the camera -- and the ticking clock -- became the ultimate intermediary for father and son. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Third Act.
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 acclaimed legendary playwright David Henry Hwang, who talks about his new take on the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Flower Drum Song, now playing at East West Players in Los Angeles. He talks about rewriting and re-contextualizing the book for this beloved show (still only one of the few Broadway musicals to center Asian Americans); refreshing some of the more outdated and regressive elements of the story -- including a few of the cringe-inducing lines from David's own 2002 revisal -- for contemporary times; and how this staging of Flower Drum Song represents a full-circle moment for David's life and career.
Generations call Robert A. Nakamura the godfather of Asian American film. Tadashi Nakamura calls him Dad. In his documentary Third Act, Tad turns the camera on his father as they confront art, activism, and aging. From World War II incarceration to cultural awakening and a Parkinson's diagnosis, the film is a tender portrait of legacy, inherited trauma, and the final chapter of a shared creative life. Third Act premieres May 25 on PBS' Independent Lens (check local listings) and will be available to stream on pbs.org.
Rapper, actor, and writer Jonnie Park, aka Dumbfoundead, joins Ronny Chieng on The Daily Show to discuss his new memoir SPIT: A Life in Battles. They talk about getting his start in battle rapping at 14 years old in Los Angeles, evolving from freestyle battles to prepared matchups, developing a thick skin as the only Asian in the rap battle arena, dabbling in other mediums like acting in Nemesis and writing for season 2 of Beef, and chronicling his story through the different family, immigration, and career battles he’s faced.
Deli Boys returns! In season two of the acclaimed crime comedy series, the Dars are drowning in dirty cash and Philly's sketchiest crooks are circling. Enter Max Sugar: casino king, money launderer, and Lucky's new crush who turns laundering into a chaotic situationship. Raj plots revenge on Ahmad, Mir tries to expand DarCo without blowing it up, and Philly D.A. Andrew Chadwater hopes one big bust will make him mayor. Season two, starring Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh, and Poorna Jagannathan, premieres May 28 on Hulu.
Anil Kochhar, a North Carolina State University donor, gave graduates of the school's Wilson College of Textiles a lot more than just words of wisdom when he delivered their keynote commencement address earlier this month. The entrepreneur also announced that he would pay off any student loans taken out by the college's graduates during their senior year. "I hope that all of you leave... today not only with a degree but with greater freedom to pursue your goals, take risks and build the lives that you've worked so hard to achieve," Kochhar said, prompting loud cheers, applause and a standing ovation from the class of 2026.
A Grain of Sand: Music for the Struggle of Asians in America was one of the first recognized musical albums expressing Asian American identity. The 1973 work -- preserved at the Smithsonian Institution -- combines elements of folk, jazz and blues. It's often considered a blend of political statements within a collective art project. Sojin Kim, curator of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, details the album's legacy and place in American history for WBUR.
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 friend and filmmaker Bao Nguyen, director of the Netflix documentary BTS: The Return, which follows global pop supergroup BTS -- Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook -- as they reunite and record their highly anticipated comeback album Arirang. Bao talks about riding shotgun and spending the summer with the biggest band in the world; getting an intimate glimpse into the group's camaraderie, artistry, and unique dedication to their massive fanbase; and what it means for BTS to represent their nation and culture at this pivotal moment in their career. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making BTS: The Return.
A bill designating May 17 as "Bruce Lee Day" in California was announced Wednesday to honor the legacy of the San Francisco-born actor and martial arts star. The bill, which would encourage schools and communities to teach Bruce Lee's impact, was introduced by San Francisco Assemblyman Matt Haney. If it passes, he would become the first Chinese American to be recognized with a day in California state law.
The resignation of Arcadia, California mayor Eileen Wang, who pleaded guilty to acting as a foreign agent for China, has sparked backlash and reignited fears of anti-Asian discrimination. Cue the wave of racist comments, which hit social media as soon as the FBI announced the case against Wang, casting suspicion, fear and discrimination on Asian communities as a whole. Nothing new in these United States of America.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Hong Kong, The Season is a high-gloss drama that follows a group of close-knit friends gathering for a summer of sun-drenched splendour as the boating season begins. The glamor unfolds as a young newcomer joins this society for the summer. When secrets are revealed, the line between ally and enemy blurs, and ambitions could change everything. The Season premieres on Hulu on June 17.
"Trump and the right wing are correct about one thing. It would be ideal if nobody cared about immutable differences, and we didn’t need to have things like Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. But if recent history teaches us anything, fear of differences that stoke the worst in human tendencies can easily explode to the surface."
"Ota Tofu has survived in Portland since 1911. I use the word survived, because many of the Japanese-owned businesses of the early 20th century in Portland did not. Their owners were placed in prison camps by the US government during World War 2; only 1/3rd of the Japanese community returned, finding their businesses sold or confiscated. The founders of Ota Tofu were brothers, and one died in the camps."
Gather up. It's our turn to help seal the Honmoon. The rumors are true. Netflix is teaming up with AEG Presents for a KPop Demon Hunters global concert tour, promising to bring "a live experience that will bring elements of the two-time Oscar-winning film to life in spectacular ways." At this point, there's no indication whether the tour will feature any of the actual singing talent from the films. But if you're a superfan, that might not matter. For now, you can join an official waitlist for further information.
In celebration of Heritage Month, the new HBO documentary The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas centers AAPI identity and community, interviewing fifteen influential individuals across generations, experiences, and communities. The profiles include legendary journalist Connie Chung, Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, "Basement Bhangra" creator DJ Rekha, chef Yia Vang, and actors Sandra Oh, Kumail Nanjiani and Bowen Yang. You can watch it now on HBO Max.
Whoa. Randall Park is the new face of Priceline. After serving decades as the travel booking site's iconic pitchman, William Shatner is handing over the title of Pricline Negotiator to actor and comedian Randall Park. The Fresh Off the Boat star's first order of business? Helping to launch Priceline's biggest summer sale ever with the "Unbummer Your Summer" campign. I gotta say, aside from being a talented, funny performer who deserves getting that bag, Randall is perfectly suited for the public face of Priceline. Love it.
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is now a musical. Jamie Ford's beloved 2009 novel, a multi-generational family drama and love story set in Seattle's Chinatown International district during World War II, has been adapted by bookwriter Lainie Sakakura and composer/lyricist Paul Fujimoto into legit stage musical. While the full-fledged production is still in the works, they're staging a sneak peek benefit concert of the musical's first act this month at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute in Seattle.
"Asian Americans are bound by two stereotypes: one that excludes us from being American, and one that includes us at the expense of others. Our role is conditional, but our cultures are alluring. As Chinatown fills with lines for the latest boba drops and waves of attention around the next Asian trends, it's easy to see this moment as celebration. But what often goes unnoticed is what and who was left behind: the community that is still fighting for recognition, safety, and belonging."
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 friend, writer and educator Scott Kurashige, author of American Peril: The Violent History of Anti-Asian Racism. He talks about his personal journey into Asian American activism and movement scholarship; the erasure of anti-Asian racism and colonial violence, and why it seems we are constantly learning and re-learning this history; and why legislating and prosecuting hate crimes isn't necessarily the answer for multiracial solidarity. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of writing American Peril.
Welcome to May, folks — the month formerly known as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
And as this month begins, I've rarely been more puzzled and annoyed than I have been over the past few weeks, watching the bizarre backlash against Jin Chao, the small but pivotal part played by actress Helen J. Shen in The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Shen, best known for her mesmerizing lead turn in Broadway's robots-looking-for-love musical Maybe Happy Ending, is delightful in the role. The character herself is fun, witty and has a real and welcome story arc that ends with her boldly saving the day for Anne Hathaway's Andy and Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestley. She even gets a style glow-up, and is clearly positioned to play a bigger role in a third installment in the story, if there is one.
(Which is not unlikely: The movie banked $77 million at the North America box office and earned $233 million worldwide in its opening weekend, setting it up to match and maybe beat the original's blockbuster take.)
But you wouldn't know that from her 30 seconds of screen time in this promotional clip, which featured Jin meeting her new boss Andy for the first time. “If you don’t want me, you can interview someone else. That’s totally fine,” Jin says. “I did go to Yale, 3.86 GPA, lead soprano of the Whiffenpoofs, and my ACT score was 36 on the very first time."
Jin's brief nervous self-introduction was enough to send the Internet into a meltdown — even though very few people had seen the full movie (and certainly none of those who were engaged in discourse about the character online).
