Honmoon Sealed. Kpop Demon Hunters Wins Big at the Oscars.

And Other Items of Note From Angry Asian America.

'KPop Demon Hunters' makes Oscars history after dominating awards season

Kpop Demon Hunters took home two trophies at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday night, capping off a triumphant awards season run for Netflix's most watched movie of all time. "To all the fans who got us here and for all of those who look like me, sorry that it took us so long to see us in a movie like this. But it is here, and that means that the next generations don't have to go longing," said co-director Maggie Kang said while accepting the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. "This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere."

The team behind the movie's record-breaking hit anthem "Golden" won Best Original Song, becoming the first K-pop song to win an Oscar. "Growing up, people made fun of me for liking K-pop, but now everyone’s singing our song and all the Korean lyrics," said EJAE, who co-wrote the song with Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo and Teddy Park. "I’m so proud. And I realized, the song, this award is not about success; it’s about resilience."

It was a moving moment, but cut short. The team was abruptly played off as soon as Lee took the microphone, and the show cut to a commercial. The disrespect! Later, backstage, EJAE elaborated on what the team wasn’t able to finish in their televised speech: "Golden" Songwriting Team Speaks Out Backstage After Oscars Acceptance Speech Was Cut Off

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'Golden' From KPOP DEMON HUNTERS Live at the 98th Oscars

Speaking of "Golden," here's that dazzling performance of the Oscar-winning song by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami -- the ladies of HUNTR/X -- on the Academy Awards stage, which included pansori performers, hanbok-clad dancers, traditional drummers, and an army of audience members wielding light sticks. Honestly, until I saw it, I didn't realize I had been waiting to see this moment since I was kid.

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'Sinners'' Autumn Durald Arkapaw becomes first woman to win cinematography Oscar

Autumn Durald Arkapaw won the Oscar for Best Cinematography for Sinners, making history as the first woman ever to win in the category. Arkapaw, who is of Filipino and Creole descent, is only the fourth woman nominated for the award, and the first woman of color. During her speech, Arkapaw asked for all the women in the audience to stand, saying, "I don’t get here without you guys."

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Congress marks 5 years since 8 killed in Atlanta spa shootings

Today, several members of Congress introduced a resolution commemorating the five-year remembrance of the Atlanta spa shootings. U.S. Reps. Lucy McBath of Georgia, Grace Meng of New York, Judy Chu of California and Nikema Williams of Georgia announced the measure, marking the anniversary of the 2021 attack, in which a gunman killed eight people, including six Asian women, and injured another person during shootings at two spas and a massage parlor in the Atlanta area. The violence occurred during a nationwide surge in anti-Asian hate crimes linked to rhetoric blaming Asian Americans for the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Five years after the Atlanta spa shootings, our city still carries the grief of the eight lives stolen in an act of anti-Asian hate," McBath said. "That tragedy shook our community and left lasting pain for the families, loved ones, and neighbors who continue to mourn."

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Understanding the Complex History of Anti-Asian Racism

"While individuals may harbor unconscious bias, this calculated form of erasure stems from the willful amnesia at the core of the U.S. empire. The ideology of American exceptionalism set in place the myth that the United States was born free and uniquely destined to spread liberty and democracy, acting solely out of virtue. Under Donald Trump, the U.S. government is brutishly acting to rewrite history to promote white nationalism. Overcoming this willful amnesia is a crucial first step in addressing the problem. We cannot expect better policies or leadership to stop anti-Asian violence until we develop a better understanding of its historical and contemporary causes and manifestations. But power emanates from historical consciousness. It can reshape collective identity and foster the shared awareness necessary to build multiracial coalitions linking our struggles to transformative movements for social justice."

This Massive Alysa Liu Mural is Oakland as Hell

And Other Items of Note From Angry Asian America.

Alysa Liu now has her own massive Oakland mural

Last week, artist unveiled the first mural in Oakland honoring Olympic gold medalist figure skater Alysa Liu. The Illuminaries, a local graffiti artist group, designed and painted a mural in the Temescal neighborhood, on the corner of Telegraph and 43rd Streetm to celebrate the hometown hero.

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Buddhist Church of Sacramento vandalized with white nationalist symbols

Last month, vandals spray-painted hate symbols and white nationalist graffiti on the exterior walls of Buddhist Church of Sacramento. The church has a large population of Japanese Americans, and the vandalism occurred on February 19, the anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which authorized the incarceration of over 100,000 Japanese citizens and immigrants during World War II. The community's efforts to clean up the graffiti have reportedly been... challenging.

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Rev. Jesse Jackson offered powerful support to Asian Americans

Community leaders remember Jesse Jackson’s support of the Asian American community dating back decades. From seeking justice for Vincent Chin to condemning anti-Asian violence during the pandemic, the late civil rights icon embraced Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in his Rainbow Coalition, which united marginalized people for social justice.

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In The Latest Edition of 'You’re Not Korean Enough,' the Internet Attacks a Transnational Adoptee

"In another edition of You're Not Korean Enough, we have a contingent of cruel and clueless people on the internet who are taking a Korean adoptee to task for not being a real Korean. Why? Because she initially mispronounced the name of a Korean folk song, "Arirang" (아리랑)."

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Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and EJAE perform 'Golden'

Your girls did it again. Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and EJAE, the singing voices of Huntr/x from Kpop Demon Hunters, lit up the Manchester skies with this epic performance of "Golden" at the 2026 BRIT Awards.

Burmese Refugee Abandoned by Border Patrol Found Dead

And Other Items of Note from Angry Asian America.

Nearly blind refugee abandoned by US border patrol found dead in Buffalo

A nearly blind Burmese refugee who was abandoned by border patrol agents has been found dead in Buffalo, New York. Following his release from a holding center, immigration officials dropped off 56-year-old Nurul Amin Shah Alam, who spoke little English, at a coffee shop miles from his home. His body was found five days later.

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Asian American residents targeted in 8 Fairfax County burglaries

In Fairfax County, Virginia, police are investigating a string of home burglaries targeting Asian American residents. Between January 12 and February 21, suspects entered eight homes scattered throughout the county, stealing cash, jewelry, handbags, gold bars and even safes that had been bolted to the floor. The victims have been primarily Asian American small business owners.

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KPop Demon Hunters Songwriter EJAE Put Her Whole Heart - and Her Past - into "Golden"

For over a decade, Kim Eun-jae, aka EJAE, trained to become a K-pop idol under SM Entertainment, one of South Korea's top agencies. But the label deemed her too tall and her voice too low and husky -- and ultimately decided not to debut her. But that rejection turned out to be a "redirection."

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Vang: The Olympic loyalty test no one asked for

"This winter, two Asian American women, Alysa Liu and Eileen Gu, soared across Olympic ice and snow. One wrapped herself in the Stars and Stripes. The other chose to compete for China. And suddenly the country had very strong opinions about Asian daughters. I learned the quickest way to make America nervous is to let an Asian American woman make her own decisions, especially if she wins a gold medal."

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Muralist honors gold medal Olympian Alysa Liu with mural

Seen on the streets of Gardena, California: a tribute to Olympic gold medalist figure skater Alysa Liu.

KPop Demon Hunters Sweeps Annie Awards

And Other Items of Note From Angry Asian America.

'KPop Demon Hunters' Sweeps Annie Awards, Going 10-For-10

Kpop Demon Hunters continues its epic steamroll through awards season, dominating the 53rd annual Annie Awards -- honoring excellence in the field of animation -- on Saturday night, winning all ten of the categories for which it was nominated including Best Feature, Direction for Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and Voice Acting for Arden Cho as Rumi. Don't want to jinx it, but an Oscar win seem like a pretty damn sure thing.

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HUNTR/X perform 'Golden' LIVE at the BAFTAs

Meanwhile, in their first-ever live performance outside the United States, EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami -- the singing voices of HUNTR/X -- performed their smash-hit "Golden" at the British Academy Film Awards.

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Gold medal greats Alysa Liu and Eileen Gu face uncomfortable comparisons at Olympics

U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu and Beijing-backed freestyle skier Eileen Gu woke up Friday morning to find themselves in a side-by-side contrast they never asked for, pitted against each other in a geopolitical battle they never sought. Hours after Liu's stirring performance in the free skate on Thursday won her America's first Olympic women's figure skating gold in 24 years, the Oakland native was suddenly thrust into association with another native Californian, Gu, the skier who is competing on behalf of China.

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Alysa Liu Shares the Backstory on Her Viral Hug with Japan's Ami Nakai

Of the many viral moments from Alysa Liu's joyous, triumphant Olympic gold medal win, one moment has gotten attention for being adorably wholesome. After the results were announced in the final at Milano Ice Skating Arena on Thursday, confirming that 17-year-old Ami Nakai of Japan had won bronze and Liu won gold, the American star rushed over to Nakai to celebrate with the biggest hug.

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Nike - The Great Chase

This funny Nike ad dropped last year, but I've been seeing it passed around again in celebration of the Lunar New Year. As we all know, you should never accept that money without a fight! Or a chase.

Kpop Demon Hunters Wins a Grammy for "Golden"

And Other Items of Note From Angry Asian America.

A Victory for 'Golden' Gives K-Pop Its First Ever Grammy Win

It's not the Idol Awards, but the Grammys ain't bad. "Golden," the anthemic smash hit from Kpop Demon Hunters, has become the first ever K-Pop song to win a Grammy Award. Performed by EJAE (who also co-wrote the song), Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, aka Huntr/x, it won Best Song Written for Visual Media. It was also nominated in three other categories, including Song of the Year. (Alas, Billie Eilish.) Still, things are looking pretty "Golden" for the Oscars next month...

Pardoned auto shop owner freed after rare government reversal

A day after Fong Khang received a pardon from the state of Minnesota, his mug shotlanded on a federal website touting “More Worst of Worst" arrests, packaged between photos of two convicted murderers and two sex offenders. Khang was freed January 28, after seven days in detention, when federal officials deviated from their usual practice and agreed to support his wrongful detention case.

Letter From Minnesota: "If They Take Me and Leave the Children..."

"All these years, that has been my goal. As a writer, I’ve tried hard to tell the stories of my people and others who have fled their homes in search of safety and a future, and now all these years later, I find myself wondering if I still have a home here in Minnesota, in America, in the world of the people who get to decide who is valuable and who is not, who belongs and who does not, who lives and who dies."

Playwright Keiko Green On Pulling Her Play from the Kennedy Center

Last month, Seattle Children's Theatre announced their decision to pull their two-week run of the play Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story from the Kennedy Center due to the impact of the Trump administration. Playwright Keiko Green talks about the decision, the fallout and the future of the play.

Kpop Demon Hunters Socks

And now you get these sweet Kpop Demon Hunters Socks. Pre-order from MADMIA

Pardoned by the State on Tuesday, Picked Up by ICE on Wednesday

And Other Items of Note From Angry Asian America.

He was pardoned by the state on Tuesday, picked up by ICE on Wednesday

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.

Cambodian genocide survivor detained by ICE

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.

From The "Bamboo Ceiling" To City Hall: Asian American Power In Post-COVID New York

"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."

'KPop Demon Hunters' HUNTR/X conquer the charts and claim their destiny

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.

The First Look at Long-Awaited ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Toy Lines Is Finally Here

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.

EJAE Sings in a New Super Bowl Ad Teaser

And Other Items of Note From Angry Asian America.

Ejae Sings In the Bathroom in Liquid I.V. Super Bowl Teaser

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.

St. Paul mayor, a Hmong American, said it was ‘heartbreaking’ to see man taken by immigration agents

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."

T.S.A. Leader Defends Working With ICE to Congress

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 Pulls Bruce Lee Play From Kennedy Center Lineup

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.

And everybody, if you happen to be in Seattle, please support Seattle Children's Theatre.



Alan Chikin Chow Is Coming to Netflix to Form the Next K-Pop Sensation

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.

I Mean They Are Called the "Golden" Globes

And Other Items of Note From Angry Asian America.

1. Kpop Demon Hunters Wins Big at the Golden Globes

We're going up up up it's our moment... KPop Demon Hunters continues its amazing awards show run, taking home the Golden Globe for Best Original Song, "Golden," and Best Animated Feature. This particular awards show is kind of a joke and I do not take it seriously. But damn if I didn't tear up watching EJAE's acceptance speech, talking about her dreams, rejections and disappointments. She dedicated the award "to people who have their doors closed at them, and that, I can confidently say 'rejection is redirection,' and so never give up... It's never too late to shine like you were born to be."

2. Postal Service To Release Stunner of Stamp To Honor Bruce Lee

The United States Postal Service will honor Bruce Lee, legendary martial artist and actor, with a Forever stamp. Designed by artist Kam Mak, the stamp artwork features a black-and-white painting of Lee executing his famous flying kick set against a yellow calligraphic brushstroke (reminiscent of Lee's iconic jumpsuit in Game of Death) on a white background. The first-day-of-issue event for the Bruce Lee Forever stamp is free and open to the public, and will be held next month at the Nippon Kan Theater in Seattle. More info at USPS.com.

3. Katie Leung on Harry Potter, sudden fame, insecurity – and starring in Bridgerton

Katie Leung, who plays Lady Araminta Gun in the new season of Netflix's Bridgerton, opens up in a new interview with The Guardian about the intense, appalling racism and online abuse she received from toxic fans when she was cast as Cho Chang in the Harry Potter film franchise.

4. Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers respond to backlash over remarks about Rep. Jasmine Crockett

After courting controversy over remarks on their podcast about the current Democratic party landscape and an urge to fans to not "waste" money donating to Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett's Senate bid, Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers have responded to the resulting backlash.

5. Victor Wong Fellowship Auditions

Legendary Chicago comedy institution The Second City has announced auditions for the 4th Annual Victor Wong Fellowship, a tuition-free program created to develop and champion the next generation of AAPI comedic talent. Named after The Second City's first Asian American performer, this fellowship is about building skills, amplifying voices, and shaping the future of comedy. Learn more at secondcity.com.

Kpop Demon Hunters Wins Big at the Critics Choice Awards

And Other Items of Note From Angry Asian America.

1. ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Kicks Off 2026 Awards Season With Two Critics Choice Wins

Netflix's runaway animated hit Kpop Demon Hunters made its first awards showing of 2026 -- and kicked off what is likely to be a considerable awards season haul -- with wins for best song (for "Golden") and best animated film at the Critics Choice Awards.

"When writing this song, I found myself living vicariously through my character Rumi. Her life and journey in the movie felt deeply familiar to me," co-songwriter and Rumi's singing voice EJAE told the crowd when accepting best song. "The song needed to be an expression of hope to convince herself that she could write and reach for her dreams. In many ways, it did the same for me, but most importantly for it to be giving hope so many people around the world is truly the greatest honor."

2. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu takes oath of office for second term

In other Asian American big city mayoral news... Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was sworn into her second term as mayor of the city Monday morning at Symphony Hall. Wu ran unopposed in the General Election after Democratic candidate Josh Kraft suspended his mayoral campaign in September.

In her opening remarks, Wu criticized the Trump Administration for cutting funding for housing, education, and health care.

"We will not appease or abet any threat to our city, and we will not wait for permission to build the world our families deserve,” Wu said. “Over the next four years, Boston will be the proof that the nation we fought for is possible — a place where we take care of each other and take on the challenges that matter the most."

3. Call Her mayor: History made as St. Paul swears in new leader

And yet in more Asian American mayoral news... Kaohly Her is the mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota. On Friday afternoon at St. Catherine University, Her was sworn in as the 56th mayor of St. Paul, becoming the first woman and first person of Hmong ancestry to hold the title.

4. Authors Kate DiCamillo and Kelly Yang Announce New Podcast StoryKind

Award-winning childen's book authors Kelly Yang and Kate DiCamillo have teamed up for a new podcast which will focus on writing and creativity for kids, parents and educators. StoryKind, which will release new 15 minutes episodes weekly starting January 19, will share "tips for writing, answer questions they receive from young readers, celebrate the hard work of teachers and librarians in literacy spaces and spread the magic of real, human storytelling."

5. The Rip

Is it me, or is Steven Yeun always appearing in the most interesting shit? He's come a long way since Glenn, and I will say it now (though I cried at the time), getting killed off The Walking Dead was probably the best thing that could have happened for him. Burning? Beef? Minari? He's not always the number one, but his supporting roles are sometimes just as intriguing. Anyway, spotted him in the trailer for this Matt Damon/Ben Affleck crime thriller The Rip, and got a kick out of seeing him in the mix. Hell, I'll watch it for my dude Steven.