"Our Movement Is Strong, and the Work Isn't Done"

And Other Items of Note From Angry Asian America.

Francesca Hong: "Our Movement Is Strong, and the Work Isn't Done"

"In the heat of an election season, results are measured in raw vote totals. But they should also be measured by the potential they reveal. That is what Hong did on election night. 'We have built something that will change politics forever,' she told a cheering crowd of young supporters. 'What we have done will be remembered. I don’t even know how the final results will end. But what I do know is that we are ready to keep fighting, and I feel confident. More importantly, I am so deeply, deeply grateful.'"

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No Minority Is Safe From Trump's Mass Deportation Machine

"Between January 20, 2025, and March 10, 2026, there have been 14,678 arrests, 13,455 detentions, and 6,453 deportations of APIDA immigrants. This represents a sixfold increase in arrests and detentions and a ninefold increase in deportations compared to the Biden administration—some of the largest increases yet."

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More Than Half of AAPI New Yorkers Have Considered Leaving Over Affordability, Survey Finds

According to a new survey by The Asian American Foundation, 55% of AAPI adults in New York City have thought about leaving the city because of the high cost of living. As the cost of housing, groceries, and other everyday expenses continue to rise, many AAPI New Yorkers are questioning whether they can afford to remain in the city they've long called home.

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Riz Ahmed Has Won an Oscar and an Emmy. Now He's Showing Us Who He Really Is.

"This is Riz Ahmed: guarded, thoughtful, empathetic, challenging, funny. All these things have made him one of the most compelling actors of his generation. And no, he’s not terribly interested in hyping the movie that he must hope could net him another Oscar nomination. But if you keep digging, maybe even to the very bottom, you might find something beautiful."

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The Family Album

Now playing at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego: The Family Album, an original new musical, co-created by singer/songwriter MILCK, about finding and reclaiming your voice and using it for change.

"Singer-songwriter Mia Bing has been hustling for years and is on the cusp of breaking through in the music industry. Just as she receives the call that could change her career, she’s pulled back to her childhood home, where she’s once again the “disappointing” daughter of her Asian immigrant parents, still haunted by an unresolved secret. Mia must learn to use her voice to confront and heal from the past."

Catch The Family Album in its final week through August 23.

Stinky Tofu Too Stinky For San Gabriel?

And Other Items of Note From Angry Asian America.

Neighbor complaints get a classic 'stinky' dish booted from local restaurant

Haters! Stinky tofu is no longer on the menu at Golden Leaf restaurant in San Gabriel, California after the city received complaints about the dish's aroma. But the family behind the restaurant is fighting to bring back the popular Taiwanese street food, prized for its distinct, potent stench.

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AAPI adults mostly think Trump has done more harm than good on immigration

Most Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders believe the Trump administration has done more harm than good on the issue of immigration and border security in his second term so far, according to a new survey from AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

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Johnny Itliong breaks silence on sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez

Johnny Itliong, son of the late labor leader Larry Itliong, says he has spent decades trying to speak out about Cesar Chavez's alleged misconduct -- long before revelations that Chavez was allegedly sexually assaulting women and minors came to light. But Johnny Itliong says he was told to keep quiet.

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When your culture becomes a meme: the 'jarring' effect of Chinamaxxing

"China is not a new concept. So what does it feel like for your culture to become a trend? From North America to Australia, those from the Chinese diaspora who I spoke to all used the same word to describe Chinamaxxing: jarring – though with varying levels of indignation.

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Riz Ahmed is his own worst critic. His new show 'Bait' explores that

In his new comedy series Bait, Riz Ahmed stars as a struggling British Pakistani actor named Shah who lands an audition to be the next James Bond. Ahmed talks to Fresh Air about what James Bond represents in Bait, playing with a multiplicity of genres in the series, and working with the one and only Patrick Stewart, who has the weirdest voice role ever.

It's Official: HUNTR/X Will Perform at the Oscars

And Other Items of Note From Angry Asian America.

Oscars Producers Confirm, Detail Special 'Sinners' and 'KPop Demon Hunter' "Moments"

The producers of the 98th Academy Awards have confirmed that this year's Oscar ceremony will feature special "moments" celebrating two of 2025’s most popular movies, Sinners and KPop Demon Hunters. That means, as we all hoped and predicted since the moment the movie hit Netflix, we will get to see EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami -- the ladies of HUNTR/X -- performing "Golden" on the Oscar stage. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the performance will include a fusion of traditional Korean instrumentalists and dance celebrating the folklore and cultural inspiration behind Kpop Demon Hunters. Cool.

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Bait - Official Trailer

"Did Daniel Craig die?" Check out the new trailer for the upcoming Riz Ahmed comedy series Bait. Ahmed as Shah Latif, a struggling actor, whose last chance to hit it big comes in the form of an audition of a lifetime. The series follows him over the course of four wild days as his life spirals out of control and his family, ex-lover and the entire world weigh in on whether he is the right man for the job. Bait premieres March 25 on Prime Video.

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"None of us need your hateful 'love.'"

Heated Rivalry stars Hudson Williams and François Arnaud posted matching statements to their Instagram stories on Monday, telling off viewers who post hate comments on their castmates' socials."Don't call yourself a fan if you share racist/homophobic/biphobic/misogynist/ageist/ableist/parasocial/bigoted comments of any kind," read the posts. "None of us need your hateful 'love.' We all respect and support and love each other and are on the same side. If you can't accept that gtfoh." That means Get The Fuck Outta Here, my friends.

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Olympian Alysa Liu Has Also Inspired Fans Off the Ice — in the Hair Salon

You know Alysa Liu as the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in women’s single figure skating since 2002. And even if you don't know anything else about her, you recognize her iconic hair -- which is now inspiring a wave of alternative hairstyles emulating her distinctive "raccoon" rings.

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Peter S. Kim: Rice Piglet

Peter S. Kim, one of the funniest standup comics in the land, has dropped his debut comedy special on YouTube. In Rice Piglet, Peter tackles outrageous immigrant lies, the Korean church system, late in life gay horror stories, aging ungracefully and much more. Watch it and spread the word.

The Most Anticipated Book of the Year

And Other Items of Note From Angry Asian America

Cover Reveal: American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee

Behold, the freshly revealed cover for American Hagwon, the highly anticipated forthcoming novel from acclaimed Pachinko author Min Jin Lee. Described as "a panoramic and emotionally riveting portrait of one family’s pursuit of success in a perpetually shifting world," American Hagwon is set from Korea to Australia to Southern California and tracks the journey of a middle-class Korean family upended by the Asian financial crisis and hoping to regain its bearings. American Hagwon hits shelves on September 29.

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'Hamlet' Trailer: Riz Ahmed Leads Gritty Modern Shakespeare Adaptation

This looks awesome. Check out the trailer for Hamlet, a contemporary film re-imagining of William Shakespeare's play. Riz Ahmed takes on the titular role of a man avenging his father's death and taking on his family's corrupt empire. Set in London's elite South Asian community, Hamlet (Ahmed) returns home for his father's funeral, where he's shocked to learn his uncle Claudius (Art Malik) is marrying his newly widowed mother Gertrude (Sheeba Chaddha). During a visit from his father's ghost (Avijit Dutt), Hamlet discovers Claudius was behind the murder, sending him on a path of vengeance and self-reflection.

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'KPop Demon Hunters' Joining Criterion Collection

Didn't see this one coming! Kpop Demon Hunters has been added to the Criterion Collection, which publishes classic and contemporary films from around the world in editions that offer the highest technical quality, as well as special behind-the-scenes supplemental materials. Heck, it's cool enough that Kpop Demon Hunters will be available as a physical home release, but getting the prestigious Criterion treatment? Awesome.

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Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce sued for trademark infringement

Asian American shoe brand 1587 Sneakers has filed a lawsuit against Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, alleging trademark infringement. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claims that the Kansas City steakhouse owned by the Chiefs' stars, 1587 Prime, is harming the sneaker's business. For what it's worth, 1587 Sneakers is named after the year 1587, to mark the year that Asians first arrived in America.

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Through 'K-Pops!,' Anderson .Paak sought deeper familial connection

"When the pandemic hit, and reality settled in that life would be isolated and mostly inside, Grammy winner Anderson .Paak found himself on the outside looking in, in a way he didn’t anticipate. "I was the odd man out. My son was 8, and BTS took over the whole house. It was a K-pop storm. Before that, me and my son were bonding off of my music."

Subway Passenger Sprays Asian Man in Possible Hate Crime

Things to Know From Angry Asian America



"You Better Move!"
The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating a possible hate crime after a subway passenger was seen berating an Asian man before spraying him with air freshener. The video shows the altercation on the N train in Brooklyn, with the angry passenger yelling at the man to move away from him -- apparently because the guy, who seemed to be minding his own business, is Asian. Because, you know, coronavirus and shit. When he doesn't move, the irate passenger pulls out a bottle of Febreze and sprays him for about 15 seconds.

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Protecting Asian American and Pacific Islander Working People
"In light of the outbreak of COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus) cases emerging in the United States, Asian American workers are speaking up on how xenophobia and racism interact with America's inadequate healthcare system and outdated labor laws to endanger workers and hinder disease prevention. Over 2 million Asian American and Pacific Islanders work in healthcare, transportation and service industries -- these workers are facing xenophobic and racial discrimination in the workplace in addition to increased exposure to communicable diseases." Some importance guidance from the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance.

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Asian-Americans Terrified of Coronavirus Backlash Stock Up on Guns
As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to multiply, there's a growing fear among Asian Americans that the outbreak will spark a violent xenophobic backlash. We're already starting to see racist reactions. Along the West Coast, where the worst outbreaks of the coronavirus in the U.S. have occurred, those fears seem to be spurring a surge in gun sales. Oh yes, this will surely turn out great.

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Foolish Non-Koreans Are Paying $25 for the 'Parasite' Instant Noodle Dish
"Nearly a month after Parasite's historic Oscar win, the hit South Korean film still lives on in the menus of New York City restaurants. Korean spots across town introduced versions of the movie's noodle dish "ram-don" to their menus as specials in the days surrounding the movie awards, but weeks later, many of them have decided to keep selling the dish due to customer demand. These ram-dons come with housemade broths or wagyu beef, handmade noodles or prime rib, and though it's based on a humble instant noodle dish, on a New York City menu it can sell for anywhere from $13 to $25."

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"The record is a breakup album -- but with your country."
Riz Ahmed had released a new album dedicated to his emotional "breakup" with Britain. The Long Goodbye includes nine tracks about Ahmed being dumped by a post-Brexit Britain and is accompanied by a short film by the same title. "The record is a breakup album -- but with your country," the actor and rapper said in a statement. "So many of us feel like we're being dumped by the place we call home, a home that we built. This album takes you on the journey of this breakup; through the stages of denial, anger, acceptance, and finally self-love to counter the hate."

Riz Ahmed is the first Asian actor to win an Emmy

Other notable winners include Lena Waithe and Aziz Ansari for 'Master of None.'



On Sunday at the 69th annual Emmy Awards, Riz Ahmed won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his starring role as an accused murderer in HBO's limited series crime drama The Night Of.

That makes Ahmed the first man of Asian descent to take home a trophy at the Emmys, and only the second Asian performer ever to win, following Archie Panjabi's win for The Good Wife in 2010.

The Night Of is an eight-part miniseries that follows the intricate story of a murder case in New York City. Ahmed received critical praise for his star-making turn as Nasir "Naz" Khan, a Pakistani American college student accused in the grisly murder of a mysterious young woman after a night gone wrong.

"Wow. This is a tremendous honor to be recognized along so many actors who I've watched for so long." Ahmed said in his acceptance speech. "If this show has shone a light on some of the prejudice in our society, Islamophobia, some of the injustice in our justice system, then maybe that's something."

The Pakistani British actor and emcee also specifically credited the organizations South Asian Youth Action and The Innocence Project for helping him prepare for the role.

Riz Ahmed freestyles a 'Star Wars' rap on The Tonight Show

Jimmy Fallon challenges Riz MC to a turn on the "Freestyle Generator."



Actor and rapper Riz Ahmed, who can be seen in the upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, was recently a guest on The Tonight Show, where Jimmy Fallon put the rapper's rhyming skills to the test. Ahmed, aka Riz MC, was challenged to spin the wheel of the "Freestyle Generator," in which he was given three random words and had to work them into a freestyle rap. Naturally, the three words were Star Wars-related.

But what in the world would he rhyme with "Lando Calrissian"?

Meet the Asian characters in 'Star Wars: Rogue One'

New character details from the Star Wars saga's latest film.



Yes, there are Asians in a galaxy far, far away. Excited about Star Wars: Rogue One? EW's new cover story reveals some new details about the Star Wars saga's latest film, which takes place before the events of A New Hope and tells the story of resistance fighters who unite to steal plans to the dreaded Death Star.

EW has the official lowdown on Rogue One's new characters, including previously unreleased details about Chirrut Imwe, Baze Malbus and Bodhi Rook, played by Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen and Riz Ahmed, respectively.

Asians in Star Wars! First teaser trailer for 'Rogue One'

Standalone Star Wars movie's cast includes Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen and Riz Ahmed.



The first official teaser trailer for Star Wars: Rogue One just dropped, and holy hell, it looks awesome. The upcoming standalone Star Wars movie takes place before the events of A New Hope and tells the story of resistance fighters who unite to steal plans to the dreaded Death Star.

Directed by Gareth Edwards, the cast of Star Wars: Rogue One includes Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk and Riz Ahmed. Yes, as Episode VII director J.J. Abrams declared at Comic-Con at last year, there are Asians in Star Wars.

Here's the teaser trailer for Rogue One:

Yes, there will be Asians in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Riz Ahmed officially confirmed among the cast of 'Star Wars: Rogue One.'



Well, it's been rumored for months, but nothing in the Star Wars universe is official until they put it on StarWars.com. And so, it was thus confirmed over the weekend: Hong Kong superstar Donnie Yen is indeed part of the cast of the upcoming Star Wars spinoff movie Rogue One -- and it looks pretty frickin' awesome.

Rogue One -- The Daring Mission Has Begun: Cast and Crew Announced

Lucasfilm announced that their first film in the new standalone Star Wars film series Rogue One has begun principal photography. Yen joins a rad, stacked cast that includes Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk and Riz Ahmed.

Rogue One, directed by Gareth Edwards, takes place before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope and tells the story of resistance fighters who unite to steal plans to the dreaded Death Star.