ABC renews 'Dr. Ken' for season two

Ken Jeong and the Park family will be back.



Good news for fans of Asian American families on television. The Parks will be back on ABC. The network has officially renewed the Ken Jeong comedy Dr. Ken for a second season.

ABC Renews Ken Jeong Comedy 'Dr. Ken' for Season Two

The first-year comedy pulled in respectable numbers for ABC in the network's Friday night comedy block, averaging a 1.5 rating in adults 18-49 and 6.4 million viewers overall in Nielsen's "live plus-7" estimates. In both categories, this is the network's best delivery in three years.

National Youth Summit on Japanese American Incarceration in World War II

Join the conversation on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.



The Japanese American National Museum will host the National Youth Summit on Japanese American Incarceration in World War II, an online outreach program organized by the museum in partnership with the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The event will link middle and high school students from across the country in a webcast centered on the Japanese American incarceration and its lessons for today.

It's happening Tuesday, May 17 at 1:00-2:00pm ET. Here are some more details:

Watch the new trailer for 'Voltron: Legendary Defender'

DreamWorks Animation's new take on 'Voltron' premieres June 10 on Netflix.



Ohhhhh yes. Hell yes. Netflix just dropped the trailer for Voltron: Legendary Defender, its upcoming revival of the classic 1980s cartoon. Like the original series, Legendary Defender follows a group of intrepid heroes who command five mechanical lions to defend the universe against evil, uniting to form the giant robot Voltron.

The voice cast includes Kimberly Brooks as Princess Allura; Rhys Darby as Coran; Josh Keaton as Shiro, Black Lion; Tyler Labine as Hunk, Yellow Lion; Jeremy Shada as Lance, Blue Lion; Bex Taylor-Klaus as Pidge, Green Lion; and Steven Yeun as Keith, Red Lion.

Check it out:

Yes, your servers are talking sh*t about you.

Restaurant servers enter rude notes about customers... then forget to delete them from the printed check.



A word to rude or annoying restaurant diners: yes, your servers are talking shit about you. In the recent case of some servers at a Chinese restaurant in Virginia, they entered their opinions about a couple of customers into the restaurant's computer system... then forgot to delete them from the printed check. Oops.

Servers trash customers in private note on check — then forget to delete it

Management at the Peter Chang restaurant in Arlington, Virginia apologized to customers who were the recent targets of a server's snark after a Saturday night dinner. On the check, under the notations for customer designation, they were identified as "im a plad asshole" and "i have a small penis."

Two servers had apparently typed the comments into the restaurant's point-of-sale system as a joke to one another, then neglected to delete them before presenting the check.

Asian American Child Actors Panel Discussion

Thursday, May 19 at the Japanese American National Museum



What's it like to be an Asian American kid working in television today? In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Japanese American National Museum invites you an Asian American Child Actors Panel Discussion featuring Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, and Ian Chen of Fresh Off the Boat and Ashley Liao of the Netflix original series Fuller House.

It's happening Thursday, May 19 at the Japanese American National Museum. Here are some more details:

Who is Vincent Chin?

New digital series "Jubilee Project: Voices" gathers Asian Americans to answer a single question.



Do you know who Vincent Chin was? The hate crime murder of Vincent Chin is often cited as a rallying point for Asian American activism, but how many people know who he was and what happened to him?

The Jubilee Project's latest video installment of "Voices" for NBC Asian America gathered a group of Asian Americans -- including myself -- to talk about Vincent Chin. Some were intimately aware of what had happened to him, while others, unfortunately but not surprisingly, had never heard of the case at all.

Take a look:

Long Beach approves memorial to victims of Killing Fields

Cambodian Genocide Memorial Park will honor the millions who died at the hands of Khmer Rouge.



In Long Beach, California, a vacant lot will be the future site of one of the nation's only memorials dedicated to victims of the Killing Fields -- the millions of Cambodians who died at the hands of the Khmer Rouge.

Long Beach's Killing Fields Memorial to Honor Trauma Experienced Before, During and After Genocide

Last week, the Long Beach City Council voted to lease a 6,210-square-foot lot for the development of the proposed Cambodian Genocide Memorial Park, to be located in the city's Cambodia Town neighborhood.

The memorial center will feature Khmer-style dwellings located on a landscaped plot of land bordered by an orderly fence, patches of green grass, a koi pond and a few leafy trees.

Altered Egos: Gospel, Pop Culture + Asian American Identity

Saturday, May 21 at Fuller Theological Seminary



If you're in Southern California, the Asian American Initiative at Fuller Theological Seminary invites you to Altered Egos, a conference exploring the intersections between gospel, pop culture and Asian American identity with award-winning graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang. The event will also feature pop/soul band Tim Be Told and funk/pop band Ruth + The Library, as well as Jenny Yang, Margaret Yu, Jerome Mammen and myself.

It's happening Saturday, May 21 at Fuller Seminary's Pasadena Campus. Here are some more details:

New policy allows Filipino veterans to reunite with families

USCIS announces implementation of Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program.



On Monday, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the implementation of the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole program that will offer certain beneficiaries an opportunity to seek parole and come to the United States to be reunited with their family members.

Under the policy, USCIS will offer certain beneficiaries of approved family-based immigrant visa petitions an opportunity to request a discretionary grant of parole on a case-by-case basis so that they may come to the United States as they wait for their immigrant visa numbers to become available.

Among other things, the policy recognizes the extraordinary contributions and sacrifices of Filipino veterans who fought for the United States during World War II. The policy also enhances the ability of such elderly veterans and their spouses to obtain care and support from their family members abroad.

This woman needs your help.

Police seek help identifying an elderly woman found wandering inside a Brooklyn store.



In New York, police are asking for the public's help identifying an elderly Asian woman who was found wandering inside of a downtown Brooklyn Sephora store on Saturday afternoon.

Police Seek Identity Of Woman Found Wandering In Brooklyn Municipal Building

Police say the woman was found around non wandering inside the Sephora store at 201 Joralemon St. Through an interpreter, it was determined that the woman's speech was incoherent and she could not provide a name or contact information for anyone she knew.

Jessica proves she can be a fun mom on 'Fresh Off The Boat'

Episode 222: "Gotta Be Me" airs Tuesday, May 10, 8:00pm on ABC



ABC's hit Asian American family sitcom Fresh Off The Boat airs Tuesday nights at 8:00pm. The comedy, inspired by the memoir of chef Eddie Huang, tells the story of the Huang family, a Taiwanese American family getting their immigrant hustle on in 1990s suburban Orlando, in pursuit of the American dream. If you missed this season's episodes, they're available for viewing on the ABC website.

Fresh Off The Boat stars Randall Park as Louis, Constance Wu as Jessica, Hudson Yang as Eddie, Forrest Wheeler as Emery, Ian Chen as Evan and Chelsey Crisp as Honey. With special guest assist from Lucille Soong as Grandma Huang. This week, Jessica proves that she can be a fun mom.

Here's a preview of episode 222, "Gotta Be Me":

Jon M. Chu to direct 'Crazy Rich Asians'

'Now You See Me 2' director in talks to helm adaptation of Kevin Kwan's 2013 novel.



What's that? An Asian American director being tasked to direct a Hollywood movie about Asians? Crazy Rich Asians, that is. Jon M. Chu is in talks to direct the movie adaptation of Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians.

Jon M. Chu in Talks to Direct 'Crazy Rich Asians'

The G.I. Joe: Retaliation director is reportedly in talks to direct the adaptation of the hit 2013 novel, which centers on a group of wealthy Chinese families. When the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings his American-born Chinese girlfriend to Singapore for a wedding, the gossip, backstabbing and scheming reaches a fever pitch among the three super-rich families.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My biggest fear is that someone would foolishly try to whitewash the cast -- the Rachel Chu character would be the obvious candidate -- but according to The Hollywood Reporter, the project will feature a predominantly Asian and Asian American cast. Whew.

Chu confirmed via Twitter that, indeed, there would be Asian actors in every single role:

Gene Luen Yang's next book is a nonfiction basketball graphic novel

'Dragon Hoops' is a true-life account of the 2015 Bishop O'Dowd High School boys' basketball team.



Gene Luen Yang, the award winning graphic novelist of American Born Chinese, is not what you would call the sporty type. In fact, Gene describes himself as a decidedly "non-athletic fiction author." But maaaan, he knows how to tell a story. So his next big project is nonfiction graphic novel about basketball.

Exclusive: Gene Luen Yang to publish his first nonfiction graphic novel ever ('Dragon Hoops') in 2018

First Second Books recently announced that Yang's next book will be Dragon Hoops, a true-life account of the 2015 Bishop O'Dowd High School boys' basketball team and its run at the California state championship.

Dragon Hoops, Yang's first major solo work since the 2013 historical epic Boxers & Saints, will focus on "sports culture, race, the tensions between high school academics and athletics, and the race to victory."

Virginia college student fatally stabbed and beaten at party

Police say 21-year-old Hosung Lee was attacked by a mob the night before he was found dead.



In Virginia, authorities are asking for the public's help identifying some people who attended a house party last month in Fairfax County, where a George Mason University student was fatally attacked.

Police ask for help identifying partygoers in GMU student's death

21-year-old Hosung Lee, also known as Steven, was beaten and stabbed by a group of 10 to 15 people at a party in Herndon on the night of April 23. His friends later drove him back to his family's home in Centreville and placed him in his bed, where he was found dead the next day.

According to the state medical examiner, Lee died from a stab wound to the chest.

Fairfax police have released a photo from the party and are asking for the public's help identifying attendees:

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'Dragonball: Evolution' Screenwriter Apologizes, Admits He Did It for 'A Big Payday': "I spent so many years trying to deflect the blame," writes Ben Ramsey, the screenwriter behind Hollywood's craptastic live-action take on the anime classic Dragonball. "But at the end of the day it all comes down to the written word on page and I take full responsibility."

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"More than just racism in movies": Asian American protest #WhiteWashedOUT goes beyond Hollywood's diversity fails: With controversy peaking around Scarlett Johansson and Tilda Swinton playing Asian roles, Asian Americans speak out.

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BD Wong to white actors playing Asian: 'You're in the wrong part': "Beyong Orientalism" was a forum of leaders in the New York theater scene. BD Wong, the keynote, had a lot to say about being Asian American in an industry dominated by white people.

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Three Asian American leaders talk about what got them to the White House: Tanzila Ahmed, Jason Fong and Jenny Yang are Los Angeles recipients of the White House "Champions of Change for Asian American and Pacific Islander Art and Storytelling" award.

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50 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders of the Obama Administration: In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, NBC Asian America spoke with fifty of the many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in President Barack Obama's administration, who served in capacities from the Department of Homeland Security to the National Endowment of the Arts.

Scarlett Johansson Presents: AAPI Heritage Month

Scarlett Johansson will not be at this show.



You gotta respect the next-level trolling involved with an event entitled Scarlet Johansson Presents: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. If you're in Los Angeles, celebrate AAPI Heritage Month and come see some good-ass comedy from some of the funniest Asian American improv teams in town.

It's happening Friday, May 27 at UCB Sunset's Inner Sanctum Cafe. Here are some more details:

Angry Reader of the Week: Karen Ishizuka

"We need all voices, but it's clear that only some are listened to."



Hello, my friends. Gather 'round, because it's time to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Karen Ishizuka.

Where Are We Now in the #Fight4AAS?

Join 18 Million Rising's Google Hangout on Monday, May 9.



Where are we now in the fight for Asian American Studies? 18 Million Rising invites you to join them for a Google Hangout with some awesome Asian American student activists from Northwestern, CUNY Hunter, and Cornell, who will talk about their work organizing for Asian American Studies programs at their campuses.

Join the conversation on Monday, May 9 at 3:00-4:00pm ET. Here are some more details:

Imagine all the Hollywood movies. Starring John Cho.

What would it look like if today's Hollywood blockbusters starred an Asian American leading man?



The ongoing dialogue around the whitewashing of Asian roles in movies like Ghost in the Shell and Dr. Strange has prompted some pretty interesting conversations about the dismal lack of opportunities for Asian American performers in Hollywood. One thing is for sure: Asian American leading men and women in feature films are few and far between. That's why #StarringJohnCho is so awesome.

The #StarringJohnCho campaign challenges Hollywood's resistance to casting Asian leads. "Today, only 1% of lead roles go to Asians. But if studies show that films with diverse casts result in higher box office numbers and higher returns on investments for film companies, why doesn't Hollywood cast lead actors to reflect this fact?"

Look, Asian Americans have the chops to be lead actors. Even if Hollywood continually refuses to see it. #StarringJohnCho is a social movement that literally shows you what it would look like if today's Hollywood blockbusters cast an Asian American actor -- specifically John Cho -- as their leading man.

And it looks pretty good. Check it out:

Have you ever had a "lunch box" moment?

New digital series "Jubilee Project: Voices" gathers Asian Americans to answer a single question.



Jubilee Project: Voices is a five-episode digital series collaboration between The Jubilee Project and NBC Asian America. In each installment, they gather Asian Americans to answer a single question, with the hopes of sparking conversation and encouraging others to share their stories too.

The first video asks, have you ever had a "lunch box" moment? Asian kids, you know what I'm talking about: