9.08.2023

They Call Us Bruce 210: They Call Us Dear Alana

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 Simon Kent Fung, creator and host of the podcast Dear Alana, an eight-part limited series that tells the story of aspiring nun Alana Chen, who tragically ended her life at the age of 24 after seven years in conversion therapy. Simon talks about telling this gripping, intimate story through the dozens of journals Alana left behind, his own shockingly similar parallel experience with conversion therapy, and The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of being open about who you are. Also: stay tuned for the first episode of Dear Alana from Tenderfoot TV.

9.04.2023

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UNC police got the wrong Asian while searching for suspect, intensifying fears of racial profiling'
For many students of Asian descent, the initial confusion in identifying and apprehending the wrong person in last week's fatal shooting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill dredged up ever-present fears of racial profiling.

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The History of Asian American Labor Activism Is Essential for Today's Students'
Despite centuries of racially discriminatory laws, Asian immigrants and Asian Americans have consistently engaged in labor resistance.

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My grandma in Wuhan is philosophical about COVID, life and her favorite topic: death'
In 2020, graphic artist and memoirist Laura Gao wrote about a trip she had planned to her birthplace in Wuhan, China to see her beloved grandparents. COVID caused her to cancel the trip. How are her grandparents now faring today? She checked in her with her grandma via WeChat.

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A Chinese grocery store opening in West Los Angeles represents a cultural shift'
Chinese food and groceries are so rare on the west side of Los Angeles that it's become something of an urban legend. But a 99 Ranch Market is coming to Westwood.

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‘Made in Taiwan' is the cookbook that couldn't have existed 20 years ago'
When Clarissa Wei moved to Hong Kong from the U.S. and began covering more Chinese cuisine and, occasionally, politics, it dawned on her that Taiwanese and Chinese foods were distinct from each other.

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TV writer talks "Breaking Bad," writers strike and the toxicity of the "auteur genius showrunner"'
Patty Lin, author of the new memoir End Credits: How I Broke Up with Hollywood, praises writing on Freaks and Geeks and reveals why she loves that a show like Beef finally exists.

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Wong Kar Wai's In The Mood For Love'
Wong Kar Wai's 2000 masterwork In the Mood for Love has influenced filmmakers ranging from Barry Jenkins to Sofia Coppola -- and innumerable teens on TikTok.


9.01.2023

They Call Us Bruce 209: They Call Us On Strike

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 actor/SAG-AFTRA member Parvesh Cheena and writer/WGA member Liz Hsiao Lan Alper to discuss the respective unions' ongoing strikes, which has brought the entertainment industry to a standstill. They discuss the conditions and contract issues that necessitated these labor actions, what work stoppage and picketing has meant for the average (and most marginalized) Hollywood workers, and The Good, The Bad and The WTF of being on strike.

8.21.2023

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Searching for Maura
Maura came to St. Louis from the Philippines to be put on display at the 1904 World's Fair. Records suggest that, after her death, a Smithsonian anthropologist took part of her brain.

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Reading—and Writing—Like an Asian American
"I had to fill in what was missing with the history we all need -- because who we are to others should never be the lies that live in the gaps between words."

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Baker's cookie portraits offer bite-size Asian American history lessons
Growing up, Jasmine Cho didn't see stories of people like her. Now, she creates intricate portraits of Asian Americans using an unexpected medium -- sugar cookies.

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A Major Hollywood Diversity Report Shows Little Change - Except for One Promising Stat
According to a new study on Hollywood diversity, despite the talk of progress, not much has actually changed onscreen -- with one major exception: in the last 16 years, the percentage of Asian characters with speaking roles onscreen skyrocketed from 3.4% to 15.9%.

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'Beef' Creator Lee Sung Jin on his Original Ending, "Life-Affirming" Feedback and Season 2 Plan
The triple Emmy nominee also explains why the Netflix limited series became his most personal work to date.

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Randall Park Fought Like Hell to Get Here
Actor Randall Park talks about his journey from TV "diversity showcases" to his promising directorial debut Shortcomings, the strike, and representation.

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The Immortality of Enter the Dragon
This month, Bruce Lee's martial arts masterpiece Enter the Dragon celebrates its 50th anniversary. His daughter, Shannon, reflects on the film that changed everything for Hollywood -- and her family.


8.18.2023

They Call Us Bruce 208: They Call Us Love Boat Revisited

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 rewind and revisit our 2019 conversation with filmmaker Valerie Soe, director of the documentary Love Boat: Taiwan, and writer Abigail Hing Wen, author of the bestselling young adult novel Loveboat, Taipei -- now adapted for the screen as the feature film Love in Taipei, starring Ashley Liao and Ross Butler. They discuss the Taiwanese summer cultural program notoriously known as "Love Boat" and why it was the perfect, long overdue moment to tell these stories.

8.06.2023

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How 'Shortcomings' went from groundbreaking comic to Randall Park’s directing debut
Randall Park's feature film directorial debut Shortcomings, now playing in theaters, began as the classic 2007 graphic novel by acclaimed cartoonist Adrian Tomine.

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The Unsung Asian American Hero Behind the Golden Gate Bridge
Wallace Fong's expertise in electricity and power made him the engineer who helped build the Golden Gate Bridge, which opened on May 27, 1937.

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What Trump tried to take from me and families like mine
"Donald Trump has finally been indicted for his attempts to prevent the peaceful transfer of power. He's been accused of stealing our vote, but it's more than that — he was stealing our voice."

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The Entertainment Industry Told Me I Didn't Belong, So I Wrote a Play to Prove Them Wrong
"I made Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?) as a love language to my inner child, as an expression of self-love to who I am, and as a love letter to all Korean daughters. It's reflective of my healing journey from generational trauma, representative of my rebellion against the industry, and symbolic of my promise to keep learning how to love."

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The Smithsonian cancelled an Asian American Literature Festival. The organizers kept it going.
NPR talks to Regie Cabico, co-organizer of this year's Asian American Literature Festival that's holding events in Washington, D.C., after the Smithsonian controversially cancelled a larger event.

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Viet Thanh Nguyen Considers the Memoir
Viet Thanh Nguyen discusses writing his first memoir, A Man of Two Faces.

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The Complicated Triumph of 'Here Lies Love'
Here Lies Love, David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's Broadway musical on the life of former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos, is a breakthrough for Filipino American performers, but at what cost to the historical truths it dances around?

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8 Novels Exploring the Experiences of Asian American Men
Joe Milan Jr., author of The All-American, recommends books about young Asian men navigating race, identity, and coming of age.

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Randall Park Says 'Shortcoming' Was Inspired by Noah Baumbach's 'Marriage Story'
Randall Park says he never thought of himself as a leader before he directed Shortcomings.

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Ally Maki on Playing a Messy Character in Randall Park's Anti-Rom-Com 'Shortcomings'
When Ally Maki got the script for Shortcomings, she read it in one sitting and knew she had to be a part of it.

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Sherry Cola on How 'Shortcomings' Puts 'the Glasses-Wearing, Chubby, Asian Queer Girl on the Map'
Sherry Cola calls working with Randall Park in Shortcomings a full circle moment.


8.04.2023

They Call Us Bruce 207: They Call Us Shortcomings (with Randall Park and Justin H. Min)

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 Randall Park and Justin H. Min to talk about their new film Shortcomings, based on the 2007 graphic novel by Adrian Tomine. They discuss Randall's directorial debut, parodying Crazy Rich Asians, sandwiches, getting away from the rep sweats and feeling free to make stories about unlovable, messy Asian Americans like Ben Tanaka. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Shortcomings. (NOTE: This episode was recorded before the start of the SAG-AFTRA strike. They Call Us Bruce fully supports the actors and writers unions and their fight for fair contracts.)

7.23.2023

Read These

Why Bruce Lee Still Matters...
Any of us who grew up Asian or Pacific Islander in the U.S. can mark time by Bruce Lee. For us there was Before Bruce, and After Bruce.

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Fifty years on, Bruce Lee's legacy squares up to modern life in Hong Kong
Fifty years after the death of Bruce Lee, who galvanised the imaginations of generations of young people worldwide with feats of kung fu immortalised on screen, it sometimes seems as if his legacy of the martial art he practiced is fading in Hong Kong.

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A Raunchy Comedy's Subtle Wisdom
Joy Ride knows that visiting one's homeland isn't an easy fix for feelings of loneliness at home.

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A night at the club where queer Asian Americans no longer feel like 'black sheep'
LGTBQ+ Asian Americans have created club parties and other gatherings to connect with one another free of judgment.

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A message for Asian American students in affirmative action's aftermath
"You can think whatever you want about affirmative action, and it’s OK if you’re still trying to figure it out. But when you decide whether to support any policy such as affirmative action, here’s my advice: Know that you are not just forming an opinion in a vacuum, but making a real world choice about who your community is."

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Asian American advocates slam DeSantis for land law that they say 'will legalize Asian hate'
Governor Ron DeSantis introduced new legislation to ban Chinese citizens from owning land in Florida.

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The Magic of My Harabeoji's Avocado BLT
"My harabeoji had many secrets, and one of them was tucked inside his BLT."

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Outcry After Smithsonian Cancels Asian American Literature Festival
Over 1,000 artists and writers have signed a letter demanding the “immediate resignation" of Asian Pacific American Center Acting Director Yao-Fen You.

* * *

The 100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music
BTS, Blackpink, NewJeans, and many more.


7.21.2023

They Call Us Bruce 206: They Call Us Hoon Lee (+The Official Warrior Podcast)

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 actor Hoon Lee, who stars as Wang Chao on the action drama Warrior. He talks about playing a character situated between several worlds, getting in on the action, and the unique bond that forms between an all-Asian cast. Also: stay tuned for a special bonus edition of The Official Warrior Podcast, hosted by Lisa Ling and Hoon Lee, on the life and legacy of Bruce Lee. (NOTE: This episode was recorded before the start of the SAG-AFTRA strike. They Call Us Bruce fully supports the actors and writers unions and their fight for fair contracts.)

7.17.2023

They Call Us Bruce 205: They Call Us Nicole Chung

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 writer Nicole Chung, author of All You Can Ever Know, which tells the story of her adoption and search for her birth family, and A Living Remedy, her memoir about grief and the death of her adoptive parents. They discuss grieving under capitalism, writing and enduring through loss (and a global pandemic), If John Cho Were Your Boyfriend, and why you should never ever ever tell casual strangers that you're a writer. Also: They Good, The Bad, and The WTF of writing your life.

7.09.2023

Read These



For Asian American Actors, Playing a Hot Mess Is Liberating
Forget the pious immigrant family drama. Mainstream movies and shows like Joy Ride, Beef and Shortcomings are finally exploring all dimensions of the Asian American experience.

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How second-gen owners of 99 Ranch are turning the Asian supermarket into a national powerhouse
Siblings Alice and Jonson Chen are at the helm of one of the largest Asian supermarket chains in America. The first 99 Ranch was opened in 1984 in Westminster by their father, Roger Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant from the western city of Taichung.

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Asian Americans feel particularly targeted by new laws criminalizing those who assist voters
Recent legislation in mostly Republican-led states have created new restrictions and penalties for individuals and groups that assist voters -- barriers that have hampered voting access for Asian communities in particular.

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No longer suffering in silence: Asian Americans denied tech leadership roles go to court
A growing number of Asian Americans in the tech industry are breaking their silence and going public with charges of discrimination and retaliation.

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Mapping a Radical Legacy of South Asian Activism in the Bay Area
On the Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour, visitors learn about the people and sites that laid the groundwork for social movements that still resonate in California today.

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I became Miss Texas to spotlight diversity. But my state leaders are living in denial.
If Texas truly desires to be "bigger and better," Gov. Greg Abbott and his Republican allies must cease its assault on DEI policy.

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How Joy Ride Pulls Off a Delightfully Messy Mix of Raunch and Heart
Joy Ride is deliciously filthy, but buried beneath the dirty jokes is a genuine story of friendship, identity, and belonging.

* * *

Stephanie Hsu Is on the Ride of a Lifetime
Stephanie Hsu, breakout star of Everything Everywhere All at Once, talks about her raunchy new comedy Joy Ride, her Oscar nomination, and Theragun sex.

* * *

Celine Song on How Making 'Past Lives’ Led Her to Fall "So Hard in Love With Filmmaking"
Writer/director Celine Song explains how her theater background helps her with writing dialogue, why her story is so universal, and her request for people who go see Past Lives.

* * *

Indiana Jones: Why Short Round Doesn't Show Up In Dial Of Destiny
Seeing how Dial of Destiny is likely Harrison Ford's final outing as legendary explorer Indiana Jones, it wouldn't have been out of the question to bring back some familiar faces from his past. But alas, there's no Ke Huy Quan reprising his role as Short Round in the latest film.

7.07.2023

They Call Us Bruce 204: They Call Us Joy Ride

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 director Adele Lim, screenwriters Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, and stars Ashley Park, Stephanie Hsu and Sherry Cola -- the team behind the hilarious new comedy Joy Ride. Recorded the morning after the film's world premiere at South by Southwest in Austin, they talk about The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Joy Ride -- a discussion that included, among many things, K-pop, Kumon, Settlers of Catan, Squid Game, trauma outfits, Vancouver weather and what joke went too far.

7.03.2023

Read These Blogs



For most Asian Americans, diversity is a core value – even if a loud minority contests it
Edward Blum's group used Asian Americans for display to serve a longstanding anti-affirmative action agenda.

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Affirmative action divided Asian Americans and other people of color. Here's how
Ed Blum's winning anti-affirmative action strategy pitted Asian Americans against Black and Latino communities, using both real issues and false narratives, to end policies that had helped diversify college campuses.

* * *

A question for Asian Americans celebrating affirmative action’s end: What have we won?
An easier question to answer is what we have lost.

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Asian Americans Have Been on Both Sides of the Affirmative Action Debate
To Asian Americans involved in past battles for affirmative action, cases like Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard adds to divisions in the community over prioritizing merit and tests.

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Translator Calls Out British Museum's "Erasure" of Her Work
Yilin Wang, whose translations of Chinese poems were used without permission, claims the British Museum mishandled the issue and has not properly compensated her.

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Appreciation: Pioneering L.A. poet Amy Uyematsu showed that words could move mountains
Sesshu Foster remembers the life of poet and Asian American movement activist Amy Uyematsu, who died last week.

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'My Films Had So Much Anger'
John Woo reflects on a career driven by action, ambition, and artistry. Andrew Koji worked for this
Ah Sahm, played by Andrew Koji in Warrior, was written by Bruce Lee, designed to be played by Bruce Lee, and now lives in a show produced by Bruce Lee’s daughter. An actor hoping to do the martial artist justice could easily fall into another Bruce Lee impression as the easy way out. But that is not Andrew Koji.

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Bruce Le, Bruce Li, Bruce Lei – ‘Bruceploitation’ martial arts actors tracked down for documentary about how they imitated Bruce Lee after his death
As the 50th anniversary of martial arts icon Bruce Lee's death approaches, a new documentary investigates a bizarre phenomenon that erupted in the wake of the Little Dragon’s untimely passing.


6.23.2023

They Call Us Bruce 203: They Call Us Hari Kondabolu

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 comedian Hari Kondabolu, whose latest standup special Vacation Baby is available on YouTube. He talks about how becoming a parent -- during the pandemic -- informed his act, why Father's Day should be observed on a leap year, making peace with Hank Azaria in the aftermath of his documentary The Problem with Apu, and why he's got no love for San Diego. Plus: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of being a dad. Hint: it involves poop.

6.18.2023

Read These



Opinion: Affirmative action isn't hurting Asian Americans. Here's why that myth survives
“Asian Americans, like all nonwhite students, do face implicit bias. Importantly, Asian Americans experience both positive and negative forms of bias in college admissions. The stereotype of hard work and smarts can provide an advantage in some instances. But research shows that those who view Asian Americans through that lens are more likely to view other people of color as lacking a work ethic. Indeed, the model minority stereotype has long been used to undermine demands for equality for all."

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The U.S. loves erasing Asian American history — including in the environmental justice movement
In electronics, garment work, farm labor, and more – Asian Americans have organized to achieve safer worker conditions in every industry they entered.

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Past Lives Captures What So Many Immigrants Feel
And that's only one of many layers in Celine Song's moving film. Here, the director speaks to Nancy Wang Yuen about what inspired the story—and what she hopes viewers take away from it.

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Opinion: 'Elemental' hit me hard in my feelings
"Elemental may not be a perfect film, but it's the perfect one for a moment when Asian Americans are finding the confidence and platform to dig ever deeper into the complicated and unruly aspects of our reality."

* * *

Understanding Complex Asian American Stories With Author And DEI Consultant Nancy Wang Yuen
An interview sociologist, cultural critic, and DEI expert, Nancy Wang Yuen.

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How Chan Is Missing Led to Better Luck Tomorrow Led to Everything Everywhere All at Once
"During the past forty years in Asian American cinema there have been three premieres that took my breath away: Chan Is Missing in 1982. Better Luck Tomorrow in 2002. Everything Everywhere All at Once in 2022."

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Maitreyi Ramakrishnan of ‘Never Have I Ever’ reminds us that she’s always been on one team
With the final season of Never Have I Ever hitting Netflix, star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan talks about where Devi finds herself by the end of the series, why she said she was on different teams to different outlets, and the one school club she's actually a member of.


6.16.2023

They Call Us Bruce 202: They Call Us Elemental

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 Peter Sohn and Leah Lewis, director and star, respectively, of the new Disney/Pixar animated feature Elemental. They talk about drawing from Peter’s own immigrant family and upbringing to tell a deeply personal story, how even anthropomorphic fire and water can make moving and compelling narrative chemistry, and why computer animation still isn’t as simple as punching a button. Plus: The Good, The Bad and The WTF of making Elemental.

6.11.2023

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What Reparations Actually Bought
In 1990, the U.S. government sent a letter of apology and a $20,000 to more than 82,000 Japanese Americans who, during World War II, were robbed of their homes, jobs, and rights, and incarcerated in camps. The redress program showed that the money matters. But it's not the only thing that matters.

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How Asian Americans got wrapped up in the affirmative action debate — and why many want out
Asian American college applicants have been cast as victims of affirmative action, often unwillingly, by conservative anti-affirmative action politicians who are leaning into people's biases and stereotypes to advance their own agenda. Higher education researcher Oiyan Poon breaks it down for WBEZ.

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Why I Don't Translate Non-English Words in My Writing
"We encounter the unfamiliar in all kinds of fiction, from historical epics to sci-fi to small-town Iowa realism. Yet there remains a particular insistence on maximum legibility when it comes to books set in worlds that aren't white, aren't Western, aren't lived in "standard" English."

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How Spam Became a Staple of Asian Cuisine
American G.I.s fought abroad in wars in the 20th century and left behind an unlikely legacy: canned meat.

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Tea Tea
Did you know that the word "chai" means "tea," so when you say "chai tea" you’re just saying "tea tea"?

* * *

American Born Chinese: VFX Supervisor Kaitlyn Yang Breaks Down How Diversity Unites Communities
Kaitlyn Yang, visual effects supervisor for American Born Chinese, breaks down the power of diverse experiences in modern media and the surprises of the show.

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YouTube channel Wong Fu Productions reflects on 20 years of Asian American storytelling
Before there was Crazy Rich Asians or Everything Everywhere All at Once, there was a scrappy trio of college students making independent films that resonated with young Asian Americans.


6.09.2023

They Call Us Bruce 201: They Call Us American Born Chinese

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 Gene Luen Yang, author of American Born Chinese, and actor Ben Wang, who stars as Jin Wang in the Disney+ series adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel. They talk about some of the tricky considerations when it came to bringing this beloved book to life, how they updated the story for contemporary television (and contemporary Asian America), and how toy robots and Panda Express can bring people together.

6.05.2023

They Call Us Bruce 200: They Call Us 200

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 celebrate 200 episodes of They Call Us Bruce by welcoming back some good friends and returning guests from Episode 100: actor Daniel Wu, who stars as the Monkey King in Disney's adaptation of American Born Chinese, and comedian/filmmaker W. Kamau Bell, whose HBO original documentary 1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed explores multiracial identity though conversations with kids and families. They discuss why the kids are all right, the meme-ification of Bruce Lee, and The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of having a foot in two worlds. Plus: Phil and Kamau engage in an impromptu Daniel Tiger sing-off.

6.04.2023

Read These



'Past Lives' is a what-if love triangle in two languages
Celine Song's feature film debut Past Lives is a romantic drama inspired by a real-life love triangle.

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We Should All Believe in Ourselves as Much as Filmmaker Celine Song Believed in Her 'Past Lives'
Celine Song didn't have any of the things that usually allow producers to trust a first-time filmmaker. But she believed that her script for Past Lives was so good that it would be the build-it-and-they-will-come of screenplays. She was right.

* * *

New documentary about Korean liquor store families starts messy, necessary conversation
"In the quest to articulate an Asian American political identity over these past few years, I wonder if we plan to include our parents. More than half of Asian Americans are immigrants who were born speaking a different language. And in large part, these are the people who need the most help."

* * *

This Is the Vibrant Future of Night Markets in Los Angeles
Inspired by immigrant-run street markets, a younger generation of Angelenos is organizing events to encourage entrepreneurship and community preservation.

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Reflecting on Four Decades of Houston's Asiatown
Since taking root 40 years ago, Houston's vibrant Asiatown neighborhood remains a refuge for food and family.

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An Asian American Comedy Milestone Riffs on a Kung-Fu Icon
For Criterion's series on Asian American cinema of the 1980s, Oliver Wang writes about the somewhat forgotten fish-out-of-water comedy They Call Me Bruce, starring pioneering comedian Johnny Yune.

* * *

Daniel Wu's Journey to the West
"Americans think I'm just a kung fu star, and that's not really indicative of my whole career."

* * *

Ronny Chieng Is 'Asian-Mom Famous'
Actor/comedian Ronny Chieng has made you laugh, made you cringe, and he's been chased by a scary robot doll -- but Chieng's biggest roles are still ahead of him.


5.30.2023

Read These



The High-Risk Feat of Bringing 'American Born Chinese' to TV
For years, Gene Luen Yang was convinced a single character in his groundbreaking graphic novel American Born Chinese would doom any attempt at an adaptation. What changed?

* * *

Ke Huy Quan's Role in 'American Born Chinese' Scared the 'Sh**' Out of Him
In American Born Chinese, Ke Huy Quan plays Freddy Wong, an actor from a popular '90s sitcom whose character was based on painful Asian stereotypes.

* * *

Stopping Asian American Hate Stemming From the COVID-19 Pandemic
"During Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we celebrate the contributions that our community has made and continues to make in this country. However, we also understand that there is much work to be done in eradicating Asian American hate. And doing so requires every elected official to be honest about the long struggles of Asian Americans and finally set the record straight about COVID-19."

* * *

How one woman fought bigotry and helped change the way Asian Americans see themselves
Helena Zia has waged a decades-long campaign against anti-Asian violence, encouraging Asian Americans to unite, organize, and agitate.

* * *

Star Ballroom – site of Monterey Park mass shooting – on brink of closing for good, owner says
This community dance studio, social hub, and safe haven was shattered when a shooter entered and opened fire, killing eleven people. Now it may close for good.

* * *

Food blogging reminds me of what I'm capable of and how my heritage is my own
"I don't want to brag, but my food is pretty good. Soon enough, everyone was asking me for the recipes, which is how Bun Bo Bae, my Vietnamese cooking blog, came to be in 2019."

* * *

XO, Kitty star Anna Cathcart is ready to take the lead
Anna Cathcart stars in XO, Kitty, a spinoff of the To All the Boys trilogy.


5.26.2023

They Call Us Bruce 199: They Call Us Tze Chun

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 Tze Chun, showrunner behind not one, but two new shows: the animated prequel series Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai and the Boots Riley-created absurdist coming-of-age comedy I'm a Virgo. He talks about spinning new lore from a classic franchise, putting Chinese characters at the center ("unless otherwise noted"), getting to tell "weird" stories about people of color, and making sure fellow Asian American creators get a boost.

5.25.2023

All The Asians On Star Trek 33: Christopher Aguilar

The Podcast In Which We Interview All The Asians On Star Trek.



All The Asians On Star Trek is the podcast in which we interview all the Asians on Star Trek. In Episode 33, we welcome actor Christopher Aguilar. When he was 12 years old, he guest starred on Star Trek: Voyager, in the season three episode "Before and After," in which he played "Andrew Kim" -- the future son of Ensign Harry Kim and the grandson of Lt. Tom Paris and Kes. Wait, what? It's all very confusing and Christopher helps us clear it up. He talks about getting his start as a kid actor in Hollywood, channeling is own inner Kes while shooting Voyager, as well as his job eventually working as a cast member for Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas. He also gets real about his journey, sharing about his work as a writer, performer and mental health advocate.

5.19.2023

They Call Us Bruce 198: They Call Us Connie

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 two of the legions of Asian American women of a certain age who were named after journalist Connie Chung: writer Connie Wang, whose New York Times piece "Generation Connie" put a spotlight on this phenomenon, and cartoonist Connie Sun, one of the many namesakes of the trailblazing newswoman who participated in the "Con Con." They talk about this unique sisterhood, the aspirational qualities of naming your kid Connie, and The Good, The Bad and The WTF of being named Connie.

5.15.2023

They Call Us Bruce 197: They Call Us Girl Taking Over

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 writer Sarah Kuhn and artist Arielle Jovellanos, whose new original DC young adult graphic novel Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story re-imagines Lois Lane as an Asian American teen tackling a summer internship in the big city. They talk about finding your people, putting an Asian American twist on a beloved legacy character, the dreaded drawing of cars and crowds, and re-directing the scent of stinky lunchbox moments.

5.14.2023

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Generation Connie
Growing up, Connie Wang thought being named after Connie Chung made her unique. Little did she know that there was a whole generation of Asian American women named after the same iconic news anchor.

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Asked to Delete References to Racism From Her Book, an Author Refused
Maggie Tokuda-Hall declined Scholastic's offer to license her book, Love in the Library, on the condition that she edit her author's note to remove a description of past and present instances of racism.

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Philadelphia Mayoral Candidate Helen Gym Wants to Change How People Live
In advance of the May 16 primary, Philadelphia mayoral candidate Helen Gym Gym talks about her years of work in the community, organizing alongside young people, and what progressives are up against in 2023.

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The Last Gamble of Tokyo Joe
Ken Eto rose through the ranks of the Chicago mob, and then it tried to kill him.

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In the U.S., a weak support system erodes Asian traditions of intergenerational caregiving
The clashing of cultural norms with American systems is especially clear to Asian American and Pacific Islander women -- the most likely group to be caring for elderly parents in the United States.

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To Court SF Voters, Politicians Give Themselves Flowery Chinese Names
San Francisco political candidates who are not of Chinese ancestry have traditionally appeared on ballots with a Chinese name based on their English names' phonetic transliteration, but aspiring officeholders are now being much more deliberate about selecting an "authentic" Chinese name.

* * *

Constance Wu Put Mental Health In Asian Communities In The Spotlight. Here’s What's Next.
"Though Constance Wu’s transparency about her mental health has opened up a conversation around the pressures of being an Asian American woman, there’s still a long way to go in terms of people of Asian diasporas getting the help they need to ensure their mental well being. And, we need to be talking about it."

* * *

She Wrote a Blistering Satire About Publishing. The Publishing Industry Loves It.
In her latest novel Yellowface, R.F. Kuang draws on her own experiences to tackle issues like cultural appropriation and representation. "I hate the feeling of being read just because somebody's trying to tick off a diversity check box," she says.

* * *

Being an Honorary White Person Doesn't Make Us More Powerful
Beef reminds us that choosing proximity to whiteness often means doing harm to ourselves and others.

* * *

Randall Park's Big Plans
Longtime actor Randall Park talks to GQ about his directorial debut, Shortcomings, what real creative freedom looks like, and why he's been working out so much.

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For Helen Park, 'KPOP' nod 'feels like an encouragement to continue.'
Helen Park, the first Asian American female composer on Broadway, was nominated for a Tony Award for best original score for the short-lived musical KPOP.

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'This is the golden age': How the Class of 1997 changed Asian American filmmaking forever
With feature films from Justin Lin, Quentin Lee, Rea Tajiri and Michael Idemoto, 1997 was a banner, signal year for independent Asian American cinema.

* * *

Ashley Park Is Finally in the Driver's Seat
With Joy Ride, Ashley Park is officially putting her quirky-best friend past in the rearview.

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How Diana Lee Inosanto Of 'The Mandalorian' Is Shaking Up The Entertainment Industry
Diana Lee Inosanto is a veteran actress, director, and stuntwoman who appears in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian and the forthcoming Ahsoka.

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The Curator: FFC Interviews Brian Hu
Walter Chaw interviews film programmer Brian Hu.


5.04.2023

They Call Us Bruce 196: They Call Us Ten Thousand Things

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 Shin Yu Pai, award-winning poet, museologist, and host of Ten Thousand Things, a podcast about modern-day artifacts of Asian American life. We discuss the personal objects and collections that say who we are and where we've been, from Rep. Andy Kim's now-famous blue suit to our precious stuffed loved ones. We also play a special show-and-tell version of The Good, The Bad and The WTF featuring our own Asian American artifacts.

5.01.2023

They Call Us Bruce 195: They Call Us Shib Sibs

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 the awesome sibling duo Alex and Maia Shibutani, two-time Olympic medalist ice dancers and authors of the children's picture book Amazing: Asian American and Pacific Islanders Who Inspire Us All. They discuss their unique journey growing up as brother/sister teammates on the ice, their evolution as role models and community advocates, and The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of working with your sibling.

4.30.2023

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The Fallout of a Callout
What happens after a public callout? Hari Kondabolu and Hank Azaria, the voice of Apu on The Simpsons, speak to each other publicly for the first time since Hari's documentary The Problem With Apu came out in 2017.

* * *

A disguise hides even more than identity in Asian American spy stories
Drawing a line through The Sympathizer, M. Butterfly, and espionage history.

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"Noodles are tasty": The economic implications behind race and cultural appropriation in food media
Discussing cultural appreciation and appropriation is also about broader questions of who can get a platform to share food -- and who profits.

* * *

Surgeon General: We Have Become a Lonely Nation. It's Time to Fix That.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is introducing a new framework to address loneliness in the United States this week, writing in a new op-ed that social connections must be a "top public health priority" in the country.

* * *

Streaming has twice the AAPI representation of broadcast, report shows
While Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders still struggle with feeling represented, new research shows that streaming platforms are a significantly more inclusive space for them.

* * *

In Nida Manzoor's World, Martial Arts and Jane Austen Belong in the Same Movie
Writer-director Nida Manzoor set out to make "a joyful film about South Asian Muslim women" that didn't revolve around trauma. The result is Polite Society.

* * *

Greta Lee and Steven Yeun Have an Emotionally X-Rated Conversation
A professional scene-stealer in shows like Russian Doll and The Morning Show, Greta Lee’s career blew up at Sundance when her movie Past Lives wowed the entire festival and made the actor an early awards contender.


4.23.2023

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The big casting blunder on ‘Beef’ sends a message
"When we talk about rebuilding Hollywood, we can't do it on the same rotten foundations. And ironically, the lesson of Beef itself is that as much as it hurts to reckon with our own failures, it hurts more people and causes more damage when we fail to do so -- all of which is to say, the individuals and institutions associated with the show can’t stay silent."

* * *

We're in Asian America's peak media moment. But 'Beef' has poisoned the well
"To uncritically embrace Beef for what it gives to the Asian American community shows that we’re on board with rape culture and with misogyny, especially against Black women. To embrace it shows that we're willing to let others pay the price for our feelings of validation and belonging."

* * *

Juggling College With a Media Job. Now Both Are Over.
Emma Choi, NPR’s first Gen Z podcast host, went from being an intern to landing her own show in less than a year. Then she got laid off.

* * *

This Asian American Farmer Wants to Create a Home for Rare Heirloom Asian Vegetables
One of California's most prominent farmers, Kristyn Leach hopes to create a permanent home in Sebastopol for her work preserving Asian heirloom vegetables and seeds.

* * *

When a Margaret Cho DVD Was Like Precious Contraband to Atsuko Okatsuka
Comedians Margaret Cho and Atsuko Okatsuka both imagined the other was born confident -- but it took years for each to find her voice."

* * *

Hari Kondabolu is a Vacation Daddy
Stand-up comic Hari Kondabolu discusses pandemic fatherhood, humor and his new special Vacation Baby.

* * *

Nida Manzoor Is Changing The Way Muslim Women Are Portrayed On Screen
Nida Manzoor's debut feature Polite Society centers on Ria, a British Pakistani teen aspiring to be a stunt performer in movies, who stages a heist in order to stop her older sister's wedding to "a rich Mr. Darcy wanker."

* * *

'It's about time': How 'Indian Matchmaking' found love - and success - on Netflix
The creator of the reality TV dating series Indian Matchmaking, which recently premiered its third season on Netflix, talks about her hit show, which unleashed an international discussion about arranged marriage.

* * *

New Asian American and Pacific Islander Literature for AAPI Heritage Month and Beyond
"...this AAPI Heritage Month, truly engage with contemporary AAPI literature. Dive deep, and delight in the experience. These books are important, they’re works of art, and they’re frankly just really good reads."

4.19.2023

They Call Us Bruce 194: They Call Us K-Pop Dreaming

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 Vivian Yoon, host and writer of the podcast K-Pop Dreaming from LAist Studios, a journey through the rise and history of K-pop in the United States, mapped against Vivian's own coming-of-age as a second generation Korean American in Los Angeles. We talk about some of the unknown stories behind K-pop's ascent, how diasporic Korean identity has always been in conversation with K-pop, and how to feel, as Asian Americans, about K-pop's seemingly sudden global dominance and ubiquity.

4.11.2023

They Call Us Bruce 193: They Call Us Beef

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 the Bruce Crew, perennial favorite guests Rebecca Sun of The Hollywood Reporter and Dino-Ray Ramos of DIASPORA, to slice, dice and discuss the Netflix series Beef. They talk about the evolution and future of Asian American storytelling, the seductive appeal of the worship leader oppa, and what happens when Asian American character are allowed to be their whole, messy, specific selves. Also, stick around for the bonus SPOILER discussion at the end of the episode.

4.09.2023

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Did the last census overcount Asian Americans? It depends on where you lookA new report is complicating an unusual finding from the U.S. Census Bureau's own report card on the accuracy of its 2020 head count of the country's population: a national overcount of Asian Americans.

* * *

In 'Beef,' Road Rage Is Only the Beginning
Steven Yeun and Ali Wong star in this comedy about a traffic incident that triggers a bitter feud. "It really is about how hard it is to be alive," said Lee Sung Jin, the creator.

* * *

'These Characters Happen to Be Asian American, but There's So Much More to Them'
Lee Sung Jin discusses the nuances of the characters' dynamics in Beef, the nostalgia he embedded in the Korean church scenes and why he conceives of himself as a character-first writer.

* * *

Steven Yeun talks about 'Beef,' his new hate-fueled Netflix series with Ali Wong
NPR's Brittany Luse, host of It's Been a Minute, talks with actor Steven Yeun about his new Netflix series.

* * *

Actor Young Mazino Feels Right At Home With Netflix's Beef
Breakout actor Young Mazino made things personal with his role as Steven Yeun's brother in Beef.

* * *

From Vintage Issey Miyake To Rachel Comey, Beef’s Fashion Is As Dramatic As The Show Costume designer Helen Huang talks about how the idea of contradictions -- that underneath our pristinely curated appearances is a simmering well of complexity, fury, and shame -- is a recurrent theme throughout Beef.

* * *

Viet Thanh Nguyen on the Cover of His New Memoir
"It often feels like a cover designer I have not met has captured some dimension of the book I have not been aware."

* * *

Ling Ling Huang and Constance Wu on Toxic Ideals and the Dark Side of the Wellness Industry
Huang's debut novel critiquing beauty and wellness products caught Constance Wu's attention – and now a television series in the works.

* * *

Nicole Chung on Writing Through Grief and How to Begin Again
In her second memoir, A Living Remedy, Nicole Chung writes of losing both her father and mother to illness within a short span while interrogating issues of class and the inequities of medical care in the United States.

* * *

Brandon Lee’s loved ones remember ‘The Crow’ star 30 years after his death
Loved ones remember Brandon Lee, thirty years after his tragic accidental death on the set of The Crow.


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