They Call Us Bruce 140: They Call Us The Good Asian

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 Pornsak Pichetshote, creator of the noir crime comic book The Good Asian. We discuss the inspiration behind his Chinese American detective Edison Hark, the real-life history at heart of this hard-boiled mystery, and why The Good Asian, set in 1930s Chinatown, feels like a tale for modern times.

All The Asians On Star Trek - 19: Away Mission with Arune Singh

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 19, we embark on another Away Mission, in which we invite fellow Asian American fans of Star Trek to do a deep dive into an episode of their choosing. For this edition of the Away Mission, we welcome Arune Singh, Director of Brand, Editorial at Skybound Entertainment, to discuss "Tuvix" from season two of Star Trek: Voyager -- arguably one of the most divisive and debated episodes of the franchise. We talk about the cowardice of colleagues, "Faith of the Heart," and Harry Kim's clarinet, among many other things.

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Michelle Wu's victory a 'huge moment of hope and light' after a year of hate and violence
Michelle Wu's groundbreaking election as Boston's mayor marks a cultural milestone that transcends politics.

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For Progressives, Michelle Wu Points to a Way Forward
As a mayoral candidate, Michelle Wu had plenty of opportunity to pivot away from her more liberal ideas. She didn't, and it paid off.

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NYC Council has 5 new Asian Americans, a record that mirrors city more accurately
New York City's historic newly elected city council includes the first Muslim American, the first South Asian Americans and the first Korean Americans to serve on the governing body.

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From BTS to 'Squid Game': How South Korea Became a Cultural Juggernaut
South Korea was once largely known for cars and smartphones, but a global audience has become mesmerized by its entertainment, and creators say success didn't happen overnight.

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Hey, It's Your Korean Dad
Nick Cho started his TikTok account to share coffee recipes. Somewhere along the way, he became a global parenting phenomenon.

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Halyna Hutchins and Brandon Lee Deserve Hollywood's Attention
In the wake of tragedy on the set of Rust, Shannon Lee, whose brother Brandon Lee was accidentally killed by a blank while filming The Crow, calls for more firearms safety precautions on film sets.

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Not to Humblebrag, But Robin Tran Knows She's a Genius
Robin Tran talks about what makes her a comedic genius and what it's like doing comedy during the pandemic.
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From 'Saving Face' To 'Grey's Anatomy,' Lynn Chen Is Just Going For It
Actor, writer and director Lynn Chen, who recently joined Grey's Anatomy in a recurring role, talks about building her creative career and the many turns it has taken over the past two decades.

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It's Time to Fall in Love With Jimmy O. Yang
After stealing scenes from Silicon Valley to Space Force, Netflix's newest rom-com lead gets vulnerable about craft, humor, and feeling at home in Hollywood.

They Call Us Bruce 139: They Call Us Asian Faces

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 journalist Elise Hu, author of the forthcoming book Flawless, and David Yi, found and editor of Very Good Light. We discuss "aggressively Asian" faces, multi-step skincare regiments, and the global rise of K-beauty, among other things.

All The Asians On Star Trek - 18: Tim Dang

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 18, we welcome actor Tim Dang. He appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation as "Main Bridge Security" in the series pilot episode "Encounter at Farpoint." He even utters a couple of lines. Early in his acting career, Tim's resume includes roles in shows like MacGyver, Night Court and Hunter. He also has voice credits in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Jackie Chan Adventures, and Batman Beyond, to name a few. Outside of performing, for over twenty years, Tim served as artistic director for East West Players, the longest running professional theater of color in the United States. These days, he is on faculty at the USC School of Dramatic Arts and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. But in 1987, he was right there on the bridge of the USS Enterprise, at the very beginning of the next generation. Wearing a super skinny uniform.

Your Halloween Costumes 2021

Our annual gallery of awesome reader-submitted Halloween costumes.



It's that time again! Halloween is upon us, and as is our tradition around here, dear readers, we wanna see your awesome Halloween costume photos. Spooky, funny, adorable, and/or just plain weird, we wanna see 'em. (Seriously, cute kid costumes are especially welcome.) Submit your awesome, not-racist Halloween costume photos and we'll feature the best ones here in the annual roundup. Email photos angryasianman [at] angryasianman.com with the subject line "Halloween Costume 2021."

Here's the gallery so far:

They Call Us Bruce 138: They Call Us SL Huang

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 mathematician and award-winning science fiction author SL Huang, who also happens to be a stuntwoman, firearms expert, and the first woman to be a professional armorer in Hollywood. They discuss her unique career, the recent tragic firearm incident on the set of Rust, the extensive procedures involved with on-set weapons safety -- and how things can go wrong.

All The Asians On Star Trek - 17: Caroline Junko King

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 17 of All The Asians On Star Trek, we welcome actress Caroline Junko King. At 13 years old, she guest starred on Star Trek: The Next Generation as young Keiko O'Brien in the season six episode "Rascals" -- yes, the one where a transporter accident turns them into kids. As a young actress, Caroline also appeared in the films 3 Ninjas Kick Back and Come See the Paradise. She talks about fond memories from the Next Generation set, her awkward scene with Colm Meaney, and the surprising cult following from her stint as a teen movie ninja.

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A Mob Killed A Tenth of LA's Chinese Population. 150 Years Later, There's A Push To Remember.
In 1871, a mob descended on a Chinese neighborhood just blocks from where Union Station stands today.

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History forgot the 1871 Los Angeles Chinese massacre, but we've all been shaped by its violence
Frank Shyong on the legacy of the L.A. Chinese massacre, 150 years later.

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Nestled between Yosemite's ancient sequoias is the hidden history of Chinese immigrants
The hidden history of the hundreds of Chinese immigrants who helped develop Yosemite National Park.

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Asian American teens navigate being themselves as their communities are targeted
Photographer Eric Lee documents the experiences of 14 Asian American teens in New York City to gain insights on their experiences during the pandemic.

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Hate Crimes and Pandemic Lead More Asian Americans to Seek Therapy
A growing number of Asian Americans have overcome a cultural stigma attached to seeking mental health treatment, experts said.

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My Family Moved To The US For A Better Life. But What Does That Really Mean?
In this excerpt from Concepcion: An Immigrant Family's Fortunes, a Filipino family grapples with the meaning of the American dream.

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Amitav Ghosh's new book uses the trajectory of a spice to chart colonial violence against the planet
An excerpt from Amitav Ghosh's The Nutmeg's Curse.

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This Filipino American Memoir Confronts Privilege, Sacrifice, and Colonialism's Legacy
Albert Samaha examines centuries of family history from pre-colonial Philippines to Trump-era America in his memoir Concepcion.

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Mourning What You Were Never Fond Of
R. Kikuo Johnson portrays a family coping with grief and loss on the lush island of Maui.

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How Riz Ahmed Shattered Stereotypes to Become Hollywood's Most Exciting New Leading Man
Following his fist Oscar nod, Riz Ahmed returns with two dramas that cement his leading-man status.

They Call Us Bruce 137: They Call Us Kat Chow

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 and friend Kat Chow, author of Seeing Ghosts, a memoir about grief, intergenerational loss, reclaiming your family's story... and taxidermy. She talks about The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of seeing figurative and/or literal ghosts.

All The Asians On Star Trek - 16: Art Chudabala

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 16 of All The Asians On Star Trek, we welcome actor Art Chudabala. He appeared as Lieutenant junior grade Hector Ilario in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season seven episode "Field of Fire." (Spoiler alert: he dies.) He talks about his fake best friends, playing dead, and shooting your shot with Ezri Dax. Art's other acting credits include NYPD Blue, ER, CSI, Grey's Anatomy, The West Wing, and his screen debut in the cult favorite skateboard movie Gleaming the Cube, which we also discuss.

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How the Philippines' colonial legacy weighs on Filipino American mental health
What does colonialist mentality look like in the Filipino American community, and how does it affect mental health? The first in Agnes Constante's four-part series for the Los Angeles Times.

* * *
The Filipino American family behind Calif.'s new police reform laws speaks out
"It was very empowering knowing that what we have done is making a real major impact," said the sister of Angelo Quinto, a veteran who died after police allegedly knelt on his neck.

* * *
Mistakes I Made Between 7:30 and 7:55 A.M.
"When she called my name, I reacted instantly, and that immediately dispelled my illusion of obliviousness."

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YouTube star Gurdeep Pandher draws on Sikh faith as he dances for joy
During a time of global despair brought on by pandemic, one grinning man charmed millions with his exuberant performance of Bhangra set against majestic Yukon backdrops.

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The Psychological Reason You're Obsessed With Squid Game
Squid Game is gruesomely violent and emotionally punishing. So why can't we stop watching it?

* * *
The seedy world of private lending in 'Squid Game’ is a real temptation in South Korea
In South Korea, Squid Game's popularity has been inseparable from the country's very real crisis of mounting household debt, gaping inequality and a weak social safety net with significant blind spots.

* * *
What 'Squid Game' gets right and wrong about Pakistani migrant workers
Squid Game is currently the number one TV show in Pakistan. NPR asked Pakistanis around the world to weigh in on the character of migrant worker Ali Abdul -- and the casting of an Indian actor Anupam Tripathi in the role.

* * *
'Dear Memory' digs into the shame accompanying immigrant silence
After her mother passed away in 2015, Victoria Chang started writing letters to her mother. Then she wrote to her parents, her grandparents, her daughters, her teachers -- until they turned into a book.

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How The Rescue Became This Year's Most Thrilling - and Human - Documentary
Filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin followed up their Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo with a moving account of the Tham Luang cave rescue.

* * *
'I'm so glad you guys exist!’ Carrie Brownstein meets the Linda Lindas
Original riot grrrl Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney chats with Mila, Lucia, Eloise and Bela -- the next gen teenage punk rockers gone viral known as The Linda Lindas.

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"Squid Game" Is a Social Allegory Informed by Korean History
Here are five examples of how Squid Game reflects some of South Korea's reality -- and you might notice some familiar themes related to power structures all over the world.

* * *
'Squid Game' is entertaining the world. But there's a different feeling in South Korea
"Koreans love to be No. 1, but No. 1 at the cost of kind of airing your dirty laundry is a somewhat different thing."

* * *
Lisa Ling's CNN series explores roots of hate. It's personal
In the eighth-season premiere episode of Ling's CNN documentary series This Is Life, she takes an intensely personal look at how prejudice against her community has a long and torturous history in the U.S.

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What's mobilizing AAPI voters like never before
A new poll reveals the ways in which 2020 shaped the ways AAPIs look at themselves and politics.

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Beyond the Model Minority Myth
Asian Americans' long history of challenging stereotypes has often overlooked the ways in which capitalism forges racial identity.

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The first Koreatown in America, and Riverside's role in South Korean democracy
A brief history of Riverside's Pachappa Camp, a Korean settlement founded in 1905, and a place that became a model for South Korea's democracy.

* * *
She Fled Sri Lanka When She Was 4. Now She’s a City Leader.
Penny Abeywardena is commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office of International Affairs.

* * *
Margaret Cho on the Groundbreaking DIY Impact of I'm the One That I Want
Margaret Cho talks about I'm the One That I Want, her Off Broadway one-woman show that broke box-office records when it was released as an independent film in 2001.

* * *
How Kumail Nanjiani Got Huge
It all seemed simple enough: Book a Marvel movie, get ripped, feel incredible. But, as the Eternals star learned, growing into his new body required recalibrating his whole mindset.

They Call Us Bruce 136: They Call Us Fully Both

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 Naomi Gleit, VP of Product at Facebook, who wrote a personal essay about her multiracial identity. She talks about growing up ethnically ambiguous, finding her voice on issues of identity and race, and embracing the notion that she is neither half Asian nor half Jewish, but fully both.

All The Asians On Star Trek - 15: Away Mission with Nicole Chung

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 15 of All The Asians On Star Trek, we embark on another Away Mission, in which we invite fellow Asian American fans of Star Trek to do a deep dive into an episode of their choosing. For this edition of the Away Mission, we welcome writer Nicole Chung to discuss "Family" from season four of Star Trek: The Next Generation . So pass a bottle of the '47. It's time to get muddy in the vineyard.

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The Privilege of Mediocrity
For creators of color, the perceived need to be exemplary can be artistically stultifying. Instead, true freedom may lie in being allowed to be fine -- or to fail.

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We're Already Barreling Toward the Next Pandemic
The pandemic is far from over, but the window to prepare for future threats is closing fast.

* * *
The Overlooked American Survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Historian Naoko Wake's new book American Survivors: Trans-Pacific Memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki spotlights the American and Asian American survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.

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How Do You Build a Successful Legal Practice? Put Your Face on Restaurant Placemats.
With hundreds of restaurants filling the San Gabriel Valley's strip malls and lining its lively thoroughfares, attorney James Wang honed in on the humble placemat to deliver his message.

* * *
So You Want Gong Yoo to Slap You. Now What?
You’ve watched the Squid Game slapping scene multiple times. It made you feel things. You're experiencing a Gong Yoo awakening, and here's what to do next.

* * *
Shang-Chi's' Andy Cheng on Shaping the Next Asian Superhero
Andy Cheng is the fight choreographer behind the much-appreciated bus sequence in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

* * *
From the Pages of Star Wars Insider: Carson's Convenience
Actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee reveals how his experiences on the set of The Mandalorian were a dream come true.

San Jose Was Once Home to Five Chinatowns. But Then Racism.

San Jose officially apologizes to Chinese immigrants and their descendants.



Did you know that San Jose, California was once home to five Chinatowns? And then it was home to zero Chinatowns. Because racists burned them down and/or displaced and drove out the city's Chinese residents.

If you know anything about Asian American history -- and honestly, it wouldn't be a surprise if your textbooks conveniently left it out -- this kind of racist violence was a fair.ly common occurrence up and down the west coast during the mid-to-late 1800s. Anti-Chinese sentiment became institutionalized

This week, the city of San Jose unanimously approved a resolution officially apologizing to Chinese immigrants and their descendants, acknowledging its role in nearly a century of violence and discrimination, including the dismantling and destruction of the city's Chinatowns. Yeah, file this one under Too Little Too Late.

More here: San Jose Apologizes for Decades of Discrimination Against Chinese

They Call Us Bruce 135: They Call Us Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.

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 actress Peyton Elizabeth Lee, star of the Disney+ series Doogie Kameāloha, M.D., series creator and showrunner Kourtney Kang, and executive producer Melvin Mar. They talk about crafting a unique contemporary Hawaiian take on the beloved 90s teen doctor series.

All The Asians On Star Trek - 14: Krista Jang

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 14, we welcome actress and filmmaker Krista Jang. She played the part of "Rob" in the Star Trek: Short Treks episode "The Trouble with Edward." The role is perhaps most notable because she gets buried alive by Tribbles. Krista talks about the "movie magic" that went into creating that hilarious and horrifying moment.

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How It Feels to Be Asian in Today's America
The idea of a shared Asian American identity has been fraught for about as long as it has existed. In this New York Times piece, more than two dozen reflections reveal a range of views and complicated emotions being felt in Asian American communities today.

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Adoptees Call For Boycott of "Blue Bayou"
Upon the release of Blue Bayou, members of the adoptee community have taken to social media to express frustration about the film and the ways in which they feel it fails to properly represent the adoptee experience.

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Who is Lauren Cho? Missing Woman's Media Coverage Compared to Gabby Petito Sparks Debate
In the wake of the heavily publicized disappearance of Gabby Petito, many have drawn similarities to missing 30-year-old woman Lauren Cho, noting the discrepancy in media coverage between the two women.

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Self-defense classes help Asian senior citizens fight racist attacks
Seniors Fight Back is a workshop to teach self-defense to senior citizens.

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LA's Asian American Businesses Have Been Struggling To Recover From Pandemic Setbacks
A recent survey offers glimpse into the stresses and difficulties that L.A's Asian American businesses have faced during the pandemic.

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Fala Chen Came to America to Find Herself -- And Got Cast in a Groundbreaking Marvel Movie
A TV star in Hong Kong, Fala Chen moved to New York to attend Juilliard with no idea where she would land.

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Japanese Breakfast's Michelle Zauner on Her Soundtrack for Sable, Indie Games, and Yoko Shimomura
Michelle Zauner talks about the inspiration behind the soundtrack and what it was like collaborating with the developers at Shedworks on the emotional and expressive world of Sable.

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"Protect Your Talent": Manny Jacinto in Conversation with Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman interviews her Nine Perfect Strangers co-star Manny Jacinto.