As Asian Americans continue to break new ground across all forms of media, we’re witnessing a wave of voices and stories that are bringing new angles and understanding to the body of work coming from the Asian American community.
The works highlighted in this month’s Short Takes are a testament to this growing multiplicity of stories. Interior Chinatown is now streaming on Hulu, mixing genres and offering a fresh, thought-provoking take on the stereotypes that have long defined Asian Americans. Meanwhile, Jon Chu – director of one of the year’s most buzzed-about films Wicked – opens up in his debut memoir, Viewfinder, about finding his voice as an Asian American and navigating the pull between his cultural identities.
In this month’s roundup, we’re highlighting media that reflect how far we’ve come and the conversations that are still unfolding. These works dive deep into the complexities of identity, culture, and belonging, capturing some of the nuances of what it means to be Asian American today.
TV SHOWS
Interior Chinatown
Released on Hulu earlier this month, Interior Chinatown follows Willis Wu, a background character stuck in a police procedural called Black and White whose life turns upside down when he witnesses a crime outside of the restaurant where he works.
In a recent interview with CAAM, Charles Yu, the series’ showrunner, describes the series as “Law and Order meets Twilight Zone, or Law and Order meets The Truman Show,” as the show masterfully blends the aesthetics of 1990s cop dramas with elements of mystery, fantasy, and even nods to some classic Asian American stories, drawing inspiration from icons like Bruce Lee.
Whether you’re a fan of police procedurals or a lover of sci-fi and fantasy, the show offers something for everyone. But beyond its wildly entertaining premise, the show also delivers poignant commentary on the stereotypes that have long shaped Asian American representation in Western media. Yu, who also authored the original novel which was released in 2020, weaves a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is hilarious and engaging.
The cast features Jimmy O. Yang as Willis Wu, Ronny Chieng as his loyal best friend “Fatty,” and Chloe Bennet as rising detective Lana Lee, delivering standout performances that bring the story’s heart and complexity to life.
BOOKS
Viewfinder, By Jon M. Chu
You’ve definitely heard the name Jon M. Chu, but do you really know his story? Before he became a leading director in Hollywood helming blockbuster successes like Crazy Rich Asians and Wicked, Chu was a Chinese American kid in Silicon Valley, helping at his parents’ Chinese restaurant named Chef Chu’s.
In his recently released memoir, Viewfinder: A Memoir of Seeing and Being Seen, Chu shares his story, giving us an intimate look at how he successfully navigated Hollywood while finding his voice as an Asian American and individual filmmaker in the process.
Chu’s reflections are deeply moving, capturing the struggle of balancing his Asian heritage and American upbringing, and the all-too-familiar experience of struggling to belong as an Asian American.
One section of the memoir that particularly resonated with me was when Chu addressed some of the criticism of Crazy Rich Asians, including critiques that it simplified complexities of Asian culture and was an “outsider’s version” of Asian life. Chu explains how these critiques ultimately sparked a dialogue with his parents, who faced similar feedback about their restaurant over the years.”
“After so many years of trying to be like Spielberg and Lucas, I came into my own as a filmmaker only once I started trying to be like my parents – when I started thinking of myself as an ambassador, treating my position between two cultures as something to cherish, not something to hide or resent,” Chu writes, “They showed me how to tell stories that would open the door for other stories.”
PODCASTS
Saturday School Season 9
The Saturday School Podcast is back with its ninth season, focusing on the Stars of Asian American Cinema. While the last decade has seen a surge of Asian American stars and Hollywood hits, this season highlights the trailblazers who have long been cherished in the Asian American community – actors and filmmakers who lit up the screens at Asian American film festivals and became beloved icons before they achieved mainstream recognition.
Hosted by Brian Hu and Ada Tseng, the podcast has released seven episodes of the season so far delving into films like The Joy Luck Club, ABCD, and Saving Face. The two offer fascinating insights and historical context that will make you see these classics in a whole new light.
Squid Game: The Official Podcast
We’ve waited over three years, but consider this your PSA that Squid Game Season 2 is almost here! And what better way to prepare for the Dec. 26 release date by checking out Squid Game: The Official Podcast, hosted by CAAM alum Phil Yu (aka Angry Asian Man)?
The podcast, which kicked off in October, releases new episodes every Thursday. In each episode, Yu collaborates with special guests as they revisit beloved Season 1 episodes, reflect on the show’s themes and cultural impact, and even recreate some of the show’s games on air. In some of the recent episodes, Yu welcomes comedy icon Margaret Cho as a guest, interviews a mortician who reacts to organ harvesting on Squid Game, and even teams up with Asian American rapper Dumbfoundead to test their luck with the Dalgona challenge.
If you’re a Squid Game fan, it’s definitely one you won’t want to miss leading up to the new season.
THEATER
Maybe Happy Ending
Maybe Happy Ending is an original South Korean one-act musical that had its world premiere in Seoul in 2016, met with critical acclaim. Over five years later, it recently made its Broadway debut in mid-November and is already captivating NYC audiences.
The show stars Darren Criss and newcomer Helen J. Shen as Oliver and Claire, two helper-bots in near-future Seoul. Abandoned by their past owners, they live in an apartment complex resembling a robot retirement home. Oliver spends his days with the same routine: listening to his past owners’ old jazz records, tending to his plant friend Hwaboon, and waiting near his door in case his owner arrives. That is, until he meets Claire, a newer model Helperbot, who disrupts his routine. But what starts as a story about obsolete robots evolves into a beautiful exploration of connection and what it means to be human.
It’s admittedly an ambitious premise for a musical, but one that Criss and Shen and the show’s creative team pull off convincingly. With its innovative set design, remarkable performances by Criss and Shen, and a touching storyline, this musical stands out as one of my favorites I’ve seen in the past year. If you’re a fan of rom-coms, classic jazz, and a bit of sci-fi, this one is sure to pull all the heart strings.
Madeleine Fernando is a second-generation Asian American writer based out of New York City. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she is currently a public relations specialist and freelance writer.
