When YouTube Videos Go Wrong: Creepy Asian Chiropractor Video
Picking up at nearly 3 million views, this video from Los Angeles based chiropractor Ryan Lee has gone viral over the past couple of days on the internet. While we're sure Ryan was very intentional on marketing the services of his clinic, we can't help but wonder if he bothered to show anyone else this video before allowing it to go live on the YouTube. In fact, he appears just tad bit creepy and this video might even turn away customers. But then again, he is receiving a lot of public attention (although we're sure he wasn't expecting this kind). Check out the video below!
Spring 2013 | Pop-arazzi: Prodigy (Review)
DEPT: Pop-arrazi AUTHOR: Kanara Ty ISSUE: Spring 2013 "Marie Lu is at her best in Prodigy, the sequel to her New York Times bestseller Legend, giving us the most exciting follow-up to a debut novel the young adult genre has seen in a long time."
Spring 2013 | Pop-arazzi: Marie Lu of Prodigy
DEPT: Pop-arazzi AUTHOR: Kanara Ty ISSUE: Spring 2013 "The NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of the highly popular teen dystopian novel LEGEND and the sequel PRODIGY sits down with us to talk about who she thinks would make a great day and June in the film version, her next book in the series, due out in 2014, and the importance of (hot) asian american male leads in literature."
Asians in Fashion | Yue Ning & Xiao Wen Ju in (UK) i-D Magazine, Summer 2013
Hands down, my favorite editorial of the year so far. i-D once again, never disappoints. Click on for the rest of the editorial!
Tiger Moms vs Tiger Babies: Are Asian Parents Too Strict?
One of the biggest debates concerning Asian culture has been how Asian parent's raise their children. The phrase "strict Asian parent" has become a well-known stereotype and yet many of us can find some truth in this. It is said that Asians pride themselves in their academic achievements and are generally pushed towards a successful career. But what is the price for this success? How often do we hear of Asians who are allowed only a limited social life and pushed towards their books instead. How many times have we heard the story of an Asian forced to pursue a career their parents want...
Disappointed in Brenda Song’s New Comedy Series “Dads”
Last season, Fox had very few successful outcomes. While we had high hopes for their newest multi-camera comedy Dads, the excitement may be short-lived. The comedy stars Seth Green and Giovanni Ribisi playing childhood friends (now in their thirties) whose lives are flipped upside down when their father's decide to move in with them. The cast will also include one of our favorites, Brenda Song. Unfortunately, the pilot preview fell short of our expectations. Aside from a few laughs, the preview began sounding problematic with Brenda Song forced into a schoolgirl outfit and performing a...
Video of the Week: Wong Fu Productions’ “To Those Nights”
It is said that people become brutally honest during times of intoxication. We allow ourselves to feel heartbreak that we try to hold back, we tell people the things we are most afraid to admit, we even make mistakes- lots of them. Watch Wong Fru's most recent short "To Those Nights" as a reminder that the heart and mind wander to interesting places when under the influence of alcohol.
Dept: Pop-arazzi
Author: Kanara Ty
Title: Where My (AA) Girls At?
Don’t like what HBO’s Girls is saying about this generation? Then tell your own story.
Mindy Kaling.
Before HBO’s Girls was set to premiere this past spring, the comedy about 20something struggling post-grads in New York City sparked a debate about race and representation in Hollywood. My initial thoughts after I finished the first episode of Girls? Sure, it was hard for me to relate to anything that was going on on the show (I’m not white, I don’t come from a privileged, wealthy background, nor do I live in New York City), but I was immensely surprised at how
entertaining I found the show to be — namely the awkwardness/quirkiness of the female lead characters. Lena Dunham, who impressively writes, directs and stars in the show, has already been hailed as the next Tina Fey.
Dunham has yet to be dubbed the “voice of her generation” (as her character in Girls states) — and rightfully so. Having such a title bears the social responsibility of, well, speaking for a diverse generation of people who come from different backgrounds and experiences. Fact of the matter is, Dunham is talented — her writing is witty, intelligent
and full of charisma. Girls speaks of her own personal experiences; as that saying goes, write what you know. And she does a damn good job of it. Instead of pointing fingers at Dunham, we should be asking the programming departments of major television networks about the diversity in their programming — I mean, they are responsible for
what gets on the air.
Shortly after Girls aired, the extended trailer for FOX’s The Mindy Project premiered and, of course, was met with much applause. It’s been a while since an Asian American woman has taken the reigns of a comedy on a major televisionnetwork and, well, it looks like Mindy Kaling has hit it on the head. However, Kaling still sits alone, as we have yet to really see excellent programming starring Asian American talent that’s also relatable. (Sorry Maggie Q — I wish I could relate to your kick-ass assassin character, but it’s just not happening.) One could argue that Asian American programming now has a place on YouTube. You have your WongFu boys, KevJumbas and Ryan Higas. In a significant move, there’s now the YouTube Original Channels, which features programming in entertainment, beauty, sports and technology. This includes Michelle Phan’s FAWN (For All Women Network) and the Asian American pop culture blog’s YOMYOMF (You Offend Me, You Offend My Family). Speaking of the YOMYOMF Channel, I should make note of BFFs. BFFs is a comedy webseries that features Asian American actresses in the leading roles. While the series was met with lukewarm reactions, I have to say it’s a start, which is better than nothing at all.
If there’s anything I can truly criticize, it’s that there’s not enough self-expression among this generation. When the reality show K-Town (on YouTube’s Loud Channel) surfaced, it was met with so much negativity from Asian Americans whwere afraid of how they were going to be represented. But in all honesty, have our purported “positive” stereotypes (read: the model minority) played in our favor in American society? Going along with this idea of social responsibility, the key thing to note is that there are multiple voices of this generation, but many of them go unspoken. Dunham, Kaling or YouTube celebrities should not be the only ones speaking for us. Whether their work makes us happy, angry, sad or stir any sort of emotion, rather than sit back and mouth off on our soap boxes about what we think others are doing, think about what we can do right. We’re all quick to hate on each other; instead, let’s let theseconversations inspire one another.
CAAMfest Festival and Exhibition Director Masahi Niwano, filmmaker Nadine Truong, Producers of Linsanity, Brian Yang, Christopher Chen, Allen Lu, director Evan Jackson Leong, and Festival Managing Director Christine Kwon.
It was a beautiful night, and The Castro district was buzzing with Jeremy Lin fans and movie buffs. It was the opening night of CAAMfest, and my photographer Erilou and I couldn’t be any more excited for what was in store. We got dolled up, but on our cute dresses and drove out to SF. On our schedule was the premiere of Linsanity and a gala at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, Ca. We had such an amazing time and met so many amazing people. Check out our coverage on this year’s CAAMfest opening night!
The awkward silences. The nervous need to find something to talk about. The need to impress.
Ah yes, the familiar feelings of a first date. If you’re one of the lucky ones, first dates are exciting experiences leaving you wanting more. And for the not-so-lucky ones? A palm to the face. Here at Audrey we’ve had our number of uncomfortable first dates and (just because we love our readers) we’re he’re to share them! Click on to see Audrey Staff spill our FIRST DATE GONE WRONG stories:
This past Monday, the Asia Society threw their fifth annual gala at The Pierre Hotel in Manhattan, honoring fashion designer Jason Wu. Of the Asian fashion elite, guests included Jenny Shimizu, Shu Pei, and Anna Su, along with NY Projects owner Yung Hee Kim and publisher Chiu-Ti Jansen. THe event included a live auction, which took place in the hotel’s grand ballroom (covered in fuchsia!).
When he took his award, Wu stated: “When I grew up in Taiwan, it was very clear to me that I wasn’t going to be your average doctor, lawyer or accountant. In fact, I’d highly discourage myself from doing any of your taxes. But my parents encouraged me to do what I wanted to do. I wanted to acknowledge them because they couldn’t be here; they are in Taiwan. Because they think New York is too dirty. And it is a bit dirty, but I love it.”
Super Junior member Lee Sungmin has just been casted as the lead role for the Japanese musical Summer Snow. The musical is based on a popular drama that aired in 2000 (starring Ryoko Hirosue, Domoto Tsuyoshi, and Shun Oguri) and was awarded Best Drama at The Japan Academy Awards. Sungmin will be playing the warm Jin Ha who must take care of his siblings after the accidental death of his parents.
In April, Summer Snow will begin its performances in Osaka then move to Tokyo.
I’m in love with Justin Timberlake’s “The 20/20 Experience” – and you’re lying to me if you say you’re not a fan. There are multiple covers out there (including this adorable one by David So and Paul Kim), but this by far – is my favorite, featuring Epik High’s Tablo and Lydia Paek, who put out a refreshing version of Timberlake’s comeback single, “Suit and Tie” – enjoy!
Director Brian Singer tweeted a picture of his current line of X-Men over the weekend.
Over the weekend, director Brian Singer unveiled new names to his current cast of X-Men (which already boasts Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Anna Paquin as Rogue, Halle Berry as Storm, Shawn Ashmore as Iceman, Ellen Page as Kitty Pryde, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen as Professor X and Magneto): Fan Bingbing, Daniel Cudmore (who is reprising his role as Colossus from X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand), and Booboo Stewart. It’s already been speculated that Fan will play Blink, a character with teleportation powers and pupil-free eyes. No word on Stewart’s role yet, who previously played Seth Clearwater in the Twilight series.
JYJ Member, Micky Yoochun, shows us some scowls as he poses for Singles. Click on to see more.
