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.
Phoenix’s latest video is a Korean drama music video? Yeah, we’re not sure what’s going on here either.
French alternative rock band Phoenix is back with their latest single, “Entertainment.” While we’re loving the jam – we were more intrigued by about the concept of the video – which seems some sort of time traveling modern-saeguk Korean drama. Set in North Korea. Kind of. Yeah – we were pretty confused too.
Also, one of the lead actors is the very handsome Sejin Park - who caught our eye in this video. We hope to see him in future work!
Seijin Park.
It’s that time of year again – Forbes Korea unveiled their power ranking for celebrities for 2013. For the last two years, the nine member Girls’ Generation topped the power ranking list. Did they maintain the top position this year? Click on to find out!
What do you get when you have three best friends from high school celebrating a 21st birthday, a charging buffalo and a vindictive latina sorority? Just another day for the cast of characters in 21 and Over starring Justin Chon (Twilight), Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect) and Miles Teller (Project X). Written and directed by the same duo Jon Lucas and Scott Moore who were the masterminds behind The Hangover films, this film is the sophmore version of The Hangover with a splash of Weekend at Bernie’s.
Meet Jeff Chang, who is paid a surprise visit by his best friends from high school Casey and Miller, the day before a critical medical school interview. After a little bit of peer pressure, Jeff Chang succumbs and decides “one drink” won’t kill him but when one drink turns into a hundred drinks and bar hopping, the adventure begins. With a passed out Jeff Chang, Casey and Miller embark on a journey to find the one most wanted question – where does he live? After infiltrating a latina sorority, dodging a buffalo on the loose at a pep rally and rescuing Jeff Chang from the cops, these events create an even more special bond between the three of them with a touching moment spliced in between all the other misadventures and mayhem.
This film hits theaters on March 1st.
The A3 Foundation (Asian American Artists Foundation) is one that provides resources to Asian American artists in an effort to aid their success in the Entertainment Industry. The project was founded in 2012 by three Facebook veterans Philip Fung, Julia Lam and Franklyn Chien. Upon realizing that they didn’t grow up with many Asian role models in the media, they decided to put their efforts into fostering the talents of young Asian Americans. Their Fellows program grants $10,000-$20,000 in funding and provides mentorship from established artists.
Now, the A3 foundation has partnered with the Sundance Institute to create an A3 Sundance Fellowship which sponsors a fellow in their Director or Screenwriting Lab Programs. A3 Sundance Fellows have to be passionate about telling stories centered around the Asian-American experience in the media. The Fellowship was announced on January 21st, 2013 at the Sundance Film Festival. This is truly a step for the Asian American community as its the very first Asian American fellowship established at Sundance.
For more information, click here
Audrey Magazine came out to support our sister publication, KoreAm Journal, for their annual event, Unforgettable at the Park Plaza Hotel on . The affair was bigger than ever, selling out prior to the event, and boasted a roster of big names within the Korean American community. Contributing Editor Ada Tseng and I took on the big task (read: fun task) of interviewing some of the red carpet arrivals, which included The Walking Dead‘s Steve Yeun, singer Clara C, R&B artist Amerie, and the recent winners of the Great Food Truck Race – the boys of Seoul Sausage Company.
Unforgettable 2012.
Korean Pop Music has graced the American air-waves through PSY’s Gangnam style. For the hardcore K-Pop fans, there is a long list of K-Pop artists that filled their iPods long before it became a trend.
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Girls’ Generation DVD Set +Photobook, $39.99
Die-hard fans not only love listening to music but watching live performances of their favorite artists. Available at YesAsia.com from $39.99-$49.99.
For the people who love to watch movies, this guide is dedicated to them. It may be difficult to find gifts for these types of people, because what they want can be so specific. They may want a specific movie, memorabilia, or autograph, but we have put together a guide for a general idea of what might be the perfect gift for them. Enjoy!
Gifts Under $50:
Cuisinart Air Popcorn Maker, $39.95.
After gaining millions of views and over 200, 000 subscribers on YouTube and fans in various countries including Australia, Canada, and the Philippines, Filipino-American acoustic singer Joseph Vincent is releasing his debut album Blue Skies on October 16th. JV has performed twice on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and was named Australia’s Star Central Magazine’s “YouTube Artist of the Year” in 2009. Fans may have already heard a few tracks featured on the album that include If You Stay and S.A.D (Single Awareness Day), but now can finally listen to JV’s first full-length debut album, all songs written by him. We recently caught up with the 22-year-old, who has been preparing for the album release as well as his 27-city US tour this Fall.
Jamie Chung, Justin Chon, and Clinton Sparks? Those are only some of the entertainment headlining Audrey’s Night Out 2012, as Audrey Magazine returns with their biggest event of the year –AND unveils the new look of the publication for their big fall issue. Oh yeah – and we’re also giving away a round trip private jet experience package to VEGAS! Read on for more information!
