Sandrine Pinna.

Ang Lee has done more than anyone to bring attention to the Taiwanese film industry, shooting much of his 3D fantasy film Life of Pi in Taipei and Taichung — and always making sure to thank Taiwan in those Oscar speeches, even if his film is about gay cowboys in Wyoming. But Taiwan’s local films have had a recent commercial resurgence as well, catapulted by 2008′s super hit Cape No. 7. More recently, successful films include You Are The Apple of My Eye, Monga, and Seediq Bale, in addition to Taiwan/China co-productions like the ensemble romantic comedy Love. At the same time, Taiwanese dramas are as rampant as ever — and all of this brings us a wealth of new Taiwanese leading ladies.

A comprehensive list that spans decades would definitely include Taiwanese talents such as Sylvia Chang, Brigitte Lin, Lu Yi-Ching, Mavis Fan, Barbie Hsu, Rene Liu, Vivian Hsu and more. But for this year’s Women’s History Month showcase, we’re going to concentrate on young actresses ruling commercial Taiwanese film and television today.
Click on to see the ten ladies!

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High school: such a pivotal time in young women’s lives for college/career decisions, familial tension, first loves, first rejections, no-holds-barred attitude and unexpected self-discoveries.

And when high school years are depicted on American film and television, extracurricular activities may involve solving murder mysteries (Pretty Little Liars), and unrequited love is sometimes best told through song (T.V. Carpio’s cover of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” in Across the Universe).

One could argue that Tamlyn Tomita’s Kumiko was the ultimate Asian American high school “girl-next-door” crush, even if, back in 1986, the Karate Kid had to travel all the way to Japan to be in the right neighborhood. But in the past 25 years, there have many memorable Asian American girls  – as well as British Asians, Asian-Scots and Asian Canadians that we snuck onto the list — that we can look up to (or reminisce with) in these classic tales of high school.

Below are our Top 10 Asian American High School Girls Next Door:

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Justin Chon made an appearance last night on Conan, promoting his latest film, 21 and Over. Watch on as Justin talks about how much love he gets from Twilight Moms and how he prepared for his nude scenes.

Justin Chon on Twilight Moms

Justin Chon on Picking a Prosthetic Penis

Be sure to catch Audrey CoverGirl, Maggie Q, appearing on LIVE with Kelly and Michael tomorrow morning! Check your local listings for details and click here to view her Audrey features.

Maggie Q on LIVE with Kelly 2012

Photos Courtesy of 1, 2

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!

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How do you celebrate your magazine’s ten year anniversary — if you’re InStyle Korea? Easy: you round up the best and brightest Korean stars of the last decade. The cover spread features actresses Kim Hee-sun, Han Hyo-joo, Lee Yeon-hee , Han Chae-young, Kim Hyo-jin, Lee Yo-won, Kim Yun-jin, and Jeon Ji-hyun who serves as the issue’s cover model. The shoot stops nothing short of making all the girls look fabulous – even if they’re surrounded by large legos (in the case with Han Hyo-joo), holding a plastic baby (Lee Yeon-hee), or fawning over a cheetah in a forest (Kim Hee-sun).

Click on for the images!

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Jamie Chung may be the hardest working Asian American actress in Hollywood right now. Writer Paul Nakayama witnesses the star in action.

ISSUE: Winter 2012-13

DEPT: Cover Feature

Photographer: Diana King

Stylist: Ashley Avignone @ The Wall Group

Makeup: Shelly Samia

Hair: Alex Polillo

Photo Assistant: Kevin Burnstein

Stylist Assistant: Liat Veysey

Producer: Olivia Wu

Story: Paul Nakayama

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This season of The Bachelor is nearing its end and with only three contestants left, we are able to get a much closer look at all of the girls. This is certainly true for Italian-Pilipino contestant, Catherine Giudici. On the most recent episode, Sean visited the home towns of the last four girls which gave Catherine time to show Sean the ins and outs of Seattle as well as some knowledge on Pilipino culture. With a middle name like Ligaya (Tagalog for “happiness”) and a mother who’s a Pilipino historian,  we were not surprised to see that she was quite connected to her roots.

Before meeting her family, Catherine prepped Sean with a few helpful hints. She taught him to call her grandmother “Lola” which is the Tagalog equivalent. She then taught Sean the polite and formal method for greeting an elder- mano. This gesture is one that is performed as a sign of respect to the elders. The person bows towards an elder’s offered hand and presses his or her forehead on the elder’s hand. After the proper introductions (as well as gestures of Mano), Sean was asked to help make Lumpia with the family- a popular Filipino roll.

In the past, this show has been criticized for its lack of ethnic diversity so we were delighted to see this 26 year old graphic designer bring some of her culture into the mix. To watch full episodes of The Bachelor, click here and be sure to watch the final episodes!

Now in her third season playing the title role in The CW hit series, Nikita, Maggie Q knows what she wants — from the best angle to showcase a gown to how an action scene should be done in Hollywood.

ISSUE: Winter 2012-13

DEPT: Cover Feature

Photographer: Diana King

Stylist: Conor Graham

Makeup: Kayleen McAdams

Hair: Alex Polillo

Photo Assistant: Kevin Burnstein

Stylist Assistant: Morgan Howit

Producer: Olivia Wu

Story: Ada Tseng

At the start of our interview, Maggie Q jokes that she might be in a concussed state.

“I was just fighting this guy, and I smashed my head into the camera,” she says, still stunned. “I paused for a second, I had tears coming out of my eyes, and then I was like, ‘OK, I’m ready. Let’s go.’”

For most people, this sounds like a horrific assault, but it’s just another day at work for the 33-year-old actress and action star. In the past two seasons of her CW television show Nikita, Maggie has fallen down a ladder, broken fingers, and even burned her breasts. The latter happened while filming a scene where she was running down a hill, shooting a gun. She was sprinting so quickly that the hot, empty shells fell straight into her bra.

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The “Queen of Disney” is headed to Fox.

Actress, singer, film producer, and model Brenda Song  has been casted as a re-occuring character on the television sitcom, New Girl. Brenda Song plays the new love interest of Winston (Lamorne Morris) and is described as an intense and competitive character.

Song was the first actor to be casted on FOX’s comedy series “Wellesley Wild”. Created by Ted co-writers Alec Sulkin and Seth McFarlane, the project “centers on two successful guys in their 30s who have their lives turned upside down when their nightmare dads unexpectedly move in with them.” Song will play their odd (and very entitled) assistant.

Be sure to keep up to date with all the new episodes of New Girl here