GENERASIAN NYU'S PREMIER ASIAN AMERICAN PUBLICATION SPRING 2012 • VOL 10 • NO 2
WHAT’S INSIDE 03 Letter from the Editor Michelle Lee
04 Trending: January–May 2012
OP-ED 06 What’s in a Look? Jae Han
09 The Real North Korea Yuna Park
08 Superbowl Commercial Break:
10 Chinese School: Hub of Culture
Hoekstra Brings Back Fond Memories of Political Anti-Chinese Ads Michelle Lee
or Sunday Prison? Cathy Ye 12 Saving Private Chen Zi Lin
WORLD 14 The American College’s Guide to Selecting
22 Let’s Play a Love Game Emily Lu
Chinese Students Evelyn Cheng 24 Radiation: Overreaction in the East or 16 International Love: Adoption from
Asian Countries Eunice Lau 18 Emergence Joey Wang
Obliviousness in the West? Connie Lee 26 Requiem for a DREAM Soo Mi Rho
ARTS & CULTURE 28 The God of Basketball Joyce Chen
37 Changing Tides for Asian American Actors Cathy Ye
29 The Religion of Jeremy Lin Evelyn Cheng 38 Cookie Cutters: How Asian Women Fall 30 Spring Fashion 2012 Rachel Liu & Joey Wang
into Hollywood Stereotypes Livian Yeh
34 The Westernization of Yoga Jacqueline Mai
39 Horror-ble Asian Remakes Taylor Maloney
36 KFC: Fried Chicken’s Journey from
40 Generasian Staff Picks
Kentucky to Korea Hasun Won
EXECUTIVE STAFF
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Lee Associate Editor & Art Director Patrick Yan Public Relations Manager Soo Mi Rho Operations Manager Han Yu
Editors
Zi Lin
Layout Designers
Evelyn Cheng
Emily Lu
Rachel Liu
Charlie He
Jacqueline Mai
Nancy Nan
Eunice Lau
Soo Mi Rho
Soo Mi Rho
2 Table of Contents
Joey Wang
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
N
early one month ago, I treated myself to an impromptu trip
to Washington D.C. with Ben Dumond, President of NYU’s Asian Cultural Union. Ben, who has done so much for the community—especially with Team Janet, where he recruits new bone marrow registrants at NYU—reminded me that the spring cherry blossoms in Washington D.C. were about to fully bloom. I decided to accompany him to see the blossoms, deciding it would be a nice getaway from the hubbub of NYc. Along the way, Ben and I met with Eddie Lee, an Associate Director at the Office of Public Engagement at
With Ben Dummond & Eddie
Several Generasian members at the NYU
the White House. Eddie, a Korean
Lee of the White House
President Service Awards Ceremony
American graduate of Harvard and also member of the Jubilee Project,
about Asians in the US, many of
inspire Asian Americans to speak
actively works with various Asian
the recent events, current affairs
up, converse in critical dialogue,
Pacific American (A/P/A) communities
and critical issues discussed by our
and act on behalf of our growing
on behalf of President Obama’s
savvy Generasian writers reveal
branches of A/P/A communities.
administration. Sitting in a café across
surprising impressions of the
the street from his impressive office
realities of being Asian American and
who nominated us to be a recipient
building, Eddie chatted with us over
seeing things from its perspective;
of this year’s NYU President’s Service
coffee about recent events in the
all of which is part of a continuous
Award. President John Sexton
national A/P/A community, and the
shaping of our legacy as a whole.
recognized us for “our work in unifying
kind of interesting and unforeseen
As I look back on my trip, I’ve come
We also would like to thank those
the diverse NYU Asian American
recognition Asian Americans have been
to think of our blooming community
populations by providing a forum for
receiving due to events like Jeremy
like the very branches of a cherry
cultural analysis, social commentary,
Lin’s upsurge of national attention.
blossom tree. While our country is the
and literary expression.” This could
Each article in this issue has
foundational tree trunk that provides
not have been possible without the
something surprising to reveal about
us the infrastructure to be Asian
great work of Generasian’s past
the various sides to being Asian in the
American, our community is like a
leaders and of our past and current
US. While the concept of being Asian
large branch above the principle trunk,
members. I am so proud of my fellow
has its often falsely-preconceived
splitting into multiple branches of A/P/A
members; it was an honor working
notions, the kind of events that have
communities that continue to grow
with you all in putting this magazine
occurred within these past few months
evermore upwards over time. But like
together. Happy reading! GG
are bringing about striking realizations
branches, our unremitting journey
about being Asian American today.
upwards has its ups and downs. With
That’s why we at Generasian decided
that, we hope this issue of Generasian
to name this issue REVELATIONS.
sparks up the kind of conversation
Despite what many may believe
that is necessary in continuing to
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Letter from the Editor 3
TRENDING
LINSANITY
“Some lucky lady in NYC is gonna feel a couple inches of pain tonight.”
JANUARY–MAY 2012
Fox Sports columnist Jason Whitlock tweets
Data from Google Trends
offensively about Lin’s sexual prowess.
K-POP FEVER
Girls’ Generation performs “The Boys” on
The Wonder Girls’ self-titled movie
Late Show with David Letterman, exciting
airs on Teen Nick to lackluster
international fans and Regis Philbin.
ratings and reviews.
tmblr.co/ZFnX5yFigu7R
tmblr.co/ZFnX5yG0e-YM
Video of 17-year-old Chicago teen
U.S. Senate hopeful Pete Hoekstra’s
beaten in gang-up goes viral, sheds
racist, anti-Chinese “We Take Your
Burger King employee labels
light on violence within Asian cliques.
Jobs” Super Bowl advertisement airs.
customer as “Chinitos” on receipt,
tmblr.co/ZFnX5yEva9_P
tmblr.co/ZFnX5yG9EBmB
stirs accusations of racism.
January
4 Trending: January—May 2012
February
Ben & Jerry’s releases controversial “Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is
Linsanity ice cream flavor with
because he’s Asian. Black players do what he
fortune cookies, quickly apologizes
does every night and don’t get the same praise.”
for racial insensitivity.
—Professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Madison Square Garden airs fortune cookie
Lin tears meniscus in left knee,
sign with Lin’s face, with a fortune labeling
abruptly pulling him out of
Lin as “The Knicks’ Good Fortune.”
the rest of the season. tmblr.co/ZFnX5yIzfk7G
ESPN headline writer carelessly uses “Chink” in attempting to discuss Jeremy Lin’s potential flaws as point guard for Knicks. tmblr.co/ZFnX5yGgTsTj
K-Chart and iTunes chart topper Jay Park will headline the Verizon APAHM Tour in May 2012 with opening acts Dumbfoundead, Viennie V. tmblr.co/ZFnX5yJ_BKXq
Jenny Hyun, singer-songwriter for K-Pop groups like SNSD and Chocolat, tweets eradication of all black people in response to Mayweather’s racist tweet regarding Jeremy Lin.
Korean man shoots ten and kills seven at Oikos University—the deadliest school massacre since the Virginia Tech incident. tmblr.co/ZFnX5yI-5iHs
The “Canadian Alexandra Wallace” “My name is Jessica Hyejin Lee.
releases a video ranting against
If you’re watching this, I’ve been
South Asians, whom she labels
arrested.” Undocumented immigrant
“turbanators” and “terrorists.”
students—arrested for protesting outside US Immigration offices.
March
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April
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Trending: January—May 2012 5
Photo courtesy of Tomasito @ flickr.com
WHAT’S IN A LOOK? by Jae Han
P
rior to coming to America, I spent the
first eleven years of my life in a highly
6 Op-Ed
few Asian students that I met at school all wore the invisible scarlet letter, compliant with their
homogeneous society of South Korea. The
reputation as they tried their best to be individuals.
suffocating academic and social restrictions of
In our silent struggle, we Asian students felt a
a highly competitive Asian society proved too
strong sense of an indissoluble bond, knowing
controlling and dehumanizing for me, so my
that we were not alone. Fast-forward to my three
mother and I made a bold decision to move to
years at NYU, I realize that the color of my skin has
America in 2001. During my teenage years in
become just as meaningful as what my favorite color
Colorado, I often found myself playing the role of
is (I like teal). As a result, I no longer feel a sense of
“the Asian guy,” reluctantly carrying the label
unity when I encounter other Asian students. I feel
with me wherever I went. No matter how I acted,
alienated and alone, even worse than the loneliness
the most salient characteristic that I had as an
I felt in Colorado. In my brief eye-contacts with
individual was my exotic Asian appearance. The
other Asian students, I sense misguided hostility
and intense curiosity. These thoughts fill my head as I walk out of my last class of the day, ready to take a long-needed (but undeserved) nap. As I walk by Bobst Library, I notice fashionable students standing in circles, talking in a language that is cognitively familiar yet emotionally alien to me. I stare at them as I walk
Why do we continue to seek exclusivity by accentuating our Asian identity through affiliations with Asian organizations even though we seek to get rid of our reputation as being the perpetual foreigner?
by; they pause to check their surroundings. In a brief glance, they quickly analyze my appearance to figure out whether I’m one of them or not. When they decide that I am not one of them, they
Why do we continue to seek exclusivity by
dismiss my existence immediately and continue
accentuating our Asian identity through
socializing with their kind. I am successfully kept
affiliations with Asian organizations even
at an arm’s length and their sense of identity is
though we seek to get rid of our reputation
secured. They resume their smoking. I walk past
as being the perpetual foreigner?
the building to reach Kimmel Center. As I walk
The term Asian describes only my origins
up the stairs, I find lone Asian students engulfed
and physical attributes, not my current or
in their self-imposed bubbles erected out of
future identity. Yet all around me, I constantly
necessity, either for the sake of productivity or
see my fellow Asians enhancing the outsider
for emotional safety. Every once in a while, they
label from which I have tried desperately to
lower their shields to survey their surroundings.
escape. In high school, my Asian identity was
In their eyes, I sense something positive. Their
constantly at the forefront, no matter how
intense curiosity leaks from their eyes as they
hard I tried to make it irrelevant. But here at
stare at me. Although their stares are not as
NYU, I see the exact opposite happening with
hostile as those of the smokers in front of Bobst,
countless Asian clubs. Upon my arrival at NYU,
they still are biased in their perception. Would
I have tried my very best to assert myself as an
I be mean? Would I be friendly? I find these
individual, as a human being, rather than as an
stares to be uncomfortable and invasive, and
Asian male being. However, my long periods of
I resume my ascent towards the 8th floor.
loneliness from my teenage years have caught
As I fall asleep while lazily staring at the
up to me, and I inevitably find myself in many
people below in the park, my memories wander
Asian clubs. As I haven’t had a good night’s
back to my high school years. In the hallway, I
sleep in days, I become delusional and silently
see an Asian student out of the corner of my eye.
curse at myself for perpetuating the very
As I walk past him, I find myself engaged in an
same image from which I tried desperately to
intense mutual eye-contact. In this moment, I
escape. As I lose consciousness, I realize that
feel a strong sense of camaraderie and warmth.
maybe I shouldn’t think too much. In Colorado,
Even without exchanging words, we instinctively
I was in despair because I stood out. In NYC,
understand what it is like to be the perpetual
I’m in despair because I don’t stand out. I’ll
foreigner. There is no need to be analytical,
just work on being myself and not think too
investigative, or cautious. Without saying
much about anything else. Look at things as
anything, we both know that we are under the
G they are, not what they appear to be. G
same banner, heading in the same direction. Ironically, being an Asian student at NYU has made me more aware of my Asian identity.
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Jae Han is a Junior majoring in psychology and minoring in music.
What’s in a Look? 7
SUPERBOWL COMMERCIAL BREAK
Hoekstra Brings Back Fond Memories of Political Anti-Chinese Ads
by Michelle Lee
W
hile some of this year’s
Superbowl commercials
Photos courtesy of CNN.com
Unfortunately, campaign dollars
myth, a stereotype that Asians achieve
have been spent on this and other
higher degrees of success than the
were humorous—like the naked,
distasteful ads against Asians—
average population. However, these
dancing M&M commercial—other
specifically the Chinese—based on
ads alone are capable of perpetuating
advertisements weren’t so funny.
politicians’ negative attitudes toward
the kind of anti-Asian sentiment
the principle of Free Trade with China.
that unfortunately isn’t new in the
and “offensive” were a few of the words
Several of such ads found archived in
U.S., including accusations of Asians
viewers used to describe their reaction
racistpoliticalads.com include those
“stealing” jobs from Americans. The fact
to Michigan Republican Pete Hoekstra’s
by West Virginia Republican Spike
that Hoekstra’s campaign team hired
local political ad run in Michigan on
Maynard and Democrat Zack Space.
Chan to do the dirty work for them is
“Racially insensitive,” “disgusting,”
the night of this year’s Superbowl.
Lisa Chan, the Asian actress
even more disturbing and blurs the line
With the sound of a gong and
featured in the ad, apologized for acting
between Chinese and Asian Americans in
ancient Chinese music playing in the
the part. “I am deeply sorry for any pain
media representation (Jeff Yang, CNN).
background, a young Asian woman
that the character I portrayed brought
rides a bicycle down a grassy path
to my communities. […] This role is not
Hoekstra’s campaign relate to legitimate
evoking an empty rice field. In a forced,
in any way representative of who I am.”
issues of free trade and US relations
broken-English accent, she says,
While it is one thing that this gig
While the questions raised by
with China, Hoekstra’s ad proved
“Thank you Michigan Senator Debbie
may be a tragic hit on Chan’s acting
more ignorant and offensive to the
SpendItNow. Debbie spend so much
career, it is another that Hoekstra’s
Asian American community and
American money. You borrow more and
campaign dollars—nearly $150,000—
misleading to the larger American
more… from us. Your economy get very
were invested into purchasing pricey
community as a whole. Hoekstra, along
weak. Ours get very good. We take your
Superbowl ad time and producing an ad
with other politicians who have used
jobs. Thank you Debbie SpendItNow.”
exhibiting hate-mongering sentiments
similar political advertising methods
toward the Asian community.
involving the exploitation of the Asian
this message against his Democratic
Although Hoekstra defended his ad,
stereotype, prove guilty for such
opponent, Debbie “SpendItNow”
saying it was only anti-Stabenow and
pernicious practices in mass media.
Stabenow. Viewers are then directed
“anti-Obama,” it is still unsettling
to visit Hoekstra’s supporting website,
that his campaign dollars were spent
said, it would be “beneath our dignity”
“debbiespenditnow.com.” With images
negatively manipulating the Asian
to bother with such negativity.
of dragons and the Great Wall of
stereotype to prove his point.
Sitting by a fire, Hoekstra approves
China, the site intensifies sentiments
On one hand, it is sometimes
As NYU politics Professor Hsiung G
Michelle Lee is a senior majoring in English
of Yellow Peril and xenophobia.
assumed that Asian Americans are not
& American Literature. In her spare time,
(The site is down and now redirects
capable of experiencing racism under
she is either dancing or reading way too
you to petespenditnot.com.)
the shadow of the Model Minority
much about Asian American issues.
8 Superbowl Commercial Break: Hoekstra Brings Back Fond Memories of Political Anti-Chinese Ads
THE REAL NORTH KOREA by Yuna Park
I
n fourth grade my teacher assigned a project on family
trees, which required a story about
Instead, one of my classmates immediately stood up and yelled, “Communist! Her grandfather is a communist!”
a relative. Wanting to deviate from my classmates’ stories of uncles who fought valiantly in the Vietnam War or
my presentation of his experiences
of mothers who created extraordinary
ended up staining my reputation
perspective for the people of North
chocolate cake recipes, I prepared
crimson red—I was now known as a
Korea elicits pity rather than contempt,
a story about my grandfather that
communist. Even at that young age my
I still find fault with this view. Both the
no one else would have, a story
classmates and I knew communism
brainwashed, communist stereotype
entirely in its own category.
was something bad. By the fourth
and the shabby, famine-stricken
grade, we had seen more than enough
stereotype of North Koreans imply
up to the front of the classroom and
media coverage of communism running
that North Koreans are a weak people,
began to tell my classmates about
rampant in countries like North Korea
both physically and mentally.
my grandfather’s escape from North
and Cuba. To make matters worse, my
Korea. I started from his origins near
classmates were already familiar with
Korean heritage is neither weak
Pyongyang, North Korea, to how he was
the stereotypes of North Koreans: my
nor violent. To me, it takes a certain
forced to leave his beloved homeland,
classmates believed that North Koreans
brand of courage to venture out of
which grew increasingly more
were all “dirty communists” who
the only home you have ever known
oppressive with each day. I told my
ate dogs because they were starving
into a totally new and alien land,
classmates about how he nearly starved
beasts; North Koreans were almost
especially with the fear of deportation
on the months-long trek and how he
inhuman because of their political
and death looming overhead. These
made his arduous journey on foot in
beliefs and the way they followed
fears and uncertainties are what my
the pitch-black cover of night with only
their leaders blindly; North Koreans
grandfather faced as he escaped the
his cousin for company. And yet, he
were a scourge upon the earth.
north, and because of his bravery
On the presentation day, I strolled
made it; he reached South Korea, ready to start his new life in his new home. I finished my presentation proudly,
Sadly, these negative images are all that many people know about North Koreans. When people first think of
Although this alternative
However, I know that my North
and courage I know that my heritage is not something to be ashamed of. His story, along with the stories
expecting to see awe in the faces
North Korea, they envision Kim Il
of millions of other refugees, more
of my classmates, the same awe I
Sung, Kim Jong Il, and their totalitarian
accurately portrays the strong,
had felt when I realized how strong
communist regime, brainwashing all
determined spirit of North Korea.
my grandfather must have been to
of their citizens into believing in the
Because of my grandfather, despite
trudge on relentlessly, despite the
legitimacy of their brutal regime. The
what anyone else can and will say, I am
dire circumstances. Instead, one of
very name of “North Korea” appears to
proud to say that I am North Korean.
my classmates immediately stood
have an evil connotation. The gentler
up and yelled, “Communist! Her
view of North Korea, if it can be seen
Yuna Park is a freshman majoring in
grandfather is a communist!”
that way, is that of the North Korean
Environmental Studies at CAS. She is
famine during the 1990s, which left
fascinated by green roofs and classical music.
Although my grandfather’s story was initially part of a school project,
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G
3.5 million dead of starvation.
The Real North Korea 9
CHINESE SCHOOL
Hub of Culture or Sunday Prison? by Cathy Ye
E
very Sunday during seventh grade, I sat complacently in a classroom full of sleepy
children and listened as a teacher droned on and on in a language I was barely able to converse in.
Thinking back, I think it was one of the things I dreaded most—not visits to the dentist, not major exams, not even the fitness test in gym, but Chinese school.
For the few who could not understand her, she obliged with painfully broken English and erratic hand gestures. An hour later, we were bribed to pay attention with vouchers for snacks...and
the ineffectiveness of the teachers. Yet I have friends
then we were set free. After the fifteen-minute
who loved Chinese school, even returning there to
break, we were once again confined to our desks
volunteer after they had graduated. For them, Chinese
until late afternoon, the point at which it was
school was a chance for them to hang out with friends
pointless to pursue any meaningful activity.
from different schools, even a haven of crushes and
Chinese school.
middle-school romances. They opted for the after-class
Three hours of pure torture. A waste of many
activities—fencing, Chinese dance, and karate. As for
a beautiful Sunday afternoon. A loss of the coveted
me, I turned tail and made for the car the moment class
sleeping-in. Thinking back, I think it was one of
ended. We were placed by level, and since my Chinese
the things I dreaded most—not visits to the dentist,
then was rudimentary at best, I was both the oldest and
nor major exams, nor even the fitness test in gym,
the tallest in my class. Constantly self-conscious and
but Chinese school. It seemed like a form of torture
embarrassed by my skill level (or, rather, lack thereof),
concocted by Chinese parents just to lock their
I had as much interest in learning as I did in catching
kids away for a day. Why wasn’t there a Spanish
spiders. I quit after a little less than a semester.
school every Sunday? Why didn’t an Egyptian
Back then I really didn’t have much motivation to
school meet every week? The only thing close was
learn Chinese anyway. As long as I could adequately
Hebrew school, but at least Jewish kids get to take
converse with my grandparents, everything was fine.
their holidays off from school. I’ve always had to
In fact, it was expected and accepted that my Chinese
suffer through class without mooncakes while
was poor, since I was an ABC (American-born Chinese).
my brethren in China gorge themselves silly.
But as the years went on and my Chinese showed little
Okay, so maybe that’s an exaggeration, but
improvement, I became increasingly disappointed
the one positive thing I have to say off the top of
with myself. What justification could I find for myself
my head about Chinese school is that the snacks
for not understanding my own culture? Regardless of
were awesome. (And cheap; where else can you
the fact that I was born in the United States, I craved
buy a strip of sour candy for a nickel?) It’s not like
the sort of connection with my family and friends
I was alone in hating it—just about 90% of my
that comes with the sharing of a common language.
friends can attest to having the same experience.
But then again, I was barely twelve. Maybe I didn’t
They, too, were dragged to Chinese school every
have such grandiose ideas then—to be perfectly honest,
Sunday, struggling to learn a language with
maybe I just hated missing out on important details
minimal success, turning a blind eye to their bad
and ethnic jokes just because my vocabulary was poor.
test scores and blaming their incompetency on
10 Op-Ed
The process of (re)learning Chinese (technically it
was my first language) was slow and
waste of time. They neither appreciate
the multiplication table in Chinese,
arduous, and completely imperfect.
nor wish to recognize its value in
and to this day, I can spit products
While the bulk of my vocabulary and
their lives. I guess I’m somewhere in
out effortlessly. It’s helped me many
phrase usage came from my family,
between. I found culture and value
a time on mathematics exams. The
a good amount of what I learned
primarily outside of those walls, but
tricks and rhymes the teachers use
was from Chinese-subtitled Chinese
I can’t deny the potential importance
to jam stroke orders into our heads
dramas and music videos. My oral
of Chinese school in the lives of
work. Hearing them week after week,
comprehension was fine, so I would
people who are willing to be taught.
no matter how annoying, is bound to
pair the words on the screen to the
What exactly is the value, then, of
ones I was hearing and eventually
Chinese school? For me, it had little to
don’t live in a highly Chinese-populated
make those connections in my head.
none. I’m not alone in having learned
area, Chinese school may well be the
I peppered my family and Chinese
most of my Chinese from the people
only place they will ever be exposed
friends with questions about what a
around me—exclusive of Chinese
to their language to such a degree.
word meant, how and when it should
school. I also know several people who
be used, and so on. My family was
went to Chinese school for most of their
me by a friend, yes, I would send my
delighted that I was taking such an
childhoods and have by now forgotten
own kids to Chinese school. Although
interest. My friends were simply
most of the language. An adage
it may sound contradictory to what
amused by my sometimes-entertaining
that applies here is “Practice makes
I’ve been saying all this time, I want to
attempts at (mis)using new vocabulary.
perfect.” And unfortunately, once a
make a point clear. Chinese school was
But it paid off.
week on Sundays for a few months
a waste of time for me because it simply
Now, five and half years later, my
is simply not enough practice. That
wasn’t the way I learn. And I wouldn’t
Chinese sounds like I’m from China,
said, there are some concepts taught
send my kids there for the teachers
I can understand almost everything
in Chinese school that are exclusive to
who drone on and on, nor for the tests
people say, and I’m picking up more
the institution. You don’t hear many
that may as well have been written in
and more words every day. Music
people discussing the principles of
Greek. I would send them there for the
videos and dramas weren’t meant
pinyin or stroke techniques on the
friends they would make, the sense of
to teach a language, after all, so my
street. Those are reserved for the
community that resides in (and can only
reading and writing still aren’t great.
classroom. But contemporary culture,
reside in) an institution built on the
A lot still goes over my head. In light
colloquial language, and music:
combined misery of sleepy children. I
of all this, I don’t know if I’m glad to
all those lie in the field of normal
missed out on that sense of community.
have dropped out of Chinese school or
conversation held in dorm rooms, in
I stood tall and miserable alone. I
not. Even while I regret missing out
parks, around the kitchen table—
was lucky in that I had a supportive
on learning how to read and write,
anywhere but in a classroom. Chinese
family and group of friends who were
when I compare myself to my friends
school is, in a sense, fundamental
willing to trudge along with me in
who stuck to Chinese school for a few
to establishing the groundwork for
my journey towards partial literacy.
years, I can honestly say that overall
proficiency in the language. Without
Determination and circumstances
I’m a lot better at the language than
practice outside the classroom,
can only get you so far, however.
most of them. Their Chinese is stilted,
however, Chinese school has about as
Chinese school provides important
their grammar awkward, and their
much value as an unopened book.
foundations that are necessary to
birth country evident. The few others,
I guess that metaphor holds true
have an effect. And for people who
So in answer to a question posed to
properly learn the language.
however, are familiar with a good deal
for everything, however. As much as
of Chinese culture and history, speak
I disliked it, I’m not so blind as to say
completely wasted. The sour
flawlessly, and are very gung-ho about
that there is nothing valuable that
candies were awesome.
their Chinese heritage. For the latter
Chinese school has to offer. Forced
of the two groups, Chinese school was
repetition, though on the border of
Cathy is a pre-med freshman in the
the portal to a culture they would have
cruel and unnecessary punishment,
College of Arts and Sciences. She is
had little exposure to otherwise. For
is extremely helpful when it comes to
happily addicted to dark chocolate.
the former, it was little more than a
memorizing terms. I rote-memorized
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And actually, my year wasn’t G
Chinese School: Hub of Culture or Sunday Prison? 11
SAVING PRIVATE CHEN Racism and Mistreatment Faced in the Army by Former U.S. Soldier Danny Chen
by Zi Lin
D
anny grew up in the same neighborhood
I hung out in as a kid. He played the
across 100 meters of gravel while pelting him
same first-person shooter games I played, hung
with rocks for minor infractions. They had
the same posters on his bedroom walls that I
tossed him out of bed and dragged him on his
hung on mine. And, like me, he craved something
back over 15 meters of gravel on ungrounded
different from the life that hardworking immigrant
charges that he had broken a shower head.
parents envision for their children in America. But I went to college and Danny joined the Army. Somehow, nine months after enlisting, Danny
For many Chinese immigrants like Su Zhen Chen, Danny’s mother, it is out of the question for their child to even consider joining
was found dead in an Afghan guard tower with
the Army—perhaps, for good reason. Asian
a bullet through his head, a victim of racial
Americans make up only 1 percent of Army
harassment. Even though eight soldiers were
recruits, lower than any other ethnicity.
charged with his death, the question remains: why did this have to happen to Danny? Maybe Danny would still be alive had he not
Yet, for those like Danny, who have made the resolve to become part of that 1 percent, the backlash may be fatal. In April of 2011,
grown up in Chinatown, had his last name not
Chinese American Lance Corporal Harry Lew
been Chen, had his parents not been Chinese
committed suicide because of the harassment
immigrants from Taishan, had he not been
and abuse he had received from fellow marines.
the only Chinese American soldier in his unit.
Both cases serve as tragic reaffirmations of the
Maybe if he had better fit the bill of an American
racism that continues to exist in the Army.
hero, Danny would not have received the cruel racial harassment that led to his death. In the months following the Army’s initial
While many voice their condolences to the Chens via online messages, others are not as sympathetic. In a blog entry titled “Private Danny
conclusion that Danny was the apparent victim
Chen and the False Racism Narrative,” Iraq War
of suicide, Danny’s parents demanded concrete
veteran J. R. Salzman writes, “Veterans like
answers about why their only son was dead.
myself know better than to take these embellished
Under pressure from the New York chapter of the
takes of racial hardship at face value…the race
Organization of Chinese Americans (NY-OCA), the
narrative pushed by the media, Chen’s parents
Army slowly began releasing more information
and the NY-OCA, is without merit.” As a comment
about the circumstances surrounding the case.
on a New York Magazine feature about Danny
Soon, evidence of the harassment Danny
12 Op-Ed
in mocking accents. They had made him crawl
reads, “Everyone [in the army] gets a nickname,
had received from his fellow platoon members
most of them are unflattering.” Online, veterans
began piling up. They had called him “Jackie
and civilians alike are quick to defend Salzman’s
Chan” or “chink” or “gook” or “Dragon Lady”
depiction of the “alpha male” Army culture.
Danny was harassed and bullied not because
glaring disparity between reprimanding Danny’s
he was Chinese, but because he was too weak,
mistakes in the line of duty and administering
because he failed to follow orders, because he
brutal punishments for the smallest breach of
threatened the safety and cohesion of his unit.
protocol. When did it become legitimate to justify
The “cruel” punishments he received would have
a young man’s death by saying he was too weak
been given to anyone in Danny’s situation.
to handle what was never expected of him?
If Danny were not a victim of racially
Danny would have turned twenty this year,
motivated crimes, then he was definitely a victim
still hardly old enough to buy a drink. His future
of the widespread harassment issues rampant in
was denied to him by the unaddressed and even
the Army. Danny made the ultimate commitment
accepted racial harassment that plagues America’s
for his country and the very people who were
armed forces. Danny did not die because he
supposed to be his brothers in arms turned
was weak, because he was a poor soldier, or
against him. To accept the cruel bullying fostered
even because he was Chinese American. Danny
by the “alpha male” Army culture as something
died a hero because he refused to be part of an
that is routine and as simple as being given a
Army culture that preys on the weak.
G
nickname is to be part of the problem. There is a crucial difference between understanding
Zi is a sophomore in CAS studying philosophy. She
the harsh and racist realities of Army life and
likes stuffed animals, crabs, and military history.
to say those realities are acceptable. There is a
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Saving Private Chen 13
The American College’s Guide to Selecting Chinese Students by Evelyn Cheng
E
veryone is vying for excellent schools, but cultural differences
between China and America determine what is the acceptable route to the top. NYU sophomore Jennifer Zhang, 18, decided to attend college in the United States when she was a high school freshman in Beijing. The choice set her on a path towards America’s SAT and away from China’s rigorous college entrance exam, the gaokao. Like many Asian countries, China holds a nationwide test each June, and the results determine what college a student can attend regardless of his educational background. Although Zhang was spared the stress of the gaokao, she had to pay a popular college application agency, New Oriental, $4,000 to help her navigate the more complex American application process. “I wrote my own essays, and they helped me choose my school,” Zhang said.
International students contribute nearly $21 billion to the United States economy from tuition and other expenses.
Zhang is just one of nearly 158,000 Chinese international students in America. The number of undergraduate students from China increased by 43 percent last year, reported
of their parents, as well as some agency
the Institute of International Education last
representatives, who were mostly consistent
fall. This strong Chinese presence can be felt
in their reports of applicant cheating. Faced
on the NYU campus, where I hear Mandarin
with fabricated information, American colleges
on the street every day. Since international
have had difficulty discerning which Chinese
students seldom receive financial aid, colleges
applicants are truly worthy of acceptance.
welcome them, for they bring much-needed
Moreover, China’s emphasis on high scores
funds to universities. Indeed, international
over mastery has resulted in many seemingly
students contribute $21 billion to the United
qualified students with subpar English skills.
States economy in tuition and other expenses. However, the influx of Chinese students has
“I know from experience that we have many applicants applying to graduate school
seen an increase in application fraud. In 2010, the
with perfect GRE scores but limited ability
American college consulting firm, Zinch, released
to speak or write in English,” said Pedro
a report from its office in China, revealing that
Noguera, NYU Professor of Education. “It
70 percent of applicants did not write their own
raises questions about the credibility of the
essays and that 50 percent falsified their high
application, the scores and the applicant.
school transcripts. The study was conducted
We need to devise ways to screen applicants
over 250 Chinese high school seniors and some
carefully to insure fairness and to avoid bias.”
14 World
providing a solid knowledge base. An interview could help determine which Chinese high scorers would thrive in a critical-thinking atmosphere. American institutions can also evaluate applications more objectively by understanding that what is unethical in America is often accepted practice in China. Zinch reported that 90 percent of Chinese applicants submitted recommendation letters written by someone other than a teacher—usually the student. In a country where social status is highly respected, few Chinese students would consider bothering a superior to write a letter for them. However, in schools more accustomed to Western culture, instructors, such as Zhang’s homeroom teacher, will write the letter. These letters often need to be translated into English, conflicting with American requirements of confidentiality. Such apparent cases of fraud can be mitigated by realizing that the Chinese emphasize the connection with high rank rather than the recommendation letter itself. As a solution, Zinch, as well as Jiang Xueqin,
Lying and cheating exist in both countries.
Peking University High School deputy principal
But the differences—the reason why Zhang
and Yale graduate, suggest an interview. In an
and thousands of other Chinese students hire
article entitled “Selecting the Right Chinese
agencies—lie in America’s greater appreciation of
Students,” which appeared in The Chronicle
the individual. In considering each student’s life,
of Higher Education last fall, Jiang says that
American colleges attempt to mold their student
students from China’s rote education system
bodies around personal attributes to achieve goals
tend to score well on the SAT and TOEFL, enabling
of diversity. The qualities of an individual can be
them to enroll at top American universities.
presented in an application through volunteer work
But he argues that the students who would
or personal accomplishments, such as overcoming
benefit the most from America’s creative,
socioeconomic disadvantages. However, as a
critical-thinking based education are those
developing country of one billion people, China
who perform poorly on standardized tests and
lacks the capacity to give all its youth a college
consequently rejected by American colleges.
education, instead reserving university spots for
Although Jiang correctly identifies cultural
only high scorers on the gaokao. If Americans were
issues as the crux of the issue, I believe the
to apply to Chinese universities, test scores would
solution to distinguishing between competent
be more valued than extracurricular activities.
and incompetent students lies in a deeper
With distinct socioeconomic situations, neither
understanding of the Chinese culture rather
country has the better college acceptance process.
than attempting to analyze applicants based on
Cultural disparities simply demand a deeper
their intellectual curiosity alone. While critical
understanding of a foreign culture as students
thinking skills enable scientific innovation, a good
from both countries venture overseas. G G
grasp of scientific and mathematical concepts is still necessary. Chinese education requires
Evelyn Cheng is a sophomore majoring in Journalism
extensive memorization of items ranging from
and Urban Design & Architectural Studies. She
Confucian sayings to scientific formulas, thereby
enjoys reading and cooking Chinese food.
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The American College’s Guide to Selecting Chinese Students 15
INTERNATIONAL LOVE Adoption from Asian Countries by Eunice Lau
M
olly Feazel’s mother describes her
the time an adoptive mother asked her if she
daughter’s friends as “tall, thin,
had a recipe for mooncakes. She explained that
and blond.” Despite the differences, Molly
Chinese people don’t make their own mooncakes
replies, “I don’t see myself as different at all.”
and that local stores usually sell them. To this,
In a New York Times article about adopted
the adoptive mother replied, “Well, I’m sure real
Asian children growing up in America, Molly,
Chinese people make their own mooncakes!”
who was adopted from China in 1991, shares a
culture might also hurt or deter their child’s
her identity is not fully contingent on the fact
personal interests. In another instance, an
that she is an adopted child from the other
mother took her adopted daughter, Oona, to a
side of the world. The way Molly sees it, there
Chinese New Year Parade even though the loud
is no significant difference between her and
firecrackers scared her. When Oona’s friends
her friends—they are all just teenagers.
did ballet, she learned gymnastics, an activity
The ease at which Molly talks about her sense of self offers a contrast to the fierce efforts
16 World
The parents’ misunderstanding of Asian
personal and refreshingly honest sentiment:
that is often associated with Asian culture. The overemphasis of birth heritage suggests
of some adoptive parents to ensure that Asian
that adopted children need extra doses of their
culture is apparent in their child’s life. They
Asian background in order to feel connected to
fear that their child will lose ties to her birth
a part of who they are. A handful of adoptive
heritage. They constantly surround their child
parents do not treat their child’s birth culture
with cultural events, activities, food, clothes and
as a natural part of their child’s identity, but as
television programs. However, some parents have
something that needs to be constantly tended to
a distorted perception of Asian culture and they
in case it will be lost forever. Yet, as we can see
often see it as something that is more exotic than
from Molly’s musings about her feelings as an
it really is. A Chinese American parent recounts
adopted child living in America, these children
The overemphasis of birth heritage suggests that adopted children need extra doses of their Asian background in order to feel connected to a part of who they are.
can construct their own identity without a huge
to learn German rather than Chinese, watch
emphasis on their birth culture. Like every other
the Disney Channel rather than anime, and eat
child, Molly and other adopted children have a
Italian dishes rather than Japanese cuisine, is
multitude of interests, hobbies and talents.
basically an individual who wants to experience
In a New York Times article, Qiu Meng, a girl who was adopted from China, talks about
different aspects of what the world has to offer. Jesse Eisenberg, a freshman majoring in
her time at a camp for adopted children. Before
theatre at Tisch, describes his childhood as a
she left, all the campers made string bracelets
fulfilling blend of both his Korean and Jewish
as a reminder of their time together. She was so
backgrounds. Adopted from South Korea,
touched by the collective gesture that when her
Jesse says, “I grew up in a very multicultural
volleyball coach told her to remove the string for
environment at home. My dad cooked Asian
a game, she simply hid the bracelet and hung it
food for me and I watched American TV and
in her bedroom when she got home. Qiu Meng
read British books.” How are his experiences
shows us that just because birth culture is not a
completely different from another individuals’?
focal part of our lives, it does not mean that we
In the end, the simple fact that we are here,
are losing a part of who we are. It just means that
present in a world that can provide us with so
other aspects of our identity are coming through.
much that we end up feeling and experiencing
It is true that internationally adopted children
things that are not that different from each
do not grow up with their birth parents in their
other shows us the true meaning behind Molly’s
country of origin. Yet, this fact should not be
words: “I don’t see myself as different at all.”
an automatic signal for parents to provide their adopted child with extra, intensive exposure to
Eunice Lau is a freshman majoring in
their birth culture. A child from Asia who wants
applied psychology at Steinhardt.
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International Love: Adoption from Asian Countries 17
EMERGENCE
18 Arts & Culture
by Joey Wang A lot has changed since the last time I came to China about 9 years ago. It is true that while the government still may technically have some err‌ restrictive tendencies, the population, the people, are completely different.
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Emergence 19
20 Arts & Culture
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Emergence 21
LET’S PLAY A LOVE GAME by Emily Lu
I
n recent years, a variety dating show called Fei-Cheng-Wu-Rao (非诚勿扰) blew up
in China. It is categorized as a “large-scaled lifestyle service television show” (大型生活服务类节目) and its purpose is to help 24 single females and five males find a partner amongst each other. Fei-Cheng-WuRao quickly rose to fame in China because the contestants’ uncensored thoughts and feelings realistically reflect modern Chinese society’s rather uptight mindset about marriage. Fei-Cheng-Wu-Rao shares some striking similarities with the popular English dating show titled, Take Me Out. They share almost
Photo courtesy of hometown.scau.edu.cn
the same exact structure, but the guests on Take Me Out are only looking for casual dates, not someone that they want to share the rest of their lives with. In China, romantic or friendly relationships between a man and a woman are taken more seriously. Physical contact
One female guest commented, ‘You have no house and no car. Who on earth would want to be with you?’
between two friends of opposite gender is almost always absent unless they are involved in a romantic relationship. In the traditional Chinese mindset, marriage is so sacred that
of common people and it allows the audience
it is unacceptable to end one under any
to see all kinds of people in China. It is hard to
circumstances. A divorce shows the couple’s
ignore female guests who share a similar taste
immaturity and incapability to maintain and
in wealthy guys. Because of the show’s relaxed
preserve a stable life together. The serious
atmosphere, many guests make controversial
attitude about marriage amongst its Chinese
remarks that often become trending topics
audience makes Fei-Cheng-Wu-Rao’s mission to
among Chinese “netizens” (Internet citizens). In
bring two people together extremely important.
one episode, after a male guest showed a video
As an avid fan of the show, I can confidently
22 World
about his job, education, family, view on life and
say that Fei-Cheng-Wu-Rao showcases a
social stability, one female guest commented,
surprisingly different and exciting side of
“You have no house and no car. Who on earth
modern China. The show focuses on the lives
would want to be with you?” Another female
young people who wash their feet with their parents’ money. Fei-Cheng-Wu-Rao proves that it’s not because the show purposefully selects materialistic individuals but because they are rather commonplace in China. However, similar people appear on popular American television shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette as well. I wonder why the viewers often refer to such Photo courtesy of bbs.3e-online.com
shows as “trash.” Both American shows are about finding love, but the contestants initiate
guest made a similar remark when a male guest
relationships and interactions that are so
asked if she would like to go on a bicycle ride
scripted and impractical, it is hard to believe
and go shopping with him. The girl replied, “I’d
that they are trying to find true love. Most of
rather cry in a BMW.” Not just the females feel
us don’t stumble upon love during a trip to an
this way: one male guest came onto the show
extravagant resort that relinquishes men and
and described his ideal girlfriend as someone
women of their work and responsibilities.
with relatively more financial privilege than him and who would share her money with him. These comments sparked debates amongst
Fei-Cheng-Wu-Rao is appealing for a different reason: it portrays real people with ordinary lives that the audiences can personally
Chinese netizens over whether the younger
relate to. The show itself may reveal the negative
Chinese generation is brainwashed by
aspects of the contemporary Chinese society, but
materialism. Some believe that their pursuit
the revealing helps the younger generation to
of material things is attributed to China’s
see themselves in a self-critical manner. Rather
Capitalist reform and the country’s recent
than promoting an unrealistic perspective
booming economy. Most of the youth born after
about finding love, Fei-Cheng-Wu-Rao should
the 1980s tend to value material things more
be valued for its honesty and candidness.
G
than the older generation. A great amount of people from China’s upper class has the
Emily Lu is a freshman studying Dramatic
tendency to show off their money and social lives
Writing at Tisch School of the Arts. In her free
online. However, I see them as unappreciative
time, she enjoys shopping and traveling.
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Let’s Play a Love Game 23
RADIATION
Overreaction in Photo courtesy of jewel-pebbles-ii.blogspot.com
by Connie Lee
E
very six months, I have a dentist appointment that involves taking an
x-ray of my teeth. Before the nurse puts the film in my mouth, she lays a heavy lead vest on top of me. As she exits the room, I hear a beep, and before I know it she walks back in and takes the vest off of me and the film out of my mouth. Within those couple of seconds, I was exposed to two to three millirems (unit of radiation dose). On average, we receive about one millirem a day. Over the course of a year, that is about 365 millirems compared to the measly four to six that I would normally accumulate from a visit to the dentist. In America, it seems like we place an emphasis on blocking radiation from our bodies when we are at the doctor’s office, yet we fail to realize that we are also being struck by radiation every day and everywhere. In China, a more proactive approach is sought after to prevent radiation. The use of feng shui and foreign products are very popular methods to fend off radiation for Chinese people. By rearranging appliances and placing natural stones and crystals in specific areas around the home, feng shui serves to lower the amount of radiation. Additionally, antiradiation blankets and clothing are common for expectant Chinese mothers since they believe that being too close to computers and other electronics will affect the baby. Also, metal stickers provide protection against radioactivity in cell phones. Although China has many products on the market to prevent radiation, many of these have contradicting results: some Photo courtesy of jewel-pebbles-ii.blogspot.com
24 World
the East or Oblivion in the West?
testing has shown that the products do not work, while other studies show that they do. In contrast, Americans seem to take less initiative in protecting themselves from
Over the course of a year, that is about 365 millirems compared to the measly four to six from a visit to the dentist.
radiation. American researchers mainly conduct studies to become more informed and provide prevention tips for users. Every so often, we see a new article about cell phones possibly causing radiation or how research has been conducted on the long term effects of cell phone usage. Even with all this analysis, American companies have failed to come up with any anti-radiation products. At most, they suggest impractical tips like using the speakerphone option, a hands-free device or texting. However, texting does not replace a real call and how often would you casually pull out your headset to talk on the phone? When I first saw two little anti-radiation metal stickers on my cousin’s cell phone, I thought they were a little ridiculous. But as I learned about the effects of radiation, I started to wonder why nothing is being done here in America. Although it is necessary to do research to first understand the problem, the second step should now be taken to create a change by either helping China improve their products G or creating new ones here in America. G
Connie Lee is a freshman at the Stern School of Business majoring in Accounting and Finance.
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Radiation: Overreaction in the East or Oblivion in the West? 25
REQUIEM FOR A DREAM by Soo Mi Rho
T
he DREAM Act, which stands for the
booking a one-way ticket to their country of
Development, Relief, and Education
origin. Deportation. Many of the people who
for Alien Minors Act, is a bipartisan bill
qualify for the benefits of the DREAM Act are
proposed on the Senate floor almost 11 years
American to the core but can’t afford a college
ago. It aims to alleviate the difficult situation of
education in the only country they call home.
undocumented students in America by giving them a conditional stay in America. This six-year
of people of many origins. Trouble arises when
period allows them to pursue an education and
people of different identities see themselves as
eventually, eligibility for permanent status.
separate entities and not one collective being. We
Much debate surrounds immigration
throw around the idea that America is a mixing
legislation, and the DREAM Act is no exception
pot, but our actions tell otherwise. The idea of
to this. Interestingly, the arguments for and
prejudice for our own kind, in conjunction with
against it fall back into the all too familiar
the fear that allowing foreigners onto American
rhythm of who stays and who goes. Racial
soil would be to take away resources from
slurs are sometimes tossed around in addition
legal citizens, is a central and legitimate theme
to a fair amount of legitimate justifications as
in the debate over the DREAM Act. California
to why time and money should or should not
Representative Dana Rohrabacher expressed these
be allocated towards undocumented students.
sentiments when the bill was passed in the House
While both sides may be justified, the root of all
216 to 198 in December of 2010: “It is not being
arguments is enveloped in one central question:
cold-hearted to acknowledge that every dollar
How do we determine who is American?
spent on illegal immigrants is one dollar less than
Asian American, African American, white,
our own children…and for all those who are in
brown, what have you—“American” is a subjective
this society who played by the rules and expect
state of being. Yes, there is paperwork that can
their government to watch out for their needs.”
coronate you in red, white, and blue, but consider
The bill later failed to gain approval in Senate.
those to whom the DREAM Act would apply: the
26 World
Objectively put, the United States is one body
Thuy Lin Tu, Associate Professor of Social and
bill states that one must have entered the States
Cultural Analysis and Director of American Studies
before the age of 16, lived here consecutively
at New York University, shared her thoughts what
for five years, graduated from high school and
it means to be American: “I think the foundational
landed a spot in college, and have “good moral
relationship between the notion of American-ness
character.” I know a good number of people
and whiteness hasn’t actually changed despite
who fit this description, friends with whom I’ve
how different the population is now, and you
suffered through awkward junior high dances
can see it in something like the DREAM Act.” The
and years later helped adjust their tassels on
notion of whiteness brings about another slew
graduation day. Yet while I was booking my
of discussion, but the DREAM Act continues to
one-way flight to New York City, they were
become more and more conservative, adhering
A 2009 event in support of the DREAM Act in Los Angeles, CA Photo courtesy of Korean Resource Center/Flickr
Asian American, African American, white, brown, what have you—‘American’ is a subjective state of being.
the California DREAM Act, giving undocumented students a chance at private college scholarships for state schools. And in his most recent State of the Union address, President Obama encouraged an increase in the number of visas for highly skilled immigrants, many of whom hold graduate degrees in the U.S. but aren’t
to what many attribute as the white norm in
legally allowed to work in the States. And aside
American culture. In 2010, the bill was revised
from these “advancements,” there is always
with a smaller age window for eligibility and an
a running discourse on the bill among news
increase in restriction for federal student aid.
publications and online blogs. Yet none of these
Professor Tu believes something more
efforts have manifested in actual, impactful
radical than the current Act needs to take
legislation. Until then, the question of what it
shape: “[It] doesn’t allow illegal immigrants
means to be American hangs heavy over our
to get in-state tuition or financial aid. How do
heads. Look at the fellow student next to you,
people go to school without that? There are
the person brushing by you on the crowded
all these provisions that are very limiting.
sidewalk. We are all part of a motley crew in
What are we actually doing here?” As radical
the great United States, and our American
as this legislation seems to a good portion of
paperwork or lack thereof is only the mere
the American public and to Congress itself,
beginning of an incredibly critical discourse
we look back on the notion that America is
G on what it means to be American. G.
a land of immigrants. Ideas of who are the rightful immigrants—as if a hierarchy of
Soo Mi Rho is a junior majoring in Media,
immigrants exists—also have a significant
Culture and Communication in Steinhardt and
place in answering, “What is American?”
minoring in Business in Entertainment, Media and
With this, the future of the DREAM Act
Technology. Her life ambitions include traveling
remains unclear. Its most recent advancement
and one day being reunited with her dog, Coco.
took place in July 2011 when California enacted
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Requiem for a DREAM 27
THE RELIGION OF JEREMY LIN by Evelyn Cheng
J
eremy Lin’s emergence as a stunning Knicks point guard in early February
struck chords with several communities. Lin is Asian American, which is significant in the western-dominated world of sports and
Asian Americans can identify with Lin on a number of other points, but to me Lin’s faith is his most inspiring attribute. He is an Asian American Christian.
entertainment. He epitomizes the stereotype of the successful Asian American with his Harvard degree and path to fame, albeit in the rather nontraditional field of the NBA. He grew up in
Bible. In an interview with the Christian group
the Asian enclave of Palo Alto, California, as the
Patheos in 2010, Lin elaborated on how his faith
second son of Taiwanese immigrants. Like my
plays out in his life. “Last year, when the media
Taiwanese father, Lin’s father came to the United
attention was starting to grow around me, I felt as
States to study engineering. Asian Americans
though I had to play well just to please everyone
can identify with Lin on a number of other
else,” he said. “It was a great burden, and it took
points, but to me Lin’s faith is his most inspiring
the joy out of the game for me. … The right way
attribute. He is an Asian American Christian.
to play is not for others and not for myself, but
When I first heard about Lin in February,
for God.” As a Christian with the same desire to
I thought he was just another Asian American
glorify God, I find Lin a good example of how
in the news. But when I learned that Lin was
the Christian life ought to be lived. Whether in
a strong Christian, his life resonated with the
congratulating his teammates or having lunch
Asian American Christian culture I had grown
with a once-offensive former ESPN reporter,
up in. Lin attended the Asian American Christian
Lin demonstrates a different, godly spirit.
G
Fellowship at Harvard, while I attend the one at NYU. Yet more than a member of the Asian
Evelyn Cheng is a sophomore majoring in Journalism
American Christian community, Lin serves as
and Urban Design & Architectural Studies. She
an actual representative of the group. Lin often
enjoys reading and cooking Chinese food.
drops references to his faith in interviews: “I’m thankful to God for all this,” he said in response to a question from MSG in February about the “Jeremy Lin Era.” The media has also highlighted Lin’s faith with headlines such as “Lin and a Prayer,” indirectly bringing attention to the 6.6 million Asian American Christians in the country, who have had little coverage until Lin’s appearance. Lin’s constant mentions of God may irk some, but from a Christian perspective, those comments can lead to spiritual conversations and the furtherance of Christianity. Faith is also demonstrated with Lin’s player number, 17. Lin says the 1 represents himself while God is represented by the 7, a perfect number in the Photo courtesy of pimg.tw
28 The Religion of Jeremy Lin
THE GOD OF BASKETBALL by Joyce Chen
W
hen I see Jeremy Lin, I see someone who probably grew up in a household
about Twitter. I literally want you to follow me.” These references widen the gap between
similar to my own, where academics likely came
Jeremy Lin and me, as I struggle to understand
first. I am proud to see his #17 jersey on the court,
an aspect of society I have never been a part
a feeling I do not recall ever experiencing when
of. The more I see and hear, the farther I feel
watching basketball. When I hear Jeremy Lin’s
from Jeremy Lin. It is hard for me to grasp this
name in the news, I am genuinely interested
unfamiliar concept, this idea of something that
in his life off the basketball court. Despite my
I do not believe in. I do not understand doing
overall lack of sports knowledge, I can now
something “for God” or the concept of “a calling.”
surprisingly participate in a conversation about
At the end of the day, in my mind, he is still
him. However, when I watch Jeremy Lin’s
different from the rest of the players that grace
post-game interviews on YouTube, I cannot
the court. As a member of the Asian American
relate to the constant religious references he
community, he represents Asian Americans
makes. Instead, they make me uncomfortable
as a whole—Christian, Buddhist, Jewish,
because they strike me as overdone.
and any religion (or lack thereof). Everyone,
I do not understand doing something “for God” or the concept of “a calling.”
even atheists, can relate to some aspect of the Linsanity that has swept the country.
G
Joyce Chen is a freshman studying Psychology in CAS.
Many of his fans are Asian American Christians, creating a link between them of religion and faith. As an atheist, I am unable to relate to this huge aspect of his life. Growing up in a household void of any God-like presence, I first learned about the story of Adam and Eve in my high school Ancient World History class. Besides this, my religious experiences are limited to numerous mitzvahs in middle school. I am not accustomed to strong, public declarations of faith, something recurrent to Lin. From watching several interviews with the Harvard graduate, I hear statements like, “I have to remember my calling. My purpose on this Earth is to glorify God in what I do.” I read excerpts from the Bible that appear at the end of his own videos and in his tweets. I see his Twitter profile picture depicting Jesus and a man on a bench with the caption: “No, I’m not talking
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Photo courtesy of ESPN
The God of Basketball 29
SPRING Directed by Rachel Liu
30 Section Name
Alex Jiang, Stern School of Business, 2013
Vera Dong, Stern School of Business, 2013
FASHION Photography by Joey Wang
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Article Title 31
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Anna Weng, Gallatin, 2013
Patrick Yan, Stern School of Business, 2013
32 Section Name
Clara Yang, College of Arts & Science, 2014
John Lim, Stern School of Business, 2015
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Article Title 33
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Gloria Lee, Steinherdt, 2015
Jay Kim, Steinherdt, 2015
THE WESTERNIZATION OF YOGA by Jackie Mai
I
Photo courtesy of elephantjournal.com
struggle to keep my balance as I hold my chair pose in the packed room of “Yoga
to the People,” a donations based yoga studio located the middle of St. Marks. Next to me, the woman sighs a loud deep and prolonged sigh that echoes and encourage others to do the same, sending out a rippling effect across the room. What can we attribute to the rise of yoga in America? What may have started out as a fascination with “exotic” eastern practices has become a cultural experience for mainstream America. There is also the element of health so tightly attached to the word in our society that for many, yoga is nothing more than a relaxing substitute for a full workout, part of their weekly exercise regiment. In a country with increasingly high obesity rates, another factor in its popularity could be the ongoing rise of overweight American women looking for the next weight loss option. Every year, Americans spend 5.7 billion dollars on yoga classes and products, including equipment, clothing, and media. Yoga’s incorporation into celebrity lifestyles has only increased its appeal, with trendsetters like Lady Gaga, Jennifer Aniston, Russell Simmons, and Ashton Kutcher raving about its benefits. Yoga is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, where in New York City alone, studios have been popping up under every commercial building. Just last month, a
Photo courtesy of demotix.com
studio opened up three blocks away from my home in Queens. Yoga classes are offered at
ironic gesture for yoga enthusiasts trying to find
nearly every gym, and offered as gym electives
tranquility in the middle of our bustling city.
in schools. It has become so integrated into our
With no surprise, yoga is becoming a very
culture that friends meet up to go to yoga as if
profitable business. Lululemon, a retailer for yoga
they’re catching up over coffee. In celebration of
apparel, has realized growing profits year after
our love for yoga, every year, the Solstice takes
year since its IPO in 2008. Retailers Victoria’s
place in the middle of Times Square, a grand
Secret and American Eagle have also incorporated
34 Arts & Culture
yoga wear in their sportswear line. L. Burke Files, independent business owner and financial investigator, argues in his book How to Start and Maintain a Profitable Yoga Business, that the path to spreading its message across the world includes delving into the business domain. He believes that only when spiritual and business elements are aligned can yoga become fully realized. While this statement alone opens up room for discussion and disagreement amongst yogis across the globe, it is clear that for yoga to have taken NYC by storm overnight, it seems, it must be doing something that resonates with this city. Yet is the commercialization of yoga a necessary and organic obstacle that advances its teachings, or have we fundamentally altered its meaning in a way that
Yet is the commercialization of yoga a necessary and organic obstacle that advances its teachings, or have we fundamentally altered its meaning in a way that strips it of its substance?
strips it of its substance? Perhaps its introduction into the American landscape marked the inevitable onset of another capitalistic opportunity. The origins of yoga trace back to the
room of over 105 degrees fahrenheit. Choudhury
Shamanism in 3000 BC and Rig-Veda, the oldest
was a student of Bishnu Ghosh, whose lineage
text, a composition of hymns about prayer and
has focused on translating eastern philosophies
divinity. Only centuries later Buddhism adopted
and practices into a language that is more closely
it and infused elements of posing and meditation.
attuned to the Western mindset than can be found
Swami Sivananda introduced the five principles
within their original traditional Indian contexts.
that make up modern day yoga: proper relaxation,
Already, we begin to see the westernization of
exercise, breathing, diet, and meditation. Whereas
yoga, and the ease of its success in America. The
the traditional goal of yoga was to realize one’s
more popular the practice of yoga becomes in
spirituality with oneself and to realize one’s
the West, the more we’ve done to strip it of its
“brahman-hood,” the principles introduced by
spiritual elements, if not to emphasize certain
Sivananda depart from spirituality and instead
aspects that seem to fit with our understanding
focus on serenity of the body and mind.
of yoga—the mere physical aspect of it.
G
Why and how did yoga in our minds, become so separated from its religious roots? A look at
Jacqueline Mai is a sophomore studying Finance
modern yoga revolutionaries shows us how they
in the Stern School of Business. In her free
encouraged and sped up the process of exposing
time, she enjoys reading and cooking.
yoga to the public. Rodney Yee is among some of the more modern revolutionaries who introduced yoga to mainstream media in the early 90’s. He is an American yoga instructor who began making instructional yoga videos and DVDs, which made him rise to national prominence. In addition, Bikram Choudhury is the founder of Bikram yoga, a form of yoga that includes hatha poses done in a
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The Westernization of Yoga 35
KFC
Photo courtesy of Bon Bon Chicken
Photo courtesy of Yoonjoo Kim Photography
FRIED CHICKEN’S JOURNEY FROM KENTUCKY TO KOREA by Hasun Won
I
t’s juicy, it’s succulent, and it’s crunchy. What am I talking about? Fried chicken.
Not just any fried chicken, but KFC or Korean Fried Chicken. While the familiar-to-us American fast food restaurant may be sufficient for a regular occasion, there are some days when
They also started using light coats of tempura-like batter that resulted in perfectly cooked, individual pieces of chicken with a deceivingly fluffy, transparent crust that cracks with a satisfying crunch.
hearty, southern Kentucky Fried Chicken with mashed potato and gravy just won’t cut it. But don’t confuse Korean fried chicken joints with KFC franchises. The restaurants share nothing in
that resulted in perfectly cooked, individual
common when it comes to taste or ambiance.
pieces of chicken with a deceivingly fluffy,
In the early 1980’s, American fast food joints,
transparent crust that cracks with a satisfying
including KFC, started opening up in Korea. This
crunch. Thus, the ultimate fusion between Korean
delectable American fast food tradition became
spices and American tradition was born.
the progenitor of Korean fried chicken as Korean
However, not all other Asian fusion foods
bar owners devised a way to increase their beer
have as rich a history as Korean fried chicken.
sales by spicing up the Southern heat a notch.
Take Kogi truck for instance, a food truck that
Tossed in a thick, sweet, and spicy sauce made
has been serving Korean barbecue-infused tacos
of ketchup, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and red
and burritos since 2008 and has now gained
pepper paste, Kentucky Fried Chicken became
over 80,000 Twitter followers. Kogi Truck
‘Yangyom chicken,’or sauced chicken. At the time,
offers immensely popular intercultural food that
chicken was viewed more a tapa than a meal to
clearly caters to the general American palette. On
Koreans, so Korean fried chicken quickly spread
the other hand, Yangyom chicken successfully
as excellent pub grub rather than as fast food.
replicates decades-old Korean hof bars that
Despite their initial popularity, Korean fried
serve fried chicken as a side dish for beer; it’s a
chicken joints faced one big problem when
truly Korean and American tradition combined.
they opened in the United States: American
So the next time you are eating Korean fried
chickens. Koreans usually fry the chicken
chicken, remember that you are eating a piece
whole, then cut to serve. However, American
of rich cultural and gastronomic history. Your
chickens were far larger than Korean chickens
G meal is bound to be much more enjoyable. G
and frying the chicken whole often resulted in undercooked meat. Korean Americans cleverly
Hasun Won is a junior studying history and economics
improvised by frying more manageable single
in the College of Arts and Science. Needless to
pieces of wings and drumsticks. They also
say, he is serious when it comes to good eats.
started using light coats of tempura-like batter
36 KFC: Fried Chicken’s Journey from Kentucky to Korea
CHANGING TIDES FOR ASIAN AMERICAN ACTORS by Cathy Ye
I
n all forms of media, from music to
Photo courtesy of CBS
By portraying the characters as effectively race-neutral, these directors have given these Asian actors the chance to be judged as actors first, rather than as Asians first.
movies to television series, Asian
roles are on the rise. And, for once, they are no longer being cast only in
it seemed that the actress herself was
stereotypically “Asian” side roles, e.g.,
being slated to be removed from the show. fans are more into him for his quirkiness
the math geek, the antisocial gamer, etc.
Her character was being portrayed as “in
and adorable social awkwardness. It is
Whether as lead characters or major
over her head,” and her death would not
crucial to note that the characteristics
assets to the plot, Asian characters
be unexpected. The flurry of negative
for which they are liked are seen as
have enjoyed a well-deserved increase
criticism from the viewers (“Take [Lori]
independent of their race and ethnicities.
in popularity on the screen, from
off! Give Kono some more facetime!”)
Even though the audience is aware of the
both their fellow Asians as well as an
in response to Lori’s introduction into
actors’ outward appearance, it does not
increasingly large crowd of non-Asians.
the show certainly influenced the
interfere with how their characters are
decision to remove her character from
received. Max (Masi) is liked because
later episodes of the show. The rush of
he is funny. He is not funny because he
approval from fans (“Great episode! Love
is Asian. He is simply funny. It would
seeing Kono back and Lori leaving!”,
have been easy for the directors to give
“Amen to that…it almost became a chore
Max a stereotypical Cantonese accent to
to watch her…”) cemented the show’s
create the comedic effect. Instead, they
position furthermore. An interesting
use clever lines and emphasize comedic
point to note is that the majority of the
delivery of those lines. By portraying the
commentators against Lori’s role in the
characters as effectively race-neutral,
show were not Asian; rather, they were
these directors have given these Asian
almost all Caucasian. Likewise, most of
actors the chance to be judged as actors
the people vying for Kono’s return were
first, rather than as Asians first.
Take CBS’s new hit remake of Hawaii
Caucasian. It is evident that race played
charismatic, and admirable, while Masi’s
This new trend definitely makes the
Five-O, for example; even though the
an infinitely small role, if any, in the
American media market more accessible
two lead male roles (Steve and Danny)
audience’s preference for Kono over Lori.
and friendlier to Asian Americans, as
are still played by Caucasian actors, the
People liked Kono because she was a good
well as other ethnic groups. In fact, this
majority of the rest of the characters
character, not because she was Asian.
procedure will be better for directors and
are Asian. This is not just because of the
CBS is not alone in the move towards
screenwriters in the long run as well;
setting (Hawaii); in the original series,
Asian actors and actresses. There recently if a role can be written as race-neutral,
more than half of the characters were
has been a marked influx of Asians
the pool of potential actors and actresses
Caucasian. As remakes generally tend
in American television and cinema.
grows exponentially. Moviemakers have
to go, the show was wildly successful
Whereas Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, and
the chance to tap into and showcase
in its first season, but began receiving
Jet Li were once the only Asian faces to
fresh new talent, and yet another market
scalding criticism from its viewers
regularly grace the big screen, nowadays
opens up to the new, ambitious young
because of one detail in particular—the
a new generation is taking the stage by
generation of Asian Americans. GG
lead female actress Kono (a Korean
storm. Grace Park (Kono) is just one of
woman) was in danger of being replaced
these examples. Her co-stars, Daniel
Cathy is a pre-med freshman in the
by Lori, a Caucasian woman. Kono’s
Dae Kim and Masi Oka, also enjoy a host
College of Arts and Sciences. She is
camera-time was greatly reduced, and
of followers. Daniel’s character is sexy,
addicted to dark chocolate.
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Changing Tides for Asian American Actors 37
COOKIE CUTTERS
HOW ASIAN WOMEN FALL INTO HOLLYWOOD STEREOTYPES
by Livian Yeh
A
t the height of her fame in
English all too well, had many lines in
because it defied stereotypes of obedient
Hollywood, Chinese actress
the film as one of the male protagonists.
Asian women. However, Liu’s roles
Ziyi Zhang, who is best known for her
This arrangement seems to demonstrate
after Ally McBeal seem confined to this
lead role in Memoirs of a Geisha, told
that Hollywood producers expect Asian
fierce Asian woman persona who uses
an interviewer that “Hollywood is
women to play obedient and docile roles.
sexual prowess. In Cashmere Mafia,
Even when given speaking roles,
she once again plays a cold, career-
not my world.” As an actress, Zhang should want maximum exposure,
Asian actresses are often assigned limited oriented character. In Charlie’s Angels,
which she could easily obtain in
performances. Li Gong, one of the first
Liu again takes on a dominant role.
Hollywood. After Memoirs of a Geisha,
Chinese actresses to launch a career in
The defiance of stereotypical obedient
however, Zhang followed through with
Hollywood, played supporting roles in
Asian women should be encouraged,
her statement and left Hollywood.
films such as Miami Vice and Hannibal
but Liu’s roles are often overly done.
Although she is currently still one
Rising. Portraying the mistress of a drug
Michelle Yeon, another Asian actress
of China’s most respected actresses,
lord in the former, Gong’s main objective
who seeks fame in America, also faces
not very many Americans have
was to look mysterious, dance with
the same issue of typecasting, despite
impressions of her beyond Geisha.
Colin Ferrell, and wear characteristic
her impressive filmography. Although
Chinese dresses. In Hannibal Rising, she
she speaks English fluently, she often
part in this phenomenon. Ziyi Zhang
plays a Japanese lady who educates the
plays characters whose main duty is
is known for not being able to speak
heartless serial killer Hannibal in the
to perform martial arts and to be the
English fluently. In fact, she was the
art of flower arrangements, ancestor
love interest of Caucasian men, like her
laughing stock of the Chinese press
worship and martial arts. All of these
role in the James Bond movie Tomorrow
for saying “I don’t know” to almost all
activities are often seen by Hollywood
Never Dies. Both Lucy Liu and Michelle
questions asked by reporters at the
as portrayals of typical Asian culture.
Yeon face typecasting due to their Asian
Cannes Film Festival. Nevertheless,
The fact that Li Gong, who is Chinese,
heritage, despite their fluency in English.
directors adore Zhang’s inability to
was cast as a Japanese character in
speak English. In Rush Hour 2, Zhang
both Memoirs of a Geisha and Hannibal
have improved throughout the years.
plays a Chinese gang member whose
Rising suggests that generalizations
Lucy Liu was recently cast as the
character performs martial arts and is
of Asian cultures still exist.
female version of James Watson in an
The language barrier may play a
not fluent in English. Memoirs of Geisha
Many Asian American actresses
The situation, however, seems to
upcoming adaptation of the renowned
evoked controversy when director Rob
who are fluent in English also face
Sherlock Holmes stories. Michelle Yeon’s
Marshall chose Chinese actresses for the
typecasting. Hollywood expects them
performance as Aung San Suu Kyi in
lead roles and clearly instructed them
to play Dragon Ladies, the Westernized
The Lady gained critical acclaim; the
to speak with distinct Asian accents.
stereotype of strong, dominant Asian
role was a rare occurrence for Yeon,
Marshall’s choices raised questions
women, with certain sexualized aspects.
who, for once, plays a character who
of whether in the eyes of Hollywood
Lucy Liu, whose parents came from
does not do martial arts. These new
filmmakers, all Asians are all the same.
Taiwan, is perhaps the most successful
casting decisions are perhaps rays of
Gender also plays a vital role here. In
Asian American actress. She played Ling
hope that one day Asian actresses will
The Last Samurai, actress Koyuki hardly
Woo on the hit sitcom Ally McBeal, a
have a broader range of characters to
had to speak English. Her performance
fierce lawyer who speaks Mandarin and
play, and won’t be limited to either Asian
consisted of looking longingly at Tom
is also highly sexualized. Ling Woo was
damsels in distress or Dragon Ladies.
Cruise and sporting gorgeous kimonos.
one of the few Asian Americans roles on
On the other hand, Ken Watanabe, a
television then, and Liu’s performance
Livian Yeh is a sophomore studying
Japanese actor who also did not speak
generated mostly positive reviews
Dramatic Writing in Tisch.
38 Cookie Cutters: How Asian Women Fall into Hollywood Stereotypes
HORROR-BLE ASIAN REMAKES by Taylor Maloney
“S
even days…”
surprise-twist endings. Popular Asian
The creepy video. The ringing
horror movies, such as Juon (The
phone. The chilling death threat. The
Grudge) and Shutter, also make use
Ring is one of the most, and arguably
of slower, more psychological scares.
the only successful Asian-horror
Tension is built up to make the audience
remake in America. While the film
feel very uncomfortable and then the
only grossed over $15 million in its
shocking twist or image is delivered.
opening weekend (about $15 million
The famous attic scene in Juon or the
less than The Grudge), the critics’
surprising twists in A Tale of Two Sisters
responses were generally positive.
are both effective in shocking and
David Ansen of Newsweek raved that
terrifying the audience. Why do the
it was “elegantly shot” and “visually
American remakes fail to do the same?
stunning” and Mark Dinning of Empire
Some critics have suggested that
Magazine stated, “As a concept, it’s
American directors have replaced the
flawed. As a remake, it’s good. As
slower, more psychological plots of
modern horror, it’s a firecracker.”
the original movies with cheap thrills
The Ring’s cinematography and its
and random, jumpy moments. James
terrifying suspense have earned it
Berardinelli from ReelViews in his
much praise amongst reviewers. But
review of The Grudge commented, “I
what about the other Asian remakes?
like a little more plot with my ‘Boo!’
How did, for instance, The Grudge or
moments,” and Michael O’Sullivan from
A Tale of Two Sisters (The Uninvited
The Washington Post stated “It’s just not
in America) do when remade? These
the kind of frightening that stays with
other films seem to fall short, receiving
you very long.” Perhaps, the American
mixed and often negative reviews
been very popular in Japanese horror,
remakes have been altered to satisfy
by critics and moviegoers. Why do
as seen in The Ring and The Grudge.
general teenage audiences, rather than
these popular Asian horror movies
Although Americans also produce movies being faithful remakes of their Asian
make less money and receive poorer
regarding spirits and demons, they often
counterparts. It may be too difficult
reviews as American remakes?
involve American urban legends or
to introduce and accurately portray
Christian beliefs, as seen in movies like
Asian beliefs and legends while still
Some Asian cultures have stronger
Cultural differences may be at play.
Candyman and The Exorcist. Perhaps,
targeting a specific audience. Perhaps
beliefs or more emphasis on the role
the Asian legends and beliefs are too
for Asian horror movie remakes to be
of spirits—whether through urban
unfamiliar or not explained well enough
successful, American moviemakers
legends or religious practices. For
to American audiences in the remakes.
will have to find new ways to translate
example, yuurei in traditional Japanese
So what kinds of movies have been
Asian horror elements to American
legends are souls that are emotionally
successful in America? American horror
film while still appealing to the various
attached to the physical world. Often,
includes a broad range of types of
tastes of American audiences.
women who were buried were dressed
movies, from bloody to psychological.
in white burial kimonos with their hair
“Slasher” films, such as Halloween,
Taylor Maloney is an Economics
let down, giving way to the appearance
choose suspense and gore over complex
Major in CAS. She enjoys playing the
of the yuurei: dressed in white with
plots while movies such as The Shining
flute and eating anything fried.
long, dark, messy hair. This image has
and Psycho include subtler scares and
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Horror-ble Asian Remakes 39
STAFF PICKS .CATHY YE.
.CHARLIE HE.
.CONNIE LEE.
.EMILY LU.
.EUNICE LAU.
.EVELYN CHENG.
.HAN YU.
.HASUN WON.
.JACQUELINE MAI.
.JAE HAN.
BEST LOCAL EATS
BEST BOOK
BEST MUSIC
Typhoon Cafe. It’s a cozy,
The Man Who Mistook His
Aziatix’s fusion of hip hop and
authentic Japanese restaurant
Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks
electronic is the perfect blend with
with delicious onigiri and
describes some of his most unusual
Flowsik’s beats, Eddie’s crooning,
sushi at affordable prices!
patients and their ailments.
and Nicky’s soulful voice.
Crumbs Bake Shop.
World on Fire discusses the effects
Sungha Jung’s guitar
Enough said.
of democracy and free markets on
cover of Big Bang’s “Blue”
countries with minority power.
is relaxingly melodic.
Just Sweet has a really
I randomly picked up Wait for
Nice Guys by Ryan Higa, Kevin
good red bean bubble tea
Me by An Na when I was younger
Wu, and Chester See. Hilarious
that’s good hot or cold!
and could not stop reading it!
music video and lyrics.
Nobu, a Midtown
The Korean War: A History by
Far East Movement’s
Japanese restaurant
Bruce E. Cummings blew my
“Live My Life (ft. Justin
with delicious
mind and sparked my interest
Bieber).” Another great
mochi ice cream!
for modern Korean history.
single, and I love JB.
Teariffic in Chinatown
Kazuo Ishiguro’s Nocturnes is
“Kiss” by Sam
serves delicious
a beautiful collection of stories
Kang and Tiffany
appetizers, entrees
about love, music, and dreams
Chung has officially
and drinks.
that enchants the reader.
stolen my heart.
Boka. I love
In From Beijing to Taiwan, So
Mayday’s “OAOA (Right Now is
their fried
Close Yet So Far, Zhao Xing
Forever).” The intro music and
chicken!
relives my dreams as she tells
the spirit of the piece inspire
of her travels to Taiwan.
fascination with the present world.
Gyu-kaku. Very yummy
Howl’s Moving Castle by
Sam Tsui. His covers on
Japanese barbeque, but be sure
Diana Wynne. The original
YouTube are amazing,
to get there during happy hour
book helps you understand the
sometimes even better
or else it’s very expensive.
Miyazaki film a lot better.
than the original.
Go-Go Curry! Asian comfort
Escape from Camp 14 presents
Dragonforce Soldiers of the
food doesn’t get better than
the journey of North Korean
Wasteland. An English rock group
the concoction of Japanese
escapee: a fictitious non-fiction
that pays tribute to the brutalities
curry, fried pork and rice.
exposé on North Korean tyranny.
of wars, e.g. the War in Iraq.
Brick Lane Curry
Norwegian Wood by Haruki
One Direction’s
House is great for
Murakami is a coming of age
“Up All Night”
their spicy curry and
novel set in Tokyo in the late 60s
album is my new
all you can eat buffet!
about depression and sexuality.
guilty pleasure!
I try to get the Green Wow
I enjoyed reading
I was amazed with “History”
Milk Tea from Kung Fu Tea
Romance of the
by EXO-K (and EXO-M). Such
at least once a week.
Three Kingdoms
powerful choreography!
(for the 4th time). 40 Arts & Culture
.JOYCE CHEN.
.JOYCE LAM.
.MICHELLE LEE.
.NANCY NAN.
BEST LOCAL EATS
BEST BOOK
BEST MUSIC
I really like the
When I was little, I loved the
The song “Qing Fei De Yi” by
Coconut Shake from
book Sadako and the Thousand
Harlem Yu makes me really happy!
Teariffic in Chinatown.
Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr.
Spicy cumin lamb noodles from
The Devotion of Suspect X
Urban Zakapa’s soulful and jazzy
Xi An Famous Foods sets my
by Keigo Higashino is a great
tunes complement lazy Sunday
tongue on fire and gets my heart
murder mystery novel for
mornings or pensive coffee breaks.
racing (in a totally good way)!
those who love twists.
Pho 32 at St. Mark’s! Great
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.
2NE1’s “Fire.” Love their
flavored noodle soup that’s
A controversial memoir on the
style, especially their clothes
heartwarming after a long day.
Eastern style of parenting.
in the music video!
Paris Baguette sells light, fluffy
I love reading
Welcome to the Block
cakes and adorable little pastries
Naruto!
by Block B brings a
topped with fresh fruit and cream. .PATRICK YAN.
.RACHEL LIU.
.SARAH CHEN.
.SOOMI RHO.
.TAYLOR MALONEY.
.YUNA PARK.
new attitude to K-pop.
Keun Jib has delicious Korean
Happy Family by Wendy Lee tells
Ailee’s chart topping hit
staples, but be prepared to
of a young Chinese immigrant
“Heaven” highlights her
drop a pretty penny.
girl’s struggle with identity.
beautiful voice perfectly.
Totto Ramen. Personally, I
Photo book 未来ちゃ
Dumbfoundead’s sick new
think it’s better than Ippudo.
ん (Future-Chan) by
album DFD combines addicting
It’s small but very authentic.
Kotori Kawashima.
beats with smooth lyrics.
It is really worth
The Art of Speaking by Cai
“I Won’t Like You,” the theme
eating at Gyu-
Kangyong discusses various
song of the Taiwan drama show In
Kaku during their
ways of speaking that are both
Time With You, is one of the most
Happy Hour!
strategic and beautiful.
popular songs in Taiwan this year.
Megu’s Kobe beef was great,
Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 spills
Swedish band Little Dragon.
but I was more excited to
over to fantasy, yet it reveals more
Especially their older, less
Instagram the ice Buddha.
about reality than nonfiction.
electronic albums.
Jing Fong on Elizabeth Street
The Kite Runner follows the fall
Jennifer Chung has soothing
has great dim sum and a huge,
of the Afghani government and
but powerful vocals. Her new
welcoming dining hall.
the rise of the Taliban through
music video “Common, Simple,
the story of a boy named Amir.
Beautiful” is now on YouTube!
Gahm Mi Oak! Best
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan!
Ye-Eun’s self-composed “Hello
sullongtang (ox bone
I can read it again and again.
to Myself” from the Dream High
soup) in NYC. .ZI LIN.
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2 OST. Sincere and motivating.
Klong. The little green chilis
Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal
The Pillows are older
burn like hell, but the delicious
Alchemist. Great characters,
than I am, but they still
Thai food is definitely worth it.
great plot, great art.
churn out great music.
generasian.tumblr.com
Staff Picks 41
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