VOL 36 NO 17 | APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017 by Northwest Asian Weekly

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA

VOL 36 NO 17

APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

FREE 35 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Local journalists weigh in on diversity, technology, and the future of TV news

MAYOR ED MURRAY Affordable housing proposal unveiled for ID. » see 2

A-POP RYAN TAKEO

LORI MATSUKAWA

BRIAN FLORES

MICHELLE LI

SIEMNY KIM

Chicken wings, half-white male leads and more! » see 7

ANIME MOVIE FESTIVAL HANA KIM

MONIQUE MING LAVEN

AARON LEVINE

RYAN YAMAMOTO

PATRANYA BHOOLSUWAN

What to expect at the first of its kind Cinerama event. » see 8

By Starla Sampaco NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

hese days, reporters have to do more with less. In TV markets across the country, news staffs are shrinking. As a result, many broadcast journalists have taken on more roles within their stations. “Before, smaller markets would have one-man bands or one-woman bands,” said Ryan Takeo, of KING 5. “But now, that’s something that’s taking shape in larger markets like Seattle, too.” Takeo is what the industry refers to as an MMJ — a multimedia journalist. In addition to appearing on-screen to report his stories, Takeo often shoots and edits videos as well. But that’s not all. Producing the TV product is just one part of his job. Takeo, like many MMJs, is also responsible for producing stories for online audiences. He often writes web versions of his TV stories and posts news content to Twitter and Facebook. Several local TV journalists said posting stories to Twitter and Facebook is now a necessity. When journalists first started using social media to promote their work, it was something they did only if they had time. Social media has now become part of the storytelling process. “The most dramatic change is our competition — television news is competing against the internet,” said Lori Matsukawa, KING 5 anchor. “It’s really turned the industry on its head.” Matsukawa has worked in television news for nearly 40 years. She has embraced this shift to social media and digital storytelling. “It helps me do my job better,” Matsukawa said. “That’s where a lot of our viewers are.” As a result of this shift from traditional TV journalism to digital storytelling, the expectations placed on TV journalists have changed dramatically. “When I was in college, we didn’t even talk about

■

see JOURNALISTS on 12

NADESHIKO Exploring the giggly, shy, submissive stereotype of Asian women. » see 9

BLOG Murray vs. MgGinn, again. Publisher Ng on where their Asian supporters stand. » see 10

COMMUNITY » 2 CALENDAR » 6 ASTROLOGY » 13

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35 YEARS

APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Two South Asian Americans to fill key positions in Trump administration

Vishal J. Amin, currently senior counsel on the House Judiciary Committee, was named to serve as intellectual property enforcement coordinator, according to an April 7 White House news release. Known informally as the “IP czar,” the position was created by Congress Vishal J. Amin in 2008 to develop ways to combat piracy. The president also said he planned to nominate Neomi Rao, a professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, to fill the role of administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, according to the news release. Rao would lead an office tasked Neomi Rao with reviewing regulations from the executive branch, approving government collection of information, establishing statistical practices, and coordinating federal privacy policy. ■

ICHS founder Allen Muramoto to receive Bloom Award

Dr. Allen Muramoto, a key figure in the founding of International Community Health Services (ICHS), will be honored along with Country Doctor Community Health Centers at the annual Bloom Gala on May 6. “Health care reform faces a huge turmoil,” said ICHS CEO Teresita Batayola. “It is crucial Dr. Allen Muramoto that we continue to remember our driving mission to care for those who most need care. Allen Muramoto and Country Doc embody that driving mission.” As a student at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Muramoto joined with other student activists in the

spring of 1971 to form “Young Asians for Action” to provide free health services for the Asian elderly who lacked access to affordable care. As a result of these efforts, ICHS opened its first clinic in 1973. ■

Sakura-Con

2017: Big issues in a big country,” on April 5 at the Rotary Club of Seattle luncheon. The discussion was moderated by Nelson Dong, who has been president of the Washington State China Relations Council. The panelists answered questions on jobs and trade, relations between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, North Korea, cybersecurity, and democracy. ■

Easter egg hunt for visually impaired kids

“Moana” stepping away from other Disney princesses for a quick picture.

Photo provided by Jane Nishita.

Matthew Hou’s cosplay, inspired by Naruto.

Hundreds of anime and manga fans attended Seattle’s Sakura-Con from April 14-16. The event featured a variety of fun activities for fans of Japanese animation, graphic novels, and pop culture, such as casual and competitive cosplay, anime screenings, gaming, dances, live music concerts, art contests, cultural panels, exhibits, and industry guest speakers. ■

Panel on China

Joanne Greco (left) and her newly adopted son from China, Joseph, 11.

Dozens took part in a special kind of Easter egg hunt on April 8. Pioneers, a community service group, hosted its annual egg hunt for visually-impaired kids at the Wesley Homes Retirement Community in Des Moines. The group puts beepers in eggs so the kids can find them and trade them in for candy. Pioneers also invited guide dog puppies to meet the kids and socialize the dogs. One of the participants was 11-year-old Joseph — recently adopted from China by Joanne Greco. This is his first Easter and egg hunt. He knows about 50 English words so far, and one of them is now ‘beep.’ ■

GOT A TIP?

From left: Nelson Dong, Dr. Robert Kapp, and Gary Locke

Former governor Gary Locke and Dr. Robert Kapp, chair of the China Committee of the Pacific Council on International Policy, took part in a discussion, “China in

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

Mayor Murray unveils affordable housing proposal for Chinatown-International District

editor@nwasianweekly.com

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From left: Sam Assefa, director of the Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development; Steve Walker, director of Seattle Office of Housing; Erin House, outreach coordinator with Futurewise and community organizer for Seattle for Everyone; Seattle Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, District 7; Marty Kooistra, executive director of Housing Development Consortium (HDC), Maiko Winkler-Chin, executive director of Seattle Chinatown-International District Preservation Development Authority (SCIDpda); and Doris Koo, community leader and executive director of the Yesler Community Collaborative.

By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Mayor Ed Murray signed legislation last week that will require new development in the Chinatown-International District (C-ID) to contribute to affordable housing, producing at least 150 new affordable homes over the next decade. The zoning change will implement the Housing Affordability and Livability

Agenda (HALA)’s Mandatory Housing Affordably (MHA) requirements. “Growth has brought thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in investments to Seattle,” said Murray. “But while we are the envy of many cities, we need to ensure this growth doesn’t push out the very communities that define our character. The Chinatown-International District is one of see MURRAY on 15

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YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

asianweekly northwest

Kumamoto earthquakes: Salesman who targeted Asian One year later businesses By Rumi Naito NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Rumiko Ohnari was pinned beneath a bookcase in her ruined house by the temblor that rocked Kumamoto Prefecture on April 16, 2016. The heavy piece of furniture broke Rumiko’s leg, but the rest of the family was unharmed, including her three dogs. Like many in Kumamoto, the Ohnari family was rejected by numerous shelters because they wouldn’t give up their dogs. Instead, the family slept in their car for three months until they were connected with Peace Winds, a Seattle-based NGO providing pet-friendly shelters to evacuees in Mashiki, the epicenter of the earthquake. During an in-person interview at her new temporary house in Mashiki last October, Rumiko told Peace Winds, “We would not have survived without the Peace Winds shelter.”

Challenging lives of Kumamoto evacuees

This April marks the one-year anniversary of Kumamoto earthquakes. Peace Winds reconnected with Rumiko to find out how she’s doing. “We can’t make a living...” were her first words over the phone. After the disaster, household incomes declined dramatically as there were not enough jobs available. The population in Mashiki was 32,600 before the disaster, it has decreased by 5,000. This population decrease has made it difficult for local businesses to thrive. The disaster caused an economic depression. Rumiko kept pleading, “I found that all of my three dogs have lost some of their teeth. Can you believe this?” Her dogs stay home all day in a tiny

cage in her very small temporary house (only 208 square feet) because Rumiko works outside. These dogs have to stay inside even on weekends because the neighbors who don’t own pets complain about the dogs’ behavior. Now the no-dog-outside rule is strictly regulated by her township committee. Rumiko has found that her dogs have been completely stressed out by being caged.

Pets need shelter in Kumamoto

sentenced for fraud

By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY John Yin of Everett — who sold software allowing businesses to underreport their sales to avoid paying taxes — was sentenced on April 14 to 18 months in federal prison.

Yin, 66, also must pay back $3.4 million, along with restaurants who used his product. The U.S. Department of Justice said Yin sold software built by Profitek, a Vancouver, Canada company that sells point-of-sale see TAX ZAPPER on 13

PSYCHIC READINGS Pets have been an important source of comfort for earthquake survivors in Kumamoto. However, many have decided to turn their dogs over to pet shelters because of their limited living space. Now, pet shelters are full. Peace Winds has decided to support a local dog rescue organization called Dog Rescue Kumamoto. Following the earthquakes, this shelter has been inundated with animals and shelter staff struggle to keep up. Yoshihiro Ikumatsu, a representative of Dog Rescue Kumamoto, says, “The day-to-day work taking care of our animals limits the time staff has to look for foster parents.” see KUMAMOTO on 13

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APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

35 YEARS

■ WORLD NEWS

Trump: China, US working on ‘North Korea problem’ By KEN THOMAS ASSOCIATED PRESS SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — President Donald Trump asserted on April 16 that China was working with the United States on “the North Korea problem,” and his vice president told American and South Korea service members that the North’s latest “provocation,” a failed missile launch shortly before his arrival in Seoul, laid bare the risks they face. While the North did not conduct a nuclear test, the specter of a potential escalated U.S. response trailed Pence as he

began a 10-day trip to Asia amid increasing tensions and heated rhetoric. Trump’s national security adviser cited Trump’s recent decision to order missile strikes in Syria after a chemical attack blamed on the Assad government as a sign that the president “is clearly comfortable making tough decisions.” But at the same time, H.R. McMaster said, “it’s time for us to undertake all actions we can, short of a military option, to try to resolve this peacefully.” see NORTH KOREA on 15

Taiwan bans sale, consumption of dog and cat meat

Lack of Korean films not political, says Beijing festival

BEIJING (AP) — Taiwan’s legislature has explicitly banned the sale and consumption of dog and cat meat and increased the penalty for animal cruelty, underscoring growing awareness of animal welfare in one of Asia’s most prosperous societies. The legislature amended Taiwan’s animal protection law to double the maximum penalty for deliberate harm to animals to two years in prison and a fine of 2 million Taiwan dollars ($65,000). People who sell or eat dog or cat meat face a fine of up to 250,000 Taiwan dollars ($8,000) and their names and photos may be publicized. Drivers and motorcyclists who pull animals along on a leash also face a fine of up to 15,000 Taiwan dollars ($500), according to the amendments passed on April 11. While consumption of dogs and cats was never widespread in Taiwan, the amendments point to increasing concern

By LOUISE WATT ASSOCIATED PRESS

for the treatment of animals on the island, where many residents lavish money and attention on their pets amid a plunging birthrate. Two decades after Taiwan began grappling with the abandonment of pets and other problems, the island has some of the most comprehensive protections on the books anywhere in Asia. President Tsai Ing-wen’s team portrayed herself as an animal lover during her election campaign, focusing on her two cats. She later adopted three dogs. ■

BEIJING (AP) — The lack of South Korean films at this year’s Beijing International Film Festival has nothing to do with politics, one of the organizers said, as relations between China and South Korea continue to plummet over Seoul’s deployment of an anti-missile system opposed by Beijing. Yonhap news agency cited unidentified South Korean entertainment industry sources last month as saying that Chinese authorities had revoked invitations for some South Korean films to show during the festival. Now in its seventh year, the Beijing festival started on April 16 and concludes April 23. Korean films have been shown in all previous years, and last year Korean actors appeared at the opening and closing ceremonies. This year, 15 films are

competing for the Tiantan prize, and the festival says a further 500 “outstanding global films” from multiple countries will be screened. None is from South Korea. When asked why, Ai Dongyun, vice secretary general of the festival organizing committee, told The Associated Press that movies were picked on merit without regard to where they came from. “The collection of films is oriented to the whole world, without preference for any particular countries. So it is a collection and presentation of excellent films from the world,” Ai said, adding: “It was not a political decision.” China’s furious objection to Seoul’s deployment of the anti-missile system known by its acronym, THAAD, has brought relations between the two countries to their lowest point since they established see BEIJING FESTIVAL on 13

At 85, Nepali aims to regain title of oldest Everest climber

Pair of giant panda cubs from China greeted in Netherlands

By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA ASSOCIATED PRESS

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Two giant panda cubs are being prepared for a new life at a zoo in the Netherlands following a long airplane flight from China. Male Xing Ya and female Wu Wen, 3-year-olds from Sichuan province, arrived at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on April 12. They were briefly displayed in cages at the airport before being transported to Ouwehand Zoo in Rhenen, a city of about 20,000 people in central Holland. The zoo will quarantine the pair for several weeks before revealing them to the public. The pandas will live in a Chinesethemed enclosure with indoor and outdoor areas and even a refrigerator for their favorite food, bamboo. Like other pandas loaned by China, the

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A Nepali who was once the oldest climber to scale Mount Everest is attempting to regain that title, at age 85, with hopes that the feat will help him spread a message of peace. Min Bahadur Sherchan plans to climb the 29,035-foot peak next month during a window of favorable weather on the summit. “I want to be the oldest person to scale Everest again to be an inspiration for humankind, a boost for the elderly people and an encouragement for youths,” Sherchan said on April 12 at his home in Kathmandu. “It will be a message for everyone that age is no obstacle to

Min Bahadur Sherchan

achieving their dreams.” The grandfather of 17 and greatgrandfather of six first scaled Everest in May 2008, when he was 76, but his record was broken by then 80-year-old Japanese see SHERCHAN on 13

youngsters are intended to be a breeding pair and the zoo has a nursery for their future cubs. For decades, China gifted friendly nations with its national mascot in what was known as “panda diplomacy.” The see PANDA CUBS on 11

APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

YOUR VOICE

■ NATIONAL NEWS

asianweekly northwest

Sikhs launch ad campaign that aims to stop hate crimes By STEVE PEOPLES ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK (AP) — Sikhs in the United States are launching a million-dollar awareness campaign that aims to stop hate-fueled attacks by explaining more about who they are and what they believe. The “We are Sikhs” campaign was years in the making, funded by Sikh leaders and their families across a dozen cities, who have been swept up in anti-Muslim sentiment since the Sept. 11 attacks. Their beards and turbans — symbols of equality

Jane Goodall: Magic of nature revealed in ‘Born in China’ By BROOKE LEFFERTS ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK (AP) — The magic of nature and its wildlife often takes great patience for the humans who want to revel in it. D i s n e y n a t u r e’s new film, “Born in Jane Goodall China,” is a perfect example of that. The documentary is a little over an hour but it was shot over three years. Dame Jane Goodall, an ambassador for Disneynature, said the imagery was breathtaking and shows the personality of the multiple species captured. “These photographers wait year in and year out and so they’re able to show the characters of these animals,” she said in

in a religion that opposes India’s caste system — make American Sikhs easy targets for the angry and uninformed. “Our hope was that as the memory of 9/11 goes down, things would get better. But they have not,” said Rajwant Singh, a dentist from suburban Washington and one of the campaign’s volunteer organizers. The ads, which will air on CNN, Fox News and on TV stations in Fresno, Calif., home to a large see SIKHS on 14

KING COUNTY NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

a recent interview with The Associated Press. “And people say, ‘Oh, Disneynature gives animals a character.’ No, the animals have their own character.” The film also shows another side of China. Viewers see a snow leopard hunt in terrain unfit for most mammals, a mother giant panda with her cub, and raucous golden monkeys jumping on high forest trees, sending the branches crashing to the ground as they chase and play. “(People) think of Beijing and Shanghai and glitz and all the rest of it,” Goodall said, “but China is huge and vast and some of these landscapes that are captured in this film are truly spectacular.” The documentary, Disneynature’s seventh theatrical release, is out April 21, the day before Earth Day. John Krasinski narrates but Goodall has done her part to

Proposals will be received for P00213P17, Work Order Construction Management Services for The Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN); by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 12:00 PM on April 26, 2017. Total Estimated Price: $2,000,000 There is a 15% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS) firms on this contract. King County, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all Proposers that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit proposals in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award. All solicitation documents are published at: https://procurement. kingcounty.gov/procurement_ovr/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fprocurement_ ovr%2fdefault.aspx Contact: Esther Decker, 206-263-9323, esther.decker@kingcounty.gov

see GOODALL on 13

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APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR APRIL 20

CID HAPPY HOUR FOOD WALK Seattle’s Chinatown-International District 4–7 p.m. APRIL MAHJONG NIGHT CO-HOSTED BY NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL Kin On Community Health Care, 4416 S. Brandon St., Seattle 7:15–9:15 p.m.

21–23 SEATTLE CENTER FESTÁL: SEATTLE CHERRY BLOSSOM & JAPANESE CULTURAL FESTIVAL Seattle Center, Armory, Fisher Pavilion and Seattle Center Pavilion Free admission cherryblossomfest.org

22 KAC-WA WILL BE WEEDING AND TIDYING UP FREMONT PEAK PARK IN HONOR OF EARTH DAY Fremont Peak Park, 4357 Palatine Ave. N., Seattle 10 a.m.–2 p.m. kaserviceday.org WELLNESS: IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR Rainier Beach Community Center, 8825 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free health screenings 206-288-7800 HELLO KITTY CAFE TRUCK WEST SEATTLE APPEARANCE Westfield Southcenter, 2800 Southcenter Mall, Seattle 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

35 YEARS

22 & 23

SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN PEONY & BAMBOO FESTIVAL Seattle Chinese Garden, 6000 16th Ave. S.W., Seattle 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $5 adult donation seattlechinesegarden.org

SUKIYAKI DINNER Japanese Baptist Church, 160 Broadway, Seattle $9–$15 jbcseattle.org

23 TAPSEA PRESENTS: HANDS-ON NOODLE MAKING & FRESH FRUIT SHAKE NIGHT 111 108th Ave. N.E., Bellevue 5–8 p.m. impactflow.com

25 RAINIER VALLEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND ANNUAL MEETING Ethiopian Community Center, 8323 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle 5–7:30 p.m. 206-722-5280 APRIL 25 THRU MAY 3

ANIME MOVIE FESTIVAL Seattle Cinerama Theater, 2100 4th Ave., Seattle 7 p.m. cinerama.com

27 THE ASIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND LOCAL LEADERS DISCUSS THE STATE OF AAPI STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION Northwest Wine Academy, South Seattle College, 6000 16th Ave. S.W., Seattle 6–8 p.m. Free

Broadway, Seattle 5:30–7:30 p.m. Free

ASIAN STUDENT COMMISSION PRESENTS 29TH ANNUAL TALENT SHOW Kane Hall, 1410 N.E. Campus Parkway, Seattle 8–11 p.m. AAJA SEATTLE DIM SUM SATURDAY AAJA Seattle 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

29 RE-EXAMINING IDENTITY THROUGH ART IN THE MODERN WORLD HOSTED BY ARTIST QIN TAN & THE CULTURESHOCK COLLECTIVE Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 4851 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma 4–7 p.m.

30 21ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED SEATTLE & BELLEVUE KOREAN SCHOOL Westin Bellevue Hotel, 600 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue 4:30–7:30 p.m. 425-638-1000, usbks.org

MAY 2

3 RECEPTION & PANEL DISCUSSION, “HISTORY, CONFLICT & PROMISE CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE UW” UW Seattle Campus, Walker Ames Room, Kane Hall 7:30 p.m. RSVP by April 26 uwalum.com/civilrightsuw 206-543-0540

6 ICHS’S BLOOM GALA WITH GUEST EMCEE LORI MATSUKAWA FROM KING 5 Sheraton Seattle Hotel, 1400 6th Ave., Seattle 7–9 p.m. $150 by April 9 $175 after April 9 206-788-3672, christinel@ichs.com CHINESE RECONCILIATION PROJECT FOUNDATION ANNUAL DINNER AND AUCTION The Ming Palace, 8736 S. Hosmer St., Tacoma 5 p.m. $65/ticket $520/table of 8 tacomachinesepark.org EL CENTRO DE LA RAZA PRESENTS THE 12TH ANNUAL CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION El Centro De La Raza, 1660 S. Roberto Maestas Festival St., Seattle 12–4 p.m. RSVP on facebook.com/elcentro72 ________________________________

LEGAL WORKSHOP SERIES FOR THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN SEATTLE HOSTED BY INSTAWORK Optimism Brewing Company, 1158

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The only weekly English-language newspaper serving Washington’s Asian community. The NW Asian Weekly has one simple goal: “To empower the Asian community.” The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any advertisement, letter or article. Subscriptions cost $40 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $30 for 52 weeks of the Seattle Chinese Post. The NW Asian Weekly owns the copyright for all its content. All rights reserved. No part of this paper may be reprinted without permission. 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

YOUR VOICE

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WHITE PEOPLE PLAYING ASIAN-Y ROLES, AND ASIANS DON’T LIKE IT! FOR GOOD REASON!

Ree Drummond

asianweekly northwest

A-pop!

Henry Golding

Scarlett Johansson in “Ghost in the Shell”

Loras Tyrell in “Iron Fist”

Ludi Lin

Asian hot wings.” (Major points for not calling them spicy Oriental hot wings, ‘cause you know. She could’ve.) Once she lays down this pan, everyone around her recoils and is like, whoa, what is with these garbage wings? JK. I was embellishing there for comedic effect. They actually say stuff like, “Where are the real wings?” and “I don’t trust ‘em.” You know, much like how we refer to people whose skin color we don’t like. And then Drummond goes, “I’m just kidding, guys. I wouldn’t do that to you.” She then goes back to the oven

and pulls out a pan of good ol’ Murican wings. Everyone is super jazzed that they aren’t stuck with eating inferior, foreign wings. Fade to black. It’s definitely a WTF few minutes of television, but you know what I’m really stuck on? The fact that the dudes in the clip apparently prefer buffalo wings — which is basically chicken + hot sauce + margarine. Have they ever even had the real KFC? Some Korean

By Stacy Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Hey, I’m taking over this column for a while. That means you will get a lot of cherry-picked Asian entertainment news. Huzzah.

Pioneer Woman doesn’t get that Asians are way better at chicken wings than she is

Back in 2012, “The Pioneer Woman,” a cooking show on Food Network, quietly aired a real racist segment oriented around chicken wings, and it generally went without a lot of comment — until someone caught a rerun probably and then alerted online community Thick Dumpling Skin, which blasted the racist clip on social media in the last month. I know. Where were the Asians in 2012? Off their game, that’s where! Anyway, let me tell you what went on in the BS segment. First off, it’s important to know that “Pioneer Woman” star Ree Drummond is a comedy genius and plays practical jokes on her husband all the time. Dude’s a superfan of buffalo wings. So to like, totally mess with him, Drummond opens the oven and pulls out a pan of what she calls “Spicy

see A-POP on 16

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asianweekly northwest

APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

35 YEARS

Cinerama debuts first Anime Film Festival By Tiffany Ran NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY On April 25, a team at Cinerama will debut its Anime Movie Festival. Its lineup of movies, featuring a list of classic favorites, will run through May 3. Each year, Cinerama narrows its focus to highlight niche content outside its usual blockbuster fare. In the past, this meant featuring unique sci-fi and horror films, including a well-received 70mm Film Festival last year where Japanese anime “Akira” was also shown. The response to Japanese anime at Cinerama has been fantastic and always sells out quickly, explained Josh Lackey, the marketing manager with Cinerama’s parent company, Vulcan. The response inspired the idea for Cinerama to host its first Anime Film Festival. “It’s kind of rare, especially for a theater as large as Cinerama to show these films dating back to the 1980s that are now considered modern day classics,” said Lackey, who says that in the future, they are open to expanding the anime genre to include animation from other countries and cultures. The growing interest in Japanese anime is palpable to staff at Cinerama. It plans to feature the well-received “Akira” again this year for the Anime Film Festival, along with genre favorites and classics like “Ghost in the Shell,” “Paprika,” and “Cowboy Bebop.” The line up began with a long selection narrowed down to 20 to 30 films with the final list depending largely on talks with distributors. Due to availability and demand, the final lineup inevitably includes an impressive range of Ghibli films, including films by renowned anime creator Hayao Miyazaki like “Spirited Away,” “Princess Mononoke,” and “My Neighbor Totoro.” Local anime vet and Anime Meetup organizer Zach McCue notes that while the Cinerama lineup consists of what some might consider “safer choices,” it is also a “good representation of the scope and breadth of quality of Japanese anime” and a good gateway for many who have not yet been exposed to the genre. “For me, there’s a really interesting and unique cultural exchange with Japan in terms of what we send to them and what they send back. I think the animation is an extension of that, to see how they interpret Western art styles and see how they use their own work. Miyazaki is big on European artists

and that is shown in his work in terms of the settings in his films. There’s also a film from the 1970s called “Bella Donna Sadness,” which visually takes a lot from Art Nouveau and 1960s and 1970s fashion magazines,” he explained. After failing to find a proper community dedicated specifically to watching and discussing anime films, McCue organized his own Anime Meetup in early 2012. The group has grown quickly since then — enough that McCue was able to step away momentarily, but returning more recently to host a Halloween showing of two “Vampire Hunter D” films. He is looking forward to catching Cinerama’s showing of “The Red Turtle,” a 2017 Oscar-nominated collaboration between Dutch-British animator Michael Dudok de Wit and Studio Ghibli. McCue hopes that the popularity of Cinerama’s anime

features this year may lead the theater to extend beyond showings and cultivate discussion in a larger forum. “I hope there is an opportunity to reach out to filmmakers to see if they’d be interested in coming and doing Q and A sessions and evening talks,” he said. “I don’t think there’s really an audience for that in Japan from what I understand. They don’t do a lot of public appearances. As a filmmaker, I think they would really appreciate being able to come and discuss their process. I’m hoping that’s something they’ll do in the future.” Lackey believes that the growing anime community and interest may inspire the Cinerama team to continue hosting an Anime Film Festival in subsequent years. To kick off the inaugural anime film festival, the Cinerama team has worked with the kitchen crew at TanakaSan to create a film festival menu that includes “I WANT HAAAAAAAM” ramen inspired by “Ponyo,” Lin’s balcony steamed buns inspired by “Spirited Away” and more. Lackey noted that the kitchen team at TanakaSan fired back a list of menu ideas within only a few hours of seeing the lineup — suggesting that there are also fans among the kitchen team who required little research to conjure up menu items. It went to show for Lackey, the wide reach and fast growing community of this genre. “A lot of people think of animation as for children but a lot of subject matters in these films are very adult. I personally find these idea and themes in a lot of titles, like the juxtaposition of industrialized society and nature. You see that pop up in ‘Princess Mononoke’ and in ‘Akira’… It’s a different way of experiencing how someone views the world,” he said. Lackey also notes that in the spirit of preserving authenticity, all but one of the anime films will be shown in Japanese with subtitles. Only “Ponyo” will be dubbed in English for the sake of younger audiences. While the more recent anime phenomenon “Your Name” will not be part of this lineup, the already promising response from ticket sales makes it likely that this modern anime will be a feature for future festivals.  For more information on Cinerama’s Anime Film Festival, visit cinerama.com. Tiffany can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

YOUR VOICE

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

asianweekly northwest

“Nadeshiko” a tale of time, machines, money, and ghosts

Playwright Keiko Green (front) with female cast.

Pilot and young Nadeshiko.

White-haired man (Greg Lyle-Newton) with Risa (Maile Wong).

Risa (front) with Sue (Mi Kang).

By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY A white-haired man (indeed, the program will give his character the name “White-Haired Man”) lets a young Asian lady into his condominium. Unless it’s a deluxe apartment. It clearly costs quite a bit. The young Asian lady, who will give a name not her own, clearly doesn’t have quite a bit. The White-Haired Man went on Craigslist advertising for a certain type of woman, to perform a certain type of act. To say exactly what would spoil one of many surprise in “Nadeshiko,” written by Keiko Green and directed by Kaitlyn McIntyre for Sound Theatre Company. Let me just say that it’s not quite what anyone expects. Something clandestine and forbidden though. Between the man’s stutters and flusters, and the young lady’s nervous apprehension, that much seems clear. They don’t know how to talk to each other, even if the transaction at hand theoretically simplifies matters. With his money, he can afford not only luxury, but isolation, control, and near-absolute domination of his environment. The young woman cannot. Economic disparity and the baggage that goes along with it make for two of the many things Green wants to talk about in her narrative. So the first act revolves mostly around how the young woman (played by Maile Wong) navigates the post-2008, post-job economy of the early 21st century. She had a job, but it ended. Like many people, she’s thrown herself onto Craigslist and other online listing agencies to find piecework. And while not all of this work involves sex,

a great deal of it does. She compares notes with her cousin Sue (Mi Kang), who’s found her own solutions to turning sex, or the lure of sex, into profit. But even through internet assignations, essential problems of culture and politics remain. The fundamental dilemma of capitalism — that what you produce is taken away from you, to profit someone else — holds. Even self-employed folks submit to producing, for others, in return for money, which they of course must give up for the goods they need, want, or think they need. The term “nadeshiko” itself refers to an idealized image of Japanese women, and perhaps an idealized image of Asian women in general: demure, shy, submissive, subservient, giggling behind a hand to avoid showing their teeth and open mouths. And two other trains of thought through the play take other takes on idealization of Asian women. A character herself called Nadeshiko (Ina Chang), a white-haired woman, Japanese, wanders across the stage, and across other people’s stories, in a spirit form. She’s wisecracking, funny, bold, tough, strong, everything “nadeshiko” does not imply, although of course she just might manifest another idealization, that of the tough but loveable grandparent. She realizes she’s some sort of ghost, but for all her humor, she can’t figure out how to release herself from the Earth. When will she be allowed to leave? And the third act opens with a kamikaze pilot (Josh Kenji) and one of the young ladies tending to his barracks. It’s late in see NADESHIKO on 11

asianweekly northwest

35 YEARS

APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

OPINION

Murray McGinn rematch Dynamics changed in the Asian community

Mayor Ed Murray with Asian supporters in 2013.

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY A supposedly smooth re-election for Seattle Mayor Ed Murray suddenly turns into a nightmare. First, The Seattle Times published a lengthy story of sexual abuse allegations against Murray on April 9. Four days later, the Times published an editorial, telling him not to run for re-election, thus opening the gate to other viable candidates. The message also encouraged former mayor Mike McGinn to run. That’s Murray’s latest blow — his opponent, McGinn, announced on April 17 that he is going to challenge Murray. A predictable election for the Seattle mayoral race has now become more interesting. In 2013, McGinn had some of the most powerful Asian American leaders supporting him, with the help of the late Washington state legislator Kip Tokuda, who lobbied many including Ruth Woo and Tomio Moriguchi to be in McGinn’s camp. Now, Bob Santos, Woo, and Tokuda are gone. What do those past McGinn supporters say about the race now? What about Murray’s Asian supporters, such as Martha Choe, Eric Liu, and Joan Yoshitomi? Are they still on board? Surprisingly, this race gives the Asian community motivation to get involved and vote. What strategy should the Asian community play to maximize gains in this election? Well, “Seek, and you will find!”

Community reaction

“I don’t need to think twice about supporting Mike,” said Debadutta Dash. “Mike was open and most accessible to the community. He showed up at smaller communities’ events, such as Nepalese and other ethnic groups.” McGinn was also the first one to support Dash after he announced his run for the Seattle City Council (two years ago). Deborah Juarez won that seat. Dash said Murray has not been able to do a good job on the homeless issue, he increases taxes a lot, but not a whole lot has been done in the city. Those on Murray’s side argued that he has done a good job as mayor. Martha Choe, former Seattle City Council member, said, “Mayor Murray has been an extraordinary mayor during the past three years. He

Mike McGinn wtih Asian supporters in 2013.

was able to bring all sides together for the nation’s first minimum wage law for any city and provided outstanding leadership with investments in early childhood education, parks and open space, and transportation. He has tackled homelessness and established a lens of race and social equity for all City programs and initiatives.” Murray once served as Choe’s council aide. Another supporter, Joan Yoshitomi echoed her support for Murray. “He has made good appointments — a diverse cabinet, including Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole. He has been responsive to the [city’s needs]. He has made mistakes ... some programs didn’t turn out right.” But it’s not that bad, she added. Murray has also appointed Asian Americans, including Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim and Chief of Staff Mike Fong. McGinn had also appointed Phil Fujii to be deputy mayor, but within a few months Fujii resigned. Sources said McGinn would say he would take the advice of his staff, then later do something else without consulting them or informing them that he changed his mind. Uwajimaya Chairman Tomio Moriguchi, a former McGinn supporter, is changing his position. “I want to stay neutral as possible. Murray was my neighbor.” He wanted to see what platform or messages each candidate is presenting. “Both are good people, but I don’t agree with them. They are too liberal.” One issue Moriguchi has been dissatisfied with is that both Murray and McGinn spent too much time on trying to get Seattle an NBA basketball team, and whether the city should pick KeyArena or Sodo to house the team. Moriguchi said there are more important issues which need attention, such as schools and roads, which need to be fixed. Some former McGinn fans are now Murray backers. The race has put them in uneasy situations. They did not want to comment on the candidates.

Similarities between the candidates

Both Murray and McGinn have cultivated close ties with communities of color. As liberals, both have track records in civil rights. Both spouses are of Asian descent. Murray’s husband is Michael Shiosaki and McGinn’s wife, Peggy Lynch, is of Japanese descent.

Then and now

The community was split between the two candidates in the last race, and some proMcGinn leaders had heated exchanges with the pro-Murray camp. Murray was quick to attack McGinn with a news release during McGinn’s press conference. “Mike McGinn’s divisive and

confrontational style led to years of paralysis, dysfunction, and infighting at City Hall.” McGinn admitted that he was abrasive in one of the mayoral debates with Murray in 2013. “I’d rather get things done” than “to get along with people.” see BLOG on 13

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APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

YOUR VOICE

asianweekly northwest

OPINION

■ EDITORIAL

The changing color of Seattle TV news

If you flip through the channels during the 5 o’clock news every evening, you will see that the faces of Seattle television news broadcasters has changed. Twenty years ago, the female anchors on the weeknight 5 o’clock newscasts on KIRO 7 (Susan Hutchison), KOMO 4 (Kathi Goertzen), and KING 5 (Jean Enersen) were all blonde and white. KCPQ (Q13) did not have a news operation at that time. When they did, they hired Leslie Miller, another blonde and white anchor. Those white blonde women have now been replaced with Asian American women — Lori Matsukawa at KING, Molly Shen at KOMO, and Monique Ming Laven at KIRO 7. Also notable at KOMO, Mary Nam co-anchors the 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. newscasts. In a 1999 interview with The Seattle Times, Matsukawa said, “I was part of that wave where it was very vogue to hire a woman. But I think there were concerns over hiring an Asian American woman. Connie Chung was the only big one at the time. It was like, weekends and mornings are fine, but do you want a woman of color as your primetime standard-bearer for the

Mary Nam

station?” Fast forward to today, Asian American women are now the face you see on primetime television, at least in the Seattle market. Things have certainly progressed. There was a time when the Northwest Asian Weekly would publish job announcements whenever a local television station hired on-air talent of Asian American descent. Now, it’s not such an anomaly anymore that we’ve stopped. That’s progress. I spent more than 20 years in TV news before I came to helm as editor of the Northwest Asian Weekly. The station where I worked my first job in Fresno, Calif.,

NADESHIKO from 9 World War II. The two young people think Japan will win, but of course, that’s what the government tells them. Aspects of the first act repeat subtly. As capitalism strips latterday characters of their work, this imperialist society shall strip the young pilot of the most he has to give — his life, of course. And both young women struggle with the unwritten rules of society, bumping up against that which exists, and that which must not be questioned. They must decide on who they are, amidst all the above. In the end, everyone, even the White-Haired Man, the very picture of privilege, emerges as understandably PANDA CUBS from 4 country more recently has loaned pandas to zoos on commercial terms. Most loans run from 10 to 15 years.

Monique Ming Laven

Molly Shen

Lori Matsukawa

had a Filipino female anchor in the late night news slot. As an intern, I shadowed a reporter of Filipino descent. Toward the end of my seven years with this station, I longed to make the jump to a big market and an opportunity opened up in Seattle for me in 2000. The coveted primetime and late night anchor chairs at all four stations were mostly occupied by whites. There was more diversity on morning shows at that time — Christine Chen at Q13 and Joyce Taylor on KIRO. I’ve always considered Seattle to be a “San Francisco on a smaller scale” and was a little surprised at the lack of diversity in 2000. I recalled lots of Asian faces on San Francisco TV news stations.

As an Asian American journalist, it’s very satisfying to see faces like mine represented in Seattle. As we celebrate this progress, we must remember not to be complacent. Behind the scenes, there have always been plenty of Asian Americans working as writers, producers, directors, photographers, editors, and assignment editors. But to make real change, Asian Americans need to advance to positions where the real power lies — as news managers and media executives. Currently in Seattle, three of the news directors in Seattle are white — two of them women. The fourth news director is a Jewish male. News directors are the boss of a TV newsroom and they are the ones making the hiring decisions. Eighty-seven-point-five percent of television news directors are white, according to a 2015 study commissioned by Radio Television Digital News Association. While there has been a slight increase over the last decade, the percentage of Asian American television news directors has risen only from 1.3 percent to 1.8 percent. If any market is capable of making this kind of progress, it’s Seattle. ■

human. I’ve outlined as best as I can, the evening’s ideologies and intellectual pursuits. I encourage you to go and see the humanness for itself. ■ “Nadeshiko” runs through May 7th as a presentation of the Sound Theatre Company, at the Center Theatre at Seattle Center Armory, 305 Harrison Street at Seattle Center. For prices, showtimes, and other information, visit soundtheatrecompany.org/2017-season/nadeshiko. Andrew Hamlin can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

China charges as much as $1 million per year for a panda, a fee many zoos will pay because the pandas attract more visitors and increase the zoos’ revenue, especially if new cubs are

born. Around 420 pandas live in captivity in zoos and reserves, the majority within China, while an estimated 1,864 live in the wild. ■

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asianweekly northwest

APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

JOURNALISTS from 1 social media,” said Brian Flores, Q13 Fox reporter and weekend anchor. “We only talked about how to put stories together for TV.” News consumers are increasingly turning to mobile devices and laptops for news consumption, and TV stations are now facing the challenge of keeping up with their audiences. Michelle Li, a reporter and weekend morning anchor for KING 5, said the relationships between TV news reporters and their audiences have had to evolve as a result. Li is active on social media and has won several Emmys for her interactive reporting. When she is not on TV, she often uses Facebook Live streaming to report information while she is out working on stories. “Before, people waited for the news to air on TV to see the story,” Li said. “Now we take the viewer on a journey of discovery and find out what the story is, together.” Li said social media also allows for more opportunities to participate in two-way conversations with viewers at home. During a Facebook Live stream, for example, reporters are able to respond to viewer comments in real time, whether they are reporting live in the field or from the studio. Siemny Kim, a reporter and anchor for KIRO 7, enjoys some of the engagement that results from this feature. When she interviews experts on Facebook Live, for example, there is time for viewers at home to get their questions answered by the experts themselves. Facebook does not have the same time constraints as TV. In addition to giving viewers more ways to access information, social media is also an avenue to providing feedback to journalists. Of course, social media is often a breeding ground for nasty comments. But constructive dialogue can result from digital interactions. “It’s worth listening to, and it holds you accountable as a reporter,” said Hana Kim, Q13 Fox reporter. “Even if people don’t agree with you, they’ll engage in a positive way.” Monique Ming Laven, KIRO 7 anchor, said viewer engagement is often rewarding and inspirational. She received positive viewer feedback from her feel-good series, #SeattleAntiFreeze, which is dedicated to thawing Seattle’s reputation for being chilly to strangers. The series airs on KIRO 7 and is posted to Laven’s Facebook page. In one of those stories, Laven featured Carol Rockstad, who was rescued by two dozen strangers after falling on rocks while hiking on a trail. When the story first aired, Laven knew only Rockstad’s first name and where she was from, so Laven was unable to contact her. The story was shared more than 460 times on Facebook and it reached hundreds of thousands of users’ news feeds, including Rockstad’s. Laven was later able to reconnect Rockstad to one of her rescuers on a followup #SeattleAntifreeze story, thanks to digital crowdsourcing. Aaron Levine, Q13 Fox sports director and host of “Q It Up Sports,” also values digital engagement. He has used social media to gather viewers’ opinions on his televised commentaries and initiate dialogues on sports-related topics. “Social media gives everybody a voice,” Levine said.

Experiences shape who are and how we tell stories

For many Asian journalists, cultural and ethnic backgrounds played a significant role in their careers. Siemny Kim was born in a refugee camp in Thailand after her family, who is of Cambodian and Chinese descent, fled the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. “My parents wore the scars of that,” Kim said. She was almost a year old when her family moved to the United States and has no recollection of the refugee camp. However, Kim was always conscious of her family’s background. “It drove me into journalism,” Kim said. “I respected freedom of speech and freedom of the press. I liked the idea that a free press holds government accountable.” Kim recognizes the importance of giving underrepresented communities a voice. Recently, she covered a forum on the deportation of Cambodian Americans. KIRO 7 was the only TV news station present at this forum. Kim said she is not sure if the organizers invited other TV reporters to cover the event, but she assumes they felt comfortable approaching her

because of her ties to the Cambodian community. After the story was posted on Facebook, Kim was surprised to see high engagement with the story on social media, not just locally but also on a national level. “Sometimes these immigrant communities feel marginalized, and their stories don’t get covered in the mainstream,” Kim said. “It just goes to show why it’s important to have diverse voices in media to advocate for these stories, when others might not recognize the importance of a story like that.” Involvement in ethnic communities also allows journalists to cover stories and issues that are often overlooked in mainstream media. “Sometimes you feel like you’re kind of an ambassador to the Asian community because you have this forum where you can talk about community issues that maybe wouldn’t get covered by the news,” said Ryan Yamamoto, KOMO 4 anchor. In recognition of the 75th anniversary of the Japanese internment, Yamamoto produced a story featuring Japanese communities in Ontario, Ore., a city close to the Idaho border. This was one of the first cities in the United States that allowed Japanese internees to leave the camps to work on farms. “These were real human beings whose lives were turned upside down,” Yamamoto said. “There are groups that are scared it could happen again.” Yamamoto said it is important for newsrooms to reflect the diversity of their communities. A person’s perspective on an ethnic community — and the way they cover it — will be enhanced by their experiences with or within that community. “It’s not that non-Asians can’t cover Asian issues, but I’m going to have a different perspective than someone else might have in the newsroom,” he said. “My experience is going to be different because I grew up in that community.” Li also said her unique cultural background influences her approach to her work. Li was born in Korea and was adopted by a Missouri family. In school, she knew only two other Asians, and most of Li’s friends and family growing up were white. Li did not connect with her biological, Korean family until she was 18 years old. For most of her life, Li considered herself an all-American girl. But many people have assumed otherwise. “I’ve had people say to me, ‘You speak such good English,’” Li said. As a journalist, these experiences taught Li not to jump to conclusions when producing news stories. “I’m a living, breathing reminder that you can’t judge someone because you just don’t know their experience,” Li said. Exposure to different cultures also impacted the career of KIRO 7’s Patranya Bhoolsuwan. She was born in Thailand and traveled frequently as a diplomatic brat. She has lived in Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, and Israel. Being exposed to different groups of people made Bhoolsuwan want to be a reporter. She moved to the United States to pursue her career in journalism. “I really like the journalism culture here,” Bhoolsuwan said. “As long as you work hard and are passionate, you can make it.” While attending the University of San Francisco, Bhoolsuwan interned at almost every TV news station in the city. During her internships, she formed strong relationships with journalism mentors. “I was really drawn to the women of color, especially Asian American reporters,” Bhoolsuwan said. “I felt like they were my role models.”Race and ethnicity are not the only factors that led Seattle’s TV journalists to the industry. For Flores, journalism runs in the family. Flores is a thirdgeneration journalist — his grandfather was a journalist in the Philippines and his father wrote for the Arizona Republic before starting the Filipino Press in San Diego. “When I got my (driver’s) license, I delivered newspapers for my dad,” Flores said. “It was my first official journalism job. I stuffed my ‘91 Honda Accord to the brim and drove all over San Diego.” For other journalists, working in news was not the original plan. Levine’s career in broadcasting was the result of his love of sports. He played golf throughout his teenage years and tried to walk on the golf team at Stanford University. He was cut from the team after three weeks.

35 YEARS “It was the best decision that’s ever been made because I was really able to expand my horizons,” Levine said. As a sports journalist, Levine has a deep appreciation for the fan bases of Seattle sports teams. “I consider myself a fan advocate,” Levine said. “I’m just as passionate about the teams as the fans are.”

The future of TV news

When asked what they think the future of TV news will look like, most journalists interviewed for this story answered, “I have no idea!” With so many rapid changes in storytelling, it is difficult to predict what the industry will look like in the next five or 10 years. Many assume there will be an even greater emphasis on social media, live streaming, and small screens. In addition to technological changes, changes in the job market have also rattled the industry. In the past year alone, downsizing has taken place in several local newsrooms, including KOMO 4, The Seattle Times, and, most recently, The News Tribune. NWCN also aired its last newscast in January. The uncertainty is intimidating, but for the most part, many journalists remain hopeful. “For a while, many people were saying the news industry is dying, but I really think we’re going to see a resurgence within the coming years,” Yamamoto said. Typically, on-air reporters start in smaller TV news markets after graduating from college and work their way up to bigger markets by relocating every few years. While this formula worked for almost every journalist interviewed for this story, some on-air reporters took nontraditional routes. Hana Kim began working for a public access station based in Maryland, where she covered the state legislature and the area surrounding the District of Columbia. From there, she landed a job with the CBS affiliate in West Palm Beach, Fla., which is ranked by Nielsen as the 38th largest TV market. Kim worked her way up to Knoxville, Tenn. before landing in Seattle, which is the 14th largest market. “In this business, there is not just one way to get where you want to be,” Kim said. Although there are different paths to success, some qualities are must-haves for young reporters, including hard work and thick skin. Siemny Kim advised aspiring on-air reporters to make sure they are pursuing broadcast journalism for the right reasons. “There’s still a number of people who think TV is glamorous,” she said with a laugh. “That’s one of the biggest misconceptions that should be squashed right now. This job requires grit.” Navigating the broadcast news industry is not an easy road. In addition to moving constantly, many reporters have had to work odd hours. Some worked early morning shifts, which required them to arrive at the station as early as 2 or 3 a.m. On the other hand, the industry comes with meaningful and life-changing experiences. Levine covered the Seahawks during their 2014 Super Bowl Championship run, which was a highlight of his career. Before making it in Seattle 10 years ago, Levine worked as a one-man band in Bakersfield, Calif. “I remember toiling away in Bakersfield, just begging for an opportunity to work in a metropolitan city,” Levine said. “Seattle has been everything I could have dreamed of and more.” As a reporter based in Madison, Wis., Laven reported from New York after the 9/11 attacks and said it was the most powerful experience of her career. In Grand Rapids, Mich., Takeo produced a story that led to changes in state law. He exposed a legal loophole that would allow teachers and high school students to engage in sexual relationships. Matsukawa said serious journalism is more important than ever. The industry, she said, needs people who are willing to ask tough questions and present multiple viewpoints, not just single viewpoints. She encourages journalism students to continue pursuing this careers with conviction. “Don’t be afraid of the future,” Matsukawa said. ■ Starla can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

KING COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received for C01144C17, Lake Ballinger Pump Station - Diesel Generator Fuel Storage Tank Replacement; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 1:30 PM on May 4, 2017. Late bids will not be accepted. Brief Scope: Replace existing standby diesel generator fuel storage tank with a new 2000

gallon UL 2085 above ground fuel storage tank (AST) at the Lake Ballinger Pump Station. Estimated contract price: $275,000 Pre-Bid(s): April 26, 2017, 9:00 a.m., Lake Ballinger Pump Station, 2205 N 205th St., Shoreline, WA 98026. A site tour will be conducted immediately following the conference. Hardhats and safety boots are required for site tour.

There is a 10% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS) on this contract. Complete Invitation to Bid Documents, including all project details, specifications, and contact information are available on our web page at: https://procurement.kingcounty.gov/ procurement_ovr/default.aspx

YOUR VOICE

■ ASTROLOGY

APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

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Predictions and advice for the week of April 22–April 28, 2017 By Sun Lee Chang Rat — Something that was once inaccessible to you is now within your grasp, but it may no longer hold the same allure.

Dragon — Others look to you for your honest and sound advice. However, some may not fully appreciate what they hear.

Monkey — There is a difference between being selective and being too picky. Don’t bother where it doesn’t really count.

Ox — You know you are on the right track when the anticipation is just as enjoyable as the thing you are looking forward to.

Snake — The conventional wisdom may not fit your circumstances, in which case you may have to make it up as you go along.

Rooster — Did somebody accuse you of being all show? Prove them wrong with your actions, not your words.

Tiger — No matter what cards you’re dealt, you are able to see the positive side of the situation. That hope will carry you through.

Horse — In an effort to go faster, there is a higher chance of faltering in your steps. You might want to slow down a little to gain more control.

Dog — There really can be too much of a good thing. Avoid piling on additional items just because you have them.

Rabbit — Eager to get started on the next phase of your plan? Although you are in a hurry, there are some important steps that should not be skipped.

Goat — When you are at your best, there is no stopping you. Channel your energy wisely for maximum returns.

Pig — Does it take a while for your partner to make their point? If you don’t listen now, you will have to repeat the process again later.

What’s your animal sign? Rat 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 Ox 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 Tiger 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Rabbit 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 Dragon 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 Snake 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 Horse 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 Goat 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 Dog 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 Pig 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

*The year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those born in January and February, please take care when determining your sign.

TAX ZAPPER from 3

KUMAMOTO from 3

software for recording transactions by restaurants and other businesses. He also sold, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, a tool called “Tax Zapper” that Profitek either built or commissioned from a Chinese affiliate to help customers hide cash transactions to reduce tax payments. Prosecutors say eight restaurants in the Seattle area were found to be using this software and have underpaid their taxes by between $145,000 and $910,000, between 2010 and 2013. Yin pleaded guilty last year in U.S. District Court to wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the government. ■

Now with 57 pets and just two staff members, Dog Rescue Kumamoto is getting a boost of support from Peace Winds.

BLOG from 10 This time, McGinn was quoted in the Times that “…I’ve mellowed.” Has he? McGinn would point fingers at the City Council when things went wrong. But Murray has taken responsibility for his mistakes on different occasions during the past three years. Being mellow is not enough, McGinn needs to listen more, including to people with whom he disagrees.

The role of the Asian community

In 2013, to please several nonprofit Asian organizations, McGinn’s city departments gave them more funding. This year, Murray’s administration has also been generous to Chinatown-International District organizations. Murray has showed up in many community events since January. And he often stays until the end of the event. The past two years, his presence was rare at community events. Don’t just give your support freely to either McGinn or Murray. Other candidates to consider are Nikkita Oliver and Cary Moon. The chips are now in your hands — play them well.  Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

Temporary shelters working together to help elderly residents

One year after the earthquakes, support from outside organizations has decreased so the residents must help one another. A Local Union Network of township presidents from the 18 temporary housing sites in Mashiki was established in February. The Union is

concerned about the decline of the physical health of elderly long-term residents, as well as an increase in their “dying alone anxieties.” The Union aims to improve the safety and security of elderly residents by working together to address these issues and share best practices. Yasohachi Tawara, the township president of Hirosaki temporary housing, helped establish the Union. Yasohachi, 83, and one of the many elderly in temporary housing, worries about the elderly living alone. Yasohachi says, “Strengthening the collaboration and coordination among all temporary housing sites will help each township deal with

BEIJING FESTIVAL from 4 diplomatic relations in 1992. While Seoul and Washington say the system is needed to protect against North Korea’s missile threats, Beijing says it imperils China’s own security with its ability to monitor flights and missile launches deep inside the country’s northeast. The dispute has sparked widespread commercial retaliation against South Korean businesses and industries including tourism and entertainment. Despite the popularity of South Korean pop and TV dramas in China, no South Korean star has obtained permission to perform in China since October, co-productions between Chinese and

SHERCHAN from 4 climber Yuichiro Miura in 2013. Sherchan’s attempt to climb Everest in 2013 was cut short because of financial problems and delays in getting the climbing permit. Another try in 2015 was canceled because an avalanche triggered by devastating earthquake swept the base camp, killing 19 people just a day before he reached the site. “I am confident that I will succeed this time. I have no problems that could stop me from climbing Everest and the only problem could be weather,” Sherchan said. He added that he has no respiratory problems and his blood pressure is normal.

promote the ambitious project, directed by Chinese filmmaker Lu Chuan. A portion of tickets sales from the film’s opening weekend will benefit the World Wildlife Fund. Goodall, 83, has studied chimpanzees for 55 years in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. She has worked for decades on conservation and animal welfare issues. China, she said, should be commended for its work protecting pandas and snow leopards. Of President Donald Trump’s administration, Goodall said: “I think any administration that is cutting back on protecting the natural world

For more information about Peace Wind’s efforts to mitigate and respond to natural disasters in the Asia Pacific, please visit peacewindsamerica.org.

South Korean movie producers have been suspended and new seasons of South Korean dramas are banned from online streaming sites. The more than 500 films being screened at the Beijing festival include every single film in the “Fast and Furious” franchise apart from the latest, “Fast & Furious 8,” which hit Chinese cinemas on April 14. Asked whether the action movies based around fast cars were a strange choice for a film festival, Ai said the franchise had met with a “rather positive response from the Chinese audience.” “They love it, so the decision to show the series during the festival is to satisfy Chinese film fans,” she said. ■

Being born in the mountains, he has one big advantage over most climbers: He is used to the altitude. High-altitude sickness can be fatal for people who are not acclimated to the thin air and low oxygen levels. He said he is worried only about the 11 pounds he gained in the last few months. “I am not scared of climbing, but the only part I fear is the part between base camp and Camp 1, which is very dangerous,” Sherchan said. That stretch includes the dreaded Khumbu Icefall, where climbers use aluminum ladders and ropes to navigate around deep crevasses amid tall ice blocks. Sherchan’s love of mountaineering began in

GOODALL from 5

their problems.” The Union also provides community gatherings that bring all residents together. Yasohachi believes this helps reduce isolation for the elderly, rebuild their lives, and create a real sense of community. In their work in Tohoku after the 2011 disasters, Peace Winds learned that the elderly are particularly vulnerable to isolation, which has caused premature death among temporary housing residents. ■

1960 when he was assigned by the Nepalese government as a liaison officer for the Swiss team climbing Mount Dhaulagiri. He later became an apple farmer and constructed roads and dams before settling down to run hotels in Kathmandu. He and his team of six guides and helpers left for the mountain on April 9. His team leader, Shiva Bahadur Sapkota, has scaled Everest twice. He said that if he regains his record, he plans to campaign for world peace by traveling to conflict areas like Syria. “After I become the oldest Everest climber, people will listen to my campaign for world peace,” he said. ■

is very disturbing. The same thing’s happening in the U.K. and many other parts of Europe. And of course in Africa, it’s a little bit different, but there’s African presidents who welcome big corporations coming in from outside and they’re sort of selling their natural resources in return for roads or hospitals, and all of this is pretty grim for the future.” Yet Goodall remains hopeful, especially when it comes to kids. The Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots Program, which encourages young people to become stewards in their communities, now operates in 98 countries, for instance. “The passion and the energy of young people,” she said, “once they understand the problems, they’re empowered to take action.” ■

asianweekly northwest

APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

SIKHS from 5 Sikh community, make no mention of the more than 300 hate crimes reported by Sikhs in the U.S. since the 2001 terrorist attacks. Rather, they feature Sikh families explaining how the world’s fifth-largest religion, founded in India, aligns with American values. Internet advertising will begin immediately as well, and subsequent TV ads are planned for at least three more cities with large Sikh populations. “We teach our kids the American values go hand in hand with the Sikh values: tolerance, religious freedom, gender equality,” a bearded man in a red turban says in one of the ads shared with The Associated Press. Another ad highlights Sikhs embracing U.S. pop culture: “We like `Game of Thrones,”’ one person says. “I’m obsessed with `Star Wars,”’ says another. The ads, developed in consultation with Republican and Democratic consulting firms, do not mention Republican President Donald Trump, whose candidacy hammered on illegal immigration and Islamic extremism.

While fundraising events in Sikh communities across the nation coincided with Trump’s rise, organizers insist the $1.3 million effort has no connection to the tough-talking president. “It’s a coincidence,” says Gurwin Ahuja, a 27-year-old political operative who also helped organize the new campaign. “Administrations have changed, and we still experience violence regardless of who’s president.” This type of religious outreach has some precedent. Muslim advocacy groups launched a billboard campaign in recent years, while others developed public service announcements soon after Sept. 11. Corey Saylor, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, praised the new effort, noting that Sikh leaders have “not allowed bias to divide religious minorities.” “Years ago, they could have said, `Hey, we’re not Muslims.’ But they’ve always taken what to me was a very honorable stand that nobody should be targeted, period,” he said. Surveys commissioned by Sikh leaders found that nearly 9 in 10 American Sikhs have experienced negative reactions or

35 YEARS

hate language, Singh said. Subsequent polling by a Democratic firm revealed that 60 percent of Americans know nothing at all about Sikhs. “When people see us, they think we’re either religious extremists or terrorists,” said Ahuja, a Cleveland native who worked in the Obama White House. He recalled schoolchildren once asking during a White House tour if he was a member of the Taliban. Many Sikhs are still haunted by the 2012 shooting inside a Wisconsin temple that left six dead. More recently, the FBI is investigating an early March shooting of a Seattle-area Sikh man as a hate crime. Three weeks later, a man was arrested after attacking a woman inside a Sikh temple in Oregon. Hundreds of Sikhs gathered on April 9 at a temple in Hicksville, on New York’s Long Island, that makes meals for the homeless. A woman led prayers from the Sikh holy book for much of the morning. The Long Island Sikh community has escaped much of the violence that has plagued Sikhs elsewhere. But just four months ago, temple leaders said, a group of young men shouted in the parking lot outside: “Get out of here, you Muslims!”

Rana Singh Sodhi’s brother was shot to death outside a Phoenix-area gas station four days after 9/11 by a man who said he wanted to kill Muslims. Sodhi says he recently spoke by phone with the killer, who is serving a life prison sentence. They agreed to work together to help educate the public about Sikhs if and when he gets out. “It’s a long process,” Sodhi said. “We all are Americans.” ■

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APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

YOUR VOICE

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“I can’t believe that it’s been over 35 years since [publisher Assunta Ng] came into my travel agency in Chinatown, International District wanting input about publishing a Seattle Chinese newspaper. I was excited and said, “Go for it!” [She] not only published one newspaper — the Seattle Chinese Post, but also added the Northwest Asian Weekly. Assunta, you gave so many gifts to our pan-Asian community by educating many other communities with your newspapers, about what we did and how we contributed to America in positive ways. Thank you … you did us proud!” — Vi Mar, reader “For a city to succeed and thrive, it must have both a vibrant immigrant community and ethnic media run by the community for that community. Thankfully, the City of Seattle has both. Newspapers like Northwest Asian Weekly and the Seattle Chinese Post help ensure our immigrant and refugee neighbors are informed and civically engaged. It also means that departments like the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs can effectively reach and serve vulnerable immigrant families. Congratulations to the Northwest Asian Weekly and the Seattle Chinese Post. We look forward to a continued partnership.” — Joaquin Uy, City of Seattle Ethnic Media and Communications Specialist

The only weekly English-edition newspaper serving the Asian community in the state of Washington for 35 years.

Send in your thoughts to editor@nwasianweekly.com. Join us for our 35th Anniversary Celebration dinner on Oct. 21 at China Harbor restaurant. For tickets, please email rsvp@nwasianweekly.com or call 206-223-0623. To sponsor the event, contact Assunta Ng at assunta@nwasianweekly.com. For more info, visit nwasianweekly.com/35years.

NORTH KOREA from 4

Photo by George Liu/NWAW

MURRAY from 2

these defining communities … we are requiring developers to build or fund affordable housing for the first time, and helping to keep our neighborhoods places where anyone can live.” Seattle’s MHA program requires multi-family residential and commercial development to either include a set percentage of rent-restricted homes for low-income families or make a payment to the Office of Housing to support affordable housing. For these neighborhoods, the requirements would be to set aside 7 percent of homes as rent restricted or pay $20.75 per square foot for residential buildings, and between 5 percent and 8 percent of floor area or $8 and $20.75 per square foot for commercial buildings. These payments will go towards the production of affordable homes across the city. The cost of a rent-restricted twobedroom apartment for a family of three earning about $49,000 would be $1,219. The increase in development capacity needed to implement these MHA requirements is an additional one or two stories for most areas included in these proposals. For areas of the C-ID already zoned for residential high-rises, buildings could be an additional three stories taller. “Our neighborhood was upzoned several years ago,” said

Maiko Winkler-Chin, executive director of the Seattle ChinatownInternational District Preservation Development Authority. “During those conversations, we discussed the desire of having a mixedincome residential neighborhood — it would be a positive outcome with the changes we knew would come. MHA is one tool that helps provide a continuum of homes for people who want to be in this neighborhood.” The Chinatown-International District National Historic District, along Jackson, King, and Weller streets, is excluded from this proposal due to the National Historic Registry designation and unique character of the area. (A map of the Chinatown-International District proposal is available at murray.seattle.gov/wp-content/ u plo a d s /2017/0 4/2017_ 0 412Chinatown-ID-rezone-area.png.) The news conference on April 14 in the lobby of the Bush Hotel was Murray’s first appearance before the media since he initially denied allegations that he sexually abused a minor. On April 11, Murray’s lawyer presented a doctor’s note which appears to contradict one of the key pieces of evidence implicating Murray in the lawsuit. ■ Staff can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

In a broadcast interview that aired on April 16, McMaster said the U.S. would rely on its allies as well as on Chinese leadership to resolve the issues with North Korea. “I mean, North Korea is very vulnerable to pressure from the Chinese,” McMaster said on ABC’s “This Week.” The bottom line, McMaster said, is to stop the North’s weapons development and make the Korean Peninsula nuclear-free: “It’s clear that the president is determined not to allow this kind of capability to threaten the United States. And our president will take action that is in the best interest of the American people.” After a two-month policy review, officials settled on a policy dubbed “maximum pressure and engagement,” U.S. officials said April 14. The administration’s immediate emphasis, the officials said, will be on increasing pressure on Pyongyang with the help of Beijing. The officials weren’t authorized to speak publicly on the results of the policy review and requested anonymity. Pence will be tasked with explaining the policy in meetings with leaders in South Korea and Japan at the start of his trip, which will also include stops in Indonesia and Australia. He will also aim to reassure allies in South Korea and Japan that the U.S. will take appropriate steps to defend them against North Korean aggression. Pence was aboard Air Force Two flying over the Bering Sea when a North Korean missile exploded during launch on April 16, U.S. and South Korean officials said. The high-profile failure came as the North tried to showcase its nuclear and missile capabilities around the birth anniversary of the North’s late founder and as a U.S. aircraft carrier neared the Korean Peninsula. A White House foreign policy adviser traveling with Pence said no U.S. response to the missile launch was expected because there was no need for the U.S. to reinforce the failure. The adviser spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the administration’s initial understanding of the launch. Trump, who spent the Easter weekend at his Florida resort, reinforced his commitment to the armed forces under his control. “Our military is building and is rapidly becoming stronger than ever before,” he tweeted. More directly on North Korea, the president returned to a theme of placing much onus on China for reining in the North. Two weeks ago, he said he would not declare China a currency manipulator, pulling back from a campaign promise, as he looks for help from Beijing, which is the North’s dominant trade partner. “Why would I call China a currency manipulator when they are working with us on the North Korean

problem? We will see what happens!” Trump tweeted. Deputy national adviser K.T. McFarland briefed the president on the failed missile launch. She advised patience with China on the issue. “North Korea is a liability to everybody and it’s a threat not just to the United States, not just to South Korea, not just to Japan, not just to Russia, but it’s actually a threat to China as well,” McFarland said on “Fox News Sunday.” Into this tense environment, Pence made his first trip to the region since taking office in January. After arriving in the South Korean capital, he placed a wreath at Seoul National Cemetery and then worshipped with military personnel at an Easter church service at the U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan. During a fellowship meal after the services, he said the tensions on the Korean peninsula had put into sharp focus the importance of the joint U.S.South Korean mission. “This morning’s provocation from the North is just the latest reminder of the risks each one of you face every day in the defense of the freedom of the people of South Korea and the defense of America in this part of the world,” said Pence. “Your willingness to step forward, to serve, to stand firm without fear, inspires the nation and inspires the world.” Along with the deployment of the U.S. aircraft carrier and other vessels into waters off the Korean Peninsula, thousands of U.S. and South Korean troops, tanks and other weaponry were deployed last month in their biggest joint military exercises. That led North Korea to issue routine threats of attacks on its rivals if they show signs of aggression. The White House foreign policy adviser traveling with Pence told reporters that the type of missile that North Korea tried to fire on April 16 was medium-range, and that it exploded about 4 to 5 seconds after it was launched. The North regularly launches short-range missiles, but is also developing mid-range and longrange missiles meant to target U.S. troops in Asia and, eventually, the U.S. mainland. The failed launch will sting in Pyongyang because it came a day after one of the biggest North Korean propaganda events of the year— celebrations of the 105th birthday of late North Korea founder Kim Il Sung, the current leader’s grandfather. According to the White House adviser, the test had been expected and the U.S. had good intelligence both before and after the launch. The official said, without elaborating, that had it been a nuclear test, “other actions would have been taken by the U.S.” North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests, including two last year. Recent satellite imagery suggests the country could conduct another underground nuclear test at any time. ■

Have a story idea that you think would fit perfectly in Northwest Asian Weekly? We want to know about it. Send it to us at info@nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

35 YEARS

APRIL 22 – APRIL 28, 2017

A-POP from 7 fried chicken? That is the business. Have they never watched a grizzly old Asian woman squat on the floor and dismember a super fresh chicken with a cleaver? Have they never seen the fiery, sky-high flames leaping out of a wok, lightly kissing little chicken nibblets like the mouth of God? It is crazy to me that these people prefer chicken + hot sauce + margarine. But you know. To each their own.

“Crazy Rich Asians” male lead is half-white and it’s like … kinda controversial, but I like him

There’s a lot of things to be excited for when it comes to the upcoming Jon M. Chu-helmed super-Asian film, “Crazy Rich Asians.” But some people are not into the half-white lead who’s just been cast. The movie, which hasn’t started filming yet, is based on a 2013 novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan and features exclusively Asian characters. The fish-out-of-water story is about a Chinese American college professor (played by Constance Wu) who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend (Henry Golding) to go to a wedding. There, she learns that her boyfriend’s family is rich AF. Reportedly, Chu had issues casting his male lead due to the relative dearth of Asian leading men in Hollywood. In January of this year, he took to social media to ask those of Asian ancestry to upload 2-minute videos to be considered for the male lead role. Well, Chu found his man in television presenter Golding, whose father is English and whose mother is from the Iban tribe in Sarawak, Malaysia. Golding grew up in the United Kingdom, but he returned to Asia in 2008 and is based out of Malaysia and Singapore. Golding’s casting has been met with some light criticism, over the fact that, ostensibly, “pure-blooded” Asian males can never be cast as romantic leads in Hollywood. This plays into the oft-discussed desexualization and emasculation of Asian men in American media, which is a legit and ongoing conversation to keep having for sure. But an important distinction to make is that Asia is not Asia America. Southeast Asia is also not East Asia. Southeast Asia, in particular, tends to be more racially mixed than East Asia. You know. Due to all of the terrible colonization that happened there for centuries. Golding is Singaporean, and he is being cast in a role written for a Singaporean. While about 75 percent of Singaporeans are ethnically Chinese (or they are claiming this on their census, which does not break it down further for those who are multiracial), 13.3 percent are Malay, 9.2 percent Indian, and 3.3 percent other. According to Population.sg, an initiative by Singapore’s National Population and Talent Division, more than 1 in 5 marriages in Singapore today are inter-ethnic. This is not to say that Golding’s casting doesn’t deserve criticism. Go nuts. But context is important to note. It’s an all-Asian cast and the film director is Asian American. One thing we can all probably agree on is that the casting of Michelle Yeoh — she’s Malaysian — as the boyfriend’s mother is like, the best thing ever.

“Ghost in the Shell” gets creamed by a baby who’s a boss

“Ghost in the Shell” was released March 31 and bombed its domestic opening weekend, showing once again that whitewashing doesn’t pay. It pulled in just $19 million. Topping the box office was animated comedy “The Boss Baby” ($49 million), which edged out previous champ, “Beauty and the Beast” ($48 million). “Ghost in the Shell” is a live-action movie based on a Japanese manga/anime/film/video series that has inspired intense worldwide devotion. Despite the Japanese source material, the lead in the film, Major Mira Killian/Motoko Kusanagi, is played by Scarlett Johansson. Critics accused the filmmakers of whitewashing the Japanese source material, and here, it is more troubling than the Golding

casting because this lies closer to the Hollywood tendency of importing foreign media and re-skinning it at the altar of apparent box office success. (I say apparently because Hollywood is dumb and doesn’t realize that whitewashing is no longer a financially sound decision. “Ben-Hur” bombed. “Exodus: Gods and Kings” bombed. “Aloha” bombed. “Lone Ranger” bombed.) Additionally, the director here is Rupert Sanders, a white English film director. I mean, this isn’t Ang Lee casting Johansson as Major, which might invite more nuanced discussion. I’d make a lot of excuses for Ang Lee.

“Iron Fist” is so boring that Loras Tyrell could not save it

“Iron Fist” is a Netflix live-action series released last month that features a white blond gazillionaire (played by Finn Jones) who fights crime with his kickass kung-fu skillz like how rich white guys often do. And no one likes it! According to Parrot Analytics, the initial demand for “Iron Fist” was actually pretty high compared to other MarvelNetflix series — second only to “Luke Cage” (what up). However, that high

demand can be attributed to the interest that the whole race controversy stirred up. I mean, I hated what “Iron Fist” was all about, and I still forced myself to watch a couple hours of it — to do a quality check and to write this column because I suffer for my art. Parrot Analytics found that “Iron Fist” experienced the steepest decline in viewership after seven days — a rate of 50 percent. (As a point of comparison, the decline rate for “Luke Cage” was 37 percent; “Jessica Jones” 40 percent; Season 2 of “Daredevil” 44 percent.) Criticisms “Iron Fist” has garnered include its lackluster martial arts/fight scenes, its poor character development, and also just the fact that the show is just boring — on top of being racially offensive. In the midst of the slew of criticisms that Jones’ casting garnered, Jones quit Twitter in a brief moment of butt-hurtedness. He’s back now, don’t worry. At the time, he released a statement talking about how people should give “Iron Fist” a chance before getting all judgey. I think? I dunno. His super defensive statement from the point of view of a white man who was hurt by racial divides was TL; I DR’ed it.

Black Power Ranger is an adorable Asian guy

The “Power Rangers” got a cinematic reboot in the last month. If you know anything about “Power Rangers,” and how can you not? — you’d know that the first team of the American series featured Vietnamese American Thuy Trang as the Yellow Ranger and Black American Walter Emanuel Jones as the Black Ranger, which resulted in a generation of children of color and their parents just scratching their heads and wondering if it was too on-the-nose that the Yellow Ranger was Asian and the Black Ranger was Black — and whether this was racist, and whether we should be getting mad about this? Well, the new movie smartly sidesteps that by switching around the roles. Ludi Lin is a Chinese Canadian actor born in Fuzhou, China, and he took over Jones’ former role. Lin is good at martial arts, fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, and he recently was interviewed by Tae Kwon Do Life Magazine, in which he expressed reluctance in allowing himself to be portrayed as the token Asian. I hope he becomes famousss. ■ Stacy Nguyen can be reached at stacy@nwasianweekly.com.

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