‘Butterfly’ Review: Daniel Dae Kim and Reina Hardesty Anchor Amazon’s Asian-Led Spy Thriller

Amazon’s “Butterfly” marks a cultural milestone, with Daniel Dae Kim finally stepping into his first romantic lead after thirty years in Hollywood. The spy thriller blends Korean and American influences, highlighted by Reina Hardesty’s breakout role and appearances from Kim Tae-hee, Kim Ji-hoon, and “Squid Game” star Park Hae-soo. Continue reading ‘Butterfly’ Review: Daniel Dae Kim and Reina Hardesty Anchor Amazon’s Asian-Led Spy Thriller

More Than a Laugh: Belly Laughs and the Power of Asian American Storytelling

The inaugural Belly Laughs Festival brought over 30 Asian American comedians and a curated lineup of food vendors to L.A. Live for two days of stand-up and soul food. From Margaret Cho to surprise drop-ins, the event delivered something rare: a full celebration of identity, humor, and belonging. Continue reading More Than a Laugh: Belly Laughs and the Power of Asian American Storytelling

Tadashi Nakamura Opens CAAMFest with a Portrait of Family and Filmmaking

CAAMFest 2025 officially kicks off tomorrow in San Francisco’s historic Japantown, marking a powerful return to a neighborhood deeply intertwined with the Asian American experience. Presented by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), this year’s festival embraces the theme of “Inheritance,” inviting audiences to reflect on the histories that shape our present and future. At a time when support for diversity in education and … Continue reading Tadashi Nakamura Opens CAAMFest with a Portrait of Family and Filmmaking

A Sisterhood Forged in Story: The Women of “The Joy Luck” Club Reunite

For a generation of Asian Americans, The Joy Luck Club was more than just a movie—it was a revelation. I was still a teenager when it came out, and I vividly remember the seismic shift it caused in the way I saw myself and my community. Here was a Hollywood film—backed by a major studio, no less—with an all-Asian cast, speaking English, talking about their … Continue reading A Sisterhood Forged in Story: The Women of “The Joy Luck” Club Reunite

Lee Jung-jae Breaks Down Gi-hun’s Season Two Shift and the Global Message of ‘Squid Game’

For Lee Jung-jae, returning to the world of “Squid Game” wasn’t part of the original plan. In our conversation, Lee discusses the physical and emotional preparation for returning to Gi-hun, the lingering impact of a particularly explosive scene with Gong Yoo, and why the show continues to resonate so deeply with Western audiences.  Continue reading Lee Jung-jae Breaks Down Gi-hun’s Season Two Shift and the Global Message of ‘Squid Game’

Film Review: Andrew Ahn’s ‘The Wedding Banquet’ Reimagines a Queer Classic with Humor, Tension, and Generational Reckoning

In an industry still hesitant to fund stories like this, “The Wedding Banquet” is a welcome and necessary entry into a library that’s far too thin. At a time when both LGBTQIA+ and Asian American communities continue to face backlash and erasure, films like this remind us why visibility matters—not in a surface-level sense, but in the deeper work of showing lives, contradictions, and relationships that feel real. Continue reading Film Review: Andrew Ahn’s ‘The Wedding Banquet’ Reimagines a Queer Classic with Humor, Tension, and Generational Reckoning

‘The Wedding Banquet’ Kicks Off Premiere Week with a Drag Brunch Event

On Sunday, April 13th, Tremendous Communications, Queer Asian Social Club, and Bleecker Street hosted a specialty drag brunch event for Bleecker Street’s upcoming feature film THE WEDDING BANQUET. The event included a Q&A with brunch host Ongina (RuPaul’s Drag Race), several drag queen performances, bottomless mimosas, and dim sum at CHIFA in Los Angeles. This special event was a celebration of LGBTQ+ and AAPI representation, with director … Continue reading ‘The Wedding Banquet’ Kicks Off Premiere Week with a Drag Brunch Event

Asif Ali on Comedy, Culture, and Chaos in FX’s ‘Deli Boys’

(This article originally appeared on AwardsFocus.com) Few comedies this year have landed with the kind of tonal confidence and cultural swagger as “Deli Boys,” the FX and Onyx Collective series now streaming on Hulu. Created by Abdullah Saeed and developed with Jenni Konner and Nora Silver, the ten-episode series follows two pampered Pakistani American brothers who are thrust into their late father’s shadowy criminal empire … Continue reading Asif Ali on Comedy, Culture, and Chaos in FX’s ‘Deli Boys’

CAPE’s Radiance Gala Shines Bright: Samantha Quan and Aika Miyake Honored Amidst Powerful Night of API Celebration

There was something unmistakably electric in the air at The Ebell of Los Angeles on Monday night (March 25th), as CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) hosted its third annual RADIANCE gala, an event that’s quickly become a cornerstone celebration for Asian and Pacific Islander (API) women and non-binary creatives in Hollywood. With Kiran Deol (“Didn’t Die”) serving as the evening’s sharp and soulful … Continue reading CAPE’s Radiance Gala Shines Bright: Samantha Quan and Aika Miyake Honored Amidst Powerful Night of API Celebration

Shirley Chen and Amy Wang Deliver SXSW Winner with Satirical, Genre-Bending Thriller Film ‘Slanted’

Debuting at SXSW, Amy Wang’s “Slanted” delivers a sharp and fearless take on identity, assimilation, and self-worth, wrapped in dark humor and body horror. The film, which won Best Narrative Feature, cements Wang as a filmmaker to watch, tackling heavy themes with a biting satirical edge. Anchored by Shirley Chen, McKenna Grace, Vivian Wu, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Amelie Zilber, “Slanted” takes well executed risks in … Continue reading Shirley Chen and Amy Wang Deliver SXSW Winner with Satirical, Genre-Bending Thriller Film ‘Slanted’