The Chinese traditional cough syrup Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa, commonly known as Pei Pa Koa, has been experiencing a rise in popularity recently, thanks to the cast of the Jon M. Chu-directed Wicked.
During an interview with Hong Kong-based news outlet Newsdaily Asia, stars of the musical fantasy film — Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, and Jeff Goldblum — were each handed a gift-wrapped bottle of Pei Pa Koa. Almost immediately, Erivo and Bailey, both theater veterans, exclaimed that they were fans of the herbal concoction, before recommending it to their co-stars.
“I used it. I love it,” said Erivo as Grande curiously asked about the bottle. “It’s like a cough syrup, but like the most soothing thing ever,” Erivo explained. Grande was convinced by her colleague’s endorsement and said she would add it to her “vocal box.” Bailey echoed Erivo’s comments with similar praise, vouching that the concoction had got him through performing a musical, which prompted Goldblum’s curiosity, as he held up the bottle and said, “I need all the help I can get if this really works.”
The Wicked cast aren’t the only celebrities from outside the Chinese-speaking world to tout the benefits of Pei Pa Koa. In June, Zayn Malik created a buzz with his endorsement during an interview with British Vogue. In their In the Bag series, he revealed that he always carries the syrup with him. He praised its effectiveness for soothing vocal cords, especially helpful for singers like himself. The former One Direction member mixes it with water, likening its flavor to “honey from China.” Similarly, American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz mixes the Chinese herbal syrup into a cup of mint tea as part of his pre-show ritual.
Even Pei Pa Koa’s packaging is iconic. Image via Nin Jiom.
These unexpected mentions from global personalities have led to a significant increase in online discussions about Pei Pa Koa, injecting renewed interest in an age-old traditional medicine that has been a staple in many Chinese households for decades.
With roots reportedly dating back to the Qing dynasty, Pei Pa Koa contains herbs like loquat leaf, pomelo peel, and ginger. Despite its herbal properties, a thick honey base sets off any hints of bitterness, giving the syrup its signature sweet and highly palatable flavor. Pei Pa Koa’s longstanding reputation as a versatile herbal remedy has extended into innovative uses in drinks, desserts, ice cream, cocktails, and even bread spreads, further cementing its cultural relevance in the 21st century.
2024 was a banner year for Chinese dramas: Wong Kar-wai’s eagerly anticipated Blossoms Shanghai fused art house cinema with a Shanghainese soap opera, and a spate of other shows including To the Wonder demonstrated a perhaps surprising dedication to realism. Major acting talent equally at home on the silver screen, for example actresses Liu Yifei and Song Jia, took the lead in The Tale of Rose and She and Her Girls, respectively. And while many shows referenced real life social issues, if you’re looking for pure costume-clad escapism, series like Love Game in Eastern Fantasy (starring Esther Yu and Ding Yuxi) or The Double (featuring Wu Jingyan and Wang Xingyue) will not disappoint!
Looking back, many of this year’s hits featured strong female characters and unique settings that fueled viewers’ nostalgia or wanderlust — in turn leading to the emergence of a few new tourist hotspots.
Blossoms Shanghai (繁花)
In the final days of 2023 [to us, justifying inclusion in this list! — Editor], Wong Kar-wai unveiled his first TV drama after five years of preparation, making a significant splash in the Chinese drama market. Adapted from Jin Yucheng’s novel Blossoms, the show follows the life of A Bao, a charismatic young man navigating the complexities of bustling 1990s Shanghai. Played by Hu Ge, A Bao captivates audiences not only with his dramatic journey of triumphs and setbacks but also through his profound influence on those around him. The three main female characters who share different connections with A Bao — Ling Zi (Ma Yili), Miss Wang (Tang Ye), and Li Li (Xin Zhilei) — are positioned as multifaceted models of feminism in China’s dynamic 1990s.
While the series received mixed reviews, Wong’s TV debut undeniably reignited interest in Shanghai’s local culture. Blossoms Shanghai was released in both Mandarin and Shanghainese versions, a rarity for Chinese television these days. Besides the innovative use of Shanghainese, the appearance of veteran actors including You Benchang and Chen Guoqing evokes a deep sense of nostalgia, particularly for viewers in Shanghai. And the drama’s success extends beyond the screen: film sets for the show in the suburban district of Songjiang have been turned into a popular public film park. Meanwhile, other tourists are flocking to Huanghe Road in central Shanghai, which features heavily in the show and retains some of its old school charm. Major brands like Prada were also involved in the production, further cementing its cultural and commercial impact.
Blossoms Shanghai boasts a Douban rating of 8.7. To watch it outside of China, head to WeTV / Tencent Video.
Will Love in Spring (春色寄情人)
After starring in and co-directing Blossoms Shanghai, director Cheng Liang premiered his own TV series, Will Love in Spring, in April 2024. Adapted from a serialized novel published on Douban, the heartwarming series is set in Quanzhou, a small city in Fujian province known for its well-preserved ancient cultural heritage. The story follows a young couple falling in love after returning to their hometown.
The drama has captured the attention of younger viewers, thanks to the star power of actors Li Xian and Zhou Yutong, as well as its exceptional production quality, compelling plot, meticulous lighting, and a carefully curated soundtrack featuring rising singer Jingfei Chen.
Li Xian has earned praise for his portrayal of Chen Maidong, a once-rebellious young man who has become a funeral makeup artist. Additionally, the show, which showcases many Quanzhou landmarks, has sparked a surge in tourism to the city, which is already a popular destination.
Will Love in Spring has a Douban rating of 8.0 and can be watched on Youtube.
To the Wonder (我的阿勒泰)
To the Wonder is an adaptation of writer Li Juan’s 2010 essay collection My Altay. Li’s original work provided a snapshot of her life with her mother, who managed a small store in Xinjiang’s scenic Altay Prefecture, where the predominant ethnic group is Kazakh. As Han Chinese, Li Juan and her family led a life as outsiders in this remote region.
The TV adaptation takes a slightly different approach from the book, following protagonist Li Wenxiu as she returns home after trying to make it in the literary scene of Urumqi, Xinjiang’s capital. The series explores her complex struggle with a sense of lost identity, caught between her minority status in the region and the broader shifts in her life.
The drama has led urban viewers to romanticize and fantasize about the distant, “mystical” Altay. However, it doesn’t shy away from portraying the more difficult aspects of life in a remote, less developed area. Over the course of its eight episodes, the series delves deeply into the boredom, emptiness, and anxieties surrounding love, family, and daily existence that Li Wenxiu faces.
In the series, Altay comes across as both a complex, rugged environment for its inhabitants and an unspoiled natural utopia for urban viewers. Unsurprisingly, To the Wonder has led to a new wave of tourism in Altay — though not without leaving some visitors disappointed.
To the Wonder has a high Douban rating of 8.9. Full episodes are available on Youtube.
Joy of Life (庆余年）
After achieving both widespread popularity and critical acclaim with its first season in 2019, Joy of Life returned this year with its much-anticipated second season. The first time around, the show was praised for its exceptional storytelling and innovative premise as a time travel drama.
The second season retains its stellar cast from the first, including actors Chen Daoming and Zhang Ruoyun, whose performances continue to captivate audiences. As in the first season, protagonist Fan Xian is a modern man who travels into an ancient world — one based on a novel he read in his original reality. In this fictional realm, Fan Xian uses his modern perspective and knowledge from the digital age to navigate the palace intrigues he becomes embroiled in.
Beyond this unique premise, Joy of Life has also attracted attention for its detailed, engrossing depiction of court politics.
Season two of Joy of Life has a solid Douban rating of 7.3. Full episodes are up on Youtube.
The Double (墨雨云间)
One of Chinese TV’s most popular guilty pleasures this year, costume drama The Double is centered on the story of Xue Fangfei (played by Wu Jingyan), a woman seeking vengeance after the massacre of her entire family. Disguising her identity, she infiltrates the life of male protagonist Xiao Heng (Wang Xingyue) to carry out her plan. Wu, who gained fame for her role in 2018 mega-hit Story of Yanxi Palace, delivers a compelling performance in this complex role. The drama also features standout performances by male lead Wang and supporting actress Li Meng, who pleasantly surprised viewers with their acting chops.
Adapted from the web novel Marriage of the Di Daughter by Qian Shan Cha Ke, The Double retains the novel’s intricate narrative style. Its unique approach to storytelling has some fans comparing it to a Shakespearean drama, with many praising its sophisticated plot progression and emotional depth. The series has garnered the most attention from international audiences of all Chinese dramas this year.
The Double has a Douban rating of 6.6. Check out full episodes on Youtube.
The Tale of Rose (玫瑰的故事)
The Tale of Rose is based on Hong Kong writer Yi Shu’s 1981 romance novel The Story of Rose, which was previously adapted into the 1986 film Lost Romance (starring Chow Yun-fat and Maggie Cheung). The story centers on Huang Yimei (Liu Yifei), a young woman from a wealthy family, and the three pivotal men in her life who shape her journey of growth and self-discovery.
The drama has sparked widespread interest, in part because it marks a rare TV role for Liu, who is internationally-known for her turn as the title character of 2020 live action remake of Mulan.
Additionally, a line from Huang Yimei’s ex-husband Fang Xiewen (Lin Gengxin) which went viral online, “So why are you insistent on going to Beijing? Who exactly is in Beijing?” has been humorously adopted by the social media accounts of various universities and tourism bureaus across China. For example, Tsinghua University — which features prominently in the series — posted “Tsinghua tell will you who’s in Beijing” on its Weibo account.
The Tale of Rose has a Douban rating of 7.4. It’s available internationally on WeTV / Tencent Video.
Escape from the Trilateral Slopes (边水往事)
Escape from the Trilateral Slopes takes a slightly grittier approach than many of the other TV series in this list, obliquely addressing social issues arising from criminal activity along the China-Myanmar border. The drama is set in a fictional locale called Sanbianpo, inspired by the real-world Golden Triangle, a region where drug trafficking underpins the local economy. The plot follows Shen Xing, a young man who travels to the area in the hopes of joining his uncle’s construction business, but soon finds himself falling into Sanbianpo’s criminal underworld.
With emerging actor Guo Qiling and Hong Kong’s Francis Ng (Wu Zhenyu) playing the male leads, the series is in good hands. Additionally, actors like Jiang Qilin and Wang Yuwen have received accolades for their performances in supporting roles.
Escape from the Trilateral Slopes stands out for its bold focus on crime, in particular the drug trade and sex trafficking. The show debuted in China on Youku in August, but was released internationally on Netflix this December.
Escape from the Trilateral Slopes has a Douban rating of 7.9. Find full episodes on Youtube.
She and Her Girls (山花烂漫时)
She and Her Girls is based on the life of Zhang Guimei, an educator who is celebrated for establishing a free high school for girls in a remote area in Lijiang, Yunnan province. Zhang is played by renowned actress Song Jia, looking less glamorous than usual — indeed, the show has been praised for its impressive makeup design, which makes the actress closely resemble Zhang.
This actually isn’t the first time Zhang’s inspiring story has made it to screens: a feature film on her life, Beyond the Clouds, starring actress Hai Qing, premiered last year. However, the movie was criticized for altering facts about Zhang’s life and awkwardly handling gender relations. She and Her Girls, on the other hand, has been commended for its balanced portrayal of both male and female characters.
The show is another major achievement for Song, who also recently starred in the hit feminist film Her Story. Her performance in this drama further highlights her commitment to bringing nuanced and impactful stories of women to screens.
She and Her Girls has an extremely high Douban rating of 9.6. Full episodes are up on Youtube.
In Between (半熟男女)
In Between is an adaptation of a serialized romance novel by Liu Cuihu originally published on Douban. The story follows He Zhinan, portrayed by Tian Xiwei, an “ordinary-looking” woman — well, by the standards of Chinese romantic dramas anyway — who finds herself perpetually transitioning between relationships. This somewhat unconventional protagonist who defies stereotypes of a romantic lead has piqued the curiosity of audiences.
As the title suggests, the characters in this drama can’t be easily categorized as entirely “good” or “bad,” adding depth and complexity to the story. In Between has achieved a remarkable global reach, premiering simultaneously on major platforms in 185 countries and regions, including Netflix.
In Between has a Douban rating of 6.3, and despite its international distribution it can actually also be watched on Youtube.
Love Game in Eastern Fantasy (永夜星河)
Love Game in Eastern Fantasy is a xianxia (literally “immortal heroes” — think fantasy driven by ancient Chinese culture and history) drama adapted from the popular web novel The Guide to Capturing a Black Lotus by White-Feather Eagle Bow. The story follows Ling Miaomiao (played by Esther Yu, aka Yu Shuxin), a young woman who accidentally enters the world of a supernatural novel called Monster Hunting. Inside this fictional realm, she finds herself in the role of an unlikeable supporting character. To survive, she must win the favor of the male protagonist, Mu Sheng (played by Ding Yuxi).
This marks the second collaboration between Yu and Ding, who demonstrated their strong chemistry in the 2021 drama Moonlight. The series takes a lighthearted approach to storytelling, delivering a warm and relaxing mood within a fantasy setting. Its unique tone and engaging plot have made it a hit, particularly among younger viewers.
Love Game in Eastern Fantasy has a Douban rating of 7.4. Full episodes are available on Youtube.
Her Story, the latest film by award-winning director Shao Yihui, premiered in China on November 22, 2024, to widespread acclaim. The film offers a sharp and witty exploration of contemporary gender dynamics and female relationships, earning it a remarkable 9.1 out of 10 rating on Douban, China’s leading film-review platform. It also seems set for box office success, having already earned 46 million RMB.
Set in Shanghai, the film follows the intertwined lives of three female characters: Wang Tiemei, a fiercely independent single mother portrayed by Harbin-born actress Song Jia; her precocious young daughter Wang Moli, played by child actress Zeng Mumei; and their neighbor Xiao Ye, a romantic yet rational musician played by actress Elaine Zhong Chuxi. Following the Wangs as they move into the apartment next to Xiao Ye’s, the narrative delves into the protagonists’ personal growth and the deep bonds they form as they navigate societal expectations and personal aspirations.
Director Shao Yihui, known for her debut film B for Busy (2021), a Shanghai-set comedy of manners about middle-aged romance, emphasizes authenticity in her work. She meticulously selected real-life locations in Shanghai to use as sets for Her Story, telling Hong Kong’s Bastille Post, “I think the architectural style of Shanghai decides the unique lifestyle there. Like many modern tenants in those old villas, [the film’s characters] share some activity space and have close ties with their neighbors.”
Her Story distinguishes itself by addressing topics often considered taboo in both Chinese cinema and culture, such as sexual consent and menstruation. One notable moment from the film features Tiemei’s young daughter Moli speaking openly about menstrual cycles, challenging the silence and stigma often surrounding the topic. In another scene, Xiao Ye confronts the traditional notion that women should simply endure menstrual pain with remedies like brown sugar water, advocating instead for a more progressive understanding of women’s health. These scenes, alongside a candid, authentically portrayed discussion about sexual intimacy, reflect the film’s bold approach to addressing societal taboos with honesty and sensitivity.
As such, the film’s whimsical yet incisive tone has drawn comparisons to the 2023 global hit Barbie. However, Her Story stands apart by offering a distinctly Chinese perspective on gender issues, challenging traditional portrayals of women as self-sacrificing figures. Instead, it celebrates multidimensional female characters who confront contemporary challenges with both humor and resilience. This unique duality — blending lighthearted moments with deeply emotional undertones — has resonated profoundly with audiences. As a Xiaohongshu user, lunasyj, commented, “I just finished watching it… I thought I would laugh all the way through, but I didn’t expect to cry the entire time. Many lines touched me.”
Following its domestic success, Her Story is set to hit big screens in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries and regions, broadening its reach to international audiences.
Shao Yihui remains modest about the film’s achievements, acknowledging areas for improvement while expressing gratitude for the audience’s positive reaction. She attributes the film’s success to its novelty and the fresh perspective it brings to Chinese cinema.
Her Story stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of Chinese cinema, where female-centric narratives are gaining prominence. Viewers have embraced the film for how it tackles serious social issues with a light-hearted touch, reflecting the growing trend of female mutual empowerment in contemporary society. Interestingly, though aspects of the film’s feminist messaging are not always embraced by the Chinese film industry, official policies support women’s empowerment, and positive coverage of Her Story in state media outlets suggests tacit approval.
As the film continues to captivate viewers both domestically and internationally, it is contributing to a broader conversation about gender dynamics and the representation of women in media, offering a unique and authentic portrayal of contemporary Chinese womanhood.
A figure stands behind a table of electronic gear at Hong Kong’s Clockenflap music festival, wearing a headband that brings to mind an old school tennis star. As he tweaks knobs, the sounds that come out evoke decades past in an even more intriguing manner. Is he playing forgotten dance tracks unearthed from dusty record stores, or new productions? European disco or reimagined Cantopop classics?
While the 14th edition of Clockenflap, Hong Kong’s biggest music festival, had no shortage of big international and local names — including Serrini, Central Cee, and Jack White — few performers blurred distinctions between local and international, or defied the boundaries between genres to the same degree as DJ/producer Romain FX.
Born in France, Romain grew up across the world in places including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the US. It’s in Hong Kong that he made his mark on the music scene, cementing his status with his Boiler Room debut in 2018. Since then, he has cultivated a unique musical identity that touches upon disco, house, and techno, but transcends traditional genre classifications. He believes music is a universal language, capable of conveying emotions that resonate across cultures. Whether it’s a heart-wrenching African melody or a lively Vietnamese tune, Romain understands that the essence of music goes beyond lyrics, creating connections that empower listeners worldwide.
“To me, that’s the beauty of music. My style connects the dots between genres and times, regardless of location, a bit like my personal upbringing being a white kid growing up in Asia,” says the artist.
Romain poses with Hong Kong singer-songwriter Kaona, who provides Cantonese vocals for his breakout track “Spacer Woman 宇宙女人.” Image via Romain FX.
His rich tapestry of international influences has inevitably led him to produce songs in Cantonese, culminating in his recent track “Spacer Woman 宇宙女人,” featuring Hong Kong singer-songwriter Kaona.
This track is a cover of “Spacer Woman,” an Italo disco and new wave classic released by Italian musical project Charlie in 1983. Though the song was released this September by Bless You, a label operated by Berlin record store Sound Metaphors, the producer actually made it a few years ago. He created the 1980s-style cover under an alias, crafting it to feel like a long-lost Cantonese version unearthed from deep in the crates. The unreleased track found its way into sets by tastemaker DJs like Orpheu the Wizard and DJ Harvey, generating major curiosity amongst record collectors. “And it worked,” Romain explains. “Diggers have been hunting for this version for years until we could officially release it after five years of copyright negotiations.”
Romain elaborates on his production techniques and states, “I also use FM synth percussion and create melody-percussion lines with hard panning — a technique popular in the Canto remix scene of the late ’80s and early ’90s.” His choice of Cantonese was intentional; the track’s new wave style paired perfectly with the sharper, more percussive tones of the language. “I created it in Hong Kong with Kaona, a local friend who sang in Cantonese, so the choice came naturally.”
The full vinyl EP release of “Spacer Woman 宇宙女人” features three distinct versions of the song, which are tailored for different vibes and settings. “Each track serves a purpose for DJs,” he notes. “Whether it’s a stripped-back karaoke version inviting audience participation, an acid-influenced cut for emotional moments, or a vocal version bursting with uplifting energy.”
Romain’s recent EP, released on Bless You, an in-house label from Berlin record store Sound Metaphors. Image via Kaona on Instagram.
As a dance music classic, redone in the style of a Cantopop subgenre, “Spacer Woman 宇宙女人” exemplifies how Romain approaches his craft as both a music digger and producer. He finds inspiration in unique piano progressions and rhythmic breaks, tagging and studying tracks in his Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). This process of reinterpretation highlights a key aspect of modern music: recycling ideas to blend styles and create something new.
Lacking formal training in music theory, Romain embraces the challenge of working by ear. While it may take him hours to figure out melodies and chord progressions that a trained pianist could grasp in minutes, he finds immense satisfaction in the process. “Not having a formal background allows me to think outside conventional frameworks,” he notes, which can spark creativity in unexpected ways.
Romain believes in the importance of versatility: “Life’s too short to stick to just one genre or movement,” he says with a laugh. This maxim resonates especially in highly competitive environments like Hong Kong and Singapore, where making a breakthrough in the music scene can prove challenging.
“Keep at it,” he urges aspiring artists. “It might feel hopeless and tough 80% of the time, but with hard work, dedication, and the right people around you, the last 20% will be worth it tenfold.” Romain’s own journey exemplifies how perseverance and a willingness to innovate can lead to amazing opportunities.
Romain has been taking his music to increasingly big crowds around the world. Image courtesy Nathan DB.
Looking ahead, the artist is poised for an exciting year in 2025. With a South America tour set to kick off in January, he’ll be bringing his eclectic sound across Brazil in cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Itacaré, and then on to Mexico.
Romain has also just released a new EP in collaboration with American singer-producer Michael Cignarale (previously based in Shanghai), and has another coming soon on German record label Permanent Vacation. With his debut album — which promises to be a deeply personal exploration of varied styles and global collaborations — also in the pipeline, Romain looks set to expand his musical boundaries and connect with audiences worldwide.
Often standing behind Hollywood’s white leads, Asian American talent has historically gone unnoticed and ignored. But that’s starting to change, according to Professor Karen Leong, an expert in Asian American history at the University of New Mexico.
“There’s a lot more representation, a lot more complexity and fully fleshed out characters. I think a lot of that’s due to more Asian Americans being behind the cameras, as much as it is to more visibility of actors in front of the camera,” says Leong.
Wicked, for instance, is set to become one of the year’s biggest hits and was directed by an Asian American, John M. Chu. It also features an Asian actress — Michelle Yeoh — in one of the film’s most pivotal roles.
“Hollywood depictions of Asians and Asian Americans have been driven more by foreign policy than anything else,” the University of Delaware’s Professor Peter Feng said, citing examples such as Japan’s favorable representation during the height of its military strength pre-World War II, with Japanese actor Sessue Hayakawa achieving leading man status in the silent film era.
Building on recent success
In 2018, Warner Bros. released the romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians, a love story between Rachel (Constance Wu), a Chinese American professor, and Nick (Henry Golding), who belongs to one of Singapore’s wealthiest families. It was the first major Hollywood film to feature an Asian and Asian-American cast in nearly 25 years, and went on to become a profitable venture for the studio, grossing over 230 million USD at the global box office. Critics praised the film for being a “satisfying step forward for screen representation.” But the movie also received flack for the lack of nuance in its portrayal of Singapore’s racial politics.
There have been other Hollywood projects, however, that have provided perhaps more exciting opportunities in terms of storytelling, according to Leong, citing examples such as Amazon Prime Video’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which premiered earlier this year.
“They don’t have to be just like Asian American stories, but Asian American actors can represent diverse roles and be in really different, innovative stories,” says Leong. Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a show about two strangers, played by Maya Erskine and Donald Glover, who are thrust together as a couple after they both land jobs at a spy agency. Erskine is an American actress of Japanese descent and was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at this year’s Emmy Awards.
The Asian talent behind Wicked
Arguably, the biggest Hollywood success involving Asian American talent in 2024 was director Jon M. Chu’s Wicked, which was released in late November and has already made over 260 million USD in North America. Though the film’s leads are played by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, it also features celebrated Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, who previously collaborated with Chu in Crazy Rich Asians, and was honored with a Best Actress Oscar for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) .
“Women of Asian descent are usually hyper sexualized or perhaps docile, you know, in these sort of submissive girlfriend roles, or as the funny best friend,” the University of Southern California’s Dr. Rena Heinrich told RADII. In Wicked, however, Yeoh tackles the complex role of Madame Morrible, the Dean of Sorcery at Shiz University, who at first appears to be sweet and kind but ends up holding ulterior motives.
Besides Michelle Yeoh, Wicked also stars Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Jonathan Bailey. Image via Universal Pictures.
According to a 2021 study conducted by USC Annenberg, out of the 1,300 top-grossing movies released in America from 2007 to 2019, more than 40% of them did not feature Asian characters, accounting for 523 movies that came out during the 12 year period.
There have, nevertheless, been a few bright spots in 2024, even beyond the runaway success of Wicked. Filipino American comedian Jo Koy hosted this year’s Golden Globes ceremony in Beverly Hills. Another notable moment was when Dev Patel’s Money Man was picked up by Jordan Peele and sent to the big screen in April. The film, which the BBC described as “Dev Patel tackles Indian corruption in [a] violent action-thriller,” was originally going to be sent straight to Netflix. It ended up making more than three times its budget, according to IMDb.
“A lot of times when people think of Asian Americans, they only think of East Asians, and they primarily think of Chinese,” says Leong. “They’re not talking about Filipinos. They’re not talking about Southeast Asians,” she added. Koy’s mother is Filipino, while Patel was born in the United Kingdom to Indian origin parents.
On the festival circuit, there were also smaller films such as A Great Divide, starring comedian-actorKen Jeong, best known for his part in the Hangover films, that managed to find success in their own right. The Jean Shim-directed film, which was shown at the 47th Asian American International Film Festival, follows the journey of a Korean American teen recovering from a tragic loss in his life after his family relocates to Wyoming.
Mr. Trump Goes to Hollywood?
With President-Elect Donald Trump set to return back to the Oval Office, there’s been some speculation over how that may impact the future of Asian Americans in Hollywood.
“Hollywood has bent over backwards to produce films that will not offend PRC audiences. I think even if Trump takes a hard anti-China line, Hollywood will still see a country of a billion consumers,” says Feng.
In 2016, Marvel Studios changed the background of The Ancient One, a character in the film Doctor Strange, played by Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton, from Tibetan to Celtic. Tibet remains one of the most sensitive topics in the world of Chinese politics.
Tilda Swinton — definitely not Asian — in Doctor Strange, which went on to generate 100 million USD in China. Image via Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki.
When it comes to the future, Heinrich believes that those making the key decisions will likely remain the same and that Asian Americans in Hollywood will likely not be greatly affected as a result.
“The truth of the matter is, for the most part, what I imagine is that the folks who are making those decisions in Hollywood are the same folks they were yesterday, right? I’m assuming that they’re all still going to have their jobs in January and February.”
For most travelers, losing a checked suitcase is a nightmare. But Chinese travelers have found a way to prevent their luggage from being stolen or mistakenly taken: adding decorative, personalized elements to their suitcases. That might not sound unique if you’re just thinking of tags and stickers, but some of these jet-setters are taking a different approach — printing out huge images of their faces.
A netizen poses with photos of herself with and without makeup on her suitcase. Image via STORYYA on Xiaohongshu.
Young Chinese travelers, especially students, are printing photos of themselves directly onto customized luggage covers. These personalized designs often include bilingual warnings such as: “This luggage belongs to [the person in the photo]. Don’t take it by mistake.” In some cases, travelers even include “before and after makeup” versions of themselves in their photos, ensuring that their identity is unmistakably clear. Groups of friends sometimes coordinate their designs: in one video, five young travelers proudly pose with suitcases adorned with pictures of them making exaggerated facial expressions. Their enthusiasm drew smiles from foreign tourists, who even requested photos with the group.
Fúlù add a touch of ancient flair to luggage. Image via Elsayy on Xiaohongshu.
For those seeking extra security, fúlù (符箓), a kind of traditional Chinese talisman related to Daoism, add a symbolic layer of protection. These talismans bring a touch of mystical charm to suitcases, and apparently also safeguard your personal belongings. Other travelers are taking a more humorous and contemporary approach by decorating their suitcases with stickers of K-pop idols or memes from Chinese internet culture — designs that often bewilder outsiders, making accidental mix-ups less likely.
It doesn’t cost much to participate in the trend, with customized suitcase covers coming as cheap at 50 RMB on Taobao.
This trend is transcending its practical origins to become a vibrant expression of identity and culture. By customizing their suitcases, young Chinese travelers are not only protecting their belongings but also showcasing their creativity and cultural pride on the international stage.
