Asian Americans In The News: Wong Fu, Michigan's Mai Xiong, Simu Liu+Shang-Chi, Ted Lieu x2, And Katseye's Lara Raj

Some news from across the way.

The Asian American Foundation and Wong Fu Productions Launch 'The United States of Asian+America' to Uncover the AAPI Trailblazers and Stories that Changed America

"Today, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) is unveiling The United States of Asian+America, a digital series produced in partnership with Wong Fu Productions that tells the untold stories of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) firsts, inventors, and industry pioneers behind America's biggest industries and cultural shifts (watch the trailer here and the premiere episode here).

From the music topping the charts to technologies powering our daily lives to the food enjoyed in every corner of the country, AAPIs have played an outsized role in the experiences that define America today. Yet as the country prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, much of the public still has limited knowledge of AAPI history and influence. According to TAAF's 2026 STAATUS Index, more than half (53%) of U.S. adults cannot name a single major moment in Asian American history, and just 7% believe AAPI communities have "a great deal" of influence on U.S. culture.

The United States of Asian+America will take viewers on a journey to meet the AAPI trailblazers who have shaped modern American life, through a series of original and intimate interviews featuring guests like.."

Xiong, Rogers Introduce Legislation to Make Childcare More Affordable

"State Reps. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) and Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) hosted a press conference today announcing House Bills 6034-35, which codify and appropriate $10 million to MI Tri-Share and Care-Share. The legislation would invest in some of the fastest-growing workplace childcare benefit programs in the state, expanding access to childcare for workers in every corner of Michigan."

“We are in an affordability crisis. Families are paying more at the gas pump, in the grocery store, on housing and on energy costs. I am committed to providing Michigan families relief now,” Rep. Xiong said. “My legislation codifies and expands Tri-Share and Care-Share, lowering costs for families, workers and businesses. Childcare is a workforce and economic issue. If parents can’t afford childcare, they can’t earn a living, businesses lose out on workers and our state’s economy suffers. Childcare costs are keeping parents out of the workforce and making it harder for employers to recruit and retain workers. As a working parent of four young children, I know the struggle every parent faces as they balance raising a family and working. This package helps address both issues and brings relief to Michigan families and ensures a robust workforce.” 

Will we see a changed Shang-Chi in Avengers: Doomsday?

While we will have to wait for Shang-Chi 2, albeit it is in the works we hear, we can still get a taste of what we've been missing in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday:

"Since quite a few years have passed, Simu Liu has teased that audiences will meet a more experienced and confident version of Shang-Chi in the upcoming ensemble film [...]

"In Doomsday, Liu will share credits with Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal and Tom Hiddleston, as well as actors from the original X-Men movie franchise, including Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, Alan Cumming and Rebecca Romijn. Doomsday will release on 18 December 2026."

Ted Lieu Face Off...And Rubio

"Democratic incumbent Ted Lieu and Republican challenger Houston Brignano will face off in November for California’s 36th congressional district, which includes UCLA and surrounding areas.

Lieu and Brignano received the most votes in the June 2 primary, earning 61.1% and 15.3% of the vote, respectively, according to the Associated Press.

Lieu, who has served in the United States House of Representatives since 2015, sits on the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs committees and serves as vice chair of the Democratic Caucus. 

Lieu’s campaign centers on protecting Californians’ civil rights, creating more humane immigration policies and regulating artificial intelligence, according to his campaign website.

Lieu funded his campaign primarily through the Ted Lieu Victory Fund, his own quarterly political action committee. The PAC’s biggest donors include unaffiliated individual donors, corporate executives and unions such as the Writers Guild of America West and the International Union of Operating Engineers."

In other news, Lieu also went head to head with Rubio on whether or not Trump has fallen asleep in public appearances:

"Secretary Rubio, have you been at more than one meeting where President Trump has fallen asleep?" the Democratic lawmaker asked during Wednesday's House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing.

Rubio said that was false.

"I've never seen him fall asleep," he said. "On the contrary, the guy doesn't sleep, which is a big problem," adding that Trump has called him in the early morning hours.

"Secretary Rubio, I'm going to show you in a moment a video that shows you just lied to Congress."

A video of last month's Cabinet meeting then plays. Trump is again shown sleeping, while Rubio is speaking about wartime matters.

"You are literally talking about issues of war and peace and Donald Trump is sleeping right next to you," Lieu said, repeating that Rubio was lying to Congress.

Rubio again said Trump wasn't asleep, saying that the videos being shown in the hearing aren't showing the president is dozing off.

"The president's inability to stay awake on the job has caused other countries to perceive him differently," Lieu said. "They mock him."

Katseye’s Lara and Megan Shut Down Fans Who Say Dating Men Negates Bisexuality

"Lara Raj and Megan Skiendiel, known to queer fans as the bisexual baddies of international girl group KATSEYE, are setting the record straight this Pride — but not literally. In an interview for Allure's June cover, the pair spoke about the impact of discussing their queerness publicly as members of one of the most famous pop groups on the planet.

With that massive success has come hypervisibility and, at times, intense scrutiny. When Raj publicly came out as queer while chatting with fans on South Korean social media platform Weverse in March 2025, fans rejoiced. Skiendiel followed suit in June of last year, coming out as bisexual after Raj prompted her during a Live on Weverse [...]

"I like everyone, I will date anyone," Raj said.⁠ "I think people really try to invalidate that because of who we currently or have publicly dated. But I've dated so many girls, and it's such a beautiful experience to be with women, and it's something that is a very core and important part of me that will always be with me for the rest of my life."⁠

There's no doubt that the group has broken barriers in both the K-pop and global music industries, both in terms of queer representation within Katseye and not being afraid to openly support LGBTQ+ rights."

Vincent Chin June 19th 1982

Today I will just copy this from Wikipedia to make sure, for those that don't already know (and I would ask how you wouldn't but also am inclined to call-in on this one vs call-out, at least today)--that they can take this and run with it. For everyone that grew up in the 80's, or came up in the 80's or late 70's, this will always have a profound effect--and you can talk about how we saw ourselves and how others saw us in the 90's as well and how this injustice and murder reverberated across Asian American.

Wikipedia

"On June 19, 1982, Chin was having a bachelor party at the Fancy Pants Club in Highland Park to celebrate his upcoming wedding with three of his friends: Jimmy Choi, Gary Koivu, and Robert Siroskey.^[18] Seated across the stage from them were two white men, Chrysler plant supervisor Ronald Ebens and his stepson, laid-off autoworker Michael Nitz.^[4] According to an interview by American documentary filmmaker Michael Moore for the Detroit Free Press, after Chin gave a white stripper a generous gratuity, Ebens shouted, "Hey, you little motherfuckers!", and told an African-American dancer, "Don't pay any attention to those little fuckers, they wouldn't know a good dancer if they'd seen one."^[18] Racine Colwell, a dancer at the bar, later testified that Ebens said, "It's because of you little motherfuckers that we're out of work."^[19][20][21] This statement later provided the evidence for civil rights litigation against Ebens.^[22] He later claimed that the argument was not about Chin's race but the Black dancer's gratuity.^[18] Another witness said that he heard the anti-Chinese racial slur "Chink" being used towards Chin, while another man said Ebens told him, "I'll give you $20 if you help us catch the Chinaman."^[23]

Ebens claimed that Chin walked over to him and Nitz and threw a punch at his jaw.^[18] The fight escalated as Nitz shoved Chin in defense of his stepfather, and Chin countered.^[18] One of the dancers reported that Ebens and Chin picked up chairs and started swinging them at each other.^[17] Nitz suffered a cut on his head from a chair that Ebens had intended to use to strike Chin.^[18] Chin and his friends left the room, while a bouncer led Ebens and Nitz to the restroom to clean up the wound. According to Ebens and Nitz, one of Chin's friends, Robert Siroskey, came back inside to use the restroom and apologized to the group, stating that Chin had a few drinks due to his bachelor's party. Ebens and Nitz had also been drinking that night, although not at the club, which did not serve alcohol.

When Ebens and Nitz left the club, they encountered Chin and his friends who were waiting outside for Siroskey. Chin called Ebens a "chicken shit", at which point Nitz retrieved a baseball bat from his car and Chin and his friends ran down the street.^[18] Ebens and Nitz searched the neighborhood for 20 to 30 minutes and even paid another man 20 dollars to help them look for Chin before finding him at a nearby McDonald's restaurant. Chin attempted to escape, but was held by Nitz while Ebens repeatedly bludgeoned Chin with a baseball bat until Chin's head cracked open.^[24] Ebens was arrested and taken into custody at the scene of the crime by two off-duty police officers who had witnessed the beating.^[25] One of the officers said that Ebens wielded the bat like he was swinging "for a home run".^[24] Michael Gardenhire, one of the police officers, called for an ambulance.^[26] Chin was rushed to Henry Ford Hospital and was comatose on arrival. He never regained consciousness and died four days later on June 23, 1982; Chin was only 27 years old.^[7][26]"

FIFA Invites Korean YouTuber Inocat To Match Against Mexico After Racist Fan Mugs Her Pic (AKA Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes AKA Racist A**hat)

Bernal is pictured making the racist gesture during South Korea's World Cup match against the Czech Republic (Instagram @inocat_t)

Well--it seems that after deciding to be a racist asshat, prompting Inocat to write "You traveled across the world for the World Cup… and experienced racism..."--Bernal has been removed from his position:

"A South Korean content creator had posted a video of herself at the match last Friday, where Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, seated behind her, was seen making the slanted-eyes pose then laughing it off. The pose is seen as disrespectful to East Asians.

The incident generated much outrage online, with many Mexicans expressing disgust at his actions.

Bernal later apologised and reports say he has been removed from his position as president of a Mexican engineering guild."

At least that was something (and or course FIFA blocked access to all of his tickets).

The Korea Herald is reporting that Inocat has also accepted FIFA's invitation to attend the South Korea vs Mexico game in Guadalajara.

BUNNY!! (Thỏ Ơi!!) Is The Best Thriller You Haven't Seen (Yet)

Playing on Netflix now, this is an exceptionally taut wonderful-keeping-you-on-the-edge-until-the-end thriller from start to finish from wunderkind Trấn Thành. 

As with many great Viet films, this is a love story. 

A story of wants and needs. 

Filled with lessons on life and relationships, family, and those around us. 

And dark. 

Beautifully dark, wonderfully acted, and visually stunning. 

Definitely don't miss this.

https://www.3388films.com/portfolio/bunny-tho-oi-movie/

English: A popular relationship advice host finds her carefully curated life upended when she meets a guest with a mysterious personal story, taking them both down a rabbit hole that leads to unimaginable consequences. Directed by Tran Thanh, produced by Tran Thanh Town, Galaxy Studio & HK Film, with an international release by 3388 Films.

Tiếng Việt: TV host chương trình tư vấn tình cảm nổi tiếng bỗng thấy cuộc sống đã được sắp đặt cẩn thận của mình bị đảo lộn khi cô gặp một vị khách mời với câu chuyện cá nhân bí ẩn, kéo cả hai vào một cuộc phiêu lưu đầy những hậu quả khó lường. Một bộ phim từ đạo diễn Tran Thanh, do Thanh Town, Galaxy Studio & HK Film sản xuất và 3388 Films phát hành quốc tế.

Français: Une animatrice de conseils relationnels très populaire voit sa vie, pourtant si bien orchestrée, basculer lorsqu’elle rencontre un invité au passé mystérieux, les entraînant tous deux dans un engrenage aux conséquences inimaginables Réalisé par Tran Thanh, produit par Tran Thanh Town, Galaxy Studio & HK Film, avec une sortie internationale par 3388 Films.

Český jazyk: Pečlivě naplánovaný život oblíbené moderátorky pořadu o vztahovém poradenství se obrátí vzhůru nohama poté, kdy v pořadu uvede ženu s tajemným osobním příběhem, který je obě zavede do králičí nory, a tím i k nepředstavitelným následkům. Režie Tran Thanh, produkce Tran Thanh Town, Galaxy Studio & HK Film, mezinárodní distribuce 3388 Films.

Język polski: Gwiazda telewizji doradzająca parom traci grunt pod nogami, a jej starannie budowane życie sypie się po wywiadzie z tajemniczym gościem programu, którego historia wciąga ich w spiralę zdarzeń o nieodwracalnych skutkach. W reżyserii Tran Thanh, wyprodukowany przez Tran Thanh Town, Galaxy Studio & HK Film, przy współpracy z dystrybutorem międzynarodowym 3388 Films.

普通話: 一位知名兩性情感諮詢的節目主持人，在遇見一位擁有神秘個人故事的嘉賓之後，她精心規劃好的生活徹底被翻轉，兩人就此陷入一件宛如兔子洞穴般的複雜事件，終究成了難以想像的後果。由陳清執導，陳清城、銀河影業及香港電影公司聯合出品，3,388影業負責國際發行。

So Wasians Have Been Getting A Lot Of Spotlights. What About Blasians?

First - I'm not saying anything about my Wasians--I love ALL MY ASIAN PEOPLES.

And my question is not their issue (per se). 

I'm just saying that I don't feel like I've ever heard Blasians shouted as loud and as high from the hilltops.

And with one of those funny long trumpet looking things with a banner on it.

Am I wrong? 

Did I miss a moment?

I'm just saying that this is one way that certain portions of society try to put Asians in specific boxes, or near other boxes, by simply not acknowledging some things as much, while acknowledging others more--no matter where we really sit.

It's a system. A perfectly played, and played out, system and I just want everyone to have some magazine covers and commercial time.

Maybe it can be like a new DC Universe thing...

More Linsanity. More Kat. And Yes...It's Still Knicks Over Spurs AKA 2027 Is 15 Years Since Linsanity

I loved how Kat gave a shout out to Jeremy Lin, because that truly is game recognizing game (and remember that Kat is a #1 draft pick and Jeremy Lin was undrafted).

And just to set the record straight--yes, I wanted them to implode for the obvious trade reasons, because who wants the short end of the stick? 

But when it comes down to it, I still have to want MSG and NYC, and Mr. Karl Anthony Towns, to get that Finals win over the Spurs that took us out.

Been On Vacation + A Chat With Teejay Johnson x toppsRIPPED

There are many many things to blog about coming back from a week and a half vacation....so many....but for now here's a quick snippet and link to an article from last month on Teejay Johnson from toppsRIPPED on The Hobby (of trading cards).

"Teejay Johnson, aka @NatureLuvzYou, has become one of the most recognizable and authentic voices in The Hobby. Through engaging content, genuine storytelling, and a passion for connecting with collectors, he has built a loyal following across social media while helping introduce new audiences to trading cards.

As a Filipino and Chinese American creator, NatureLuvzYou brings a unique perspective to the space, championing representation, inclusivity, and community. From collecting Pokémon cards as a kid to becoming a respected creator working alongside some of The Hobby’s biggest brands and personalities, his journey reflects the growth of both his platform and The Hobby itself. 

As an Asian American creator in the trading card space, have there been any unique experiences or perspectives you’ve brought to The Hobby that have shaped your content?

Being Asian American — I’m both Filipino and Chinese — I just try to stay true to myself. If you follow me on Instagram, I’m always posting Filipino and Chinese food to put people on to things they may not have tried before.

When it comes to content, if we’re keeping it real, The Hobby still isn’t quite diverse. People often like watching creators they can relate to, so as someone who is Asian, I feel like I have to put in twice the amount of effort. Thankfully, that effort has clearly worked."

Read the article in full at: https://ripped.topps.com/aapi-spotlight-teejay-johnson-natureluvzyou-hobby/

Present + Past: Bella Poarch: Ribcage x Linkin Park: The Emptiness Machine Live At Wembley

LYRICS: I think I sleep too much Flowers are overgrown Under my bed My thoughts turn into dust I watch them decompose Inside my head Come along Do you wanna see Don’t know what is wrong What is wrong with me Think it’s been too long And I’m in too deep Oh, Think I’m Living in a dream Or maybe it’s a nightmare Is there an in between? I think I wanna die there Looking for my ribcage I don’t feel my bones I don’t wanna stay here But I don’t have a home Living in a dream Or maybe it’s a nightmare I don’t like medicine I’d rather eat my brain Cause what’s the use When I’ll wake up again And pour it down the drain It’s nothing new Come along Do you wanna see Don’t know what is wrong What is wrong with me Think it’s been too long And I’m in too deep Oh, Think I’m Living in a dream Or maybe it’s a nightmare Is there an in between? I think I wanna die there Looking for my ribcage I don’t feel my bones I don’t wanna stay here But I don’t have a home Living in a dream Or maybe it’s a nightmare

Linkin Park performs "The Emptiness Machine" live at their sold out show at Wembley Stadium in London on June 28, 2025.

The Presidential Message On AANHPI Month Is Just Trash. Trash I Tell You. AKA I Don't Even Want To Drive Around Naked Eating Twinkies During Our Month...Well...Actually...No One Is Going To Stop That

You can click on the image for the full scale words or trash, or you can go to the site and let them know I sent you there with a message of "You Suck And Should Be Deported".

Half of the message is about the Big Crappy Bill and the other portions don't even scrape what we do and when juxtaposed with his immigration crackdown--which extends to non-illegal people just because they weren't born here but aren't citizens yet--and making sure we as immigrants and Asian Americans don't feel welcome, while at the same time trying to talk about strides in Asia, while at the same time being the one who has to take responsibility for the murders of Renee Good and Alex Preti...

Could someone be talking out of their backside more?

I mean sure it is Trump...

Treasonous Trump as I like to call him. 

But still--it doesn't make this easier to endure--especially since the cost of gas and goods doesn't even make we want to drive around naked eating twinkies on our month.

I mean, have you seen the price of Twinkies?

Matthew Lillard + Nostalgia + Why It's Important To Have Asian Americans (Everywhere) Now

In my browser window I saw a link to this article with the headline Matthew Lillard Says “People Are Hiring Me Again” Because of Nostalgia and it is a good reminder again on why representation matters--not just for the present, but for future generations simply because of nostalgia.

If you grow up with a specific set of people that you see--and it really can cross into so many other areas--you are likely to support them years later and while it seems like common sense, other groups don't always see it, and then they don't understand why we push so hard for it, or look to create our own spaces.

Just a short random thought for the day.

And yes we all likeed Lillard in FNAF.

Suni Lee The Real Villain Over CJ McCollum? And She's In Beef Season 2? Nice Work If You Can Get It AKA I Want The Knicks To Implode (Unless Linsanity Comes Back)

After last night's EPIC loss from the Knicks--the only great thing about them is the MSG (and obviously Kat), it wasn't actually CJ McCollum who turned out to be the ones Knick fans blamed.

It was Suni Lee:

Suni Lee attended the Knicks versus Hawks playoff game on Monday evening and became widely popular online for her influence on the game’s outcome [...]

One user questioned, “OG HOW YOU GONNA MISS BOTH FREE THROWS WITH HER WATCHING??” Another one added, “OG always reacts when she’s around.” One person mentioned, “This is the second year in a row they’ve blown a 4th-quarter lead in front of her.”

The online discussions happened after the Hawks won 107-106 against the Knicks, tying the playoff series at one game apiece.

Yup.

But maybe it sets Lee up for some more roles as she starts getting those cameos in.

In episode 6, Austin (Charles Melton) is thrown into the deep end in his new role as a physical therapist at the club's wellness center by the arrival of gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee.

"Josh says that you'll work with my team to get me right for L.A.," says Lee, before arching her back into a handstand and performing the splits. "Nobody's been able to figure out why, but I feel a slight pinch in my QL and my psoas when I do this."

Again - nice work if you can get.  

SPIT: A Life in Battles By Jonnie Park AKA DUMBFOUNDEAD

Check out the new book by DUMBFOUNDEAD AKA Jonnie Park

Born in Argentina to Korean parents and smuggled by a coyote across the US-Mexico border at age three, Park grew up in L.A. amid cultural dislocation, his father’s violent alcoholism, and the turbulent protests and riots of the early 1990s. 

Searching for belonging, he found salvation in the highly competitive underground world of battle rap, where he was among the only successful Asian American battle rappers. He honed his freestyle superpowers at Project Blowed, the legendary South Central L.A. open-mic venue, amid a motley crew of characters who took him in as one of their own. 

Told through the lens of his life’s greatest battles—his father’s rage, racist stereotypes, the “model minority” myth, the pressures of fame, and his own addictions—Park tells his story with his trademark humor, lyrical style, and unflinching honesty.

Like Eminem’s 8 Mile, SPIT charts the author’s course from high-school dropout to cultural pioneer, one verse at a time. Featuring a dozen vivid graphic novel–style illustrations that bring his journey to life, SPIT visualizes the inner demons and outer adversaries Park faced along the way. From open-mics in South Central to freestyle cyphers in Seoul to music festivals across the globe, Park’s memoir is a testament to creativity, grit, and the power of speaking your truth—even when the world isn’t ready to hear it.

More than just a chronicle of an artist’s path to success, SPIT is a groundbreaking story of identity, resilience, and reinvention. It is also the story of an American outsider who turned life’s challenges into his stage and battled his way to triumph.

Currently it is #1 in New Releases for Rap & Hip-Hop Musician Bio's.

Pick it up at: https://www.amazon.com/SPIT-Life-Battles-Jonnie-Park/dp/B0F7DY1ZNK

3 Days Left To Submit For slant'd Issue 08 Wild (Submissions Close 4/19

From their PR:

If you've been sitting on a story idea, this is your sign.
Not sure if your idea is ready—or if YOU are ready? Here's what happens if your pitch gets selected:

• Writers: First, our team will match you with a dedicated Editor and Layout Designer. The story development process will kick off with our signature story workshop, where you'll get to share more about the heart of your story and develop it further. Then, you'll work hand-in-hand with your Editor for 4-6 months to get it into its final form. Mid-way through the process, you'll meet your Story Artist, who will co-create an original piece of art made just for your story. It's truly a special and beloved process that is unique to Slant’d.

• Artists: In addition to personal essays and poems, we also feature art pieces (think: illustration, photo essays). If you pitch a visual story and are accepted, you'll be matched with a dedicated Layout Designer who will help you sharpen your vision and make sure you feel amazing about the final piece before it goes to print.

We're looking for personal essays, short stories, poetry, art, and photography from AAPI creatives of all backgrounds. We believe that everyone is creative—no MFA, no agent, no previous bylines required here. All you need is a story worth telling and the willingness to pitch it.
See here for a breakdown of this issue’s theme, our editorial philosophy, and submission requirements. 
If you still have questions, you can send us a note at editorial@slantd.com. 

SUBMIT HERE: https://slantd.submittable.com/submit

Film Project: The Adoptees + Seed&Spark Campaign + From The Voices Of Vietnamese Adoptees

The film is a new project from the perspective of an older Vietnamese Adoptee who was on Operation Babylyft and from what I've seen of the first 9 minutes (as I am sitting on the advisory committee as well) is something very new and needed from a Vietnamese Adoptee film perspective as there is nothing out there that I am aware of, that handles some of the material in such an authentic way.

Here is some information on the project from the SEED&SPARK campaign which has around 15 days left:

Mission Statement

The stories of Vietnamese adoptees have long been reduced to a simplistic "saved" versus "stolen" narrative. The true story of their adoption is far more complex, lasts a lifetime, and is now being told by adoptees themselves. Our film aims to change the conversation by centering adoptee voices. 

For many Americans, this is where the story ended, but Mike Frailey's story was just beginning.

He was just eight years old when he was put on a plane destined for Missouri alongside his best friend. In Vietnam, they were Thọ and Nga. In America, they became Mike and David.

Evacuated together during Operation Babylift, Mike and David were adopted by American families living on the same street in Missouri. While Mike embraced assimilation and the promise of the American Dream, David struggled to let go of their past and grappled with their memories of war. Their paths ultimately diverged, and they had a major falling out as teenagers.

In 2009, at the age of 42, Mike traveled back to Vietnam for the first time and began recording his experiences with photos and videos, and the seed of a documentary was born. In 2024, the discovery of a handwritten ledger in Mike's orphanage prompted him to reexamine his story and David's while mounting a search for his birth family.

While the film's main focus will be on Mike and David, there will also be some other Vietnamese Adoptees adding to the film's story as well.

Definitely check out the campaign and the site and if you are so inclined give it a little post on your social media and/or donate if you can. 

BINI Performs At Coachella. Makes History As First Filipino Group There

The group released their junior EP called Signals before their Coachella debut and will return for the festival's second week end on April 17th according to reports.

Markiplier + Iron Lung + $50 million + Breaking Boundaries

 

A little late to this (not too much though) - but I think this is just another example of how different pathways that allow anyone to create, can do something great, and how Asian Americans have done so much with YouTube. 

If you are not sure who Markiplier is here's a little bit from the Wiki's:

After joining YouTube in 2012, Fischbach became popular on the platform with Let's Plays of Amnesia: The Dark Descent and the Five Nights at Freddy's series; as of February 25th, 2026, his channel had over 38 million subscribers.[4] He signed with talent agency William Morris Endeavor in 2016. While with the agency, he released a clothing line, wrote and directed the YouTube Original series A Heist with Markiplier (2019) and In Space with Markiplier (2022), and hosted or co-hosted two podcasts, which reached No. 1 on Spotify.

In 2023, Fischbach signed with United Talent Agency and was nominated for a Children's and Family Emmy Award. He starred in the series The Edge of Sleep (2024) and made his theatrical debut directing, producing, writing, and starring in the horror film Iron Lung (2026). 

[...] 

Mark Edward Fischbach was born on June 28, 1989, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father Cliffton Morris Fischbach Jr. was a German American military officer who met his mother, Sunok Frank, while stationed in South Korea.[5] Fischbach's maternal grandfather was a North Korean defector and his maternal family history is covered in the 2022 documentary film Markiplier from North Korea.[6]

After Fischbach was born, the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio,[7] but his parents divorced when he was still young. Fischbach graduated from Milford High School in 2007 and enrolled at the University of Cincinnati in a biomedical engineering program.[7][8] His father died in 2008 when Fischbach was 18 years old.[9][10] Fischbach met Wade Barnes in sixth grade and roomed with Bob Muyskens in his freshman year—they would both become his long-term friends and collaborators.[11]

In 2012, Fischbach was beset by many different issues: he went through a breakup, was laid off from his job, moved to an apartment after his mother kicked him out of her house, had an emergency appendectomy, and went into debt. After being hospitalized because of an adrenal tumor, he "decided that he wanted to do something else.

And then here's a little but from an article on Slate:

This past weekend saw one of the oddest box-office victories in recent times. No, I’m not talking about Melania, the first lady–produced documentary that Amazon reportedly spent $40 million on for the rights alone, with an additional $35 million for the marketing. I’m talking about Iron Lung, a self-financed film by a beloved YouTuber named Mark Fischbach, who goes by the handle Markiplier, and who has more than 38 million followers to his name. The movie, an adaptation of an indie horror video game, had a budget of approximately $3 million—an amount that Iron Lung has already earned back seven times over, with a box office of $21.7 million worldwide. Markiplier’s secret to getting his passion project into an impressive 3,000 theaters? According to an interview with Matt Belloni’s podcast The Town, he tapped into his network of fans, many of whom apparently work at movie theaters, and who vouched for the film to their managers. This is one of the rosier byproducts of his years cultivating a relationship with followers through videos that are usually—though not always—about gaming.

Slamming Korean Adoptees For Their Pronounciation (AKA WTH Is Wrong With People...Oh Yeah)

So I'll just start out by quoting out some of the substack article from  K-Culture with Jae-Ha Kim:

In another edition of You’re Not Korean Enough, we have a contingent of cruel and clueless people on the internet who are taking a Korean adoptee to task for not being a real Korean. Why? Because she initially mispronounced the name of a Korean folk song, “Arirang” (아리랑).

Are you done rolling your eyes yet? Because I’m not.

A few days ago, Kat Turner made an informative video explaining the significance of the Korean folk song “Arirang” as it applies to her. Thanks to BTS annoucing that Arirang is the title of the group’s highly-awaited comeback album, “Arirang” has become a buzzword that is being dissected on social media. What could the significance of Arirang possibly mean? [...]

All of this brings me back to Turner’s video on Instagram. While the post went viral — drawing praise from BTS fans, adoptees, and the general public — there was a contingent of loud and entitled naysayers (most of whom appear to be westerners and/or Korean Americans) who criticized her at every turn for being a clout chaser, an imposter, and — most egregiously — a Korean wannabe.

Why? Because she mispronounced the word “Arirang.” 

Here is Kat Turner's response via IG as well.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KAT 문순자 (@thekatturner)

I think what I like most about this, is how she told all the naysayers where to go, in a nice way, and that after journalist Jae-Ha Kim wrote the piece in substack, Min Jin Lee, the bestselling author of Pachinko, shared it and the same day, invited Kat to a speaking engagement, even when it was sold out. 

How cool is that?

Adoptees all over the world have to deal with stuff like this and I'm glad to see other Koreans standing up for their people (because Adoptees are part of the diaspora too). Things like this can take an Adoptee from wanting to learn about the culture they were taken out of, to not wanting anything to do with it at all, and that's a sad state.

So make a note of that if you know some Adoptees trying to make their way, love their motherland and culture and language--remember that they had it pretty hard in that way, and to make those jumps, to do the work--it takes a lot of courage and heart.

Don't dismantle them.

Help build them up to be the best version of who they can be, and who they want to be.

And just for the record--I know a lot of Adoptees, who didn't group up familialy with their culture and knowledge and language, who now know it better than some of those that did here in America.

We all learn. We all grow. 

Slant'd Accepting Submissions For Issue 08: Wild

From the email/release:

Hi there,

We're excited to share that the next issue of our literary magazine is in the works!

For Issue 08 (Wild), we invite you to share your stories of adventure. We’re looking for stories of people venturing off the beaten path and bravely going against societal convention. We want stories of travel—the sights you saw, the people you met, and the insights you gained along the way. Wild includes stories of spiritual awakening and the freedom that comes from embracing your full, vibrant self. Wild asks us to reconnect with nature and examine our role in this world. Issue 08 will be a celebration of what happens when we follow our curiosity and dive in head first into the vast, uncharted wilderness of our lives.

What to submit:
We welcome original works of creative nonfiction (personal essays), poetry, illustration, and photography. Don’t worry about submitting a finished draft—we only need your story pitch and an outline. 

Who can submit:
Anyone! No MFA, no agent, no previous bylines needed. We prioritize potential over polish and art over accolades. You don't even have to call yourself a "writer" to pitch us. You just have to have a story worth telling—and we'll help you bring it to life.

This especially goes for AAPI writers and artists who identify as disabled, neurodivergent, trans and LGBTQIA+, or are over the age of 30. Your story has a home here.

What the process is like:
Every contributor is paired with a dedicated editor, layout designer (and if you're a writer, then you'll also be paired with an artist!) to workshop their story from idea to page. Think of it like developmental editing meets coaching.

Here's what one of our writers from Issue 07 had to say about it:

"My experience with Slant'd was one of both validation and growth. I start with validation because, at every point in the editorial process, I was reminded that I belonged and that my work was of worthy quality, which helped me process feedback and tackle each challenge with the confidence needed to not only improve what we were working on but also grow as a creative more broadly. - Dakota S.

Know someone with a wild story to tell? Forward this email or tag them on our Instagram post!

Share your wild story by 4/19 at 11:59 PM PST

ACLU’s Cecillia Wang Challenges Taking Birthright Citizenship Away. Set For A Supreme Court Fight

Glad to see that we are right in the thick of things and not leting these moments pass us on by. 

Wang, the group’s national legal director, will urge the justices to reaffirm the Supreme Court’s 1898 ruling in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which held that children born in the US to foreign nationals are citizens under the Constitution. Wang said that decision has become the foundation of post-Reconstruction America.

“Our entire country has been built on the basis of birthright citizenship,” Wang said. “To reinterpret, or overturn—which the government is really asking them to do—would shatter the foundation of American life.”

The article also quotes more from Wang on being a second gen immigrant and the meaning of the 14th Amendment.

“I’m one of countless millions of second-generation Americans for whom the birthright citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment is very meaningful,” Wang said. “And there are many, many millions more, tens of millions of people, who have an ancestor who was a citizen of the United States because of the 14th Amendment.”

“There’s a merging of how I feel personally about this case with how millions of Americans feel about this case,” Wang said of the birthright litigation. “What the executive order does is profoundly counter to this fundamentally American principle that all of us born in this country are American citizens, one and all, and that we have equal rights as citizens.

Read the article in full.

TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill On DHS Shutdown

In a recent artcicle Ha Nguyen McNeil said:

"We are being forced to consolidate lanes and may have to close smaller airports if we do not have enough officers. It is a fluid, challenging and unpredictable situation. This is a dire situation. We are facing a potential, perfect storm of severe staffing shortages and an influx of millions of passengers at our airports in less than 80 days".

Nguyen McNeil was referring to the start of the FIFA World Cup.

While there is an executive order it does not specify what happens with latter checks in the DHS shutdown.