I was underrepresented in my country of origin (I don't call it my "home" country anymore) for goodness sake, by religion and ethnicity.
Coming to Europe over a decade ago, coming back to the country of origin, now coming back to the Western world... I'm about the same age as you and it's only recently I saw that the western media have looked into the ESEAn entertainment. I grew up with East Asian media but I could feel and associate with the struggle to get the western world develop their appetite towards this kind of entertainment, which I understand why because it takes a sense of adventure and reception to accept someone looking different from them to be on screen (the reverse of the western global entertainment on our ESEAn screens).
In a way the feeling of struggle to get the ESEAn media widely accepted is imbued with the unhealthy sense of the inferior mindset I must say, as the flavour of entertainment is said to "make it" only after it's been accepted by Hollywood and the likes.
The other day as I doomscrolled Reddit, I came across a good question on C-drama sub, about why the C-dramas are less popular than K-J although they also have charms.
As C-dramas were and still are exported to the SEA countries and translated, I couldn't resonate with the question. It's amusing to find the consensus in the answers is not mainly about the political stance of the West against China, but the entertainment is less catered towards the western viewers, from the plots, story elements, visual fx, etc, which is economically sensible because China. has such a huge population, the domestic market alone might sustain its media industry, while K-drama and J-dorama might be more relatable to the western (am not a media expert, just recalling the answers in the subreddit).
Thanks for your thoughtful comment Sekar ❤️ (please feel free to share as much as you're happy to, it's not rambling at all!)
I completely get what you mean: there's definitely been a struggle for East Asian media to be appreciated over here. Not only the way ESEA people are perceived (notably men and women are fetishised and underappreciated in their own separate ways), but our stories too. Somehow it feels like there 'must' be a deep meaning, religious/spiritual rooting or some sort of mythology, when we're just normal, real humans too. I suppose that's why CRA felt so special to me – it's a fun romcom!
Loved your thoughts about C-dramas! I watched many growing up, and they definitely focus on ESEA viewers, which should be the case. I'm a sucker for a sickly sweet romance, so loved K-dramas and Taiwanese shows. Perhaps they'll hit the mainstream soon, just as K-dramas did.
Thank you for sharing this Michelle! I'm Malaysian and had been in the UK (where I now live) for a while when Crazy Rich Asians came out and absolutely loved it. Reading your own experience with it reminded me of what a significant movie it is.
It's such an important movie to me simply because it's 'just' a romcom, full of ESEA people being happy and normal, not exploiting culture or struggles.
I will never get sick of reading about your experiences, from friendship to representation to being an eldest daughter. You are one of the best writers on this platform <3
As for this post, whew. I think to add, Crazy Rich Asians shows no (or very little) suffering. It's upbeat and heart-warming and *enjoyable*.
Thanks so much my darling. I knew I had to write a piece on how this film made me feel and how it made me feel seen. And YES, it's just a feel-good romcom that happens to feature an ESEA cast! There's really something to be said about how non-White stories are typically centred around some form of terrible event, suffering and darkness, as though that's all we can contribute to the world – our sadnesses.
I heartily recommend Devs, it’s a mini series in 8 episodes, the music and sound design alone make it a rare treat, the interplay between Sonoya and Nick Offerman’s character I thought was pitch perfect. For me it was one of those experiences which makes you wish you could forget it all so u can watch it for the first time again! Haven’t watched HOTD but have it queued on Prime. 🙏🏻
I was underrepresented in my country of origin (I don't call it my "home" country anymore) for goodness sake, by religion and ethnicity.
Coming to Europe over a decade ago, coming back to the country of origin, now coming back to the Western world... I'm about the same age as you and it's only recently I saw that the western media have looked into the ESEAn entertainment. I grew up with East Asian media but I could feel and associate with the struggle to get the western world develop their appetite towards this kind of entertainment, which I understand why because it takes a sense of adventure and reception to accept someone looking different from them to be on screen (the reverse of the western global entertainment on our ESEAn screens).
In a way the feeling of struggle to get the ESEAn media widely accepted is imbued with the unhealthy sense of the inferior mindset I must say, as the flavour of entertainment is said to "make it" only after it's been accepted by Hollywood and the likes.
The other day as I doomscrolled Reddit, I came across a good question on C-drama sub, about why the C-dramas are less popular than K-J although they also have charms.
As C-dramas were and still are exported to the SEA countries and translated, I couldn't resonate with the question. It's amusing to find the consensus in the answers is not mainly about the political stance of the West against China, but the entertainment is less catered towards the western viewers, from the plots, story elements, visual fx, etc, which is economically sensible because China. has such a huge population, the domestic market alone might sustain its media industry, while K-drama and J-dorama might be more relatable to the western (am not a media expert, just recalling the answers in the subreddit).
Sorry for my rambling.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment Sekar ❤️ (please feel free to share as much as you're happy to, it's not rambling at all!)
I completely get what you mean: there's definitely been a struggle for East Asian media to be appreciated over here. Not only the way ESEA people are perceived (notably men and women are fetishised and underappreciated in their own separate ways), but our stories too. Somehow it feels like there 'must' be a deep meaning, religious/spiritual rooting or some sort of mythology, when we're just normal, real humans too. I suppose that's why CRA felt so special to me – it's a fun romcom!
Loved your thoughts about C-dramas! I watched many growing up, and they definitely focus on ESEA viewers, which should be the case. I'm a sucker for a sickly sweet romance, so loved K-dramas and Taiwanese shows. Perhaps they'll hit the mainstream soon, just as K-dramas did.
Thank you for sharing this Michelle! I'm Malaysian and had been in the UK (where I now live) for a while when Crazy Rich Asians came out and absolutely loved it. Reading your own experience with it reminded me of what a significant movie it is.
Thanks for reading it, Alicia!!
It's such an important movie to me simply because it's 'just' a romcom, full of ESEA people being happy and normal, not exploiting culture or struggles.
I will never get sick of reading about your experiences, from friendship to representation to being an eldest daughter. You are one of the best writers on this platform <3
As for this post, whew. I think to add, Crazy Rich Asians shows no (or very little) suffering. It's upbeat and heart-warming and *enjoyable*.
Thank you as always <3
Love you love you LOVE you!
Thanks so much my darling. I knew I had to write a piece on how this film made me feel and how it made me feel seen. And YES, it's just a feel-good romcom that happens to feature an ESEA cast! There's really something to be said about how non-White stories are typically centred around some form of terrible event, suffering and darkness, as though that's all we can contribute to the world – our sadnesses.
Love Sonoya Mizuno. She totally destroys in DEVS. Have you seen it?👩💻
Me too! I've not seen Devs, but loved her in House of the Dragon somewhat recently.
I heartily recommend Devs, it’s a mini series in 8 episodes, the music and sound design alone make it a rare treat, the interplay between Sonoya and Nick Offerman’s character I thought was pitch perfect. For me it was one of those experiences which makes you wish you could forget it all so u can watch it for the first time again! Haven’t watched HOTD but have it queued on Prime. 🙏🏻
High praise indeed!
..and deserved! :¬)