From East to West with Wong Fu Productions

During the past year, I was fortunate enough to hang out with the guys of independent filmmaking company Wong Fu Productions on three separate occasions, in three different cities. As they jet-set from coast to coast, campus to campus, their fans instantly recognize them and never quite allow them to be the international secret agents they hoped to be. Their fans know what I’m talking about. Despite the young crowds that recognize and surround them wherever they go (I even noticed discrete phone…

An Interview with Jimmy Tsai of Ping Pong Playa

I recently caught up with Taiwanese American actor Jimmy Tsai, who plays Christopher "C-dub" Wang, a suburban urban-wannabe who dreams of a career as a pro basketball player in the unbelievably funny comedy film, PingPong Playa, just now hitting theaters. Christopher "C-Dub" Wang is the anti-"model-minority" Asian American lead character who lives in the shadow of his older brother, a doctor and ping pong champion. When C-Dub reluctantly takes his mother's place as the the ping pong teacher…

An Interview with Abe Young, Author of Humanity at Stake

A few months ago, I accidentally came across a brief work-in-progress by Abe Young, a 2nd generation Taiwanese American who was inspired to write about the generally touchy subject of Taiwan-China-US relations. What captured my attention most was his wonderful ability to explore the depth and breadth of the issues, yet frame it through a captivating conversation that he had one day with his two fellow volunteers at the Housing Works Used Books & Cafe. I was so impressed by his writing that…

Where Jazz, Taiwan, and the Vocal Stylings of Jen Shyu Fuse.

"It doesn't matter if you don't know the music well, I just want you to sing it loud and proud," Jen Shyu declares, as she teaches a traditional Taiwanese folk song to a group of her peers at the North American Taiwanese Womens Association's 2nd Generation program in Los Angeles. This is, after all, a conference where the focus is on connecting the community, bridging this generation with the ones before, and taking pride in their collective sisterhood. During this session, Jen easily captures the…

Andrea Lin AKA Superdoll

You've probably seen this beautiful woman on TV at some point, but didn't know it was her. She is Andrea Lin, a model, dancer, artist, and now producer who recently moved from Taiwan in 2001. After establishing her stateside career in New York City, she now currently resides in LA. I recently sat down with Andrea in a small little cafe in the heart of LA's Chinatown to delve into her world, to uncover the reality of her alter ego "Superdoll," and to find out what has propelled her blossoming…

Metalheads, politicians and old Taiwanese folk come together

By YuLing Koh Hsu Dani Azathonian Hands (drums), Su-Nung the Bloody String (hena), Doris Thunder Tears (bass), fan Ken Pierce of Piercing Metal, Freddy the Left Face of Maradou (vocals), CJ Dispersed Fingers (keyboards) and Jesse the Infernal (guitar) after a show in New York City. They have spurred 16-foot mosh pits in California. Fans have asked them to bite their necks (a girl fan got a kiss on her cheek instead). They keep smiling despite flat tires, lost instruments and having their…

A Conversation with Tyson Mao, Rubik’s Cube Master

Did you watch Season 2 of the TV reality show Beauty and the Geek? It was a "social experiment" where eight gorgeous but academically impaired women are paired with eight brilliant but socially challenged men to test intellect and social skills - for a chance to win a $250,000 grand prize. One of the favorite couples was Tyson and Thais. Remember them? I recently had the opportunity to interview Tyson Mao, who set the world record for solving the Rubik's Cube BLINDFOLDED in 2005. [Click…

An Interview with twins Emily and Susan Hsu of Exit Clov

I recently crossed paths with two beautiful and musically talented women, Emily and Susan Hsu, of the popular DC indie pop band Exit Clov. After being captivated by their sweet melodic voices and thought-provoking smartly-composed lyrics, I was inspired to find out more about their life paths and what drives them to do what many people only dream of… to be rock stars! Here is my interview with the lead singers of Exit Clov: H: Hi Em and Susan! I've actually known you both for a long time...…

Meeting Michelle Krusiec

Admit it. You didn't know that she was Taiwanese American, did you? And before her critically acclaimed starring role as Wilhelmina Pang in Alice Wu's 2005 runaway hit film, Saving Face, you weren't quite sure where you had seen that beautiful face before... but you had. And you couldn't quite place that name... but it was somewhat familiar. For over the past decade, she has graced such films such as Sweet Home Alabama, Nixon, Daddy Day Care, and Duplex. And, she has appeared on too many…