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
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…
Exit Clov Music Video Release!
An Interview with twins Emily and Susan Hsu of Exit Clov
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…