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My Hereditary Cultural Erosion Experience Part II

Reflections on the Last Thirty Years of America as a Korean-American

By Milissa YoonPublished 6 years ago 24 min read
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Meant to be a sequel to my previous media review essay on the impact 80s culture in America had on me, I thought I should follow up with my reflections on the 90s and beyond to the present day. Because of the readily available consumer filmmaking tools, filmmaking is less elitist and more widespread and we are globally more connected, so the amount of media must be prefaced with a nod to what is going on outside of Hollywood, too, as a global citizen and Korean-American...So, to start off, here is a list of my foreign influences outside of Hollywood I have had regarding Asian representation:

Bollywood 1913-present: Raja Harishchandra by Dadasaheb Phalke, is known as the first silent feature film made in India.

Akira Kurosawa’s movies from 41-02...I first watched Kurosawa’s films in film class in college. He was a predecessor and inspiration to filmmakers everywhere.

(Hangul: 한국드라마; RR: hanguk drama) or K-dramas are television dramas (Hangul: 드라마; RR: deurama) in the Korean language, made in South Korea. Radio broadcasting, including the broadcasting of radio dramas in Korea, began in 1927 under Japanese rule, with most programming in Japanese and around 30 percent in Korean. After the Korean War, radio dramas such as Cheongsilhongsil (1954) reflected the country's mood. Television broadcasting began in 1956 with the launch of an experimental station, HLKZ-TV, which was shut down a few years later due to a fire. The first national television channel was Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), which started up in 1961. The first Korean television film was a 15-minute piece titled The Gate of Heaven (천국의 문, Cheongugui mun), on HLKZ-TV. The first television series was aired by KBS in 1962. Their commercial competitor, Tongyang Broadcasting (TBC), had a more aggressive program policy and aired controversial dramas as well. The first historical TV series aired was Gukto manri (국토만리), directed by Kim Jae-hyeong (김재형), depicting the Goryeo era (from Wikipedia).

Drunkenmaster in 78—Jackie Chan is brilliant. Written by Lung Hsian, Ng See-yuen, and Yuen Woo-ping.

36 Chambers of Shaolin in 78—You can’t be a real Wu Tang fan if you haven’t seen this one. Written by I Kuang.

Five Deadly Venoms in 78—This movie was my all-time fave Shaw Brothers movie. There is a sequel, Crippled Avengers but since I saw this one first, I like it a little more. Five Deadly Venoms is a standard of action films for me since I saw it as a kid. Written by Ni Kuang and Chang Cheh.

Police Story in 85—Jackie Chan said it was his best action flick. Screenplay by Jackie Chan and Edward Tang from the story by Golden Way Creative Group.

Akira in 88—Influential anime is so many ways. Written by Otomo and Izo Hashimoto.

Tetsuo: The Iron Man is a 1989 movie with innovative filming techniques, a Japanese cyberpunk horror film written, produced, edited, and directed by cult-film director Shinya Tsukamoto.

Once Upon a Time in China in 91 was a really good movie starring Jet Li. Written by Tsui Hark, Leung Yiu Ming (I), Tang Pik Yin (I), Yun Kai Chi (I), Chan Tein-suen (II), Cheung Tan (II), and Elsa Tang (IV).

Raise the Red Lantern was a movie about concubines and polygamy in Chinese society in 91. Although the screenplay was approved by Chinese censors, the final version of the film was banned in China for a period. Written by Ni Zhen. Gong Li stars.

Hard Boiled (Chinese: 辣手神探) is a 1992 Hong Kong action film written by Barry Wong and directed by John Woo. It stars Chow Yun-fat as inspector "Tequila" Yuen, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai as Alan an undercover cop, and Anthony Wong as Johnny Wong, a leader of the criminal triads. The film features Tequila, whose partner (Bowie Lam) is killed in a tea house gunfight with a small army of gangsters. One of the mob's high-ranking assassins is the undercover cop Alan, who must team up with Tequila for their common pursuit of taking down Wong's crime syndicate. The film leads up to a climax in a hospital, where the two must rescue innocent civilians and newborn babies from the maternity ward while fighting off dozens of mob hitmen. Hard Boiled was John Woo's last Hong Kong film before his transition to Hollywood. The film was released in Hong Kong in 1992 to generally positive audience reception, but it was not as commercially successful as Woo's previous action films, such as A Better Tomorrow and The Killer. Reception from western critics was much more positive; many critics and film scholars have come to proclaim its action scenes as among the best ever filmed. In 2007, a video game sequel titled Stranglehold was released, which is in the process of being made into a film (from Wikipedia). A Chinese shoot ‘em up!

Farewell My Concubine explores the effect of China's political turmoil during the mid-20th century on the lives of individuals, families, and groups which is very Confucian in 93. It is one of the central works of the Fifth Generation movement that brought Chinese film directors to world attention. Screenplay by Lilian Lee and Lu Wei Based on Farewell My Concubine by Lilian Lee rewritten from Qiuhaitang (秋海棠) by Qin Shouou (zh:秦瘦鷗). Gong Li stars.

Chungking Express was directed and written by Wong Kar-wai in 94. Roger Ebert wrote this review..."It needs to be said, in any event, that a film like this is largely a cerebral experience: You enjoy it because of what you know about film, not because of what it knows about life." It is funny that Ebert said this of his work because when interviewed, he was short and rude as if he were racist when dealing with my film critic buddy Steven Boone and that is disappointing but this quote fits.

Rumble in the Bronx in 95 was written by Edward Tang and Fibe Ma starring Jackie Chan and Anita Mui and tried to depict the Bronx but was totally unreal since it was filmed in Vancouver but some of the stunts were still amazing...It was the cross-continental hit that was the impetus for Jackie Chan to make American movies.

Yu-Gi-Oh! (遊☆戯☆王 Yū-Gi-Ō!, lit. "Game King") is a Japanese manga series about gaming written and illustrated by Kazuki Takahashi. It was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine between September 30, 1996 and March 8, 2004. The plot follows the story of a boy named Yugi Mutou, who solves the ancient Millennium Puzzle. Yugi awakens a gambling alter-ego within his body that solves his conflicts using various games (From Wikipedia.) Yu-Gi-Oh became a fave cartoon of mine after a dry spell of good cartoons and has yet to find contenders.

Happy Together was beautiful cinematography set in Argentina by Wáng Kar-wai in 97. The English title is inspired by The Turtles' 1967 song. It is a movie about a gay couple drifting apart.

Ringu is a 1998 Japanese horror film directed by Hideo Nakata, adapted from the novel Ring by Kôji Suzuki, which in turn draws on the Japanese folk tale Banchō Sarayashiki (from Wikipedia). It is the inspiration for many American horror adaptations.

Battle Royale (バトル・ロワイアル Batoru Rowaiaru) is a 2000 Japanese dystopian film adapted from the 1999 novel of the same name by Koushun Takami. It is the final film directed by Kinji Fukasaku, written by his son Kenta, and stars Takeshi Kitano. The film follows a group of junior high schoolers forced to fight to the death by the Japanese government. The film drew controversy and was banned or excluded from distribution in several countries (from Wikipedia).

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon was a movie that me and my biological family hated because all the wire scenes seemed stupid to us though it got a lot of critical acclaim. The film is a Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, and American venture produced by Asian Union Film & Entertainment, China Film Co-Productions Corporation, Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia, Edko Films, Good Machine International, and Zoom Hunt Productions. Directed by Ang Lee and featuring an international cast of Chinese actors, including Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi and Chang Chen, the film was released in 2000 (from Wikipedia). Screenplay by Wang Hui-ling, James Schamus, and Tsai Kuo Jung based onCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon by Wang Dulu.

Ju-On (呪怨 Juon, lit. Curse Grudge, also known as The Grudge) is a Japanese horror franchise created by Takashi Shimizu with its first film in 2000. According to Ju-On, when a person dies with a deep and powerful rage, a curse is born. The curse gathers in the place where that person has died or where they were frequently at, and repeats itself there. The spirits of the deceased haunt the location, potentially killing anyone who encounters the curse by any means, such as entering a cursed house or being in contact with somebody who was already cursed. The curse's manifestation is mainly death, where the victims' bodies may or may not disappear. The following deaths may create more curses and spread them to other locations. The franchise consists, to date, of 12 films (9 Japanese productions, 3 American) alongside additional media and merchandise products (fromWikipedia).

Hero is a 2002 Chinese wuxia film directed by Zhang Yimou. Starring Jet Li as the nameless protagonist, the film is based on the story of Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin in 227 BC. Written by Feng Li, Bin Wang, and Zhang Yimou. It is so beautiful with colors.

Oldboy (Hangul: 올드보이; RR: Oldeuboi; MR: Oldŭboi) is a 2003 South Korean neo-noir action film directed by Park Chan-wook. It is based on the Japanese manga of the same name written by Nobuaki Minegishi and Garon Tsuchiya (from Wikipedia). It is a disturbing and dark look at incest.

Ongbak: Muay Thai Warrior (Thai: องค์บาก, pronounced [ʔōŋ bàːk]), also known in the United States as Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior is a 2003 Thai martial arts action film. It was directed by Prachya Pinkaew, featured stunt choreography by Panna Rittikrai and starred Tony Jaa (from Wikipedia). Written by Prachya Pinkaew, Panna Rittikrai, and Suphachai Sittiaumponpan. Ongbak and sequels were spiritual and depicted Thai Buddhists. There were also great stunts with elephants. Tony Jaa made his breakout performance with Ongbak and the stunts done by Jaa and cast are comparable to those of Jackie Chan.

Kung Fu Hustleis a 2004 Hong Kong-Chinese martial arts gangster comedy film, directed, co-produced, and co-written by Stephen Chow, who also stars in the lead role. Other co-writers include Huo Xin, Chan Man-keung, and Tsang Kan-cheung. The fantastical special effects make the movie very cartoonish.

Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War (Korean: 태극기 휘날리며; Taegukgi Hwinallimyeo) is a 2004 South Korean war film directed by Kang Je-gyu. It stars Jang Dong-gun and Won Bin and tells the story of two brothers who are forcibly drafted into the South Korean army at the outbreak of the Korean War (from Wikipedia). Written by Kang Je-gyu, Han Ji-hun, and Kim Sang-don.

Mongol (Монгол), also known as Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan in the United States and Mongol: The Rise to Power of Genghis Khan in the United Kingdom, is a 2007 Russian semi-historical epic film directed by Sergei Bodrov, about the early life of Temüjin, who later came to be known as Genghis Khan. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by Bodrov and Arif Aliev (from Wikipedia).

Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon is a 2008 Hong Kong action war drama film loosely based on parts of the Chinese classical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. It was directed by Daniel Lee with a reported budget of US $25 million. The film is a joint production between Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China and South Korea (from Wikipedia). Stunt choreography by Sammo Hung is brilliant. One of my fave Asian movies of all time. Written by Lau Ho-leung and Daniel Lee.

Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British drama film directed by Danny Boyle, written by Simon Beaufoy, and produced by Christian Colson. Set and filmed in India, it is a loose adaptation of the novel Q & A (2005) by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup, telling the story of Jamal Malik, age 18, from the Juhu slums of Mumbai. As a contestant on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? who is able to answer every stage correctly, he is accused of cheating. Jamal recounts his history, illustrating how he is able to answer each question (from Wikipedia). The street kids of India are reminiscent of early 1900s America when kids ran the streets in packs. MIA also contributed to the soundtrack and that’s cool.

Chocolate (Thai: ช็อคโกแลต; RTGS: Chǫkkōlæt), also known as Zen, Warrior Within, is a 2008 Thai martial arts film starring Yanin "Jeeja" Vismistananda in her debut film performance. It is directed by Prachya Pinkaew, with martial arts choreography by Panna Rittikrai (from Wikipedia). Written by Chookiat Sakveerakul and Nepali. The protagonist is female and autistic. Female and disabled power!

The Warrior's Way is a 2010 New Zealand-South Korean fantasy action film written and directed by Sngmoo Lee starring Jang Dong-gun. In the 19th century, a warrior named Yang (Jang Dong-gun) is ordered to kill the last member of an enemy clan — a baby girl. He refuses the mission and flees with the child to a dilapidated town in the American west. Despite his attempts, his master closes in on him and he must fight to protect the child and his newfound comrades: Ron (Geoffrey Rush), the town drunk, and Lynne (Kate Bosworth), both of whom have a tragic past (from Wikipedia). This movie bombed in the box office even though it had a large production budget. It didn’t receive very good reviews but I find warrior and cowboys to be a possibly good storyline.

Lucy is a 2014 English-language French science fiction thriller film written and directed by Luc Besson and produced by his wife Virginie Besson-Silla for his company EuropaCorp featuring Korean gangsters. Scarlett Johanssen is the heroine and it is a big difference from her casting in Ghost in the Shell, since she plays an American.

There were a lot of American Korean War movies from 1950 on as well as many American Vietnam War movies spanning from 1964 through 2014, however Asians played mostly minor roles in most of them if at all. One notable movie, 1968’s The Green Berets has George Takei and Jack Soo in it. George Takei is also famous for being the token Asian on Star Trek, which is an American media franchise based on the science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry. The first television series, simply called Star Trek and now referred to as The Original Series, debuted in 1966 and aired for three seasons on the television network NBC (from Wikipedia).

In the 90s, American Asian representation in the media seemed nostalgic towards heritage in some ways, but Henry Cho and Margaret Cho were doing standup, as The Joy Luck Club written by Amy Tan, a film set in modern day and also back a generation in China, has a mostly Asian cast illustrates. It showed depictions of Chinese families in America after having emigrated to the US. There were issues touched upon in this movie relating to: an inter-racial relationship, traditions in hereditary culture vs. country of residence, Asian stereotypes of Asian backstage parenting and its effects and definitions of success, independence and feminism from a society that was fine with polygamy and concubines... But it is notable since Tan is one of the first Asian writers for an American film. Eat Drink Man Woman is a Taiwanese movie that was distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Mayer in 94 Written by Ang Lee, James Schamus, Hui-Ling Wang about a Confuscian family, A master Chinese chef and his three daughters set in Taipei. The cooking scenes are spectacular. Ang Lee is quite prolific. Rush Houris a 1998 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Brett Ratner. It stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker as mismatched cops who must rescue the Chinese consul's kidnapped daughter (from Wikipedia). Screenplay by Jim Kouf and Ross LaManna from the story by Ross LaManna. Rush Hour and its sequels have half Asian casts with some depictions of brothels which are true Asian lifestyles. Mulanis a 1998 American animated musical action comedy-drama film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation for Walt Disney Pictures. It is based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, and was Disney's 36th animated feature. It was directed by Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook, with story by Robert D. San Souci and screenplay by Rita Hsiao, Philip LaZebnik, Chris Sanders, Eugenia Bostwick-Singer, and Raymond Singer (from Wikipedia). It has a half Asian voiceover cast but is empowering for females.

Hook, a breakout film for Filipino American actor, Dante Bosco in 91, New Jack City with Russell Wong in 91, Wayne’s World, with Tia Carrere as a Hong Kong musician does all her own singing and playing guitar in 92 (my Kowloon Bay high school friend was disgusted by her portrayal of being from Kowloon Bay). Aladdin is probably Asian though he is a fictional character, but the voiceovers for the Disney movie are not Asian in 92, Rising Sun, a film starring Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes in a Yakuza suspense thriller in 93, That 70’s Show, starring Wilmer Valderrama in 98, all had token Asians...Afro Samurai is the blending of Black and Japanese Samurai culture. It is written and illustrated by manga artist Takashi Okazaki. It was originally serialized irregularly in the avant-garde dōjinshi manga magazine Nou Nou Hau from September 1999 to May 2000 (from Wikipedia). Of course Wu Tang is Asian!

The 90s and beyond seemed to bring more diverse Asian roles, especially for women.

Bring it On with Nicole Bilderback in 2000 (Bring it On: All or Nothing has Cindy Chiu in 06), Gilmore Girls with Keiko Agena in 2000, Big Bang Theory with Kunnal Nayyar in 07, Sideways has Sandra Oh in 2004, Knocked Up with Ken Jeong and Charlene Yi in 07, and The Hangover with Ken Jeong again in 09, and Black Panther by Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole based on Black Panther by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby which came out in 2018, all had token Asian roles...However, speaking as a Korean American, I think casting a Busan local might have been a better move for “Black Panther”. It was a moment of hilarity to see supposed Korea local speak worse Korean than the female lead for Koreans.

Shanghai Noon is a 2000 American-Hong Kong martial arts western comedy film written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar starring Jackie Chan and Lucy Liu. The film, set in Nevada and other parts of the American West in the 19th century, is a juxtaposition of a western with a kung fu action film with extended martial arts sequences. It also has elements of comedy and the "Buddy Cop" film genre, as it involves two men of different personalities and ethnicities (a Chinese imperial guard and a white Western outlaw) who team up to stop a crime. It had a sequel, Shanghai Knights in 2003 (from Wikipedia). Charlie’s Angels starred Lucy Liu as an Angel which is huge for Asians as the original roles were never minority roles. It is a 2000 action film written by Ryan Rowe, Ed Solomon, John August and based on Charlie's Angels by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts. Romeo Must Dieis a 2000 American action film directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak in his directorial debut, and also fight choreography by Corey Yuen, and starring Tyzell Anderson and Aaliyah. Screenplay by Eric Bernt and John Jarrell from the story by Mitchell Kapner. The film was released in the United States on March 22, 2000. In the film, a Chinese former police officer played by Jet Li travels to the United States in order to avenge his brother's death. He also falls in love with a rival mobster's beautiful daughter and they are struggling together against both the Chinese and the American mobs (from Wikipedia). This film was set in Oakland, CA where I was raised and brings about inter-racial relationship issues. Team America: World Police is a 2004 American-German satirical action comedy film starring puppets produced by Scott Rudin, Matt Stone, and Trey Parker, written by Parker, Stone and Pam Brady and directed by Parker, all of whom are also known for the popular animated television series South Park. There are not very many Asians involved in the movie. It is a satire of big-budget action films and their associated clichés and stereotypes, with particular humorous emphasis on the global implications of the politics of the United States. The title is derived from domestic and international political criticisms that the foreign policy of the United States frequently and unilaterally tries to "police the world." Featuring a cast of super-marionettes, Team America depicts a paramilitary police knocked down as "Team America: World Police," who attempt to save the world from a terrorist plot led by Kim Jong-il. Trey Parker does the voice of Kim Jong-Il (from Wikipedia). Avatar: The Last Airbender, (Avatar: The Legend of Aang in some regions) is an American animated television series that aired for three seasons on Nickelodeon. The series began in February 2005 and concluded with a two-hour episode titled "Sozin's Comet" in July 2008. Avatar: The Last Airbender is set in an Asiatic-like world in which some people can manipulate the classical elements with psychokinetic variants of the Chinese martial arts known as "bending." The series is presented in a style that combines anime with American cartoons and relies on the imagery of East-and-South Asian, Inuit, and New World societies. It follows the protagonist, twelve-year-old Aang and his friends, who must bring peace and unity to the world by ending the Fire Lord's war with three nations (from Wikipedia). In 2010, it became a movie. Written byMichael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, Nick Malis, Aaron Ehasz, Ian Wilcox, Tim Hedrick, John O'Bryan, Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, Joshua Hamilton, Joann Estoesta, Lisa Wahlander, Andrew Huebner, Gary Scheppke, Katie Mattila, Justin Ridge, Giancarlo Volpe, May Chan, Matthew Hubbard, and James Eagan. Dante Basco, Jennie Kwan, and Mako do voiceovers for the series. Dev Patel stars in the movie and the role of Aang is played by an American. Kill Bill: Volume 1 is a 2003 American martial arts film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Though the heroine is not Asian, there are many supporting members who are. Lucy Liu plays O-Ren Ishi, head of the Yakuza, Sonny Chiba as Hattori Hanzo, master swordsmith who, although long retired, agrees to craft a sword for the Bride, Chiaki Kuriyama as Gogo Yubari, O-Ren's sadistic Japanese schoolgirl bodyguard, and Gordon Liu as Johnny Mo, head of O-Ren's personal army, the Crazy 88 (from Wikipedia). 'Harold and Kumar' is the name for a series of American stoner comedy films starring John Cho (Harold) and Kal Penn (Kumar). The first film, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, was released on July 30, 2004, by New Line Cinema and spawned a sequel titled Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, released four years later. A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, the third installment of the series, opened nationwide in the U.S. on November 4, 2011 (from Wikipedia). Written by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, Harold and Kumar are relatable for Asian Americans and stoners everywhere. Aziz Ismail Ansari (born February 23, 1983) is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker born to a Tamil Muslim family from Tamil Nadu, India. He is known for his role as Tom Haverford on the NBC series Parks and Recreation (2009–2015), and as creator and star of the Netflix series Master of None (2015–) for which he won several acting and writing awards, including two Emmys and a Golden Globe for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy. Kung Fu Pandais a 2008 American computer-animated action comedy martial arts film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Paramount Pictures...Set in a version of ancient China populated by anthropomorphic talking animals, the plot revolves around a bumbling panda named Po who aspires to be a kung fu master. When an evil kung fu warrior is foretold to escape after twenty years in prison, Po is unwittingly named the chosen one destined to defeat him and bring peace to the land, much to the chagrin of the resident kung fu warriors (from Wikipedia). Screenplay by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger from the story by Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris. The voiceover cast was half Asian with the title hero role by a non-Asian, Jack Black. Gran Torinois a 2008 American drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also starred in the film, with the screenplay by Nick Schenk from the story by Dave Johannson and Nick Schenk. Set in Detroit, Michigan, it is the first mainstream American film to feature Hmong Americans. Many Lao Hmong war refugees resettled in the U.S. following the communist takeover of Laos in 1975. The film features a large Hmong American cast. Bee Vang co-stars as Thao Vang Lor, a young Hmong teenager and Ahney Her co-stars as Sue Lor, Thao's older sister. Seoul Searching is one of the most personal films you’ll see from 2015. It starts with a voiceover from writer/director Benson Lee, who tells us about how after the Korean War, people like his parents left Korea “with a suitcase and a dream” for other countries, causing their children to have little idea decades later of their Korean heritage. In the 1980s, this new generation was brought back to South Korea to learn about their background at a coed summer school, which Lee attended. His big heart guides us through coming-of-age experiences both specific and universal, with a film that wants to be John Hughes-like (à la its The Breakfast Club poster) but can be parallel to Spike Lee’s School Daze in how it tackles race and identity with a burgeoning cinematic vision (from RogerEbert.com). Benson Lee’s first documentary, Planet B-Boy, was one of the top-grossing theatrical documentaries of 2008 in the US starring Korean b-boys, Last for One, winners of the BOTY in 2005. The Interview is a 2014 American action comedy film produced and directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The screenplay is by Dan Sterling, based upon a story he co-authored with Rogen and Goldberg. The film stars Rogen and James Franco as journalists who set up an interview with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (Randall Park), and are recruited by the CIA to assassinate him...In June 2014, the North Korean government threatened action against the United States if Columbia Pictures released the film. Columbia delayed the release from October to December, and reportedly re-edited the film to make it more acceptable to North Korea. In November, the computer systems of parent company Sony Pictures Entertainment were hacked by the "Guardians of Peace," a group the FBI claims has ties to North Korea. The group also threatened terrorist attacks against cinemas that showed the film. Major cinema chains opted not to release the film, leading Sony to release it for online rental and purchase on December 24, 2014, followed by a limited release at select cinemas the next day. The Interview grossed $40 million in digital rentals, making it Sony's most successful digital release, and earned an additional $11.2 million worldwide at the box office on a $44 million budget. It received mixed reviews for its humor and subject matter, although a few critics praised the performances of Rogen, Franco, Park, and Diana Bang (from Wikipedia).

In conclusion, it is still not Asian Americans who predominantly write screenplays for Hollywood, even for Asian roles. Now there are anime roles that are going to be reprised as non-Asian roles and I don’t know how to feel about that. I do find that Asians in America tend to be sidekicks or supporting cast mostly, but sometimes have starring roles in not as complicated as foreign films’ plots, but only if they are martial artists which is a stereotype we collectively as Asians cannot escape. It is truly an understanding of beyond Hollywood that gives me a worldview on being Asian American, but not specifically Korean American. I am starting to see some representation for Korean-Americans showing issues that are related to being American though. My hereditary cultural erosion experience has not been shared by most of the American script writers and therefore, as a result, is even more eroded. I am a mishmash of the spectrum of Asian characters and I am also unique in my personal experience. Though representation is a nice concept, it is a very difficult thing to achieve in a multi-cultural society that goes under the banner America. I share the manmade category, Asian with a diverse bunch and I feel enriched by the grouping, yet realize those things that make us all a human race is to exist beyond stereotypes and to want to understand someone different to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel the sameness. I may have 5,000 years of Pyongyang roots, but I am so far away from Kim Jong Un and feel closer to non-dictators of any nationality who may not even be Asian.

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About the Creator

Milissa Yoon

I’m a Writer/Artist Storyteller and Social Anthropologist. I am Korean-American and live in Philly presently. I employ the Scientific Method most times, and am interested in our Natural Inter-Connections as humans in our Universe.

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