Episode 96
#96 - Asian Masculinity with Mike Bow
Before diversity and inclusion was ever a trendy topic to back on social media, discussions surrounding what representation really does to a person's sense of identity have been going strong for ages. One of the more underdiscussed and misunderstood conversations is around Asian men and their desirability. Whether created out of jealousy or malice (or both), Hollywood has had a history of spurning on stereotypes of Asian men as weak & asexual while hypersexualizing & fetishizing Asian women. Fast forward to 2020, we see how much things have changed onscreen, but how has everything leading up to now played out across generations? How have these depictions gone on to influence young men & women IRL when it comes to their self-image & to their relationships? To discuss this, Minji sits down with her friend, actor Mike Bow, to unpack some of their perspectives. Mike shares his journey in pursuing a less traditional path as an actor & how his own self-image & the image put upon him by others has shaped it all.
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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective
Produced by @marvinyueh
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Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!
Coming to the Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew, following three high-powered businesswomen who meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.
