The Week in Pop Culture: March 17 - 23
New film Joy Ride is advertised as ‘The Hangover for Asians’
With a recent trailer out, viewers are raving about Everything Everywhere All At Once actress Stephanie Hsu and her appearance in new Asian-led movie Joy Ride. The film is about two friends, Audrey and Lolo, and their wild adventure to China in hopes of finding Audrey’s birth mother. This raunchy comedy is said to be reminiscent of The Hangover and its unexpected plotline of all things that could go wrong. In her directorial debut, writer Adele Lim of Crazy Rich Asians helps dissolve the narrative of the fetishization of Asian women in Western media with Lolo’s character. The film is set to release on July 7, leaving the audience with a lot to anticipate until then.
The White Lotus star Will Sharpe set to direct “Crying in H Mart” adaptation
Actor in hit HBO social satire series The White Lotus, Will Sharpe, has been announced to direct the film adaption for Michelle Zauner’s “Crying in H Mart”. Zauner’s novel explores her Korean-American heritage and her relationship with her late mother while trying to navigate her life as an adult in the music industry. Zauner is also famously known for her role in the band Japanese Breakfast. She revealed that she will contribute to the music that is played in the film as well. Sharpe deeply resonated with the story of Zauner’s novel, since he is half-Japanese and half-British and was raised in Tokyo.
Shohei Ohtani strikes out Mike Trout to win Japan’s 3rd World Baseball Classic Title
On March 21, the world seemed to line up perfectly for every baseball “scriptwriter” fan at LoanDepot Park. In the bottom of the ninth inning, with two outs, USA’s Mike Trout was at bat against Japan’s star player, Shohei Ohtani. The outstanding two-way player, only 28, secured Japan’s one-run lead by striking out Mike Trout after a dramatic full-count pitch. Japan, undefeated going into the quarterfinals, saw victory over the United States in an exciting 3-2 win in Miami.
Disney+ announces new K-drama series Han River Police
Disney+’s original K-drama series Han River Police is set to premiere in the second half of 2023. The series stars Kwon Sang-woo as Han Dujin and Kim Hee-won as Lee Chunseok, both members of the Han River Police Force who often butt heads. Han is a easily-angered sergeant to his contrast, Lee, the calmer of the two. The series is part of Disney+’s strategy to increase the amount of Korean content on their platforms.
This year’s Lollapalooza lineup features several artists of Asian descent
Lollapalooza’s 2023 lineup is filled with countless artists and bands that listeners go absolutely crazy for. Among those are headlining K=pop boy group Tomorrow X Together. Other non-headlining acts include NewJeans, Beebadoobee, Rina Sawayama, The Rose, NIKI, DPR Ian and DPR Live.
