How Asian Americans in holiday movies can challenge ‘the white fantasy of Christmas’

And the plotline for 'Squid Game' season 2 revealed.

“Almost half of all Asian roles serve as a punchline, study finds.”

You’re not the only ones disappointed by that headline. For us, “crushing the myth” means dismantling stereotypes and improving Asian representation across all industries, including Media & Entertainment. Because to truly “see” our community is to see us on screen.

So welcome to Entertainment Exclusive, Crushing the Myth’s new weekly newsletter that breaks down the latest Asian Entertainment news & newsmakers.

Get ready for new shows to binge, videos to keep you on the edge of your seat, and Asian celebs to stan. If that’s not enough, there are also job listings for the entertainment industry & open casting calls just a scroll down.

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🏆 The Headlines

• How Asian Americans in holiday movies can challenge ‘the white fantasy of Christmas’(PBS) — “Holiday films and rom-coms represent a form of Americana,” Nancy Wang Yuen, sociologist and author of Reel Inequality: Hollywood Actors and Racism, told the PBS NewsHour.

  Older Christmas classics like the black and white “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the claymation “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and the animated “Frosty the Snowman,” are important to conceptions of what Christmas in America looks like, even though many are largely devoid of protagonists and characters of color. Some, such as the classic “A Christmas Story,” even perpetuate harmful stereotypes about Asian Americans.

  Including characters of color is a good first step to making holiday films more inclusive, said Yuen, but simply casting actors of color without additional character development to follow is not enough. Having Asian Americans and other people of color involved at all levels of film and television making, from writers to directors, helps lift the story up off tired old stereotypes and tell stories that are true to the Asian American holiday experience.

• ‘Squid Game’ director reveals Season 2 plotline, in talks with Netflix for Season 3 — Director Hwang Dong Hyuk confirmed that the plotline of Season 2 will focus on Seong Gi Hun’s story as he seeks answers and tries to take down the people behind the “Squid Game,” reported Soompi. 

  

  “The focus [of the season] will be the story of [Lee Jung Jae‘s character] Seong Gi Hun unraveling [the mysteries of the organization behind the game],” he said in an online interview with the Korean broadcaster KBS. “The overarching plotline of Season 2 will be the story of the people that Gi Hun meets and the people he chases after.”

  While the next season has been officially confirmed, Hwang also teased the possibility of a Season 3. “I’m currently in the midst of discussions with Netflix about Season 2 and Season 3 [of ‘Squid Game’],” he stated. 

• ‘The Mandalorian’ Star Ming-Na Wen Raves About Deborah Chow’s Directing Gifts in Variety’s ‘Up Next’— Chow proved herself in “The Mandalorian,” so much so that she’s now showrunning and directing every episode of Disney Plus’ “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” “I can’t say enough about her. Nobody makes it in this business without working your ass off. And she does,” Wen says.

  “When you have someone in charge as a director, you need someone who’s not only just a good leader. You need someone who is humane and fair and patient, and is able to get the acting and the collaboration of everyone on set. And Deborah just has that gift,” Wen adds. “You could be the most talented director in the world with the greatest vision, but if you don’t have those people skills, you can’t make the project as good as it can be. So I think anyone who wants someone like that, Deborah Chow is an easy choice.”

  

  The new video franchise, from Variety and Facebook, spotlights individuals from underrepresented communities who are driving change, and asks well-known creators and talent from across TV, film and music about individuals they believe are “up next” for major recognition.”

• How Spider-Man: No Way Home Lets Filipino Americans Shine — Even though Filipinos have been a part of American history since 1587, and part of Hollywood history since before the first studio was built, you would never know it based on the films and TV shows produced here. I believe there's even a connection between Filipinos and one of the worst Asian male stereotypes perpetuated in this country. If I remember my Filipino Sociology Class from college correctly, Filipinos would work on the railroads in or near Hollywood by day and visit the dance halls at night. Because of their sharp suits and killer dance moves, they would attract many of the white women who came with the white studio executives. Angry that these Filipino railway workers were "stealing their women," these execs and their fragile egos would put jokes about Asians in their scripts, like the ones about Asian men having small penises. (Honestly, this could be one of Hollywood's many myths and legends, but it sounds right, doesn't it?)

  

  But fast forward to today. Aside from "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," you have a tons of projects featuring and even starring Filipinos like Dave Bautista, Hailee Steinfeld, Jo Koy, Darren Criss, Olivia Rodrigo, Manny Jacinto, Eugene Cordero, and Vanessa Hudgens. They even get to play Filipino characters! But on a more personal note, Jacob Batalon in "Spider-Man: No Way Home" is the most seen I've ever felt in a movie theater.

🎬 Industry Insider

• Producer Jack Neo’s Crime Thriller ‘Geylang,’ Headlined by Mark Lee, Commences Production in Singapore (Variety)

• Indian Streaming Platform ZEE5 Global Strikes Multi-Show Deal With Applause Entertainment (Deadline)

More industry news including job opportunities from Netflix, NBCUniversal, Paramount Pictures and more below 👇