‘Crazy Rich Asians’ and the immense pressure to feel seen

#TIA – Crazy rich Asians? Has anyone thought of a better way to make a lot of money lately? Don’t ask us if it’s a good movie

“Recently, the LA Times asked me to name the first time I saw myself represented onscreen. The answer I gave the interviewer was long and winding and delved into the many different ways I have and haven’t seen myself at the movies – demographically, relationally, emotionally.

By the time it got to print, though, it had been pared down to nine words: “I don’t know that I’ve ever had the experience.” Fair enough.

But that’s changing now, at least in theory. After decades of little to no Asian representation in American pop culture, we find ourselves now in a veritable boom. The Meg, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and Searching are all out this month; Bao and Kim’s Convenience hit last month; Killing Eve is up for Emmys next month; and Fresh Off the Boat is back the month after that.

The crown jewel in this treasure trove, of course, is Crazy Rich Asians, billed as the first major studio movie to feature an all-Asian cast with Asian-American leads since The Joy Luck Club 25 years ago. That statistic says it all: We have literally never had it this good.”

Read more at Mashable