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The Mainstreaming and Commodification of Asian Culture in the United…
The Mainstreaming and Commodification of Asian Culture in the United States
Asian food has become mainstream
MSG being banned in restaurants despite being generally harmless
Sushi: once viewed as strange due to raw fish, now seen as upscale and fashionable
Pho, hotpot, kimchi, boba tea, matcha K-BBQ, ramen.. etc.
Traditional dishes often depicted online as "underrated" or "undiscovered" food
Non-Asian brands + influencers are now making products/making content based off of these dishes, passing them off as their own
Courtney Cook's "soy sauce eggs," Shark Tank's Bobba pitch, brothy rice, cucumber salad, Logan's Hot Pot Bomb
Asian Beauty and aesthetics
Korean glass skin, Japanese hair care
Now heavily marketed in the West as "advanced" and incredibly trendy
Korean idol makeup looks
Anime-inspired fashion
Rise of cosplaying and fandom
Asian-fishing, weeaboos, Koreaboos
"Top 10 reasons why Japan is living in the future"
"Becoming Chinese" trend
Tourism in Asia
The Model Minority myth
Stereotype that Asians are: intelligent, hardworking, wealthy, successful, quiet, and obedient
Positive stereotype: appears complimentary, but reduces diverse population into one image
Expectations from family + society is high
Downplays discrimination, since Asians are "already more successful" and other minority groups
During COVID-19 pandemic, East Asian communities were heavily targeted and blamed for cause of disease ("Wuhan Virus," "Chinese Virus,"
"Stop Asian Hate" movement during pandemic era was not taken seriously
Brown-skinned Asians, especially South Asians, are depicted as dirty, rapists, lawless
Cultural appreciation vs. appropriation
Cultural appreciation: learning about culture, respecting history, giving credit to creators/community
Cultural Appropriation: removing cultural elements from original context, using them for profit/aesthetic purpose, ignoring cultural significance
Media, and fetishization
Traditional clothing
Ao Dai worn without pants (you need the pants regardless of gender)
Qipao/Cheongsam/Kimono associated with "exotic" or submissive stereotype, often worn as Halloween costume
Halloween costumes
The rice hat.
Hollywood's "Dragon Lady" vs. "Lotus Blossom"
Portrays East Asian women as exotic, submissive, mysterious, hypersexual or innocent
Is saved by the white male protagonist, often reduced to love interest and/or wise sidekick
Portrayal of Asian men
Historically portrayed as nerdy, sexless, weak
Now increased popularity of male celebtiries through K-pop, dramas, anime, and online influencers
