Entertainment

Siwon Choi, Manny Jacinto, Simu Liu talk Asian representation at Singapore summit

Korean pop star Siwon Choi, Filipino Canadian actor Manny Jacinto and Chinese Canadian Simu Liu participated in a panel discussion at the Milken Asia Summit in Singapore on Sept. 19. The summit, which provided a platform to discuss critical issues, saw the stars delving into the growing influence of Asian culture in the entertainment industry.

Shifting trends: The actors, who were also in Singapore for the Formula One Grand Prix, discussed the impact of films like "Crazy Rich Asians" and "Everything Everywhere All At Once" in promoting representation. “I would say, in the last 12 odd years, it’s been really amazing, [a] kind of tectonic plates of the industry shifting,” Liu remarked. “‘Crazy Rich Asians’ kind of exploded all around the world. And it’s just really exciting.”

Self-supporting community: When the conversation touched on the challenges faced by Asian actors in Hollywood, Liu emphasized the need for the community to “figure out a way to create a system that is self-sustaining and self-supportive.” Jacinto echoed his sentiment, noting, “I think we could push things much more quickly if we have allies in the director’s chair, financing department and producers.” Choi, who shared his experiences as a member of the popular boy band Super Junior, also stressed the significance of authenticity in delivering powerful performances to stand out.

News

Queer Thai man assaulted in possible hate crime in San Francisco

On Sept. 17, Pat Karaphat, a queer Thai man, was walking home in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District when he was allegedly assaulted by a man who repeatedly punched him while shouting racist slurs like "f*cking Asian" and "f*cking monkey." Karaphat, a former boxer, considered fighting back but believed his attacker was armed. No money was demanded, leading Karaphat to believe the attack was racially motivated. He dialed 911 at around 4 a.m. once he reached his apartment, and the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) arrived within five minutes.

The aftermath: Officers noted Karaphat's injuries included facial swelling and a head injury. Karaphat later sought medical attention for his injuries but expressed that the emotional trauma was more profound. “I am in no physical pain. But it hurts so deeply inside. I feel trauma and so much fear to leave my house,” Karaphat told Ethnic Media Services. He emphasized the need for broader changes in the city to ensure safety for all residents, particularly marginalized communities.

Ongoing investigation: No arrests have been made. The case remains under investigation, with police exploring the possibility of it being a hate crime. “The San Francisco Police Department does not tolerate racism of any kind. No one should be targeted because of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other shared characteristic,” SFPD spokesperson Paulina Henderson said. Anyone with information is urged to contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444.

News

Japan’s famous cat island may soon experience its “final chapter,” insider warns

Aoshima, an island in Japan’s Ehime Prefecture home to around 130 cats, is reportedly in danger of losing them all. Known tipster @aoshima_cat, who frequently shares updates about the island, wrote in an X post on Sept. 8 that the cats may “cross the Rainbow Bridge in a few years,” a euphemism hinting that they might die soon.

About the island: Aoshima is the most popular of Japan's cat islands, which are known locally as “nekojimas.” Making headlines throughout the years, it has seen tourists come in droves  to visit, feed and interact with the cats, which settled there after being brought in to combat rodent infestations in the 1940s. In October 2018, the local government implemented a sterilization program for the felines under the recommendation of the Aoshima Cat Protection Society, as it had become difficult for the island’s then-13 human residents — averaging 75 years old — to care for them. Only five residents remain in Aoshima, including a 73-year-old woman known as “Cat Mama” who has cleaned up after the felines and helped feed them every day since 2013.

Driving the news: @aoshima_cat attributed their prediction to Aoshima’s aging feline population, noting that the cats are now over 7 years old and have not given birth to kittens since the sterilization campaign. Ferry services to and from the island may also be reduced or canceled if tourists stopped visiting altogether. The tipster also noted,  “When ‘Cat Mama’ grows old and leaves the island, it will be the end of Cat Island.” They described it as a “sad story, but I think if every cat can live happily until the very last one, that will be the final chapter of Cat Island."

News

Lil Tay “doing better” after surgery for “extremely rare” heart tumor

Social media personality and musician Lil Tay, who made headlines last week after undergoing an open-heart surgery, has been moved out of the intensive care unit and is “doing better everyday,” a source close to the matter told NextShark. The 17-year-old “Sucker 4 Green” singer, however, remained in “immense amounts of pain” after doctors removed the chest tube that helps drain blood from around her heart and lungs, her team said in an X post on Sunday.

Current status: The source revealed that Lil Tay, whose real name is Tay Tian, has been nauseous from all the pain medications given to her since her surgery. Meanwhile, her mother, Angela, has been staying with her and has “barely” eaten anything. “There is no mood to eat, it’s just sadness,” the source said. Doctors reportedly informed Lil Tay’s family that her condition is “an extremely rare” case. “Heart tumors are already rare, but to have it in the left where the heart muscle pumps, is way more rare,” the source noted., “It is not as simple of a procedure as if it were in the right side.”

Addressing comments: The source also addressed the skepticism Lil Tay’s family have received since her team first hinted about the singer’s condition on Sept. 11. “They are projecting the death hoax created by her abusive father (Chris Hope) onto Tay, it’s factually incorrect and disgusting,” the source said. Hope allegedly made “zero attempts at texts, emails, calls” and has not visited the hospital “despite being able to.” The source went on to claim, “He is soulless and without a doubt more than happy we have these problems.”

News

India achieves historic double victories at the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad

India cemented its dominance in the global chess arena by winning both the men’s and women’s team gold medals at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Alongside the team triumphs, India also claimed four individual golds, marking a new high point for the nation’s chess legacy.

Big wins: India’s men’s team, composed of Gukesh Dommaraju, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, Harikrishna Pentala, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Srinath Narayanan as captain, secured gold with 21 points, defeating Slovenia 3.5-0.5 in the final round. Gukesh and Erigaisi earned individual gold medals for their stellar board performances. Meanwhile, the women’s team, featuring Vantika Agrawal, Divya Deshmukh, Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Tania Sachdev and Abhijit Kunte as captain, delivered a dominant display, defeating Azerbaijan in the final round to clinch gold with 19 points. Notably, Deshmukh remained undefeated, contributing crucial performances and winning individual gold on board three.

A country’s legacy: India’s journey in chess has evolved dramatically since its first Olympiad participation in 1956. The breakthrough came with Viswanathan Anand, India’s first Grandmaster in 1988 who later became a five-time World Champion. Following in Anand's footsteps, a new generation of players like Gukesh — who became the youngest-ever FIDE Candidates winner at 17 this year — have propelled the South Asian country to new heights. The double gold at the 2024 Olympiad represents India’s first-ever team golds at the event, following previous successes like bronze in 2014 and 2022. This victory signals a bright future, with many experts predicting India will remain a chess powerhouse for years to come.

Entertainment

Meet Katseye, the latest mixed K-pop girl group taking on the global stage

Katseye, a new mixed-nationality K-pop girl group, is making waves across the globe. Created by Hybe Labels and Geffen Records and formed through the audition program “The Debut: Dream Academy,” the group consists of six members from South Korea, the Philippines, Switzerland and the U.S.

Debut and achievements: Daniela Avanzini (U.S.), Manon Bannerman (Switzerland), Sophia Laforteza (Philippines), Lara Rajagopalan (U.S.), Megan Meiyok Skiendiel (U.S.) and Jeong Yoon-chae (South Korea) won the program that saw over 120,000 applicants from around the world to become Katseye. The group debuted on June 24 with the single “Debut,” followed by “Touch” in July and their first EP “SIS” (“Soft Is Strong”) in August. The EP charted at No. 119 in the U.S. Billboard 200 and remained there for two weeks. Meanwhile, “Touch” has seen remarkable success, entering at No. 22 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 and so far peaking at No. 28 on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100.

What they’re up to: Katseye has embarked on an Asian promotional tour, visiting key locations such as South Korea, the Philippines and Japan. “I'm happy that we can do this Asian promo tour, especially coming to Korea and finally being able to participate in music shows and promotions that I've always dreamed of,” Yoon-chae, the group’s sole Korean member, told local media earlier this month. The group is currently in the Philippines, home to member Sophia whose “heart just dropped” after learning about “Touch” entering the local Billboard chart. “ As someone from the Philippines, I really wanted to represent the country — and the fact that we [the girls of KATSEYE] are all collectively in this chart is such a big deal for me,” she said. Looking ahead, the group dreams of performing on global stages such as Coachella and hopes for opportunities to headline major award shows like the Grammys.

Final Bites

🗳️Asian Americans decisively choose Harris over Trump in new poll: Vice President Kamala Harris holds a commanding 38-point lead over former President Donald Trump (66% to 28%) among Asian American voters, according to a poll from APIAVote and AAPI Data released on Tuesday. This represents a significant rise from President Joe Biden’s earlier 15-point lead. Conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, the poll also shows Harris’ favorability rising to 62%, up from 44% in the spring, while Trump’s decreased to 28%. Meanwhile, 77% of Asian American voters express certainty about their participation in November’s election, a notable increase from previous surveys. AAPI Data Executive Director Karthick Ramakrishnan said “Asian American and Pacific Islander voters are poised to play a pivotal role in this election,” echoing demographic-driven expectations. Interestingly, respondents indicated that Harris’ identity as a woman resonates more strongly with them than her Indian heritage, with 38% deeming her gender identity “extremely” important compared to 27% for her racial identity.

📊 Nearly 40% of Seattle's Asian residents experienced racism in past year: A new study by The Asian American Foundation revealed that nearly 40% of Asian residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties in Seattle have experienced anti-Asian hate in the past year. Out of the 1,000 respondents, 2 in 5 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders reported they’ve been the victim of an anti-Asian incident and 1 in 5 said they had been physically attacked in the past year. In addition to the hate crimes, there has been a rise in home invasions targeting Asian families, with organized crime rings preying on elderly residents. Community leaders gathered in Little Saigon to discuss the findings, noting that the pandemic has worsened existing challenges. Community organizations are advocating for stronger ties with law enforcement, self-defense training and support services for victims to address the growing concerns.

🏀Brooklyn Nets sign Chinese rising basketball star Yongxi “Jacky” Cui: The Brooklyn Nets have officially added rising Chinese talent Yongxi “Jacky” Cui to their roster on a two-way contract. The promising 6'8" shooting guard from Nanning, China, who averaged 15.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 36.5% 3-point shooting last season with the Guangzhou Loong Lions, said he plans to start in the G League to gain experience and skills. “I don’t know how far I will go, but first of all, I have to take each step well, I think that is the key,” he told Chinese media. Cui’s signing, announced Sept. 20, reflects Nets owner Joe Tsai's commitment to supporting Chinese players in the NBA.

🍽️Sinigang rated best Filipino dish, balut worst by Taste Atlas users: Taste Atlas released its latest ranking of Filipino food, with sour stew sinigang taking the top spot as users’ highest-rated dish and the infamous balut sitting at the bottom. Sinigang, which received 4.5 out of 5 stars, is traditionally made with sampalok (tamarind fruit) and various vegetables like kangkong (water spinach), along with a meat choice of pork, beef, chicken, fish or shrimp. Balut, a delicacy made by steaming or boiling an incubated duck egg, received 2.7 out of 5 stars. Inasal na manok, or marinated grilled chicken, takes the No. 2 spot with 4.5 stars as well. Meanwhile,  iconic dish adobo sits at No. 10 with 4.2 stars. Lumpiang shanghai, which Taste Atlas ranked as the best Filipino food in 2022, takes the sixth spot with 4.4 stars.

🎥 American goes viral for telling Filipinos in the Philippines “No one wants you here”: An American man was filmed hurling offensive slurs at a group of locals in the Philippines. The video was first uploaded by TikTok user @cyberc4ndy__ on Sept. 11. As indicated in the TikTok post’s location, the incident occurred near Uptown Parksuites condominium in Bonifacio Global City. The video starts with the American, a white man, accosting the group of Filipinos along a sidewalk, calling them “degenerate,” “mentally deranged” and “f*ggots.” The man also told them that “No one wants you guys around here” and “I don’t care if it’s my country, it’s my world. You guys are being f*ggots and no one wants you.” He then proclaimed later, “I hope you guys just die. You’re destroying the world.” NextShark has reached out to @cyberc4ndy__ for comments.