- SharkBites by NextShark
- Posts
- Tran Wins Tight Race, K-Pop Takes Center Stage, Frog-Themed Cuisine
Tran Wins Tight Race, K-Pop Takes Center Stage, Frog-Themed Cuisine
Good Morning – November 27, 2024
Your daily update on stories impacting the Asian and Asian American community, along with key insights into business, culture, and trends.
TOP STORIES
Tran declares victory as lead over Steel grows in tight Orange County House race
Democrat Derek Tran has declared victory over Republican incumbent Michelle Steel in California’s 45th Congressional District as his lead grows to nearly 600 votes.
How it’s looking: As of Monday night, Tran led Steel 157,622 votes to 157,041, a margin of 581 votes (50.1% to 49.9%), according to the Secretary of State’s office. His lead widened slightly over the weekend as more unprocessed ballots from Orange County were added, though Los Angeles County has yet to report additional results.
What he’s saying: If elected, Tran, an Army veteran and consumer rights attorney, would become the first Vietnamese American to represent the nation’s largest Vietnamese community in Congress. Tran attributed his campaign’s success to voters’ desire for representation that prioritizes local challenges, stating, “This victory is a testament to the spirit and resilience of our community.” He added that he looks forward to addressing issues like affordable healthcare, housing and inclusive economic growth in Washington.
What’s next: The race, along with two other House contests, remains officially uncalled. Ballot counting continues, with a little over 1% of votes remaining. Both campaigns are urging voters with flagged ballots to complete the curing process before the Dec. 1 deadline. The race highlights the lengthy ballot-counting process in California, which allows mail-in ballots to arrive up to seven days after Election Day. Steel, a two-term incumbent, initially led by over five percentage points but saw her advantage erode as late-arriving ballots were tallied. As of press time, Steel has not commented on Tran’s declaration of victory, but both candidates have solicited funds for a potential recount, which should be requested within five days of certification. Counties must certify results by Dec. 3.
“Dragons’ Den” investor Simu Liu defends business owner for having a full-time job
Simu Liu is defending Barry Donaldson, owner of Toronto-based Balu Organics, a company that sells organic ball pits for children, against the criticism he faces for having a full-time job while running his own company.
What happened: In last Thursday’s episode of CBC’s “Dragons’ Den,” Donaldson asked investors — known as “Dragons” — for a $250,000 funding but was quickly shut down, with some describing his business as a side hustle due to his nine-to-five job. His LinkedIn profile shows he has been working as an I.T. application specialist for the City of Toronto since August 2004. Donaldson quickly dispelled the criticism by emphasizing his passion for his company, adding that “living in Toronto is very, very expensive.” He also shared that he has two kids to raise. Despite his explanation, the Dragons still declined to provide an investment, with Wes Hall stating, “I can’t invest behind someone [for whom] this is secondary to them; it’s got to be number one.”
What Liu is saying: Liu, one of the show’s Dragons, rallied behind Donaldson. While the “Shang-Chi” star agreed with Hall’s point about investors wanting founders to prioritize their business, he said, “the economic reality of a lot of people starting businesses at later stages in life is that they have responsibilities that they have to adhere to. And I don’t think that should be the only thing that deters you as an investor.”
Reactions: Instagram users applauded Liu’s stance on the matter. One commented, “[Liu] called out the Boba thing and called out thae dragons here for being blind to the average person’s life.” Another wrote, “This is the second clip of Simu that I have seen, he has stood as a voice of reasoning and rationality.”
Lucy Liu addresses portraying "dragon lady" stereotypes early in her career
Lucy Liu recently opened up about her career trajectory and the criticism she faced for portraying "dragon lady" stereotypes. In an interview with Elle magazine published Wednesday, Liu touched upon the challenges of navigating Hollywood as an Asian American woman and how her early roles, while groundbreaking, sometimes perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
“Dragon lady” past: Liu acknowledged the criticism she received for roles like Ling Woo in "Ally McBeal" and O-Ren Ishii in "Kill Bill," characters that some perceived as reinforcing the “dragon lady" trope. This stereotype often depicts Asian women as aggressive, cunning and sexually manipulative. Reflecting on her role choices, the 55-year-old star emphasized prioritizing personal and artistic fulfillment over societal approval. “When you make choices for yourself, you have to really look at them as what you, as an individual, want to do. And, somehow it makes an impact by inspiring and entertaining, or makes people laugh or cry. If you make choices for other people, because you want to please them, you’re going to go down the wrong path,” she explained. “If I made choices based on what the community wanted, or what my parents wanted, I would be frozen in time.”
Amplifying voices: Liu’s more recent projects illustrate a conscious effort to uplift diverse narratives and talent. Her upcoming film “Rosemead,” which she stars in and produced, sheds light on mental health issues within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Additionally, she has used her platform to amplify AAPI voices in fashion and cinema, stating that her journey now centers on creating work that resonates with both her personal values and the needs of her community. “For me, now more than ever, it’s not just [about] the enjoyment of the piece itself, but also to make sure that you’re doing work that’s important for your community. Frankly, I don’t think our story has been told in cinema, or at all,” Liu shared. “It has unfortunate and life-threatening results.”
CULTURE & SOCIETY
Trans woman forced to undergo electroshock “conversion therapy” wins record compensation in China
A 28-year-old transgender woman in China known by the pseudonym Ling’er has won a historic lawsuit against a hospital that subjected her to forced electroshock “conversion therapy.” The Changli County People’s Court in Hebei awarded Ling’er 60,000 yuan ($8,300) on Oct. 31, marking the largest known compensation in a case involving LGBTQ+ rights in China and a significant step in the fight against harmful medical practices.
About the case: Ling’er, a performance artist and livestreamer, came out as transgender in 2021. However, her parents, adhering to traditional beliefs, could not accept her gender identity. Believing she was mentally unstable, they admitted her to Qinhuangdao City Fifth Hospital in July 2022. Ling’er was forcibly hospitalized for 97 days, stripped of her phone and diagnosed with “anxiety disorder and discordant sexual orientation.” Despite not consenting, she was subjected to seven electroshock therapy sessions. The treatments caused Ling’er to faint repeatedly and she now suffers from heart problems requiring medication. “It caused serious damage to my body,” she told The Guardian. “The hospital tried to ‘correct me’ to make me conform to society’s expectations.” Ling’er filed her lawsuit in August 2024, arguing that the treatments violated her personal rights. While Chinese law allows forced psychiatric treatment only when patients pose a risk to themselves or others, the hospital justified their actions by citing a potential threat to her parents’ emotional well-being. The court ultimately ruled in Ling’er’s favor.
Why this matters: Speaking to CBS News, Ling’er expressed hope that her case would inspire change. “I feel good, I won my case. I hope my case will be useful for transgender cases in China,” she said, calling for safeguards and basic human rights for the transgender community. The landmark ruling marks the first time a transgender person in China has successfully challenged forced conversion practices in court. LGBTQ+ activists hailed the decision as a step forward, but challenges persist for the estimated 4 million transgender people in the country. Conversion practices operate in a legal grey area in China, where homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness in 2001 but distress related to sexual orientation or gender identity was only recently removed from medical guidelines. A 2019 survey revealed that nearly one in five transgender youths in China reported being forced into conversion practices by their families. “In China, the situation for transgender people is not very optimistic,” Ling’er told The Guardian. “There’s a lack of protection for this group.”
Puppy filmed being abused on Buddhist pilgrimage site in China gets adopted
A puppy abused by a man on a Buddhist pilgrimage site in China has been adopted after a video of the incident ignited outrage on local social media earlier this month.
What happened: The abuse occurred at Dailuo Peak in Mount Wutai in Shanxi province. In the video, the puppy can be seen imitating visitors by climbing parts of the 1,080-step stairs and bowing down to pray on each step. Then, a man believed to be the puppy’s owner shows up and begins shoving and kicking the dog in an apparent attempt to make it go home, resulting in the pooch falling down the stairs. Douyin users criticized the man in the video, with one writing, “You may not like them, but please do not harm them!” Another commented, “Without a kind heart, what’s the use of prayer?”
To the rescue: A hospital owner from China’s Tianjin municipality with the surname Cui, who saw the video, reportedly drove 400 kilometers (248 miles) overnight to the site on Nov. 12 to rescue the puppy after paying the purported owner 300 yuan ($42). Another woman, a Douyin user named Yueyue, contacted Cui soon after, expressing she wanted to adopt the puppy. The latter traveled from Shenyang, in Liaoning province, to Tianjin to pick up the puppy, whom she named “Luoyi” — “luo” being the temple’s name and “yi” meaning “converting to Buddhism” — on Nov. 15.
CRIME & LEGAL
South Korean man convicted for evading military service through binge eating
A Seoul court convicted a 26-year-old South Korean man of violating the Military Service Act by intentionally gaining weight to avoid mandatory military service. Despite initially qualifying for combat duty with a Grade 2 (second-highest grade) assessment in 2017, the defendant doubled his food intake and drank excessive water to reach 102.3 kilograms (225 pounds) with a BMI of 35.8 by his 2023 physical. The resulting Grade 4 assessment meant disqualification from combat roles. The man, whose name was not released, received a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and will now complete his military duty. His friend, who provided the weight-gain plan, received a six-month suspended sentence for aiding and abetting. In South Korea, where military service is mandatory for able-bodied men, 37% of draft-evasion tactic cases in 2017 involved deliberate weight manipulation.
Former “America’s Next Top Model” finalist sues Ye for sexual assault
Jenn An, a former “America’s Next Top Model” finalist, has sued Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, for sexual assault and strangulation. Filed in New York’s Southern District Court on Friday, the suit claims that the incident occurred on Sept. 7, 2010, at the Hotel Chelsea in New York City during the filming of La Roux’s “In for the Kill” music video. An alleges that Ye singled her out because she was “only wearing revealing lingerie,” ordered the crew to leave and filmed himself ramming his fingers down her throat to “emulate forced oral sex,” an act that purportedly lasted for more than a minute. The suit notes that at one point, Ye screamed, “This is art. This is f*cking art. I am like Picasso.” Neither Ye nor An appeared in the music video. Aside from Ye, Interscope and Universal Music Group are also named in the lawsuit. An is seeking a trial by jury for attorney costs, emotional and mental damages, among others.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
500 North Korean soldiers reported killed in Ukraine war
South Korea has confirmed intelligence suggesting casualties among North Korean troops deployed to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. Ukrainian media, citing Global Defense Corp., reported that about 500 North Korean soldiers were killed in a Storm Shadow missile strike targeting Russian positions in the Kursk region. North Korea is believed to have sent over 10,000 troops to Russia, with many stationed in Kursk for training and support roles. A separate strike injured a North Korean general and killed several officers in the same region, according to Ukrainian intelligence. While neither Pyongyang nor Moscow has acknowledged the deployment, U.S. and South Korean officials allege North Korea has also supplied munitions and artillery to bolster Russia's efforts.
Moo Deng who? Thai zoo’s golden tabby tiger melts hearts with her cuddly looks
A 3-year-old golden tabby tiger is melting the hearts of Facebook users for her cuddly looks, potentially giving baby hippo Moo Deng a run for her money. The Chiang Mai Night Safari debuted photos of the tiger named Ava on Nov. 19, introducing her three weeks after her sister Luna. The siblings were born on Nov. 16, 2021, to tigers that the zoo had bought from the Czech Republic and South Africa in July 2015. Describing Ava as playful and sociable, caretakers said the female tiger surprisingly has a friendly personality toward children, a behavior contrary to the animal’s reputation for being ferocious against humans. While it is believed that there are only around 30 golden tabby tigers in the world, there are still more tigers that carry the same genes. Although Ava is still far from reaching Moo Deng’s fame — who already has her own 24/7 livestream and a catchy theme song — the tiger is increasingly winning attention on Facebook. One Thai user wrote, “So pretty and sweet. I want to kiss your cheek.” Another commented, “The face looks so soft and cute!”
ENTERTAINMENT
9 K-pop artists earn nods for this year’s Billboard Music Awards
Nine K-pop acts have earned nominations for the 2024 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), showcasing the genre’s expanding global influence. The nominees for the four K-pop-specific categories include BTS’s Jungkook and Jimin, TXT, Enhypen, Stray Kids, Ateez, Le Sserafim, Illit and Seventeen, spanning honors like top global K-pop artist, top K-pop album and top global K-pop song. Jungkook’s “Standing Next to You” also earned a nod for top selling song, while Stray Kids is a contender for top duo/group. Hosted by comedian Michelle Buteau, the BBMAs will air live on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox and Fire TV Channels, with on-demand streaming available via Paramount Plus. The ceremony will feature exclusive performances and global celebrations, marking its return to Fox for the first time since 2006.
Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch' live-action teaser drops
Disney released the first official teaser for its live-action "Lilo & Stitch" film on Nov. 26, offering a glimpse of the mischievous alien Stitch causing chaos on a Hawaiian beach. The 30-second clip uploaded on social media showcases Stitch, voiced again by Chris Sanders, gleefully destroying a sandcastle. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp ("Marcel the Shell with Shoes On"), the film stars Maia Kealoha as Lilo and features a cast including Zach Galifianakis, Sydney Agudong, Kahiau Machado and Courtney B. Vance. The live-action adaptation, which comes 23 years after the original animated classic, tells the story of Lilo, a lonely Hawaiian girl who forms a bond with Stitch, a genetically engineered alien designed for destruction. "Lilo & Stitch" is set to premiere in theaters on May 23, 2025.
Auli'i Cravalho says “Moana 2” has become a “source of Polynesian pride”
Auli'i Cravalho expressed immense pride in the film's portrayal of her culture at the U.K. premiere of "Moana 2" on Sunday. “I love that Moana has such an impact, not only for my community of Pacific Islanders, but even beyond,” the 23-year-old told The Hollywood Reporter at Leicester Square’s Cineworld cinema. “To see a young Wayfinder on screen using traditional techniques, that’s a source of Polynesian pride, that’s a piece of indigenous knowledge that comes straight from us.” The sequel, directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, delves into the titular character's new adventure and introduces new characters like Moana’s younger sister Simea. "If our last film was about connecting with the past, this film is about connecting with the future," Cravalho explained. "Moana 2," which also stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is projected for a record-breaking Thanksgiving holiday opening in the U.S., with tracking data suggesting a $125 million to $135 million gross.
Tony Leung receives honorary doctorate in humanities
Hong Kong actor Tony Leung has been awarded an honorary doctorate degree in humanities by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) over the weekend. Leung, 62, was among four recipients of honorary doctorates in various fields conferred at the university’s Congregation 2024 event on Saturday. In his acceptance speech, the “Shang-Chi” actor shared some secrets to becoming a good actor, such as treating “yourself a beginner in your mind in every single project you approach,” explaining that doing so will “keep you fresh” without an ego. “Second, I am never satisfied with my performance in every single project but I am always determined to be better next time,” he added. Lastly, Leung advised aspiring artists to “love what you do” and “have passion.” Leung’s wife Carina Lau congratulated the actor in an Instagram post on Saturday, which included pictures of him in a red gown and cap. Aside from Leung, Nvidia CEO and co-founder Jensen Huang received an honorary doctorate in engineering.
FOOD
Pizza Hut China releases pizza topped with fried whole frog
Pineapple on a pizza may not sound so bad now to some after Pizza Hut China released a pizza topped with a whole frog. Announced on Pizza Hut China’s WeChat on Nov. 18, the otherworldly menu, launched in collaboration with Tencent for the game “Dungeon and Fighter: Origins,” was released on Thursday and will be available nationwide until Dec. 19 for 169 yuan ($23). Dubbed the “Goblin Pizza,” the pizza contains a deep-fried whole bullfrog resting on coriander with halved hard-boiled eggs and black olives serving as its eyes. Frog legs are reportedly considered a common dish in southern China dating back as far as the 1st century. Several Weibo users found the latest offering hilarious, with one commenting, “Have you been possessed by Taiwan Pizza Hut?" in reference to Pizza Hut Taiwan’s unique twist to the Italian dish, such as chicken feet or pig’s blood and intestines toppings. Another user tagged the Italian Embassy in China in their comment, writing, “Please send troops, sir!”
SOCIAL MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT