ISSUE 14: Julie Wong
THE YELLOW PAGES is a weekly newsletter recommending Asian and AAPI films, music, writing, and other inspiration — all the artsy things I wished for growing up!
As mentioned in the last newsletter, I was at Disney World all week with my family. We were a very large group, the weather was perfect, and it was exactly what I needed. I was really hoping to find some Lunar New Year themed Minnie Mouse ears, but alas, they did not sell them in Florida (but they are available online). I managed to keep track of every single Asian-themed item I saw, and my heart burst when I spotted a very excited little girl sifting through the Turning Red stuff with her Mom. As a kid, I never imagined that. Or all of this.
Here are three other Disney-related Asian recommendations I have.
🛍️ The Disney x Ann Shen Collection: You are probably already familiar with Ann’s work (her Bad Girls Throughout History book is everywhere). Her recent Disney collaboration is extra impressive: “She's designed a collection with the beloved characters from ‘The Aristocats,’ who embody a few of her favorite things - fancy cats, dreamy fashion and Parisian style.”
📺 American Born Chinese: “‘American Born Chinese’ tells the story of Jin Wang, an average teenager juggling his high school social life with his home life. When he meets a new foreign student on the first day of the school year, even more worlds collide as Jin is unwittingly entangled in a battle of Chinese mythological gods. The action-packed coming-of-age adventure explores identity, culture, and family.” This show won’t be out until spring, but you can get ready for it by reading the graphic novel it’s based on by Gene Luen Yang, one of my all-time favorites.
🎬 The Little Prince(ss): OK I actually have a small role in this Disney+ short, but it’s really so sweet. The lead actor Kalo Moss is incredible, and I’m proud of the representation in it. Written and directed by Moxie Peng: “When Gabriel, a 7-year-old Chinese kid who loves ballet, becomes friends with Rob, another Chinese kid from school, Rob’s dad gets suspicious about Gabriel's feminine behavior.”
Follow Julie on Instagram: @juliewong2017.
Name/Pronouns:
Julie Wong (she/her).
What do you do?
TV writer (currently on Grey’s Anatomy).
How do you identify?
AAPI; ½ Chinese American, ½ Japanese American; 4th generation Californian.
Do you identify as “yellow?”
It’s not how I typically describe myself, but I also don’t not identify as yellow.
