KoreAm Article on the Asians of Glee

[sidesmile]

This was an interesting article from an online Korean-American blog looking at Mike Chang and Tina Cohen-Chang and the look of Asian representation and the negative and positive points of writer's execution of each individual character on Glee (and briefly on TV in general). Thought it be interesting to share it here and spark some discussion.

It's

Comments

[adventures]

I agree with some stuff here especially (FYI, Asians don’t like camp. Historically speaking, camps for Asians usually come in the “internment” or “refugee” variety. Thus, we tend to avoid them entirely.) Although that in itself could be brushed off by writers/fans as taking things too seriously.

I think that Glee's problem is that it does want to be a satire that plays around with stuff that might be controversial, such as racial stereotypes or something and clearly flies over some people's heads. There are some moments that I think could be really strong satirical moments that people are taking too srs bsns, but I understand WHY people take them srs bsns...because the show as a whole is kind of stretched in different directions of genre and intent. Also, it doesn't seem like they truly do their research. It kind of comes off as cheap jokes or as the author of this piece said, just lazy.

[sidesmile]

Not just that, but they basically take the same topic and treat it as a joke/satire with one character (Rachel) and treat it seriously with another character (Kurt) simply because the latter is a hot topic around the country.

And I agree, they don't do their research and they have a great resource for that whole perspective in Harry Shum Jr. himself who is his previous interviews has a lot of interesting stories on his own identity in my opinion. They are better ways to play those stereotypes in a comedic way (Ken Leung's scene in Keeping the Faith comes to mind where he speaks with this over-the-top accent (which is all over the place) and by the end, he reveals he speaks perfectly American English).

I feel like thy don't know what to do with Mike and Tina besides the "LOL we're Asian" and the stuff they do which have so much potential, they gloss over and treat it just as comedic fluff (Tina's insecurities over dating a jock, comparing herself to Brittany, etc).

[adventures]

Not just that, but they basically take the same topic and treat it as a joke/satire with one character (Rachel) and treat it seriously with another character (Kurt) simply because the latter is a hot topic around the country.THIIIIIIIS omg. I've been writing about this for a while. It's all over the place even with one character. Artie is treated like srs bsns, and then all the sudden it's all shits and giggles with him and football. I understand wanting to have breaks from the srs and wanting to answer to negative criticism (such as that in Dream On about the dancing thing) but it HAS to work within your universe and make sense and overall it makes the show come off as hypocritical, mean, racist, sexist, ablist, etc etc

[actorwanabe]

THIIIIIIIS omg. I've been writing about this for a while. It's all over the place even with one character. Artie is treated like srs bsns, and then all the sudden it's all shits and giggles with him and football. I understand wanting to have breaks from the srs and wanting to answer to negative criticism (such as that in Dream On about the dancing thing) but it HAS to work within your universe and make sense and overall it makes the show come off as hypocritical, mean, racist, sexist, ablist, etc etc. <<<<

^ i've never agreed with anything more in my entire life. THIS.

[outlaw_joanne]

I agree with everything and I have been saying this for a while.

[waluk]

maybe more than a heterosexual man in his mid-30s should admit

lolno
This is where I stop reading.

[takuya_asakura]

I disagree.

I think that guy took some thing too seriously than he probably should.
I mean. Okay, I kinda agree that the part about Asian Couple Therapy was a little too... "eh?" on the show, but I don't understand his opinion about the asian kiss. It was an obvious joke and actually I thought it was pretty cute.

[pee_wee_2005]

In Audition and Duets at first I thought it was kind of cute, "Oh, ha ha they're in on the joke, too." This is Glee after all, they feed off of stereotypes, one of the reasons I liked the show at first. But, then it just got worse and EVERYTHING that Mike and Tina did had to have an Asian label on it. Ugh, lame.

lazy

Basically just boils down to this if it isn't Kurt related anymore.

a karate kick to the mouth.

That made me laugh.