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NextShark •

Sibling stars of ‘American Girl: Corinne Tan’ on representing Asian girls, blended families

and Kai Cech from California braced the chilly Canadian weather for Mattel’s live-action film “American Girl: Corinne Tan,” the teenage actors discovered warmth in the unique experience of working together along with canine companions.

Corinne unexpectedly finds purpose in training a search and rescue puppy named Flurry, leading to a journey of perseverance and acceptance.

“We haven’t had a really big opportunity in the past to work together in such close proximity so that was really fun,” Miy
NextShark •

How Brian Tee navigated his emotionally heaviest role yet in Lulu Wang's ‘Expats’

How Brian Tee navigated his emotionally heaviest role yet in Lulu Wang’s ‘Expats’

and saving lives in previous acting roles, actor Brian Tee revealed that his role as a father in Lulu Wang’s “Expats” series has been the heaviest character he has ever had to portray in his almost two-decade career.

The Japanese-born American actor has starred in over 70 films and TV shows, including “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” (2006), “The Wolverine” (2013) and NBC’s hit series “Chicago Med,” but he
NextShark •

Sujata Day talks joining chef Mike Haracz for Dungeons & Dragons-themed cooking show

In “Heroes’ Feast,” Day and Haracz prepare dishes, desserts and cocktails from the D&D cookbook with the help of special guests

actor and screenwriter Sujata Day got the call to be the host of a Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) cooking show, she was hesitant to take the role, noting that she had insufficient cooking skills and experience with the game.

The last time she had played the fantasy tabletop role-playing game was six years ago when her friends created “Girls, Guts, Glory,” a 10-episode YouTu
NextShark •

Chris Soriano film ‘The Master Chief’ pays tribute to Filipino sailors in US Navy

Chris Soriano film ‘The Master Chief’ pays tribute to Filipino sailors in US Navy

The film is based on true stories and experiences of Filipino sailors and pays tribute to their resilience and unspoken bonds

long history of serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, dating back to 1901 when former President William McKinley authorized their enlistment in the U.S. Insular Force.

The recruitment of Filipinos into the U.S. Navy began in 1947 through the , which allowed them to enlist under the U.S. Navy
NextShark •

Director Jessica Yu talks working with Sandra Oh, Awkwafina on new comedy film 'Quiz Lady'

Director Jessica Yu talks working with Sandra Oh, Awkwafina on new comedy film ‘Quiz Lady’

Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jessica Yu was approached by actor, comedian and producer Will Ferell about directing a comedy film starring Sandra Oh and Awkwafina, Yu was immediately all in.

Ferell, who came on board to produce and at the same time play the role of Terry McTeer, the bowtie-wearing host of the movie’s television game show “Can’t Stop the Quiz,” believed that it was “super important” to hav
NextShark •

How short film ‘Once Upon A Studio’ featuring over 500 Disney characters was born

How short film ‘Once Upon A Studio’ featuring over 500 Disney characters was born

the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney directors Dan Abraham and Trent Correy would meet in separate cars at a Taco Bell parking lot in California.

The pair, who previously directed the “Frozen”-inspired short film “Once Upon a Snowman,” would talk through their car windows about projects they wanted to do together.

“One of the ideas that bubbled up really quickly was the realization that we were going to be at the [Walt
NextShark •

Interview: Dolly de Leon, Kathryn Bernardo wreak havoc in Filipino revenge film 'A Very Good Girl'

cause all hell to break loose on the character played by Philippine cinema’s “Box Office Queen” Kathryn Bernardo was all it took to get award-winning actor Dolly de Leon on board for the Filipino dark comedy film “A Very Good Girl.”

“They told me that my character was going to be this controlling and overbearing woman who would cause so much stress and tension for Kath’s character. That was it for me,” de Leon tells NextShark, adding, “I like a really good challenge. When I heard about it initi
NextShark •

How Disney's upcoming animated musical film ‘Wish’ celebrates Walt Disney’s 100-year legacy

Just like Walt Disney’s journey, “Wish” proves that with the wish and will of a courageous individual, wondrous achievements can come to fruition

Born and raised in Chonburi, Thailand, Fawn Veerasunthorn grew up with a deep passion for Disney animated films.

At a young age, Veerasunthorn fell in love with Walt Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” and “Dumbo” and was filled with a desire to take part in recreating the same sense of magic that the animated musical films had given her.

Her determinat
NextShark •

Sung Kang talks inspiration behind his directorial debut, werewolf horror-comedy ‘Shaky Shivers’

Kang’s debut was fueled by lack of opportunities as an Asian actor and the desire to tell untold stories

Sung Kang is following up his “Fast & Furious” legacy with his directorial debut of his ’80’s-inspired, horror-comedy film “Shaky Shivers.”

After driving cool and exotic cars as the prominent fictional character Han Lue for many years, the 51-year-old actor eventually drifted his way into the world of directing, fueled by the lack of opportunities for Asian actors and the desire to tell unt
NextShark •

‘Loveboat, Taipei’ author Abigail Hing Wen reveals inspiration for film adaptation of her YA romance hit

‘Loveboat, Taipei’ author Abigail Hing Wen reveals inspiration for film adaptation of her YA romance hit

“Love in Taipei,” starring Ashley Liao, Ross Butler and Nico Hiraga, is now available to stream on Paramount Plus

the moment,” Abigail Hing Wen recalls her son saying as they were driving to the screening of Paramount Plus’ latest film “Love in Taipei.”

Years ago, Wen’s film manager had told her, “It’s so hard to make a movie. We can’t celebrate until we’re in the car driving to the premie
NextShark •

‘Elemental’ filmmakers, actors reflect on the 7-year journey to complete Pixar’s latest film

‘Elemental’ filmmakers, actors reflect on the 7-year journey to complete Pixar’s latest film

“It's like we’re getting the child ready to go out into the world and it’s no longer ours,” says "Elemental" producer Denise Ream

Peter Sohn and producer Denise Ream first saw their seven years of hard work on the big screen, they experienced what they describe as being similar to parents feeling the prideful moment of watching their child graduate.

The filmmakers first saw the finished product at the
NextShark •

'Elemental': A closer look behind the multicultural world of Pixar’s latest film

‘Elemental’: A closer look behind the multicultural world of Pixar’s latest film

As the upcoming feature film is a culmination of immigrant experiences, the chemical elements are the perfect analogy to represent a diverse world

the periodic table as an arrangement of the chemical elements, Korean American director Peter Sohn was inspired by its rows and columns as he created the world of Disney and Pixar’s upcoming feature film “Elemental.”

Sohn, 45, recalled sitting in a science class in mid
NextShark •

'We belong 1000 percent': Pixar's ‘Elemental’ is a culmination of immigrant experiences

The filmmakers behind "Elemental" listened to the experiences of more than 100 first- or second-generation immigrants from Pixar

elements we all know were alive?” was the first question Korean American director Peter Sohn asked himself.

Sohn, who was the first Korean to direct a Pixar film, 2015’s “The Good Dinosaur,” started with a drawing of a fire and water character interacting to eventually form an unexpected friendship.

Drawing inspiration from his personal life, he started layering in
NextShark •

‘Chang Can Dunk’ star Bloom Li reflects on his feature-length film debut [interview]

‘Chang Can Dunk’ star Bloom Li reflects on his feature-length film debut [interview]

star Bloom Li talked with NextShark about how his feature-length movie debut has personally resonated with him as an Asian American actor.

When the character embarks on a rigorous 12-week training program to learn how to dunk, he soon reexamines himself and learns more about his friends and family in the process. The coming-of-age film tackles family dynamics, friendships, self-discovery and the definition of

Music

NextShark •

‘We can dominate the industry’: P-pop boy band SB19 talk leaving their previous company

‘We can dominate the industry’: P-pop boy band SB19 talk leaving their previous company

SB19 announced that they are now a self-managed group under their own company 1Z Entertainment

they are now a self-managed group under their own company, Filipino boy band SB19 are back with their second world tour.

Initially, the band aimed to break into the music scene in the Philippines. After becoming one of the country’s top P-pop groups, they are now looking to revolutionize the music industry of the
NextShark •

Interview: K-pop legend Rain to perform US concerts for 1st time in 15 years

Interview: K-pop legend Rain to perform US concerts for 1st time in 15 years

is making a comeback with his “STILL RAINING” tour after a seven-year hiatus from touring.

“I’m very excited to finally meet my American fans,” Rain tells NextShark. “I was supposed to meet them in the past, but the COVID-19 pandemic prevented that from happening.”

took a break from touring globally in the past seven years, he committed himself to the film industry in , quickly becoming a powerhouse with nearly 30 TV
NextShark •

Behind Filipino British musician Chase Martinez’s journey to becoming ‘Mr. Suave’

Behind Filipino British musician Chase Martinez’s journey to becoming ‘Mr. Suave’

U.K. boy band IF YOU DARE, Filipino British artist Chase Martinez is now embarking on a self-discovery journey to reclaim and embrace his Filipino roots as a solo artist.

While the 26-year-old singer says he achieved more than he could imagine with his fellow group members, he decided it was time for him to step out of his comfort zone and pursue his solo career.

“Being in a boy band, there were certain things I
NextShark •

Emerging young artists Haven and Denise Julia talk breakups, their new soulful single

Emerging young artists Haven and Denise Julia talk breakups, their new soulful single

“She just broke up and I just broke up. So this was the perfect two besties who had just gone through a break up,” Haven says

of music, heartbreak songs often hold a transformative power that connects and heals the human soul through vulnerability.

Haven, a 19-year-old Singaporean pop musician, and Denise Julia, a 21-year-old Filipino R&B artist, sat with NextShark to celebrate their song and process their e
NextShark •

Abraham Lim, other ‘KPOP’ Broadway cast members to hold LGBTQ+ benefit concert in NYC

Abraham Lim, other ‘KPOP’ Broadway cast members to hold LGBTQ+ benefit concert in NYC

The event will take place at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday at The Green Room 42

and other cast members of the Broadway musical “KPOP” will be celebrating ​​the LGBTQ+ community with a “Love Songs for Pride” benefit concert in New York City.

Lim, who previously starred in Netflix’s “Clickbait” (2021) and Amazon Prime’s “The Boys” (2019), has organized a night of love songs from the AAPI community to the LGBTQ+ commu
NextShark •

SB19's Josh Cullen talks vampires, haters and not 'playing safe' in solo debut 'Wild Tonight'

SB19’s Josh Cullen talks vampires, haters and not ‘playing safe’ in solo debut ‘Wild Tonight’

"As a solo artist, these are all my own personal style and creative vision. I just want to reflect the things that happen in my life"

Through his new EDM track released on Friday, the 29-year-old musician hopes to showcase his artistic range, from creating and producing the song to directing its choreography.

In an interview with NextShark, Cullen shares how the song is a “true reflection” of his own
NextShark •

Boy band SB19 ready to spread Filipino music around the world through their first-ever global tour

Boy band SB19 ready to spread Filipino music around the world through their first-ever global tour

Top Filipino boy band SB19 is currently on their first-ever global tour with stops in the U.S., including New York and California.

band SB19 is currently on their first-ever global tour with stops in the U.S., including New York and California. As the band settled in New York, they spoke with NextShark about their experiences in the Big Apple.

Although SB19 has been on an upward trajectory since
NextShark •

Filipino band Ben&Ben break into US music scene with first-ever North American tour and new single

Filipino band Ben&Ben break into US music scene with first-ever North American tour and new single

are bursting into the American music scene with their first-ever North American tour and the release of a new English single titled “The Ones We Once Loved.”

Currently one of the top bands in the Philippines, Ben&Ben formed in 2017 and consists of nine members: twin duo Miguel Benjamin and Paolo Benjamin, Poch Barretto, Keifer Cabugao, Andrew De Pano, Toni Muñoz, Pat Lasaten, Anges Reoma and Jam

Features & Profiles

NextShark •

How Love, Bonito is celebrating and uplifting women through fashion

A humble blog shop named BonitoChico in 2005 has evolved into Southeast Asia’s largest omnichannel womenswear brand, driven by the founders’ mission to empower and serve women across diverse Asian communities.

Initially, co-founder Rachel Lim only intended to generate supplementary income, but as her business venture grew, she began importing clothes from overseas. This is when she realized that there was a gap in the market.
NextShark •

‘It's bigger than me’: How NFL star Camryn Bynum is uplifting Filipinos on and off the field [interview]

‘It’s bigger than me’: How NFL star Camryn Bynum is uplifting Filipinos on and off the field [interview]

“When I'm on the field, it's bigger than me. There's a bigger purpose to all of this,” Bynum says

winding down and the tension in the stadium reaching a fever pitch on Monday night, it was clear that the high-stakes clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Minnesota Vikings would be decided by a single, pivotal moment.

With just 33 seconds left on the clock, the crowd held its collect
NextShark •

How New Jersey’s first Pinoy coffee shop brews Filipino culture and community

How New Jersey’s first Pinoy coffee shop brews Filipino culture and community

had long dreamed of creating a safe space for people to gather and enjoy Filipino food and drinks, the turning point in her entrepreneurial journey was when her now-husband Matthew Reyes took her on a birthday trip to Washington in 2019.

The couple, who were both raised in New Jersey, was inspired by the large and tight-knit community in Seattle, where they discovered a thriving Filipino coffee shop.

Jose, 30, and R
NextShark •

‘Here Lies Love’ actor Jose Llana on why the dark history of Philippines’ martial law must be shared

‘Here Lies Love’ actor Jose Llana on why the dark history of Philippines’ martial law must be shared

Llana came to the U.S. with his family at the age of 3 to escape Ferdinand Marcos’ martial law. Decades later, he portrays the dictator in an immersive Broadway musical

actor Jose Llana walked into the audition room for musician and writer David Byrne’s musical “Here Lies Love,” he declared, “I’m the blood of two major anti-Marcos activists, and I’m here and I would like to play your Ninoy Aqui
NextShark •

How being ‘left behind’ led Hoan Huynh to become the first refugee, Vietnamese American elected to state office in Illinois

How being ‘left behind’ led Hoan Huynh to become the first refugee, Vietnamese American elected to state office in Illinois

tropical climate of his home country, then-teenager Hoan Huynh and his family settled in Southern California after escaping the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under communist rule in the early 1990s.

Huynh, who was born in 1989 to Vietnamese and Chinese parents shortly after the , recalls living in darkness as he and his family tried to survive under the watchful eye of th
NextShark •

‘That's what America is about’: Sugar Bowl Bakery co-founder reflects on his family’s pursuit of the American dream

‘That’s what America is about’: Sugar Bowl Bakery co-founder reflects on his family’s pursuit of the American dream

San Francisco-based Sugar Bowl Bakery is one of the largest minority-and family-owned bakeries in the U.S.

the houses look the same?” then-24-year-old Andrew Ly wondered while touring San Francisco for the first time. The air was colder and the streets were quieter — completely different from the atmosphere of his war-torn home country.

Ly and his family came from Giồng Nhản, Bạ
NextShark •

Artket Goods’ Asian-inspired candles tap into nostalgic scents of childhood

Francesca Chan, 28, launched her business in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic to explore and express her own creativity

Artket Goods found a unique way to honor various Asian cultures through candles, with scents that range in inspiration from classic snacks to traditional medicines.

As a plant lover, her business initially started as a “plant parent” collection of tote bags and mugs, but Chan soon realized that she could express herself more through candle making.

“I’m a huge foodie, so you’l
NextShark •

‘This Asian face’: The artist behind the #StopAsianHate illustrations

‘This Asian face’: The artist behind the #StopAsianHate illustrations

As the only Asian kid in class, a young Jonathan Chang, who had immigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan at the age of 3, felt out of place.

As the only Asian kid in class, a young Jonathan Chang, who had immigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan at the age of 3, felt out of place.

At 10 years old, he figured that slowly replacing parts of himself would make him less different. When he couldn’t understand the cartoons shown on American
The Click •

Food is Love for This Jersey Girl Entrepreneur

(WEST NEW YORK, N.J.) — On a recent Sunday morning in the Palisade Avenue neighborhood, a woman in a red fleece jacket and a beige hoodie steps out of a two-story, brick house with a yellow refrigerator on the front yard that reads, “Free Food.” With a black beanie under her hoodie and with her hands in her pockets, she greets a reporter with a warm smile.

“My name is Amanda Esther Lopez. That’s my full name,” she laughed. “I actually never say my middle name.”

Lopez, 24, owns a dog walking an

Culture & Community

Bulatlat •

Riding the crossroads: The battle of Manila’s jeepney drivers against modernization

MANILA – Standing as an iconic symbol of the nation’s culture and resilience, jeepneys, which are upcycled leftover World War II U.S. Willy Jeeps, were the solution to the country’s post-war public transportation problem in the early 1950s. For decades, these colorful vehicles have been the lifeblood of the nation’s public transportation system, providing an affordable means of mobility for millions of commuters everyday.
NextShark •

Corky Lee’s 50 years of ‘photographic justice’ chronicled in new book

Corky Lee, while studying American history at Queens College in New York in the ’60s, was struck by a photograph taken in 1869 depicting the celebration of the completion of the transcontinental railroad in Utah.

Despite learning that over 12,000 Chinese workers were involved in the project, he couldn’t find a single Chinese face in the photo. The omission immediately sparked his mission to help increase Asian American representation in mainstream media.
NextShark •

‘Great taste is universal’: Behind the scenes of Times Square’s Jollibee flagship store

‘Great taste is universal’: Behind the scenes of Times Square’s Jollibee flagship store

statue of a smiling bee has made its way to the heart of New York.

Located at 1500 Broadway between West 43rd and 44th Streets, the 7,000-square-foot space introduces the brand to mainstream American customers with an exclusive menu.

“Times Square is an iconic place here in New York and in the world. It’s described as the crossroad of the world for a reason, so it’s a milestone for us. We aspired to be one
The Click •

Searching for a Taste of the Philippines in Jersey City

( Jersey City, N.J.) —In the congested street of Fairview in Metro Manila, there stands a six-foot-tall, red-and-yellow statue of a smiling bee. He beckons me to the popular restaurant known as Jollibee, promising Chickenjoy and other Filipino-inspired fast-food specialties. It’s not the typical Filipino dishes I grew up with at home, but who turns down a smiling bee?

Fast forward six months and an ocean away from Manila. I am strolling the streets of my new neighborhood in Jersey City and, her

Crime & Politics

NextShark •

Philly Chinatown community sees no relent from developers of Sixers' arena despite strong opposition

Philly Chinatown community sees no relent from developers of Sixers’ arena despite strong opposition

The arena proposal has been met with fierce criticism from Chinatown community members, who are worried about gentrification, among many other issues

his wife moved to Philadelphia’s Chinatown from New York City nearly 14 years ago in search of a business opportunity in Center City. Today, their restaurant, QT Vietnamese Sandwich, is a popular go-to spot for bánh mì.

After managing to retain a
NextShark •

In-depth: Gun lobbyists target Asian Americans amid spike in anti-Asian hate crimes

In an attempt to cash in on fear of such hate crimes, the gun industry has invested more in marketing toward Asian Americans to bring in an untapped market of potential buyers

In initial interviews with investigators, the shooter, Robert Aaron Long, said he had a and that he targeted the spas that he viewed as a sexual temptation a confession that experts have pointed toward a reinforced by the fetishization of Asian women.

In an attempt to cash in on fear of such hate crimes, the gun industry
The Click •

The Truth Is Never Neutral: A Look Into 'Toni Talks'

(NEW JERSEY) – Toni Gonzaga, the iconic Filipina actress, singer, and television host who has assumed the role of a journalist in her YouTube series Toni Talks has received huge backlash for her September 13th episode titled, “The Greatest Lesson Bongbong Marcos Learned From His Father.”

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. is a Filipino politician and son of former president and dictator of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos. The Marcos era is considered a dark chapter in Philippine histor