AMERICAN BORN CHINESE: Action-Comedy Series On Disney+

Asian representation in American blockbuster entertainment, as seen in movies like Crazy Rich Asians is making waves in Hollywood, and the Disney+ supernatural high school drama “American Born Chinese” is about to join the trend.

The cast of “Everything, Everywhere” presents this comedy-drama about bullying and stereotypes many Asian-American high school students may have encountered. This drama, based on the genre-hopping graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang, “American Born Chinese“, is about a high school student juggling his family life while seeking acceptance from his peers. As many Chinese American/Asian American students as there are in a predominantly white school, many struggle to fit in while attempting to identify with their Chinese heritage.

Jin Wang (Ben Wang) is a typical student attempting to date his high school crush and join the soccer team. He is forced to accept Asian stereotypes on television and becomes the brunt of his classmates’ jokes until a new Chinese student, Wei-Chen (Jimmy Liu), is assigned with Jin because, according to the principal, they have so much in common because they are both Chinese.

In contrast to Jin, Wei-Chen is proud of his Chinese heritage and speaks Mandarin fluently. However, Jin is unaware that Wei-Chen is the son of the Monkey King, who came to Earth to locate the guide that will lead him to the Fourth Scroll, just as he saw it in his dream. Through his passion for Manga, Wei-Chen befriends Jin and helps him gain popularity among his peers.

Jin avoids Wei-Chen, as he believes that he frequently embarrasses him in front of his colleagues. In American Born Chinese, many of the cast members from “Everything, Everything” had their mini-reunion. Michelle Yeoh is appointed Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, who assists Wei-Chen in his search for his guide.

Ke Huy Quan, a fellow Oscar winner, portrays an actor whose career was disrupted after portraying an Asian stereotype in a popular television sitcom.

There is no denying the screen rapport between Liu and Wang, who are charming and have impeccable comic timing. They form a rapport as they progress through high school and discuss their dysfunctional families. ABC does an excellent job of demolishing Asian stereotypes and breaking down ethnic stereotypes. We do not wish to disclose too much of the plot, but we can say that the television series is entertaining for families and a significant step forward for Asian Americans.