Examining What “Good Representation” Means Through an Asian American Lens
By Alena Nguyen
IATTENDED MY FIRST VIETNAMESE BEAUTY AND PHILANTHROPY PAGEANT RECENTLY, and during the question and answer section, one of the contestants’ questions was, “Is there good representation of Asians in the media?” Her answer, given on the spot, was a convoluted combination of ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ which initially frustrated me. But the greater emotion I felt in that moment was how the question of what “good representation” meant boggled me. I saw myself in Billi from “The Farewell,” but not Lara Jean Covey in the “To All The Boys” franchise. But I know other young Asians look up to Lara Jean, but not Billi. After some reflection, though, I realized that she’s not wrong.
Good representation starts with the story. For many creatives, especially writers, it is a commonly known phrase to “write what you know.” Many complex and authentic stories come from a place of truth within the creator. Director Lee Isaac Chung wanted to tell his life story of when his family moved to rural Arkansas, and so the semi-autobiographical and eventually Oscar-award winning film “Minari” was made. Anyone can clearly see Korean American actor Steven Yeun on screen as Jacob in “Minari,” but not everyone feels represented in Jacob’s character and development throughout the film. You represent a part of yourself in the story you choose to tell.
It’s quite impossible to give the idea of “good representation” a singular definition. It is up to the viewer to decide whether a piece of media has good representation. Art and its meaning is up to anyone’s interpretation; there is no singular right method to what could be considered “good representation.” It is a result of someone’s willingness to be vulnerable and share their life experiences with the world, and in doing so, the art can spark discussion and other meaningful dialogue. When people share their various opinions on a character or story, those opinions, whether they are similar, reflect how complex these stories are. And it’s in the discussions we have of a character or story that determine whether or not a minority group such as Asians are accurately represented on screen.
Let’s take the hit film “Crazy Rich Asians.” Because the film included many different Asian and Asian American personalities, almost everyone praised the show for its authentically featured Asian cultures and characters. “Variety” writer Audrey Leo Yap expressed her appreciation for how the film highlights the various experiences of being bicultural, saying that “[‘Crazy Rich Asians’] puts these varied experiences — of being Asian in Asia, of being Asian in America … front and center as if to say, ‘Look. We’re not all the same.’”
But not everyone in the world can have the exact same opinion. Many criticized the film for not truly authentically representing Asians since not every Asian is ‘old money’ wealthy the way the Young family is. Others criticized the film for pigeon-holing Singaporeans, saying the film was “a misrepresentation of Singapore at the most basic level, obscuring Malay, Indian, Eurasian, and more populations who make the country the culturally rich and unique place that it is” (Han, “Crazy Rich Asians is a win for Asian Americans. But it gets Singapore wrong.”)
However, both sides of this discussion make valid points, and that discourse determines whether a character is properly representing a minority group. When we share our truths about a character that came from someone else’s truth, we are fulfilling the core meaning of art and fostering discussions. Humans are not perfect, and through art, we can shine a light on our humanity and find connections within ourselves and each other. When we find ourselves represented on screen, it ignites a feeling within us that encourages us to share our feelings about the story with others.
Good representation is not an isolated concept; it is a result of vulnerability from the artist and the audience. It is more than just being seen on screen; it is when a piece of media can spark insightful conversations. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then so is finding good representation in media.
About the Author
Alena Nguyen is a sophomore college student studying film producing in California. You could find her in the aisles of thrift stores or hidden bookstores, scouring for stories (and occasionally, gently used Taylor Swift CDs). When she’s not finding and trying new boba shops, she enjoys working out and watching coming-of-age films or shows.
