The New York Times explores how Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the country’s fastest growing demographic, are reshaping the arts — and how we live.
In May 2024, The New York Times launched a series supported by The Asian American Foundation to explore the increasing contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in popular culture.
The Times series "A Spotlight on Asian American Culture Today," funded through a grant from TAAF, includes immersive stories that delve into the way filmmakers, authors, and other creators are depicting AAPI life. By seeing our stories on pages, stages, and screens, we not only feel seen but learn time and again that our stories of joy, longing, struggles and triumphs resonate with many outside our communities.
“At The Asian American Foundation, we believe that the best way to fight anti-Asian hate is to create belonging and there is no better way to do that than through storytelling. We are incredibly proud to support this series about AAPI creatives who are telling multidimensional and nuanced stories. This moment represents a departure from a long history of invisibility, stereotyping, and misrepresentation of our community.” — Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF
“Our team at The New York Times is dedicated to telling richly layered, visually vibrant pieces, leaning into innovative story formats. We’re excited to explore how Asian American and Pacific Islander artists are crafting new American narratives through music, food, literature, film and television.” — Veronica Chambers, Editor of Narrative Projects, The New York Times
Explore the Series
May 23, 2024
From ‘The Sympathizer’ to ‘Past Lives,’ American Audiences Warm to Subtitles
In Hollywood today, not only are Asian and Asian American narratives more prominent than ever, but they are also being told in increasingly dynamic ways through the artful use of Asian languages.
By Brandon Yu, produced by Alice Fang
Edited by Miya Lee, Jennifer Harlan, Jason Chiu, Veronica Chambers, Marcelle Hopkins and Antonio De Luca. Photo Editing by Eve Lyons. Additional Editing by Hannah Wulkan, Dan Saltzstein, Vera Titunik and Brian Gallagher. Transcription by Douglas So and Richard Quan (Cantonese); Ran Lee and Yeong-Ung Yang (Korean); Luke Gene Cabading and Rosemary Diwa (Tagalog); and Vivian Giang, Minh Uong and Julie Ho (Vietnamese). Research by Sheelagh McNeill.
June 11, 2024
Don’t Call It an ‘Ethnic’ Grocery Store
As Asian groceries like H Mart, Patel Brothers and 99 Ranch expand, they are reshaping American eating habits, and the American grocery market.
By Priya Krishna, photographs by Tommy Kha
August 29, 2024
Asian Men Are Finally Starting to Get the Girl (or Guy)
Western pop culture, past and present, has often emasculated Asian male characters. A new crop of roles are starting to offer alternatives.
By Matt Stevens, videos by Ricardo Nagaoka
Sheelagh McNeill contributed research.
March 11, 2025
A Hollywood Star With a Secret That Could Have Ended Her Career
Merle Oberon was a popular actress who was once nominated for an Oscar. But a fact that she hid from the public threatened to unspool her entire life’s work.
By Anna Kodé
April 26, 2025
Asian American Women Are Redefining the ‘Old’ in Grandmother’s Gold
Many Asian American women treat gold as an asset as well as an adornment. Now, their daughters are changing how they wear these precious metals.
By Sadiya Ansari, photo illustrations by Spandita Malik
May 29, 2025
Four Asian American Comics on the Joke That Changed Their Life
Bowen Yang, Hari Kondabolu, Atsuko Okatsuka and Hasan Minhaj break down the stand-up bits that rewired their comedic DNA.
Interviews by Brian Gallagher and Wilson Wong, photographs by Jiro Konami
Edited by Dan Saltzstein, Marcelle Hopkins, Veronica Chambers and Sarah Bahr. Designed and produced by Alice Fang. Photo editing by Eve Lyons. Additional production by Anika Burgess. Mandarin transcription by Kimmy Tsai and Isabelle Niu. Research by Dahlia Kozlowsky.
Watch: A Spotlight on Asian American Culture Today
The Times series supported by TAAF culminated on May 6, 2025, with an event featuring appearances from comedian Aparna Nancherla, ballet dancer Chloe Misseldine, author R.F. Kuang, Chef Leah Cohen, and creator Joe Ando-Hirsh. Following insightful conversations on the intersections of identity and craft, the evening ended with a spectacular performance from Laufey, who captivated the audience with her signature blend of jazz, pop, and classical influences.
In May 2024, The New York Times launched a series supported by The Asian American Foundation to explore the increasing contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in popular culture.
The Times series "A Spotlight on Asian American Culture Today," funded through a grant from TAAF, includes immersive stories that delve into the way filmmakers, authors, and other creators are depicting AAPI life. By seeing our stories on pages, stages, and screens, we not only feel seen but learn time and again that our stories of joy, longing, struggles and triumphs resonate with many outside our communities.
“At The Asian American Foundation, we believe that the best way to fight anti-Asian hate is to create belonging and there is no better way to do that than through storytelling. We are incredibly proud to support this series about AAPI creatives who are telling multidimensional and nuanced stories. This moment represents a departure from a long history of invisibility, stereotyping, and misrepresentation of our community.” — Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF
“Our team at The New York Times is dedicated to telling richly layered, visually vibrant pieces, leaning into innovative story formats. We’re excited to explore how Asian American and Pacific Islander artists are crafting new American narratives through music, food, literature, film and television.” — Veronica Chambers, Editor of Narrative Projects, The New York Times
Explore the Series
May 23, 2024
From ‘The Sympathizer’ to ‘Past Lives,’ American Audiences Warm to Subtitles
In Hollywood today, not only are Asian and Asian American narratives more prominent than ever, but they are also being told in increasingly dynamic ways through the artful use of Asian languages.
By Brandon Yu, produced by Alice Fang
Edited by Miya Lee, Jennifer Harlan, Jason Chiu, Veronica Chambers, Marcelle Hopkins and Antonio De Luca. Photo Editing by Eve Lyons. Additional Editing by Hannah Wulkan, Dan Saltzstein, Vera Titunik and Brian Gallagher. Transcription by Douglas So and Richard Quan (Cantonese); Ran Lee and Yeong-Ung Yang (Korean); Luke Gene Cabading and Rosemary Diwa (Tagalog); and Vivian Giang, Minh Uong and Julie Ho (Vietnamese). Research by Sheelagh McNeill.
June 11, 2024
Don’t Call It an ‘Ethnic’ Grocery Store
As Asian groceries like H Mart, Patel Brothers and 99 Ranch expand, they are reshaping American eating habits, and the American grocery market.
By Priya Krishna, photographs by Tommy Kha
August 29, 2024
Asian Men Are Finally Starting to Get the Girl (or Guy)
Western pop culture, past and present, has often emasculated Asian male characters. A new crop of roles are starting to offer alternatives.
By Matt Stevens, videos by Ricardo Nagaoka
Sheelagh McNeill contributed research.
March 11, 2025
A Hollywood Star With a Secret That Could Have Ended Her Career
Merle Oberon was a popular actress who was once nominated for an Oscar. But a fact that she hid from the public threatened to unspool her entire life’s work.
By Anna Kodé
April 26, 2025
Asian American Women Are Redefining the ‘Old’ in Grandmother’s Gold
Many Asian American women treat gold as an asset as well as an adornment. Now, their daughters are changing how they wear these precious metals.
By Sadiya Ansari, photo illustrations by Spandita Malik
May 29, 2025
Four Asian American Comics on the Joke That Changed Their Life
Bowen Yang, Hari Kondabolu, Atsuko Okatsuka and Hasan Minhaj break down the stand-up bits that rewired their comedic DNA.
Interviews by Brian Gallagher and Wilson Wong, photographs by Jiro Konami
Edited by Dan Saltzstein, Marcelle Hopkins, Veronica Chambers and Sarah Bahr. Designed and produced by Alice Fang. Photo editing by Eve Lyons. Additional production by Anika Burgess. Mandarin transcription by Kimmy Tsai and Isabelle Niu. Research by Dahlia Kozlowsky.
Watch: A Spotlight on Asian American Culture Today
The Times series supported by TAAF culminated on May 6, 2025, with an event featuring appearances from comedian Aparna Nancherla, ballet dancer Chloe Misseldine, author R.F. Kuang, Chef Leah Cohen, and creator Joe Ando-Hirsh. Following insightful conversations on the intersections of identity and craft, the evening ended with a spectacular performance from Laufey, who captivated the audience with her signature blend of jazz, pop, and classical influences.