After reading The Life Of A Banana by PP Wong first . I decided to try "Chinglish" by Sue Cheung and "Takeaway" by Angela Hui.
Heard some songs when they interested me as well. I never thought I'd be so focused on reading webtoons, web novels and physical books these past few months. I'm reading a lot to get back into writing.
Special video released for the fans aka LUNÉ which was released before the official MV.
Set in the 80s, Chinglish follow Jo Kwan's teen years growing up as a BBC in a family-owned Chinese takeaway. Moving to Coventry, Jo tries to navigate her daily life as one of the few Chinese living in the area and dealing with being different to her peers and relatives. The novel is written in journal format and has some rather entertaining drawings to go with some of the entries. We are reading through the POV of a teenager so there will be angst and plenty of anger towards family or friends given the circumstances while growing up. Jo originally planned to have this journal to only share happy stories but breaks this idea and vents to her heart's content where needed.
Moving to a new city also means starting a new school. She befriends White Goth girl Tina who proves to be more open-minded than the obnoxiously petty (racist) peers who are not Asian. I too had a grumpy older White neighbour who had some subtle racism in their blood but still had that politeness on the surface (referring to Mrs Burke).
The author is Gen X so there is a gap in some cultural nostalgia for those years but the experiences and thoughts that go through Jo's head are relatable overall. The disgust, the embarrassment of being part of a takeaway family or an immigrant family that has trouble assimilating in a Western country, let alone the English language. Their no filter on stereotyping which is just awkward in public and a guarantee people will mock the hell out of them e.g. having monolids, pointed eyes which are usually almond shaped.
Angela Hui's Takeaway is a memoir and the book is of similar background in the POV of a younger / Millennial. Both authors have parents from Hong Kong and/or China and both worked at Chinese takeaways. I do see the trend of having the passive aggressive parents (why is it usually the father who has the gambling problem? I've seen women splash their cash too) and the filial piety rebellion.
Both authors rebel to the point of self-hating and wanting to be White instead and in the case of Takeaway there is this subtle side-eye of her brothers' interest in video games and even Anime. It actually reminds me of my more Westernized/"banana" cousins who are just wishing to avoid being associated with anything related to the East Asian pop culture. This persona would be me if I did not get into Animanga or any Asian music of Jrock/Jpop/Kpop land. I would have gone in a very different direction.
The titles mentioned here are certainly worth reading since they are of a few British Born Chinese books in existence. Comparing this to Life Of A Banana by PP Wong you will see the protagonists come from different backgrounds. At least there is a variety and a mention of both the takeaway land and the slightly richer upbringing, though not in the level of Crazy Rich Asians.
****
A few songs have caught my eye this month
Deer Hunter - &TEAM
Every member look and sound more mature here. Wardrobe styling is great for each scene. Plus, the chorus and killing point make it memorable.
Doctor Doctor - ZEROBASEONE
ZEROBASEONE's recent comeback included Doctor Doctor then the release of Blue as the main title track.
Just wanted to say Gyuvin and Jiwoong's appearance on the third season of Hong Seok Cheon's Jewel Box was great entertainment. I was wondering if Jiwoong would be a little playful with the hosts since he did act in BL series previously. He wasn't shy at all with his interactions and neither was Gyuvin. They both had a lot of fun on the show.
ENHYPEN's Jay released a cover of Bon Jovi's Always recently. I would be lying if I said I did not sing along. The 90s nostalgia of rock ballad territory got me a little emotional. Anyone who grew up in 80s/90s would know most of the lyrics to this potential Karaoke favourite.
Rockstar Jay is great. I hope he does more rock covers, maybe dabble with some Jrock or Korean rock ballads.