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Who’s the Asian Temple boss on ‘Lost: The Final Season’?

Are we supposed to surmise he’s Japanese because he keeps a Bonsai Tree and won’t speak English because the language tastes bad in his mouth? (Ok, fine. He speaks Japanese too.)

(This is from tonight’s episode ‘What Kate Does”)

So…he’s also barefoot. Why is everyone barefoot? Is that supposed to add to the mystery? Or make them more earthy and hippie-like? Eh. Iz cool. I’m down. Let’s see what happens…

(So is this one!)

This new badass Temple boss is Dogen, played by veteran actor and only Japanese actor ever to perform with the Royal Shakespeare Company Hiroyuki Sanada. You might recognize him from his roles in films such as The Last Samurai, Sunshine, and Rush Hour 3. Sanada will next star opposite Anthony Hopkins in James Ivory’s The City of Your Final Destination, out in March 2010.

Other Keywords: japanese actors, famous asians, famous asian, hiro sanada, new asian guy on lost, bossy asian guy on lost, new japanese guy on lost
Photos: Lost publicity photos via TVign
Info: IMDB, TVign, LostTV

Daniel Dae Kim stays on the island for Hawaii Five-O remake

Congrats!!! to Korean talent (and hottie) Daniel Dae Kim, who plays Jin Kwon on ABC’s hit show Lost, for landing one of the leading roles in CBS’ remake of the groovy classic Hawaii Five-O. Kim will play Detective Chin Ho Kelly while Moonlight star Alex O’Loughlin continues to be in talks for the part of Detective Steve McGarrett.

Kim’s POV on Asians in acting per the latest issue of DaMan magazine:

“I take a little bit of pride in that I don’t feel like I’ve taken any roles that I regret in terms of cultural representation…I’ve never done the stereotypicalAsian nerd or anything like that. But that’s not to say that there isn’t that kind of dynamic in Hollywood. There is definitely a categorization of Asian males, in particular. What I mean to say is though the roles might not be overtly offensive, they are definitely secondary and exist only to serve another character. For instance, a lot of roles that I have played have been in support of the leads and I was there to deliver exposition. They’re not stereotypical roles but they are representative of a ceiling that a lot of us face.”

The remake features writers and “Fringe” co-creators Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci and “CSI: NY” executive producer/co-showrunner Peter Lenkov.

THR reports that Kim is the “first actor from the show’s core cast to book a new series project this pilot season as the ABC mystery drama heads to its May finale.” The 2nd episode of this 6th and FINAL (sigh) season airs tonight on ABC @ 9pmET.

More Info: Daniel Dae Kim on IMDB, Wiki, Official Website
Other Keywords: famous asians, famous asian actors, famous koreans, korean americans, korean actors, hawaii 5, lost final season, 6th season, jj abrams, jin kwon

Jason Wu

Born September 28, 1982 in Taipei Taiwan to Chinese parents, the 27 year-old Vancouver, Canada raised (after 9 yo) Manhattan based fashion designer shot to global status when Michelle Obama wore his ivory silk-chiffon creation at the Presidential Inaugural Ball January 20, 2009.

Michelle Obama had already worn one of his designs for a short appearance in a Barbara Walters Special with the President, which aired November 26, 2008. The first lady has since subsequently worn many of Wu’s designs.

More of Michelle Obama in Jason Wu

More fun facts about Jason Wu:

Started his own fashion line in 2006 with family help and savings
Also holds the position of Creative Director for Fashion Royalty, a line of designer dolls sold at F.A.O. Schwartz for $70-$400
His savings include those from the above job, in which he started as a freelance fashion designer at age 16
Wu’s dresses are sold at Bergdorf Goodman
Expected 2009 sales: $4 million (no update since NYTimes report 1/2009)
His mother sometimes drove him to bridal stores so he could make sketches of the gowns in the windows
Began experimenting with fashion by using dolls as mannequins at 9 yo
Spent his senior year of high school in France
Left after 3.5 years at Parsons to intern with Narciso Rodriguez
His boyfriend, Gustavo Rangel, also manages the company’s finances
The Inaugural Ball dress that Michelle Obama wore and Wu designed is now at the Smithsonian

From Wu’s Fall 2009 Collection…

From Wu’s Spring 2010 Collection…

From Wu’s Pre-Fall 2010 Collection…

Other Keywords: famous asians, famous asian fashion designers, michelle obama in jason wu at the inaugural ball
Sources: WWD, NYTimes
More Info: Wiki, Jason Wu Website
Portrait photo

Feb 2009

Sept 2008

Obama wears Khan, State Dinner 11/24/09

Naeem Khan

designed the stunning dress that First Lady Michelle Obama wore to the Administration’s first White House state dinner on November 24, 2009. The one-of-a-kind handmade gold strapless gown adorned with sterling silver-plated appliqués took more than four weeks to make and more than 40 people to make it, according to Khan in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

That the event celebrated the relationship between the United States and India, where Khan was born, made the honor even more poignant for Khan.

“Why it was so important, apart from it being our First Lady, was the coming together of India and America, which is me…I was so happy I was here with my kids and my wife. It was an amazing moment to share. My heart was leaping.”

Born May 21, 1958 Khan “cultivated his knowledge of textiles growing up under the watchful eyes of his father and grandfather, both well known throughout the country for designing luxurious and intricate clothing worn by the royal families and other social notables.” Khan moved to the United States at 20 years old and apprenticed with the legendary fashion house, Halston.

Khan launched his eponymous collection “consisting of impeccably tailored cocktail suits, embroidered caftans and glamorous dresses. His gowns are often embellished with beading, mirrors, and other specialy treatments that are distinctive to the label. The designer’s loyal fanbase ranges from megastars such as Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce to socialites and royalty like Queen Noor of Jordan.” Khan is available in 100 stores worldwide including Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus.

Khan Spring 2010

Other Keywords: Michelle Obama first state dinner dress designer, famous asian fashion designers
Other Sources: WSJ, Wiki, Naeem Khan website
Photos: Khan portraits, State Dinner

John C. Liu

NYC Nov. 3, 2009 - ELECTIONS TODAY!!!!
John C. Liu running for Comptroller

Under the Democratic and Working Party lines
Platform: About John

Quick Facts:

Elected to Councilman in 2001, northeast Queens (20th District)
Re-elected 2003, 2005
FIRST Chinese-American and Asian-American to be elected to City Council
Moved to the U.S. from Taiwan at 5yo
Father changed “Chun” to “John” to honor John F. Kennedy
Brothers’ names were changed to honor Robert & Edward Kennedy
Attended NYC public schools & Bronx High School of Science
Mathematical Physics major at Binghamton University in NY
Worked as a Manager at PriceWaterhouse Coopers before being elected to City Council

Keywords: First Asian American, first Chinese American, elected to City Council, Democrat, Democratic, Working Families, New York City, NYC Councilman, NYC City Council, John C. Liu, John Liu

game-winning homer vs. SF Giants in 2007

Shane Victorino

is a right-handed switch hitter and center fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies. He bats 8th in the line-up in

Tonight’s GAME 2 of the WORLD SERIES Yankees v. Phillies at Yankee Stadium.

Watch it on Fox at 7:30pm/ET.

A track champion with a phenomenal right-arm, Victorino gains respect for his incredible speed and mad throwing skillz. Even more impressive are his accomplishments despite his relatively small stature at 5’9”. More on his stats here and here.

Victorino was born November 30, 1980 in Wailuku, Hawaii and is classified as “Pacific Islander” on his myspace.

While Wiki tags Victorino under Portuguese- and Japanese- American, and other sites claim he is also of Filipino descent, there are no primary sources confirming this information. Can anyone point me to anything that can confirm?

In the meantime check out a great piece on Victorino here.

Keywords: Famous Asians, Shane Victorino, Philadelphia Phillies, Yankees, World Series 2009, October 29
Thanks to Joe P for the ref!
Photos via: 1, 2, 3

David Chang

is the chef/owner of the rave reviewed NYC Momofuku eateries Noodle Bar, Ko and Ssäm Bar, Milk Bar, and Ma Peche in New York City. Food & Wine touts Chang as having “sparked a craze for bar dining and snagged every award and accolade in the process” further adding that the young chef serves “hearty, inventive Asian-inspired food at great prices”.

The New York Times and New York Magazine food critics agree and patron review sites such as Yelp and Urban Spoon branded Chang’s restaurants with excellent reviews. Alas with any sought-after restaurant in NYC serving delicious foods at affordable prices, the wait could seem interminable. Be patient and nimble, says the New York Times, and be forewarned.

You could try making the recommended Ramen and Korean BBQ stuffed pork buns yourself since Chang’s

Momofuku cookbook is being released today, October 27th

Available on Amazon. Also see him as a guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonight at 12:30am/ET on NBC.

The highly recommended pork ramen dish from Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar

Born Aug 5, 1977 Chang’s descent is not stated anywhere, though Wiki tags his profile with “Korean-American”. Chang majored in religious studies at Trinity College and later trained at the French Culinary Institute. More about Chang on Wiki, an interview with Food & Wine, WSJ review of his cookbook.

See Tags below for related posts
Keywords: Korean American chef, Momofuku restaurants, chic noodle bars

Jake Shimabukuro

Shi-ma-BOO-ku-ro, born 11/3/76 and is a 5th generation Okinawan Hawaiian, ROCKS the ukulele and has been referred to as a “ukulele virtuoso”.(Wiki) Tour dates, bio, and more on his website. I especially dig the pieces with a Flamenco-style “shred“…check 2 of ‘em below

Related Posts: Japanese, In Music
Keywords: Jake Shimabukuro, Japanese Hawaiian dude who plays the ukelele, famous Asians
[Photos 1, 2, 3]
Thanks to Joe P for the intro to Jake’s music!

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