The upcoming Disney+ series, “American Born Chinese”, features Jin, an anxious teen who hides in his bedroom and covers his ears to drown out the sound of his immigrant parents arguing in Chinese.
“There was a discussion early on, and it wasn’t in a bad manner, about whether the parents should be happier in marriage. Kelvin Yu, creator and executive producer, said that they stuck to their guns. They love one another, of course. They’re having a difficult time, just as their sons are having a difficult time.
Yu stated that although it might seem uncomfortable, especially for a family program, they don’t want to hide an honest portrayal about an Asian immigrant family. The series, which premieres on May 24, was announced by the producers this week. It aims to improve the perception of Asian family dynamics. These are often tense because of the mental toll of immigrant immigration.
Yu stated that the show’s real and raw relationships are a good example of how stories can evolve and expand on screen.
He said, “I believe we’re now in the next stage, which is making the characters more human.”
Based on Gene Luen Yang’s 2006 graphic novel, the series follows Jin through his teenage years. Jin, played by Ben Wang is already preoccupied making the soccer team and managing a social unease. He’s also trying to manage the way his teenage life intersects with his immigrant parents. But he’s suddenly thrust into chaos when he accidentally becomes a target for the Chinese mythological gods.
It has many eye-opening aspects, including its use of traditional Chinese folklore and a star-studded ensemble that includes Oscar-winners Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and others. The show’s portrayal of Jin’s strained relationship with his parents is what makes “American Born Chinese” stand out. They are not only divided on Jin’s future, Jin’s mother encouraging him to follow his heart and his father encouraging him towards safer, more stable waters, but their own conflict is a stressful one.
According to the producers, they were inspired by real-life observations about how the U.S.’s confusion and survival pressure can impact loving relationships.
Yu stated that there are many values you can take from your upbringing and your culture. When you arrive in a new environment, things don’t match up or make sense the same way they do where you came from. “Suddenly, it’s up to you to decide what works and what doesn’t. That was for me the tension in my own family. What is the “American” way to do it?
Yu and Yang both said that the family show is influenced by the sadness of adolescence. They said that making impactful art is not about simple representation. It’s also about complicating the stories that came before it. Sometimes, this means exploring darker topics in a nuanced manner.
Yu stated, “If everyone gives you that platform you better offer an offering, and you better have something to say.” “So, I believe that’s what we’re trying do and bring some truth to this family.
