Before “Crazy Rich Asians”, or “Everything Everywhere at Once”, there was a trio of college students who made independent films that resonated among young Asian Americans.
Wong Fu Productions is a digital production company that celebrated its 20th Anniversary on Thursday. The group, founded by Philip Wang Wesley Chan Ted Fu, is considered to be a media pioneer, focusing on the Asian American experience more than a decade prior to Hollywood investing in these stories. The group’s videos have been viewed millions of times and feature mostly Asian actors.
Wong Fu Productions did not start out with a grand mission. Wong Fu began with a video lip-syncing Wang, which is a far cry away from the storytelling that the team has done in the years since. Wang and Chan explained that when Wong Fu began to create skits and films, they used friends, family members and roommates, who were mostly Asian Americans, in the beginning.
There was no business plan. There was no clear mission statement. Chan stated that there were no mantras. We weren’t trying to break down barriers right away. We did it as a hobby and for fun.
Chan says that when the group began touring North America during the early 2000s, hearing the impact of the work they did was a “lightbulb moment” for them, which showed they were striving towards a greater cause.
Chan explained, “We grew in California and were surrounded by Asian Americans.” We didn’t know there was such a struggle for representation.
Wong Fu began posting its content to YouTube in 2006. It reached a wider audience and became part of a golden age of Asian American YouTubers. This included comedians like Ryan Higa, Michelle Phan, and Kevin Wu, better known as KevJumba. Along with their peers, the group inadvertently influenced a new generation of Asian American creatives.
Wang stated that “we were unapologeticly ourselves at such an important time.” “We allowed people to say, ‘Hey look, there’s an Asian audience. There’s an Asian community who cares about our face and there are also non-Asians who love to see great work.”
It is difficult to maintain a digital brand over 20 years. Several YouTubers of their generation have given up on YouTube or abandoned it completely. It’s been hard for Wong Fu to reflect on their work because the social media landscape is changing so quickly.
Chan began by saying, “Everyday is about trying to figure out, you know, how to stay relevant.” “Or, stay in people’s conversation and –”
“Afloat,” Wang finished.
particularly in 2020, when small businesses faced uncertain futures because of pandemic lockdowns. The company had less commercial opportunities and brand agreements, but was still able to progress, in part, because of direct fan support via its Patreon channel.
Wong Fu’s original goal has remained “telling great tales” and it regularly uploads videos to its YouTube channel.
Wang added that it was also helpful that the project wasn’t centered on a single person or the trio. This could have led to burnout. They created a team instead, and brought in new talent constantly. They collaborated with some of digital’s biggest stars over the years, from Higa, to TikTok star Alan Chikin Chow.
Wang stated, “We never followed the YouTube playbook to gain views.” “That wasn’t what we were driven by.” “It was always the quality of the content that came first.”
Brittany Lau (26), a Houston-based Wong Fu fan who has been a fan for many years, said that the group offered an entertaining and meaningful view into the Asian American culture.
Lau wrote in an Instagram message: “As someone who is mixed, I have often found it difficult to connect with my Asian heritage. When I came across this tight-knit community of Asian American creatives like Ryan Higa and Kev Jumba in the mid 2000s I was hooked.” “I particularly appreciated Wong Fu videos because I could see myself in the short films.”
Lau is a creator of content and credits early pioneers such as Wong Fu with inspiring her to get into entertainment.
Fabian Sanchez, 21, a fan from El Paso in Texas, said that Wong Fu had a significant impact on his life ever since he began watching the group.
Sanchez wrote in an Instagram DM: “They share stories you need to hear; whether it’s a quick joke, a lesson on love or a truth about growing up.” “All this while bringing together a proud community of Asian Americans and promoting growth.”
Wang announced that Wong Fu will be producing a documentary on the last 20 years of Asian American Representation, both within Wong Fu and in the entertainment industry. The group has not yet released the project, but hopes to do so in the coming months.
Wong Fu is also a vehicle for A list actors like Simu liu and Randall Park. They’re both rising to prominence within the mainstream. Wong Fu is now faced with a question that has been asked by many: “Is Wong Fu still needed?”
Wang stated that “it’s still very difficult to get your stories made.” “I’m in those meetings, conversations and pitches too. It’s still difficult to get your story made. If we’re relying solely on Hollywood, then it will still be very slow.
Wang said Wong Fu is a “middle-ground” for actors to experiment and create more timely work, including shorts about Black Asian American Solidarity and the coronavirus locking down.
In an effort to elevate the next generation, the group created a Writers Lab and hosted Filmmaking Courses.
Chan stated that YouTube is not our final destination. “I believe there is always a desire to learn, grow, and share more.
