Crazy Rich Asians only just entered movie theaters here in South Korea. Therefore, Gena and I immediately purchased tickets on opening weekend and had a few laughs. These laughs were completely independent from the rest of the audience sitting in silence {due to the humor of some jokes getting lost in translation}. For anyone that has watched an English movie in an Asian movie theater, you know what I’m talking about. Regardless, it was a spectacular film based in the one and only Singapore!
I just returned from Singapore, so Gena already knew she could count on me to recognize every inch of the city. Ironically enough, the movie started in London {“I lived there!”}, eventually took us to New York City {“I lived there!”}, and finally to Singapore {“I’ve been there!”}. We got a kick out of it. Honestly, I was thrilled to see so many of the locations I visited, featured in the movie.
To be honest, the ‘all-Asian cast’ aspect of the movie didn’t even cross my mind as I watched. Don’t get me wrong, it’s such a positive move in the right direction to correctly represent Asian actors on the American screen. The significance of it did not get past me. However, I currently live in Asia, where I am the minority. Every movie shown in theaters feature an ‘all-Asian cast’.
At first glance it just seemed, well, normal to me.
We need more movies like this one to be shown in America specifically. Because I have a feeling reverse culture shock is going to hit hard when I return home to so much… ‘muuurica-ness.
I’ve grown used to Korean culture and customs. It will be a strange day when I suddenly stop bowing to people on the street, start using a fork again, and become disappointed when my hardwood floor fails to produce heat. This country has become a home to me, in a very unexpected way. I don’t want to lose every aspect of it once I return to California. I hope we continue to see different cultures being recognized on the big screen. Or the small screen, or really… any screen, back home in the states.
All that being said, I felt it was an appropriate time to share my experience in Singapore {while not as glamorous as Crazy Rich Asians}, with you through my camera lens.
For more posts on Singapore, check out 10 Trendy Things to Do in Singapore and The Most Instagrammable Neighborhood in Singapore.