1.) Always the Sidekick: Asians on Film
It seems counterintuitive that Hollywood is trying to gain a greater Eastern Asian audience by embracing Asian culture, while still only utilizing Asian talent in stereotyped or minor roles.
The Chinese movie industry is on its way to overshadow Hollywood, and in response, the American film industry is attempting to reach out to Eastern Asian viewers. Unfortunately, even with a lineup of heavily inspired Asian films such as The Wall, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Ghost in the Shell, Hollywood is more inclined to cast or focus on white actors in what should be Asian roles.
However, this line of thinking has backfired on Hollywood. For example, the original Oldboy made in South Korea saw more success at the box office than the whitewashed remake that still played heavily on Asian culture without an Asian cast. Star Wars: Rogue One’s Asian characters had a negative impact on Chinese viewers due to their “tokenized” nature.
Nevertheless, it appears Hollywood refuses to break away from their backwards thinking on Asian casting. If they truly wish to do better in the Eastern Asian box office, they will have to make a change in their use of Asian talent.
2.) Player Protests: When Athletes Stand Up (or Kneel) for Social Justice Issues
It seems counterintuitive that sports, an industry used for entertainment, can be a form of protest and create a national conversation on the issue of social justice. Contrary to that belief, the sports industry is very much creating more talk around social justice.
Ever since Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the National Anthem almost a month ago, more people have followed suit. Not only in professional American football, but in high school and college football, as well as other sports like soccer. This has also led to increased discussion of the issues that these athletes are protesting against like police brutality.
Considering athletes from the generation of Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan were less inclined to discuss, let alone protest about social justice issues, using the sports industry as a form of protest might seem like a foreign concept. However, athletes such as Muhammad Ali and Arthur Ashe would often use their platform as a means of bringing issues into the limelight.
But is all of this just talk? Fortunately, that is not the case. Colin Kaepernick has promised to donate one million dollars to groups in the bay area that are fighting against social inequality. His team, the 49ers, have vowed to match that.
Many might think that these conversations and forms of protest will slowly fade away, but with professional basketball games starting soon, it is very likely that this trend will only get stronger from here.
3.) South Korea Prepares for ‘Worst Case Scenario’ With North Korea
It seems counterintuitive that South Korea and its allies continue to hit North Korea with sanctions despite them continuing to do whatever they please.
North Korea has been proceeding with stronger and stronger nuclear tests which continue to put South Korea and other bordering nations like Japan at risk. The United States keeps on responding with greater sanctions, but North Korea finds these forms of attack “laughable.”
A possible counter to North Korea is to press China, North Korea’s only ally, into blocking the transportation of fuel and oil. Unfortunately, that would have a significant negative impact on their population. It is not apparent if China would make such a move.
In the end, it appears North Korea will not abide by any demands other nations place on it. Hua Chunying, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, suggests that “the US side should review developments of the issue, and carefully think about pragmatic and effective solutions.” As it stands, what she has to say may be the only way of ensuring safety for nations bordering North Korea and the world altogether since North Korea shows no sign of simply abiding by what other countries have to say.
Rowan Counterintuitive 