Kimchi Mamas

Fighting the Good Fight

I have two kids.  A girl and a boy.  Most of the time they engage in typical sibling behaviours: they play nice, they don't play nice; they laugh and giggle, they yell and scream; they hug, they hit.  As the third child of four, I know that this typical behaviour for siblings.  I, as their Mom, accept that . . .

What if Metrodad were white?

It's no secret that we here at Kimchi Mamas love us some Metrodad. His posts are by turn insightful or touching, but mostly they make me snort my drink up my nose on a regular basis. If there are "characters" in blog-dom, MD, his lovely BossLady and their absolutely freaking adorable Peanut are some of the most colorful and endearing. Plus, Metrodad is just an all around cool guy.

So I have to say I'm thrilled - THRILLED - that he's getting some serious interest from major networks to turn Metrodad into a television sitcom. Plus a potential book deal! Wheee!

But then I'm very much not thrilled that pushing for an Asian American lead may mean that Metrodad may never hit the small screen at all.

So what do you all think? Should MD push for an Asian American lead in any would-be sitcom? Could we imagine Metrodad as a white guy? Can funny be funny whether the character is white, yellow or purple with pink polka dots? Or should we resign ourselves to the fact that a comedy about an Asian American dad raising his daughter in New York is just too much for "mainstream" America to swallow?

- Nina

Kimchi Kommitment : Part 3

(When I wrote the first Kimchi Kommitment post, I had no idea it would turn into a three part series . . . Thank ya'll for indulging me.)

I have two brothers.  My older brother is older by 3 years and my younger brother is younger by 3 years (mom was on that natural, breastfeeding timing thing) . . . Anyhow, as their sister I have seen some of the struggles they face(d) as Asian men in South Central Texas – specifically dating.

My older brother is the epitome of Texas masculinity.  He’s tall (6’ 1”) and big (tipping the scales at 200+ lbs.) – he’d be perfect as a DMZ “mirror”.  In high school he was a star football player and super popular.  Teachers loved his sense of humor, the football coaches admired his drive and strength and his friends knew they could always count on his loyalty.  It must have killed him to be related to me: a nerdy, awkward, funny-acting and annoying little sister. 

My Daddy's Girl, I am not

Last time I saw my father in person, he and I took a walk around the University of Minnesota campus.  We were waiting for our ride to northern Minnesota to attend my sister's wedding.  I was grumpy and resentful toward my mother and sister for dumping Dad on me.  That was in 1991 and I have not seen him since.  17 years.  In the beginning, it was his choice to travel as he pleased without any commitment to family; for about a decade, it is I who have enforced a filial embargo against him. 

During my childhood, Dad was "dumped" on me often as Mom took my sister to her various lessons and extracurricular activities.  This is how I learned to sit and watch boxing and kung-fu movies... or just sit in a corner and stay quiet.  He didn't take me for walks or to playgrounds...  Dad is not exactly a proponent of "quality time with your kids".  Despite all those potentially bonding moments, Dad and I shared more awkward silences than I have shared with bad dates.

It did not help that whenever I screwed something up or showed my temper, Mom would cluck her tongue and say Just like your father... you can't deny the genes; you are your father.  It was the most hurtful thing she could say to me and it stung.  I got most of my looks from him - that was bad enough, I didn't want to be like him, be him.