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Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast Asians have long been ignored, fetishized or made the butt of the joke in America. Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast wants to put that to rest. Each week, we celebrate badass Asians who are making a mark on pop culture and entertainment. Co-hosts Esther Yoon-Ji Kang and Susie An hang out with trailblazers in comedy, film, music and other fields—inviting them to reflect on their identities and redefine “sexy” on their own terms.
Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast

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Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast

Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast

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Asians have long been ignored, fetishized or made the butt of the joke in America. Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast wants to put that to rest. Each week, we celebrate badass Asians who are making a mark on pop culture and entertainment. Co-hosts Esther Yoon-Ji Kang and Susie An hang out with trailblazers in comedy, film, music and other fields—inviting them to reflect on their identities and redefine “sexy” on their own terms.

Most Recent Episodes

Special: Ten Thousand Things

Today, we’re sharing a special episode from "Ten Thousand Things," produced by our friends at KUOW (Seattle’s NPR station). Think of "Ten Thousand Things" as "This (Asian) American Life," with sound-rich stories exploring commonplace objects and the incredible Asian American guests who transform them into something remarkable. In this episode, host and award-winning poet Shin Yu Pai discusses the power of names with transgender and non-binary poet/educator Ebo Barton, who shares their journey to change their name and reclaim their true identity. Listen to more episodes of "Ten Thousand Things" and follow the podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/WhiP9eul?sid=WBEZDrop.

Special: Ten Thousand Things

Listen · 23:14
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Special: K-Pop Dreaming

Our friends at the LAist have a cool podcast called "K-Pop Dreaming," and we think you should check it out. The eight-episode, limited-run series talks about the rise and history of K-Pop in the United States, as told from the point-of-view of the Korean diaspora in Los Angeles. In this episode, host Vivian Yoon takes listeners on a journey of how three LA kids embraced R&B, went to South Korea and revolutionized K-Pop.

Special: K-Pop Dreaming

Listen · 38:40
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John Cho Won’t Call Himself Sexy, So We Will

The veteran actor says there were stereotypical bit parts — but very few substantial roles — for Asians when he was coming up. He chats about taking a stand in the jobs he accepted, what it was like to write a young adult novel, and about that one time he got arrested.

John Cho Won’t Call Himself Sexy, So We Will

Listen · 45:23
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Sameer Gadhia Could’ve Been Your Hot Doctor

Indie rock is often associated with white musicians. That’s why many fans of Young the Giant assumed the band’s lead singer was white at first. The talented Indian American talks about changing the narrative of indie rock and incorporating his South Asian culture into his music. He also dishes about dropping out of school, an encounter with respectful paparazzi and funny interactions with fans.

Sameer Gadhia Could’ve Been Your Hot Doctor

Listen · 37:54
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Alexander Hodge Is Our Bae

Growing up, the actor thought it was cool when people called him Jackie Chan — until he realized they meant it as a slur. Years later, when he got his breakout role on HBO’s Insecure, he didn't know how to handle people swooning over him or all the thirsty tweets and DMs. Alexander Hodge talks about getting into fights as a kid, learning to embrace his biracial identity, and warning his mom about his nude scenes.

Alexander Hodge Is Our Bae

Listen · 39:39
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Atsuko Okatsuka Wants Everyone To Feel Sexy

The comedian says she didn’t feel sexy until a few years ago when she finally found her voice. She talks about how she learned English by watching Scooby-Doo, what it means to be named Margaret Cho’s comedy heir, and how she took her mom and grandma everywhere — including to her honeymoon.

Atsuko Okatsuka Wants Everyone To Feel Sexy

Listen · 42:21
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Jeff Yang, Phil Yu And Philip Wang Wrote The Book On Sexy Asians

These trailblazers have been chronicling Asian America and making their own awesome content for years. They join us to talk about their New York Times bestselling book, “Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now.”

Jeff Yang, Phil Yu And Philip Wang Wrote The Book On Sexy Asians

Listen · 31:41
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Lisa Ling Wears Cargo Pants For A Reason

The longtime reporter and host of many celebrated docuseries opens up about when she became proud of being Asian American, what she feels insecure about, and that one time she was in an Old Navy commercial.

Lisa Ling Wears Cargo Pants For A Reason

Listen · 40:43
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Hari Kondabolu Didn’t Know Women Were Hitting On Him

Hari Kondabolu didn’t find himself sexy until age 26, when he started growing out his hair and embracing his South Asian features. The comedian shares what helped him change the way he views himself, why mocking immigrants’ accents is not funny, and why he doesn’t see himself as a political comic.

Hari Kondabolu Didn’t Know Women Were Hitting On Him

Listen · 37:47
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Domee Shi Hid Her Sexy Manga

Oscar-winning director and animator Domee Shi kept her fictional boy crushes hidden away from her parents. The creator of Pixar’s Oscar-nominated “Turning Red” talks about finding that balance between embracing your true self and honoring your parents.

Domee Shi Hid Her Sexy Manga

Listen · 39:28
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