Yin and Yang ☯

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New year, new me! And indeed, the 2025 Golden Globe Awards are cheering for new faces. ‘Shogun’ and its standout cast have been announced winners, paving the way for Asian representation in entertainment and cinema. The milestone fuels promises as the world advances toward the Critics' Choice Awards later in the week. Hopefully, more Asian talent can take center stage.

Stay connected with the latest updates, inspiring community stories, and valuable insights in this newsletter, packed with exciting content just for you!

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Anna Sawai Brings Full-Circle Magic to Golden Globes 🥇

What goes around comes back around. This year, the Golden Globes witnessed a full-circle moment as Shōgun’s Anna Sawai won Best Actress in a Television Drama. Why is this a magical coincidence?

Over 40 years ago, the late Yoko Shimada won the same award for the same role in the 1980 adaptation, becoming the first Asian actress to win a Golden Globe. Based on James Clavell’s novel, this period drama is set in 17th-century feudal Japan, featuring Mariko as a key interpreter between two ambitious, culturally "opposite" men—Lord Toranaga and the shipwrecked Englishman John Blackthorne.

Sawai’s win etched her name in history and followed Shimada's footprint as the first Asian actress to win Best Actress in a Drama Series, following her recent Emmy win in September. This marks an important milestone for the film industry, especially for Asian representation in Hollywood.

Taoism - The Age-Old Undercurrent of Modern China ☯

Taoism, founded by Lao Tzu, has long persisted as a tranquil undertow in China, flowing into neighboring countries and curling itself into Sinosphere culture. Akin to many other Eastern religions, such as Buddhism, Taoism can be understood and practiced both as philosophy and religion, with an emphasis on harmony with the "Dao" (道), the natural order of the universe. It is this cultural malleability and focus on balance that has allowed Taoism to endure, seamlessly merging with Buddhism and flowing into diverse aspects of life in China.

Though often overshadowed by the prevailing Buddhist or Confucian influences—perhaps due to its calming nature—this calmness somehow serves as an undercurrent that keeps running through generations: strong, resilient, yet tranquil, like the Yangtze River in early October.

From traditional practices like feng shui (harmonizing energy in spaces) and acupuncture to more abstract concepts like yin-yang (balance of forces) and wu wei (the OG “go with the flow”), Taoism has become one of the everlasting cornerstones of China and neighboring territories, bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary relevance.

To Support the Bereaved Families of Jeju Air Crash Victims Over 5,500 Koreans Have Volunteered 🕊

Since the tragic incident on December 29, 2024, claiming 179 lives out of the 181 people onboard, a total of 5,509 volunteers have actively participated in various activities at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province. These efforts include providing food services, guiding traffic, offering psychological counseling, and undertaking environmental cleanup, according to government officials.

Amongst those supporters, a deaf couple has been preparing 300 servings of tea and coffee every day with a notice board that reads, "We don't hear sound. Please speak with your hand gestures." The Seoul Korean Medicine Association and the Seoul Metropolitan Government have also shown support with 12,000 traditional medicines.

These acts of kindness highlight the unity and supportive nature of the community. As stated by South Jeolla Province Gov. Kim Young-rok, “These volunteer activities, which shared the pain of bereaved families who were greatly saddened, show that volunteering is an important value of society, (and it is) beyond simple good deeds.”

Read the full article here.

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