Best Phil Yu Podcasts (2025)

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They Call Us Francesca Hong 48:51

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4h ago48:51

48:51

Jeff and Phil welcome Francesca Hong -- chef, community organizer, state assemblymember, and candidate for governor of Wisconsin. She talks about her working class roots and political ascent from the food service industry to being elected the first Asian American member of the Wisconsin Legislature, and now running for governor as a Democratic Soci…

1
Gochujang at the Comfort Inn: The Korean Food Takeover with Matthew Kang 10:19

6d ago10:19

10:19

Writer and food expert Matthew Kang (Eater) joins the Big Korean Energy realm to unpack the current Korean food moment, from fine dining in Dallas to gochujang bottles at Ohio motels. We talk about Korea’s soft power, the delicious Mash-Ups shaping Korean American cuisine, and how one dish, Pyongyang naengmyeon, connects Matthew to his family’s roo…

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They Call Us Minor Legends 1:12:41

2h ago1:12:41

1:12:41

Jeff and Phil welcome creator/star Angela Wong Carbone and actors Celia Au and Derek Basco -- voices behind the new comedy fiction podcast Minor Legends (part of the Potluck Podcast Collective), an ambitious narrative project that's "a little cringe, a little crazy" that delves into the funny, weird and wild side of Asian America. Angela talks abou…

1
Joanne Lee Molinaro on the Power of Korean Food, Culture, and Self-Love 38:21

20d ago38:21

38:21

The Korean Vegan’s Joanne Lee Molinaro joins us to talk about the cultural power and the politics of Korean joy. How can scarcity become abundance? Look to Korea! From budae jjigae to K-Beauty, Joanne traces her path from attorney to author, and why she believes Big Korean Energy isn’t just a trend, it’s a declaration power: If you love our food, l…

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Why Are Korean Sports Fans Are So Intense?? With Tommy Craggs 35:36

27d ago35:36

35:36

What makes something feel Korean? Journalist Tommy Craggs joins us to unpack Big Korean Energy, from the ’88 Seoul Olympics to Son Heung-min, Cubs fandom to K-pop Demon Hunters. We dig into how sports and culture shaped his Korean consciousness, how today’s global K-wave ties back to the trauma of war and occupation, and what it means to raise a Ko…

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They Call Us The Queen of My Dreams 43:44

28d ago43:44

43:44

Jeff and Phil welcome friend and filmmaker Fawzia Mirza, writer/director of indie comedy/drama feature The Queen of My Dreams. They talk about the Asian diasporic film subgenre of "Our Parents Are People Too"; Fawzia's own journey of telling this story over multiple iterations and embracing her identity as a director; and the challenges of shooting…

1
Time Travel and The Korean Literati with R.O. Kwon 30:12

1M ago30:12

30:12

Bestselling novelist R. O. Kwon joins us to explore Big Korean Energy in literature and how she writes her desire (and freedom) onto the page. She shares what it was like growing up in a mostly Korean town in L.A., why Squid Game still feels astonishing, and the relationship between Koreanness, Christianity, and sexuality. Also: An extremely high s…

1
They Call Us Water Mirror Echo 1:05:43

1M ago1:05:43

1:05:43

Jeff and Phil celebrate the 300th episode of They Call Us Bruce and welcome writer/scholar Jeff Chang, author of Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America, recorded live at Skylight Books in Los Angeles. He talks about writing a biography of Bruce Lee that authentically centers the man behind the legend, while doubling as a steal…

1
Everything Is Korean with Phil Yu 38:48

1M ago38:48

38:48

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They Call Us Korea & Hollywood's Future 1:21:08

1M ago1:21:08

1:21:08

Jeff and Phil welcome pop culture pals and cultural critics Dino-Ray Ramos and Rebecca Sun to discuss two new similarly-flavored TV series, Butterfly and Tempest. They explore the cultural significance of these Korean and Korean-adjacent shows, their unique storytelling approaches, and the evolving landscape of Asian American representation in glob…

1
Coming Soon - Big Korean Energy 2:02

2M ago2:02

2:02

We’re living in Big Korean Energy. From Kdramas to ramen hacks, skincare routines to fandom rituals, Korean influence is everywhere, shaping how we connect, celebrate, and imagine the world. This season, we unpack what makes something feel Korean (whether or not it actually is), why that feeling resonates globally, and what it all means for Mash-Up…

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They Call Us Butterfly 56:14

1M ago56:14

56:14

Jeff and Phil welcome actors Daniel Dae Kim and Reina Hardesty, stars of the Prime Video thriller series Butterfly. Daniel talks about adapting the original graphic novel to create an action/espionage series around Korean American characters; Reina talks about auditioning for "Untitled Daniel Dae Kim Project" and finding her way in the role of estr…

1
They Call Us Cruising J-Town 1:03:09

2M ago1:03:09

1:03:09

Jeff and Phil welcome their old friend Oliver Wang, professor of sociology, curator for the Japanese American National Museum exhibition Cruising J-Town: Behind the Wheel of the Nikkei Community, and author/editor of the exhibition's companion book. They talk about the rich history of Japanese American car culture in Los Angeles, its significance i…

1
Wong Fei Hung v Adonis Creed | ft. Emily Bateman 1:23:58

2M ago1:23:58

1:23:58

Check out Game of Groans! Send us a text Support the showBy Jay Davis & Eliah Stokes Nelson

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They Call Us Breaking Into New Hollywood 52:38

3M ago52:38

52:38

Jeff and Phil welcome back Ada Tseng, co-author of Breaking Into New Hollywood: A Career Guide to a Changing Industry, and actor/comedian Amy Anderson and her daughter Aubrey Anderson-Emmons (Modern Family). Ada talks about writing a practical guide to getting started in today's entertainment industry; Amy and Aubrey trade stories with Jeff -- who'…

1
They Call Us Kaila Yu 44:50

2M ago44:50

44:50

Jeff and Phil welcome writer and former pinup model Kaila Yu, author of Fetished: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty, a memoir-in-essays exploring the roles pop culture and colonialism played in shaping pervasive and destructive stereotypes about Asian women and their bodies. She talks about her iconic status as a model on import t…

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Yu Shu Lien v Rhea Ripley | ft. MrEricAlmighty & Affable Joey 1:30:59

3M ago1:30:59

1:30:59

Check out The Wait For It Podcast! Check out Affable Chat! Send us a text Support the show

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They Call Us Maybe Happy Ending's Casting Controversy 1:00:07

3M ago1:00:07

1:00:07

Jeff and Phil welcome Howard Ho, playwright/composer/YouTuber, and Diep Tran, Editor in Chief of Playbill, to discuss Asian Americans in theatre, Broadway, and controversy over the recent announcement that Andrew Barth Feldman, a white actor, would be taking over the lead role in Maybe Happy Ending, the hit Tony Award-winning musical about robots f…

1
Sifu v Knuckleduster | ft. Dave Jackson (Tales from the Backlog) 1:19:30

3M ago1:19:30

1:19:30

Check out Tales from the Backlog here! Join the Discord Send us a text Support the show

1
They Call Us Superheroes 49:15

3M ago49:15

49:15

Jeff and Phil welcome back pop cultural pals Rebecca Sun and Dino-Ray Ramos to discuss recent superhero movies like Superman and Fantastic Four: First Steps. (But really, a good excuse for friends to hang out and gab, because it's been a minute.) They talk about the so-called "woke" Superman, where the heck Shang-Chi has been, watching these movies…

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Vi v Sanji | ft. Matt AKA Stormageddon 1:21:43

4M ago1:21:43

1:21:43

Check out Matt here! Join the Discord Send us a text Support the show

1
They Call Us Kpop Demon Hunters 55:53

4M ago55:53

55:53

Jeff and Phil welcome Maggie Kang, creator and co-director of the hit Netflix animated feature Kpop Demon Hunters. She talks about the seven-year journey of bringing the film to life; behind-the-scenes insights on crafting an epic animated action musical that incorporates both supernatural demon lore and kpop idol culture; assembling the voice and …

1
Squid Game Season 3 Finale Explained by Creator and Stars 10:19

4M ago10:19

10:19

For our final bonus episode, hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please head to New York City for an exclusive sit-down with the minds and hearts behind Squid Game. Joining them are series creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk, the unforgettable Player 456 himself, Lee Jung-jae, and the enigmatic Front Man, Lee Byung-hun. It’s the deep-dive fans have been waiti…

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Humans Are... - S3 Ep 6 29:50

4M ago29:50

29:50

The Game ends here. In the gripping series finale of Squid Game, Player 456, Gi-hun, finds himself right back where he started—one of the final two players. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please sit with the full emotional weight of the series’ conclusion—unpacking Player 456’s remarkable final act of defiance, the Front Man’s quiet reckoning, and the que…

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Circle, Triangle, Square - S3 Ep 5 30:07

4M ago30:07

30:07

It’s the second-to-last episode of Squid Game — and the final challenge is here: Sky Squid Game. With only a few players remaining, a brutal “democratic” vote determines who lives, who dies, and who becomes a sacrifice. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please unpack the twisted politics of fairness, the final betrayal of the Os, and Player 456’s decision to…

1
They Call Us Dylan Park-Pettiford 48:07

4M ago48:07

48:07

Jeff and Phil welcome Dylan Park-Pettiford -- TV writer, combat veteran and author of the memoir Roadside: My Journey to Iraq and the Long Road Home. He talks about growing up as a Black/Korean American kid in Campbell, California; getting swept up in the post-9/11 patriotism that sent him to Iraq, where his days alternated between boredom and terr…

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222 - S3 Ep 4 31:58

5M ago31:58

31:58

Phil and Kiera unpack how innocence gets weaponized when the baby is named the Game’s newest player—and explore what South Korea’s plummeting birth rate says about why this baby holds so much weight. Then, activist and content creator Amber Whittington (aka “AmbersCloset”) joins to break down the heartbreaking end to the Jump Rope game, the Front M…

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It’s Not Your Fault - S3 Ep 3 27:11

4M ago27:11

27:11

What does it mean to protect a child in a world designed to crush the innocent? In this episode, hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please react to one of the season’s most devastating twists, the newborn baby’s forced induction into the Game and Player 456’s newfound purpose. Plus, we break down the backstory of our favorite creepy dolls: Young-hee and Chul-…

1
Chun-Li v Kenny Omega | ft. Kaiju vs. History & Phil Barrera 1:55:57

5M ago1:55:57

1:55:57

Check out Kaiju vs. History! Check out Cosmic Crit! Check out The More You Nerd! Check out The Wait For It Podcast! Join the Discord Send us a text Support the show

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The Starry Night - S3 Ep 2 26:44

5M ago26:44

26:44

The body count rises—and a Squid baby is born—during a brutal game of hide-and-seek. Player 120 steps up as an unlikely protector, MG Coin forms a deadly new alliance, and Player 456 crosses a line he may never come back from. Phil and Kiera unpack the players’ breaking points, the emotional fallout of a beloved character’s exit, and what a baby co…

1
They Call Us The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of the World Right Now 43:13

4M ago43:13

43:13

Jeff and Phil connect across travels and time zones to catch up and reflect on some of The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of recent weeks, including K-Pop Demon Hunters, New York City mayoral candidates, "rooftop Koreans," ICE raids, Squid Game, and space sushi.

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Keys and Knives - S3 Ep 1 26:28

4M ago26:28

26:28

Squid Game is back—and this time, the knives are out. In the thrilling Season 3 premiere, Player 456 is spiraling and a brutal round of hide-and-seek forces players to kill or be killed. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please break down Gi-hun’s descent into vengeance, Guard 011’s daring betrayal of the Game, and the shocking moment players are forced to c…

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They Call Us The Menswear Guy 44:42

5M ago44:42

44:42

Jeff and Phil welcome fashion industry commentator and writer Derek Guy, also known as "the menswear guy." He talks about how his interest in clothing and fashion led to his wildly popular blog and social media persona; how his writing weaves together humor, history, cultural criticism, and political commentary to make fashion feel relevant to anyo…

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Lee v Danny LaRusso | ft. Caleb Van Nice & Jon Haig (Video Game Lounge) 1:19:27

5M ago1:19:27

1:19:27

Check out Jon on the Video Game Lounge! Join the Discord Send us a text Support the show

1
Coming Soon…Squid Game: The Official Podcast Season 3 1:29

5M ago1:29

1:29

The final season is here—and Squid Game: The Official Podcast is your ultimate companion to the end of the Game. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please return once more to break down every shocking twist and betrayal, and the choices that will determine who, if anyone, makes it out alive. Will Player 456 and the cast of characters we’ve grown to love final…

1
They Call Us Murder at the Patel Motel 44:47

5M ago44:47

44:47

Jeff and Phil welcome back actor, activist and author Maulik Pancholy, co-writer and star of the scripted comedy podcast Murder at the Patel Motel. He talks about the real-life "Patel motel cartel" that inspired the audio drama's small town murder mystery milieu; blending the tried-and-true tropes of an Agatha Christie-style whodunnit with a gay, I…

1
They Call Us Andrew Ahn 58:14

5M ago58:14

58:14

Jeff and Phil welcome back their old friend Andrew Ahn, writer/director of The Wedding Banquet, a reimagining of Ang Lee's beloved classic. They discuss Andrew's journey as a filmmaker; assembling an all-star team -- including Youn Yuh-jung, Joan Chen, Kelly Marie Tran, Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang -- for the project; navigating the complexities a…

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Kingpin v Hwoarang | ft. Aaron (SuperPod Saga) 1:01:02

6M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Check out Aaron on SuperPod Saga! Join the Discord Send us a text Support the show

1
They Call Us Gold Star Trophy 1:09:51

6M ago1:09:51

1:09:51

Jeff and Phil welcome back Shin Yu Pai to talk about the latest season of her podcast Ten Thousand Things, along with fellow podcaster Yowei Shaw (Proxy, NPR's Invisibilia). They talk about the objects that help us move forward -- like a gold star trophy; how layoffs can be like breakups that unravel your sense of identity, purpose, and self-worth;…

1
Selection Sunday: Season 7 26:41

5M ago26:41

26:41

We're so back. Join the Discord Send us a text Support the showBy Jay Davis & Eliah Stokes Nelson

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They Call Us Strangers in the Land 59:39

6M ago59:39

59:39

Jeff and Phil welcome Michael Luo, executive editor at The New Yorker and author of the book Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America, a sweeping narrative history of the Chinese in America, and their more than century-long struggle to belong in the face of bigotry, persecution, exclusion and racial …

1
They Call Us Sinners 49:13

6M ago49:13

49:13

Jeff and Phil welcome Dolly Li, documentary filmmaker, journalist and cultural consultant on Ryan Coogler's epic vampire blockbuster Sinners. They discuss Dolly's documentary on The Untold Story of America's Southern Chinese, and the deep-rooted origins of the Mississippi Delta's Chinese American community; how Ryan Coogler's own family connection …

1
They Call Us Ten Times Better 49:41

6M ago49:41

49:41

Jeff and Phil welcome director Jennifer Lin and producer Jon Funabiki to talk about their documentary Ten Times Better and the incredible untold story of George Lee, a pioneering dancer with an unheralded place in ballet and Broadway history. They discuss the sensational skill and artistry that landed George the role he originated in The Nutcracker…

1
They Call Us Heritage Month? 32:43

7M ago32:43

32:43

It's May, and that means it's AANHPI Heritage Month -- possibly the last one ever, if certain people get their way. Jeff and Phil check in and discuss the significance of Heritage Month, reflecting on community resilience, cultural celebrations, and the challenges faced by Asian Americans in this moment. By way of The Good, The Bad, and The WTF, th…

1
They Call Us The Wedding Banquet 1:06:21

7M ago1:06:21

1:06:21

Jeff and Phil welcome back their old pals Rebecca Sun and Dino-Ray Ramos to talk about The Wedding Banquet, writer/director Andrew Ahn's contemporary re-envisioning of Ang Lee's 1993 beloved romantic comedy, starring Bowen Yang, Kelly Marie Tran, Lily Gladstone, and Han Gi-Chan. The big question: does this remake justify its existence? They discuss…

1
They Call Us Michael L. Wong 44:01

7M ago44:01

44:01

Jeff and Phil welcome Dr. Michael L. Wong, an astrobiologist, planetary scientist and podcaster who studies planetary atmospheres, habitability, biosignatures, and the emergence of life. And Star Trek. He talks about his involvement in the Stand Up for Science protests, the intersection of science, activism, and the challenges faced by the scientif…

1
REWIND: They Call Us The Most Asian Costco 55:32

7M ago55:32

55:32

In this rewind episode, we dip back into the archives and revisit Phil and Jeff's 2024 conversation with friend, journalist and fellow podcaster Ada Tseng about her Los Angeles Times piece which asked and answered a very important question: Which are the "most Asian" Costcos in Southern California? They discuss why the wholesale chain holds a parti…

1
They Call Us Ji-young Yoo 45:33

7M ago45:33

45:33

Jeff and Phil welcome actress Ji-young Yoo, star of Freaky Tales and Expats. She talks about the cathartic act of fictionally beating the crap out of some Nazis; capturing the specific fun and weird ("Bay shit") vibes of 1987 Oakland, from her punk wig to nailing the accent in Freaky Tales; feeling a sense of belonging in Hong Kong and acting toe-t…

1
They Call Us Vicki Tan 44:49

7M ago44:49

44:49

Jeff and Phil welcome Vicki Tan, digital product designer and author of Ask This Book a Question: An Interactive Journey to Find Wisdom for Life's Big and Little Decisions, a one-of-a-kind guide to smarter decision-making based in the science of cognitive bias and the wisdom of storytelling. Vicki shares her journey of writing the book, the signifi…

1
They Call Us Scam Factory 49:47

8M ago49:47

49:47

Jeff and Phil discuss the evil, manipulative, and highly organized world of online scams with journalists Nelson Wang, who became the target of a "pig butchering" crypto scam, and Denise Chan, host of the Wondery podcast Scam Factory, which exposes the brutal reality behind these ripoff operations. There's a scam for everybody. They talk about the …