Simu Liu’s boba company critique reignites debate on cultural appropriation

Simu Liu’s recent critique of a Canadian bubble tea company on “Dragons’ Den” has reignited the debate surrounding cultura...

Chinese actor Zhang Jianing criticized for wearing Korean hanbok

Chinese actor Zhang Jianing sparked controversy after wearing traditional Korean attire while promoting tourism in her hometown of Yanbian i...

Kim Kardashian wears chopsticks, kimono during impromptu photo shoot in Japan

“Has she learned nothing from the whole KIMONO drama?” one commenter wrote ...

Subtle Asian Baking founder Kat Lieu is building community through shared culture and tasty treats

Kat Lieu, creator of Subtle Asian Baking, talks trolls, appropriation and the joys of online community and content creation. Craving Asian b...

American J-pop group takes social media break after cultural appropriation accusations

California-based indie idol group Sorb3t announced a break from social media after being accused of cultural appropriation.  An American J-p...

German events hub sparks outrage over ‘exotic Asia’ party with ‘Geisha girls’ serving sushi

A German events location has drawn backlash over an ad about an “exotic Asia” party that featured “Geisha Girls.” The event, titled “Geisha:...

Kyle Richards, Megyn Kelly defend Gwen Stefani amid backlash over ‘I’m Japanese’ claim

Before you read: Gwen Stefani insists she is ‘Japanese’ in new interview ‘Those are my homies’: Gwen Stefani shuts appropriation claims over...

Gwen Stefani insists she is ‘Japanese’ in new interview

Before you read: ‘Those Are My Homies’: Gwen Stefani Shuts Appropriation Claims Over ‘Harajuku Girls’ Era Musician Gwen Stefani doubled down...

Viral TikTok shows white host in Chinese outfit interviewing strangers to see if they are offended

A viral TikTok video from PragerU shows its non-Chinese host interviewing strangers in order to find out the answer to “Who’s go...

TikTok sketch depicts difference between Asian American and Asian reactions to cultural appropriation

TikTok user Read Choi depicted the difference between Asian Americans and Asians in their reactions to perceived cultural appropriation. I...

Viral TikTok trend accused of appropriating, sexualizing South Asian culture

A Bollywood dance routine from the 2019 film “Batla House” has gained popularity with non-South Asian creators, who have changed a move fro...

Blackpink’s Jennie sparks cultural appropriation accusations for sporting cornrows

Blackpink member Jennie, 26, has been accused of cultural appropriation for appearing with cornrows in the teaser trailer for HBO’s “The Id...

Dior sparks appropriation backlash in China for skirt that resembles ancient wraparound garment

Fashion label Dior was accused by Chinese state media of cultural appropriation for allegedly basing the design of its recently launched sk...

Summer Walker accused of appropriating, sexualizing Hmong culture with provocative outfit

R&B artist Summer Walker is facing backlash for wearing an outfit to a performance at the Crypto.com Arena that repurposed a traditional...

YouTuber Emma Chamberlain’s Met Gala necklace, allegedly stolen from Indian royalty, sparks debate

Twitter users expressed divided opinions on popular YouTuber Emma Chamberlain’s Met Gala, Cartier-designed diamond choker, which was alleged...

Cucumber kimchi with everything bagel seasoning: TikTokers allege appropriation of Korean food

Oi kimchi (오이 김치) or cucumber kimchi is the latest Korean food trend taking over TikTok, but some Korean American influencers are calling o...

Korean actor Choo Ja-hyun apologizes for referring to kimchi as Chinese dish pao cai

Korean actor Choo Ja-hyun has apologized after referring to kimchi as pao cai, a Chinese dish, in a video. Choo uploaded the mukbang video...

Vogue feature on waste loom products sparks anger over alleged appropriation, ‘white mediocrity’ favoritism

Vogue Runway’s feature of T-shirt waste loom products by American designer Elise McMahon and textile artist Francescat Capone created using...

Korean netizens claim China appropriated South Korean traditions in Beijing Olympics opening ceremony

Many South Korean netizens are expressing their disapproval over China’s alleged appropriation of South Korean traditions during the Olympi...

Jamie Oliver reveals he has ‘teams of cultural appropriation specialists’ vet his cookbooks

Jamie Oliver shared in a recent interview that he hires “cultural appropriation specialists” to vet the content in his cookbooks. The cele...

Blackpink’s Lisa apologizes over cultural appropriation accusations in video call with fan

Blackpink member Lisa has been on a roll since her solo debut, but some fans are upset with what they deem as cultural appropriation on the ...

‘Karen, Queen of Congee’ draws backlash over brand ‘improving’ ancient Asian dish for the Western palate

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include a statement from Asian Americans Advancing Justice. The organization says it r...

Scottish Opera Withdraws British Award Nomination for ‘Nixon in China’ After ‘Yellowface’ Criticism

Scottish Opera, Scotland’s national opera company, officially withdrew its nomination for a South Bank Sky Arts Award after being criticized...

‘Those Are My Homies’: Gwen Stefani Shuts Appropriation Claims Over ‘Harajuku Girls’ Era

Gwen Stefani has responded to long-standing accusations of cultural appropriation over her “Harajuku Girls” era, making a point that such “r...

Mahjong Set for the ‘Stylish Masses’ Accused of Cultural Appropriation

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with a statement posted by the Mahjong Line on the company’s Instagram and Facebook...

Australian Company Accused of Appropriating Laotian and Thai Designs, Blocking People Who Call Them Out

Black Salt Co. has been heavily criticized for silencing voices on social media after the Australia-based luxury homeware company was called...

Rapper Sparks Outrage for Appropriating ‘All of Asia’ in Music Video

A rapper and dancer has come under fire after launching a music video that disrespected “all of Asia” through blatant cultural a...

All-Korean Musical About Tupac Shakur Sparks Controversy

Controversy has arisen online after an announcement circulated about “All Eyez On Me”, an upcoming musical featuring the story o...

Wisconsin Sandwich Shop’s ‘Veggie Sub Banh Mi’ Sparks Widespread Disgust

A sandwich shop in Wisconsin is being accused of cultural appropriation by Asian Americans after releasing a limited edition veggie sub that...

White Couple’s ‘Clean’ Chinese Restaurant Shuts Down After Only 8 Months

Lucky Lee’s, a Chinese-American restaurant ran by nutritionist Arielle Haspel, has closed down eight months after opening its doors in April...

Little Mix and PrettyLittleThing Accused of Culturally Appropriating the Traditional Chinese Dress

Social media users are accusing British girl group Little Mix of culturally appropriating a traditional Chinese dress in their first fashion...

Tumblr User Gets Called Out for ‘Cultural Appropriation,’ But He’s Actually Japanese

An anonymous Tumblr user was shut down with a simple set of photos after accusing another user of appropriating Japanese culture. Tumblr use...

Dior Accused of Cultural Appropriation For Native American-Inspired Fragrance With ‘Oriental Tones’

Dior has been caught in the midst of another cultural appropriation scandal for their use of Native American cultural imagery as well as the...

London Designer Slammed for Using Hindu Goddess in Clothing Line

A print fashion designer in London has been accused of cultural appropriation after using images of the Hindu warrior goddess Durga for a li...

Rihanna’s Photoshoot with Harper’s Bazaar China Gets Accused of Cultural Appropriation

Rihanna has been accused of cultural appropriation after gracing the cover of Harper’s Bazaar China’s August 2019 issue. The magazine, avail...

Kim Kardashian Just Filed a Trademark for the Word ‘Kimono’

Kim Kardashian West launched a shape wear line called Kimono Solutionwear and critics are not amused by the name at all. A kimono is a Japan...