xxiv

growing up, there wasn’t a ton of asian representation in the media for me to look up to, but there were a handful of people I can recall. but none really made a huge impact on me. i supposed i also didn’t think about it much and just enjoyed whatever entertainment was available at the time.

I first heard about michelle zauner when her article was published in the new yorker. the same article that would be the first chapter of her novel by the same name, “crying in hmart.” I haven’t had the experience of losing a parent yet, but her story captured my heart. to read about her mom and the descriptions of korean food and the culture I grew up with nearly gave me whiplash. there were so many relatable parallels. I almost could not believe that these things were in a publication -- not just that, but also that the article was so widely well received.

of course, when the novel came out this past april, I had to buy and read it. the book brought out those similar feelings of being seen, understood, represented in a way. even though our upbringings and childhood/teenage experiences were so different, I still felt so connected. i’d never felt that way about a book or piece of media before.

I then discovered japanese breakfast, the band in which michelle is the frontwoman and main vocalist. the genre of music isn’t what I typically listen to but I was hooked. then, I got to see them perform live in seattle, and it was truly one of the most awe-inspiring shows i’ve been to. seeing michelle “in real life” - as japanese breakfast, the performer - after reading about her story, listening to her music, watching her book tour interviews was so, so impressive. she was fearless, powerful, fun. not timid, quiet the way I and many other asian women may be accustomed to behaving. seeing her on stage, doing what she loves -- what is so obviously the thing she was born to do -- filled me with pride. JB quickly became my most listened to artist in 2021. (spotify wrapped told me so!)

michelle just seems so genuine, having found her calling, tirelessly achieving. even after such immense loss (or perhaps in spite of it) she is able to bring so much joy to the world through her art. she gives us so much. and I admire her so much. she’s both incredibly inspiring and also someone I feel like I could be friends with, have a fun conversation over a bite to eat and some drinks. I hope she knows just how much of an impact she has had on me and many others this year. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for her. she deserves every good thing.