What, y’all didn’t expect a quick, savage clapback from the Master of Kung Fu?
For those who didn’t hear, Marvel Studios announced its first slate of post-Avengers films at San Diego Comic-Con last month. The new franchises include the studio’s first deaf superhero, their first openly gay superhero, and their first Asian lead.
Related: No, You Don’t Have To Boycott Marvel Movies…
The latter is Simu Liu, a charming Chinese-Canadian actor you may know from the sitcom Kim’s Convenience, who is about to become a huge movie star in the MCU’s first ever kung fu movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Shang-Chi is a kung fu master who uses his skills as a kind of secret agent… think Bruce Lee in Enter The Dragon.
https://giphy.com/gifs/enter-the-dragon-jim-kelly-black-belt-jones-ahqKfT0cniU9i
Unfortunately not everyone was happy for the rising star.
A YouTube channel called Asian Boss posted a video with the remarkably rude title, “Is The Asian Lead For Marvel ‘Too Ugly’ For Chinese People?”
In a man-on-the-street interview bit, a “reporter” shows Liu’s photo to random passersby and asks them to rate how ugly he is.
Seriously, WTF??
BTW, before we go any further, here are some more photos of Simu Liu. For context. Yeah, we’ll go with that. Context.
Whoo.
OK, now that we’re done with all that contextualizing, where were we??
Oh, right!
Liu saw the video and posted a response so strong and thoughtful, it just made these Internet bullies just look even worse.
He shared to Facebook:
“OOF 3.5 AND they pronounced my name wrong!
On a serious note, I think this is a very teachable moment. I’ve had people question me my entire life. A lot of teachers thought I’d never amount to anything, a lot of producers, directors, writers AND costars have questioned my acting ability, and I’ve been rejected from countless conservatories, grants, programs, etc. I’ve been second-guessed at every single possible step of my career.
The reason why I’m still standing is because I’m singularly focused, I have the utmost belief in my abilities and I refuse to let the opinions of others define me. In your careers, in your lives, no matter where you go, you will always encounter voices of doubt. Some will come from people who are frighteningly close to you. Are you going to let those voices own you?”
Specifically on the voices in this video, he said:
“That isn’t to say you can’t have bad days, and that you shouldn’t use your support systems and talk about how you feel like I’m doing right now. I’ve never been called ugly so many times in my entire life! For me, it’s never been about trying to shut the voices out – it’s a fruitless effort (especially if people happen to be making Youtube videos about it lol). Rather, it’s about learning to let the voices exist and be OKAY with it. I’m still doing my thing, and I’m still over the moon happy I get this amazing opportunity.
I’m not going a few voices of doubt ruin that for me, and neither should you, in whatever you are pursuing in your life.
(I also seriously question the integrity of the channel that puts this up LOL)”
It’s amazing to us he’s able to laugh about this, considering how mean it is.
On the other hand, it is pretty hilarious, considering. We mean…
If, like us, you feel the need to get more Simu Liu context, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings hits theaters February 12, 2021.
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