Recently, Hong Kong-born Chinese American comedian and actor Jimmy O. Yang “returned” to the city of Shanghai, ahead of his sold-out shows in Hong Kong this month and Macau in July. Not only did he travel the city and get recognised in the street, but he did a special interview, delving into his connection to the city.
Born in Hong Kong in 1987, Yang went to the US with his family when he was 13 and later acquired US citizenship. However, both his parents were from Shanghai, so he is not only fluent in Cantonese and English but also Shanghainese and Mandarin Chinese. He is best known for his stand-up comedy but also for various roles in TV series such as Interior Chinatown and Silicon Valley.
Earlier this year, when Rednote went viral for being a haven for “TikTok refugees” amid the platform’s potential “sale or ban” order in the US, Yang quickly opened his own Rednote account and began to engage with Chinese social media. He posted several updates on the platform during his recent visit to Shanghai, where he was recognised and accosted in the streets. Xinmin Weekly, a local Shanghai magazine, took the opportunity to sit down with Jimmy O. Yang and conducted an interview in Shanghainese. Yang discussed the Chinese, especially Shanghai, culture in his family, sharing that his dad’s love language is food and that his dad is also the funniest person in their extended family.
Similarly, he also posted several videos about his days in Hong Kong, prepping for his show later this week. As China and the US complete another round of trade talks in London amid geopolitical tensions, having someone like Jimmy O. Yang with deep roots in China, remind people of how the ties between ordinary citizens of both countries can be valuable. His approach offers a more intimate perspective than IShowSpeed’s grand tour of China earlier this year.