This American Life headed back towards China this week but don’t worry, they’re not talking about the Foxconn factory and iPads–nor are they retracting their retraction. This past week’s episode, “Americans in China,” cover what life is like for ex-pats living in there right now, from the numerous requests to appear on TV and rediscovering your American identity abroad and life in the rural provinces. I was most fascinated with Kaiser Kuo’s story who first found success in the country as a rock star but was forced to accept his own outsider status as an American after the 199 US bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. As Asian Americans, we’re treated as Asian in America but American in Asia. Will we ever find a happy balance?
PS. Check out music from Kaiser Kuo’s band, Tang Dynasty, on Xxxtine’s POP 88 podcast here!
