Share
Eastern Hunnies
Mel & Iz on being objectified as South East Asian women, dating traumas, microaggressions, beauty standards, and tokenism
Season 1, Ep. 7
•
There’s lots to unpack in this ep! Sit down with hosts Melissa and Isabelle as they rawly explore the complexities of being British-Filipino women in the UK and share their personal experiences growing up as Southeast Asian women in London.
They delve into topics like the fetishisation, objectification, and reduction of Asian female bodies - particularly in the context of interracial dating - and their experiences growing up in during the era of the ‘white boy default’. They also share experiences of microaggressions in professional spaces and the dynamics of working in predominantly white environments, plus the importance (and privilege) of being able to advocate for oneself.
Mel and Iz also discuss societal beauty standards in the Philippines, skin whitening culture, and the pressure to conform to Western ideals, sharing anecdotes about feeling othered when in the motherland. Family expectations, religion, and the experience of being the "Token Asian" in social circles are also examined, alongside the outrageous things that ignorant people sometimes say. Oof.
They end with celebrate the positives of belonging to the diaspora, and how far culture has evolved since they were teenagers. If you enjoy this episode, please rate, review, subscribe & share! If you have any questions, drop us a DM at https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies
Melissa - https://www.instagram.com/instagram.com/illumelation
Isabelle - https://www.instagram.com/instagram.com/lethal_izzle
Editing: Gabby Lauren
Music: Muri & Lustbass
Mixing: Yukesh Gurung
More episodes
View all episodes
12. Mel & Iz on being triggered at Christmas, setting family boundaries and reclaiming Lunar New Year (Christmas Special)
59:48||Season 1, Ep. 12The Season One finale is here and it’s an extra special one hour special! Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about Christmas, community and connection.In this episode, hosts Melissa and Isabelle share the highs and lows about celebrating the festive season as British-Filipinos.They unpack how going home for the holidays can be a triggering experience, the differences in British vs Asian Christmas, New Years resolutions, and what they look forward to in Lunar New Year. They also answer festive questions from the Eastern Hunnies community!The episode also features a rare appearance by Gabby Lauren, producer of Eastern Hunnies! We talk about our personal and professional learnings from Season One.If you enjoyed the episode and Season One please rate, review, subscribe & share!Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies - our DMs are always open!Mel: https://www.instagram.com/instagram.com/illumelationIz: https://www.instagram.com/instagram.com/lethal_izzleEditing: Gabby LaurenMusic: Muri & LustbassMixing: Ross Ramsay-Golding11. Venus Wong on solo travelling as an Asian woman, working in UK media, and marrying a Brit
44:01||Season 1, Ep. 11In this ep, Mel and Iz sit down with Venus Wong, a travel and lifestyle writer, content creator, and OG Eastern Hunny from Macau.Venus shares her experiences working as a journalist across New York, Hong Kong, and London, and her insights on being a Chinese woman in British media. They dive into her solo travel expertise, the nuances of her multicultural background, and the dynamics of marrying into a British family. As a dear friend of the podcast, Venus also shares the joy of being part of Eastern Hunnies, her litmus test for authentic Asian cuisine, and her journey of cultural adaptation.Enjoy this conversation with one of the most cultured voices we know, as we explore identity, belonging, and having the courage to navigate different worlds.If you like this episode, please rate, review, subscribe & share! Venus Wong: https://tiktok.com/@venus.onthegohttps://www.instagram.com/venus.onthegoEastern Hunnies: https://www.instagram.com/easternhunniesMusic by Muri & LustbassEditing by Gabby LaurenMixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding6. Nicole Chui on making football inclusive, disrupting artistic traditions, and why we should make mistakes
38:07||Season 1, Ep. 6In this episode, Mel and Iz chat with Nicole Chui, a London-based embroidery artist from Hong Kong and Malaysia. Nicole’s "messy, brash, and disruptive" approach to art challenges societal expectations of perfection placed on women and works to create more inclusive spaces in sports.Nicole shares her journey of moving to London, the freedom she found in football, and the importance of embracing our flaws. Nicole co-founded Baesianz FC, a grassroots football club for women, trans, and non-binary individuals of Asian heritage – a safe and joyful community that we celebrate.Mel and Iz also share their own feelings about football and sports, and they all reflect on the race-related events that took place in the UK in August 2024. Nicole reflects on her career lessons and shares her number one piece of advice for young creatives.Eastern Hunnies: @easternhunniesNicole Chui: @thatssewnicoleBaesianz FC: @baesianzfc If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, subscribe & share! Music by Muri & LustbassEditing by Gabby LaurenMixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding9. James Kai Wei Lau on cultural appropriation in music, being Asian on set, male desirability, and learning the mother tongue
38:47||Season 1, Ep. 9Join Melissa and Isabelle as they sit down with James Kai Wei Lau - musically known as Kai Wei - a Chinese-Malaysian hip-hop artist and creative force from Manchester. They discuss Kai Wei's upbringing as an East Asian man in Britain has shaped his artistry, being the only Asian production staff on movie sets, how Northern accents create more unique rhyme schemes, and how it feels seeing the Asian male as desirable thanks to the turning tides of pop culture. They touch on cultural appropriation within music and film, including THAT Bruce Lee scene from ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’, and debate whether Childish Gambino’s obsession with East Asian and Filipina women is problematic or not.Kai Wei also shares his experience of being an extra on Netflix's 3 Body Problem.Catch up with Kai Wei: https://www.instagram.com/jmeslauJoin our community over at https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies - our DMs are always open!Editing: Gabby LaurenMusic: Muri & LustbassMixing: Yukesh Gurung
8. Maya Welford on class and social mobility in Britain, the power of names, and driving behavioural change
41:01||Season 1, Ep. 8In this episode, Melissa and Isabelle welcome Maya Welford, a corporate baddie and the British-Japanese host of "That’s My Name” – a podcast that delves into the fascinating stories, cultures, and traditions behind names.The conversation explores Maya’s journey of exploring identity through names and her views on taking a partner’s surname after marriage. They talk about cultural capital in the UK, whether skiing is class-coded, AI’s inherent biases, why having a non-English name shouldn’t predetermine whether or not you get a job interview, and how more inclusive work environments lead to better commercial outputs.Maya, who grew up in a lower socioeconomic background before working her way up the corporate ladder (she is currently Climate Tech Lead at Barclays), also shares her lived experience of social mobility and how it shaped her work in driving behavioural change – a commitment that won her a Desmond Tutu Award. No biggie!If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review, and share!Maya Welford: https://www.instagram.com/thatsmyname_pod Reach out to us: https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies Editing: Gabby LaurenMusic: Muri & LustbassMixing: Yukesh Gurung6. David Zhou on leaving law for music, life in the margins, and championing alt Asian subcultures
44:41||Season 1, Ep. 6In this episode, Melissa and Isabelle chat with David Zhou, the visionary Founder and Director of Eastern Margins, a record label and community that amplifies music from the ESEA diaspora.David, who left his role as a senior legal counsel at TikTok to fully embrace his passion for music and culture, is at the forefront of representing alternative Asian music narratives. They delve into his journey from corporate law to the challenges and joys of creating Eastern MarginsDavid shares what it’s like navigating corporate vs creative spaces, the importance of diversity and disruption in creative industries, and the difficulties Asian artists sometimes face due to the way the music industry is currently ringfenced. Hear his advice for the diaspora and what's next on his horizon.If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, subscribe & share! Find us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/easternhunniesDavid Zhou: https://www.instagram.com/triplelumiEastern Margins: https://www.instagram.com/easternmarginsStream "Redline Impact" - the new compilation album from Eastern Margins, out now: https://open.spotify.com/album/22nmCm7Uq4Pf74GqnHRFliEditing: Gabby LaurenMusic: Muri & LustbassMixing: Yukesh Gurung5. Muri on belonging, being nomadic, how culture shapes music, and family legacy
38:35||Season 1, Ep. 5Melissa and Isabelle chat with Muriel Gonzales, also known as Muri, a Filipino artist and violinist who recently released her debut EP 11ème. Muri has roots in Manila, Paris, and London, and is a member of the indie-folk band The Ransom Collective.This episode feels like a warm hug! Muri shares her experiences as a nomadic polyglot who has lived across Europe, how culture and heritage influenced her new album, how her grandparents inspired her art, her observations on the European diaspora, and what it was like performing for the Filipino Olympic champions.Mel and Iz also share personal stories about what it means to be first- and second-generation immigrants, and touch on social mobility in the UK vs Asia.Muri created the Eastern Hunnies podcast jingle - so of course, we discuss the creative process behind that too!Stream Muri's official debut EP, 11ème: https://open.spotify.com/album/06TTjkQexrUMH7ulUn72hD?si=TFW8pYm1TS2DZ3NiFKU-kwMuri: @muri.musicThe Ransom Collective: @theransomcollectiveEastern Hunnies: @easternhunniesIf you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, subscribe & share!Editing: Gabby LaurenMix Engeering: Yukesh GurungOriginal Music: Muri & Lustbass4. Jason Kwan talks gender identity, queer liberation, pop music as fantasy, and falling in love
36:53||Season 1, Ep. 4Melissa and Isabelle sit down with Jason Kwan, the pop star, singer-songwriter, queer Asian advocate and all-around gorgeous human inside and out.They discuss gender pronouns, coming out, being Asian in queer spaces, finding a drag family with The Bitten Peach, how queerness is perceived differently in the UK vs Hong Kong, the beauty of melancholy and love, being an advocate for underrepresented communities, and why it’s so important to be bold despite the risk of failure. Iz also shares their own personal journey with their gender identity. Grab a cuppa and enjoy - this is a great one.Jason Kwan’s latest EP, ‘Deja Vu’, is out now. Stream here: https://open.spotify.com/album/6FYePlcYshzXjl0WrnlBjj Jason Kwan: @jasonkwanmusic Bitten Peach: @bittenpeachukEastern Hunnies: @easternhunniesIf you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, subscribe & share!Produced by Gabby Lauren.Music by Muri & Lustbass.Mixing by Yukesh Gurung.