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Arts & Entertainment

“Interior Chinatown” Wonders: Can We Subvert the Roles Society Prescribes

By Virginia Duan November 19, 2024 6 Mins Read

Hulu’s “Interior Chinatown” starring Jimmy O. Yang, Ronny Chieng, and Chloe Bennet is a clever, funny, and intriguing commentary on the boxes society shoves us in, and if we have the agency to break through. Read on for our review below.

by Virginia Duan
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Arts & Entertainment

“Happy”: Jin’s Evolution From Satellite to Main Character

By Virginia Duan November 17, 2024 7 Mins Read

Jin of BTS returns from military service with “Happy,” a rock-influenced album that showcases his silver voice while exploring themes of love, longing, and reconnection. Read more in our review.

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Brazn Azn

Another 4 Years of Trump: What Now?

By Virginia Duan November 7, 2024 6 Mins Read

A raw, honest reflection on processing Trump’s re-election, finding hope through authentic resistance, and choosing defiant joy in the face of political despair.

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Arts & Entertainment

From Rap Monster to Rebellious Poet: The Evolution of RM on “RPWP”

By Virginia Duan May 25, 2024 8 Mins Read

New album “Right Place, Wrong Person” by RM of BTS is the latest stop on a continually evolving sonic journey. Read on for our review of the brilliant record.

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Virginia's Projects

My Debut Novel “Illusive” Is Out Now!

By Virginia Duan April 23, 2024 3 Mins Read

Author Virginia Duan’s debut novel “Illusive” is out! Read on for more info.

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Brazn Azn

I Don’t Need Permission

By Virginia Duan January 4, 2024 7 Mins Read

I have been waiting for permission. Waiting for the universe to hand me what I want. I’m old enough to know better.

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Brazn Azn

8 Reasons Why I No Longer Blog About Teaching Kids Chinese

By Virginia Duan October 5, 2023 8 Mins Read

I am reluctant to write about Chinese anymore. The reasons why I chose to walk away range from the wildly mundane to the deeply rage-inducing. Here are a few.

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Editor's Picks

We Spent 8 Weeks in Taipei: Here’s How Much It Cost

By Virginia Duan September 1, 2023 7 Mins Read

If you’re planning a summer trip back to Taiwan in the recent future (or just curious), here’s our expense breakdown on how much it cost our family to spend a summer in Taipei.

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Brazn Azn

I’m Opting Out of Hustle Culture

By Virginia Duan August 24, 2023 6 Mins Read

This is my reminder that I can just be. I don’t need to turn everything into a hustle. I don’t even want to turn everything into a hustle.

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Chaotic Joy

j-hope’s Adam’s Apple vs. My Last Functioning Brain Cell

By Virginia Duan June 24, 2025 6 Mins Read

A BTS side profile has consumed my brain, Pedro Pascal propaganda is working, and my hormones are now my personality.

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Chaotic Joy

Min Yoongi Is Free and So Are 1600+ Romance Books

By Virginia Duan June 20, 2025 1 Min Read

Celebrating Min Yoongi’s return to civilian life by enabling your book hoarding habits with 1600+ free romance ebooks, including my own.

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Chaotic Joy

Funeral Season, Unrealistic Expectations, and j-hope Thirst Traps

By Virginia Duan June 17, 2025 7 Mins Read

ADHD, periods, and the audacity of expecting productivity while parenting a toddler. Plus: j-hope’s new single, and why I’m laughing at my own terrible puns.

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Chaotic Joy

2 Meltdowns, 1 Book Event, and Why Timing Your ADHD Meds Matters

By Virginia Duan June 10, 2025 7 Mins Read

On weekend meltdowns, the magic of lysine patches, and why two more BTS members finishing military service has me ready to celebrate

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Chaotic Joy

Book Destroyed Me, Book Festival Exhausted Me, Still Can’t Self-Promote

By Virginia Duan June 3, 2025 5 Mins Read

On being obsessed with expansive fantasy, the challenge of self-promotion for writers, and finding joy in intimate K-hop concerts

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Chaotic Joy

Brain Has Senioritis, Toddler Swears, Husband Finally Closes Doors

By Virginia Duan May 28, 2025 5 Mins Read

This week: Embracing brain fog and the desire to be useless, celebrating toddler profanity, and discovering that love means fully closing doors

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Chaotic Joy

Still Grumpy, But My Toddler Tries to Flip the Bird So At Least That’s a Win

By Virginia Duan May 20, 2025 7 Mins Read

My toddler is inappropriate, I ask if ADHD meds can deaden all sensation (they can’t), and why I’m buying less junk despite chips being objectively delicious

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Chaotic Joy

AP Chinese Exam Done, Book Out, Brain Still Empty

By Virginia Duan May 13, 2025 8 Mins Read

Navigating creative rhythms, teen milestones, and the strange reality of watching your firstborn grow from 21 inches to almost 6 feet tall

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Chaotic Joy

My Book Is Here and My Brain Is… Somewhere Else

By Virginia Duan May 6, 2025 8 Mins Read

This week: My novella launches, my meds betray me, and Bad Bunny proves pettiness is sexy

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    Mandarin Mama is a platform focusing on three core pillars: broadening Asian American representation and discourse, covering arts and entertainment, and promoting "chaotic joy" as a response to challenging times.

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