Can 'Crazy Rich Asians' really break the Asian male stereotype?

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“As an Asian male, I am really proud that, probably for the first time in Hollywood history, an Asian leading actor is portrayed as a very sexy, attractive, and successful man. Not only attractive to the Asian ladies but all ladies in general. I think that’s a great success,” said Malik Nabee, an online personality and entrepreneur.

His comments came after "Crazy Rich Asians," the first Hollywood film in 25 years to feature a predominantly Asian cast, smashed box office records in the US. It has grossed 84 million US dollars worldwide since its August 15 release.

Nabee thought the movie has made a real difference in shaping the Asian males image, in comparison with the decades of being stereotyped as nerds or Kung Fu fighters.

(L-R) Jimmy O. Yang, Henry Golding, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, Kevin Kwan, Constance Wu and Ken Jeong attend SiriusXM's Entertainment Weekly Radio Spotlight with the Cast of "Crazy Rich Asians" in New York City, August 15, 2018 / VCG Photo

Talking about the difficulties in the workplace, Joe Wong, a Chinese-American comedian, mentioned he read an article in the US that said Asian American actors are quieter than white males, so they should seek opportunities in Southeast Asia.

“One big part of being Asian American is not being considered American. So that’s why they can always say these people should go to other places instead of America. But they are Americans. So it’s very unfair,” Wong criticized.