A is for Asian

The Cool Asian Stereotype as Seen in Shang-Chi 

Shawn (Shang-Chi) is caught by his childhood identity in the Marvel film Shang-Chi. What might be considered a "Cool Asian" stereotype, he seems to be wasting away his potential as a valet driver when his father captures him to assist in a mission to free his dead mother. 

As a mysterious, yet modern, Asian character, Shang-Chi is the perfect canvas for modern Asian American stereotypes to make their home. He is depicted as burned out from carrying the family honor from a young age and doing his best to enjoy life instead. Carrying the stereotype of the typical Asian Genius and Cool Asian simultaneously, he can "speak like five languages" yet is wasting his life away. Underlined here is a common assumption on the academic proficiency of Asian people. This gives place to the accompanying issue of the assumption that Asians of less than middle class status are there solely due to their own laziness. Although Shang-Chi is Chinese, this stigmatism is not only relevant to descendants of that country. The audience is reminded of the American tendency to blend East Asia into one idea with the childhood insult of "Gangnam style" directed at our Chinese protagonist. Through Shang-Chi's positive stereotype, it is evident that the social discussion afforded is a double edged sword.