Exclusive Interview: Director Eugene Yi on shattering stereotypes in 'The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas '
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Reel Perspectives
May 13, 2026
The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas delivers a moving and beautifully crafted documentary that celebrates the voices, struggles, and triumphs of Asian and Pacific trailblazers. Created by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and directed by Eugene Yi, the insightful documentary premieres on HBO on May 13.
The latest chapter in The List Series offers an emotional and inspiring look at the many layers of the Asian immigrant experience through the voices of groundbreaking artists, leaders, and changemakers. The interviewees speak openly about family expectations, discrimination, career obstacles, and the complicated relationship many immigrants have with identity and belonging balancing sorrow with humor, pride, and celebration.
From Sandra Oh reflecting on the pressure of visibility in Hollywood to Tammy Duckworth sharing the realities of service, sacrifice, and representation, every story feels personal yet universally relatable. Throughout the documentary, trailblazers like Oh, Duckworth, Kumail Nanjiani, Bowen Yang, Yia Vang, DJ Rekha, Amanda Nguyen, Connie Chung, Schuyler Baiilarm and many others, reflect on the pressure of visibility, the pain of exclusion, and the challenge of balancing cultural identity with personal ambition. Some stories are filled with humor and warmth, while others confront racism, loneliness, and the burden of expectation. Together, they create a moving portrait of resilience.
We sat with director Yi, who shared his determination to shatter long standing stereotypes surrounding Asian communities. As a Korean American, Yi understands firsthand how often Asians have been reduced to simplistic narratives — quiet, obedient, invisible, or defined only by achievement. The A List actively pushes against those ideas by showcasing individual stories. There is no single immigrant experience here. Instead, the documentary highlights the beauty within that diversity and reminds viewers that identity is never one dimensional.
The beauty of The A List lies in its refusal to present the Asian and Pacific diaspora as one singular experience. Each person’s journey is vastly different, shaped by immigration, family, language, career, and community, yet all are connected through a shared understanding of perseverance. Some stories are joyful, others heartbreaking, but every testimony carries courage. The documentary captures the emotional weight of carving out space in industries and institutions that historically left little room for Asian voices.
With its intimate setting, there are no unnecessary distractions. The focus remains on the honesty in each subject’s face and voice as they reflect on the triumphs and challenges that shaped them. Even while discussing racism, exclusion, or identity struggles, the documentary never loses sight of community and progress. These trailblazers are not only sharing where they came from, but also helping create a future where younger generations can see themselves represented without apology.
The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas is thoughtful, inspiring, and deeply human. It is a reminder that representation is not just about visibility, it is about allowing people to tell the full truth of who they are. There’s a genuine sense of pride woven throughout the doumentary as these figures reflect on how far they, and their communities, have come. At a time when conversations about identity and representation continue to evolve, The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas arrives as a thoughtful and necessary documentary. It is a moving tribute to the courage of immigrants, the complexity of cultural identity, and the power of telling your own story.
The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas becomes more than a collection of interviews. It becomes a testimony to survival, self discovery, and the importance of being seen beyond stereotypes.
The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas is available now on HBO and HBO MAX.
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