The Fung Brothers

The Fung Brothers
Medium Stand-up, Internet videos
Nationality American
Alma mater University of Washington
Genres Comedy
Subject(s) Asian American lifestyle, Asian food, hip hop music
Notable works and roles "The Jeremy Lin Effect - Fung Brothers"
"Asians Eat Weird Things"
Website fungbrothers.com

The Fung Brothers are an Asian American duo consisting of comedians and rappers Andrew Fung (born March 30, 1988) and David Fung (born September 1, 1986[1]), who are brothers originally from Seattle, Washington, and are now based in Monterey Park, California. They are best known for their YouTube videos regarding NBA player Jeremy Lin, Asian cuisine, and the "626" area of the San Gabriel Valley.[2] They also have a TV show on A&E Network's FYI channel entitled "What The Fung?!".[3] Much of their content revolves around Asian American subject matter.[4]

With Grandmaster Jason Chu, Andrew and David formed a rap group known as "Model Minority", which has released a mixtape titled Model Minority Report that has been reviewed favorably in The Los Angeles Times. In the rap group, Andrew Fung's stage name is Inglish and David Fung's is D-One.[5] They graduated from University of Washington in Seattle.

Background

Andrew and David Fung were born in the United States to Chinese parents and grew up in the East Hill neighborhood in Kent, Washington.[6][7] Their father was born in Shandong and raised in Hong Kong, and their mother was raised in China and Japan; Shandong, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.[8][9]

The Fung brothers attended Kentwood High School.[7] After graduating from University of Washington at Seattle, the Fung brothers decided to settle in the Los Angeles area, initially in Koreatown, and later on in Monterey Park, in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County.[10]

Work

TV Shows and Food channels

In 2015, it was announced that The Fung Brothers would be hosting a show on the A&E Network's FYI channel entitled "What The Fung?!", which would make its premiere on the channel on Saturday, May 23, 2015.[11][12] The official press release describes the show as thirteen half-hour episodes that will follow "Andrew and David Fung, as they travel across America in search of the best local spots to eat" and who "will take viewers on a comedic culinary journey as they eat their way across the US, all while attempting to eat like 'ballers' on a budget. With just fifty dollars each to spend on the best cheap eats, the brothers will sample the most iconic food – from authentic, regional cuisine to more innovative and modern bites – each city has to offer. From New Orleans, to Tampa, Asheville and more – the brothers will meet chefs, and foodie fans like themselves, while gaining access to the kitchens and people behind the food they eat. They will also learn hands-on how to make signature dishes from restaurant owners and chefs."[13]

In 2012, they starred on a program on the "Hungry" YouTube Channel titled "The Fung Brothers Mess With Texas." They visited various regions of Texas where they tried the food from restaurants.[14][15][16]

Interviews

The Fung Brothers have been doing various videos about Taiwanese American NBA player Jeremy Lin ever since he first signed with the Golden State Warriors. Their most popular Jeremy Lin videos are the "Jeremy Lin Effect" series, made during the height of "Linsanity" when Lin joined the New York Knicks, and the videos have been covered by CNN (pointing out that they were the first ones to use the phrase), The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Yahoo! Sports, and Taiwan News Station CTV.[17][18][19] The first Jeremy Lin Effect video was directed, produced and edited by Mike Eshaq, and the second one, known as "Linsanity" was directed, produced and edited by Timothy Tau, and the third one, titled "Linsanity Withdrawals," was directed, produced, and edited by Tommy Su. The Fung Brothers wrote and acted in all of them.

David Fung has also interviewed celebrities through a popular Korean website, Soompi.com. Some notable interviews include hip hop group Far East Movement.

Music videos

The Fung Brothers have also released a rap video titled "626" directed by Jason Poon set to the beat of Wiz Khalifa's track, "Young, Wild and Free," that highlights the various Asian restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley area.[4][20]

They have also done another song titled "Colima Road" about the various Asian food establishments in the Rowland Heights area, directed by Dan Zhao.[21] Another popular viral video that they have done is a music video for a rap they performed titled "Wanking in the Dorm Room" also directed by Dan Zhao.[22]

On February 20, 2013, The Fung Brothers released a music video titled "Bobalife", also directed by Jason Poon, about the Taiwanese drink boba milk tea, which is also known as "bubble tea" or "pearl tea" and is popular among young Asian Americans, especially in the "626" area code.[23] The music video has been covered by the likes of The Huffington Post,[24] 8asians,[25] Angry Asian Man,[26] and more.

In July 2013, the Fung Brothers released a music video for a song titled "Asians Eat Weird Things" on YouTube. The song features vocals from AJ Rafael, and was partially filmed in a 99 Ranch Market store, who they partnered up with for the video.[27]

References

  1. ↑ "Happy Birthday to the other half of the Fung Bros". September 1, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  2. ↑ Xia, Rosanna (August 27, 2012). "Asian American Youth Culture Comes of Age in 'the 626'". Los Angeles Times.
  3. ↑ Sara Bibel, New Series 'What The Fung?!' to Premiere Saturday, May 23 on FYI, http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/14/new-series-what-the-fung-to-premiere-saturday-may-23-on-fyi/389146/?hc_location=ufi
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wang, Oliver (May 7, 2012). "San Gabriel Valley Goes Viral: The Fung Bros Rep the 626". KCET. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  5. ↑ Wang, Oliver (March 22, 2011). "Model Minority: Three Chinese Americans shuttle between racially colored humor and politics". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  6. ↑ "ANDREW FUNG AKA INGLISH / "FOR THE MUSIC WE MAKE, IT HELPS TO BE HONEST, REAL AND HUMOROUS."". theotherasians.com. 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Conerly, Michelle (March 18, 2013). "Kent brothers laugh their way to Internet fame". Kent Reporter. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Q & A with The Fung Brothers: Food Nerds, Asian Vegetable Superiority and the Lack of Drunk People in the 626". LA Weekly. April 2, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  9. ↑ "The O.G.s of the SGV". LA Weekly. May 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  10. ↑ Xavier, Esmee (March 14, 2012). "From Seattle, with love: Why the Fung Bros sing about the "626"". alhambrasource.org. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  11. ↑ Sara Bibel, New Series 'What The Fung?!' to Premiere Saturday, May 23 on FYI, http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/14/new-series-what-the-fung-to-premiere-saturday-may-23-on-fyi/389146/?hc_location=ufi
  12. ↑ Carly Szkaradnik, Philadelphia Eater, YouTube Stars The Fung Brothers Are Filming a New Show at PYT, http://philly.eater.com/2015/4/9/8376935/fung-bros-filming-PYT-what-the-fung-fyi-network?hc_location=ufi
  13. ↑ Id.
  14. ↑ "Angry Asian Man, The Fung Brothers Mess with Texas". Angry Asian Man. August 27, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Chili Cook Off: The Fung Brothers Mess with Texas". Channel APA. August 27, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Channel APA, The Fung Brothers Mess With Texas, Episode 2". Channel APA. August 27, 2012.
  17. ↑ Yu, Timothy (February 20, 2012). "Will Jeremy Lin's success end stereotypes?". CNN. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  18. ↑ Chin, Josh (February 11, 2011). "Will Jeremy Lin's success end stereotypes?". China Real Time Report. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  19. ↑ Washington, Jesse (February 18, 2012). "Jesse Washington, Asian-Americans rejoice as Lin Smashes Stereotypes". Yahoo! News. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  20. ↑ ""626" by Fung Brothers: An Ode to San Gabriel Valley". Angry Asian Man. February 21, 2012.
  21. ↑ Hsieh, Kevin (August 31, 2011). "Colima Road by Fung Bros. x Aileen Xu". Channel APA.
  22. ↑ Hsieh, Kevin (November 14, 2011). "Wanking In The Dorm Room by Fung Brothers". Channel APA.
  23. ↑ Hsieh, Kevin (February 21, 2013). "Bobalife by Fung Brothers x Kevin Lien x Priscilla Liang x Aileen Xu". Channel APA.
  24. ↑ "'Bobalife' By Fung Brothers Presents Health Benefits Of Taiwanese Tea Drink (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. February 22, 2013.
  25. ↑ Koji, Steven (June 11, 2013). "Hip to be Asian American?". 8Asians.
  26. ↑ "The Fung Brothers are Living That Bobalife". Angry Asian Man. February 20, 2013.
  27. ↑ "'Asians Eat Weird Things' Video Showcases Asian-American Cuisine". The Huffington Post. July 9, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.

External links