Interior Chinatown is a 2020 novel by Charles Yu that won the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction. It follows Willis Wu, a background actor in a fictional police procedural called "Black and White" as he attempts to ascend the ranks to become "Kung Fu Guy." The novel satirizes the portrayal of Asian Americans in media by exploring the limited roles available to them, often stereotypical and one-dimensional. Willis navigates a world where he's confined to playing generic characters like "Generic Asian Man" or "Delivery Guy," while yearning for a more substantial and meaningful role. Through Willis's journey, the novel highlights the struggles of Asian Americans to break free from predetermined stereotypes and achieve recognition and agency within the entertainment industry.
January 25, 2020: Charles Yu Interview on NPR
On January 25, 2020, Charles Yu was interviewed by Scott Simon on NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday about 'Interior Chinatown' and Asian American stereotypes.
January 27, 2020: Charles Yu on The Daily Show
On January 27, 2020, Charles Yu appeared on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah to discuss 'Interior Chinatown' and the representation issues of Asian Americans in media.
January 28, 2020: Publication of Interior Chinatown
On January 28, 2020, 'Interior Chinatown', a novel by Charles Yu, was published by Pantheon Books. It marks Yu's second novel.
February 3, 2020: Charles Yu on LARB Radio Hour
On February 3, 2020, Charles Yu discussed 'Interior Chinatown' on Los Angeles Review of Books (LARB) Radio Hour with Medaya Ocher and Kate Wolf.
October 2020: Hulu's Announcement of TV Adaptation
In October 2020, Hulu announced plans to adapt Charles Yu's novel 'Interior Chinatown' into a television series.
2021: Recognition of Interior Chinatown
In 2021, 'Interior Chinatown' was longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and shortlisted for the Prix Médicis étranger.
2022: Details of Interior Chinatown TV Series
In 2022, it was revealed that Taika Waititi would serve as an executive producer, Jimmy O. Yang would star as Willis Wu, and Charles Yu would be the showrunner for the TV adaptation of 'Interior Chinatown'.