Our favorite Asian American fathers in the media

Father’s Day, which falls on the third Sunday of June, is not only a celebration of fatherhood. It’s a day dedicated to the various paternal bonds and father figures we have in our lives. Every year, we’re told to celebrate those around us on a year-round basis, but time always seems to slip through our fingers. Before we know it, we find ourselves desperately running to the nearest department store, only to leave with yet another silk tie. This year, KNY is celebrating a few days early by rounding up a list of our favorite Asian American dads, who never fail to make us smile or laugh (well, except when they insist on telling corny dad jokes).

1. Randall Park, Louis Huang on Fresh Off the Boat

(Credit: LA Times)

Time and time again, I am reminded of the archetypal “Asian dad” whenever I watch Randall Park play Louis Huang on Fresh Off the Boat. He’s hardworking, yet terribly nonresistant to Constance Wu’s character, Jessica Park. As the chiller parental half of the series, you can’t help but sympathize with him. Just look at him endearingly trying to solo parent.

2. Steve Yeun, Glenn Rhee on The Walking Dead

(Credit: Forbes)

Did anyone else pump a fist in the air when Glenn finally planted his first kiss on Maggie Greene? High-fives were exchanged. Asian dudes everywhere rejoiced. “He got the girl. He got the girl,” we all chanted in our heads. As a dependable and bad-ass zombie fighter, he’s sure to be the perfect dad for his soon-to-come baby. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee the kid will actually survive given the zombie apocalypse and all. Even so, it’s been nice watching Glenn grow as a would-be father in the first half of the season.

3. Michael Wu, Kevjumba’s dad

(Credit: Kevjumba)

Michael Wu, otherwise known as “Kevjumba’s dad,” easily made his way into all of our hearts with his comedic video appearances. Although Kevin hasn’t uploaded any videos to his YouTube channel recently, his dad’s infectious laughter and magnetic personality inspired the YouTuber to make his own series, called My Dad is Asian.

4. PK Kim, Comedian

(Credit: Improv.com)

In one of his sets, PK Kim, a Korean-American comedian and Kollaboration founder, delivers a joke about becoming a parent and having to deal with perverts: “All I know is that when you have a baby girl…that changes, cause you know how much of a scumbag you are and I’m a nice guy,” he jokes. How he managed to tie those two topics together into a laughable scenario is applaudable; we also can’t help but say “aww” to him basking in the glory of parenthood in the video below: