Drooling in 4K! (ZAN! #11)

a wholesome show, a talented designer, and more!

Happy Friday, everyone! 🌸

Before we jump into today’s edition, a brief announcement: Since I’m restarting my linguistics newsletter, Everybody Talks, I’ll need to recalibrate my schedule to make sure that I’m able to sustain both newsletters.

So starting now, you can expect to receive new editions of ZAN! every other week, on Thursdays. Thanks for your flexibility as I adjust! (And don’t forget to subscribe to my linguistics newsletter, if language is your thing.)

Onwards to this week’s recommendations!

---

📺 The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House

I can pretty authoritatively say that I am behind on this recommendation, because my household has only recently re-instated Netflix (my Bob’s Burgers obsession makes us Hulu people). But I have been thoroughly enjoying “The Makanai,” an adaptation of a manga called Kiyo in Kyoto.

The story follows Kiyo and Sumire, who move to Kyoto in pursuit of a dream to become maiko, or apprentice geisha. Their paths diverge when Kiyo (who doesn’t quite have a knack for the traditional arts) becomes the in-house cook, which awakens her culinary talent. There, she is able to support and nourish her friend Sumire as she continues training to become a maiko.

“The Makanai” is wholesome, gently paced, and beautifully filmed. I am also a total sucker for up-close depictions of delicious food, which the show is filled to the brim with.

*running to my kitchen to make oyakodon immediately*

What’s more, one of my favorite Japanese recipe websites, Just One Cookbook, released — you guessed it — a full list of recipes for all the foods cooked on the show. I’m drooling!!

You can watch “The Makanai” on Netflix.

---

🎵 Eric Nam - House on a Hill (Album)

Eric Nam’s third English-language pop album is a tender balancing act. Hidden within his signature danceable sound are lyrics filled with surprisingly bare-it-all emotion.

This may not come as much of a shock to long-time listeners. But what I’m struck by this time around is the believability of it all — like when his storytelling ability is on full display in the intimate “Only For a Moment.”

This believability has strong implications. Is “I Wish I Wasn’t Me” a tune that relates to listeners through lyrics about insecurity and anxiety? Or is it a gut-wrenching admission on Eric’s part, revealing his deepest doubts about his career and his life (“When the curtains are closed / I’m alone in an empty room / Wishing that I wasn’t me”)?

Perhaps Eric’s special ability is derived primarily from the strong parasocial bond between him and his fans. He hasn’t shied away from touchy subjects like mental health and well-being, exemplified by his Mindset app and personal podcasts.

But lyrics aside, Eric’s signature pop sound propels the listener forward without getting too bogged down. I especially enjoy the slightly frenetic 80s dance energy of “Sink or Swim.” Give it a listen below!

---

👗 Allina Liu (Designer)

Since New York Fashion Week is buzzing all around me, I thought it was fitting to introduce one of my favorite Asian fashion designers — Brooklyn-based Allina Liu!

Allina’s designs are romantic and ethereal with a bit of gothic charm. Her inspirations are wide-ranging, including “shibari (the art of Japanese knot tying), fiber artist Do-ho Suh, photographers Nobuyoshi Araki and Ren Hang, as well as 17th century Dutch portraiture.”

Her designs have been worn by Cardi B, Awkwafina, Justine Skye, and Ji Hye Park. The eponymous brand also prides itself on being ethically crafted and driven by sustainability.

I especially love the intricacy and romanticism of her dresses, and have been eyeing a few of her pieces for a while now. Maybe you’ll also jump the gun and snatch one up with me!

You can shop her brand here or check our her IG at @allina.liu.

---

📖 Review: Abraham Verghese - The Covenant of Water

In last week’s newsletter, I mentioned that I had just started the highly rated novel, The Covenant of Water. I was fairly confident that this book was going to be incredible (it has a 4.5 on Goodreads!! Holy moly!!). But honestly, I came out of this book with some mixed feelings. 🥶

First, this book is LONG, clocking in at around 730 pages. (It is a multi-generational epic spanning multiple decades, after all.) Toward the end — and especially after the passing of one particular character — I found myself feeling like some story lines were superfluous.

This novel is also heavily focused on medicine (understandable, given that Abraham Verghese is actually a doctor), and it was easy to get lost in the weeds with more long-winded medical descriptions. Conversely, the book did not spend nearly as much time dealing with deeper historical and political themes that sparked interest.

One thing I very much appreciated about this novel, though, was that it was a stark reminder of the fragility and preciousness of a human life. Verghese does not shy away from the realities of death and grief. I definitely hugged my husband a little tighter once I put this book down.

Have you read The Covenant of Water? Am I totally off-base here? I would love to hear your thoughts!

---

🙇🏻‍♀️ Now, it’s your turn!

There are two main things you can do to support this newsletter.

1. Subscribe for weekly updates (here’s a handy button below).

2. Share it with a friend who might be interested (oh look, another a handy button.)

Until next time,

Rebecca