The Tao is up thanks to a rise in Asian male stocks

by guest contributors Tripmaster Monkey editors, originally published at Tripmaster Monkey

The Tao is up, according to TMM’s Asian Image Index. Leading the rally were a number of undervalued Asian male stocks, which outperformed Main Street’s expectations. Here’s a round-up of the biggest movers.

SOLE SURVIVOR
Though “Survivor: Cook Islands” was off to a controversial start (with teams divided by ethnicity and the Asian tribe given low odds of winning), vindication came as hunky Korean American strategist Yul Kwon took home the $1 million prize on Sunday’s finale. Ultimately, race proved to be a non-factor in the competition, though rice might have played a role—two of the final five just happened to be Asian.

GOLDEN GLOBE CONTENDERS
Japanese American actor Masi Oka, who plays the sweet-faced time-traveler Hiro Nakamura on the hit TV show “Heroes,” was nominated for a Golden Globe as best supporting actor in a TV series. Clint Eastwood’s Japanese-language movie “Letters from Iwo Jima” starring Kobe beefcake Ken Watanabe was also shown some love.

TOP DOG OR LAP DOG?
South Korea’s Ban Ki-Moon has just been sworn in as the new UN chief. Not only does he bear the weight of the world, he’s also a beleaguered representative of Asian masculinity. The media is already calling him unassuming and inoffensive—a wimp. Will he turn out to be more of a secretary and less of a general? Only time will tell. Dubbed a “slippery eel” by the Korean press, he’s no doubt a smooth operator.

OUR VERY OWN JESSE JACKSON
Instead of rolling over as usual, the Asian American community got all up in Rosie O’Donnell’s face about her racist joke on “The View.” Leading the charge was none other than the Asian American Jesse Jackson, hard-charging New York City Councilman John C. Liu, who pulled no punches when he called Rosie on her “stupidity.” Rosie finally kowtowed. Chalk one up for Team Asia.

MATCHMAKER TO THE STARS
The youngest power broker in Hollywood, Maddox Jolie-Pitt was instrumental in bringing Brangelina together. In recent interviews, his mom has confirmed, “One day Maddox just out of the blue called [Brad Pitt] Dad. That was probably the most defining moment, when he decided that we would all be a family.” Against a Cambodian orphan in search of a father figure, Jennifer Aniston never stood a chance!

NINTENDO’S MEN IN BLACK
Nintendo’s new game console is a big hit with gamers, thanks to its nifty motion-sensitive controller, which allows users to swing the device like a tennis racket or a sword. But we think it’s also due to the product’s TV pitchmen, the two Japanese dudes in suits and shades who drive across America like high-tech evangelicals from a Tarantino movie. Wii like!