Happy Father’s Day to these hot Asian DILFs in particular
But in all seriousness, don’t forget to call your dad and wish him a “Happy Father’s Day”
These on-screen dads have graced our screens and shown the world just how attractive Asian men of a certain age can be.
Graphic by Ryan Quan
Words and art by Ryan Quan
On Father’s Day we celebrate the dads who raised and loved us, who gave us the support and resources we needed to grow and flourish. Whether you were brought up by your biological dad, an adoptive one, or someone who merely played a fatherly role in your life, today’s the day to offer your appreciation and show them exactly how much they mean to you.
And once you’re done with that, today’s also the perfect day to recognize the unsung heroes of this holiday: the hot dads. Specifically, the hot Asian dads who have flown under the radar for far too long. Shout out to these fictional Asian DILFs—live-action and animated, the role models and the deadbeats—who have graced our screens and shown the world just how attractive Asian men of a certain age can be.
Eric Reyes, Freakier Friday (2025)
We can’t seem to ever talk about the hottest Asian male celebrities without mentioning Filipino Canadian actor Manny Jacinto. It’s basically tradition at this point. And now that Jacinto has finally played a dad in last year’s Freakier Friday, he meets the strictly enforced criteria for this very serious list.
We’ve been begging for more of Jacinto since he starred as the ultimate himbo Jason Mendoza in The Good Place from 2016-20, especially in roles where he can be the dreamy love interest. And not only does he play the soon-to-be husband of Lindsay Lohan’s now grown-up Anna Coleman, but he’s also the caring father to his fashion-forward daughter Lily (played by Sophia Hammons). If Jacinto’s chiseled jawline and immaculate cheekbones aren’t enough to convince you that Eric Reyes is a certified DILF, just wait until the scene in which he pays homage to Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing.
Mohan Vishwakumar, Never Have I Ever (2020-23)
In the first episode of Mindy Kaling’s coming-of-age series Never Have I Ever, Mohan Vishwakumar dies due to a sudden heart attack, leaving his teenage daughter Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) to cope with this loss, in addition to the pressures of high school. Throughout the show’s four seasons, Devi’s love for her father manifests in flashbacks and visions of him teaching and guiding her during some of her darkest moments.
Mohan, played by the dreamy Indian American actor Sendhil Ramamurthy, is a father that anyone would be lucky to have, whether as a dad or a husband. He’s kindhearted and easygoing. His infectious optimism and ever-present smile are a light in both Devi’s and her mother Nalini’s lives, continuing to burn bright long after his passing. Rest in peace, Mohan Vishwakumar, gone too soon, but never forgotten.
Fire Lord Ozai, Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-8)
For the first two seasons of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series, Zuko and Azula’s imposing father is shrouded in mystery. As the show sets up the overarching storyline, all shots of the Fire Lord either obscure or cut off portions of his face, never giving us a complete look at the main villain of the series. It isn’t until the first episode of season three, when the show starts to approach its climax, that we are fully introduced to Fire Lord Ozai, revealing what we all feared: he’s a DILF.
Don’t get me wrong, Fire Lord Ozai is a despicable antagonist who’s responsible for continuing the ongoing war among the four nations of the Avatar world. But sometimes, bad people are attractive. In fact, some of the hottest people I’ve ever met have been the most evil. And to deny that Ozai is attractive is a dishonesty I won’t tolerate. Also, he’s not real! So no harm, no foul.
Seok-woo, Train to Busan (2016)
The South Korean zombie horror film, Train to Busan, might not be the first project that comes to mind when you’re thinking of fictional DILFs. But one look at Seok-woo, played by our favorite Squid Game star Gong Yoo, and you’ll understand exactly why he’s on this list.
Seok-woo is a cynical, selfish father whose dedication to his job has prevented him from being the ideal dad to his daughter Su-an, (played by Kim Su-an). But if there’s anything that will force you to confront your moral failings, it’s being trapped on a bullet train in the midst of a zombie outbreak. Without spoiling too much of the film itself, I’ll just say that the dire situation Seok-woo finds himself in strips away his unsympathetic and self-serving attitude, turning him into the protector his daughter needs.
Edwin Chu, The Half of It (2020)
From left, Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis), Paul (Daniel Diemer), and Edwin Chu (Collin Chou) in "The Half of It."
Netflix / KC Bailey
The Half of It (2020), written and directed by Alice Wu (who also created the beloved sapphic classic Saving Face), has become a modern queer favorite for its rare portrayal of a young lesbian’s coming-of-age journey in rural America. Ellie Chu, played by Leah Lewis, is an introverted teenager who winds up ghostwriting love letters for her neighbor Paul to send to his crush Aster Flores, whom Ellie also secretly has feelings for. It’s a cute and delicate story, and it’s a necessary addition to the growing canon of media representing Asian American lesbians.
An underrated part of the film is Ellie’s quietly supportive, grieving widower father, Edwin Chu, played by Taiwanese actor Collin Chou. Despite saying very little throughout the movie (partly due to him not speaking much English), Edwin acts as an anchor for Ellie as she grapples with her emotions and considers where she should go to college. And as he rises from the grief of losing his late wife, he starts to see Ellie for who she truly is, offering her the support she needs to grow into the person she was hiding from the world.
Tatsuo Kusakabe, My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
From left, Tatsuo, Mei, and Satsuki in "My Neighbor Totoro."
Studio Ghibli
The simplistic joy of Hayao Miyazaki’s My Neighbor Totoro has made the 1988 animated film a feel-good favorite amongst many. Witnessing sisters Satsuki and Mei explore their new environment, the absurd cuteness of the titular forest guardian Totoro, and the quiet sense of mystery in Japan’s countryside all make for an exciting yet serene watch, especially for young viewers entering Miyazaki’s vibrant world for the first time. But the film offers something for us adults too: the main characters’ father, Tatsuo Kusakabe.
Not only is Tatsuo a compassionate and playful dad—nourishing his daughters’ imaginations while distracting them from the anxieties of moving to an unfamiliar, possibly haunted home— he’s also a caring husband who relocated far from his job as a university professor in Tokyo to be closer to his ailing wife. This somewhat dorky dad is the perfect combination of intelligent, sympathetic, and resilient that makes him the ideal DILF, even if he is just a fictional, animated character.
Paul-Louis, Girls
In the final season of Lena Dunham’s iconic series, Girls, waterski instructor Paul-Louis, played by Riz Ahmed, is introduced as your stereotypical f*ckboy. He’s a wayward soul, focused more on travelling the world and maintaining his freedom than focusing on a career and establishing any lasting foundations. His laid-back attitude is what draws main character Hannah Horvath (Dunham) in, and it isn’t until she plays with the idea of staying with him in Montauk that he casually reveals that he already has a girlfriend.
Despite only showing up in two episodes, Paul-Louis makes his mark on Girls, even having an impact on the show’s ultimate conclusion, as Hannah finds out she’s pregnant with his child and decides to keep and raise it. And even though Paul-Louis is your typical absent baby daddy, there’s a sensibility and complexity to him that gives me a soft spot for this character. Also, Ahmed gets to show off his rapping skills, which perfectly matches that f*ckboy persona we’ve all been attracted to at least once.
Published on June 21, 2026
Words and art by Ryan Quan
Ryan Quan is JoySauce's social media manager, associate editor, and all-around visual eye. This queer, half-Chinese, half-Filipino writer and graphic designer loves everything related to music, creative nonfiction, and art. Based in Brooklyn, he spends most of his time dancing to hyperpop and accidentally falling asleep on the subway. Follow him on Instagram at @ryanquans, and check out his work on his website.