‘The Brothers Sun’: A Goodbye Letter
Netflix's Asian American action-drama was just canceled after only one season—here's why the show meant so much to writer Daniel Anderson and much of the AA+PI community
L to R: Michelle Yeoh, Sam Song Li and Justin Chien in The Brothers Sun
Netflix
Words by Daniel Anderson
As an Asian adoptee working in media and entertainment, it is often television shows and movies that help build bridges from my cultural community to that of my parents. However, it can feel like a Syphisian task to get my elderly white parents to watch any AA+PI tentpole title. Bonus points if they like it. For instance, in 2020, after viewing Parasite, the first thing my dad said was, “That’s not going to win the Oscar.” Last month, on Sunday, February 25, they had just finished watching The Brother’s Sun on Netflix. After viewing, my dad asked me, “Who do I email at Netflix? I want season two.”
Less than a week later, the show was canceled after just one season, despite receiving an 84 percent critic score and a 91 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. I waited to text my parents the news because they were at my nephew’s birthday party over the weekend, and I wanted to find the right time.
In the meantime, I noticed the usual reactions online, with Instagram and Facebook posts expressing dismay, sadness, and outrage over another show falling victim to Netflix’s pattern of canceling original series after one season. It's even more disheartening following the recent cancellation of another significant AA+PI series, American Born Chinese, on Disney+.
This won’t be an analysis of the uphill battle AA+PI series face for ratings and renewal, but rather a farewell letter.
The Brother’s Sun premiered on January 4, 2024, although I first heard about it when a Netflix publicist mentioned it to me on the red carpet at Gold House’s annual Gold Gala event last May. "I have Sam Song Li of The Brother’s Sun, can you speak to him?" the publicist asked. Initially confused, I soon recognized Sam; we had met at the Asian Hustle Network’s annual conference in Las Vegas the previous April. Sam, with his social media prowess and content creator talents, made for an electrified MC at the event. We briefly chatted backstage while I waited to receive an award.
Although I can’t recall exactly what I asked him on the carpet, we were both excited to see each other attending our first Gold Gala and to witness his milestone of landing a lead role as Bruce Sun on the show. From then on, I eagerly anticipated the show’s release, not only because of Sam's involvement but also because of the personal attachment I felt toward it.
Created by Byron Wu and Brad Falchuk, The Brother’s Sun features an all-Asian cast and pays homage to Los Angeles’ San Gabriel Valley (SGV), known for its Asian immigrant residents and exceptional Chinese restaurants. Combining stunning action and martial arts with clever humor, the show revolves around assassin Charles Sun (Justin Chien) moving back to L.A. to protect his mother (Michelle Yeoh) and younger brother Bruce from enemy gangsters vying for power.
At its core, it explores themes of family and pursuing one's dreams.
These themes resonate with both Sam's personal journey and mine. I had the chance to interview him for JoySauce just before the show premiered, and it remains one of my favorite interviews. We discussed anime and our mothers’ perspectives on our careers, reflecting the struggles and aspirations of our own lives. Sam’s mom has a background in aerospace engineering and didn’t fully grasp his goals of becoming an actor. Art imitates life as his character Bruce also dreams of acting instead of medical school.
On my end, while my parents have always supported my ambitions, there's a gap in comprehending why representation matters in AA+PI communities. My parents know what I do working in AA+PI spaces but they can’t fully comprehend why it matters in making AA+PI communities represented and meaningfully included. They read my interviews and newsletters at NextShark, a prominent AA+PI news organization. They were proud of me when I covered the 95th Academy Awards, the year Everything Everywhere All at Once made history, and they were envious when Netflix flew me out business class to Seoul, South Korea, to cover their upcoming shows. But, it wasn’t until The Brother’s Sun and my interview with Sam that my mom said, “I finally understand why Netflix gives you these opportunities. I want to watch the show now.”
I often joke about not knowing which is harder: getting Asian parents to express pride or getting my white parents to care about AA+PI representation. The Brother’s Sun felt like a gift to both Sam and me, earning the pride of our mothers. When I shared on my Instagram story that my parents were watching the show, Sam replied, “For the parents.”
While Asian-led projects are for everyone, they hold special significance for the AA+PI community. The release of The Brother’s Sun sparked enthusiasm, with many celebrating its depiction of SGV landmarks and Taiwanese culture. Netflix even hosted its own night market in SGV, inspired by Asian night markets, and Timid magazine featured a photoshoot with the cast at a Michelin-starred Taiwanese restaurant in L.A., drawing attention from celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo.
The discourse around AA+PI representation in the mainstream is relatively recent, but when a series can bridge generations, it's profoundly impactful.
To the creators, cast, and crew of The Brother’s Sun, be proud of your work. Thank you for sharing your art and story with so much love. To all the media personnel, journalists, and publicists involved, thank you for uplifting the show with care.
To Sam, thank you for reminding me why I love my work and for helping me find joy in an industry facing challenges. I’m thrilled that our parents now understand how much our work shapes us.
So here’s to the sunset of The Brother’s Sun, but I have no doubt, an even brighter sunrise awaits just on the horizon.
Published on March 6, 2024
Words by Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.