Reppin

XO, Kitty’s Gia Kim on Identity, Confidence & Representation

On this episode of Reppin, we talk with Gia Kim from Netflix’s hit teen series XO, Kitty about her role as Yuri Han, LGBTQ+ representation, and turning life challenges into confidence and personal power. Gia opens up about playing Yuri, the confident “queen bee” at an international school in Seoul, navigating friendship, love, identity, and being one of the few openly gay characters at the center of a global teen drama. She also shares her own journey across Seoul, Hong Kong, New York, and Beijing, facing imposter syndrome and painful challenges—and in this conversation, she reveals a deeply personal experience she’s never talked about before and how she transformed it into resilience, personal power, and growth. This conversation goes beyond acting. It’s about representation, multicultural identity, and the real-life experiences that shape who we are. And it’s a story about storytelling—how a character or show can inspire, give voice, and even change a life. Why Listen: See how Gia channels her life into Yuri Han, making the character authentic and relatable. Hear a raw conversation about self-doubt, growth, and confidence. Understand why Netflix teen hits like XO, Kitty matter for LGBTQ+ and global representation. Discover how storytelling can inspire, empower, and make a real difference. Watch / Listen: Full video on Spotify Clips on YouTube: ReppinPodcast Follow Evelien on Instagram: @reppin_podcast Follow Gia Kim on Instagram: @thisisgiakim Subscribe, share, download, and leave a review—help others discover stories that inspire, represent, and make a real difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ready Or Not! Here Comes Warrior Olivia Cheng

Olivia Cheng on Warrior, Netflix’s Marco Polo, Ready or Not 2 & Owning Your Voice If you know Olivia Cheng, you know she brings fearless, complex women to life. She’s Ah Toy on Warrior, Mei Lin on Netflix’s Marco Polo, and now starring in the hit sequel Ready or Not 2. Today on Reppin, Olivia joins me to talk about her life, leadership, and how she found her voice — on-screen and off. Olivia has built a career playing strong, layered, unforgettable characters. In this episode, she dives into Ready or Not 2, stepping into a high-council family leader role in a deadly “double-or-nothing” hunt. She also opens up about her life — those messy, human truths we all carry — and how that fuels her craft. You'll gain insight into where her cultural pride, grit, and perspective comes from. She talks honestly about bullying, racism, and moments that could have held her back — and how she turned those experiences into empathy, strength, and leadership. You’ll also get a chance to see the real Olivia Cheng — the person behind the roles — as she shares personal stories and challenges that shaped her perspective and how those experiences help bring these incredible characters that we love to life. In this episode, we cover: 🔥 Joining Ready or Not 2, the hit sequel, and the high-stakes “double-or-nothing” twist 🔥 Why Olivia is drawn to complex, powerful women 🔥 How exploring the shadow self shapes her craft and storytelling 🔥 Growing up between cultures and finding identity, pride, and resilience 🔥 Turning challenges into empathy, strength, and leadership 🔥 Representation through Warrior (Ah Toy), Marco Polo (Mei Lin), and Ready or Not 2 and its impact on audiences 🔥 Using your voice and platform to create real-world change If you care about storytelling, leadership, Asian representation, and finding your voice, this episode with Olivia Cheng is inspiring, real, and unmissable. 🎧 Listen now to Reppin and see the depth, humanity, and fearless energy Olivia brings to every role — from Warrior to Marco Polo to Ready or Not 2. Olivia's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatoliviacheng/ Listen to Reppin: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reppin/id1480913421 Reppin's gram: https://www.instagram.com/reppin_podcast/?hl=en Reppin's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Reppinpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Spotlight to Self-Discovery: Laura Sohn returns!

What happens when you step away from the path everyone expects you to follow? Actress Laura Sohn returns to Reppin for a powerful conversation about redefining success, owning your identity, and finding belonging on your own terms. Laura broke out globally on the hit NBC drama The Blacklist, and has appeared across television in NCIS and God Friended Me. Her work spans network television and the New York stage—always bringing depth, nuance, and authenticity to the stories she tells. But this conversation goes beyond the highlight reel. Laura opens up about the pressure so many of us feel—from family, culture, and society—to chase a very specific definition of success. In her twenties, she made the bold decision to step back from a hit show and ask a bigger question: What actually matters? What followed was a period of reflection, humility, and growth. It’s an honest conversation about curiosity, culture, family, and the courage it takes to stop proving yourself—and start owning who you are. Laura is also currently starring in the New York play JESA at The Public Theater. JESA follows four Korean American sisters who reunite to perform their father’s ancestral ritual honoring the dead. What begins as a ceremony quickly erupts into sibling clashes, humor, and the messy truth about what holds people together. If you’ve ever: questioned your path felt caught between cultures or wondered where you truly belong this conversation will resonate. 🎭 See Laura live in JESA!! https://publictheater.org/productions/season/2526/jesa/ 🎧 Listen to Reppin:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reppin/id1480913421 🌐 More episodes:https://reppin.tv Say hi! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reppin_podcast/?hl=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

K-Pop: The Rose Finding Success On Your Own Terms

🎙️ How The Rose Broke the K-Pop System | Behind the Music, Mental Health & Friendship | Full Interview Go behind the scenes of The Rose: Come Back to Me — the new documentary about the Korean indie rock band who defied the K-pop industry to stay true to themselves. This in-depth conversation with award-winning filmmakers Eugene Yi and Diane Quon explores the real story behind The Rose’s rise, their fight for creative freedom, and the universal themes of identity, resilience, and friendship. 🎬 The Rose: Come Back to Me isn’t just a K-pop documentary — it’s a story of courage, loyalty, and the power of choosing your own path in a system built to control it. 🔥 In this exclusive interview, we dive into: Why The Rose left the K-pop trainee system to pursue their own sound How they fought back after being exploited by their record label What it means to be a Korean rock band in a K-pop world How the film champions mental health, masculinity & vulnerability Why Asian artists are still being boxed in — and how this story breaks that mold The personal journeys of filmmakers Eugene Yi and Diane Quon, and how they walked away from neuroscience and corporate media to chase their own creative dreams 🎧 Whether you’re a fan of K-pop, The Rose, indie documentaries, or stories about mental health, immigrant identity, and artistic defiance, this episode is for you. ✨ This isn’t just a Korean music story — it’s a universal story. A story about what it means to stand up for your truth, honor your friends, heal from grief, and stay grounded in your purpose even when the world pushes back. 👊🏼 Like, comment, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to subscribe for more interviews that spotlight the power of storytelling and representation. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reppin/id1480913421 The Gram: https://www.instagram.com/reppin_podcast/?hl=en If you've seen the film post your review on Letterboxed and IMDB! Here are the links! https://letterboxd.com/film/the-rose-come-back-to-me/ https://m.imdb.com/title/tt36589890/ 🌹 Follow The Rose: 📸 Instagram: @official_therose REPPIN 📢 Listen to the full podcast episode: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reppin/id1480913421 FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/reppin_podcast/?hl=en Reppin's website: https://www.reppin.tv/ #TheRose #ComeBackToMe #TheRoseDocumentary #KpopBand #KoreanRockBand #MentalHealthInMusic #AsianRepresentation #BreakingTheSystem #IndieDocumentary #AsianAmericanFilmmakers #MusicIndustryTruth #FriendshipAndLoyalty #CreativeFreedom #UniversalStory #RockNotKpop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sonia Manzano: The Latina Legend Who OWNED Sesame Street

The Maria From Sesame Street Who BROKE TV’s Mold & Changed EVERYTHING for Latino Kids You think representation in media is new? Nah. This episode hits DIFFERENT. We’re talking to the OG — the legendary talent who defined Maria on Sesame Street for 40+ years. She wasn’t just a character. She was a MOVEMENT. Sonia Manzano isn’t just “Maria” — she’s a trailblazer, an Emmy-winning writer, and a cultural icon who paved the way for Latino voices on TV. Growing up in the Bronx, Sonia broke barriers as one of the first Latina actresses on national television. Beyond acting, she shaped stories behind the scenes, winning multiple Emmys as a Sesame Street writer and creator of Alma’s Way, a groundbreaking animated series empowering Latino kids to embrace their identity and think critically. Sonia’s work has been a beacon of representation, education, and cultural pride for generations. Back in the 50s and 60s, there was ZERO space for people of color on TV. ZERO. She grew up in the Bronx, a young Latina with ZERO examples on screen to look up to — until she became one. This isn’t just nostalgia. This is the foundation of how Latino kids started seeing themselves on TV. Period. We get into: How she owned her identity while holding down one of the most beloved kids’ shows EVER Breaking generational trauma and building cultural pride through media Why representation isn’t just nice to have — it’s ESSENTIAL for the future Here’s the deal — we all face challenges in breaking through the noise, the stereotypes, and the limitations people try to put on us. Whether it’s your culture, your background, or your dreams, this episode is a reminder that YOU have the power to create your own space. To tell your own story. To be the voice that others desperately need. If she could do it, so can you. Ready to stop waiting for someone else to represent you? Ready to break barriers and build your legacy? Hit play and get inspired! Subscribe, share, and drop a review — because every time you do, you’re helping us push this mission further. Let’s grow this community and show the world what REAL representation looks like. Real Stories. Real Identity. Real Power. 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts →https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 📸 Follow us on IG → @reppin_podcast 🌐 Explore more stories → www.Reppin.tv YOUTUBE:    / @reppinpodcast   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices