A Closer Look
May 18, 2025 6:07 p.m.Christabelle Marbun creates best-selling poetry, balances singing, acting, studies
Christabelle Marbun started acting at two years old because her mother could not find a babysitter. By 12, she had been nominated for an award.
The third-year philosophy student said she immigrated to Pasadena from Jakarta at 12 years old and was offered a chance to act in Hollywood after a showcase in Disney World in Singapore.
By Patrick Woodham
Bruin Bucks
May 14, 2025 10:44 p.m.The changing landscape of Asian American businesses in the US
This post was updated May 15 at 10:43 p.m.
Audri Chang’s curly, silver hair and thick, black glasses are unmistakable as the 71-year-old restaurant owner shuffles between rustic tables, balancing platters of steaming food and exchanging friendly small talk with customers.
By Alicia Park
Opinion
April 6, 2025 2:31 p.m.Uncomfortable Conversations: Embracing mixed-race heritage reveals complexity of racial, ethnic identity
This post was updated April 10 at 7:14 p.m.
“Uncomfortable Conversations” is a series by Kirsten Brehmer exploring a broad range of topics that are hard to talk about, often go unspoken and need a space to be heard.
By Kirsten Brehmer
A Closer Look
April 1, 2025 7:45 p.m.‘Spreading the joy’: Neil Pal embraces, shares Punjabi culture through dhol performances
This post was updated April 1 at 10:5 p.m.
As colorful sarees and embroidered kurtas filled the dance floor, wedding guests danced to the beat of Bollywood music and Neil Pal’s dhol.
By Alisha Hassanali
A Closer Look
March 11, 2025 8:49 p.m.UCLA Dining’s ‘Recipes From Home’ initiative cooks up cultural meals, memories
Although she never got to meet her Grandma Eileen, Meileen Taw keeps her memory alive by cooking ohn no khao swe.
Now in college, she honored her grandmother by sharing the Burmese chicken coconut noodle soup with the UCLA community.
By Clara Mckoy
Arts
Feb. 26, 2025 11:30 p.m.Vedika’s new single tunes into empowerment through Western pop, Indian instruments
Fusing traditional Indian sounds with Western pop, Vedika’s newest single proves that the two genres can complement one another.
Embracing her cultural roots, Vedika Sinha – who performs as Vedika – released her latest single, “take it as a compliment,” on Feb.
By Ruwani Jayasekara
A Closer Look
Feb. 25, 2025 12:25 a.m.UTeaLA steeps well-being, Japanese tradition into ceremonies and community
This post was updated Feb. 26 at 1:40 a.m.
A room inside Macgowan Hall went quiet as students shuffled across tatami mats, kneeling to acknowledge a purple flower and bowing to accept a bowl of matcha tea.
By Sophia Pu
A Closer Look
Feb. 21, 2025 12:36 a.m.American Indian, Pacific Islander students celebrate ‘When 2 Worlds Collide’
This post was updated Feb. 23 at 11:08 p.m.
Wearing a purple lei headdress and gold bangles, Kiara Elizabeth Santos welcomed students to an event as Native American and Pasifika music echoed across the De Neve Plaza Room.
By Alisha Hassanali
Arts
Feb. 20, 2025 6:26 p.m.Cocona Mori takes listeners on transformative trip with new tune ‘Tokyo Train’
This post was updated Feb. 25 at 11:10 p.m.
Cocona Mori is transcending music through her unique composition of sound and Japanese American heritage.
Mori – a third-year music industry student who performs as Cocona – released her second single “Tokyo Train” on Feb.
By Jillian Baker
Arts
Feb. 18, 2025 12:51 p.m.Cicadas Chinese Calligraphy Club makes its mark through shared cultural heritage
The Cicadas Chinese Calligraphy Club draws upon ancient tradition to write a new chapter at UCLA.
Founded in 2021, the student-run organization provides a space for like-minded Bruins to develop and use their Chinese calligraphy skills.
By Adam Kakuk
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