With the recent string of Asian characters being played by Western celebrities in Hollywood movies, one Chinese woman breaks the cycle by being cast as Mulan.
What is white washing anyway and how did it affect the movie industry?
For starters, whitewashing is the act of casting practice in the film industry of the United States in which white actors are cast in historically non-white character roles.
The film industry has a history of frequently casting white actors for roles involving people of color, including African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and any other non-White, non-Hispanic culture, including Native Americans. As a result, it downplays the roles of such figures.
The idea of whitewashing itself reflects the desire to gain more profit in the industry; however, as people became more "aware" of the extent of the act and the characters being portrayed, whitewashing has been highly frowned upon by the public.
However, recent news for the upcoming live-action adaptation of the hit Disney cartoon movie 'Mulan', has been breaking the internet nonstop as many feared the possibility a non-Asian would play the character.
On Thursday, Liu Yifei was announced to play the lead role for the adaptation, playing Hua Mulan, the legendary female warrior from ancient China. She was a favorite in the lineup of possible actresses who should be casted for the character.
Many people around the world, especially in China, were celebrating after Disney announced that the 30-year old actress had landed the role.
"This is a huge progress and great thing," said Tan Fei, a well-known film commentator in China.
Yifei is known in China as the "Fairy Sister" due to her sweet image and considered one of the New Four Dan Actresses named by Tencent QQ or China's four major actresses who became huge from 2005.
