The Summer I Turned Pretty Author Jenny Han Revealed the Real Reason She Changed Belly's Ethnicity in the Show
The Summer I Turned Pretty focuses on the love triangle between Isabel 'Belly' Conklin (Lola Tung) and brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). It's based on author Jenny Han's coming-of-age romantic drama book series of the same name. Han, who also wrote the To All the Boys book series, which inspired Netflix's movies of the same title, is also the creator and an executive producer on The Summer I Turned Pretty series.
More from StyleCaster
Who Does Belly End Up With in The Summer I Turned Pretty? Season 3 Isn't 'Exactly the Same'
The Major Way The Summer I Turned Pretty TV Show Changed Jeremiah & Belly's Cheating Storyline From the BooksThe Amazon series has garnered praise for the diverse casting, but many fans are wondering what the cast members' ethnicities are in real life.
What is Lola Tung's ethnicity?
Lola Tung is of Chinese and Swedish descent from her mom's side and European from her father's side. She's frequently talked about Asian-American representation and how being mixed-race has affected her upbringing.
She's praised shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty for uplifting Asian American stories and is proud to have a cast and crew that are proud to tell these narratives. 'I think it's really special to have stories about love and about family [and see] different families,' she told Teen Vogue in 2022. 'It's not just the same thing over and over again. To be working with other Asian-American actors — Sean Kaufman, who plays my brother, Jackie Chung, who plays my mom, and Minnie Mills who's also in the show — and to have an Asian-American creator, writer, and showrunner who has that voice and that understanding is so incredible.'
She continued, 'We had an Asian-American director, too, Jeff Chan, who was amazing. [I was] constantly being surrounded by incredible Asian-American artists. To have that also be my first experience on a set was really, really cool. It's a story about love and family, and the family happens to be Asian-American, which is so cool, because it's just family, it's just love.'
What's Belly's Ethnicity in The Summer I Turned Pretty TV series?
Belly is half-Korean and half-white in The Summer I Turned Pretty TV Series. Series creator and author Jenny Han talked about the change from the books when she made the book into movies. 'When I was approaching the adaptation, I wanted to really reflect the moment that we're living in,' she told Cinemablend. 'And I think the diversity of characters is a piece of that, so it felt like a really great opportunity to showcase different kinds of talent. We get to have like an Asian American family on the show.'
'These are all the same characters,' she later elaborated to KCRW. 'And they have the same essence to them, but how would I see them as they are in 2020-2021? And so I thought it was just a really great opportunity to expand that out, and have this story in the show feel more modern and of this moment.'
Is Belly Asian in The Summer I Turned Pretty books?
Belly is white in The Summer I Turned Pretty book series. Han talked about how when she first pitched the books to publishers in the early 2000s, they were hesitant to release diverse books.
'I think it didn't even really hurt my feelings because it was just kind of so matter of fact,' she told CBS. 'I had tried to sell a book with an Asian main character before this one, and people weren't really interested in it. The thing I would hear is, 'We already have a book with them.''
She stressed the importance of doing more for Asian representation back in those days. 'Even my first book, it was important for me to have my picture on the back,' Han said. 'It wasn't really done at the time, and I thought, 'I want other young Asian women to see that and think it's possible.''
Best of StyleCaster
The 26 Best Romantic Comedies to Watch if You Want to Know What Love Feels Like
These 'Bachelor' Secrets & Rules Prove What Happens Behind the Scenes Is So Much Juicier
BTS's 7 Members Were Discovered in the Most Unconventional Ways
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
11 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
Amazon Has An 'Internet Famous' Section, And These Are 35 Of The Best Products On It Right Now
Fun fact: Amazon has an "Internet Famous" section curated with TikTok-viral products. Here are a few of the current ones so beloved by reviewers that they are *definitely* worth the hype: Dr. Melaxin "Peel Shot," a K-beauty staple for serious exfoliation that buffs out dead skin and leaves your complexion looking glowy and refreshed. If you're looking for an effective way to kick dead skin cells, blackheads, and sebum to the curb, this deeply penetrating rice water extract formula is just the ticket. Lottabody's Coconut Oil Foaming Curl Mousse designed for all hair types to give you satisfyingly hydrated, volumized, frizz-free curls at a FRACTION of the price of its competitors. Lumify Eye Drops, a product so beloved by TikTok that despite being more $$ than other brands, it's the number one selling brand on Amazon right now. Reviewers swear by this for instant reduction in redness in their eyes, with visible differences within a minute of use. A delightfully affordable instant foot peeling spray for anyone ready to go full YEEHAW!! on that at-home pedicure. This not only helps gently remove dead skin, but moisturizes dry and cracked heels, so you'll really get some refreshing bang for your buck. A set of lightweight, oh-so-dainty ruffled pajamas reviewers are in loooove with for summer, saying the fabric is so high quality that it feels like linen. If you're looking for breezy warm weather loungewear, this adorable set fits the bill! Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener, which will be your holy grail for concealing and brightening dark circles under your eyes when your summer schedule is throwing you for a loop. This lightweight, color-adapting formula is designed for truly ~invisible~ coverage that makes a drastic difference — one that a lot of reviewers compare to the $33 Becca version. A "Birthday Cake Stick" lip balm that earned its place as a cult-fave — not only is this super nourishing on your lips, but it tastes like vanilla cake, buttercream icing, and rainbow sprinkles, so now you can have your cake and moisturize with it, too. L'Oreal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray Mist so darn phenomenal at its job that one reviewer calls it "hairspray for your face," and several compare it to the $34 One/Size setting spray at triple the price. This ultra-fine formula sprays on lightly and leaves a natural finish, but just one spray is designed to LOCK IN your look for 36 hours. A delightful little tool called the "Bug Bite Thing" — it suctions on all kinds of bug bites to reduce swelling, itchiness, and redness. La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 40 Tinted Sunscreen, aka the "holy grail" of tinted sunscreens — reviewers love this lightweight, buildable formula so much that a lot of them replaced their foundation with it altogether. If you're in the market for some subtle but effective coverage that won't get goopy or settle in pores, this is your sunscreen match made in heaven. An air fryer cheat sheet that basically pays for itself on the first use — you can magnetize this right to your fridge and know precisely how to cook meats, veggies, and frozen food to perfection, helping eliminate food waste and save your budget from takeout. The Ordinary's Multi-Depth Hydration Serum to achieve that "glassy," plumped effect *without* breaking the whole bank. This delightfully affordable, super effective serum helps hydrate and protect your skin barrier so you wake up with firm, refreshed skin. A set of assorted pool floaties so cute it'll feel like you're accessorizing the whole pool when you throw them in. (It's all fun and games until I start fighting someone for that pink donut one.) Monday Haircare Dry Shampoo with all the oil-absorbing, refreshing power of its competitors, *plus* added keratin for protection against frizz and breakage. The subtle gardenia scent is just extra extra credit after all that. A pair of oversize subtle cat-eye sunglasses so cute that you'll want to snag 'em in every color, and so affordable that you won't weep dollar signs if you accidentally leave them at the coffee shop. Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in *PINK* Honey — aka, the sweet, subtle sister of the iconic "Black Honey" that has been so popular over the past few decades that it just about broke TikTok when it finally had its moment over there. The skin tone-matching, pH-adaptive pink version is every bit as buildable, polished, and decadent feeling as the original black honey, and perfect for everyday makeup looks. Wikki Stix, the ultimate in mess-free, silent, distracting fidgets — you can take these little wax sticks and push them into any shape you please, and stick them on surfaces without worrying about residue or marks. Parents especially love these for when kids are waiting at restaurants or on flights! An affordable, Lululemon-esque longline sports bra so comfy, supportive, and versatile that reviewers love it both for outdoor workouts, gym use, *and* errand running. This is designed to be supportive without being too compressive, with lightweight fabric that keeps you breezy in the heat. Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Treatment Gel formulated with the MAX of 10% benzoyl peroxide to help take care of acne as fast and effectively as possible. This stuff is so strong that it's designed to help reduce the redness and size of acne in just two hours, and also helps prevent more breakouts in the future. E.l.f's Lash Xtndr Tubing Mascara, a GODSEND for anyone with thin or fragile lashes. This uses lightweight ~tubing~ technology to wrap around lashes and give them a natural-looking, smudge-proof extension so good it almost looks fake. The real boon, though, is how easily the "tubes" slide off in clean, easy swipes at the end of the day when you're washing your face — absolutely no smudging, over-scrubbing, or special eye makeup removal products required. A wildly beloved floral-forward vanilla perfume so deliciously perfect for summer that you'll be like, "Is it appropriate to bathe in this?" This sunny scent leans warm and tropical, with reviewers noting a hint of mango in the vanilla. It's all the bright happiness of summer in a soft, sophisticated, gourmand scent. A cult-favorite Flairisol Olivia, a continuous oil sprayer with built-in portion control that has won the allegiance of reviewers from professional chefs to at-home bakers. The ultra-fine spray makes it ridiculously easy to work with, especially for people tracking nutrition stats for their own sake or for a restaurant's — each spray is equivalent to one gram of oil for easy measuring. L'Oréal Paris Collagen Daily Face Moisturizer so intensely hydrating, plumping, and smoothing that reviewers compare it to the $92 Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream. 👀 Not only is this super effective and affordable, but its nongreasy formula makes it play super well with makeup. Yankee Candle's Midsummer's Night, or what I like to call a "goth summer candle," as a perfectly moody way to usher in the warmer weather if you're not a big fan of sweetness and floral. Reviewers compare this alluring blend of musk, patchouli, sage, and mahogany to a soft cologne. A suuuper thin, breathable Hanes slub knit hoodie as the ultimate "just in case" layer on days when the weather is having an existential crisis and taking you for the ride. Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer, a foam you can apply to your roots when you're styling to take your blowout to the next level, even when the humidity is doing its best to keep your locks down. Reviewers with fine hair especially swear by this for an immediate, long-lasting lift! Jergens Natural Glow Firming Self Tanner Body Lotion to give you a gradually building, vacation-worthy ~sunkissed glow~ over the course of just a few days. Not only is this easy peasy to apply compared to other finickier, streaking lotions, but it's formulated with collagen and elastin to help your skin appear firmer *and* glowier. A reviewer-beloved basic crewneck tee that plays nice with ALL your jeans and skirts, since it's just the right amount of compressive and easily slides under waistbands. Also, at that price point, and in THIS MANY colors??? Seems like it's Restock Your Wardrobe O'Clock. A wildly popular hummingbird projection lantern to make your porch or backyard feel like you're stepping out of the real world and into a whimsical fairy tale. Medicube's "Zero Pore" Pads, which are dual-textured toner pads made with lactic and salicylic acid to exfoliate and refine your pores. The excess sebum in your face just met its worst enemy in this cult-fave Korean skincare product. 😈 E.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops, another home run from the brand's moisturizing "Holy Hydration" line that reviewers are comparing to the $35 Watermelon Dew Drops from Glow Recipe. This lightweight formula is designed to brighten and plump skin for a dewy effect, whether you're wearing it alone, applying it under your makeup, or mixing it with your foundation. A set of golden tennis bracelets giving ~quiet luxury~ vibes at "I want to pay rent this month" prices. Reviewers especially love these mix-and-match sets because they look like expensive versions from iconic brands! A set of ridiculously realistic-looking faux fern plants for some instant serotonin in your backyard or living space. Plant parenthood is nice, but faux plant parenthood is every bit as chic and a whoooole lot less of a time commitment. 💅 Anua Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner reviewers going for the "glass skin" look swear by — this underrated but impactful toner helps calm and refresh your complexion by balancing your skin's pH level and helping it better absorb all your lovely skincare products, no matter how hard the sun is trying to dry you out. A pair of cheerful, super lightweight boxer-style shorts so comfy and adorable that you are about to put all other styles on notice for the rest of the year — especially since these are a MUCH cheaper alternative to the $98 Reformation version.
CNET
11 minutes ago
- CNET
Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answer and Help for July 19 #503
Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles. Is it hot where you are? Today's NYT Strands puzzle highlights words for summery weather. If you need hints and answers, read on. I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story. If you're looking for today's Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET's NYT puzzle hints page. Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far Hint for today's Strands puzzle Today's Strands theme is: Hot enough for ya? If that doesn't help you, here's a clue: Words for weather. Clue words to unlock in-game hints Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle's theme. If you're stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work: SKIM, SKIT, STIM, COME, NAIL, GUNS, GANG, SCORE, CORE, STEM, LAIR Answers for today's Strands puzzle These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers: BALMY, MUGGY, STICKY, SCORCHING, SWELTERING Today's Strands spangram The completed NYT Strands puzzle for July 19, 2025, #503. NYT/Screenshot by CNET Today's Strands spangram is SUMMERWEATHER. To find it, look for the S that's the very last letter in the very top row, and wind down.
Android Authority
11 minutes ago
- Android Authority
YouTube Music is finally syncing your playback progress across devices
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR YouTube Music tracks listening history across devices, but so far hasn't offered a way to resume playback directly. With YouTube Music version 8.26.51, we're now seeing the app sync playback progress across devices. Listeners are able to continue a playlist where they left off by tapping 'Resume.' It's a fair question: How many of us are big YouTube Music fans, and how many use it because we want YouTube Premium, signed up before Premium Lite was an option, and now can't be bothered to change things? For whatever reason you're using it, Google has been giving subscribers plenty of reasons to be happy lately, with the arrival of new features like lyric sharing and offline lyrics for your downloaded tracks. Now we've got a new one to share with you — and this time, unrelated to lyrics at all! Your Google account makes it easy to access YouTube Music across all your devices, but that doesn't necessarily mean that moving between them has been super smooth. While we've been able to keep track of what we've been listening to as we move from phones, to tablets, to computers and back, so far YouTube Music hasn't offered an easy way to stop mid-listen and pick things up from that same point on another device. Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority Upon upgrading to YouTube Music version 8.26.51 (which started heading out to devices earlier this month), we're suddenly see the presence of progress bars representing our listening activity on other devices connected to the same account, as you can see in a couple of those Speed dial entries above. Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority When you tap on one of those, you'll now find a new 'Resume' option that lets you pick up playback where you left off earlier. This has been a long time coming, and while we we can't imagine this is going to convince anyone to switch over to YouTube Music — it still doesn't look like the feature holds a candle to Spotify Connect — maybe it will at least convince you to reconsider leaving YouTube Music for the competition. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
