Mochi (magazine)

Mochi is an online magazine that serves as a destination for Asian American women to share their stories, experiences, and passions. Mochi's mission is to amplify Asian voices and support the growth and inclusion of Asian American women.

Mochi
EditorJennifer Duann Fultz (2019-present), Stephanie Wu (2008-2018)
CategoriesLifestyle, Fashion, Entertainment, Beauty, Career, College, Relationships, Politics
First issueFall 2008
CountryUnited States
Based inNew York City
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.mochimag.com

Mochi was founded by Maggie Hsu, Stephanie Wu, and Sandra Sohn in 2008.[1][2] The magazine's conceived goal was to "provide a community for Asian American teenage girls to access sisterly advice and gain self-esteem", with articles written from a range of perspectives, including high school students, college women, young professionals, and other role models.[3] The magazine was originally intended to be a print publication, but transitioned online to appeal to a younger audience, overcome printing costs and reach a wider geographic range of readers. It is entirely run by an all-volunteer staff.[4]

Current members of the executive board include Jennifer Duann Fultz, Kelly Moon, and Alice Tang.[5]

Features

Mochi has served as a catalyst for conversation on the Asian American identity in the film, music, politics, fashion and everyday life.[6][7] The first issue had actress Brenda Song as a cover girl, which was arranged through the founders' connection to the entertainment industry.[8] Since then, Mochi has interviewed multiple prominent role models in the Asian American community, including YouTube beauty vlogger Michelle Phan, Yahoo! co-founder Jerry Yang, The Bling Ring actress Katie Chang, comedian Margaret Cho, professional golfer Michelle Wie, Bay Area politician Evan Low, Big Hero 6 actor Daniel Henney, Mandopop singer Wang Leehom, and K-pop group f(x)'s Amber Liu, among others.

In 2010, Mochi released the first and only comprehensive college guide for Asian American teens.[9] A year later, Mochi compiled a list of twenty-five influential Asian American youth in an article called "The Ultimate 25 under 25", published in the Spring 2011 issue. Although entertainment and beauty articles have attracted the majority of site hits, Mochi has also published a diverse collection of articles pertaining to health, mental well-being, relationships, food, travel and culture.

Over the years, Mochi writers have addressed hard-hitting issues in the Asian American community, such as the Asian American body image, the model minority myth, the "bamboo ceiling", and stigma surrounding LGBT identity and interracial dating. Since 2011, Mochi has published a series of articles on safe sex and protection against STDs.[10] With the rise of the digital age, there has been an increasing focus on articles guiding young women interested in pursuing technology careers.[11]

Events and Partnerships

Live Networking

In October 2011, Mochi hosted its first live networking event called "Faces of Mochi" in New York's Folli Follie store,[12] celebrating the launch of its Fall 2011 issue, thus gathering young Asian Americans all across the country for a night full of fashion and fun.[13] In September 2012, Mochi hosted its first open model call at the Work Gallery in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[14] In the following years, Mochi continued to hold special events, including wine socials, shopping experiences at BaubleBar (March 2013)[15] and Club Clio (May 2015),[16] chocolate tastings with ROYCE' Chocolate (June 2013)[17][18] and movies screenings (November 2013).[19]

Panels and Workshops

Mochi has a growing presence at journalism workshops and Asian American community events. Executive board members and staff members have presented at the Midwest Asian American Students Union (MAASU), the East Coast Asian American Student Union (ECAASU),[20] and the Intercollegiate Taiwanese American Students Association (ITASA).[21] In November 2013, co-founder Maggie Hsu visited several East Coast collegiate organizations including the Chinese Students' Association, Sangam and Taiwanese Society at UPenn[22] and Kappa Phi Lambda sorority at University of Connecticut.[23]

Collaborations

Mochi has partnered with various Asian American interest groups such as the Banyan Tree Project, Audrey, NYU-based Asian American publication Generasian, Kollaboration, ITASA, Harvard University's Identities Fashion Show, Amp Music Festival,[24] Lunar New Year Festival by Xi'an Famous Foods, and others, through co-hosted events and sponsored posts.

Starting in June 2014, Mochi reached an agreement with The Epoch Times, an international media organization, to republish past Mochi beauty articles.[25]

Recognition

Mochi earned recognition as an up-and-coming business venture at the Harvard Asian American Alumni Summit in 2010, reaching the semi-finalist stage of the Elevate Pitch Competition. Semi-finalists were chosen by a panel of judges "based on the creativity, integrity and originality of their ideas, as well as worthiness of funding."[26]

"Diagnosing the Asian American Eating Disorder," an article written for the Winter 2010 issue, was later republished in the 2012 edition of Eating Disorders (Opposing Viewpoints), a Cengage textbook.[27] Other articles by Mochi have been cited by major media outlets in the past, including New York Magazine,[28] Complex,[29] XoJane,[30] and VICE.[31]

Past issues

Mochi released 31 issues since 2008.[32]

Issue Title Date Cover Notable Features
PremiereFall 2008Brenda SongRomi Dames, Justin Nozuka, James Kyson
TechnologyMidyear 2009Yin ChangJerry Yang, Tao Lin
GreenFall 2009Susanna LauTim Be Told, Afterschoolspecial
CollegeSpring 2010Harry Shum Jr.Nikki SooHoo
TravelSummer 2010Michelle WieLindy Tsang, Justin Chon
InfluenceFall 2010Margaret Cho, Evan Low, Lela Lee, Zee Avi, Eva Chen, Jon Chu, Janet Hsieh, Chang-Rae Lee, Shaun Evaristo, Hannah Song
BodyWinter 2010Marié DigbyKarla Garcia, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle
YouthSpring 2011Kelsey ChowEddie Huang
OopsSummer 2011Priscilla AhnLisa See, Lynn Chen
PioneerFall 2011John Cho, Kal PennPhil Yu, Joseph Vincent
RelationshipWinter 2011Far East MovementJay Chou, Toni Ko
UnderdogSpring 2012Jeremy LinClara Chung, Aziatix, Jubilee Project
ReinventionSummer 2012Jamie ChungDavid Choi, Jane Lui, Jason Jean
Style[33]Fall 2012Marissa WebbDaniel Henney, Steve Byrne
RomanceWinter 2012Katie ChangMunemi Imai, Victoria Tsai
Self-MadeSpring 2013Ellen WongKhalil Fong, D-Pryde, Jessica Yu, Claudia Chan, Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani
FearlessSummer 2013Dara ShenChristine Ha
DreamerFall 2013Michelle PhanEvan Jackson Leong, Rie Tsuji, Nicki Sun
SpiritWinter 2013Nicole Gale AndersonTao Okamoto, Anna Akana, Hollis, Kevin Kwan
OutspokenSpring 2014Katrina LawArden Cho, Yen-j, Cassey Ho, Maya Erskine, Cole Horibe
AdventureSummer 2014Jessika VanAGNEZ MO, Peter Adrian
AmbitionFall 2014Kimiko GlennKi Hong Lee, Reshma Shetty, Linda Cho
CelebrationWinter 2015Kina GrannisDiana Bang, Awkwafina
PowerSpring 201525 InfluentialsLeehom Wang, Amber Liu
MenSummer 2015Eugene Lee YangWong Fu Productions, Ross Butler
FutureWinter 2016Samantha Futerman and Anais BordierDaniel Wu, Sophia Chua-Rubenfeld, Michelle Tan
SelfishSummer 2016Krista Marie YuGeorge Young, Kristen Li, Run River North
UnityFall 2016Vanessa LeeRachael Yamagata, Karen Fukuhara, Yul Kwon, Miki Agrawal
ResilienceSpring 2017Hayden SzetoManny Jacinto, Eva Noblezada, Tammy Duckworth, Kamala Harris, Mazie Hirono
VisibilityFall 2017Sonya BalmoresFilharmonic, Melissa Polinar, Kevin Yee, Jae Jin, Shei Phan
AnniversarySummer 2018Liza Koshy, Nadya Okamoto, Schuyler Bailar, Auli’i CravalhoLana Condor, Hailee Steinfeld, Elizabeth Ho, Jessica Nguyen, Broti Gupta

References
  1. "Five Questions with Maggie Hsu and Stephanie Wu". Changing Faces of America. February 19, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  2. "Maggie Hsu – Co-Founder of Mochi Magazine and "Older Sister"". 100 Passionate People. TaiwaneseAmerican.org. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  3. "About Us". Mochi Magazine. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  4. Nelson, Lani (2015). "Mochi Magazine". Sinovision Journal.
  5. "Mochi's Team". Mochi's Team.
  6. Harper, Yi (July 2013). "Mochi Magazine: A Voice for Asian American Girls". Her Campus.
  7. Johnson, Torri (January 2015). "15 Awesome Feminist Reads for the New Year". Hello Flo.
  8. Tsai, HoChie (May 2015). "Maggie Hsu – Co-founder of Mochi Magazine for Young Asian American Women". Taiwanese American.
  9. "Mochi Magazine to Launch First Comprehensive College Guide for Asian American Teens". Foundasian. April 6, 2010.
  10. "Relationship Issue, Winter 2011". Mochi Magazine. 2011.
  11. Hu, Tiffany (Spring 2014). "Want a Career in Tech? Here's How Three Women Did It". Mochi Magazine.
  12. Nguyen, Derek (October 28, 2011). "Mochi Mag". Popstyle Cle.
  13. "FACES OF MOCHI, OCTOBER 22". Angry Asian Man.
  14. Huang, Stephanie. "Open Model Call for Mochi Magazine". Taiwanese American Professionals - Chicago. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  15. BaubleGLAM (video). New York: Mochi Magazine. 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  16. Mochi x Club Clio NYC Beauty Event (video). New York: Mochi Magazine. 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  17. Mochi Magazine Presents: A Taste of Royce Chocolate (video). New York: Mochi Magazine. 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  18. "Event With Mochi Magazine". Aromaflage. Jun 25, 2013.
  19. Mochi Mag http://www.mochimag.com/events/linsanity-screening. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. "Saturday Session - Workshop Tracks". ECAASU - East Asian American Student Union. Washington DC. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  21. "ITASA NYC 2013-Intercollegiate Taiwanese American Student Association East Coast Conference". ITASA NYC. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  22. "Mochi Madness!". Penn Chinese Students' Association. October 30, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  23. "Events". Mochi Magazine. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  24. "Media Partners". Amp Music Festival 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  25. Chiang, Nicole (June 12, 2014). "10 Best Beauty Products for a Minimal and Fun Summer Look". The Epoch Times.
  26. "Harvard Asian American Alumni Summit 2010". 2010.
  27. Low, Elaine. "Elaine Low (Clips)".
  28. Pressler, Jessica (November 8, 2011). "Gossip Girl Recap". New York Magazine.
  29. Aquino, Tara (March 11, 2013). "25 Breakout Actresses You Need to Know". Complex.
  30. Duan, Noel (August 12, 2012). "'Fat for an Asian:' The Pressure to be Naturally Perfect". xoJane.
  31. Lui, Samantha (October 7, 2016). "How Young Asian Makeup Artists Are Challenging Beauty Industry Norms". VICE.
  32. "Past Issues". Mochi Magazine. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  33. "Mochi Style for young Asian American women". Asian American Press. 5 November 2012.
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