‘Love Hard’ is Ringing In Representation this Holiday Season

It’s time to ring in some holiday cheer, and you know what that means — cozying up by the fire, drinking some hot chocolate, and binge watching holiday movies. While scrolling through Netflix the other day in search of something festive, the film Love Hard popped up, and I was shocked to see actor and comedian Jimmy O. Yang as the film’s lead. While the talented Nina Dobrev and overall Christmas spirit of the movie enticed me, the real hook was seeing the Asian representation within this Netflix original.

To be completely transparent, I have never been a fan of Holiday films. Growing up, I looked up to actors, directors, and producers that all had one exact thing in common — they were white. I always admired their work, but could never think of myself capable of being in their positions, what with my rounded face and monolid eyes. I felt that there was no space for me because there were no Asian protagonists in the media to make that space exist. This absence in representation throughout my childhood was a blow to my self-worth; I know I am not the only person who feels that weight. To those reading this, really pause and digest how significant representation feels and looks. It is so vital for present and future generations to understand that being Asian or any other minority can be empowering, and deserving of Hollywood’s bright lights. 

Which brings us back to Love Hard. This film’s plot involves Natalie (Dobrev) matching on a dating app with Yang’s character, Josh Lin. Here’s the catch: In actuality, Josh is catfishing Natalie with pictures of his former best friend, Tag (the dreamy Darren Barnet of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever). Being impulsive, Natalie decides after months of talking with Josh to surprise him for the holidays, which of course reveals the big lie (just so we’re clear, it was not that Big Lie).

To cover his tracks, Josh makes a deal with Natalie that if she pretends to be his girlfriend for the holidays he would set her up with the real Tag. During this journey to find love, Natalie gets to know the real Josh alongside his star-studded family of Harry Shum Jr. (star of Glee), as his brother, and the original “Shredder” in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, James Saito, as his father. A few hilarious scenes later, we see that being your true self is the best way to find love. While that lesson is great, I see something even greater.

Love Hard is much more than the stereotypical rom-com holiday film where two white people fall in love. When we think of Asian representation in movies, especially rom-coms, it often means identifying with a character that’s been cast as a sidekick or outcast. This is not the case here, not by a long shot — Love Hard has not one, but two (!) Asian leading men to fall in love with this holiday season. While times are changing it is important to show what real representation and diversity means. Love Hard provides a glimmering hope of real change and inclusion for the AAPI community.

While some may think Josh Lin is perpetuating a stereotype, I would boldly disagree. While Josh outwardly appears awkward (with his wide frame rectangular glasses and slouched posture), he represents an Asian character who is relatable and not polished through the Hollywood white-washed lens. Oftentimes, it feels like only the chiseled, abs of glory, white passing men make it to the big screen. Why is this the case? It is a ploy used traditionally by Hollywood and its white beauty standards to make diversity digestible for white viewers. What makes Love Hard so phenomenal is that it shatters these biases and makes the AAPI community feel heard, seen, and validated.

Josh Lin deals with issues such as jealousy, family competition, and not feeling secure enough with himself and appearance — to the point of having to fake his own identity. Who hasn’t felt an ounce of that? These are universal issues that everyone can relate and empathize with. Love Hard is another example that the AAPI community can be more than just the plight of being a minority. This movie wasn’t written as a token Asian film to fulfill a quota, but rather features characters that just so happen to be Asian, which is proof that there’s room for representation.

Love Hard is that feel good movie that leaves you with a smile and, for me, a sigh of relief that the Asian representation was done well without any cringey, racist undertones. While it is still a pretty predictable holiday rom-com, this movie paves the way for a more inclusive film industry, one monolid at a time.

Watch Love Hard on Netflix