Simu Liu and Henry Golding – who's more Asian?

Why are fans on the Internet battling over whether Simu Liu (left) or Henry Golding is 'more Asian'? It's about the talent, people, not the look, says our columnist. — Original pics in composite by AFP

“Perfectly tousled black hair, chiselled Cantonese pop-idol features, and impossibly thick eyelashes.” Who does that conjure up for you: Henry Golding or Simu Liu?

In case you’re confused, I’m referring to the latest five-minute spat on the Internet, where Liu (of Kim’s Convenience and Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings fame) had mentioned in a recent interview at nme.com that he had auditioned for the leading man role of Nick Young in Crazy Rich Asians but didn’t get the part – the producers felt he didn’t have the “It” factor, it seems. Instead, the part went to Golding, who presumably did have it.