Substack round-up: Six newsletters from Asia

Unique voices from the East that will give you insights on culture, art and thought.

Photo by Vicky T on Unsplash

I tend to like reading quieter, less “popular” newsletters. While they may not have a girnomous number of subscribers, these writers’ words are worth reading. There are plenty of good stuff on Substack, but I want to do more to highlight writers from countries out of the Western sphere as they barely if rarely ever get top spots on the Substack charts.

Here are some of my favourite Susbstackers from the East:

Lily Pond 🇭🇰

Hong Kong. We connected over email, and her deep wisdom and insight into living a life between several cultures is something I relate with. One of my favourite pieces of hers is Early years in monster building, which gives me a fascinating look at how Chinese migrants cope with a new life in Hong Kong.

Nicksy Once Monthly 🇵🇭

The Philippines. Okay, I confess, I don’t listen to the same music Nick does, but I always find his insights on music interesting because he connects it with issues in his country that I can relate with such as We knew we were never, ever, ever having Taylor Swift over, which is about Taylor Swift, tourism and public transportation. How do these issues connect? Read on!

Poetic journeys with Sharmila 🇲🇾

Malaysia. Sharmila is a dear friend, and her dedication to poetry and her writing is always so inspiring. She does the hard work by interviewing Malaysian poets and also write deep, wise newsletters reflecting on issues such as Taking your power back when you've been gaslighted and writing a poem in response.

Poetry from Beijing 🇨🇳

China. Beautiful reflections and poetry from China. China is currently the favourite boogeyman, demon, and bad guy of Western mainstream media, but life in China is pretty ordinary. I like reading his quiet reflections on ordinary life in Beijing, such as Scooters, which is an amusing poem about a crackdown on scooters in China!

K-Culture with Jae-Ha Kim 🇰🇷

South Korea. What can I say, I love Korean dramas! Her newsletter explores the intersection of of South Korean culture with entertainment, such as this moving piece, Rest in Peace, Lee Sun-kyun.

Campuccino 🇰🇭

Cambodia is a land where I know too little of, especially since we are neighbours, but fortunately Darathtey Din is here to help me with my deficit. I will always remember Karma Police, where she talked about her experience watching sci-fi movie The Creator. Like Din, I’m used to weird Western narratives or depictions about my country and culture, but when it involves a galling reminder of unhealed injustices, it’s especially galling.