Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Conversations around race and racial justice
The Associated Press

St. Louis news anchor criticized for being 'very Asian'

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

A news anchor at a St. Louis television station received an outpouring of support from around the world after a viewer criticized her for “being very Asian” and told her to “keep her Korean to herself.”

Michelle Li, an anchor at KSDK-TV, did a 30-second segment on New Year’s Day about foods people eat for the holiday. She finished with an impromptu comment that she ate dumpling soup like many Koreans do.

A viewer left a message saying she “kind of took offense” to the comment because, she suggested, a white anchor would get fired for talking about what white people eat on New Year's.

Li, who is of Korean descent, was raised by white parents in Missouri. She said in a post on KSDK that she reconnected with her Korean family in 1998 and has incorporated Korean culture into her life since then.

She posted the woman's message on social media and by Wednesday, she had received thousands of messages of support, including from former NBA player Rex Chapman, comedian Margaret Cho and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

On Tuesday, Li announced that she and Gia Vang, who is Hmong and an anchor on KARE in Minneapolis, were offering a line of merchandise with the logo “Very Asian” for a limited time, with proceeds going to the Asian American Journalists Association.

Li didn't immediately reply to a message seeking comment that was left at KSDK.

In her post on her station's website, Li said the racist post turned out to be gift because it led so many people to share family pictures and stories on social media.

“There is more good than bad,” she said.

KSDK said in a statement that it fully supports Li.

“At KSDK, we embrace diversity in the people we hire, the stories we tell, and our local community. We will continue supporting Michelle and celebrating diversity and inclusion,” the station said.