With a Filipina character in a Hong Kong TV, a ‘brownface’ controversy is sparked

ASEAN – In the latest instance of “brownface” in Asia, a Hong Kong television production has sparked outrage over a Filipina character performed by a local actress who darkened her complexion.

TVB cast Canadian-Hong Konger Franchesca Wong as a Filipina domestic helper in its series Barrack O’Karma 2, which is a suspense thriller and not about US politics, despite its name.

Wong has a considerably darker complexion in the play, and a film shared on Instagram by a coworker showed her putting make-up to her legs.

Wong remarked in the video, “I’m converting into another person,” with a Filipino accent.

“Right now, I’m sunbathing,” she continued.

Wong’s representation in the local media has received mostly positive reviews this week, with little mention of race.

However, her decision to darken her complexion — as well as the casting decision — has provoked backlash, particularly among the city’s Filipino community.

“I don’t believe it’s right that she had to darken her complexion for the job,” Sabrina Man, a former actress who now works as a model in Hong Kong, said in a report.

“Domestic workers have done so much for Hong Kong, and I believe that doing this is insulting to them and to Filipinos in general,” she continued.

“Finding someone of Filipino ancestry to fulfill the part wouldn’t have been difficult,” she noted.

Jianne Soriano, a Hong Kong-born Filipina writer, felt that the part might have been portrayed by any number of Filipino women in the city.

“How could somebody claim it’s alright to wear brownface and believe it’s appropriate to depict a domestic helper as a non-Filipino?”she expressed herself on Twitter.

“With our own features, we can communicate a lot of our story.”

TVB said in a statement that Wong successfully portrayed her character with her professional acting methods and smart management of role-playing.

While TVB did not explicitly address Wong’s skin coloration, it did state that it was never their aim to show contempt or discriminate against any nationality in any of their programs.

“We want to convey our concern to everyone who may be affected by this,” the station added.

Katherine S

1/4 German, 3/4 Malaysian. I write, follow and monitor closely political news happening in Malaysia, and other happening news in the ASEAN region. Newswriter for the best ASEAN news website - The Asian Affairs.

Recent Posts

BAFTA 2026 nominations announced with surprise snubs in major categories

The BAFTA 2026 nominations have officially been unveiled, setting the stage for a dramatic awards season. Paul Thomas Anderson has…

January 28, 2026

Mobile Legends M7 World Championship breaks all-time viewership records

The M7 World Championship has officially rewritten esports history, establishing itself as the most-watched mobile esports event of all time.…

January 28, 2026

Netflix Unveils Riveting ASEAN Crime Drama Filmed in Malaysia and the Philippines

Netflix continues to solidify its commitment to Southeast Asian storytelling with the announcement of a high-octane ASEAN crime drama. This…

January 28, 2026

Popular Food Trends 2026: Fusion Street Food from Thailand and Malaysia Tops Regional Charts

Fusion street food from Thailand and Malaysia dominates 2026 culinary rankings, blending bold regional flavors with global twists. Thai-Malay fusion…

January 28, 2026

“63rd ASEAN National Tourism Organizations Meeting” Kicks Off in Cebu, Focusing on Future‑Ready Tourism in Southeast Asia

On January 26, 2026, at the Nustar Hotel in Cebu City, Philippines, the 63 rd ASEAN National Tourism Organizations Meeting…

January 28, 2026

New “Clawdbot” AI Agent Raises Security Concerns for Enterprise Users

Clawdbot, the viral open-source AI agent, promises powerful automation but sparks major security concerns for businesses. This local-first assistant was…

January 28, 2026

This website uses cookies.

Read More