‘Are You a Ginseng Root?’: Mr. Asian-Sensation Pageant Returns for the First Time In 14 Years

The Harvard-Radcliffe Chinese Students Association hosted “Mr. Asian Sensation,” a male cultural pageant, on Saturday for the first time since 2009. Matthew M. Vu ’27 took home the title of 2024 Mr. Asian Sensation.

Harvard undergraduates filled the seats of Lowell Lecture Hall to cheer on their friends and classmates in the event. The pageant featured seven undergraduate male contestants who showcased themselves in different rounds — trivia, talent, fashion-wear, musical chairs, as well as a Q&A from the audience.

As the winner, Vu was given a $650 check, which he said he will donate to Children of Vietnam.

Matthew M. Vu '27 receives a large $650 check for winning the Mr. Asian Sensation pageant. Vu said he will donate the money to Children of Vietnam. By Wonjae Suh

Vu, who was mandated to participate in the event as an initiation task for the Asian American Brotherhood — an undergraduate Harvard organization dedicated to forming a unity among Asian Americans — wrote in a statement following the event that he “didn’t expect on winning” but was “grateful for all the support.”

Eric Chan ’25, an HRCSA co-president, said the pageant “was definitely a lot of hard work because it was our first time in so long making this event.”

During the introductory round, the contestants first introduced themselves with their favorite pick-up line and why the audience should vote for them.

Contestant Reade Park ’27 said, “Are you a ginseng root? Because you’re giving me energy I never knew I had.”

The next round was talent.

The contestants showcased their unique skills — from a hot-dog eating contest by Peter Chen ’27 to a guitar solo by Park.

Reade Park '27 performs a guitar solo in the talent showcase part of the Mr. Asian Sensation pageant. By Wonjae Suh

Jōsh P. Mysoré ’26 offered a rendition of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” as the audience sang along and waved their phone flashlights. Alan Wang ’24 read his poetry about Asian representation and overcoming stereotypes.

Aaron J. Kang ’25 — who founded common room salon “Kang’s Cuts” during his freshman year — took a slightly different approach, showcasing his barber skills by giving an audience member a quick trim.

The audience erupted in laughter as Vu recounted a story of accidentally sitting on top of a Lowell House upperclassman’s girlfriend and accidentally breaking her laptop during River Run, before spending the night in Mount Auburn Hospital.

During the trivia round, contestants were split into two teams and asked questions ranging from the number of books in Widener Library to and the three lies of the John Harvard statue.

Aaron J. Kang '25 showcases his barber skills by giving an audience member a quick trim during the show. Kang founded a salon in his common room — "Kang's Cuts" — during his freshman year. By Wonjae Suh

The contestants then participated in a fashion show, donning a variety of outfits.

Mysoré sported a kurta — a loose collarless shirt traditionally worn by people from South Asia — while Kang walked the floor in a red Among Us inflatable costume.

Justin Ji ’26 wore a burrito costume, quipping in a social media promotion of the event that he would donate the proceeds from winning the competition to “my favorite charity, Chipotle.”

Chen then won a round of musical chairs before the contest moved on to the audience Q&A.

The audience then cast their votes by scanning a QR code located on the program flier, crowning Vu as the 2024 Mr. Asian Sensation.

Contestants play a round of musical chairs. Peter Chen '27 was the winner. By Wonjae Suh

Anthony Xu ’24 and Aaron Eudaimon ’24, who attended the event to support Wang, highlighted the importance of events like Mr. Asian Sensation.

“In the current culture, the concept of Asian masculinity isn’t well-defined,” Eudaimon. “Now, with events like Asian Sensation, it’s a good thing we are promoting this kind of concept and we’re changing the identity and definition of what an Asian male is.”

HRCSA Co-President Audrey Gunawan ’25 said she was “so incredibly grateful” that people came to see the show.

The attendees “made our show reality,” she said. “I also hope that they just got to see the diversity of representation.”

“I think Asian representation is great,” Ji said. “I wish there were more events like this on campus. Hopefully, they bring it back next year as well.”