Welcome back to the conversation with Kiwa on Behind the Yellow Curtain! In this chapter, "Reading the Air vs Saying It Out Loud: Love Across Cultures," we dive into how a multicultural background shapes the most personal part of our lives: relationships.Having grown up where direct communication was the norm, Kiwa gets candid about dating in Japan. The conversation centers on her current relationship with her Japanese partner and the challenge of bridging two different communication styles—her need to "say it out loud" versus the cultural nuance of "reading the air" (空気を読む)."I can do it," she admits, "but it's exhausting." This is a heartfelt exploration of the compromises, patience, and humor required when two worlds meet in love. How do you find a middle ground when your values are shaped by different cultures?🎬 CreditsCreative Director & Host: Jessica LinProducer: Mutsumi Gustavich (Mt.MELVIL)Production Manager & Editor: Ayumi Watanabe Designer: LucyBehind the Yellow Curtain is a podcast featuring honest, bilingual conversations navigating cross-cultural lives.New episodes drop every Tuesday at 8 AM (JST)—subscribe and stay with us for more.

Welcome back to Behind the Yellow Curtain! In this episode, "From Hong Kong to Tokyo: Finding Identity as a Multicultural Japanese," host Jess talks with her friend and former colleague, Kiwa.

Born in Tokyo and raised primarily in the international city of Hong Kong, Kiwa always felt a step removed from her Japanese roots. Hoping to finally connect with her heritage, she made the decision to move to Tokyo for university. But what happens when your "home" country sees you as different?

In this first chapter, "The Hidden Pressure of Being a Kikokushijo," Kiwa shares the complex reality of being a "returnee" in Japan—feeling neither fully part of the international community she grew up in, nor the Japanese society she longed to join. She opens up about the unspoken expectations and the search for a true sense of belonging.

Is identity about where you're from, or where you find your people? Kiwa's story is a candid exploration of navigating the in-between spaces of a multicultural life.

🎬 Credits

Creative Director & Host: Jessica Lin

Producer: Mutsumi Gustavich (Mt.MELVIL)

Production Manager & Editor: Ayumi Watanabe

Designer: Lucy

Behind the Yellow Curtain is a podcast featuring honest, bilingual conversations with women navigating cross-cultural lives.

New episodes drop every Tuesday at 8 AM (JST)—subscribe and stay with us for more.

This time on Behind the Yellow Curtain, we have a special episode! Our host, Jess, steps onto the couch to answer questions from you, our listeners, in a special Q&A session.

Jess opens up about her identity as a Taiwanese American, born in Taiwan and raised in the US. She also shares her passion and philosophy as a Creative Director at an advertising agency.

"Where do you feel most like yourself?" "What was your childhood dream?" "How do you overcome creative blocks?"... From her personal journey to the reasons she started "Behind the Yellow Curtain" and the vision she has for its community, Jess shares her own roots, her present, and her hopes for the future in her own words.

Find out why she treasures "personal stories" so much in this unique and special episode.

🎬 Credits

Creative Director & Host: Jessica Lin

Producer: Mutsumi Gustavich (Mt.MELVIL)

Production Manager & Editor: Ayumi Watanabe

Designer: Lucy

Behind the Yellow Curtain is a podcast featuring honest, bilingual conversations with women navigating cross-cultural lives.

New episodes drop every Tuesday at 8 AM (JST)—subscribe and stay with us for more.

📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btycpod/

📍 Language: English — Japanese subtitles available by turning on CC