Alysa Liu's EPIC comeback
Alysa Liu returns to lead the figure skating world championships
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #49
A Columbia student’s deportation has been paused after a federal judge ruled her protest activity posed no national threat. A longtime Filipino U.S. resident is detained by ICE, and the Trump administration expands its blacklist to over 50 Chinese tech firms.
In K-pop, NewJeans enters hiatus amid a legal standoff, while Katseye’s Lara Raj becomes the first openly queer idol under a major agency. Meanwhile, California lawmakers move to ban minors from buying anti-aging skincare.
On the global stage, Alysa Liu returns to lead the figure skating world championships, and Alexandra Eala makes history at the Miami Open.
Judge pauses Columbia student’s Korea deportation over pro-Palestine protests
A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s efforts to detain and deport Yunseo Chung, a Columbia University student whose pro-Palestinian campus activism has drawn scrutiny amid the government’s sweeping immigration crackdown.
Why she’s being targeted
Chung, who has a 3.99 GPA, has lived in the U.S. since immigrating from South Korea at the age of 7. Despite her limited involvement in leading campus protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza, her participation in those demonstrations attracted unwanted federal attention.
Immigration officials claimed Chung had engaged in “concerning conduct” during the protests, including one at Barnard College on March 5, when she was arrested. The Department of Homeland Security suggested her presence conflicted with the administration’s foreign policy objectives, particularly on combating antisemitism.
How the judge ruled
U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald swiftly rejected the government’s arguments. During an emergency hearing Tuesday, she found no evidence suggesting Chung posed a threat to national security or foreign policy interests. “Nothing in the record indicates she is a danger,” the judge ruled.
“After the constant dread in the back of my mind over the past few weeks, this decision feels like a million pounds off of my chest,” Chung, in response, told Newsweek. Her attorneys from CLEAR — a legal clinic based in the City University of New York — argued that the deportation attempt represents unconstitutional assault on free speech.
The big picture
Chung’s case closely mirrors that of Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born Palestinian activist and a Columbia graduate fighting similar deportation proceedings. Chung’s lawsuit filed on Monday names high-ranking officials, including President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as defendants.
Amid the legal battles, deputy attorney general Todd Blanche has initiated an investigation into Columbia, alleging the school is “harboring and concealing illegal aliens on its campus.”
Chung remains enrolled at Columbia. The next hearing in her suit is on May 20.
Filipino green card holder detained by ICE
A 64-year-old Filipino green card holder with five decades of U.S. residency was detained by federal immigration authorities last week, raising questions about the scope of the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown.
About the case
Lewelyn Dixon, a lab technician at the University of Washington, was first seized by border officials on Feb. 28 immediately after returning from a family trip to the Philippines, her niece Emily Cristobal told Hawaii News Now. She was then transferred to the Northwest ICE Detention Facility on March 2.
Dixon’s detention stems from a 2001 non-violent conviction that her legal team argues should not compromise her residency. Her lawyer, Benjamin Osorio, told Newsweek that she received a minimal sentence, including 30 days in a halfway house and a $6,400 fine, with no active jail time.
What authorities are saying
Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez addressed the situation in an interview with local media ANC, characterizing the detention as “unfortunate” given Dixon’s past legal resolution. He emphasized that green card status remains a “privilege” that can be revoked by the U.S. government.
At the Hawaii State Legislature on Friday, Rep. Tina Grandinetti highlighted Dixon’s case while advocating for enhanced legal protections for immigrant communities, pushing forward a bill to provide legal representation in immigration proceedings.
The big picture
Dixon’s arrest occurs against the backdrop of an intensified federal immigration enforcement strategy that has created significant anxiety across immigrant communities. A parallel case involved a Hmong American woman deported to Laos earlier this month, demonstrating the widespread impact of current immigration policies.
Latest available estimates show that immigrants from India (725,000), China (375,000) and the Philippines (130,000) compose the largest shares of undocumented Asians in the U.S. Unauthorized Chinese immigrants, previously reported to be among Trump’s first targets for mass deportation over national security concerns, now face heightened fears about their future.
What’s next
Dixon remains in detention. Her earliest scheduled court hearing is set for July 17, with her legal team actively seeking an earlier date.
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, which oversees Washington state, has not received a request for assistance from Dixon’s family as of Thursday. Amid the situation, it affirmed its commitment to “extending appropriate consular assistance to Filipino citizens across its jurisdiction regardless of immigration status, while respecting U.S. laws as well as individual privacy.”
Trump blocks over 50 Chinese tech firms in escalating trade war
The Trump administration imposed sweeping export controls on Tuesday, adding nearly 80 companies — mostly Chinese — to a trade blacklist that will severely restrict their access to U.S. technology.
State of play
The move targets organizations allegedly seeking advanced technologies for military applications like high-performance computing and hypersonic weapons research. More than 50 Chinese firms involved in artificial intelligence, supercomputing and advanced computing sectors are named in the Commerce Department’s “entity list,” including six subsidiaries of Inspur Group, China’s largest server manufacturer.
Under the new restrictions, U.S. companies must obtain government approval before selling technology to the listed entities. Aside from China, countries in the list include Taiwan, Iran, Pakistan, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
How China is responding
China’s Foreign Ministry characterized the restrictions as “typical hegemonic behavior” that violates international law and damages global supply chains. Beijing has already begun retaliating with countermeasures, including new duties on U.S. goods and an anti-monopoly investigation into Google.
China has been developing its domestic technology ecosystem, with AI startup DeepSeek highlighting efforts to create low-cost, open-source AI models. The country has also enacted new legal measures, including a law enabling asset freezes on companies subject to Chinese sanctions.
The big picture
The export controls represent an escalation of the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China. So far, the Trump administration has imposed cumulative tariffs of 20% on Chinese imports. U.S. intelligence assessments also identify China as the top military and cyber threat, expressing particular concern about Beijing’s ambition to become the world's leading artificial intelligence power by 2030.
The conflict appears set to intensify further. Trump is preparing to impose a 25% tariff on imports from countries purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela, which include China as a major buyer of Venezuelan oil.
California bill wants to ban kids from buying anti-aging products
A recent California bill seeks to prohibit minors from purchasing anti-aging skincare products amid concerns over social media-driven trends.
About the bill: Introduced by Assemblymember Alex Lee last month, AB 728 would ban the sale of anti-aging products — including those containing AHAs, retinoids and vitamin C — to anyone under 18. Retailers would need to verify age at checkout, similar to other age-restricted products. This follows Lee’s failed 2024 bill, AB 2491, which targeted children under 13. “Children shouldn’t be worrying when they’re 12 years old or 11 years old about fine lines, wrinkles or being old,” Lee told KGO. Critics, including the Personal Care Products Council (representing brands like Sephora and Ulta), argue that Lee’s language is overly broad, calling his previous bill “a hastily drafted attempt to use legislative force to stop a social media trend.”
Why it matters: The bill responds to viral TikTok trends where young teens — dubbed “Sephora kids” — routinely buy high-end anti-aging products like Drunk Elephant’s $76 serums and Paula’s Choice retinols. “Kids don’t need anti-aging products,” Lee noted in his proposal, accusing the beauty industry of exploiting youth. Some minors report feeling the pressure to look “perfect,” with one 11-year-old telling The Cut that she visits Sephora whenever she sees one. Medical experts warn that anti-aging ingredients designed for mature skin may cause adverse reactions in younger users.
The bill must pass committees before potentially becoming law in October 2025, with enforcement starting in 2026.
Defiant NewJeans announces hiatus amid public battle with label
NewJeans has announced an indefinite hiatus following a court ruling upholding their label Ador’s injunction against their independent activities, marking a dramatic escalation in their ongoing legal dispute.
Driving the news
The Seoul Central District Court on March 21 ruled in favor of Ador, blocking NewJeans from operating independently as NJZ, a new name they adopted in February. Two days later, the group announced their hiatus during a sold-out Hong Kong performance at ComplexCon.
“It wasn’t an easy decision,” member Hanni told the crowd, while Danielle admitted the legal battle was taking a “mental and emotional toll” on them. The group debuted a new song, “Pit Stop,” but avoided performing older hits, signaling their defiance amid the injunction.
What Ador is saying
Ador, a subsidiary of Hybe — the entertainment giant behind BTS — maintains that NewJeans remains under contract until 2029 and denies allegations of mistreatment, calling the members’ claims “misunderstandings.” The label has vowed to enforce its rights, including overseeing the group’s brand deals with luxury houses like Gucci, Dior and Calvin Klein.
Hybe, meanwhile, faces financial uncertainty. While its stock rebounded to 240,000 won ($163) this week, the dispute has contributed to a 38% drop in operating profit in 2024, partly due to legal costs and BTS’s hiatus.
The big picture
NewJeans’ rebellion is rare in K-pop, where artists seldom publicly challenge their agencies. The group has accused Ador of workplace bullying and “deliberate miscommunications,” which the label disputes. The case has sparked debate over industry labor practices, with critics arguing the system exploits young idols.
The legal battle also stems from a power struggle involving Ador’s former CEO, Min Hee-jin, whom NewJeans demanded be reinstated last year. Her ouster deepened tensions, with Hybe accusing her of attempting a hostile takeover.
What’s next
NewJeans has filed an appeal against the injunction, with a full hearing set for April 3. The group insists they won’t back down.
“This fight is necessary,” member Haerin told the BBC. “Although it will be extremely difficult and arduous, we will keep doing what we have done so far and speak up.”
Katseye member comes out as K-pop’s first openly queer idol
Katseye main vocalist Lara Raj, 19, publicly came out as queer during a Weverse live chat on Monday, marking an unprecedented moment in the traditionally conservative K-pop industry.
What she said: Lara revealed she has understood her sexuality since childhood, saying, “I knew I was half a fruitcake when I was like 8…honestly, probably before 8.” The Indian American idol described initial fears that her identity could jeopardize her career, especially during “The Debut: Dream Academy,” the 2023 Hybe-Geffen survival show that formed Katseye. “I was really scared, to be honest, because I didn’t know if people would accept me, and I thought it might ruin my chances of getting in,” she admitted. However, she thanked fans for their overwhelming support, which helped her embrace her identity with “no shame at all.”
Why it matters: Lara’s announcement marks the first time an active idol from a major K-pop agency has openly identified as LGBTQ+, challenging an industry that has long suppressed such disclosures despite its global fanbase’s diversity. Local music critic Lim Hee-yun reportedly called the move “shocking and groundbreaking,” noting K-pop’s history of celebrating gender-fluid aesthetics while enforcing strict heteronormativity behind the scenes. Though South Korea’s LGBTQ+ visibility has grown — with queer figures appearing on TV — same-sex relationships still lack legal recognition, and conservative backlash remains a risk. Hybe has declined to comment, framing the matter as personal.
Katseye, which consists of Lara, Daniela, Manon, Megan, Sophia and Yoonchae, is scheduled to perform at Lollapalooza in Chicago from July 31 to Aug. 3.
LGBTQ+ youth feel safer online than IRL, study shows
LGBTQ+ youth are nearly five times more likely to feel secure sharing their authentic selves in digital spaces than in physical environments, according to a recent study.
Key findings
The latest research from Hopelab and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation reveals striking contrasts in perceived safety among over 1,200 queer youth aged 15-24 surveyed between August and September 2024. Only 9% reported feeling completely secure in physical settings, compared to 44% in online spaces.
“It’s given me a chance to explore my sexuality in a safe space that wasn’t available at home,” one Asian American cisgender participant shared. “I feel confident in myself as a result of it, and I’m able to learn new things about myself in a free manner.”
The disparity intensifies for transgender individuals, who are twice as likely to reveal their gender identity online (80%) versus in-person (40%). Peer connections proved vital, with respondents ranking friendships (both virtual and face-to-face) as providing double the emotional backing received from family members.
The big picture
The study comes amid the Trump administration’s attempted erasure of LGBTQ+ identities. Over three-quarters (76%) of the respondents worry about potential legislation restricting access to affirming digital content.
Beyond the statistics, personal testimonies highlight how virtual communities transform lives. One Asian American nonbinary transgender participant recalled, “I see a lot of love on LGBTQ+ livestreams. ... There are people uplifting who are being attacked, saying ‘Don’t listen to them — you continue being the beautiful individual you are!’”
Pegula advances to Miami Open final, ending Filipino teen Eala’s fairytale run
Jessica Pegula halted Alexandra Eala’s remarkable run at the Miami Open, securing a hard-fought 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3 victory over the teenage wild card in a grueling semifinal that extended into the early hours of Friday. The fourth-seeded Korean American tennis star withstood a spirited challenge from Eala, who had captured the tennis world’s attention with a series of stunning upsets, to advance to her first final at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Historic run falls short
Eala, a 19-year-old from the Philippines, had become the tournament’s sensation. Her journey, which began with practicing on a makeshift basketball court with her brother, culminated in a Grand Slam singles championship at the US Open Juniors in 2022 and a historic semifinal appearance in Miami, marking the deepest run by a Filipino player in a WTA 1000 tournament.
"Of course there is disappointment right after the match," the Rafa Nadal Academy scholar said. "But there are just so many times in tennis where you have to dig through the dirt to look for the positive, and I'm just enjoying because there is so much positive around me and I don't know how many times that happens."
Hard-fought battle
The match itself was a rollercoaster, with Eala initially surging to a 5-2 lead in the first set. However, consecutive double faults allowed Pegula, a seasoned competitor and US Open finalist, to capitalize and eventually win the tiebreaker. Eala, despite sustaining a left ankle injury that required a medical timeout, battled back in the second set to force a decider.
"I mean, she's really good. Really good tennis player. Goes for her shots, takes the ball early, rips, being a lefty so it's tricky. Competes really well," Pegula acknowledged of Eala. "I mean, obviously, she's beaten a lot of top players this week." The third set saw both players holding serve until Pegula broke Eala’s serve, ultimately securing her spot in the final.
Rise of the giant-slayer
"I literally gave everything I had, I’m half tape, I’m like a mummy. I did everything and I have no regrets," Eala said. "To have a week like this, the stars need to align and they did this week, and hopefully I can keep that up — that is my goal now, to keep this up."
Ranked No. 140 in the world coming into the tournament, the Filipina teen has risen to No. 75 in the live WTA rankings after her shocking 6-2, 7-5 dismantling of former world No. 1 and current No. 2 Iga Swiatek, who has won five Grand Slam crowns. With this historic rise, she is now the highest-ranking Filipina in WTA history.
The win also marked the third straight time Eala beat a top-25 opponent as she also toppled No. 5 Madison Keys, who ruled the 2025 Australian Open in January and No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko, who captured the 2017 French Open title. As a semifinalist, Eala is set to bring home approximately $332,160 in prize money, the biggest purse of her career yet.
Pegula advances
Pegula will now face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final, against whom she holds a 2-5 record. “Aryna, another hardcourt final for us,” Pegula said. “Hopefully, I can get the better of her this time. It's always a tough challenge, and you know, I'm just gonna have to try my best to take her out on Saturday."
Alysa Liu leads at figure skating worlds in triumphant return
Almost three years after stepping away from the sport, American figure skater Alysa Liu is on the verge of winning a world championship title in stunning and unlikely fashion. The 19-year-old Liu, who had retired from figure skating after claiming a bronze medal at the 2022 world championships, placed first in the short program at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2025 in Boston on Wednesday with a score of 74.58 points.
Should she take the title, Liu would become the first American women’s figure skating world champion since Kimmie Meissner in 2006. Her return to the ice, with a reinvigorated mindset that has carried her through a highly competitive field, has been nothing short of remarkable.
"I think that I have good intuition, and I have learned to trust it," Liu said on Thursday. "I don’t think that I would be where I am right now if I had not listened to myself. Others told me that I was making a mistake, but I knew that I was doing what was right for me."
Liu’s program, featuring a triple flip-triple toe loop combination and a triple Lutz, was met with a standing ovation at TD Garden. She now leads Japan’s Mone Chiba and fellow American Isabeau Levito heading into the decisive free skate this Friday afternoon. If she maintains her lead, Liu’s victory would mark a historic milestone for U.S. figure skating, cementing her return as one of the sport’s most compelling comebacks.
“Princess Mononoke” returns to the big screen in 4K restoration
Studio Ghibli’s “Princess Mononoke” is back in North American theaters in a newly restored 4K IMAX presentation. Distributed by GKIDS to mark Studio Ghibli's 40th anniversary, the exclusive release offers audiences a rare chance to experience Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 epic in an immersive format.
Timeless story: “Princess Mononoke,” which explores the struggle between industrial expansion and the natural world, remains one of Miyazaki’s most thematically ambitious works. With a haunting score by composer Joe Hisaishi and intricate animation that has influenced generations of filmmakers, the film continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Revisiting a masterpiece: The restoration, overseen by longtime Ghibli collaborator Atsushi Okui, aims to bring new depth and clarity to the film’s breathtaking hand-drawn animation. The IMAX screenings will feature both the original Japanese-language version with subtitles and the English-dubbed adaptation, which stars Claire Danes, Billy Crudup, Billy Bob Thornton and Gillian Anderson.
Here’s what to binge this weekend: "When Life Gives You Tangerines"
If you're looking for a compelling K-drama to add to your watchlist, "When Life Gives You Tangerines" is worth checking out. This captivating Netflix series, starring IU and Park Bo-gum, has recently surged to the top of the streaming giant's non-English TV rankings, drawing 5.5 million views following the release of its third act (episodes 9-12).
An epic love story: The series tells the poignant, decades-spanning love story of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, following them from their youth into old age. With just one act left before its highly anticipated finale on March 28, concerns linger about a potentially tragic ending, given early hints of Ae-sun's solitary life in a nursing home.
Global popularity: The series topped Gallup Korea's survey as the most-favored drama among South Korean viewers, achieving a 6.9% preference rating. The series has also resonated strongly with international audiences, captivating viewers in countries including China, Japan, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. "When Life Gives You Tangerines" currently boasts an impressive 98% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 9.3 IMDb score.