BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

Introducing Ji-Young, Sesame Street's First Asian-American Muppet

“It’s a powerful thing when kids see people like themselves represented on screen and in stories—it supports them as they figure out who they are and who they want to be.”
save article
profile picture of Nehal Aggarwal
By Nehal Aggarwal, Editor
Published November 16, 2021
Hero Image
Image: Courtesy Sesame Workshop

Sesame Street is introducing its first-ever Asian-American muppet, a 7-year-old girl named Ji-Young.

Ji-Young likes to play the electric guitar, soccer and skateboard. According to the muppet’s bio, she is close to her family and proud of her Korean heritage. “She loves playing music with her grandma and cooking her favorite food—tteokbokki,” the bio says. “Her family eats dinner together at the kitchen table every night, chatting in both Korean and English."

Ji-Young’s debut will be a part of See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special. The special follows the muppets as they experience a “Neighbor Day” celebration. It will air on Thanksgiving Day on HBO Max, PBS Kids and on Sesame Street’s YouTube channel. The special will include Ji-Young, voiced by puppeteer Kathleen Kim, as well as celebrity guests including actors Simu Liu and Anna Cathcart, comic book artist Jim Lee, chef Melissa King, television personality Padma Lakshmi and tennis player Naomi Osaka.

As a part of Sesame Workshop’s Coming Together initiative, the special will offer a chance talk about anti-Asian racism—which has seen a huge spike since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic—including with an off-screen incident in which Ji-Young is told to “go home.”

“Sesame Workshop’s mission is to help kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. Today, we uphold that mission by empowering children and families of all races, ethnicities, and cultures to value their unique identities,” Kay Wilson Stallings, Sesame Workshop’s executive vice president of creative and production, said in a press release. “See Us Coming Together continues Sesame Street’s proud legacy of representation with an engaging story that encourages empathy and acceptance and uplifts Asian and Pacific Islander communities.”

“It’s a powerful thing when kids see people like themselves represented on screen and in stories—it supports them as they figure out who they are and who they want to be,” Alan Muraoka, longtime Sesame Street cast member and co-director of See Us Coming Together, also said. “We can’t wait for families to get to know Ji-Young—in this special and in future seasons of Sesame Street—and celebrate some of the Asian and Pacific Islander people in our neighborhood!”

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

baby looking at mom talking
When Do Babies Understand No?
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
13 Children’s Books That Celebrate Juneteenth
13 Children’s Books That Celebrate Juneteenth
By Nehal Aggarwal
two toddlers in the bath together sharing toys
How to Teach Toddlers to Share
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
2 toddlers playing in sand at playground
What Is Parallel Play—and Why Is It Important for Kids?
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
mom showing baby a toy
How and When Do Babies Develop Object Permanence?
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
asian father reading book with daughter on couch at home
25 Kids Books Under $20 That Celebrate AAPI Culture
By Wyndi Kappes
sleeping newborn baby
Routine Hearing Test Could Detect Autism in Newborns, Study Says
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
toys that have been inducted into the toy hall of fame
These Three Toys Were Just Inducted Into the National Toy Hall of Fame
By Stephanie Grassullo
sesame place entrance sign
Why the Incidents at Sesame Place Are So Problematic
By Jen Hayes Lee
mother and baby sitting at desk working at home during covid pandemic
Baby's Social Development Hasn't Been Affected by COVID, New Study Says
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
happy mom lifting up baby and singing to her
6 Smart Ways to Stimulate Baby's Mind
By Paula Kashtan
colin kaepernick interacting with fans during spring football game in michigan
Colin Kaepernick’s New Kids’ Book Teaches It’s Normal to Be Different
By Nehal Aggarwal
mother kissing autistic son on forehead while teaching school at home
We Don’t Need Autism Awareness—We Need Autism Acceptance, Study Says
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
amy schumer on set of life & beth in new york city
Amy Schumer Opens Up About Son’s Possible Future Autism Spectrum Diagnosis
By Nehal Aggarwal
father holding baby at home
Babies Can Understand Visual Observations at 4 Months Old, Study Says
By Nehal Aggarwal
toddler kissing mother while reading books in bed at home
This One Thing Helps Babies Identify Close Family Relationships, Study Says
By Nehal Aggarwal
5 Things This Mom Wants You to Know About Having a Child With Dwarfism
5 Things This Mom Wants You to Know About Having a Child With Dwarfism
By Melissa Horvath
ADVERTISEMENT
Illustration of Disney Princess from underrepresented countries.
Check Out These Reimagined Disney Princesses From Underrepresented Countries
By Nehal Aggarwal
Scene from Disney Land with colorful balloons.
Check Out Disney’s New Rainbow Collection in Honor of Pride Month
By Nehal Aggarwal
Grandfather sitting with his two grand daughters and reading a book.
16 Books That Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Culture
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.