Backstage with the Asian talents who won at the Golden Globes

Representation is important and Asian talents broke barriers and made their presence felt and their voices heard at the recently concluded 81st Golden Globe Awards.

First, comedian Jo Koy became the first Filipino-American and the first Asian to host the Golden Globes solo in the over 81-year history of the Globes.

Ratings for the awards show skyrocketed to a 50% increase in viewership from last year or an average of 9.4 million viewers. It has had its largest audience since four years ago.

Shown on CBS for the first time (its former home was NBC), "Hollywood's Party of the Year" became the most-watched entertainment program on Sunday, January 7.

And on social media, it hit nearly 30 billion potential impressions, ranking as the no. 1 program of the night based on total interactions.

We were proud Pinoys hearing Jo Koy greet the audience and end it with "Mahal kita!" or close the show with "I am Filipino!" Now, how often do you hear that on the global stage with millions of people watching all over the world?

Ali Wong, who won Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television, made history by becoming the first Asian female actor to win in this category. She won for her performance in "Beef." It was also her first Golden Globe nomination.

The 41-year-old actress from San Francisco admitted backstage to the press, "I was really surprised (of the award). It is only the second awards show that I have ever been to. I am always on tour so I couldn't go to these awards shows. Seeing Steven Yeun win also is very special and so inspiring."

Asked what she thought of her comedian-friend Jo Koy hosting the Globes, Ali said, "I am so proud of him. It is not an easy job and I think he is doing great. I just love watching him up there."

According to Jo Koy, Ali was one of those friends who gave him advice and told him to "just be yourself on stage."

Photo courtesy of Janet Susan Nepales/Golden Globes

Backstage, Ali also said, "After the strike and everything, I feel this is the time to celebrate and take a breath. I have been on tour, and I haven't done hair and makeup. I didn't know if I could do this but tonight, I feel seen and recognized for the work I did, and it feels amazing."

Steven Yeun, who won the Best Performance By A Male Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television, became the second Asian male actor to win in this category after Fil-Am Darren Criss, who bagged the award for his performance in Ryan Murphy's "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story."

It was Steven's first nomination and first win.

The 40-year-old actor from Seoul, South Korea said backstage of his win, "I am so grateful. It feels very cool. It feels great to meet people, collaborate and build something awesome."

He confessed that the Globes trophy itself is "heavier than I imagined it to be."

He added that he hoped to celebrate with the cast and to have a great time with everybody.

Asked if he drove differently than usual after doing "Beef," Steven revealed, "I am a respectful and skillful driver. I am aggressive only when I drive in LA. That is not illegal."

Steven, who will be reunited with "Okja" director Bong Joon Ho, admitted that he is excited about his next project with the director.

"Director Bong continues to be an incredible artist and I am thrilled for the whole world to see it," Steven said.

Steven has been cast to work with Robert Pattinson in Bong Joon Ho's next movie, a science-fiction story based on Edward Ashton's novel, "Mickey 7."

"Beef," which was created by Lee Sung Jin and was inspired by real events in his personal life, won the Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.

Backstage, the Korean-American writer-creator revealed, "We always pitched the season to buyers as an anthology series. There were always going to be new characters. Whether it stays limited or turns as an anthology or we continue existing, that's really up to Netflix. But whatever they decide, I'm definitely ready."

Lee added that he feels "very fortunate to be a writer. There are so many stories that I still want to write about so when they let me know, I'm sure you all will know, as well."

His win, he described, was "very surreal. Considering that it started in a road rage on the 10 Freeway. Tonight, I am celebrating with Steven and Ali. It is the best!"

Asked what the usual discussion at their table was, he quipped, "Oh, it's just like 'Where is Steven?' because he always gets separated. We have all become good friends and we love that we are all enjoying and experiencing this together. Seeing the joy and smiles on Steven's and Ali's faces is so great to me."

Winning his first Golden Globe was legendary Hayao Miyazaki, 83, when his animation, "The Boy and the Heron," won the Best Motion Picture-Animated.

It is the story of a young boy who meets a mysterious speaking heron after losing his mother during World War II.

Miyazaki, who directed and wrote the animated film and came out of retirement to do it, spent seven years on the production of the movie. Unfortunately, he was not around to receive his award. It marks the first Golden Globe win for a non-English animated feature.

In an interview with BBC, producer Toshio Suzuki said, "Since the beginning of this year, Japan has been hit by a series of tragic earthquakes and accidents. In such a situation, I hope the bright news of winning an award can bring a smile to everyone's face, even if only a little."

Nominated also in this category was Pixar's "Elemental" where Fil-Am animator-director Ronnie Del Carmen voiced the father, Bernie Lumen.

Ronnie said in our exclusive interview with him, "So happy for 'Elemental' and (director-writer Korean-American) Pete Sohn on this Golden Globe nomination. He's the heart and soul of this movie. Eternally grateful to be part of this amazing movie—one that found its path to audiences who appreciated what it has to offer. Against the tide, the true joy of this story resonated and continues to win people over everywhere. That is a powerful thing that no one can plan. I celebrate this with all those who fell in love with the characters, the world and the charm of 'Elemental.' Bravo!"

Photo courtesy of Janet Susan Nepales/Golden Globes

It was also nice to see former Golden Globe winner Michelle Yeoh who was looking amazing in her orange Bottega Veneta strapless gown on the red carpet and on stage when she presented.

Fil-Am actress Hailee Steinfeld was also radiant and blooming in her custom pink Prada column gown and contrasting sheer black gloves that reminded us of Audrey Hepburn's character Holly Golightly in the 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Hailee voiced Gwen Stacy in the nominated animation "Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse."

Photo by Sthanlee B. Mirador

Also spotted on the red carpet was actor Simu Liu, the Chinese-Canadian actor who also appeared in the Golden Globe winner of the first Best Cinematic and Box-Office Achievement Award, "Barbie," as the Asian Ken.

In an interview with Collider, Simu Liu revealed his Ken's greatest asset.

He said, "Oh, that's such a good question! Here's the thing, I think my Ken's greatest asset at the beginning of the movie is that he can backflip. That's right. I said it. It's a spoiler. He can do a backflip! He backflips really well, actually, and it becomes, surprisingly, a big plot point that he can backflip because it makes Ryan's (Gosling) Ken really, really jealous. It just irks him that there's something that this Ken can do that his Ken can't. As Ken, I love that. Ken loves that."

It was also the first time that the Golden Globe Awards had Nobu restaurant's Japanese chef Matsuhisa prepare the dinner for the Hollywood A-listers. So, there was a lot of sushi on the table.

Jo Koy pointed out that the Globes could have gone geographically closer to serving Filipino food instead of going nearly 2,000 miles away to get Japanese sushi.

Jo Koy quipped, "I am Filipino. We cook our fish."

In our earlier interview with the comedian, we asked him what Filipino dish he would put on the Golden Globe table if he was given a chance.

He replied, "I have two dishes—sinigang and chicken adobo!"

—MGP, GMA Integrated News