Kevin Kwan is an American author and creative consultant. He is best known for his Crazy Rich Asians trilogy books that have been adapted into a blockbuster film featuring an all-Asian cast. His works explore the lives of Asian elites and their extravagant lifestyles.
Kevin Kwan was born in Singapore in 1973 and later migrated to the United States.
Before becoming an author, Kwan worked in creative consulting for brands such as M& C Saatchi in Singapore and Ralph Lauren in New York.
Kwan's first book, Crazy Rich Asians, was published in 2013 and became an instant international bestseller.
The book trilogy was followed by a film adaptation of the same name in 2018, which garnered widespread critical acclaim and commercial success.
Kwan has since authored two more novels in the series, China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems, both of which have also been commercial successes.
Kwan's works have been praised for their humorous and satirical portrayal of Asian high society.
In addition to his writing career, Kwan has been a journalist for publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Vanity Fair.
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Kwan's debut novel, Crazy Rich Asians, follows the lives of three wealthy Asian families in Singapore.
The second book in the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, China Rich Girlfriend explores the lives of the wealthy elite in Hong Kong and China.
The third and final book in the trilogy, Rich People Problems, follows the wealthy families as they confront family dramas and financial woes.
Kwan was inspired to write Crazy Rich Asians after his father mentioned the existence of wealthy Asian families in Singapore. Kwan also drew inspiration from his own family background and experiences as an expat.
While Kwan has stated that some of the characters are loosely based on people he's met or heard about, the characters are primarily fictionalized and based on archetypes.
The film was well-received by critics and audiences, with many praising the representation of an all-Asian cast and the film's humor and visuals.
In addition to the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, Kevin Kwan has authored the novels Sex and Vanity and Searching for Sylvie Lee.
While Kwan was involved in the production of the Crazy Rich Asians film, he has stated that he prefers to give creative control to the filmmakers and trusts their vision.