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American Born Chinese Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When It Plays
PUBLISHED JUN 15, 2023
American Born Chinese season 1’s soundtrack features a mix of modern & classic songs from artists like Jon Bon Jovi, Teresa Teng, and Daddy Yankee.
WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for American Born Chinese season 1!The soundtrack for American Born Chinese season 1 includes a variety of modern rap songs, memorable Chinese pop tracks, and upbeat tunes to score the Disney Plus action-comedy series. Starring Ben Wang alongside Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, the cast and characters of American Born Chinese bring to life the story of Jin Wang, a Chinese-American teenager and an ordinary California high schooler. Jin’s life is turned upside-down when new exchange student Wei-Chen believes him to be the teenager prophesied to help him search for the Fourth Scroll, leading him on a legendary journey that includes various mythological figures.
Jin’s action-packed journey grounded in Chinese mythology is scored by a soundtrack of modern and classic hits, which often enhance the excitement of the Disney Plus show’s action scenes. From classic ‘60s soft rock beats like “Sweet Caroline” to newer hip-hop songs like “edamame,” the music selections in American Born Chinese reflect the cultural diversity and multi-generational themes of the series. From the opening scenes to American Born Chinese’s season 1 ending, the soundtrack is full of songs that help balance its exploration of Jin’s relatable coming-of-age story, family and cultural dynamics, and the exhilarating flourishes of martial-arts action sequences.
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American Born Chinese Episode 1, “What Guy Are You”
“Tian Mi Mi” by Teresa Teng: Approximately eight minutes into American Born Chinese's first episode, Jin and his mother are listening to this 1979 Mandopop song while driving in the car.
“I’m a Moth!!” by LIA LIA: After Jin leaves his mom’s car and walks into school, the tone shifts as this upbeat 2022 indie song plays.
“You So (Youth Soul)” by I Mean Us: At the very end of American Born Chinese episode 1, this song plays as Jin looks at an action figure gifted to him by Wei-Chen. The 2018 dream pop song continues to play into the episode’s end credits.
American Born Chinese Episode 2, “A Monkey On A Quest”
“Blaze of Glory” by Jon Bon Jovi: Around 12 minutes in American Born Chinese season 1, episode 2, Jin’s father Simon can be heard singing to this 1990 pop ballad song while sitting in his parked car. The song continues to play in his car after he is interrupted by John.
“Always” by Bon Jovi: As Simon and John bond over their favorite Bon Jovi songs at the office, the two American Born Chinese characters are listening to this 1994 song in the background.
“Tick Tick Boom” by The Hives: The Hives’ 2007 punk rock song “Tick Tick Boom" plays while Wei-Chen is battling the creature referred to as Pigsy in the school cafeteria.
“Design” by Pet Conspiracy & Helen Fangs: This song plays over the closing credits of American Born Chinese season 1, episode 2.
American Born Chinese Episode 3, “Rockstar Status”
“Make Me Say” by BEATNET: When Jin arrives at Travis’ party and sees his classmates playing soccer and cooking hot dogs, this modern song on American Born Chinese's soundtrack is playing.
“Naw Naw” by LoneMoon & Shadient: This song is featured in the 2023 Disney Plus original series while Jin and his classmate are participating in a hot dog eating contest, which ends with the characters chanting Barry’s name.
“Arrowhead" by Haydee: When the boys on the soccer team are sitting around the couch asking Jin questions in order to get to know him better, this song is heard playing softly in the background of American Born Chinese episode 3.
“Despacito” by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee In addition to wearing his Pokémon outfit, Jin has to record himself while singing this popular song out in public.
“Edamame (feat. Rich Brian) by bbno$: Jin and Wei-Chen are seen wrapping toilet paper around a bear statue to this hip-hop song released in 2021.
American Born Chinese Episode 4, “Make A Splash”
“北酒場 (日文)" by Teresa Teng: The opening sequence of American Born Chinese season 1, episode 4 when Jin is walking into school and being celebrated by his peers features this song.
“散播快樂散播愛 (Spread Happiness Spread Love)" by Grasshopper: This upbeat song plays about nine minutes into American Born Chinese episode 4 when the award for “Most Feared God" is given out.
“Poof Be Gone (feat. Cheerlebridee)” by KyleYouMadeThat: The closing credits of American Born Chinese episode 4 feature this song.
American Born Chinese Episode 5, “Abracadabra”
“Oldboy” by 1300: The 2022 song “Olyboy" plays while Wei-Chen is fighting Ji Gong toward the beginning of American Born Chinese episode 5.
“Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond: Ji Gong is singing this classic soft rock song at karaoke when Jin walks into the restaurant to meet his family. Jin’s parents end up singing the beloved Neil Diamond 1969 song at karaoke as well.
“I Only Care About You" by Teresa Teng: Jin’s mother Christine tearfully sings this song as a solo at karaoke while an intense fight sequence is happening outside the building. She continues to sing the song as Jin stands near her in support.
“Angel Baby” by Rosie & The Originals: This classic song from 1960 plays over the end credits of American Born Chinese season 1, episode 5.
American Born Chinese Episode 6, “Hot Stuff”
“Crash into Me” by Robbie Nevil: Immediately following the opening title credits for the episode “Hot Stuff," this song plays while Jin is in class and his teacher discusses metabolism.
“She’s a Riot” by The Jungle Giants: When Jin arrives at his own party at the bowling alley, American Born Chinese episode 6 is playing this song.
“La Panorama” by Raphael Lake & Aaron Levy: This song plays over a montage of Jin and his friends bowling during his party, which occurs approximately 11 minutes into the episode.
“Bag That Bao (Mandarin Version)” by Nitemrkt: American Born Chinese season 1, episode 6’s end credits begin with this song playing, just after Wei-Chen tells Jin that his father was taken.
American Born Chinese Episode 7, “Beyond Repair”
“Utopia” by Tuen Fan: This softer song is playing while Jin and his mother are riding in the car during American Born Chinese episode 7, including when Jin sends a photo to Wei-Chen of the duo vandalizing the statue from an earlier episode.
American Born Chinese Episode 8, “The Fourth Scroll”
Too Softhearted by LOFT BEACH: After teasing a much bigger potential storyline for Jin in the yet-unconfirmed American Born Chinese season 2, the show’s first season ends with this song playing over the end credits.