‘The Harry Potter’ franchise is known for its rich array of characters, with Cho Chang being a notable example. As Harry’s first love interest and one of the few Asian characters in the series, Cho plays a minor yet significant role. However, her name has stirred controversy in recent years. Unlike other strong female characters, whose names often carry meaningful literary and cultural connotations, Cho Chang’s name only vaguely hints at her Asian heritage.
Cho first appears in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ as Cedric Diggory’s girlfriend and quickly becomes Harry’s crush. Their relationship develops in ‘Order of the Phoenix’, particularly as they both grieve Cedric’s death. Unfortunately, Cho’s character faces criticism not only for her name but also for how she is portrayed. She is often depicted as overly emotional, which some fans believe reinforces negative stereotypes about Asian women.
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Cho is introduced as a member of Ravenclaw and a talented Quidditch player. However, her brief romance with Harry reveals their lack of compatibility, culminating in a disastrous date. Additionally, her character becomes less prominent after Harry’s relationship with her fails. Critics argue that her name, “Cho Chang,” lacks authenticity, combining elements that do not cohesively represent any specific Asian culture. Many believe “Cho” is more suited as a surname, particularly in Korean, while “Chang” can be both a surname and a first name in Chinese but doesn’t pair logically with “Cho.”
This criticism extends to the broader representation of diversity in the series, as Cho’s portrayal often feels like an obligation to include Asian characters without providing a meaningful exploration of their identities. The upcoming Harry Potter TV series adaptation has the opportunity to rectify these past missteps by introducing a diverse cast and enriching Cho’s character, ultimately offering a more authentic representation of Asian culture.
–Farheen Ali