Lin's original investors had wanted the entire cast to be Caucasian. Lin objected and continued to fund the project with his credit cards. After those funds were depleted and as production was about to be canceled, Kang brought in $50,000 through Joan Huang of Cherry Sky Films, whom was a frequent patron of the Korean barbecue restaurant where Kang worked. Lin also brought in an additional $10,000 from artist MC Hammer, whom he had met while working at the Japanese American National Museum.