Serena Dai Shares Her Top Picks in Culture

NEW YORK, NY — Serena Dai, a senior editor at The Atlantic, shared her current cultural favorites in a recent culture edition of The Atlantic Daily. Dai expressed her surprise at enjoying Nathan Fielder‘s latest pseudo-reality series, The Rehearsal, after previously disliking his earlier show, Nathan for You.

“I found it hard to watch Nathan for You because I felt too badly for the real people involved,” she said. However, Fielder’s new series takes a different approach by presenting rehearsals that help people prepare for difficult moments, blending comedy with real-life implications. “As a result, I’ve found myself laughing out loud,” Dai noted.

Beyond Fielder’s work, Dai shared her eagerness for the return of Lena Dunham’s projects, especially the new series set to debut on July 10. After rewatching the first season of Girls, she appreciated Dunham’s refined portrayal of complex characters that resonate even more in her 30s. “When she hits, she hits!” Dai remarked.

Another highlight for Dai is Kathryn Hahn, whom she adores. “She can bring both humor and emotion to her roles. I particularly fell for her performance in I Love Dick,” she said.

When it comes to reading, Dai turned her phone time into something more productive by utilizing the Kindle app to dive into romance novels. Currently, she is enjoying Lisa Kleypas’s Ravenels series, a choice that she believes might appeal to fans of Bridgerton.

Dai also mentioned her admiration for Jasmine Guillory, who she describes as an author able to create love stories filled with joy and relatable characters. As far as online content goes, she is learning Mandarin through an Instagram account focused on blending humor with language lessons. “It feels less stiff compared to traditional learning.”

In a surprising twist, Dai revealed her newfound interest in a Jonas Brothers song, suggesting listeners might enjoy the catchy pop-rock vibe that makes it ideal for a sunny drive. “It makes me want to blast it on the way to the beach,” she said.

As culture continues to evolve, Dai’s perspectives offer insight into the works and creators that inspire connection and enjoyment.