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· Bryan Ke
Enes Kanter Freedom criticized for saying Jeremy Lin is ‘disgusting’ for ‘turning his back’ on Taiwan
Several Twitter users immediately took Enes Kanter Freedom to task after the Boston Celtics center seemingly referred to Jeremy Lin as Taiwanese instead of American. “How disgusting of you”: Freedom, 29, took to Twitter on Sunday to call out Lin, 33, for playing in the Chinese…
· Michelle De Pacina
Debunked: Viral social media post claims goat feces used in bubble tea in China
A viral post claiming that bubble tea is made with goat feces has been debunked. Fake boba news: An image of a goat defecating into a bubble tea drink has circulated on social media since 2019; however, AFP Fact Check proved that the post was digitally altered.
· Sarah Yukiko
Ariana Grande accused of ‘Asianfishing’ in new photos, praised by Oli London for looking ‘cute and oriental’
Ariana Grande was accused of “Asianfishing” after photos of her surfaced on the internet in which she appeared to have different facial features. The photos were posted by New York-based photographer Katia Temkin on Instagram and were widely circulated on Twitter. In them,…
· Carl Samson
Taiwanese American game developer jailed and held for 3 years in China for buying toy guns on Taobao
A Taiwanese American game developer spent three years in Chinese custody after authorities determined that he had bought illegal toy guns online. How it happened: San Cheng, 47, reportedly purchased dozens of toy guns on shopping site Taobao in 2016. He wanted to use them as…
· Carl Samson
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warns China of ‘terrible consequences’ if it invades Taiwan
China will face “terrible consequences” for any move to invade Taiwan, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday, adding that Washington is “resolutely committed” to ensuring that the self-governed island can defend itself. Driving the news: Blinken’s remarks come…
· Ryan General
Billionaire investor defends his human rights comment comparing Chinese government to ‘strict parent’
Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio is downplaying comments he made during a recent CNBC interview that seemed to dismiss the alleged human rights abuses in China. China as a “strict parent”: The billionaire hedge fund manager drew online backlash last Tuesday after…
· Ryan General
Laos’ financial debt to China grows as $6 billion high-speed rail line between the countries is unveiled
China is now connected with Laos via a recently completed high-speed rail line, which reportedly cost $6 billion. Chinese-led initiative: On Friday, a virtual ceremony attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith marked the opening of the…
· Bryan Ke
Visitors flock to ‘penis park’ in Thailand for selfies and to make wishes for well-endowed partners
A park in Thailand, where visitors are encouraged to hug massive penis statues and pray to them to find a well-endowed partner, has gained much attention online. Wish-granting penises: The park, called Traitep Dream Forest, is located in the city of Khon Kaen and features penis…
· Bryan Ke
Eddie Huang calls out area landlord for ‘shielding’ NYC mayor’s plan to build 29-level jail in Chinatown
Restaurateur Eddie Huang has shown his support for a recent petition that accuses New York Chinatown landlord Jonathan Chu of accepting bribes in exchange for supporting Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to construct a 29-story jail on White Street. Protect Chinatown: Huang, 39, took…
· Sarah Yukiko
Eva Chen, Apolo Ohno and Kevin Kwan say where they’re ‘really from’ in AAF poster campaign
The Asian American Federation (AAF) launched a series of travel posters showcasing the roots of prominent Asian Americans and declaring they are “really from” their respective cities across the U.S. In bright, vibrant colors, the posters showcase locations across the U.S.,…
· Sarah Yukiko
Artist Drue Kataoka is on a crusade against the ‘racist and sexist’ NFT space
In an interview with NextShark, Japanese American artist Drue Kataoka discusses her newest project, which aims to raise money for racial justice and fundamentally challenge the future of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). The images Kataoka shares range from unpleasant to disturbing.…
· Bryan Ke
Vietnam Airlines become first in history to offer direct commercial flights between Vietnam and US
On Monday, the first commercial nonstop flight from Vietnam to the United States was successfully completed by flag carrier Vietnam Airlines. The first: The flight, which had 30 passengers consisting mostly of Vietnamese Americans aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, “marked a new…
· Bryan Ke
WTA suspends all games in China over ‘serious doubts’ about Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai’s safety
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has officially announced its decision to suspend all tournaments in China and Hong Kong, further pressuring Beijing to investigate Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai’s accusation against a former top Chinese Communist Party (CCP) official.…
· Maina Chen
The world owes a debt to Kiyoshi Kuromiya for his trailblazing HIV/AIDS activism
As a self-proclaimed “Forrest Gump of activism,” Kiyoshi Kuromiya was present for many of the U.S. social justice movements in the ‘60s through the ‘90s, which included the Vietnam War, gay rights and the Stonewall era, the Civil Rights movement and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Born…
· Grace Kim
Social media photos hint at how Uncle Iroh and Aang will look in live-action ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’
Actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee is beginning to transform into Uncle Iroh, the beloved father figure that he is set to play in the upcoming live-action adaptation of “Avatar: the Last Airbender.” In a livestream on Sunday, the actor revealed a new look that captures one of Iroh’s most…
· Jiselle Lee
China aims to have 85% of its citizens speaking Mandarin by 2025
An order issued Tuesday by China’s cabinet said use of Mandarin, the country’s national language, needs to be more widely adopted, threatening the usage of other dialects in China. Language campaign: China is trying to promote the use of Mandarin with a goal of 85% of its…
· Michelle De Pacina
MrBeast gains 9.2 million YouTube subscribers in the month of his $3.5 Million ‘Squid Game’ recreation
American creator MrBeast earned over 9.2 million YouTube subscribers in a month after his real-life version of the Netflix K-drama “Squid Game” became a hit. “Squid Game” in real life: Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast to his social media followers, premiered his long-awaited…
· Carl Samson
Taiwanese billionaire says he opposes island’s independence after China fines his company $74 million
A Taiwanese business mogul has voiced opposition to Taiwan’s independence from China after Beijing fined his company as an alleged warning for firms to take its side on the issue of sovereignty. What he said: In an opinion piece for the local United Daily News, Douglas Hsu, who…
· Carl Samson
Hayao Miyazaki is unretiring (again) to make one last Studio Ghibli film just because ‘he wants to’
Studio Ghibli co-founder, director and animator Hayao Miyazaki is reportedly coming out of retirement again to create one last feature-length film. What it’s about: Miyazaki, who announced his retirement in 2018 — the latest of several cycles of retiring and returning — talked…
· Ryan General
Rally against anti-Asian hate in London devolves into brawl as Hong Kong and Chinese protestors clash
A group of Hong Kongers clashed with Chinese protesters who were holding a rally against racism over the weekend in London. The Chinese side: Human rights group Min Quan Legal Centre and several organizations were conducting a rally against anti-Asian hatein London’s Chinatown…
Answer
BTS connects to HYBE, Weverse, memberships, merch, and tickets.
People & Works
Open
Person · Screen
Anna Sawai
Her 'Shogun' win cracked a category that had never gone to an Asian actor in 76 years of the Emmys — a ceiling break that arrived only once the industry let an Asian-led epic play in its own language.
Culture surface · Beauty
Beauty retail
Beauty retail is a culture-first entry point into the listed company behind it.
Person · Music
Dimash Qudaibergen
A Kazakh singer with a freakish multi-octave range conquered China's living rooms overnight and became Central Asia's most improbable soft-power export — a diaspora-of-one proving fandom now flows East before West.
IP · Anime
Haikyu!! films
Haikyu!! is the rare franchise that peaked commercially after its manga ended — the 2024 film cleared $100M worldwide and back-catalog sales grew ~50% post-conclusion, evidence that a well-timed theatrical event can reactivate a completed IP rather than merely close it out.
Platform · Platforms
Kakao Entertainment
Kakao Entertainment connects to Kakao and the broader platforms story around it.
Culture surface · Platforms
Kling AI
Kling AI connects to Kuaishou and the broader platforms story around it.
Culture surface · Platforms
Kuaishou
Kuaishou connects to Kuaishou and the broader platforms story around it.
Culture surface · Platforms
Kwai
Kwai connects to Kuaishou and the broader platforms story around it.
Culture surface · Retail
Lifestyle retail
Lifestyle retail connects to Miniso and the broader retail story around it.
Results
Culture · brand
Uniqlo
Uniqlo connects to Fast Retailing, the company behind the stores, basics, and repeat buying habit.
Culture · routine / beauty brands
K-beauty
K-beauty connects to companies built around skincare routines, hero products, and travel retail.
Culture · platform
Weverse
Weverse connects to HYBE, the platform where memberships, merch, content, and fandom access keep moving after the song.
Company · Japan · TYO:7832
Bandai Namco Holdings
Bandai Namco sits behind toys, anime IP, games, and licensing that turn fandom into everyday consumer products.
Company · China · HKEX:1024
Kuaishou
Kuaishou is China's number-two short-video platform, where livestream selling turned everyday creators into a shopping channel and rewired how goods get sold.
Company · India · NSE:ZEEL
Zee Entertainment
Zee is one of India's largest media networks — the TV channels and ZEE5 streaming that carry Bollywood and regional-language entertainment to a billion viewers and the diaspora.
Company · Japan · TYO:9983
Fast Retailing
Fast Retailing matters because Uniqlo is an everyday consumer habit, not just a stock story.
Company · Korea · KOSDAQ:035900
JYP Entertainment
JYP is tied to groups that drive albums, tours, subscriptions, merch, and international fan activity.
Company · Korea · KOSDAQ:041510
SM Entertainment
SM is tied to idol groups, tours, fan clubs, and the long-running system behind some of K-pop's most recognizable acts.
Company · Korea · KOSDAQ:122870
YG Entertainment
YG connects global K-pop attention to touring, brand deals, fan demand, and artist-centered entertainment revenue.
Company · China · NYSE:BABA
Alibaba
Alibaba is China's commerce-and-entertainment backbone — Taobao and Tmall shopping habits fund Youku streaming and Alibaba Pictures, tying online spending to what China watches.
Alibaba · Platforms · NYSE:BABA
The Grammys created an award for Asian pop. BTS said no.
Alibaba is China's commerce-and-entertainment backbone — Taobao and Tmall shopping habits fund Youku streaming and Alibaba Pictures, tying online spending to what China watches.
Fast Retailing · Fashion · TYO:9983
Your Uniqlo basics keep you coming back.
This shows up when you go back to Uniqlo for another pack of basics instead of treating the brand like a one-time fashion buy.
NetEase · Streaming · HKEX:9999
Your playlist depends on deals you never see.
NetEase helps explain gaming, music streaming, and online entertainment habits in Chinese consumer culture.
CJ ENM · Entertainment · KOSDAQ:035760
Before the first song drops, H//PE Princess already has a global Warner deal.
A debut deal matters less than whether the group turns into repeat listening, touring, merch, and fandom across markets.
Explainer · Sanrio
Hello Kitty is not just something you buy anymore. Sanrio wants you to play inside the world.
Sanrio shows how character fandom becomes retail, licensing, collabs, parks, and global consumer demand.
Explainer · Amorepacific
K-beauty won the Amazon cart. The real prize is your second bottle.
The first sale matters less than the repeat routine. If a product sticks, the brand can keep winning on replenishment, retail placement, and cross-market demand.