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· Iris Jung

Thai man refuses government help, lives in tree for 3 years

A 38-year-old Thai man has lived in a tree for three years out of embarrassment. Known as Charlie, the man is currently living in a tree in the Isaan province of Udon Thani out of financial embarrassment, reported The Thaiger. Located 10 meters (approximately 33 feet) off the…

· Editorial Staff

‘You’ Season 4 Part 1 trailer released by Netflix

Netflix has released the official trailer for the highly anticipated fourth season of “You.” The psychological thriller TV series, which is based on the book series of the same name by Caroline Kepnes, follows Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley), a “dangerously charming, intensely…

· Bryan Ke

Bruce Lee’s wife Linda Lee Cadwell said her mother disapproved of her dating Asian men in biography

Not only was Bruce Lee a fierce fighter, but he also had a charming presence, according to Linda Lee Cadwell, his wife of nine years. In the 656-page biography “Bruce Lee: A Life,” written by Matthew Polly and published in 2018, Cadwell shares that her mother never liked the…

· Bryan Ke

Naomi Osaka’s Australian Open status remains unclear as 2023 tournament nears

With the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of 2023 set to begin in less than two weeks, many are still wondering if two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka will compete. Osaka, 25, reportedly reposted a photo of herself in a U.S.-based pilates studio on social media on…

· Iris Jung

Trailer: Awkwafina, Nicholas Hoult fight Nic Cage’s Dracula in ‘Renfield’

Universal Pictures released the official trailer for “Renfield,” starring Awkwafina, Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage. The horror-comedy film, directed by Chris McKay and written by Ryan Ridley, follows Renfield (Hoult) as he attempts to leave his “toxic relationship” with…

· Bryan Ke

‘So awkward!’: Public NYE proposal in Hawaii turns cringe after couple starts fighting

A TikTok video of a woman who rejected her boyfriend’s awkward marriage proposal at a New Year’s Eve party in Hawaii over the weekend has gone viral. TikTok user Cass (@caesthetically) was caught off guard when the music of the outdoor New Year’s Eve event she went to in…

· Bryan Ke

Taraneh Alidoosti: Iran releases actor jailed for condemning execution of protestor

Prominent Iranian actor Taraneh Alidoosti was recently released on bail after being detained for criticizing the Iranian government, her lawyer announced. The news of Alidoosti’s release was reportedly shared in an Instagram Story by her mother, Nadereh Hakim Elahi, on Wednesday.

· Isa Peralta

Netflix releases official trailer for sci-fi film ‘Jung_E’ by Yeon Sang-ho of ‘Hellbound,’ ‘Train To Busan’

Netflix has released the official trailer for South Korean filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho’s latest project, “Jung_E,” showing a more in-depth look at the highly anticipated sci-fi film. On Wednesday, the streaming giant shared a two-minute clip about Jung_E, who is described as an “A.I.…

· Iris Jung

Miss 2022? Buy last year’s air online from Japan

Although we’ve entered 2023, those who really miss 2022 can purchase last year’s air online. Sellers are listing “vintage air” encased in plastic bags and bottles on Mercari, an online Japanese flea market, reports SoraNews24. Ranging from as low as $10 to over $100 a puff,…

· Isa Peralta

Epic 5-minute trailer drops for Philippines’ live-action series ‘Voltes V: Legacy’

GMA Network recently released the first trailer for the upcoming Filipino live-action series “Voltes V: Legacy.” On Sunday, the Filipino TV and radio network posted the epic five-minute clip on its social media pages and YouTube channel. In the video, members of the Voltes Team…

· Isa Peralta

Simu Liu praises ‘Barbie’ movie as inclusive, diverse

Before you read: New ‘Barbie’ teaser trailer spoofs ‘2001: A Space Odyssey,’ features a dancing Simu Liu Simu Liu revealed to play 1 of 3 versions of Ken in upcoming ‘Barbie’ film Simu Liu reveals that script for his upcoming project ‘Barbie’ was one of the best his agent ever…

· Carl Samson

Asians hailed as better photographers than the British in viral TikTok

A TikTok video depicting Asians as better photographers than British people has gone viral on social media. The video was produced by British TV host, actor and content creator Mark O’dea, who is based in Malaysia and commands nearly 868,900 followers on TikTok.

· Carl Samson

Trailblazing journalist Janet Wu retires after 50 years

Janet Wu, a trailblazing Asian American journalist in Boston, has retired on New Year’s Day after 50 years of service. Wu is the first woman and first Asian American to serve as a Massachusetts State House television reporter, according to WCVB, where she spent most of her…

· Isa Peralta

Make a splash by recreating Hokusai’s ‘The Great Wave’ with Legos

Fans of Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” can now own a copy of the beloved woodblock print – in Lego form. On Thursday, Lego announced the latest addition to its Lego Art line. The set includes 1,810 pieces and a premium instruction booklet with information…

· Daniel Anderson

YG Entertainment shuts down claims BLACKPINK moving to subsidiary label

YG Entertainment is shutting down claims that BLACKPINK is transferring to their subsidiary label, The Black Label. On Thursday, reports from K-Pop Herald and The Korea Herald claimed BLACKPINK would move to The Black Label for future management, per an insider source.

· Daniel Anderson

iKON leaves YG Entertainment after 7 years

Boy group iKON has terminated their exclusive contract with label YG Entertainment in a mutual agreement, ending a seven-year partnership. The six-member group — consisting of Bobby, Cha, DK, Jay, Ju-ne and Song — will not disband and can continue to use existing iKON social…

· Carl Samson

Elaine Chao discourages media from repeating Trump’s racist insult

Before you read: Trump calls Elaine Chao ‘Coco Chow’ in latest attack on Mitch McConnell Elaine Chao declines to comment on Trump’s ‘Coco Chow’ attack Former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has doubled down on ignoring former President Donald Trump’s racist moniker for her,…

· Daniel Anderson

YG Entertainment announces new girl group to debut in 2023

YG Entertainment recently posted a teaser image on social media of their upcoming girl group. The image, which was shared on Thursday, shows the silhouettes of seven women and accompanying text that says “YG NEXT MOVEMENT” and “COMING SOON.” It also features a date and time:…

· Michelle De Pacina

NFL to investigate Miami Dolphins star Tua Tagovailoa’s latest concussion

Before you read: NFL faces intense backlash, calls for firings over Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion injury The National Football League (NFL) has launched an investigation into Miami Dolphins star Tua Tagovailoa’s latest concussion case.

· Editorial Staff

New trailer drops for M. Night Shyamalan horror film ‘Knock at the Cabin’

Before you read: First trailer released for new M. Night Shyamalan horror film ‘Knock at the Cabin’ A new trailer for M. Night Shyamalan’s highly anticipated horror film ‘Knock at the Cabin’ has been released.

Answer

BTS connects to HYBE, Weverse, memberships, merch, and tickets.

People & Works

person

Ami Nakai

Open the culture page.
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.

Open the culture page.
Open

Culture surface · Beauty

Beauty retail

Beauty retail is a culture-first entry point into the listed company behind it.

Open the culture page.
Open

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.

Open the culture page.
Open

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.

Company: Toho
Open

Platform · Platforms

Kakao Entertainment

Kakao Entertainment connects to Kakao and the broader platforms story around it.

Company: Kakao
Open

Culture surface · Platforms

Kling AI

Kling AI connects to Kuaishou and the broader platforms story around it.

Company: Kuaishou
Open

Culture surface · Platforms

Kuaishou

Kuaishou connects to Kuaishou and the broader platforms story around it.

Company: Kuaishou
Open

Culture surface · Platforms

Kwai

Kwai connects to Kuaishou and the broader platforms story around it.

Company: Kuaishou
Open

Culture surface · Retail

Lifestyle retail

Lifestyle retail connects to Miniso and the broader retail story around it.

Company: Miniso
Open

Results

Culture · brand

Uniqlo

Uniqlo connects to Fast Retailing, the company behind the stores, basics, and repeat buying habit.

Companies: Fast Retailing
Basics, routines, travel, repeat buys.
Open

Culture · routine / beauty brands

K-beauty

K-beauty connects to companies built around skincare routines, hero products, and travel retail.

Companies: Amorepacific / Shiseido
Skincare routines, hero products, travel retail.
Open

Culture · platform

Weverse

Weverse connects to HYBE, the platform where memberships, merch, content, and fandom access keep moving after the song.

Companies: HYBE
Memberships, merch, paid content, fan app.
Open

Company · Japan · TYO:7832

Bandai Namco Holdings

Bandai Namco sits behind toys, anime IP, games, and licensing that turn fandom into everyday consumer products.

Known for: Gundam · Pac-Man · Tekken
Anime
Open

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.

Known for: Kuaishou · Kwai · Kling AI
Platforms
Open

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.

Known for: ZEE5 · Zee TV · Zee Studios
Entertainment
Open

Company · Japan · TYO:9983

Fast Retailing

Fast Retailing matters because Uniqlo is an everyday consumer habit, not just a stock story.

Known for: Uniqlo · GU · Theory
Fashion
Open

Company · Korea · KOSDAQ:035900

JYP Entertainment

JYP is tied to groups that drive albums, tours, subscriptions, merch, and international fan activity.

Known for: TWICE · Stray Kids · ITZY
K-pop
Open

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.

Known for: aespa · NCT · RIIZE
K-pop
Open

Company · Korea · KOSDAQ:122870

YG Entertainment

YG connects global K-pop attention to touring, brand deals, fan demand, and artist-centered entertainment revenue.

Known for: BLACKPINK · BABYMONSTER · TREASURE
K-pop
Open

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.

Known for: Taobao · Tmall · Youku
Platforms
Open

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.

Source: AP News
Published signal
Read

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.

Source: Fast Retailing
+22.4% revenue growth
Read

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.

Source: NetEase
Multi-year UMG license agreement
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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.

Source: CJ ENM
Global Warner deal
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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.

Source: Sanrio
Read

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.

Source: Amorepacific
Read