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· Ana Yoo
‘Furies’ trailer: Veronica Ngo directs Netflix prequel to Vietnamese box office smash
Netflix has released the trailer for “Furies,” the much-anticipated prequel to the 2019 Vietnamese box office smash “Furie.” A description of the upcoming martial arts thriller by Netflix reads: “Three furious vigilantes unite to take down a sinister crime syndicate that…
· Michelle De Pacina
Scientists reveal secrets of mysterious ‘mermaid mummy’ discovered in Japan
Japanese scientists have solved the mystery of the “mermaid mummy” that has long been an object of worship at a temple in Okayama Prefecture. After a year of scientific analysis, researchers concluded on Feb. 7 that the supposedly 300-year-old “mummy” is actually a molded object…
· Ines Shin
Taiwan announces plan to pay tourists to visit
Taiwan announced new incentives last week in an attempt to bring in 10 million tourists by 2025 after visitor numbers plummeted to below 900,000 in 2022. Chen Chien-jen, Taiwan’s premier, revealed on Thursday that the government’s plan for this year is to bring in at least 6…
· Ryan General
Japan Airlines passenger laments inflight vegan meal consisting of single banana
Japan’s flag carrier has attracted online scrutiny over an “underwhelming” vegan food option served to a recent passenger: a single banana with a pair of chopsticks. Japan Airlines passenger Kris Chari, who flew business class on a trip from Jakarta, Indonesia, to Tokyo on Feb.…
· Daniel Anderson
Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava to perform ‘RRR’ song ‘Naatu Naatu’ at Oscars
The Oscar-nominated song “Naatu Naatu” from the film “RRR” will be performed at the 95th Academy Awards by singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava. “Naatu Naatu,” composed by Golden Globe winner M.M. Keeravaani with lyrics by Chandrabose, is nominated for Best Song against…
· Daniel Anderson
Netflix drops first trailer for stop-motion animated series ‘Pokémon Concierge’
On Monday, Netflix released a teaser trailer for their upcoming stop-motion animated series titled “Pokémon Concierge,” created in collaboration with The Pokémon Company. Not much is known about the series except that it follows a concierge at the Pokémon Resort named Haru as…
· Ryan General
Fugitive Thai drug lord arrested despite multiple surgeries to become ‘handsome Korean man’
A fugitive drug lord in Thailand who evaded authorities for months by transforming himself to pass as a Korean man was finally arrested by the local police in Bangkok on Thursday. The 25-year-old suspect, identified as Saharat Sawangjaeng, underwent multiple plastic surgeries…
· Ana Yoo
Japan air force member is latest to sue state over sexual harassment in military
A member of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force filed a lawsuit against the government Monday for allegedly failing to bring disciplinary action against a male colleague’s verbal sexual harassment despite repeated complaints and lawsuits over the years. According to the…
· Ines Shin
Hawaii unveils monument honoring Filipino WWII veterans
A memorial honoring Filipino and Filipino American veterans of World War II was unveiled in Hawaii during a ceremony on Friday. The monument consists of four life-sized bronze soldier statues representing members of the Philippine Constabulary, 1st Filipino Division, Filipino…
· Daniel Anderson
Disney drops trailer for ‘Prom Pact’ starring Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Margaret Cho
Disney has released the official trailer for its upcoming original movie “Prom Pact,” which features Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Milo Manheim and Margaret Cho. The movie follows protagonist Mandy Yang, played by Lee, and her best friend Ben, played by Manheim, as they navigate their…
· Bryan Ke
Elon Musk says media is ‘racist against whites and Asians’ amid ‘Dilbert’ creator backlash
Twitter CEO Elon Musk called the media “racist against whites and Asians” after author Scott Adams’ “Dilbert” comic strip was dropped by several publications because of his racist tirade against Black people. Musk, 51, made his statement on Sunday in a reply to a tweet about…
· Ana Yoo
China and Iran call on Afghanistan to end discrimination against women
China and Iran have called on Afghanistan to end restrictions on women’s work and education. The call came after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and the two countries issued a joint statement reaffirming their economic and political…
· Editorial Staff
A Costco food court’s new menu item is raising eyebrows for its price
A new Costco food court item is making headlines for costing nearly as much as two entire Costco rotisserie chicken. Costco’s roast beef sandwich, which was spotted at a warehouse in Lynnwood, Washington, near the company’s headquarters costs $9.99. In comparison, the company’s…
· Daniel Anderson
Oldest Chinese restaurant in US, oldest restaurant in Hawaii win James Beard America’s Classics awards
The James Beard Foundation announced two Asian-owned eateries as recipients of its 2023 America’s Classics Award on Thursday. This distinction recognizes locally owned restaurants whose culinary contributions are beloved by their communities.
· Daniel Anderson
Netflix drops official trailer for ‘The Glory’ Part 2
Netflix has released the official trailer for “The Glory” Part 2. The K-drama, written by Kim Eun-sook and directed by Lee Eung-bok, centers around Moon Dong-eun, played by Song Hye-kyo, a victim of horrifying childhood violence who dedicates her life to exacting revenge on her…
· Ryan General
Hawaiian teen brings ‘American Idol’ judges to tears with emotional ‘Monsters’ rendition
An 18-year-old high school student from Hawaii brought the “American Idol” judges to tears during the show’s Season 21 premiere on Sunday. Kahuku native Iam Tongi performed a captivating rendition of James Blunt’s “Monsters” that left both Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan wiping…
· Michelle De Pacina
Video: Thai woman accused of fatal hit-and-run of Michigan student extradited back to US
The Thai woman who fled to Thailand after being accused of hitting a Michigan State University student with her car and leaving him for dead has been extradited back to the U.S. Tubtim “Sue” Howson, 57, was escorted by Thai authorities to the Suvarnabhumi Airport on Wednesday…
· Daniel Anderson
Kahyun Kim wears bear head-shaped pasties at ‘Cocaine Bear’ premiere
South Korean actor Kahyun Kim rocked black and silver rhinestone bear head-shaped pasties during the premiere of her latest film “Cocaine Bear.” Her red carpet outfit also featured a sheer chainmail dress by Natalia Fedner, thigh-high red leather boots, silver eye gems and tiny…
· Ryan General
Google’s interactive exhibit on Korea’s DMZ aims to take visitors on an immersive cultural journey
Google Arts and Culture (GAC) has launched an interactive exhibit featuring Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The exhibit, which marks the 70th anniversary of the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement, is part of a collaborative project between Google and nine Korean research and…
· Carl Samson
‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 is almost certainly happening in Asia
The prospects of an Asian “The White Lotus” setting are all but confirmed as executive producer David Bernad continues to tease details about the HBO comedy-drama’s highly anticipated third season. Speculations of an Asian location have made rounds since October 2022, with…
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.