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· Bryan Ke
Controversial livestreamer attacked in public in Japan again during livestream
Controversial IRL (in real life) livestreamer JohnnySomali was recently attacked in public just days after he was slapped and berated by a “stream sniper” in a busy Tokyo street. The latest attack: During the incident, which reportedly occurred on Saturday, JohnnySomali was…
· Iris Jung
Japanese police hunt for mystery thief stealing urinal drain grates from public restrooms
Police in Sapporo, Japan, are on the hunt for a serial urinal grate thief. The thefts: From May 16 to 30, a total of 38 urinal drain grates from 16 public restrooms were stolen, according to Yomiuri Shimbun. The specific urinal grate parts being stolen are called “eye plates,”…
· Michelle De Pacina
‘Mistress dress’ sells out online after top exec in China caught in extramarital affair
After a top business executive in China was caught on camera holding hands in public with his mistress, thousands of Chinese social media users have begun buying the same pink silk dress. Caught in 4K: Hu Jiyong, the general manager and executive director of the state-owned…
· Iris Jung
Kim Jong-un issues prevention order against suicide as N. Korea rates rise: report
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has reportedly secretly ordered local authorities to prevent citizens from committing suicide. The prevention order: Declaring suicide as an “act of treason against socialism,” Kim called emergency meetings across North Korea to order local…
· Isa Peralta
Video: Hello Kitty covers ‘Sailor Moon’ theme song ‘Moonlight Densetsu’
Hello Kitty recently shared an official cover of the original “Sailor Moon” anime series’ opening theme song, “Moonlight Densetsu.” About the cover: On Friday, Sanrio’s official Hello Kitty Channel posted the adorable video.
· Editorial Staff
British man detained after climbing 73 floors of Seoul skyscraper with no rope
A man has been detained for attempting to climb the world’s fifth-tallest building, which is located in Seoul. What happened: George King-Thompson, 24, was seen free climbing Lotte World Tower, a 123-story, 555-meter (1,820-feet) skyscraper, without rope or safety equipment on…
· Carl Samson
Washington Korean spa ordered to drop ‘biological women only’ policy after trans complaint
A Korean spa in Washington state that requires nudity in some areas was forced to wipe its “biological women only” policy by a Seattle court earlier this week. What started it: Olympus Spa, which has branches in Lynnwood and Tacoma, was hit with a discrimination complaint by…
· Isa Peralta
‘The Afterparty’ Season 2 trailer features John Cho, Ken Jeong, Zoë Chao, Poppy Liu, Vivian Wu
Apple TV+ released the trailer for “The Afterparty” Season 2 on Thursday. What it’s about: In the second season of the hit murder mystery comedy TV series, which premieres on July 12, a groom is murdered at his own wedding.
· Ryan General
Japanese gender equality proposal aims to have 30% of executive positions filled by women
The Japanese government recently unveiled a draft proposal aimed at increasing gender equality in the country’s labor force. Promoting gender equality: The draft policy, prepared by Japan’s Gender Equality Council to be incorporated into the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal…
· Bryan Ke
Canada’s favorite Asian grocery chain T&T Supermarket is coming to the US
T&T Supermarket, Canada’s leading Asian grocery chain, is finally opening a branch in the U.S. The location: Announced on Thursday, the first-ever T&T store in the U.S. will open in Bellevue, Washington, in the summer of 2024.
· Isa Peralta
Netflix releases trailer for ‘The Witcher’ Season 3
Netflix released the official trailer for “The Witcher” Season 3 on Thursday. What it’s about: “The Witcher” follows Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), a mutated monster-hunter for hire who lives in a medieval-inspired fantasy world called the Continent.
· Isa Peralta
‘Hailey’s On It’ starring Auliʻi Cravalho, Manny Jacinto premieres on Disney Channel
Disney’s newest show “Hailey’s On It!,” starring Auliʻi Cravalho and Manny Jacinto, is premiering on the Disney Channel and Disney XD on Thursday. About the series: “Hailey’s On It!” follows Hailey Alohilani Banks (voiced by Cravalho), a 14-year-old “risk-averse but resourceful…
· Editorial Staff
MGM releases trailer for teen sex comedy ‘Bottoms’ starring Havana Rose Liu
MGM released a new trailer for the upcoming film “Bottoms” starring Havana Rose Liu, Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott. About the film: “Bottoms” follows PK and Josie, “two unpopular queer girls in their senior year [who] start a fight club to try to impress and hook up with…
· Bryan Ke
2 remaining shooters behind murder of toddler Jasper Wu get enhancement charges dropped
Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price dropped the special circumstances of the murder charges against the two remaining shooters of the shootout that led to the death of Bay Area toddler Jasper Wu. Key details: While Ivory Bivens, 24, and Trevor Green, 22, will no longer…
· Bryan Ke
‘The Little Mermaid’ flops in China, S. Korea as moviegoers pick on Ariel’s skin color
Disney’s live-action adaptation of 1989 animated film “The Little Mermaid” performed poorly in the Chinese and South Korean markets, with some moviegoers expressing disappointment in Ariel being played by a Black actor. What happened: “The Little Mermaid,” directed by Rob…
· Bryan Ke
Chinese celebrities doxxed after speaking out against animal abuse
Three Chinese celebrities have had their private information leaked online after they openly spoke against animal abuse. What happened: The doxxing, an online term for leaking someone’s private information on the internet, began after Chinese actor Zhang Xinyu spoke out on Weibo…
· Daniel Anderson
BIGBANG leader G-Dragon’s exclusive contract with YG Entertainment ends
G-Dragon’s exclusive contract with YG Entertainment, his agency of 17 years, has expired. YG Entertainment’s statement: YG confirmed the end of the BIGBANG member’s contract in a statement to Yonhap News Agency this week.
· Daniel Anderson
‘Gremlins: Secret of the Mogwai’ showrunner Tze Chun: ‘Why can’t we be weird?’
Writer and producer Tze Chun is no stranger to well-received, large-scale projects. Chun’s debut feature film, “Children of Invention,” premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and garnered over a dozen awards at subsequent festivals. He has since directed and written the…
· Daniel Anderson
Chow Yun Fat endured 62 slaps, hair pulling and 5 stitches while filming new movie
While shooting his upcoming film “Don’t Call Me God of Gamblers,” Hong Kong movie icon Chow Yun Fat reportedly endured a staggering 62 real slaps. Hardwork is a slap in the face: In a recently unveiled behind-the-scenes video on Weibo, the 68-year-old actor, who portrays a…
· Daniel Anderson
‘Love in Taipei’ film adaptation set for summer premiere on Paramount+
Paramount+ has announced the acquisition of the romance film “Love in Taipei,” based on Abigail Hing Wen’s New York Times bestselling young adult novel “Loveboat, Taipei.” “Love in Taipei” stars Ashley Liao, who is known for her roles in “Fresh Off the Boat,” “Fuller House” and…
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.