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· Bryan Ke

Hundreds of Asian Games volunteers sift through mountains of trash to help girl find lost phone

Hundreds of volunteers at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, teamed up to sift through mountains of trash to help a 12-year-old Hong Kong chess player find her lost phone. What happened: Liu Tian-yi realized she was missing her phone while attending the…

· Michelle De Pacina

Taiwan unveils first domestically built submarine amid growing tensions with Beijing

Taiwan unveiled its first domestically built submarine as a significant achievement in bolstering its military capabilities amid growing tensions with Beijing. Narwhal: The diesel-electric submarine, named “Narwhal” in English and “Hai Kun” in Mandarin, marked a personal…

· Ryan General

BTS agency announces legal actions against stalkers, ‘malicious’ commenters

“We remain committed to an uncompromising, zero-tolerance policy in addressing stalking crimes that infringe on the privacy and safety of our artists”

· Bryan Ke

Hyundai, Kia issue safety recall for 3.3 million cars over fear of them suddenly catching fire

Hyundai and Kia have reportedly issued a safety recall to owners for some of their older-model cars, advising them to park their vehicles outside over fear that they may suddenly catch on fire. Safety issue: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced in a press…

· Michelle De Pacina

K-pop star Rain denies $8.6 million real estate fraud accusation

K-pop singer and actor Rain has denied accusations he committed real estate fraud involving around 8.5 billion won (approximately $8.6 million) in the sale of a house in Itaewon, Seoul. False property sales: In a video uploaded to YouTube on Monday, YouTuber Goo Je Yeok claimed…

· Carl Samson

Rare electric blue tarantula discovered in Thailand

A group of Thai researchers discovered a new species of tarantula with a distinctive electric blue color. About the species: The tarantula, named Chilobrachys natanicharum, is one of the world’s rarest, according to its discoverers.

· Carl Samson

Lil Tay’s father fires back after her Instagram account claims he faked her death

Lil Tay’s father, Christopher Hope, has reportedly denied responsibility for the Instagram death hoax that recently put his daughter back into the headlines. Catch up: On Aug. 9, a post from Lil Tay’s own Instagram account announced that she and her brother had passed away. The…

· Ryan General

Chinese dissident ‘stranded’ in Taiwan airport seeks asylum in US or Canada

“To avoid the political oppression of the Chinese Communist Party, I have now come to Taiwan,” said activist Chen Siming

· Ryan General

Viral video captures woman being racially harassed by teens on Boston train

At one point throughout the ordeal, one of them said, “Don’t let her leave”

· Bryan Ke

Lawmakers to boost Taiwan language programs over China-funded ones at US universities

A bipartisan group of lawmakers are looking to boost Taiwan as an alternative to China-funded Confucius Institutes for language programs at universities and colleges in the United States. Key details: Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Ed Markey’s (D-MA) offices confirmed to…

· Michelle De Pacina

Thailand takes home Asian Games’ first-ever esports medal

Thailand secured the first-ever esports medal at the Asian Games by winning bronze in a mobile phone game against Vietnam, marking a historic moment in the competition’s history. The gamers: Thai gamers, including Sorawat Boonphrom, Anusak Manpdong, Chayut Suebka, Vatcharanan…

· Carl Samson

2 men wanted for armed robberies, shooting in Philadelphia nail salons

Two men are being sought out in Philadelphia for allegedly robbing two nail salons at gunpoint over the weekend. First incident: The first robbery occurred at Happy Family Salon on Girard Avenue at around 4:15 p.m. on Saturday. The suspects, dressed in Muslim women’s clothing,…

· Ryan General

‘Bling Empire’ star Leah Qin reveals she was paid nothing for Netflix reality show

“I did not get paid. Not a penny. Zero”

· Carl Samson

Oxford drops college renaming after Vietnam billionaire’s failed $189 million donation: report

A constituent college at Oxford University has scrapped plans to rename itself after a Vietnamese billionaire after her donation failed to see the light of day, according to a report. Background: Linacre College, an interdisciplinary graduate college, was poised to receive 155…

· Bryan Ke

Chef reveals he earns ‘3 times more’ at hawker business than he did at Din Tai Fung

A Taiwanese-born chef who left his position as Din Tai Fung’s assistant head chef in Singapore over half a decade ago to start his own business revealed he is now earning more than his salary at the restaurant chain. For context: Ben Yu, a 46-year-old, Taiwanese-born chef, told…

· Carl Samson

Netflix releases trailer for ‘Squid Game’ reality competition with $4.5 million grand prize

Netflix has released a teaser for its highly anticipated “Squid Game” reality series, “Squid Game: The Challenge.” What it’s about: The show, which premieres on Nov. 22, follows 456 real-life contestants as they compete in a series of games inspired by the hit Korean drama. For…

· Bryan Ke

Student develops penis simulator that doctor can use for prosthetic surgery training

A student in the U.K. has developed a penis simulator that doctors can use to train for surgeries that involve penile implants. Key details: With realistic anatomical structures, the urogenital simulator provides a “lifelike training environment” and serves as an ethical…

· Ryan General

Caught on tape: Filipino airport officer stuffs money stolen from passenger into her mouth

A report by airport authorities detailed that another officer handed a bottle of water to the female officer

· Michelle De Pacina

Stop AAPI Hate group launches campaign to combat anti-Asian political rhetoric

A new campaign called “Stop the Blame” has been launched to monitor and combat anti-Asian political rhetoric in American politics ahead of the 2024 presidential elections. What it’s about: The initiative, created by Stop AAPI Hate and Chinese for Affirmative Action, aims to…

· Michelle De Pacina

Asian American fans of Olivia Rodrigo say she is reclaiming what it means to be ‘all-American’

Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album “Guts,” released on September 8, has garnered attention from Asian American fans for its opening track, “all-american bitch.” Key details: Some TikTok users say the song is a powerful statement that reclaims the phrase “all-American” for Asian…

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
Read

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