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· Ryan General
Grieving Chinese families are paying to ‘resurrect’ dead loved ones using AI
Grieving families in China are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) firms, seeking to create digital replicas of deceased loved ones. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Man’s innovative way of finding date at Ed Sheeran’s Mumbai concert goes viral
An Indian man has gone viral after he was spotted at an Ed Sheeran concert in Mumbai wearing a T-shirt with a scannable QR code on it that leads people to his dating app profile. Key points:
· Ryan General
Watch: China’s state TV debuts its first AI-generated cartoon series
China’s state TV recently debuted the country’s first animation series made with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Key points:
· Ryan General
Korean Americans join Washington landlord’s protest against tenant who owes $80K in rent
A Washington landlord organized a protest outside his rental home against a tenant who is reportedly leveraging legal loopholes to avoid eviction. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Watch: Netflix’s first teaser trailer for ‘City Hunter’ live-action adaptation
Streaming platform Netflix has dropped the first teaser trailer for the live-action film adaptation of “City Hunter.” Key points:
· Ryan General
Thailand to ban recreational marijuana by end of 2024
Thailand, which decriminalized cannabis in 2022, is poised to reverse course and snuff out the recreational market by the end of the year. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Chinese vlogger sparks outrage for using AI to ‘resurrect’ Coco Lee, Godfrey Gao
A Chinese vlogger has sparked outrage among Chinese social media users by posting videos featuring the late Chinese American singer Coco Lee and Taiwanese Canadian actor Godfrey Gao, who were “resurrected” using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Key points:
· Carl Samson
Mei Li Haskell autopsy reveals grisly new details
Mei Li Haskell, the slain wife of Samuel Haskell IV, may still have been alive when her own husband allegedly decapitated her, according to reports citing her autopsy result. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Hawaii lawmakers honor Bretman Rock for positive impact
Filipino American influencer Bretman Rock was recently honored while visiting the Hawaii State Capitol for his positive impact on the Hawaiian, Filipino American and the LGBTQ+ community. Key points:
· Ryan General
Interacting with dogs boosts humans’ brain waves linked to well-being: study
A new study suggests that playing and engaging in certain activities with dogs can significantly enhance a person’s brain waves associated with relaxation, concentration and emotional stability. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Life-size Miraidon Pokemon that visitors can sit on unveiled
The Pokemon Company and Toyota unveiled a life-size replica of Miraidon, one of the two legendary Pokemon in “Pokemon Scarlet and Violet” that can transform into a motorcycle, in Tokyo this weekend. In the know: Toyota Engineering Society, in partnership with the Pokémon…
· Bryan Ke
Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi to perform in San Francisco
Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi will be heading to San Francisco in September to perform with the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall. Key points:
· Ryan General
QVC apologizes for racist ‘longtime’ email to customers
Home shopping network QVC has issued a public apology after facing backlash for using racially insensitive language in a marketing email subject line. Key points:
· Ryan General
Study suggests air pollution increases suicide rates
A groundbreaking nationwide study in China has revealed a disturbing link between air pollution and suicide rates, particularly among elderly populations. Key points:
· Carl Samson
This 16-year-old is building AI apps that could revolutionize healthcare
A 16-year-old high school student from Palo Alto, California, has gained widespread recognition for utilizing AI to build applications that help advance healthcare solutions. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Taiwanese musician taps AI to bring back late daughter for her mom’s birthday
A Taiwanese musician harnessed artificial intelligence (AI) to digitally recreate his deceased daughter to deliver a message for her mother’s birthday. The video: Tino Bao, 56, posted the AI video of his late daughter, Bao Rong, who also went by her English name Felicity, on…
· Bryan Ke
What the director of ‘Godzilla Minus One’ said about ‘Oppenheimer’
“Godzilla Minus One” director Takashi Yamazaki has a response to fellow Oscar winner “Oppenheimer.” Catch up: “Godzilla Minus One” made history at the 96th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday by winning for best visual effects, the first time a Godzilla…
· Michelle De Pacina
‘Han’ explained: An emotion unique to Korea
“Han,” in perhaps one of its simplest definitions, is a word that embodies shared emotions of sorrow and resentment. But upon a closer look into its many interpretations, it begins to unravel as an untranslatable concept, with its contemporary relevance and usage reflecting a…
· Carl Samson
AirAsia CEO says he has no regrets over viral topless photo
Months after drawing backlash for posting a shirtless image of himself while getting a massage, AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes says he has no regrets about it, adding that it helped with publicity. About the viral photo: Fernandes, 59, posted the controversial image on his own…
· Bryan Ke
Indian painter gets brain-dead woman’s hands in rare bilateral hand transplant
Doctors in Delhi, India, successfully performed the city’s first bilateral hand transplant on a 45-year-old painter who lost both hands in a horrific train accident a few years ago. How they did it: A team of 11 doctors performed the procedure on Raj Kumar at Sir Ganga Ram…
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.