person
Search
ai
Articles
· Michelle De Pacina
Taiwanese student persuaded to amputate his legs in $1.3 million insurance scam
A university student in Taiwan is accused of attempting an insurance scam by freezing his own legs in dry ice so they would have to be amputated in hopes of receiving a $1.3 million insurance payout. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Big Ocean, first hearing-impaired K-pop group, set for debut
South Korea is set to unveil its first-ever hearing-impaired K-pop group, Big Ocean, this month. Key points:
· Carl Samson
AI beats humans in creative potential, study finds
A study has found that artificial intelligence — specifically ChatGPT-4 — surpasses humans in creative tasks, challenging the long-held notion that creativity is an attribute exclusive to humans. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
Quarter honoring former Hawaii representative Patsy Mink is released
The U.S. Mint released a new quarter that honors former Hawaii Representative Patsy Takemoto Mink as part of its 2024 American Women Quarters collection. Key points:
· Ryan General
South Korea unveils new speed trains aimed at boosting birthrates
South Korea is hoping its new high-speed trains can help reverse the nation’s record-low birthrate. Key points:
· Carl Samson
Seattle approves $50,000 for Wing Luke Museum repairs after alleged hate crime
The city of Seattle has approved funding for the Wing Luke Museum after the damages it suffered from last year’s vandalism. Key points:
· Carl Samson
Feds seek end to California’s facial hair ban for prison officers
The federal government has taken legal action against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), pushing for a halt to the agency’s clean-shaven policy that infringes on the religious rights of Sikh, Muslim and other officers. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
Thailand’s parliament passes bill to legalize same-sex marriage
Thailand’s lower house of Parliament overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill that legalizes same-sex unions. Key points:
· Carl Samson
Japan raises alarm as deadly ‘flesh-eating disease’ spreads at record levels
Tokyo has issued a health warning amid a significant rise in cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a rare but severe — and deadly — bacterial infection that has been plaguing Japan for months. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Video: Muay Thai fighter suffers horrific broken nose during match
An Iranian Muay Thai fighter suffered a severe broken nose when his Thai opponent landed an uppercut straight to his face during a match over the weekend. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
Nvidia creates $9-an-hour AI ‘agents’ that outperform human nurses
Tech firm Nvidia has collaborated with Hippocratic AI to develop generative AI “agents” for healthcare that purportedly outperform human nurses on video calls while being more cost-effective. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Andy Kim’s path to US Senate clearer after NJ first lady Tammy Murphy suspends campaign
Rep. Andy Kim’s (D, NJ-3) path to the U.S. senate is clearer after New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy, his greatest opponent in the June 4 Democratic primary, suspended her campaign on Sunday. Key points:
· Ryan General
Singapore, Taiwan are Asia’s happiest countries: World Happiness Report
Despite a five-place drop in global rankings, Singapore maintains its status as Asia’s happiest country, according to the World Happiness Report 2024. Key points:
· Ryan General
‘Sushi terrorism’ leaves just one major conveyor-belt sushi chain standing in Japan
“Sushi terrorism” pranks, which involve customers licking communal soy sauce bottles and tampering with dishes, have forced nearly all major restaurant chains in Japan’s iconic conveyor-belt sushi industry to ditch their self-service models. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Asian American The Jilly Doll now available at Macy’s
The Jilly Doll, designed to celebrate Asian and Asian American heritage and identity, are now for sale at Macy’s department stores, the Jilly Bing company announced on Tuesday. Key points:
· Ryan General
Original ‘The Crow’ director criticizes 2024 remake: It ‘should remain’ Brandon Lee’s ‘legacy’
Alex Proyas, the director of the original 1994 “The Crow” film, has voiced strong opposition to the upcoming reboot, citing respect for Brandon Lee’s legacy. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
‘The Acolyte’ trailer: Lee Jung-jae stars in new Disney Plus Star Wars series
Disney Plus has released its first trailer for the upcoming “Star Wars” series “The Acolyte,” which stars South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae. Key points:
· Ryan General
200 Buddhists seek karmic healing against anti-Asian hate at Antioch pilgrimage
Hundreds of Buddhists convened in Antioch, California, in a bid to reconcile the city’s dark past with a vision for a more inclusive future. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
British Airways cabin crew members fired for video mocking Asian passengers
Two British Airways cabin crew members were fired from their positions after they posted a racist video on social media mocking Asian passengers. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Biden campaign ad targets AANHPI voters in battleground states
President Joe Biden has released a new ad targeting Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) voters in battleground states. Key points:
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.