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· Michelle De Pacina
‘I’m not your mother’: Baidu PR chief in hot water for endorsing intense workplace culture
Qu Jing, the public relations chief of Chinese internet company Baidu, is facing backlash for her controversial comments endorsing a harsh workplace culture. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
4 fair housing groups sue Florida over law banning Chinese citizens from owning property
Four fair housing and real-estate groups are suing Florida over its new law preventing buyers from China and six other foreign countries from purchasing property. Key points:
· Ryan General
2 years after legalization, cannabis to be re-listed as a narcotic in Thailand
Thailand is backtracking on its cannabis legalization policies with a plan to re-list the plant as a narcotic by the end of the year. Key points:
· Carl Samson
K-pop star Hyuna says she only ate 1 kimbap a day to maintain weight
K-pop star Hyuna recently shared extreme dieting practices she endured in her early days as an idol, including going a week without eating. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Japanese companies tap AI start-up to translate 50,000 manga into English
Japanese companies are investing in artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize the translation of Japanese manga into English, aiming for efficiency and rapid expansion. Key points:
· Ryan General
Undefeated Naoya Inoue overcomes early knockdown to retain titles
Japan’s Naoya Inoue (27-0) overcame a first-round knockdown to stop Luis Nery (35-2) in the sixth round in a thrilling fight at the Tokyo Dome on May 6. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Thai village uses Doraemon plushy in prayer tradition for rainfall
Residents of a village in Thailand’s Nakhon Sawan province have revived their traditional rain-calling ritual using a Doraemon plush toy instead of a live cat, amid a prolonged dry spell and intense heat ravaging Thailand and Southeast Asia. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
Hundreds gather in Paris to support agent orange lawsuit against US companies
Over 200 overseas Vietnamese and French supporters reportedly gathered in Paris to show solidarity with French Tran To Nga’s lawsuit against chemical companies that supplied herbicides to the U.S. during the war in Vietnam. Key points:
· Ryan General
Korean American artist paints Chicago mural at 1,000 feet
Muralist Katie Chung put a colorful, neighborhood-focused spin on an iconic Chicago tourist attraction. Key points:
· Ryan General
Brooklyn elementary school renamed after slain Asian American cop
A Brooklyn elementary school now bears the name of an NYPD detective killed in the line of duty, a decade after his murder. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Jessica Pegula maintains WTA top 10 ranking for 100 weeks straight
American tennis star Jessica Pegula is celebrating her 100th consecutive week in the top 10 of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings after reaching the milestone this week. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaims May as AAPI Heritage Month in California
California Governor Gavin Newsom officially proclaimed May as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the state. Key points:
· Ryan General
NorCal Pho chain owner ordered to pay $245K for denying cooks OT pay
A Northern California Vietnamese restaurant owner has been ordered to pay over $245,000 in back wages and damages for reportedly violating federal wage laws. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
Japan Airlines flight canceled after pilot gets drunk in Dallas
A Japan Airlines flight from Dallas to Tokyo was canceled after the captain reportedly became intoxicated at a hotel bar and was warned by police. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
Watch: Viral video showcases ease of becoming someone else via AI technology
A viral video on Chinese social media showcases the power of AI-driven deepfake technology, demonstrating how easily individuals can be transformed into someone else online. Key points:
· Ryan General
Chinese startup aims to surpass Sora with new AI video generator
A Chinese startup is taking on OpenAI’s groundbreaking Sora with its own generative artificial intelligence (AI) model that creates videos from text input. Key points:
· Ryan General
Sony adjusts ‘Karate Kid’ movie release to follow ‘Cobra Kai’ finale
Sony has delayed the new “Karate Kid” movie to summer 2025 to have it premiere after the final season of “Cobra Kai.” Key points:
· Ryan General
VinFast’s billionaire founder to pump in another $1 billion to reach EV dreams
Vietnamese billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong is doubling down on his investment in electric vehicle maker VinFast. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Top Vietnamese tech firm partners with Nvidia to open $200M AI factory
FPT, Vietnam’s top tech firm, has partnered with Nvidia to open a $200 million artificial intelligence (AI) factory, aiming to help realize Vietnam’s vision of becoming an AI nation. Key points:
· Ryan General
Jeezy denies Jeannie Mai allegations in latest divorce filing
Rapper Jeezy has denied the domestic abuse and child neglect allegations made by his estranged wife, Jeannie Mai. 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.