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· Bryan Ke
Bandai Namco revives Tamagotchi Connection for 20th anniversary
Bandai Namco is bringing back classic virtual pet toy Tamagotchi Connection in celebration of its 20th anniversary this year. Key points:
· Ryan General
‘World’s best airline’ to pay employees bonus of 8 months’ salary
Singapore Airlines is celebrating record profits by rewarding employees with bonuses worth nearly eight months’ salary. Key points:
· Ryan General
Family of California Navy vet who died after police restraint gets $7.5M settlement
The city of Antioch in California has agreed to pay $7.5 million to the family of a Filipino American veteran who died after being restrained by police during a mental health crisis in 2020. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Universal Studios drops official trailer for Jon M. Chu’s ‘Wicked’
Fans have been thrilled since Universal Studios released the first full trailer for Jon M. Chu’s highly anticipated “Wicked.” Key points:
· Ryan General
TikToker’s claim that ethnically Chinese Singaporeans dislike being called Chinese sparks debate
A TikTok video of a Chinese man lamenting over ethnically Chinese Singaporeans rejecting their Chinese roots has reignited a debate about national identity in Singapore. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
Miss Hawaii takes over Miss USA crown amid organizational turmoil
The first runner-up at the 2023 Miss USA pageant, Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii, has taken over the crown after the previous titleholder, Noelia Voigt, relinquished her title amid accusations of a toxic work environment in the Miss USA Organization. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
Biden calls Trump ‘loser’ over border security at APAICS gala
President Joe Biden slammed former President Donald Trump as a “loser” in his speech at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies’ (APAICS) annual gala. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
‘Mortal Kombat 2’ gets release date, to debut fan-favorites Kitana, Noob Saibot
Warner Bros. has announced the release date and cast for “Mortal Kombat 2.” Key points:
· Ryan General
Biden takes aim at Trump’s legacy at AANHPI Heritage Month event
President Joe Biden took shots at former President Donald Trump during a White House event commemorating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) Month. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Chinese woman gets jail time for growing opium poppies for her hot pot
A woman in China’s Guizhou province was sentenced to prison for growing nearly 1,000 opium poppies on the roof of her apartment building to purportedly use them as a spice for her hot pot. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
Wisconsin governor proclaims May 14 as Hmong-Lao Veterans Day
Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin has proclaimed May 14 as Hmong-Lao Veterans Day, honoring the service and sacrifices of Hmong Lao veterans who fought alongside U.S. troops during the Vietnam War. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
Vietnamese Americans outraged as Los Angeles County honors Jane Fonda on Fall of Saigon anniversary
The Los Angeles County’s declaration of April 30 as “Jane Fonda Day” has sparked outrage among many Vietnamese Americans, who view the date as a day of mourning due to its significance as the Fall of Saigon in 1975. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
‘It’s been very lonely’: Lucy Liu reflects on journey as an Asian trailblazer
Lucy Liu looked back on her journey as one of the few Asian leads at the start of her Hollywood career as she accepted the Gold Legend award at the 2024 Gold Gala on Saturday. Key points:
· Carl Samson
US Marine vet faces extradition to Spain for role in helping N. Korean defectors
A former U.S. Marine is facing criminal charges and extradition to Spain for his role in ransacking the North Korean Embassy in Madrid in 2019 to help free defectors. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Thai official lowers himself into sewer to retrieve woman’s winning lottery ticket
A local Thai official used a crane to descend into a sewer to retrieve a winning lottery ticket a woman had accidentally dropped. Key points:
· Michelle De Pacina
These Pinoy-flavored cannabis gummies aim to break stereotypes and preserve heritage
The Asian American community may not be known for the most progressive views on recreational marijuana, but that didn’t stop Lisa Angulo Reid from launching her cannabis gummy business in 2023. Dear Flor gummies, which are 100% vegan and infused with authentic Filipino flavors —…
· Michelle De Pacina
Luxembourg court rules in favor of photographer who claimed artist plagiarized her work
A Luxembourg court has ruled that Jeff Dieschburg, the artist accused of copying Singaporean photographer Jingna Zhang’s work, committed plagiarism. Key points:
· Bryan Ke
Chinese man jailed for faking livestream views using 4,600 phones
A man in China’s Zhejiang province has been jailed for manipulating livestream views, a scheme that earned him hundreds of thousands of dollars in a just few months. Key points:
· Ryan General
Filipina developer creates AI app to fight language extinction in the Philippines
A Filipina developer is promoting language appreciation and fighting language extinction with an artificial intelligence (AI) platform called Night Owl GPT. Key details:
· Carl Samson
Taiwan’s air pollution carries higher risk for lung cancer than smoking: study
Breathing polluted air in Taiwan is more likely to cause lung cancer than smoking a pack of cigarettes per day, a new study has revealed. 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.