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· Ryan General
S. Korea Supreme Court upholds wartime labor ruling against Japan’s Nippon Steel
South Korea’s Supreme Court has reaffirmed lower court decisions directing Nippon Steel Corp. to compensate victims of wartime labor. About the ruling: On Thursday, the court upheld previous judgments demanding the Japanese steelmaker to pay damages to South Koreans affected by…
· Michelle De Pacina
‘Last Hawaiian princess’ Abigail Kawānanakoa’s $100M wealth to go to Native Hawaiian causes
After the death of Abigail Kawānanakoa at the age of 96, the finalization of her estate reveal that over $100 million will be dedicated to supporting Native Hawaiian causes. Kawānanakoa’s wealth: Kawānanakoa, considered by some as the “last princess” of Hawaii‘s royal family,…
· Bryan Ke
Watch: Taiwanese rapper Shou struggles to perform as fans throw their bras at him
Taiwanese rapper Shou was visibly caught off guard after multiple fans threw their bras at him at a recent concert. What happened: Shou, whose real name is Lou Junshou, shared a video of the hilarious moment on Instagram on Jan. 4. In it, the 30-year-old member of Taiwanese…
· Carl Samson
Thailand-bound ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 reveals cast members
“The White Lotus” has named six new cast members for its third season set in Thailand. Meet the cast: The new stars of “The White Lotus” include Leslie Bibb, Dom Hetrakul, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey and Tayme Thapthimthong, as per Variety. They will join…
· Ryan General
Researchers uncover East Asian genetic link to educational attainment
A new study has found a link between educational attainment and the genetics of East Asians, challenging previous studies largely focused on Western populations. About the study: The study, conducted by Korean medical researchers in collaboration with a Taiwanese team, involved…
· Ryan General
Pledis Entertainment launches new boyband TWS
Pledis Entertainment, now part of HYBE Labels, has launched a new K-pop group called TWS, with a new album releasing this month. Who are TWS: Comprising of members Shinyu, Dohoon, Youngjae, Hanjin, Jihoon and Kyungmin, TWS is a boy band that embraces a musical style they call…
· Michelle De Pacina
‘The Brother’s Sun’ earns praise from critics and viewers
Netflix’s adrenaline-pumping series “The Brother’s Sun” is receiving high praise from fans and critics, certifying fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics review: Less than a week out from its streaming debut, the first season of the comedy action series has earned an official Fresh…
· Ryan General
Railway worker who saved 29 lives honored in the UK
A railway station assistant in the U.K. has been appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his remarkable efforts in preventing 29 suicides. About the honoree: Rizwan Javed, a 33-year-old worker at the MTR Elizabeth Line, has been saving lives at Ealing…
· Bryan Ke
Group photos featuring BTS’ RM, V released by military training center
The Nonsan Korea Army Training Center on Thursday posted new group photos of its recruits, including BTS members RM and V. What they show: RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, 29, and V, full name Kim Tae-hyung, 28, appeared on two separate group photos shared by the training…
· Bryan Ke
New ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ image shows Po defeating manta ray-like villain
Universal Pictures has released a new teaser photo for “Kung Fu Panda 4,” showing Po claiming victory against a manta ray-like creature. What it shows: The image, released through Total Film’s X post on Thursday, shows Po in his Dragon Warrior costume sitting on the back of the…
· Michelle De Pacina
‘Spirited Away: Live on Stage’ now available on HBO Max
“Spirited Away: Live on Stage,” a theatrical adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning animated feature film, is now streaming on HBO Max for Western audiences. About the adaptation: The stage production, a collaboration between Studio Ghibli and Toho‘s theater division in…
· Michelle De Pacina
Gymnast Yul Moldauer aims to inspire adopted kids to pursue their dreams
Gymnast Yul Kyung-Tae Moldauer, an adoptee from South Korea, expressed pride in being an Asian American athlete and emphasized his goal to inspire other adopted children to pursue their dreams in a recent interview. What he’s saying: Speaking to EssentiallySports, Moldauer, 27,…
· Bryan Ke
This South Korean entrepreneur is making waves in blockchain analysis
Meet Ju Ki-young, a South Korean tech entrepreneur who co-founded the blockchain analysis firm CryptoQuant. About Ju: Born in 1992, Ju, an alumnus of Pohang University of Science and Technology, co-founded CryptoQuant with fellow alumni in April 2019. Before becoming its CEO and…
· Michelle De Pacina
Thai father foils international drug smugglers’ attempt to use his daughter as courier
A Thai father foiled an attempt by an international drug smuggling syndicate to use his daughter, Pornratchakwan Pheeraruengrit, as a courier. Pornratchakwan’s delivery service: Pornratchakwan, who is studying in Australia, made plans to visit Thailand during her school break in…
· Carl Samson
Japanese researchers create AI models to screen for Alzheimer’s disease
Japanese researchers successfully developed machine learning models to predict elevated levels of brain amyloid beta (Aβ), a key indicator of Alzheimer’s disease risk. Key findings: Three models demonstrated a significant ability to identify individuals with higher brain amyloid…
· Carl Samson
5 dead, 1 critical after Japan Airlines plane collides with coast guard aircraft
A Japan Airlines (JAL) plane carrying hundreds of passengers burst into flames after colliding with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Tuesday. What happened: The fire, which was caught on video, occurred after the collision took place at 5:47 p.m., Tokyo…
· Michelle De Pacina
Rev. Amos Brown condemned over alleged threats against rapper Chino Yang
The Asian Justice Movement (AJM) condemned reported threats by Rev. Amos Brown against Chino Yang, a rapper and small business owner who released a music video criticizing Mayor London Breed for San Francisco’s crime. AJM’s claims: In an Instagram post shared on Dec. 30, the…
· Bryan Ke
‘Kakizome’ explained: The Japanese tradition of writing New Year’s wishes
Japanese people will soon write their wishes on paper using calligraphy, a tradition known as “kakizome” or “first writing.” How it’s done: Kakizome involves people writing their wishes or goals for the upcoming year in calligraphy using kanji, a system of Japanese writing using…
· Michelle De Pacina
Watch: Waitress in China goes viral for her robotic-like movements
Videos of a waitress in China with robotic-like movements have gone viral on social media. The viral videos: In one of the videos reposted on TikTok, the woman, surnamed Qin, can be seen dressed in a white dress and leggings and knee-high silver boots to look like a humanoid…
· Michelle De Pacina
Blackpink will not renew their solo contracts with YG Entertainment
Although all members of Blackpink recently renewed their group contract with YG Entertainment, they will not be renewing their individual contracts for solo endeavors with the agency. The announcement: On Friday, YG Entertainment announced the news and expressed support for the…
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.