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· Carl Samson
Thailand leads ASEAN in push for joint visa allowing easier travel
Thailand is leading a groundbreaking initiative to establish a joint-visa program among six ASEAN countries, aiming to boost tourism and economic integration in the region. Driven by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the ambitious plan seeks to attract high-spending travelers by…
· Ryan General
Netflix drops ‘Gyeongseong Creature’ Season 2 trailer
Netflix has released the first trailer for the highly anticipated second season of its hit Korean mystery series “Gyeongseong Creature,” premiering on Sept. 27. The new season leaps from the 1945 setting of the first to present-day Seoul, where survivor Chae-ok (Han So-hee)…
· Michelle De Pacina
US forces ready to support Philippines against South China Sea aggression: US admiral
American forces are prepared with a “range of options” to respond to increasing acts of aggression in the South China Sea if directed to do so in coordination with the Philippines, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Chief Adm. Samuel Paparo. U.S. readiness: While Paparo…
· Bryan Ke
This Filipino chef is behind TikTok’s viral Dubai chocolate
The pastry chef behind one of TikTok’s latest trends featuring content creators enjoying a chunky, crunchy and delicious-looking piece of chocolate known as Dubai chocolate was revealed to be a Filipino. Chef Nouel Omamalin, in partnership with Sara Hamouda — a creative content…
· Michelle De Pacina
Alameda County firefighter put on paid leave over racist tirade
A freeway collision near Stockton, California, escalated when an off-duty Alameda County firefighter went on a racist tirade, which was recorded and shared on TikTok. The firefighter, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, approached the window and hurled racial slurs…
· Michelle De Pacina
Son of Spanish actors sentenced to life in Thai prison for murder of surgeon
On Thursday, a court in Thailand sentenced Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, the son of famous Spanish actors, to life in prison for the premeditated murder and dismemberment of 44-year-old Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga. Initially sentenced to death, Sancho’s penalty…
· Carl Samson
Nikki Haley urges UN hearing on Taiwan’s status
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called on the international organization to hold a hearing on UN Resolution 2758 and address China’s aggression toward Taiwan during a visit to Taipei on Saturday. The document recognizes the People’s Republic of China as…
· Carl Samson
Evan Low faces election complaint amid fiery Bay Area House race
California Assemblymember Evan Low has been hit with an election complaint filed by former FEC Chair Ann Ravel, adding tension to his already-tight race against former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. The candidates are seeking to replace Rep. Anna Eshoo for the 16th Congressional…
· Michelle De Pacina
FBI raids homes linked to OC supervisor, nonprofit amid fraud allegations
On Thursday, federal agents, including the IRS Criminal Investigation division, FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office, raided multiple properties linked to Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do and his family, including his home, his daughter Rhiannon Do’s home, his wife Judge Cheri Pham…
· Bryan Ke
Japanese railway company employs robot
West Japan Railways (WJR) has started using a 40-foot robot to handle some maintenance work along the rails, such as trimming tree branches and painting metal frames. Besides its impressive height, the robot can hold a paintbrush and a chainsaw and carry heavy objects up to 88…
· Bryan Ke
Paying sleep debt with extra hours doesn’t help the brain, study suggests
A recent study by the National University of Singapore (NUS) has found that getting extra hours of sleep may not be an effective solution to restore cognitive function after a period of inadequate sleep. The research, published on January 14 and released in the journal Sleep in…
· Michelle De Pacina
China’s rising unemployment rate creates ‘rotten-tail kids’
Rising unemployment in China is forcing millions of college graduates into low-paying jobs or dependence on their parents, creating a new “rotten-tail kids” working class that is being compared to unfinished “rotten-tail buildings” plaguing the nation’s economy since 2021.…
· Michelle De Pacina
Grace Yoo aims to be first Korean American LA councilwoman to represent K-town
Attorney Grace Yoo has launched her campaign fundraising efforts for the November Los Angeles City Council District 10 election, aiming to become the first Korean American female city council member representing Koreatown. Fundraising efforts: At a press conference, Yoo…
· Michelle De Pacina
Kamala Harris inspires daily prayers and pride in grandfather’s Indian village
Residents have been praying daily for Kamala Harris to win the U.S. presidential election in the small southern Indian village of Thulasendrapuram, where her maternal grandfather P.V. Gopalan lived about 100 years ago. “May Kamala Harris win this election. May she visit this…
· Bryan Ke
1st case of new mpox virus strain in Asia recorded in Thailand
Thailand has recorded Asia’s first case of clade 1b, a new strain of the mpox virus formerly known as monkeypox. Thongchai Kiratihattayakorn, the head of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, told reporters on Wednesday that the patient is a 66-year-old European man who…
· Carl Samson
Elon Musk praises former Singapore PM’s critique of ‘wokeness’
Elon Musk posted on his platform X a clip of former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s critique of “wokeness,” praising it as “wisdom.” The post, which garnered millions of views in hours, reflects the world’s richest man’s long-standing opposition to the so-called…
· Bryan Ke
Trailer for Jungkook’s upcoming documentary reveals BTS star’s worries
The trailer for Jungkook’s documentary, “Jung Kook: I Am Still,” has been released, revealing some of the concerns the BTS star had before his solo debut. “I’m suddenly nervous, I’ll do my best, guys,” said the 26-year-old singer, whose full name is Jeon Jung-kook. “Without the…
· Michelle De Pacina
US officials meet with Dalai Lama in NY amid Beijing’s disapproval
On Wednesday, senior U.S. State Department and White House officials, including Uzra Zeya and Kelly Razzouk, met with the Dalai Lama in New York, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to advancing Tibetan human rights. The 89-year-old spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, who fled to…
· Michelle De Pacina
Jollibee aims to overtake Starbucks in global coffee market
Jollibee Foods, led by CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong, is making a bold move into the global coffee market with ambitions to rival Starbucks. With a recent $238 million acquisition of a 70% stake in South Korea’s Compose Coffee, Jollibee aims to expand its coffee presence with over…
· Bryan Ke
Greta Lee strips down for Calvin Klein’s Fall 2024 campaign
Greta Lee is starring in Calvin Klein’s Fall 2024 campaign. Photographed by long-time collaborator Mert Alas, the campaign – inspired by the “electric energy of fall in the city” – features the 41-year-old “Past Lives” actor going about her day and dancing to The Go-Go’s “We Got…
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.