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· Bryan Ke

Hawaii crowned the happiest state in America

Hawaii claimed the top spot in personal finance company WalletHub’s annual “Happiest States in America” rankings, followed by Maryland, New Jersey, Utah and Delaware in the top five. Meanwhile, California, with the largest Asian American population at an estimated 6.4 million as…

· Michelle De Pacina

Super Typhoon Yagi continues deadly path across Asia as it hits Thailand

Thailand deployed military special forces to Chiang Rai province after severe flooding, caused by Typhoon Yagi, left thousands stranded. The storm has killed at least nine people in the past week, bringing fatalities from rain-related incidents including landslides across the…

· Bryan Ke

First Blasian Book Fair sets stage in Orlando

Orlando, Florida, will see its first-ever Blasian Book Fair this weekend. Happening at A Perfect Union Art Gallery in West Oaks Mall along W. Colonial Drive on Sept. 14, the free book fair aims to “bridge communities and share similar histories and struggles for justice.”…

· Michelle De Pacina

AAPI History Hub launched to aid K-12 teachers in promoting inclusion

The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) has launched the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) History Hub, a comprehensive educational database aimed at helping K-12 teachers incorporate AAPI history into their curriculum. About the hub: The database features nearly 300…

· Carl Samson

Trump tries to downplay false claims about Harris’ race at first debate

Former President Donald Trump attempted to make light of his past false comments on Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity at their first debate on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Harris firmly addressed his history of racial division, marking her first direct response to his attacks…

· Carl Samson

Harris leads but Trump gains ground in latest polls

Recent polling reveals a tightly contested race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, who faced off in what could be their only debate in Philadelphia last night. While Harris leads in most national polls, Trump has made significant gains among key voter groups, while several…

· Michelle De Pacina

Thousands rally against proposed 76ers arena in Philadelphia ahead of town hall

Opponents of the proposed 76ers arena in Center City Philadelphia rallied at City Hall on Saturday, voicing concerns about its potential negative impact on Chinatown. The rally: Organized by community groups like the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance (APIPA), 4,000…

· Bryan Ke

Trailer for last ‘Dragon Ball’ series of late creator released

Toei Animation released the main trailer for “Dragon Ball Daima” on Sept. 3, briefly teasing the next adventure for Son Goku and his friends. “Dragon Ball Daima,” set to release on Oct. 11, features Goku, Shin and new characters Glorio and Panzy as they embark on a journey…

· Bryan Ke

Adult Swim releases trailer for Junji Ito anime ‘Uzumaki’

Adult Swim on Thursday released a trailer for the highly anticipated horror anime adaptation of Junji Ito’s “Uzumaki.” The four-episode series, which was delayed multiple times since the COVID-19 pandemic, will premiere on Adult Swim’s Toonami block on Sept. 28, followed by a…

· Bryan Ke

Japanese dancer booed after winning prestigious flamenco competition in Spain

Japanese dancer Junko Hagiwara was booed on stage after becoming the first foreigner to win one of Spain’s most prestigious flamenco competitions at the Cante de las Minas festival in the town of La Union in Murcia in early August. Hagiwara, who goes by her stage name La Yunko,…

· Bryan Ke

Viral video shows Thai mom sending love to daughter via CCTV

A heartwarming video of a Thai mother giving her daughter virtual hugs and kisses through a CCTV camera on Aug. 27 has gone viral on TikTok, amassing over 1.7 million views. TikTok user Aum Aum (@aumaum1017) posted the video with the caption, “Missing my mum. [Wait for me] to…

· Carl Samson

Chinese artist, 68, detained for ‘slandering’ Mao Zedong in retroactive crackdown

Chinese artist Gao Zhen, 68, was detained in China on allegations of slandering national heroes and martyrs. Gao Zhen, known for provocative artworks critiquing Mao Zedong and the Cultural Revolution, was arrested on Aug. 26 after police raided his art studio in Sanhe, Hebei…

· Ryan General

Netflix ramps up Chinese-language content with Taiwan focus

Netflix is significantly expanding its Chinese-language content with a particular focus on productions from Taiwan. The streaming giant, which held its first-ever accessibility premiere in Taiwan for the comedy series “GG Precinct” last month, is prioritizing stories that…

· Michelle De Pacina

Ex-aide to NY governers charged as foreign agent

Linda Sun, a former top aide in the New York state government, has been charged with acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government, allegedly using her positions to further Beijing’s agenda for financial gain. On Tuesday, Sun was arrested along with her husband, Chris…

· Michelle De Pacina

Korean actor Yoo Ah-in jailed for drug abuse

South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in, 38, was sentenced to one year in prison on Tuesday for habitual drug use, including propofol abuse and illegal drug purchases. He was fined 2 million won (approximately $1,490) and detained immediately. Yoo, whose real name is Um Hong-sik, was…

· Ryan General

Naoya Inoue retains undisputed world super-bantamweight title

Japanese boxing superstar Naoya “The Monster” Inoue successfully defended his undisputed super-bantamweight title against Irish challenger TJ Doheny in Tokyo on Tuesday. Inoue’s relentless body shots and pressure proved too much for Doheny, with the Irishman’s face visibly…

· Michelle De Pacina

California settles $350K sexual harassment lawsuit filed by ex-worker against Fiona Ma

California has agreed to pay $350,000 to settle a 2021 lawsuit with Judith Blackwell, a former employee who accused Democratic State Treasurer Fiona Ma of sexual harassment. Blackwell’s allegations included that Ma exposed herself and crawled into bed with her during shared…

· Michelle De Pacina

All charges dropped against suspect in Oakland police officer’s killing

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office dismissed all charges against Marquise Cooper, one of four men initially charged in connection with the killing of Oakland police officer Tuan Le. Le, a four-year veteran of the Oakland Police Department, was fatally shot on Dec. 29,…

· Ryan General

Filipino American swimmer claims USA’s first Paralympics 2024 gold

Filipino American para swimmer Gia Pergolini made history in Paris on Friday, becoming the first Team USA athlete to win gold at the 2024 Paralympics. She secured her victory in the 100-meter backstroke S13 with a time of 1:04.93, just shy of her world record. This win marks…

· Carl Samson

Thailand ex-police chief among 8 charged in Red Bull heir hit-and-run cover-up

Multiple high-ranking officials, including Thailand’s former National Police Chief Somyot Poompanmoung and former Deputy Attorney General Nate Naksuk, were charged in connection with an alleged cover-up in the 2012 hit-and-run case involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss”…

Answer

BTS connects to HYBE, Weverse, memberships, merch, and tickets.

People & Works

person

Ami Nakai

Open the culture page.
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.

Open the culture page.
Open

Culture surface · Beauty

Beauty retail

Beauty retail is a culture-first entry point into the listed company behind it.

Open the culture page.
Open

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.

Open the culture page.
Open

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.

Company: Toho
Open

Platform · Platforms

Kakao Entertainment

Kakao Entertainment connects to Kakao and the broader platforms story around it.

Company: Kakao
Open

Culture surface · Platforms

Kling AI

Kling AI connects to Kuaishou and the broader platforms story around it.

Company: Kuaishou
Open

Culture surface · Platforms

Kuaishou

Kuaishou connects to Kuaishou and the broader platforms story around it.

Company: Kuaishou
Open

Culture surface · Platforms

Kwai

Kwai connects to Kuaishou and the broader platforms story around it.

Company: Kuaishou
Open

Culture surface · Retail

Lifestyle retail

Lifestyle retail connects to Miniso and the broader retail story around it.

Company: Miniso
Open

Results

Culture · brand

Uniqlo

Uniqlo connects to Fast Retailing, the company behind the stores, basics, and repeat buying habit.

Companies: Fast Retailing
Basics, routines, travel, repeat buys.
Open

Culture · routine / beauty brands

K-beauty

K-beauty connects to companies built around skincare routines, hero products, and travel retail.

Companies: Amorepacific / Shiseido
Skincare routines, hero products, travel retail.
Open

Culture · platform

Weverse

Weverse connects to HYBE, the platform where memberships, merch, content, and fandom access keep moving after the song.

Companies: HYBE
Memberships, merch, paid content, fan app.
Open

Company · Japan · TYO:7832

Bandai Namco Holdings

Bandai Namco sits behind toys, anime IP, games, and licensing that turn fandom into everyday consumer products.

Known for: Gundam · Pac-Man · Tekken
Anime
Open

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.

Known for: Kuaishou · Kwai · Kling AI
Platforms
Open

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.

Known for: ZEE5 · Zee TV · Zee Studios
Entertainment
Open

Company · Japan · TYO:9983

Fast Retailing

Fast Retailing matters because Uniqlo is an everyday consumer habit, not just a stock story.

Known for: Uniqlo · GU · Theory
Fashion
Open

Company · Korea · KOSDAQ:035900

JYP Entertainment

JYP is tied to groups that drive albums, tours, subscriptions, merch, and international fan activity.

Known for: TWICE · Stray Kids · ITZY
K-pop
Open

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.

Known for: aespa · NCT · RIIZE
K-pop
Open

Company · Korea · KOSDAQ:122870

YG Entertainment

YG connects global K-pop attention to touring, brand deals, fan demand, and artist-centered entertainment revenue.

Known for: BLACKPINK · BABYMONSTER · TREASURE
K-pop
Open

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.

Known for: Taobao · Tmall · Youku
Platforms
Open

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.

Source: AP News
Published signal
Read

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.

Source: Fast Retailing
+22.4% revenue growth
Read

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.

Source: NetEase
Multi-year UMG license agreement
Read

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.

Source: CJ ENM
Global Warner deal
Read

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.

Source: Sanrio
Read

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.

Source: Amorepacific
Read