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June 3rd, 2021

UNIVERSAL FAVORITE

Inside the pandemic-proof business empire of BTS

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The Big Story

Business of K-pop: Inside the pandemic-proof empire of BTS

How South Korean pop went from niche to global phenomenon

At home, South Korea's pop industry has followed a strict formula for success. Hybe, the management for idol group BTS, may have worked out how to bring it overseas.
Medical personnel tend to internally displaced people in Myanmar's Karen State following military air strikes in the area, in this handout image released on May 7.
Asia Insight

Myanmar violence, hunger and ruin risk deeper refugee crisis

Flaring conflicts between military and ethnic groups make bad situation worse

A Solid Power engineer holds two solid-state battery cells made for BMW and Ford at a U.S. pilot production line in April. Global carmakers are upping their bets on solid-state battery technology.   
Business Spotlight

Can Japan and Toyota win the solid-state battery race?

Rivals are also chasing an EV breakthrough to take on Tesla

JD Logistics still gets most of its revenue from parent JD.com, but its share has fallen to just over half. 
IPO

JD Logistics cheers Hong Kong investors with strong debut

Boost after string of IPO flops as shares climb as much as 18%

The share prices of Chinese tech majors, including Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent Holdings, have plunged over the last few months as the government increased scrutiny of the sector. (Source photos by Reuters)
Dalian Wanda's stake in U.S. theater chain AMC Entertainment has gone from 100% to 0.002%. 
China debt crunch

Sale of AMC cinemas closes curtain on Dalian Wanda's global dream

Deal tests tycoon Wang Jianlin's claims to 'always profit' on investments

China will let all couples have three children, up from a limit of two, as the Communist Party fears a population decline that could begin as soon as 2022.
Politics

China's three-child policy aims to head off demographic crisis

Skyrocketing education costs hamper push to boost birthrate

People walk at a crowded market amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the old quarters of Delhi, India, April 6.
Economy

India's GDP expands 1.6% in January-March quarter

Second COVID wave clouds near-term outlook despite recent dip in cases

A Muslim cleric and his team move the body of a coronavirus victim for burial on May 23.
Coronavirus

Malaysia locks down as vicious COVID wave fogs election timing

PM adds $9.7bn of stimulus while hospitals struggle to cope with bodies

South Korean President Moon Jae-in inspects a vaccine vial at an SK Bioscience plant in the city of Andong on Jan. 20. His government has come under fire over a slow vaccine rollout. (Source photos by Reuters and EPA/Yonhap/Jiji)
COVID vaccines

South Korea, Japan and Taiwan rush to develop homegrown vaccines

Sluggish vaccination rollouts make the three places vulnerable to outbreaks

A TSMC plant: Taiwan and Vietnam, hailed as early victors in the battle against COVID-19, are now witnessing new outbreaks. (Photo courtesy of TSMC)
Coronavirus

Taiwan and Vietnam race to shield tech industry from COVID

Early success little comfort as vaccine drives lag behind West

Pedestrians on a street in Tokyo: the declining working-age population means a decline not only in labor supply but also in demand for goods and services.
Opinion

Monetary policy framework is the real issue, not inflation risk

Our knowledge of inflation dynamics remains limited

A screen shows ASEAN leaders attending an online summit in Hanoi in November 2020: one solution would be to begin a process requiring its authoritarian member states to initiate democratization or lose their membership.
Opinion

ASEAN must be transformed or replaced

A proposal to achieve a more effective and democratic regional organization

Crushed rare-earth ore from a California mine. China accounts for about 60% of the world's production of rare-earth minerals.  © Reuters
The Nikkei View

Countries need multifaceted approach to securing rare metals

Dependence on China for crucial resources presents risks

Located on Japan's main southern island of Kyushu, Itoshima has become a hotspot for international creatives keen to capitalize on the city's iconic beaches, mountains, and rivers. (Photo courtesy of Itoshima City Tourism Association)
Life

How Japan's Itoshima became an international hub for creators

Once an isolated coastal town, it is now ranked world's third-best small city

Yay-mont is a savory pancake made with rice flour and filled with tomatoes and spring onions. (Photo by Kelly Mcnamara)
Tea Leaves

When comfort food is no longer a refuge

A Myanmar exile's struggles with food offer a metaphor for her country's trials