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July 01, 2026
 

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Sohee Kim
Fans react to a World Cup match in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, on June 24. JoongAng Group, which made a big bet on World Cup rights, is facing financial trouble after a series of missteps.
BUSINESS
Jul 1, 2026
Failed World Cup bet sinks South Korean media giant¡¯s Disney dream
From soju-fueled film festival parties to court-led restructuring, a South Korean content powerhouse¡¯s mistimed global expansion and ill-judged bets on World Cup soccer and Olympic rights ended up derailing its dream of becoming the country's Disney.
Gwanghwamun Square, the venue of BTS¡¯ comeback concert, in Seoul on March 21. Seoul-based startup Galaxy is trying to disrupt K-pop¡¯s traditional idol system ¡ª a model built on years of recruiting, training and managing human performers.
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 8, 2026
AI K-Pop startup Galaxy aims for IPO in Seoul and New York
The goal of the company, which is preparing for what could be the first overseas listing by a K-pop agency, is to create content without the constraint of human performers.
Cosplayers pose ahead of a screening of "Demon Slayer" in Shanghai.
BUSINESS
Nov 27, 2025
Spat with Japan clouds anime boom¡¯s momentum in China
The China Film Administration has frozen approvals of new Japanese movies, while the release of at least six titles previously been approved has been postponed indefinitely.
Disney is aiming to add more live sports to Disney+ and gradually roll out ESPN across Asia, but the launch timing will vary by market.
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2025
Disney eyes ESPN expansion in Asia to boost streaming content
The company aims to add more live sports to Disney+ and gradually roll out ESPN across Asia, the president of Disney Asia Pacific said.
A statue of young swordsman Tanjiro Kamado, the title character in the "Demon Slayer" anime franchise, is displayed at a cinema in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district on Sept. 9.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 15, 2025
Sony¡¯s ¡®Demon Slayer¡¯ sets $70 million anime debut record
The ¡°Infinity Castle¡± film brought in $70 million, topping the previous $31 million record set by ¡°Pokemon: The First Movie ¡ª Mewtwo Strikes Back¡± in 1999.
Dancers perform ahead of Lee Jae-myung's campaign event in Incheon on May 21.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 31, 2025
K-pop and breakdance power South Korea¡¯s high-stakes presidential race
Both major parties are leaning on Korean pop hits to energize voters, blending choreography and catchy lyrics with political messaging.
Kuaishou Technology has attracted tens of millions of younger viewers who habitually scroll screens for new stories and trending videos.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 6, 2025
Mini dramas have supplanted movies in China. Is the U.S. next?
Professionally produced series for the web, mini dramas have clear storylines and big cliffhangers, with episodes running just 60 to 90 seconds each.
Fans wait in line to meet Webtoon Entertainment creators during the company¡¯s initial public offering at the Nasdaq Market site in New York in June 2024.
BUSINESS
Jan 16, 2025
Webtoon invests in Japanese webcomic studio No. 9 as manga booms
Webtoon¡¯s first investment since its U.S. initial public offering in June is meant to strengthen its content pipeline in Japan.
Law enforcement authorities outside the residence of Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on Tuesday
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 15, 2025
South Korea¡¯s investigators move in second bid to arrest president
Investigators have been seeking Yoon Suk Yeol¡¯s custody after the president repeatedly defied summons in an insurrection probe.
A year-old film on Netflix titled "12.12: The Day" saw a spike in viewers after the political turmoil that hit South Korea this week.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Dec 6, 2024
Korean coup movie hits No. 1 on Netflix after martial law chaos
The film depicts the events surrounding a Dec. 12, 1979, coup in South Korea, a theme also tackled in Han Kang¡¯s novel ¡°Human Acts.¡±
The first phase of growth for Warner Bros. in Asia will come from partnerships with local streaming platforms and telecom operators, with the Max standalone app only being launched once the company thinks it has a big enough audience.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 18, 2024
Warner Brothers brings Max to Asia with cautious Hollywood-first strategy
Warner is relying on established franchises like Harry Potter and Friends to draw viewers across the region, setting it apart from rivals Netflix and Disney.
Brian Kim (center), founder of Kakao, arrives at the Seoul Southern District Court in Seoul on Monday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 23, 2024
Arrest warrant out for Kakao founder in stock-rigging case
Brian Kim is facing accusations that he was involved in a stock-rigging scheme during the high-profile takeover of SM Entertainment?in 2023.
Fans celebrate BTS' 11th debut anniversary during 2024 FESTA, an event for fans of the K-pop boy band a day after band member Jin was discharged from the South Korean army after 18 months of military service, in Seoul on June 13.
BUSINESS
Jul 15, 2024
TikTok sees K-culture spend doubling to $143 billion by 2030
In the U.S. and Southeast Asia, research has found that about 80% of social media users have found Korean culture through TikTok.
Film director Hirokazu Kore-eda (left) and actor Lily Franky arrive for a photocall to promote the Official Selection feature film "Shoplifters" at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain in September 2018.
CULTURE / Film
Jun 21, 2024
Japanese film startup aims to change industry working conditions
K2 Pictures is seeking to raise the money from domestic and foreign investors.
Netflix?is ramping up local production in Southeast Asia, aiming to boost its subscriber base in the region even as U.S. rivals are pulling back.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 19, 2024
Netflix uses ¡®Squid Game¡¯ playbook for untapped Southeast Asia
Asia Pacific, accounting for just 11% of Netflix¡¯s 2023 revenue may offer significant growth potential due to its large, young demographic.
South Korean pop group BTS perform during the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards on April 3, 2022.
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 27, 2024
Universal Music to distribute BTS and rappers in new Hybe deal
As part of the agreement, the companies will collaborate on artist promotions and marketing activities in North America.
Fans of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani outside the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Wednesday.
MORE SPORTS
Mar 22, 2024
MLB games streamed to skeptical South Korean fans herald global shift
There¡¯s still no dominant sports broadcaster or streamer that serves all of Asia, and that means that there will be fierce competition.
Fans cheer during a friendly match between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Kiwoon Heroes ahead of the Major League Baseball Seoul Series in Seoul on Sunday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 18, 2024
MLB brings Shohei Ohtani, season openers and big dreams to Seoul
With a set of stars from the region, 2024 is turning out to be baseball¡¯s moment in Asia.
Crunchyroll, now owned by Sony Group Corp., is setting its sights on India as a major growth market.
LIFE / Digital
Jul 15, 2023
Former piracy site Crunchyroll cashes in on anime¡¯s global appeal
Crunchyroll expects the anime industry will have more than 800 million fans globally by 2025 outside markets in China and Japan.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 7, 2023
Samsung announces cut to memory chip output after worst profit since 2009
Operating profit plunged more than 95% to 600 billion won for the three months ended March, missing the average analyst estimate, while sales also fell.
Uruguay federation reportedly cancels charter flight after World Cup exit
Uruguay's Jose Maria Gimenez reacts after the team's loss against Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.
Inside Japan¡¯s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
India¡¯s gig workers pay the price for exposure to New Delhi¡¯s hazardous air
Rohit Kushwaha waits for a customer as he delivers his last parcel of the day, in New Delhi in January. His work as a delivery driver has helped pay the family¡¯s bills, but has had a significant impact on his health.
Life inside Japan¡¯s largest prison for women
Western-style rooms spanning the size of four tatami mats with hardwood floors, a toilet and soft mattresses on bed frames are designated for foreign nationals and those with health conditions at Tochigi Prison.
Japan¡¯s fertility system offers few safe paths for same-sex couples
A Tokyo Pride parade participant holds a sign that says "we want to be a married couple, not a couple."
Inside Japan¡¯s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
A French ship with close ties to Japan combines arts and sciences on the high seas
Romain Troubl¨¦, the executive director of Tara Ocean Foundation, speaks to visitors aboard the Tara during a rare port call in Tokyo in April.
In Kyushu¡¯s far south, Senti.U sparks a culinary destination
Chef Yasuhiko Uchida was born in Saga Prefecture but has made his home in Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, since 2012.
¡®The colors speak for themselves¡¯: How Japan¡¯s chroma bible went global
¡°A Dictionary of Color Combinations¡± is meant to function as a quick-reference guide for artists, designers and anyone with a passing interest in aesthetics as a quantifiable pursuit.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival
By Alex K.T. Martin

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