Commentary: K-pop without the ‘K’ just won’t pop

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NEW YORK: K-pop is betting that it can reverse its slowing global growth by becoming less Korean. This is a mistake: Without the “K”, the music is plain pop, undistinguishable from – and unable to compete with – the dominant American kind.

There is no question the K-pop wave is waning. Bang Si-hyuk, whose Hybe is behind such acts as BTS and NewJeans, believes the industry is in crisis. South Korean customs data shows that K-pop album exports in 2022 grew just 4.8 per cent to over US$230 million, compared with 62.1 per cent in 2021 and 82.6 per cent in 2020.

This is in no small part because of BTS, far and away the industry’s biggest act, went into hiatus at the end of 2022, to allow the seven band members to fulfil their mandatory military service and pursue solo projects.

At the time, there were fears of a decline in the US market, where BTS accounted for a third of all K-pop sales and streams. The US is K-pop’s second-biggest export market, behind Japan.

But overall album exports in the first half of last year were up a respectable 17 per cent. Jungkook, a BTS member, scored a huge hit with his solo album Golden, and the single Seven garnered a billion streams on Spotify – faster than any song previously.

So Bang’s warnings about a K-pop crisis seem a little premature.

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Commentary: Asian Cup kicks off in Qatar amid rising tensions in Middle East

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WHEN FOOTBALL AND POLITICS MIX

At the 2022 World Cup, Qatar established itself as a reliable host capable of successfully delivering events, a focal point for communicating a vision of Arab unity and a legitimate, trustworthy member of the international community. Officials in Doha will no doubt be seeking to do more of the same, especially given recent turbulence in the Middle East.

Over the last few years, Qatar has engaged in diplomacy between the United States and Taliban government in Afghanistan, arranged a hostage swap involving Iran and the United States, and been instrumental in negotiating the release of Gaza hostages in the Israel-Hamas war.

At the Asian Cup, Qatari officials will need to deploy their soft power and diplomacy to full effect, not least because of several teams that have qualified for the tournament.

The Gaza war has resulted in the deaths of several Palestinian football players and has posed challenges for the national team in preparing for the tournament. In its first match, the Palestinian team will face Iran – the country accused by Israel, the US, and their allies of being behind Hamas attacks, and of supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon.

At the 2022 World Cup, Iran drew the world’s condemnation as at the time women in the country were being arrested and beaten for refusing to cover their heads in public. This issue may resurrect itself once again, though the UAE’s appearance in the same group as the Iranians and Palestinians suggests more prominent issues may arise. Football and politics ideally should not mix, but very often they do.

Throughout the recent conflict, the UAE’s Etihad Airways has been one of the few international airlines that has continued to fly into Tel Aviv. This follows its normalisation of relations, in 2020, with Israel – a process from which several football deals emerged. Tournament host Qatar has always refused to follow suit, while Saudi Arabia has paused plans for normalisation following Israel’s military action in Gaza.

With this year’s Asian Cup taking place against a backdrop of such conflict and uncertainty, Saudi Arabia heads to it trying to establish a more progressive, responsible international reputation.

Nowhere has this been more evident than its investments in football. Five years ago at the Asian Cup, the kingdom came second in its group then exited in the round of 16 – an underwhelming performance compared to its smaller neighbours Qatar and the UAE (which reached the semi-final stage).

This time round, having spent heavily on overseas player acquisitions and its domestic league, Saudi Arabia will be hoping to play well and project a positive image of the country. The Asian Cup will not be a litmus test of the returns on its investment in football, but of how football in the kingdom is developing.

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Commentary: Nothing to see in Malaysia's alleged 'Dubai Move' to topple Anwar government - for now

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IN THE MOOD FOR ANOTHER BACKDOOR GOVERNMENT?

The bigger issue is whether Malaysians (especially the Malays) are in the mood for another backdoor government. Many of them are struggling with the high cost of living, the weak economy and unemployment. But they have not indicated any strong reactions to the Dubai Move speculation.

Yet, if the unity government continues to neglect the anxieties of the people, the momentum may be strong enough that they might endorse a change of government. Within one year since taking power, Anwar’s popularity ratings have plummeted from 68 per cent to 50 per cent. While Malaysians are generally pleased with his handling of the economy, his management of race and religious relations remains wanting.

The Tanjung Piai by-election in 2019 remains fresh in many people’s minds. Barisan Nasional reclaimed the seat from PH with a huge margin. Then, the Mahathir-led PH government was struggling with race and religious issues and the perception of a Chinese-dominant Democratic Action Party (DAP) calling the shots in the government. The election was a precursor to Muhyiddin Yassin pulling Bersatu out from PH, citing the Malays’ declining support, and the Sheraton Move followed.

In addition, the DAP continues to repeat the same mistakes that led to PH’s downfall in March 2020. DAP MP Ngeh Koo Ham has suggested that a non-Muslim legal expert be included in a special committee at the federal level to strengthen the Syariah court system. Earlier, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang remarked during a dialogue with Malaysian students in the United Kingdom that the Constitution does not exclude non-Malays from becoming prime ministers.

These trip-ups by DAP fall into PN’s playbook, which is bent on exacerbating racial and religious tensions. By doing so, PN, especially Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), recorded its best electoral performance in the country’s history in the last general and state elections.

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Commentary: How a royal pardon for jailed former PM Najib could rock Malaysia politics

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Whether he goes for the prime ministership or not, his base guarantees him a key role in any new government. When a potential pardon takes effect and how much time it leaves him to manoeuvre will be a strong consideration here.

The most strategic move will likely be for Najib to use his influence to boost his sons’ careers and secure his political legacy, instead of challenging Mr Ahmad Zahid. It would be a win-win for both: It will take time for the sons to rise, so if Najib is willing to wait, why not?

MUSIC TO MUHYIDDIN YASSIN’S EARS

For Mr Muhyiddin, the prospect of Najib making a comeback will be music to his ears. Someone who can split UMNO could precipitate the fall of the unity government.

One complication is bad history between the two men. Mr Muhyiddin will never forget he was sacked from UMNO in 2016 by Najib. But in Malaysian politics, the overriding objective always trumps personal animosity.

My Muhyiddin’s immediate problem is stop his own assemblymen from unofficially defecting to Mr Anwar’s side, so courting Najib to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) may change the whole political scene.

However, this is unlikely to happen. Najib will not join Bersatu unless the party can offer him a clear path back into power and that will not happen as long as Mr Muhyiddin still fancies himself a prospective prime minister.

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Commentary: South Korea’s gender imbalance is bad news for men

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A PREFERENCE FOR SONS

There are several reasons why South Korea’s SRB was out of balance for 30 years.

South Korea experienced a rapid fertility decline in a 20- to 30-year period beginning in the 1960s. From six children per woman in 1960, fertility fell to four children in 1972, then to two children in 1984. By 2022, South Korea’s fertility rate had dropped to 0.82 – the lowest fertility rate in the world and far below the rate of 2.1 needed to replace the population.

Yet, South Korea’s long-held cultural preference for sons did not shift as quickly as childbearing declined. Having at least one son was a strong desire influencing fertility preferences in South Korea, especially up through the early years of the 21st century.

And the declining fertility rate posed a problem. When women have many children, the probability that at least one will be a boy is high. With only two children, the probability that neither will be a son is around 25 per cent, and when women have only one child, it is less than 50 per cent.

In order to ensure that families would continue to have boys, many South Koreans turned to readily available techniques to identify the gender of the foetus, such as screening in the early stages of pregnancy. Abortion, which is legal and socially acceptable in South Korea, was then often used to allow families to select the sex of their child.

SEX BY THE NUMBERS

In South Korea, beginning in around 1980 and lasting up to around 2010 or so, many more extra boys were born than girls. When these extra boys reach adulthood and start looking for South Korean girls to marry, many will be unsuccessful.

The extra boys born in the 1980s and 1990s are now of marriage age, and many will be looking to marry and start a family. Many more will be reaching marriage age in the next two decades.

I have calculated that owing to the unbalanced SRBs in South Korea between 1980 and 2010, about 700,000 to 800,000 extra boys were born.

Already this is having an effect in a society where over the centuries virtually everyone was expected to marry, and where marriage was nearly universal. Recent research by Statistics Korea showed that in 2023, only around 36 per cent of South Koreans between the ages of 19 and 34 intended to get married; this is a decline from over 56 per cent in 2012.

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Commentary: Anwar moves to slow down the rise of PAS with new deputy religious affairs minister

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An Islamic mass-based organisation established in 1971, ABIM started out in student and youth activism on Malaysia’s university campuses. ABIM quickly gained fame and expanded its members’ activities into the education and economic sectors, including lecturing at the International Islamic University of Malaysia. ABIM gradually moved into local and global humanitarian and charitable causes, and was a pioneer in promoting interfaith dialogue in Malaysia.

AN INSTRUMENTAL ALLY TO ANWAR IBRAHIM

ABIM was an instrumental ally to Anwar when he was part of then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad’s administration in the 1980s and 1990s. This was not surprising since Anwar was one of the founders and former leaders of ABIM.

In fact, ABIM activists spearheaded the Policy on Inculcating Islamic Values introduced by Mahathir at that time. ABIM was also seen as responsible for promoting the concept of “Madani” which Anwar first coined in 1997.

Unlike groups such as Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) which had direct links with the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), ABIM was known for utilising MB’s recruitment methods and activities to expand their membership, although they emphasised a Malaysian approach.

In her post on X (formerly Twitter) welcoming Zulkifli to the administration, Minister of Education Fadhlina Sidek stated that he has been her “source of reference” on various issues, adding that he is an authoritative and young intellectual. This is significant, given that Fadhlina is the daughter of the late Siddiq Fadzil, the great maestro of ABIM who served as its president from 1983 to 1991. He was famous among university students, cultural activists, educators and even clerics for his leadership style.

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Commentary: Japan Airlines ‘miracle escape’ is precisely why passengers should listen to safety briefings

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HOW TO GET People TO Give Interest

Making safety meetings more engaging for individuals may be one way to encourage them to pay closer attention.

The in-flight security video from Singapore Airlines, which was created in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board and features well-known locations throughout the island, is very fascinating to watch. Along with British Airways ‘ Disney-themed film and Air Canada’s, which stars tennis player Emma Raducanu, musician Little Simz, and sex education professional Ncuti Gatwa.

Virtual humans are featured in Korean Air’s most recent inflight picture, which was released on January 4 in a nod to modern technology.

With these new concepts, we hope to alter how passengers perceive inflight protection videos, making them more relevant and interesting, according to a Korean Air representative.

However, aside from videos, there has n’t been much of a change in how passengers have been informed about safety. How you airlines use creativity to persuade customers to put down their phones for five minutes so they can listen to a safety presentation?

Education and tests are being done more frequently in cabin simulators for crew members to simulate the conditions they might experience during an evacuation. Had passengers be subjected to a related 3D model? To create safety instructions more understandable and enjoyable, how about an engaging app or handheld display?

In an emergency, people are more likely to maintain their composure if they take their cabin safety briefings significantly. Getting the message across earliest is crucial.

At CNA Digital, Alison Jenner serves as Supervising Editor and is in charge of &nbsp, writings.

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Commentary: Taiwan’s slowing growth and national security

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China is no longer dependable for boosting socioeconomic development.

During the Cold War, Taiwan’s regional defense was crucially supported by a robust economy. Taiwan dedicated 6 to 11 % of its GDP to bolstering its regional defense between 1951 and 1991, a time when the economy was booming.

Taiwan’s financial growth has slowed down since the 2000s. Military spending as a percentage of GDP has decreased from 10 % in 1961 to 6 % in 1991 due to increased demand for social welfare spending. Taiwan’s military spending will simply make up 2.6 % of its GDP in 2024, despite having a higher defense budget.

Taiwan has relied on exporting technologically advanced technological goods to China since the 1990s to maintain economic growth. Following its democratic peace with the United States, China’s financial liberalization has made the cross-strait production network functional.

However, China is no longer dependable for Taiwan to grow its economy, according to the country’s mounting social conflict with the United States, real estate crisis, stagnant household consumption, and rising local government debts.

Taiwan’s development model, which relied on sending transitional products to China for ultimate assembly, is evolving. Taiwan’s total exports from China and Hong Kong decreased from 44 % in 2020 to 35 % in 2023. In the meantime, the proportion of imports to the United States, Europe, and ASEAN nations as a whole increased by 7 %.

Taiwan’s investment in China decreased by 17 % to US$ 2.5 billion in the first three quarters of 2023, which is significantly less than its$ 9.6 billion US investment and slightly higher than theUS$ 2.3 billion Singapore investment. According to China’s salary increases, more stringent labor laws, and environmental regulations, Taiwan began to invest less in the country before 2013.

Geopolitical tensions between the US and China since 2018 have accelerated the evacuation of investments. Taiwan’s funding away from China will continue to be hampered by the continued political tensions between the US and China, the economic slowdown of the Chinese government, its restrictions on private enterprise, and its growing hostility toward foreign traders.

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Commentary: Heed the warning of Japan New Year's Day earthquake

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One of many adjustments to the building code that have been made since World War II as the country learned how to adapt to its numerous catastrophe, that structure was constructed in 1972, a century before an reform of Japan’s national andnbsp, building standards. One of the reasons I still support Japan’s unreserved method to demolishing ancient structures and replacing them with new ones is because of these same standards.

Storm defenses likewise held up; reviewers love to criticize Japan’s preference for using concrete to solve problems, but presumably scenery-damaging nbsp, tetrapods, and seawalls occasionally prove their worth. &nbsp,

GETTING READY FOR CALAMITIES THAT WE CAN’TAVOID

However, the message being conveyed here is not that the nation is impervious to harm. An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 sounds ( and is ) large. However, the range is nonlinear, meaning that the 2011 earthquake of magnitude 9 temblor&nbsp released more than 125 times as much energy as the New Year’s aftershock.

Building seawalls wo n’t be able to stop all the damage caused by such a tsunami; instead, we must take lessons from the past and gradually move away from these coasts.

That Japan was n’t serendipitous, hit harder on New Year’s Day. However, it is almost certain that it will receive a more significant blow quickly.

According to government estimates, a long-awaited follow of the 1923 earthquake that struck immediately beneath Tokyo could result in up to 23, 000 fatalities from fires and fell buildings. Even replacing the stock of pre-1981 buildings wo n’t completely eliminate the risk of fire, despite the nation’s best efforts.

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Commentary: Neon still has a hold on the hearts of Hongkongers

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” Whenever I went for a tour in Hong Kong in the 1980s or 1990s, I was greeted by the lake of fluorescent,” said the author. According to advocate Cardin Chan, who works for the nonprofit Tetra Neon Exchange, it exuded a sense of belonging or home. ” To be seen, companies had to battle.” ” They could shake hands with each other,” she said, referring to symptoms that were so close. &nbsp,

NOSTALGIA AND Growth

The symptoms hark back to an earlier, more rollicking time in a city that has seen significant tumult in recent years, including strong clampdown on protesters and greater power by Beijing. &nbsp,

Neon serves as a reminder of Chan’s children. She recalled a youth in which she claimed that the lamps had to be kept on even during the oil crisis, saying that “brightness equal prosperity.” She said,” You could see how crucial brightness was to Hong Kong in making an ( positive ) impression on outsiders. &nbsp,

She acknowledges that the memories for neon may be more profound for some people. Chan remarked,” It is sentimental, you ca n’t avoid it, especially with the changes of the last few years.” The handwriting, metalwork, and setup all date back to a time when cottage industries predominated in Hong Kong. &nbsp,

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