Live Roundups Editor's Desk Insights Executive Ops Weather About 🔍
Home › World News › East Asia’s cultural economies are bridging...
World News

East Asia’s cultural economies are bridging politics-driven divides

East Asia’s cultural economies are bridging politics-driven divides
South China Morning Post Sunday 25 October 2026, 08:30 UTC By Hamzah Rifaat 1 min read
Key Points

The appearance of K-pop singer G-Dragon on electronic billboards in major Chinese cities despite Beijing’s K-pop ban points at a contrast between political shadows clouding international relations and actual commercial linkages in East Asia. Amid tensions over Seoul’s military alliance with the United States and other issues, G-Dragon featured in eight McDonald’s products across more than 8,000 outlets in mainland China. The penetration and appeal of Korean cultural icons show how...

The appearance of K-pop singer G-Dragon on electronic billboards in major Chinese cities despite Beijing’s K-pop ban points at a contrast between political shadows clouding international relations and actual commercial linkages in East Asia. Amid tensions over Seoul’s military alliance with the United States and other issues, G-Dragon featured in eight McDonald’s products across more than 8,000 outlets in mainland China. The penetration and appeal of Korean cultural icons show how transnational... [Image text:] EEB RUA RY.
East Asia’s (LOCATION) G-Dragon (PERSON) Chinese (ORG) Beijing (LOCATION) East Asia (LOCATION) Seoul (LOCATION) the United States (LOCATION) McDonald (ORG) China (LOCATION) Korean (ORG)
Originally published by South China Morning Post Read original →

Related Stories

Prague honours Roma resistance fighters against Hitler

Prague honours Roma resistance fighters against Hitler October 25, 2026For more than half a million Roma in Czechia and Slovakia, October 15, 2026, marks an important milestone. That day, an exhibition on a largely forgotten chapter of Czech history opened at the Museum of the Romani National Revival in Prague. The exhibit explores the role of Czech and Slovak Romani resistance fighters during the Nazi German occupation and the dismantling of Czechoslovakia from 1938 to 1945.

Deutsche Welle 11m ago

Audi heads to US: Trump hopes to score at the polls with German carmaker

Audi plans its first car plant of its own in the United States, investing billions in a new production site in the state of Georgia. Audi is taking a major step into the American market: the premium manufacturer from Ingolstadt plans to invest around 4 billion US dollars in its first dedicated US car plant in the state of Georgia. The announcement was made on Saturday, 24 October 2026, at an election campaign rally by US President Donald Trump in Perry, Georgia.

Euronews 12m ago

Saudi Arabia looks to US for an AI edge as Yemen's Houthis up pressure

Saudi Arabia looks to US for an AI edge as Yemen's Houthis up pressure October 25, 2026Under attack from the militant Houthi group in neighboring Yemen, Saudi Arabia has asked numerous allies for help. That includes the United States, even though media report that US President Donald Trump refused when Saudi ruler Mohammed bin Salman asked him to take direct military action against the Houthis. However the US is providing Saudi Arabia with intelligence, which includes a targeting tool that...

Deutsche Welle 15m ago

Upgrade or eyesore? Why Hong Kong’s Peak light display has hit a snag

A controversial lighting project along a walking trail on The Peak is in doubt following mounting complaints that the installations damage Hong Kong’s natural beauty. Designed as one of several new attractions meant to replace a retired light show, the initiative has been criticised by local residents and visitors as counterproductive. The South China Morning Post looks at what has gone wrong with the project.

South China Morning Post 24m ago