SharkBites by NextShark
Posts
BTS’s Jin Crowned, Hong Kong Trials Condemned, Tech Workers Stuck

BTS’s Jin Crowned, Hong Kong Trials Condemned, Tech Workers Stuck

November 22, 2024

Good Morning – November 22, 2024

Your daily update on stories impacting the Asian and Asian American community, along with key insights into business, culture, and trends.

POLITICS & POLICY

Kamala Harris still Dems’ presidential pick for 2028, poll shows

Despite losing the 2024 presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris remains the top choice among Democratic voters for the party’s 2028 presidential nomination, according to a new poll by Puck News/Echelon Insights. The survey, conducted from Nov. 14 to 18, found that 41% of likely Democratic voters would support Harris, far ahead of California Gov. Gavin Newsom at 8% and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro at 7%. Harris’ 2024 running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tied at 6%, while other potential candidates, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker garnered lower support. Harris, who secured 226 Electoral College votes to Donald Trump’s 312, addressed her loss at Howard University, urging supporters to “respect the results” and vowing that “the light of America’s promise will always burn bright.” Meanwhile, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance leads the Republican field for 2028 with 37% support, well ahead of former candidates Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy at 9% each. The poll reflects strong voter interest in Harris despite uncertainty over whether she will seek another political bid.

CRIME & LEGAL

Global outcry as Hong Kong jails 45 pro-democracy activists

Forty-five pro-democracy activists, journalists and ex-lawmakers were sentenced to prison terms of four to 10 years on Tuesday in Hong Kong’s largest national security trial. The case, rooted in their participation in a 2020 unofficial primary election, has drawn international condemnation and raised fresh concerns about the erosion of civil liberties in the once semi-autonomous city.

Driving the news: The activists were convicted of “conspiracy to commit subversion” under the Beijing-imposed 2020 national security law for organizing a primary election intended to win a legislative majority and disrupt government operations. Legal scholar Benny Tai, 60, deemed the “mastermind,” received the harshest prison sentence of 10 years. Former student leader Joshua Wong was sentenced to four years and eight months, while journalist-turned-activist Gwyneth Ho was handed seven years. Two people in the same case were acquitted in May. Judges ruled that the primary posed a subversive threat, despite its resemblance to legitimate political activity in democracies worldwide.
International outcry: Human rights groups and Western governments denounced the sentences as a blatant attack on political freedoms. The U.S. called the case “aggressive prosecution” for peaceful activities protected under Hong Kong’s Basic Law, while U.K. and Australian officials condemned the use of the law to stifle dissent. Former Hong Kong Gov. Chris Patten described the sentencing as a “sham,” while Human Rights Watch highlighted the erosion of the city’s civil liberties and judicial independence. Beijing, however, dismissed criticism, asserting that the law ensures national security and stability.
The big picture: The trial underscores Beijing’s tightening grip on Hong Kong following the city’s famous 2019 protests, symbolizing the dismantling of its once-thriving pro-democracy movement. Critics argue the national security law undermines judicial independence and betrays promises of autonomy under the “one country, two systems” framework, which was promised during Hong Kong’s 1997 handover. For many, the case marked the transformation of the city’s political leaders into prisoners of conscience and reinforced fears that dissent has no place in the city’s future governance.

US indicts Asia’s 4th richest man in $250 million bribery scheme

On Wednesday, Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and senior associates were charged in the U.S. with orchestrating a $250 million bribery scheme to secure lucrative solar energy contracts in India. Federal prosecutors in New York alleged that Adani Green Energy bribed Indian officials to win contracts projected to yield over $2 billion in profits. The indictment further accused the 62-year-old and his associates of concealing these bribes while raising $3 billion through loans and bonds, misleading U.S. investors about the company's anti-bribery practices. The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a parallel civil case, seeking monetary penalties. Shares of Adani Group companies plummeted following the news, dropping 22% on Thursday. The charges mark the latest blow to Adani’s empire, which has faced allegations of financial misconduct since 2023. Adani, estimated to be worth $57.7 billion, is currently the fourth richest man in Asia, only behind Chinese-Canadian Changpeng Zhao ($61B) India’s Mukesh Ambani ($96.5 B) and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang ($127.9B). Adani’s conglomerate has denied the accusations and vowed to pursue legal recourse.

Filipino American siblings, 2 others found fatally shot inside burning SoCal house

Two Filipino American siblings, Christine Asa-Ca, 26, and Janvi Maquindang, 21, were among four people fatally shot at a home that caught fire in Lancaster, California, on Nov. 16. Asa-Ca’s fiance, Edwin Garcia, 24, also died at the scene, along with an unidentified fourth victim who succumbed to injuries at a hospital late Sunday night. Authorities responded to a 911 call about the shooting made at 1:27 a.m. by a terrified 16-year-old family member who hid in her bedroom and was later rescued by deputies. Firefighters arrived at 1:43 a.m. and extinguished the blaze within an hour. Investigators have yet to determine a motive or identify any suspects, though they have not ruled out that the shooter may be among the deceased. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to cover funeral expenses and support the surviving siblings. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the L.A. County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or lacrimestoppers.org.

Thai woman sentenced to death in 1st of 14 murder trials for cyanide poisoning spree

Bangkok’s Criminal Court has sentenced Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36, to death for the cyanide poisoning of her friend, Siriporn Khanwong, in April 2023. Rangsiwuthaporn, dubbed "Aem Cyanide" (“Ms. Cyanide”) by local media, allegedly lured Khanwong to Ratchaburi province under the guise of a Buddhist ritual, where she poisoned her food and stole her valuables. The conviction, handed out on Wednesday, is the first in a string of 14 murder cases against Rangsiwuthaporn, who is accused of targeting friends and acquaintances she owed money to, often stealing their jewelry and belongings after their deaths. Police investigations revealed that Rangsiwuthaporn had been carrying out these poisonings since 2015, with one known survivor. Her ex-husband, a former police officer, and her lawyer were also sentenced to prison for concealing evidence. Rangsiwuthaporn faces 13 more murder trials and over 80 charges in total.

LIFESTYLE

Seattle sushi chain closes two locations after influencer’s video sparks "worm" claims

Popular sushi chain FOB Sushi Bar has temporarily closed its Seattle and Bellevue locations after a viral review by influencer Keith Lee sparked concerns about food safety. While the 28-year-old TikToker gave the establishment an overall score of 8 out of 10, viewers purportedly noticed what appeared to be movement in a piece of sashimi Lee was eating.

Call for accountability: Lee, who has over 16 million followers on TikTok, posted his positive review of FOB's buffet-style sushi on Nov. 10. Three days later, co-owner Vincent Chen told King 5 that Lee’s review was “the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” as it had increased his sales by 50%. However, things quickly turned sour when some commenters claimed they saw a worm in one piece of sashimi that Lee consumed. Lee later uploaded a follow-up video, assuring that he suffered no ill effects. However, he expressed concern for one follower who claimed to get hospitalized after dining at the restaurant and urged the restaurant to be more accountable.
Responding to backlash: FOB Sushi dismissed the allegations as false, citing the “natural elasticity” of the fish and pressure from chopsticks as the cause of the observed movement. “Rumors like this can harm small businesses, so we’re addressing it head-on,” the restaurant said in an Instagram post on Sunday, reiterating their adherence to FDA food safety standards. The chain would then announce the closures in a separate post on Tuesday to conduct a thorough investigation, emphasizing, “Your health and safety are our highest priorities.”

Japanese man runs marathon in honor of wife, 3 children who died in earthquake

A Japanese man is making headlines for running a marathon to honor his family who died in an earthquake earlier this year. Keisuke Oma, a 42-year-old police officer in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, participated in the 42.1-kilometer (26.1-mile) Kanazawa Marathon 2024 on Oct. 27, finishing in three hours and 58 seconds. Oma wore a shirt with a picture of his wife Haruka, 38, their daughter Yuka, 11, son Taisuke, 9 and son Minatosuke, 3. Oma told reporters after the marathon, “I'd be happy if my family in heaven said, 'You were so cool, dad.'" Oma and his family were staying at Haruka’s parents’ home in Suzu City for the New Year when a 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit Ishikawa Prefecture. The family were in the living room when the first tremor hit, prompting Oma to go outside to check. A second and more powerful tremor then triggered a landslide near the house, causing it to collapse. Oma and their neighbors searched the wreckage for his family, but their bodies were recovered days later. Although Oma is still mourning, he is determined to continue living. “It is not just my life. I cannot always live in the past,” he said.

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

“Pokemon Go” players revealed to have been training game developer’s new AI model

“Pokemon Go” developer Niantic announced its new AI model on Nov. 12, created using data players have sent over the years. The large geospatial model (LGM), built using the San Francisco-based studio’s visual positioning system (VPS), helps computers “perceive, comprehend and navigate the physical world in a way that will seem equally advanced.” LGM is reportedly similar to large language models (LLM) like ChatGPT. Instead of text, however, Niantic’s LGM collects geolocated images from “Pokemon Go” players exploring locations to capture Pokemon. The data-collecting feature, which can be disabled, is indicated in Niantic’s privacy policy, where the studio confirms it uses geospatial technology and player recordings to "build a 3D understanding of real-world places, with the goal of offering new types of AR experiences to our users." So far, the company has received over 10 million scanned locations globally using its VPS from the past five years and around 1 million fresh scans every week, “each containing hundreds of discrete images.”

ENTERTAINMENT

Hulu's “Interior Chinatown” impresses viewers and critics with bold satire

Hulu's new action-comedy series "Interior Chinatown" is receiving generally favorable reviews from critics and audiences alike. Based on Charles Yu's award-winning novel, the show premiered on Tuesday and currently boasts an 82% critic and 94% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while maintaining a 67/100 score on Metacritic.

A critique on stereotypes: The show, helmed by Taika Waititi, follows Willis Wu (played by Jimmy O. Yang), a struggling actor stuck in the background of a fictional police procedural called "Black and White." Yu, who also serves as showrunner, uses the series to critique the stereotypical roles often assigned to Asian actors in Hollywood. IndieWire observes that the series cleverly explores the question, "What if the people pushed into the periphery were aware of it, and how can they move organically into the main story?"

What critics are saying: General consensus on Rotten Tomatoes called it "freewheeling entertainment with plenty to say about Asian American stereotypes." Highlighting the show’s "visceral and biting satire," RogerEbert.com praised the series for its inventive approach to deliver its "sharp, stylish commentary on the lack of Asian representation in '90s media." Its creative shifts between the gritty world of crime drama parody “Black & White” and the personal life of protagonist Wu have drawn comparisons to Disney Plus show “WandaVision.” According to The Wrap, the series "manages to be entertaining as its own thing alongside its wider dissection of a deep-seated industry problem." Meanwhile, IndieWire praised Yang’s performance, describing him as "captivating and likable from his very first frame." While some critics point out occasional heavy-handed dialogue, many lauded the supporting cast, particularly Chloe Bennet, Ronny Chieng and Tzi Ma, whose roles bring depth and humor to the story.

BTS’s Jin reacts to being named “world’s most handsome man”

BTS’s Jin recently had fans in stitches with his hilarious reaction to being named the “most handsome man” multiple times. While promoting his debut solo album “Happy” on Lee Mujin’s talk show “Leemujin Service” on Nov. 19, the host humorously listed Jin’s accolades, including titles like “world’s best sculpted face” by doll maker CzDollic in 2019 and “best looking man in the world” by Andrey Beauty Studio in 2021. After being initially stunned, Jin then quipped about gaining 10 kilograms (22 pounds) during his military service as “compensation” and laughed off the attention, saying, “Of course, the world is full of people more handsome than I am! But it’s also true that I’m handsome as well. A positive mindset. You’ve got to learn.” Fans couldn’t contain their amusement, with one noting, “Shocking news: the guy who always called himself Worldwide Handsome is speechless that he was crowned Worldwide Handsome.”

Asian American doll company releases mixed-race Asian and white doll

Jilly Bing, a company known for its Asian American dolls, has launched its first mixed Asian and white doll, reflecting the growing demographic of over 3.5 million mixed-race Asian Americans identified in the 2020 Census. Described as the “bold, confident daughter of an Asian father and a Caucasian mother,” Riley — who loves Asian shaved ice with sprinkles — aims to empower children to embrace all facets of their heritage. “For so many of us, growing up meant feeling pressured to choose one side of our heritage,” Jilly Bing CEO and founder Elenor Mak said. “The Riley Doll is here to show kids they don’t have to choose — they can celebrate every part of who they are.” Following the success of Jilly Bing’s flagship doll, Jilly, released in 2023, Riley was developed in response to strong community demand for a mixed Asian character. Retailing at $68, the doll is available for preorder now at the company’s website and ships in December.

“Bling Empire,” “Hello, Love, Again” star Kevin Kreider is now an “honorary Filipino”

Korean American actor Kevin Kreider proclaimed himself an “honorary Filipino” for starring in the hit Filipino rom-com “Hello, Love, Again.” In an Instagram post Tuesday, the “Bling Empire” star, 41, encouraged Filipinos to celebrate the film’s historic opening weekend in North America. “As an honorary [Filipino], I expect all my Fil-Am peeps to be here to celebrate,” he wrote. Kreider in “Hello, Love, Again” plays Uno, who unintentionally gets in between leads Marie (Kathryn Bernardo) and Ethan’s (Alden Richards) romance. Speaking to OMNI Television, Kreider noted that the Filipino American and Filipino community helped him make his dream come true as an actor, as they were “the first community to give me my real first shot in acting. This is the first time I feel support from any Asian community to really get a shot on the map.” Kreider, a Korean adoptee in Philadelphia, became known for appearing in “Bling Empire,” where he rubs shoulders with some of the richest Asians in Los Angeles.

Joe Rogan discusses colleges’ alleged discrimination against Asian students

On the Nov. 15 episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” host Joe Rogan and guest Jeff Dye discussed the perceived strong work ethic of Asian people and its impact on the lawsuit against Harvard University for alleged discrimination against Asian American applicants. "They [Asian people] make it more difficult for them to get in. They have to have higher grades and a higher score," Rogan stated, highlighting the alleged disadvantage faced by Asian American applicants due to their high academic achievements. Rogan and Dye acknowledged the role of cultural emphasis on hard work and discipline, with Rogan observing, "It's this kind of crazy work ethic that some Asian households instill in their children." They discussed the lawsuit against Harvard, where the university was accused of using a holistic admissions process that allegedly downplays academic merit in favor of other factors. Rogan argued that while striving for equality of opportunity is important, "the world is not fair, and you can't make it fair with laws or rules," and that "it doesn't make you better to suppress someone by diminishing their success." The conversation touched on the complexities of balancing academic merit with other factors in college admissions and the broader issue of fairness in a competitive society.

SPORTS

Sun Wukong faces Son Goku in FIFA 2026 poster ahead of China v. Japan match

A poster showing Chinese mythological character Sun Wukong preparing to square up against “Dragon Ball” franchise hero Son Goku ahead of China and Japan’s match at FIFA 2026 has emerged. Chinese sports site Dongquidi created and first shared the unofficial poster on Chinese social media, but it has since made its way into X. The poster shows Sun Wukong — also known as The Monkey King — standing gallantly inside a soccer stadium as he prepares for Son Goku, who is in his Super Saiyan form. China and Japan held their 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier match in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Tuesday with Japan winning 3-1. Fans loved the unofficial poster, with one X user commenting, “In honor of Toriyama sensei, this is frickin' beautiful.” Another quipped, “Throw Hanuman in there for a three way battle between China, India and Japan.”