DUMPLING PICKS #015 outlines big and small, loud and quiet signals from Asia 🔮
Editor’s Note: DUMPLING celebrates 500 subscribers [very soon]!! Thank you so much. A few highlights about this issue: Artful sculptures and bonsai, and a funny DJ monk at a Buddhism expo. Air pollution, boycotts, and strikes, but also hope in drones, as well as the fascinating intersection between faith, biodiversity, and business. Young Chinese’s love for massage, and dynasty fashion going mass. Let me know what you think 🥟 – Jess
Lighter Fare 🧋
Exploring creativity across Asia.
Soft sculpture collection inspired by ancient porcelain vases 🏺 Intentional off-grid living in India 🏞️ This bonsai brand from Japan believes #伝統とは革新の連続 ('traditions means continuous innovation) 🌳 This new pineapple bun flavour taps into Hong Kong nostalgia 🧃 Korean comedian brings joy as the ambassador of Seoul Buddhism Expo, as a DJ dressed up as a monk 👨🏻🦲
Serious Stuff 🍚
Big factors influencing life, culture, and business across Asia.
Air pollution plagued Chiang Mai as it welcomed Songkran over the weekend 😷 Samsung labour union might go on strike for the first time since 1969 🤖 Drones are going to save lives 🛸 Double-digit decline observed in companies perceived with a pro-Israel stance on Gaza in Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia and Malaysia 📉 Faith meets biodiversity in India 🌳 Netflix series exploring the complexities of faith and commerce in Thailand 🪷 Japan’s ruling party uses generative AI to create a new slogan to be put up across the country 🎨
China Special 🇨🇳
A tiny effort to decode China.
Designer analyses different shades of black in Chinese heritage 🖤 Youth redefines massage businesses in China 🦶 热辣滚烫 (‘Hot, Spicy, Boiling, Burning’) is the highest-grossing Chinese film in 2024 with a generally positive review in China as seen on Douban, but has seen a very different take on Guardian 🥊 #穿汉服出门 (Going out in Hanfu) has garnered over 807 million views on Xiaohongshu, and the platform has just launched an official account focused on 国风 (Guofeng, or National Style), celebrating fashion from different dynasties through a #小红书国风月 (Guofeng Month) initiative 💥 Chinese influencer transparent about the taxes she is paying 💰