SINGAPORE, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — iQIYI, Asia’s leading streaming platform, hosted the “iJOY 2026 Thailand” event in Bangkok, reviewing its annual achievements in the Thai market while unveiling its upcoming content strategy, upcoming C-Dramas, local Thai originals, and variety programs. As the new iQIYI International Global Ambassador, Esther Yu made a surprise appearance with co-stars He Yu and Thai actor Mike Wu to introduce “Speed and Love“,  the new flagship drama under iQIYI’s Heartbeat Theater. The main cast and production team of “Running Man Thailand,” co-developed by iQIYI and Korea’s SBS, also attended the event, drawing major attention.

Yang Xianghua, President of iQIYI Movie and Overseas Business Group, noted in his keynote speech that iQIYI Thailand achieved significant year-on-year growth in both membership and revenue so far in 2025, with Thailand becoming the top-grossing overseas market. Over 40 Thai dramas launched on iQIYI Thailand this year, many of which were iQIYI originals. In 2026, iQIYI plans to further increase its investment in Thailand and aims to double the number of its original Thai dramas, while advancing the “iQIYI Starship Program” to bring Chinese and Thai artists to other international markets, and co-developing premium productions with leading local studios.

At the event, iQIYI International unveiled its 2026 lineup of major C-Dramas, including “The Legend of Rosy Clouds,” “How Dare You!?”, “Fate Chooses You,” “Southern Anecdote”, “Overdo”, and “Chasing Jade”, covering genres from period fantasy to romance, suspense, and adventure. Among them, “Fate Chooses You” is directed by Guo Hu and stars Ren Jialun and Wang Herun, telling the fantasy love story of a cursed war spirit reborn to join forces with a cultivator in pursuit of redemption. “How Dare You!?”, starring Wang Churan and Cheng Lei, is adapted from Qi Yingjun’s popular novel and stands out for its comedic fusion of time-travel and modern workplace themes.

As the new flagship drama under iQIYI’s Heartbeat Theater, “Speed and Love” stars Esther Yu, He Yu, and Mike Wu appeared on stage to promote both the drama and iQIYI International’s Double 11 membership campaign. “Speed and Love” centers on racing and personal growth, exploring themes of trust, ambition, and self-discovery.

Li Kaichen, Vice President of iQIYI and Head of APAC and MENA, announced Esther Yu as the new iQIYI International Global Ambassador, following Bai Lu and Chen Zheyuan. As part of the “iQIYI Starship Program,” she will join multiple cross-border activities to advance the global reach of Chinese-language entertainment. Set across China and Thailand.

In the local originals segment, iQIYI announced its 2026 Thai content lineup, created in collaboration with top local studios including GMMTV, Mandee Work, Idol Factory, Copy A Bangkok and others. The lineup includes titles such as “Burnout Syndrome,” “Duang with You,” “Peach Lover,” and the “4 Elements” series among others. The “Interminable” premiered on November 7. The main cast and production team of “Unknown Lovers,” “Lust,” “GELBOYS 2,” “Identity Zero,” and the “188 Series”  also appeared on stage to present their dramas and share insights from behind the scenes.

Another highlight was “Running Man Thailand,” jointly produced by iQIYI and Korea’s SBS Studio Prism. The show features seven popular Thai celebrities — Daou, Nunew, Phuak, Oat Pramote, Ink Waruntorn, Jeff Satur, and Tay Tawan — as the main cast, and is expected to begin filming at the end of 2025 with a 2026 premiere. The main cast and producers made their debut appearance at the event, showcasing iQIYI’s expanding footprint in global entertainment collaboration.

Through iJOY 2026 Thailand, iQIYI reaffirmed its long-term commitment to innovation and cross-border creativity, reinforcing its role as a driving force in shaping Asia’s entertainment ecosystem and expanding the global influence of Chinese-language content.

A GRAMMY-Targeted Artist Acceleration Program Has Launched from Japan
Born as an international nexus of music and culture, [ ACCELERATE-“GRAMMY” ]

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AXLR8-G is a cross-industry project formed by Japan’s leading artists, creators, and record label representatives. Encompassing a diverse range of works from multiple musicians, it represents an unprecedented initiative to accelerate Japan’s challenge toward the global stage. This year, AXLR8-G took its first step by strongly supporting numerous official entries from Japan. Designed with the utmost respect for the GRAMMY Awards, the project does not replace any role of the official organizers. Instead, it aims to build the pathway for artists to step onto the international stage, in full compliance with the official submission and review process set by the Recording Academy.

These activities are conducted under the guidance and cooperation of the officially recognized CANNES GALA, endorsed by the Cannes Film Festival.

In recent years, Japan’s animation and manga industries have achieved record-breaking revenues. Owing to its unique market structure—stronger in physical media compared to global standards—the music market has also shown double-digit growth, expanding Japan’s content industry. However, according to IFPI global statistics, Japan, despite being Asia’s largest music market, has maintained a heavy focus on domestic activities.

The launch of AXLR8-G marks a major step in enhancing Japan’s international music mobility, positioning the country as a model case that may influence the global balance of the content industry, as Asia’s largest consumer market becomes more deeply connected to Western industry structures.

The first event will be held on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, coinciding with the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Kimitaka Kato – Executive Director:
“A new generation of Japanese artists is creating a powerful movement in the global music scene. Their energy transcends borders, resonating deeply with young audiences in the West and beginning to exert real influence. By pursuing the GRAMMY Awards together, we aim to further expand the presence of Japanese music across the world.”

TAICHI – Chairman:
“The GRAMMY Awards uphold the philosophy of ‘connecting people and cultures through music to build a better society.’ They have continually demonstrated how creativity can transform the world. Sharing this same spirit, AXLR8-G—alongside the CANNES GALA, the only officially recognized social ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival—envisions a future where artistic creation unites beyond national boundaries.”

Chairman: TAICHI

Executive Director: KIMITAKA KATO
Executive Producer: RYO NAKATSUJI

Directed by AKASHI STEVE KAWAMITSU
Director: SHINPEI TOKAI
Director: NAO
Creative Directors: SCATTER（NOMA）
: NAOHIRO NAKAMURA
: KAZUAKI HAYAMA
: VELNO YOMI
: IPPEI NISHIHARA
: REIKO KOIDE
Creative Producer / Actor: YUKA KUMAMOTO
Co-Producer: JIN MASAHISA
Co-Producer: YUKI MIMA

Key-Visual: Animator: HIROSHI SHIMIZU

Produced by TAKURO ANDO
Producer: SATOSHI MIMA

Production: NOMA
Approved by CANNES GALA

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Choi Hwi-young) and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE, President Park Changsik) successfully held the “2025 ASEAN–KOREA Innovative Culture Forum” on Saturday, November 8, at the National Gallery Singapore.

Now in its sixth year, the forum was first launched in 2020 and has since become a leading platform where cultural and creative professionals from ASEAN Member States and Korea (11 countries in total) gather to discuss innovation and cooperation in the cultural sector.

This year’s event began with a keynote speech by Professor Kyogu Lee (Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University; Co-founder of Supertone) titled “Inclusive AI for Cultural Sustainability.” The forum then continued with four thematic sessions: Navigating Cultural Diversity in Inclusive AI, Creative Industry Shifts in the Age of AI, The Future of Cultural Heritage, AI Literacy for an Inclusive ASEAN Culture.

Each session featured experts and cultural professionals from major ASEAN KOREA institutions such as the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, ASEAN Foundation, ASEAN Secretariat, and the National Gallery Singapore. The discussions explored practical ways to preserve cultural diversity and inclusivity amid rapidly changing technological environments.

Following the forum, KOFICE and the ASEAN Foundation signed an MOU, establishing a new foundation for strengthening ASEAN– KOREA cultural cooperation. Through this agreement, both organizations plan to pursue sustained exchanges and joint projects, further expanding the cultural network between Korea and the ASEAN region.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Shirley Zhou’s Unconfined Embroidery International Exhibition which organized by Shanghai Genarts Culture Media Co., Ltd. holds its official opening at ION Art Gallery, Singapore, running from November 6 to 10.

Curated and presented by Ms. Shirley Zhou, the fourth-generation inheritor of China’s intangible cultural heritage embroidery art, the exhibition showcases over 50 artworks that bridge Eastern and Western aesthetics. Centered on the theme “Threads of Harmony: Cultural Symbiosis,” it invites audiences into a dialogue on cultural fusion and artistic innovation through the language of needle and thread.

Bridging East and West — Building Cultural Symbiosis Through Embroidery

“Threads of Harmony” is not merely an exhibition—it embodies Shirley Zhou’s artistic philosophy. Her works merge the subtlety of Eastern embroidery arts with Western compositional structure, breathing new life into traditional embroidery.

Mr. Zhou Nan, President of the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Association, noted that Shirley Zhou’s artistic journey reflects the spirit of innovation among a new generation of cultural inheritors.

The representative figures in Singapore’s art community and audience remarked that Shirley Zhou’s artistic creations use silk threads as a bridge between tradition and technology, infusing contemporary vitality into heritage art while enriching Singapore’s cultural diversity and inclusiveness.

Special Tribute: celebrate Singapore’s 60th Anniversary

In celebration of Singapore’s 60th anniversary of independence in 2025, Shirley Zhou’s created a special tribute piece — a portrait of former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, rendered through four distinct embroidery techniques: realism, abstraction, sketch, and line drawing.

This artwork embodies the artist’s admiration for Singapore’s multicultural spirit, resilience, and openness — a reflection of mutual respect and cultural resonance between China and Singapore.

A Poetic Dialogue in Threads

Two lotus-themed pieces, combining oil-painting vibrancy with the poetic restraint of ink wash, drew particular attention. Through thousands of meticulous stitches, Shirley Zhou recreates the richness of oil tones and the ethereal balance of Chinese ink.  The first piece “Water Lilies” showcases the essence of oil painting through embroidery. With crisp and lively needlework, vibrant colors, and seemingly unrestrained yet meticulously executed stitches, the passionate texture of oil painting blossoms on the embroidered canvas. The second piece ” The Charm of Lotus” captures the soul of ink wash painting. The blending of ink flows like clouds and water, in fact, conceals dozens of subtle gradations of black, gray, and white. the embroidery weaves a ‘richly colorful ink palette,’ revealing depth within elegance and boundless meaning within simplicity.

Artist-led Tours and Cultural Exchange

During the exhibition, Shirley Zhou personally conducted guided tours for visitors, explaining her techniques, inspirations, and stories behind each piece. These exchanges deepened the audience’s understanding of modern embroidery as both a cultural legacy and a contemporary art form.

Shirley Zhou’s attributes her creative liberation to the dynamic interplay between Eastern and Western cultures. This fusion has empowered her to transcend conventional boundaries and develop a uniquely unconfined artistic voice.

From Singapore to the World

“Threads of Harmony” marks not only an exhibition but the beginning of a broader cultural journey. Through her needle and thread, Shirley Zhou echoes Singapore’s spirit of openness and innovation.

In the future, Zhou’ art will continue to reach out to the world. With an open mind, it will engage in the preservation and promotion of global intangible cultural heritage, allowing Eastern embroidery to shine on the international stage—transcending cultures and connecting souls.

Exhibition Dates: 10:00-22:00 Nov 6-11, 2025
Venue: ION Art Gallery, Level 4, ION Orchard 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Theme: Threads of Harmony • Cultural Symbiosis
Artist: Shirley Zhou, the fourth-generation inheritor of China’s intangible cultural heritage embroidery art