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Businesses in Golden Triangle SEZ to Only Accept Payment in Lao Kip

The Golden Triangle SEZ.
The Golden Triangle SEZ.

Businesses in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone will need to display a sign that reads “Accept Lao Kip Only” for payments starting Monday.

US Environmental Affairs Official to Visit Laos, Thailand, and Indonesia

Acting Assistant Secretary Littlejohn’s Travel to Laos, Thailand, and Indonesia
Acting Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. (Photo: Meridian)

US Acting Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, J.R. Littlejohn will travel to Laos, Thailand, and Indonesia from 19-24 June.

Thailand’s Caretaker Government Criticized for Holding Meeting to Discuss Military-Ruled Myanmar

Thailand’s Caretaker Government Criticized for Holding Meeting to Discuss Military-Ruled Myanmar
Thailand's Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok, Thailand.

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand on Monday will host a meeting of neighboring countries to discuss the violent political deadlock in Myanmar, an initiative that has been criticized for potentially undermining regional peace efforts and for being carried out by a caretaker government.

Spackman Media Group Artist Son Suk-ku Stars In Upcoming Korean Theatre Production, ARMY ON A TREE

  • Spackman Media Group artist Son Suk-ku is set to star in a new Korean theatrical play, ARMY ON A TREE, which opens on June 20, 2023
  • Represented by Spackman Media Group, Son Suk-ku previously secured the #1 position in the movie star brand reputation of actors in Korea in May 2023 based on the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute
  • Son Suk-ku most recently starred in the record-breaking Korean drama, BIG BET Season 2, which posted the highest viewership ever among all previous Korean original content on Disney+ in its first week of release, and plans to headline in Netflix’s Korean drama MURDER DIEARY (2024)

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 19 June 2023 – Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (the “Group“), one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups founded in 2011 by global media & technology investor Charles Spackman, wishes to announce that Son Suk-ku of the Group’s associated company, Spackman Media Group Limited (“Spackman Media Group“), shall be starring in the upcoming Korean theatre production, ARMY ON A TREE, which is scheduled to open on June 20, 2023, at the LG Art Center Seoul, U+ Stage.

Following his recent Disney+ record-breaking Korean drama, BIG BET Season 2, ARMY ON A TREE serves as Son Suk-ku’s highly anticipated return to the theatrical stage.

ARMY ON A TREE, which will run from June 20, 2023, to August 5, 2023, is a Korean theatre production based on the work of the late Japanese writer Hisashi Inoue. It relates the true story of a veteran soldier and an army recruit (to be played by Son Suk-ku). While hidden in a Gajumaru tree from 1945 until March 1947 and unaware of Japan’s defeat in Okinawa, their extraordinary tale of survival is a test of endurance, hope, and the complexities of human nature during times of extreme adversity, which invites audiences to reflect on the implications of war.

As one of Spackman Media Group’s top actors, Son Suk-ku’s exceptional acting talent has been widely recognized in mainstream television, film and theatre. Last month, Son Suk-ku achieved the top spot in the movie star brand reputation of actors in Korea in May 2023, according to the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute[1]. The result was obtained by a brand analysis of 50 actors from April 29, 2023, to May 29, 2023, which studied big data from consumers’ brand reception and the volume of media and community interest on the actors. Son Suk-ku ranked first among the 50 actors, surpassing other renowned actors including Song Joong-ki, Ma Dong-seok, Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Hye-soo. Son Suk-ku’s latest drama, BIG BET Season 2, set new records with the highest viewership on the Disney+ platform during its inaugural week in February 2023, surpassing all previous Korean original content on the streaming service.

In February of this year, he secured the coveted top spot in the 2023 MALE ACTORS TO WATCH survey conducted by Cine21, a prestigious weekly film magazine in Korea. Furthermore, Son Suk-ku achieved the top-ranking in movie star brand reputation, as recognized by the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute in January 2023. In December 2022, he also received the prestigious JTBC Grand Prize at the 2022 TV Drama Acting Awards held by Good Data Corporation, an online competitive analysis agency for K-content in Korea.

Dominating both the big and small screens in Korea, Son Suk-ku of Spackman Media Group garnered unparalleled rankings and viewership in his productions with lead roles in BIG BET Season 2, top box office performing film of the year, THE ROUNDUP (2022), and the May 2022 most popular K-drama, MY LIBERATION NOTES.

Looking ahead, Son Suk-ku is planning to headline in Netflix’s Korean drama MURDER DIEARY (2024), which is a crime thriller dark comedy based on a popular webtoon of the same name.

Son Suk-ku is managed by SBD Entertainment Inc. (“SBD Entertainment“), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Spackman Media Group that represents the careers of 12 artists. In addition to Son Suk-ku, SBD Entertainment also represents one of Korea’s rapidly rising young actors, Han Ji-hyun of popular K-drama THE PENTHOUSE 3, who won the Best Rookie Female Actor in the 2021 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards in Korea and endorsed Shiseido in 2022.

Hashtag: #SpackmanEntertainmentGroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Spackman Entertainment Group Limited

Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (“SEGL” or the “Company“), and together with its subsidiaries, (the “Group“), is one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups. SEGL is primarily engaged in the independent development, production, presentation, and financing of theatrical motion pictures in Korea.

The Company was founded in 2011 by renowned media and technology investor Charles Spackman who served as the Company’s Executive Chairman until 2017. For the past two decades, Mr. Charles Spackman has been a powerhouse in the Korean entertainment industry starting in the early 2000’s with the pioneering success of Sidus Pictures, the largest movie production company at the time and the first to be listed in Korea. Mr. Spackman is also the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the global investment firm, Spackman Group. For more information, please visit charlesspackman.com and .

Since its founding, SEGL had produced more than 30 major motion pictures including a number of the highest grossing and award-winning films in Korea, namely #ALIVE (2020), CRAZY ROMANCE (2019), DEFAULT (2018), MASTER (2016), THE PRIESTS (2015), SNOWPIERCER (2013), COLD EYES (2013) and ALL ABOUT MY WIFE (2012).

Our films are theatrically distributed and released in Korea and overseas markets, as well as for subsequent post-theatrical worldwide release in other forms of media, including online streaming, cable TV, broadcast TV, IPTV, video-on-demand, and home video/DVD, etc. Generally, we release our motion pictures into wide-theatrical exhibition initially in Korea, and then in overseas and ancillary markets.

The Group also invests into and produces Korean television dramas. In addition to our content business, we also own equity stakes in entertainment-related companies and film funds that can financially and strategically complement our existing core operations. SEGL is listed on the Catalist of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited under the ticker 40E.

Production Labels

SEGL owns a 100% equity interest in Studio Take Co., Ltd. (“Studio Take“) which produced STONE SKIPPING (2020) and THE BOX (2021). Its latest film, A MAN OF REASON, premiered in the US at the 42nd Hawaii International Film Festival. The film was also invited to the 47th Toronto International Film Festival, the largest film festival in North America, and the 55th Sitges Film Festival, one of the world’s top three genre film festivals. A MAN OF REASON is expected to be released in the third quarter of 2023. Studio Take shall also release an upcoming film, THE GUEST, which is at the post-production stage and scheduled to be released in the second half of this year.

SEGL owns Novus Mediacorp Co., Ltd. (“Novus Mediacorp“), an investor, presenter, and/or post-theatrical distributor for a total of 80 films (59 Korean and 21 foreign) including OKAY MADAM (2020), LONG LIVE THE KING (2019), MY FIRST CLIENT (2019), ROSE OF BETRAYAL (2018), THE OUTLAWS (2017) and SECRETLY, GREATLY (2013), which was one of the biggest box office hits of 2013 starring Kim Soo-hyun of MY LOVE FROM THE STARS (2013), as well as FRIEND 2: THE GREAT LEGACY (2013). In 2012, Novus Mediacorp was also the post-theatrical rights distributor of ALL ABOUT MY WIFE (2012), a top-grossing romantic comedy produced by Zip Cinema. In 2018, THE OUTLAWS, co-presented by Novus Mediacorp broke the all-time highest Video On Demand (“VOD“) sales records in Korea. For more information, please visit .

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Greenlight Content Limited (“Greenlight Content“) which is mainly involved in the business of investing into dramas and movies, as well as providing consulting services for the production of Korean content. Through the acquisition of Greenlight Content, the Group’s first co-produced drama, MY SECRET TERRIUS, starring top Korean star, So Ji Sub, achieved #1 in drama viewership ratings for its time slot and recorded double digits for its highest viewership ratings. Greenlight Content was one of the main investors of MY SECRET TERRIUS.

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Simplex Films Limited (“Simplex Films“) which is an early stage film production firm. The maiden film of Simplex Films, JESTERS: THE GAME CHANGERS (2019), was released in Korea on 21 August 2019. Simplex Films has several line-up of films including HURRICANE BROTHERS (working title).

The Company owns a 20% equity interest in The Makers Studio Co. Ltd., which plans to produce and release four upcoming films, the first of which will be THE ISLAND OF THE GHOST’S WAIL, a comedy horror film.

Talent Representation

The Company holds an effective shareholding interest of 43.88% in Spackman Media Group Limited (“SMGL“). SMGL, a company incorporated in Hong Kong, together with its subsidiaries, is collectively one of the largest entertainment talent agencies in Korea in terms of the number of artists under management, including some of the top names in the Korean entertainment industry. SMGL operates its talent management business through renowned agencies such as SBD Entertainment Inc. (Son Suk-ku, Han Ji-hyun, Park Keun-rok), MSteam Entertainment Co., Ltd. (Son Ye-jin, Wi Ha-jun, Lee Min-jung, Ko Sung-hee, Lee Cho-hee), UAA&CO Inc. (Kim Sang-kyung) and Play Content Co., Ltd. (Hwang-hwi). Through these full-service talent agencies in Korea, SMGL represents and guides the professional careers of a leading roster of award-winning actors/actresses in the practice areas of motion pictures, television, commercial endorsements, and branded entertainment. SMGL leverages its unparalleled portfolio of artists as a platform to develop, produce, finance and own the highest quality of entertainment content projects, including theatrical motion pictures, variety shows and TV dramas. This platform also creates and derives opportunities for SMGL to make strategic investments in development stage businesses that can collaborate with SMGL artists. SMGL is an associated company of the Company. For more information, please visit .

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Constellation Agency Pte. Ltd. (“Constellation Agency“). Constellation Agency, which owns The P Factory Co., Ltd. (“The P Factory“) and Platform Media Group Co., Ltd. (“PMG“), is primarily involved in the business of overseas agency for Korean artists venturing into the overseas market. The P Factory is an innovative marketing solutions provider specializing in event and branded content production. PMG is a talent management agency, which represents and manages the careers of major artists in film, television, commercial endorsements and branded entertainment.

Strategic Businesses

The Company also operates a café-restaurant, Upper West, in the Gangnam district of Seoul and own a professional photography studio, noon pictures Co., Ltd.

For more details, please visit

Two Lao-Americans Showcase Lao Cuisine on US TV Show

Two Lao-Americans on US TV show (Photo: FOX 5 San Diego)
Two Lao-Americans on US TV show (Photo: FOX 5 San Diego)

Two Lao-Americans whipped up a traditional Lao dish on an American television show on Fox 5 San Diego, to promote the San Diego Lao Food Festival which was organized last week.

Laos Plans to Export Rice to United States in 2024

Rice from Laos labeled in French for export to France.

The owner of a rice production company in Laos expressed her interest in exporting rice to the US next year after the recent success of Lao rice importations in European markets.

Kerry Logistics Network Launches Global LCL Solutions

From Asia to Multiple Destinations Worldwide

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 19 June 2023 – Kerry Logistics Network Limited (‘Kerry Logistics Network’, ‘KLN’; Stock Code 0636.HK) announces the launch of a global less-than-container load (LCL) programme to offer weekly direct LCL services from key Asian gateways to multiple country destinations across the globe. The new offerings will leverage on KLN’s solid presence and extensive ground support in Asia to provide customers with increased cost efficiency and dedicated customer care from Container Freight Station (CFS) to CFS for cargoes of any size.

With the new weekly scheduled LCL services, suitable for all industries, KLN caters to more than 2,800 corridors worldwide. Leveraging KLN’s established overland network between China and Southeast Asia, KLN provides shipment pick-up across China to be transported through its self-owned or self-managed consolidation hubs in all base ports with complete control on landside haulage cost. KLN also provides value-added services including insurance, fumigation, customs clearance, warehousing as well as cargo tracking through its designated portal.

Vic Cheung, Managing Director of Kerry Logistics Network, said, “Many companies are facing increasing price pressure as the demand for products remains low post-pandemic. Our dedicated global ocean freight team is maximising the load per container to offer our customers greater flexibility and more cost savings on their shipments, in particular for smaller-volume cargoes. Riding on KLN’s unique market position and extensive gateway coverage in Asia, our dedicated LCL solutions are backed by strong in-house customs clearance capabilities and local support at destination ports, enabling us to meet our customers’ diverse needs.”
Hashtag: #KerryLogisticsNetwork

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Kerry Logistics Network Limited

Kerry Logistics Network is an Asia-based, global 3PL with a highly diversified business portfolio and the strongest coverage in Asia. It offers a broad range of supply chain solutions from integrated logistics, international freight forwarding (air, ocean, road, rail and multimodal), e-commerce and express to industrial project logistics and infrastructure investment.

With a global presence across 59 countries and territories, Kerry Logistics Network has established a solid foothold in half of the world’s emerging markets. Its diverse infrastructure, extensive coverage in international gateways and local expertise span across the Mainland of China, India, Southeast Asia, the CIS, Middle East, LATAM and other locations.

Kerry Logistics Network generated a revenue of over HK$86.6 billion in 2022. It is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as well as a constituent of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index.

Police Arrest Lao Man for Murder of Vietnamese Woman

Police Arrest Lao Man for the Death of Vietnamese Woman
Police detained Khamxay to testify.

Police in Hatsaifong District have apprehended a Lao man who was suspected of killing a Vietnamese woman in Vientiane Capital.