What China’s most famous ‘gaokao factory’ reveals about the limits of its exam-driven education model
The model, symbolising China's exam pressures, faces criticism for its ultra-strict routines and potential psychological toll on students.
Elephant festival revives tourism in Nepali village after prolonged slump
The elephant festival has been held in Chitwan for decades, though it has long faced opposition from animal rights activists.
Japanese student gamifies tsunami evacuation drill with nighttime quake scenario
It simulates escaping from a tsunami with a physically disabled individual, which means one member of each five-person group wore sunglasses and earplugs.
Chaozhou gongfu cha: A tea-drinking practice steeped in Chinese tradition
In 2022, it was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as part of the "traditional tea processing techniques and associated…
Picking Malaysia’s national favourite fruit
So far, there have been proposals from durian manufacturers who want the King of Fruits to be given its due, while the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board is backing its…
Whodunnit? Vietnam’s online sleuths step up their game, tracking true crime
Amateur websleuths played a key role in identifying murder suspect Doan Van Sang by collating an 88-page document with details like a birthmark and tattoo, which went viral,…
Living with tigers in Bhutan
For villagers in Changarzam, conservation success has come with a heavy cost. Each night, they hope their cattle will be safe until morning.
Buried fire, shared roots: A Maori and Papuan stone-cooking bond
A Maori hangi and Papuan bubigi cooked side by side highlight deep-rooted culinary parallels, where food becomes both sustenance and a language of togetherness.
What do Koreans think about their lives?
Koreans feel wealthier but less happy while foreign residents show stronger life satisfaction despite lower income and housing security
From photocards and albums to MP3 players, home decor: the evolution of K-pop merch
In a landscape where the music itself is no longer the dominant source of revenue, merchandise becomes K-pop’s most intimate business strategy.