Asia Insight

Suicide in South Korea is a serious and widespread problem with the country having the highest suicide rate for an OECD member state. One in three persons who commit suicide are over the age of 65. Most of these elderly individuals have no job and live separately from their families. The Seongbuk district in Seoul has been taking a progressive approach to work on elderly suicide prevention since 2010. In this episode, we take a look at how the local government office and resident volunteers are working together to save lives.

Depopulation of rural areas has become a serious issue in China, where economic growth has led the vast majority of youth to migrate to urban eras. Homes and fields that had supported families for generations are now falling into disrepair, with only a handful of villagers left to maintain them. Although the younger generation shows no signs of returning, outside groups are instead finding creative uses for the rustic area: Artists have recently established studios in the village, inspired by the rich history and nature that abound there. In this episode, we explore the current state of China's rural farming villages, and the movements that are bringing new life to them.

In recent years, China's divorce rate has suddenly risen due to a number of factors, including social and economic changes as well as complex family values. The leading reason for divorce is said to be infidelity, with some viewing affairs as a sort of status symbol. In response, new services have emerged to preserve the sanctity of marriage. Marriage investigators now act as negotiators, hired to discourage affairs or help couples rediscover the happiness they once knew. In this episode, we explore the diverse new methods that Chinese citizens use in their pursuit of marital bliss.

In 2016, education in the Philippines underwent a dramatic overhaul. A new high school system was introduced, extending the period of basic public education by 2 years. However, many students have been forced to abandon their studies midway due to financial restraints. This episode of Asia Insight focuses on a groundbreaking new educational system in the Philippines, aiming to achieve a brighter future for its young people.

In the 1990's, Japan's anime was regarded in China as a media for children, and only the most eager fans knew of performance activities such as cosplay. But now, after cosplay of Chinese content underwent government promotion and regulation as a unique form of culture, the practice of dressing up as characters from manga and anime is flourishing, and entire companies have grown around it, combining cosplay with performance arts such as stage plays or dance. In this episode, we take a look at how what was originally Japan's popular culture has given rise to unique art and business in China.

The Kingdom of Cambodia is located on the Indochina Peninsula and approximately 80% of the population lives in rural areas. In the 1960's, the country thrived as a major producer and exporter of rice. However, the country was plunged into a long period of turmoil in the 1970's and the once abundant country was left in ruins. One man, Dr. Yang Saing Koma, has come across a revolutionary new way to cultivate rice and has devoted the past 20 years to restoring prosperity to Cambodia's rural areas. In this episode of Asia Insight, we follow his dedicated efforts to create a new golden age for the agriculture of Cambodia.

Shenzhen is a city located in Guangdong Province, just across the bay from Hong Kong. Referred to as "China's Silicon Valley", it has increasingly gained an identity as an ideal location for entrepreneurs and engineers in the electronics sector, who come to the city seeking to make their ideas into the reality of a new career or an impressive livelihood. Around these creators spring even more new services catering to their intense lifestyles. But in this young, bustling city, it is only the best and brightest who can make their way. In this episode, we follow a day of activity in the city where dreams are realized, Shenzhen.

Sri Lanka: this island nation, often called "the pearl of the Indian Ocean", with its year-round beaches, endless nature and 8 designated World Heritage Sites, is an irresistible spot for travelers. After the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009, foreign tourists quadrupled in the space of 7 years, and the young people of Sri Lanka are working hard to take advantage of the opportunities this new tourism boom offers. We follow students at a 100-year old hotel's tourism school as they strive to become first-rate hotel employees, and visit a group of men looking to strike it rich by offering unique sightseeing tours on the chaotic Sri Lankan streets. This time on Asia Insight: the youth of Sri Lanka and their tourism dreams.

With the rise of digital media in China, the market for brick-and-mortar bookstores is on the decline. However, amidst skepticism from his peers, one man in Guanzhou City opened a bookstore where customers are actually encouraged to read before they buy, or simply read. The store has garnered great attention from investors and customers alike. It promotes literacy among people of every class and background, and holds seminars and events around a variety of topics. In this episode, we follow one man who has fought the economic tide to provide a gathering place for all kinds of book-lovers.

Known as the "Hawaii of China", the popular resort island of Hainan has drawn attention for creating a new model for farming villages. Boxue, a village with 300 residents, succeeded in branding its main crop of lychees in 2014 and doubled local incomes. Some farmers even earn more than the average Shanghai business worker! Chen Tongkui, aged 36, led the change. He was the first in the village to graduate university. After quitting his job as a newspaper journalist to return to his hometown, Chen set up an online retail system to sell lychees and financed agricultural events through crowdfunding. Explore how one man is leading local residents to reshape and revitalize the village with his new ideas.

Family structures are undergoing a rapid change in modern China. More and more grandparents are finding themselves pressured to leave their homes in the country to look after their grandchildren in the cities. They are known as the "Lao piao zu". And they dedicate themselves to child-rearing for many years in an unfamiliar environment where they have no friends. However, this can put unnecessary stress on the elderly people leading to a sense of isolation, sometimes resulting in mental illness. We take a look at changing values in China and the steps being taken to encourage China's caring grandparents.

In the east of the island of Java, Indonesia, is a unique clinic known as the "Garbage Clinic". The clinic encourages local people from impoverished areas to bring recyclable trash to the clinic which they can deliver in exchange for free medical consultations. The clinic opened in 2013, at the instigation of Dr. Gamal Albinsaid (27), who not only encouraged his colleagues to take part but also gathered corporate donations. Approximately 10% of Indonesia's population lives in poverty. While medical insurance is available, it is not very widespread and coverage amongst underprivileged people is rare. 4 years after opening the clinic, the number of registered residents has exceeded 250. Dr. Albinsaid has also set up a system that allows patients with serious conditions to receive treatment at nearby major hospital. He plans to open another clinic later this year. He is also starting home visits. We follow the work of Dr. Gamal Albinsaid and his colleagues as they look to provide medical services to people in need.

In January 2016, China finally ended its 37-year one-child policy. All couples are now free to have a second child. The result has been a huge boom in second babies. The number of births for 2016 was 18.5 million. That's 2 million higher than the average over the last 5 years. Many of the mothers hoping for a second child are 35 years of age and above. Older mothers are vulnerable to a variety of risks during pregnancy and childbirth. Within 6 months of the end of the policy, the maternal death rate rose 30% compared to the first 6 months of 2015. The government is hurrying to respond to this data. Meet these determined mothers and their families who chose to accept those risks as we visit a postpartum care center in Shanghai.

In years past, China's migrant workers were looked upon as lowborn, and expected to eagerly accept even harsh working conditions. But with the country's major economic growth, rising wages mean that there are fewer young workers taking jobs in factories. But a handful of so-called "outsiders" have instead become entrepreneurs in the city, creating businesses that provide specialty services valuing skill and experience more than social standing. In this episode, we take a look at this "new blue collar", a group of young people chiseling out their own identities in the harsh cities of China.

Reflecting Mao Zedong's famous words that women hold up half the heavens, women in China benefit from greater equality in the workplace than in many other nations. But on a social level, women tend to be discouraged from actively pursuing their careers or hobbies with labels that are unfairly applied to them: Whether deemed "leftovers" or facetiously called "ideal women", those who choose priorities that differ from conventional gender images are penalized by harsh social perceptions. In this episode, we take a look at the lives of women who seek their own identities, evading the restrictive gender roles that have yet to catch up with otherwise modern China.

There is a big trouble in the faraway Polynesian Kingdom of Tonga. Until recently Tonga was best known for the skill of its rugby players but today Tonga has been classified as "the most obese nation on earth", caused by a reliance on imports of cheap fatty meats, refined carbohydrates and other packaged junk foods. Traditionally, Tongans ate a lot of fish and root vegetables, but their eating patterns have changed drastically. Obesity has led to a great number of Tongans developing deadly Type 2 diabetes. Amputations and heart disease have hit record levels and life expectancy is falling. We investigate Tonga's efforts to combat this medical emergency and explore why there is "Big Trouble in Paradise".

Death has been a taboo topic in China for centuries, making it difficult to prepare terminally ill patients and their families. One doctor is breaking this tradition by helping patients and families face the imminence of death through the new option of palliative care facilities, comforting patients in their final days of illness. In this episode, we examine the challenges undertaken by a man who opposes cultural norms with his belief that to appreciate the true value of life, one must not avert their eyes from the reality of death.

The district of Daehangno, located in central Seoul, has been known for decades as a college town. Young people brought their creativity to the location, which in turn attracted people from all over the nation seeking to express their views through art and performances. But in recent years, tragedies caused by government neglect and general complacency have led to a reaction in the area, where artists now seek to draw attention to political issues through their works. In this episode, we explore an art town that directly confronts the problems faced by modern South Korea.

China's one-child policy, created as an effort to prevent overpopulation, was ended in 2016 after 37 years. Now, those born during the first generation of the policy are reaching middle age, and are raising their own families. Although hard work among economic prosperity has granted many of them wealthy lifestyles, their wishes for large families are accompanied by the challenge of parenting siblings with different needs than they had as only children. In this episode, we catch up with families from the one-child policy generation who take careful steps into a new era of parenthood.

Though Myanmar is an agricultural nation, with over 60% of the population engaged in farming, many rural villages lack vital infrastructure such as running water and electricity. Furthermore, decades of political unrest have left numerous farmers struggling to eke out a living from rented land. Set up 9 years ago in Yangon, Proximity Designs is an NPO that aims to support impoverished farming communities by offering affordable agricultural tools, as well as providing micro-finance loans. Much of the equipment they provide relates to irrigation, with treadle pumps and water storage tanks that save time and effort, enabling farmers to invest more time in other work for a staggering increase in yields. We follow the activities of this NPO working hand in hand with rural farmers to promote development in Myanmar.

In Cambodia June 2017 saw elections to determine membership of local councils across the nation. In recent years these ballots have been dominated by the ruling Cambodian People's Party, led by Prime Minister Hun Sen. But the 11 other parties vying for seats this time included the Grassroots Democracy Party, made up of farmers determined to promote regional development from a rural perspective. Follow farmers making their voice heard on the political stage for the first time.

Economic growth in Myanmar has seen wine become popular with the country's younger generation. One of its major wineries sits in the highlands of the Shan state in northeast Myanmar. It's founder, German entrepreneur Bert Morsbach, worked with local residents and spent 5 years making the country's first domestically-produced wine. The biggest challenge was finding grape varieties that could survive the six-month monsoon season. They imported 13,000 young grapevines of over 30 varieties from Europe and conducted repeated cultivation tests. Today the winery produces 400,000 bottles a year. Over a hundred locals work at the winery and vineyard, which provides them with a stable income. We will explore the winding and difficult path taken by the pioneers who produced Myanmar's first wine.

In 2015, China launched its Internet Plus policy with the aim of promoting the use of Internet in various industries such as e-commerce and online banking. The results have been highly successful and China's mobile payment market has exceeded 6 trillion U.S. dollars since the introduction of the Internet Policy, 50 times the size of the U.S. market. On this episode of Asia Insight, we follow the efforts of innovators trying to stay ahead of the game.

One in ten Filipinos -- over 10 million people -- work outside their native country. Recently, many people are hoping to work overseas as caregivers. They are graduates from 4-year universities and people changing careers from skilled positions such as computer technicians. Often coming from large families, Filipinos are used to caring for elderly relatives. Their cheerful, dedicated work ethic has made them popular in other countries. Although most have been employed in the West or Middle East, the increase in older populations in nearby Asian countries is driving demand in this region as well. Japan has the world's oldest population, and one school has had a surge in applicants for a course that specializes in caregiving for Japan. Lessons include an intensive Japanese language course. Meet the young caregiver hopefuls who study for their families and for a brighter future.

In Quezon City, near the Philippine capital Manila, lies the shantytown of San Roque. But as economic growth fuels rapid urban redevelopment, some 40,000 locals live under the constant shadow of eviction from their ramshackle homes. Around 3,000 families have already been moved out of the city to new homes provided by the government, but many still lack basic infrastructure like power and water.

Hong Kong was returned to mainland China in 1997. In spite of the Umbrella Revolution 3 years ago when junior high school students occupied Hong Kong's financial district, the pros and cons of its independence are still being debated. In spite of the proposed "one country two policy system", the future looks uncertain. On this episode of Asia Insight we take a look at Hong Kong -- 20 years after returning to China.

In July 2017, an "inclusive dance" show, featuring dancers with physical disabilities performing together with able-bodied dancers, was held in Vladivostok, the largest port city in the Russian Far East. Artyom Moiseyenko, age 42, the organizer and host of the event, was nearly completely paralyzed by a traffic accident during his 3rd year of college. Through tireless rehabilitation and an indomitable spirit, Artyom regained feeling and movement in his upper body.

70% of the world's civilian-use drones are made in the same city: Shenzhen, now referred to as "Drone City" by locals. In the span of a few years, drones have become a popular product with enthusiasts around the world, but the general public has perceived them as little more than toys. All this is beginning to change thanks to the innovations made in Shenzhen. From police investigation to transport, drones are set to enable major changes in society. We follow alongside this new technology to witness the heights to which the "Industrial Revolution of the Sky" has taken flight.

In China, migrant workers are a common presence in major cities such as Shanghai, where their low-cost labor makes a major contribution to the workforce. However, their status as perceived outsiders with low education has always limited their careers and earnings. Recently, many laborers have pursued a new possibility: Specialist certification, in fields such as culinary arts or care-giving. In industries where increasing quality is demanded, a greater focus is being placed upon knowledge and skill than past education. In this episode, we take a look at former migrant workers who attend night school in addition to their daytime jobs, struggling to distinguish themselves and be seen as more than just their birthplace and education level.

The city of Siem Reap is a major tourist destination, acting as the gateway to the Angkor Wat temple. It is also home to a very different kind of spectacle: a circus troupe that performs gravity-defying stories from Cambodian history and culture. The performers, who come from underprivileged backgrounds, were trained at Phare Ponleu Selpak, an art school co-founded by Khuon Det. In this episode we trace Det's extraordinary story, from Thai refugee camp to performing arts director - and some of the flying acrobats he has helped to lift out of poverty.

71-year-old artist Luong Anh Dung has spent 50 years drawing propaganda - and he's proud of it. Working for the Hanoi government, he painted hundreds of posters in the service of his socialist homeland. Dung's teacher, 86-year-old Le Lam, studied propaganda art in the USSR. Transplanted to Vietnam, this visually striking art form evolved into its own unique style. Both Dung and Lam served on the frontlines during the Vietnam War, where they created patriotic works from the battlefield.

Despite the great economic growth that is invigorating China, recently a small group of young people are turning their backs on the busy cities to search for a simpler way of life. In the mountains of Fujian Province, a handful of men and women disillusioned with big city life are working together to build their own sustainable community. With only their dreams to guide them, they attempt building, farming and other community planning entirely from scratch. But whether their ideals will be sufficient to sustain this challenging infrastructure remains to be seen. In this episode, we meet the young men and women pursuing a simpler lifestyle in a community of their own making.

Each year, over 13 million tourists visit the Indonesian island of Bali. But this tropical paradise faces a major trash problem, with non-biodegradable plastics a particular threat to the environment and wildlife. 4 years ago, local young people set up an NGO to tackle the situation: Bye Bye Plastic Bags. Founded by pre-teen sisters Melati and Isabel Wijsen, the group's activities include beach clean-up events and the provision of re-usable natural-fiber shopping bags to local stores. Local governments have also joined the fight, launching recycling schemes and school awareness campaigns. We follow 2 dynamic teenagers leading a team that is battling Bali's garbage problem.

Just 1 year ago in Myanmar, the National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi was formally elected, freeing the country from the grip of a 50-year military reign. During the past regime, punk music had emerged as an underground medium to protest the government's authoritative rule. However, new social problems have grown visible under the current government. In the midst of Yangon's economic growth, harsh income gaps and joblessness are major obstacles, giving modern punk music a new perspective for their voice of protest. In this episode, we follow the activity of The Rebel Riot, a punk band in Myanmar addressing social issues through song, and working to help the country's disadvantaged citizens.

4 days a week, horse caretaker Ridwan Sururi loads his equine partner Luna with a couple of crates full of books, and leads her around the elementary schools in the farming village of Serang in central Java Island, Indonesia. He has provided this library on horseback service for free since 2015; the village has no public library, and most of the villagers cannot afford to buy books. He hopes the books will help the children learn about the world and grow as human beings. Discover the story of one man's mobile library and how it enriched the everyday lives of the people in his village.

Each year, over one thousand defectors escape the restrictive nation of North Korea to seek a new life in the South. Even if they succeed, persistent discrimination against North Koreans prevents them from feeling truly accepted into the new society. In response, a handful of defectors have taken an ambitious approach: Starting their own companies, they seek social positions as company presidents that ensure respect from those around them. In this episode, we follow the North Korean entrepreneurs who have defied their former nation, justifying their new lives by emerging victorious in the business world.

For decades, the image of Asian comics has been dominated by Japanese manga, the characters of which are known across the globe. Attempts by various countries to create their own similar IP has resulted in little more than derivative products. However, a new generation of Chinese comic artists now seeks innovation over imitation: They use distinct visual techniques to create a worldwide Chinese cultural industry, while still respecting its rules on media. In this episode, we introduce the artists who attempt to convey the values of China to the world.