NEW BEGINNINGS 🍃

Greetings 👋 

Hi, how was your weekend? 

The rush of the year is finally winding down. What once felt nonstop is giving way to quieter days, as work wraps up and space opens for reflection. This is the perfect time to step back from the grind, take a breath, and recognize the progress you made before the year comes to a close.

From all of us at AHN, we’re wishing you a peaceful final week of 2025!

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Avatar 3: Fire and Ash Dominates Christmas With $88M, Reaches $760M at the Global Box Office

Avatar 3: Fire and Ash dominated the Christmas box office, pulling in $88 million over the holiday weekend and pushing its global total to $760 million. The film continues to perform strongly overseas, driving most of its worldwide earnings.

Beyond sales, the movie’s success reflects audiences’ ongoing connection to Pandora’s culture, which centers on respect for nature, ancestry, and community. These themes give the Avatar franchise a cultural depth that keeps viewers returning across generations.

Read the full article here.

Seoul Santas Deliver Christmas Gifts to Over 800 Children in Citywide Volunteer Effort

On Christmas Eve, 718 residents across Seoul dressed as Santa Claus and spent the night delivering gifts, letters, and companionship to children from low-income households. The volunteers, part of the 20th annual Secret Santa project organized by the Korea Youth Foundation, reached 818 children after gathering for a launch ceremony in Sinchon before dispersing across the city.

The initiative required weeks of preparation, including a participation fee used to fund gifts and a two-day “Santa School” training focused on communication, performances, and understanding each child’s situation. Since its launch in 2006, the Secret Santa project has mobilized nearly 18,000 volunteers and supported around 19,000 children.

Read the full article here.

NYC Unveils 27-Foot Buddha Sculpture on the High Line, Replacing Giant Pigeon

New York City’s High Line has unveiled a towering 27-foot Buddha sculpture, replacing the giant pigeon installation that has stood on the elevated park since fall 2024. Created by artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen, the sandstone work titled The Light That Shines Through the Universe marks the fifth commission in the High Line’s Plinth program and is now on view for 18 months above 10th Avenue and 30th Street.

The sculpture pays tribute to the destroyed Bamiyan Buddhas, sixth-century monuments demolished in 2001 and later preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nguyen crafted the Buddha’s hands from melted artillery shells, shaped into mudras that symbolize fearlessness and compassion. The separation of these hands from the body represents resilience, healing, and the enduring power of cultural memory.

Read the full article here.

LAST WEEK, ASIAN LEADERS DID 🎉

🚀 IU, a South Korean singer and actress, won Artist of the Year at the 2025 Asia Artist Awards, making her the most awarded person in the event's history. This big win shows how she continues to lead both the music and movie worlds across the globe.

🚀 Arden Cho, a Korean American actress, won the Best Voice Performance award for her role in the hit show KPop Demon Hunters. This is a special moment because it’s the first time an Asian American voice actor has won a top prize at this major Asian awards show.

🚀 Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, a Chinese American actress and singer, reached a huge milestone as her movie Avatar: Fire and Ash hit $760 million worldwide after its second weekend in theaters. This success makes her a top star for the younger generation and a key face for the Asian community in big Hollywood films.

🚀 RayAsianBoy, a popular Asian American streamer and creator, was named Best Reality Streamer at the 2025 Streamer Awards. This win recognizes his huge growth and his ability to entertain millions of viewers through his unique live-streaming style.

🚀 Jensen Huang, the CEO of NVIDIA, was named one of TIME’s 2025 Persons of the Year for his work in AI. He was honored for leading the tech world in creating the chips that power almost all modern artificial intelligence.

The 2025 Checkpoint: What You Should Carry Into 2026

Before the clock strikes midnight and the 2026 resolutions take over, there is an essential practice often embraced in Eastern philosophy: Hansei—the art of honest self-reflection. 

Instead of rushing toward the “next big thing,” Hansei invites you to look back with clarity. It’s about seeing how your experiences and efforts have shaped who you are today.

To practice this, grab a notebook or open a blank note on your phone, and sit with these three questions:

• A win that mattered: What is one achievement from this year that truly reflects your values and hard work?

• Quiet growth:  Like Kintsugi—where broken pottery is repaired with gold—what was a "fractured" or tough moment this year that made you more resilient?

• Perspective check: What is something in your life right now that your January self was only hoping for?

As you step into 2026, don’t just bring your to-do list with you. Bring your "done" list, too. Take a moment to recognize how far you’ve come, keep the lessons you’ve earned, and step into the new year knowing you’re stronger than when the last one began.

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COMPANIES DISCOVERED ✅

Cornerstone Insurance Services, LLC

Cornerstone Insurance Services is a Korean-led insurance brokerage rooted in the heart of K-Town in Duluth, Georgia. The firm supports individuals, families, and businesses with coverage that’s built on trust, cultural understanding, and long-term protection. 

Explore insurance solutions with Cornerstone Insurance Services here.

Yiventful Co.

Yiventful Co. is a boutique wedding and event planning studio based in California, specializing in thoughtfully styled celebrations. Known for its eye for detail and intentional design, the team works closely with couples to bring their vision to life while honoring personal stories and meaningful moments.

Discover Yiventful Co.’s wedding and event planning services here.

Sunsource Financial LLC

Sunsource Financial helps entrepreneurs keep more of what they earn through strategic tax advisory and cash flow optimization. With a focus on smart planning and long-term growth, the firm empowers business owners to reduce tax burdens legally while building stronger financial foundations.

Learn how Sunsource Financial helps entrepreneurs grow smarter here.

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