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Greetings 👋 

Hi, how was your weekend? 

Remember 2016, when life felt lighter? Pokémon Go ruled the streets, oversized headphones were everywhere, and it was okay not to have everything figured out. A decade ago, the world felt a little more like childhood.

Somewhere along the way, life became about chasing outcomes and proving yourself. This week, give yourself permission to be that 2016 version of you again. Follow your curiosity, act without overthinking, and remember: being present is what makes it all matter.

If you find this newsletter interesting, refer it to your friends by sharing this link and receive amazing gifts from AHN!

THIS WEEK: COLLECTIBLE AND TOY BRANDS

Are you an AAPI founder ready to elevate your brand alongside trailblazers like these? Join the AHN Directory today to increase visibility, connect with partners and customers, and get featured in AHN spotlights and community events.

Kim Seon Ho Opens Up About the Struggles of Mastering Six Languages for "Can This Love Be Translated?"

Kim Seon Ho takes on the role of Ju Ho Jin, a multilingual interpreter fluent in six languages, for the series "Can This Love Be Translated?" He dedicated four months to rigorous preparation, focusing on layering genuine emotions onto foreign dialogue while studying the specific grammar required for the script.

The actor admitted that this linguistic challenge was significantly more difficult than the action sequences in his previous projects. He noted that switching between multiple languages in a single scene was so intense that it occasionally made it difficult for him to transition back to speaking Korean naturally.

Read the full article here.

Eileen Gu Officially Qualifies for 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan

Freestyle skier Eileen Gu has officially qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where she will once again represent the People’s Republic of China. The 22-year-old athlete confirmed the news to her followers on Instagram, marking her return to the global stage after winning three medals at the 2022 Beijing Games.

In her final lead-up to the Olympics, Gu dominated the slopestyle World Cup at the Laax Open in Switzerland on January 17, 2026. This victory secured her record-extending 20th career World Cup win and established her as a top favorite to reach the podium in Italy next month.

Read the full article here.

Chinese Universities Surpass Harvard Despite Glaring Lack of Racial Diversity

The 2025 Leiden University rankings reveal that Harvard has dropped to third place in global research productivity, trailing behind two major Chinese institutions. Despite the long-standing argument from Ivy League leaders that racial diversity is essential for academic excellence, 19 of the top 25 research schools are now located in ethnically homogenous China.

Zhejiang University, which secured the top spot, maintains a student body that is estimated to be over 99% ethnically Chinese. While American universities like Harvard and Columbia emphasize that a diverse community is the foundation of high-level research, these new rankings suggest that research output can dominate globally without such demographic variety.

Read the full article here.

How Buddhist Values Helped Thai Lee Build a $16B Tech Empire and Become the U.S.’s 5th-Richest Self-Made Woman Billionaire

Thai Lee grew up between Thailand and South Korea, where early exposure to Buddhist teachings shaped her understanding of change and hardship. She learned to see uncertainty not as something to fear, but as a natural part of life that could be worked with.

That perspective carried her through demanding years of study and into a career in business leadership. By staying calm under pressure and focused on long-term purpose, she built resilience instead of chasing comfort or quick success.

When she later took over a struggling IT company, Lee applied the same values to her work. By prioritizing usefulness, ethics, and people over ego and hype, she steadily grew it into a $16B global business rooted in trust and responsibility.

Read her full story here.

🚀 Dang Thi Anh Tuyet, founder of MedCAT, won the Gold Award in the Digital Startup category at the ASEAN Digital Awards 2026, highlighting her company’s impact in AI-powered digital solutions.

🚀 Gia Santos, founder of BookSpine PH, was featured as a top mentor for the Founder Institute Manila 2026 cohort, recognizing her role in guiding early-stage founders through product and brand building.

🚀 Shinya Shimojo, founder of AMATELUS Inc., was spotlighted after winning a CES 2026 Innovation Award for SwipeVideo, his multi-angle streaming technology designed to reshape live and on-demand viewing.

🚀 Yan Junjie, founder of MiniMax, led his AI firm through a major growth surge this week, with a clear focus on making advanced AI tools more affordable for small and mid-sized businesses.

🚀 Tejas Agarwal, founder of BharatWork, won a cash prize at the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) Hyderabad Chapter, recognizing his platform that connects manual laborers with verified employers through accessible tech.

Marketing Tip: Short-Form Videos Should Sell the Problem, Not the Product

One of the biggest mistakes brands make with short-form video is leading with what they sell. On fast-scrolling platforms, people don’t stop for products. They stop when something feels familiar, like a problem they’re already dealing with.

Here are three simple ways to make your videos connect more deeply:

• Lead with a shared pain point: Open with a moment, frustration, or thought your audience already has. When viewers feel seen, they stay. 

• Show the problem before the solution: Let the tension breathe. When people understand the cost of the problem, the solution feels earned instead of forced. 

• Make it about them: Focus less on your brand and more on the viewer’s experience. The more personal it feels, the more memorable it becomes.

If your content isn’t stopping the scroll, it’s not about posting more. It’s about telling the story differently. Asian Hustle Solutions helps AAPI founders turn real audience insights into marketing that builds trust and drives results.

Fund Your Next Business Move with ADP’s Payroll & Tax Solutions

Many entrepreneurs unknowingly leave thousands of dollars on the table by missing out on government incentives designed to support business growth. That’s why AHN is partnering with ADP to help you uncover these hidden savings and reinvest that capital back into your vision.

ADP is a global leader in human capital management, offering simple software and expert support to manage payroll, HR, and taxes without the stress. Here’s why ADP stands out in the industry:

• Tailored Payroll & HR: Simple, intuitive tools that scale with your team at any size.

• Expert Tax Credit Recovery: 300+ specialists who uncover R&D credits you may already qualify for.

• Proven Reliability: 45+ years of experience and over $1B in tax credits claimed annually.

• Guaranteed Compliance Support: Unlimited IRS audit support with a fee refund guarantee.

• Exceptional Retention: A 98% client retention rate built on long-term trust.

Don’t let your hard-earned capital go unclaimed when it could be fueling your next big breakthrough. Fill out our form to connect with an ADP specialist and get a personalized review of your payroll and potential tax credits.

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