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Hi, how was your week?

Some weeks leave us feeling like we’re running on empty, but healing often hides in the quiet corners of life: a soft sunrise, a song that makes your heart feel lighter, or the comfort of someone who understands.

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WEEKLY FAVORITES 💌

In this series, AHN shares our top picks from the past week—whether it's music, a movie, or a random find. We hope they bring you a little joy and maybe even spark some new experiences!

🎞️ Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives 

Language: Thai
Genre: Fantasy

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives is a calm, strange Thai film about a man facing death while reuniting with his dead wife and his son who’s now a monkey ghost. It’s slow and dreamy, mixing everyday life with spirits, and leaves you quietly thinking about life and what comes after.

🎶 Windswept Adan 

Artist: Ichiko Aoba
Year: 2020
Genre: Chamber folk

Ichiko Aoba’s Windswept Adan is a stunning album — like floating through an ocean dream. Inspired by a fictional island, it blends delicate guitar, lush strings, and bird-like vocals into a world both peaceful and mysterious.

WORD OF THE WEEK 🗞️

MINIGAME: 2 TRUTHS AND 1 LIE 🎍

Welcome to this small minigame! The rules are simple. We share three Asian cultural facts—two true and one false. You will choose the lie. 

Continue reading to check the answer. 😁

China’s ¥14 Billion Healing Boom: How Youth Are Finding Calm 🌱

China’s mental wellness market is booming, reaching nearly ¥14 billion as young people seek relief from stress through innovative therapies. Popular methods include Tree Hugging Therapy, where Beijing’s youth embrace ancient trees for calm; Sleeping Pods, offering mindfulness, soothing music, and sound therapy tools like singing bowls; and Public Therapy Dogs, providing comfort through touch and companionship, with many therapy dogs rescued from the streets. 

These trends show how China’s youth are turning to holistic, emotional healing beyond traditional medicine. Brands should recognize these needs, adopt empathetic strategies that resonate with consumers’ pursuit of mental well-being.

Read the full article here.

Bhutan’s BuddhaBot: AI Brings Buddhist Teachings to Life

Bhutan is piloting BuddhaBot Plus, an AI chatbot designed to answer questions on Buddhist teachings in English, developed by Bhutan’s Central Monastic Body, Japan’s Kyoto University, and Teraverse Co Ltd. About 200 monks will test the chatbot before a full rollout in 2027. Built on advanced deep-learning models, BuddhaBot analyzes ancient Buddhist texts to generate insightful responses, aiming to deepen monastic education and preserve Dharma knowledge. 

Developers also see potential for broader uses like interfaith dialogue or management training, though ethical concerns about AI accuracy and data sources remain central to future development.

Read the full article here.

The Secret Weapon for HR

The best HR advice comes from people who’ve been in the trenches.

That’s what this newsletter delivers.

I Hate it Here is your insider’s guide to surviving and thriving in HR, from someone who’s been there. It’s not about theory or buzzwords — it’s about practical, real-world advice for navigating everything from tricky managers to messy policies.

Every newsletter is written by Hebba Youssef — a Chief People Officer who’s seen it all and is here to share what actually works (and what doesn’t). We’re talking real talk, real strategies, and real support — all with a side of humor to keep you sane.

Because HR shouldn’t feel like a thankless job. And you shouldn’t feel alone in it.

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WEEKLY SNAPSHOTS 🧠

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing practice that involves inserting ultra-thin needles into specific points on the body, known as acupoints. Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is based on the idea of balancing qi (vital energy) as it flows through pathways called meridians. By stimulating these points, practitioners aim to restore harmony and encourage the body’s natural healing processes.

In modern times, acupuncture has become a popular holistic therapy worldwide, used to relieve pain, reduce stress, and treat a variety of ailments—from migraines to digestive issues. Sessions often involve lying on a treatment table while fine needles are gently placed, which many people find surprisingly relaxing.

MYSTERY SOLVED 🔍

✅ True — Melukat in Bali uses holy water, mantras, and offerings to cleanse both physical and spiritual impurities. Melukat is a sacred purification ritual meant to wash away negative energies and restore balance.

✅ True — Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, began in the 1980s in Japan as a way to ease urban stress and has been shown to boost immunity. Japanese studies support its benefits for mental and physical health.

❌ Lie — In many Asian cultures, traditional healing practices focus only on treating physical symptoms without involving the mind or spirit. In reality, Asian healing traditions often emphasize holistic well-being, addressing mind, body, and spirit together.

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