Valentine 💘

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Birds chirped, and sunlight flickered through the trees as love filled the air.

Ah yes, Valentine’s season is here again—a time to celebrate meaningful connections in all their forms. Whether it’s the warmth of friendship, the embrace of family, or the spark of romance, love isn’t just something we find; it’s something we create, nurture, and share.

Dive into this edition for heartwarming stories from our community, thoughtful reflections, and a little inspiration to keep the love alive all year round.

Wishing you a Valentine’s filled with connection, joy, and maybe even a little extra chocolate. 💕

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

COMPANIES DISCOVERED ✅

ZNest Advisors & Investors
ZNest Advisors & Investors are helping senior living professionals stay updated with "AI in Senior Living"—a free weekly newsletter on the latest innovations and trends in AI applications in the industry.

They’ve also published a Resource Guide for AI in Senior Living. Whether you're an operator, investor, or tech enthusiast, this resource can help you understand AI’s growing role in the field.

Stay informed and subscribe here.

Zen Coast
Zen Coast University (ZCU) and Asian Hustle Network (AHN) have partnered to empower Asian entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals. The collaboration aims to provide actionable insights, mentorship, and growth opportunities. 

To join, complete the form on our website.

Hook Logistics
Hook Logistics is a team of operations experts providing simple, steadfast, and fair fulfillment services for entrepreneurs.

Paired
Paired helps businesses find the top overseas talent for as low as $5/hour. Our intensive search and outreach processes help us find amazing rockstars in places like Indonesia, LATAM, and South Africa within two to three weeks!

Starcycle
Starcycle is the "TurboTax for windup" — we help companies shut down faster by streamlining compiling, fact-finding, and other pre-filing admin for founders.

Limited Edition Collectibles
We created a first-of-a-kind LED-wrapped vending machine that sells highly desirable collectible mystery box products to customers of all ages and demographics. 

To order our mystery box machines, fill out this form!

WEEKLY FAVORITES ❤

In this series, AHN will share our top picks from last week—whether it’s music, a movie, or a random item. We hope it brings you fun and maybe even some new experiences!

Born Again - LISA feat. Doja Cat & RAYE 👑

LISA presents a triple threat in this iconic collaboration: a K-pop idol, a soulful British singer-songwriter, and a rap chameleon. 

At first glance, it feels like a group project randomly assigned by the class teacher. However, when the disco and tinges of electro-pop kick in, accompanied by their distinctive yet unexpectedly harmonious voices, the song becomes a powerful manifesto of feminine sensuality—with religious references alluding to life transformation and rebirth.

Fun fact: this song was originally written by Raye, and intended for her debut album. However, after some issues with her former recording label, the track was not officially released until now. Imagine a world where we might not have the chance to listen to “If you stayed just another few nights / I could've made you pray to Jesus.”

18×2 Beyond Youthful Days (2024) 🎫

This movie is a tear-jerking railway ticket to your youthful years and lost love. The movie details a fired Taiwanese game developer’s journey to reunite with a past relationship in Japan. This will be the perfect movie for your Valentine’s season (if you have successfully moved on from your last situationship).

Have you ever heard of the 19 theory, that the relationship you had at 19 is considered the most impactful one? While that may lack scientific evidence, young love is just different—when the weight of life has yet to press its heaviest on you and a pure mind keeps you hovering in thoughts of the one you love.

If we were to assign an object to this movie, it would be a freight train—rusted, sluggish, aimless, and overloaded with baggage. Yet beneath this tarnished sheen lies a brighter future, where nostalgia lays the bricks of hope. Directed by Michihito Fujii, along with the remarkable performances of Greg Hsu and Kaya Kiyohara, this movie will definitely take you on a reminiscent ride.

The Lantern Festival’s Origins: A Tale of Light and Reunion 🏮

This week isn’t just about Valentine’s Day—there’s another beautiful festival to celebrate as well. The Lantern Festival, or Yuan-Xiao Festival which took place last February 12th, was a major occasion for celebrating the first full moon of the Lunar New Year. It used to celebrate harmony and peace, but also for Buddhist practitioners, a time to honor Buddha’s teachings in many East Asian countries and the Chinese diaspora. 

There are many legends of the festival’s origins; however, one of the notable tales involves an emotional story of empathy and unity.

The story revolves around Yuan-Xiao, a maid in the Han emperor's palace. Unable to visit her family during New Year, just as she was about to end her life, the emperor’s favorite adviser Dongfang Shuo devised a scheme to reunite her with them. 

He sparked a rumor that the city would be lit on fire on the fifteenth lunisolar day and advised the emperor to light lanterns, burn firecrackers, and prepare tangyuan–a Chinese sweet glutinous rice ball dessert to appease the God of Fire. The city was filled with glowing lanterns, and Yuan-Xiao's parents found her among the celebrations. The emperor then declared it an annual tradition, later known as the Yuan-Xiao Festival. 

In the movie we recommended earlier, there was also a scene of lanterns being released into the sky during this festival. So, make sure to check out and see the (tear-ridden) meaning of this festival in the film.

BLACKPINK Announces New World Tour for 2025 🖤💗

BLACKPINK is set to enter your area this year with a brand-new world tour, marking their first global tour in almost a year and a half since Born Pink (2022–2023).

YG Entertainment recently announced this news via its official social media channels, along with a teaser to the surprise and excitement of many BLINKs (BLACKPINK’s fandom name) worldwide. While details such as tour dates and locations are not yet confirmed, the energy is there—especially for many BLINKs (and us, too!). Who knows, this might also be a sign of an upcoming album!

How Faithfully Do American TV Shows Depict the Lives of Korean Teenagers? 📺

There’s something undeniably enchanting about teenage romance dramas. The awkward confessions, the exhilarating highs, and the heartbreaks that linger long after the credits roll—love, in all its forms, never fails to pull us in. But while love may be a universal language, the way it’s told on screen varies wildly. 

Netflix’s original series “XO, Kitty” has ignited a passionate conversation, for better or worse. The show gained popularity for blending an American storytelling style with a distinctly Korean backdrop, complete with a soundtrack packed with beloved K-pop hits. As drama critic Gong Hee-Jung puts it, “Korean culture may seem unfamiliar to many foreign viewers, making it feel new and intriguing.”

Yet, not everyone is swept away. Some argue that the series romanticizes Korea in a way that feels more like a fantasy than an authentic portrayal. Though set in Seoul, “XO, Kitty” is an American production, leaving critics questioning whether it truly captures the essence of Korean teenage life. As Kim Hern-sik concludes, “Korean pop culture isn’t about crafting fantasies—it’s about breaking them in the pursuit of a better reality.” 

Read the full article here.

WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ❔

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Keep Your Website Updated With AHN Group

Your website is one of the key factors to your business’s success, and keeping it fresh and alive impresses and keeps customers.

At AHN Group, we help update and transform websites to reflect your brand’s true essence, ensuring your online presence engages visitors with captivating content and fosters lasting connections.

If you want to explore our services more, visit the AHN Group website at ahngroup.co.

Celebrate Migrant Entrepreneurs at the Making it in Melbourne Launch

Join us for the launch of Making it in Melbourne: Conversations with Migrant Entrepreneurs! 

Hear from five migrant founders reshaping Melbourne's business scene as they share their stories, lessons, and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. The event features a sneak peek at the podcast, a live Q&A with host Jeanette Cheah and the founders, and networking over afternoon tea.

📅 Thursday, 20 February, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (AEDT)
📍 Create Quarter at State Library Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

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• Anna Hsu, Self-Worth & Confidence Coach and Speaker is offering a free 1:1 breakthrough coaching session to help you overcome self-sabotage, navigate feelings of unfulfillment, and reconnect with your sense of purpose and confidence. 

Book your session today at Calendly.

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⌚ In a rush for last-minute date ideas? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! From a hot breakfast date to a tranquil DIY afternoon tea, here are some ideas for your last-minute Valentine's date.

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