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Synopsis
An in-depth portrait of Asia today, covering its dynamism as a center of growth as well as its traditions tossed around by the advance of globalization.
Episode 36 : N.Korean Defectors Become Company Presidents in S.Korea
December. 08,2017
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.
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Episode 35 : A Library on Horseback in Indonesia
November. 24,2017
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 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.
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Episode 34 : Punk Rock Working to Change Society - Yangon, Myanmar
November. 17,2017
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.
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Episode 31 : Drawing for My Homeland: Vietnam
October. 20,2017
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.
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Episode 30 : Catching the Children: Cambodia's Life-Changing Circus
October. 06,2017
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.
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Episode 29 : Night School Students in China: Seeking Light within the Dark
September. 29,2017
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.
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Episode 27 : Championing Accessibility for the Disabled: Vladivostok, Russia
September. 08,2017
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.
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Episode 26 : Hong Kong: 20 Years After Returning to China
August. 25,2017
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.
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Episode 25 : Philippine Urban Poor at the Mercy of Developers
August. 18,2017
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.
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Episode 23 : China's Internet Plus Fever
July. 21,2017
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.
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Episode 21 : Farmers on the Up: Cambodia's Commune Elections
June. 30,2017
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.
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Episode 18 : Korea, Seoul: The Youth of the Daehangno District
June. 02,2017
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.
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Episode 17 : China Breaks Tradition by Facing Death
May. 19,2017
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.
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Episode 14 : From Migrant Workers to China's New Blue Collar
April. 14,2017
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.
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Episode 11 : China's Grandparents: Struggling in the Big Cities
March. 24,2017
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.
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Episode 9 : Lighting up the City: A 24-hour Book Store in China
March. 10,2017
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.
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Episode 4 : Educational Reform for a Brighter Future: Philippines
February. 03,2017
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.
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Episode 3 : Dealing with the Divorce Problem in China
January. 27,2017
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.
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Episode 1 : Preventing Elderly Suicide: South Korea
January. 06,2017
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.
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