Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

On today’s episode of What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into the TikTok sensation “turning Chinese,” a playful trend where non-Chinese users adopt Chinese-inspired wellness and lifestyle habits, drinking hot water, making herbal teas, and cooking traditional breakfasts, sparking conversations about cultural appreciation versus appropriation. Then, we...

Singapore shares dipped today as investors continue to mull global earnings out this week.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.18% at 11.36am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$794.05M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Keppel DC Reit, after the manager of the data centre-focused Reit today announced a DPU of S$0.05248 for the second half ended Dec 31,...

The Nipah virus, which has once again made the news following an outbreak in India’s West Bengal. While the number of confirmed cases is still small, the outbreak has prompted countries in the region, including Singapore, to strengthen precautions. Singapore has introduced enhanced measures at Changi Airport and stepped up hospital surveillance to catch any potential cases early. But how doe...

Asian currencies are surging. The US dollar is sliding. And political signals are shaking up global FX markets. Is this the start of a new currency regime, or just a temporary trade? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to  Khoon Goh, Head of Asia Research, ANZ , to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From humans doing math by hand for NASA to waking people up by shooting peas at their windows, some jobs from history are so bizarre they sound made up, but they actually existed. On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh take you on a wild ride through the strangest jobs that have officially gone extinct, including pinsetters, leech collectors, and even royal shoe testers. And if that wasn...

Singapore shares nudged higher today as investors mull the US Federal Reserve’s move to hold interest rates as expected. The Straits Times Index was up 0.15% at 4,916.55 points at 1.31pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$918.03M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Sembcorp Industries, after the company said yesterday that its wholly owned subsidiary Se...

We’re going to talk all about a hotpot ingredient that is sure to be on your reunion dinner table on Chinese New Year eve – the humble, inexpensive, yet comforting fishball that completes the meal. Speaking of fishballs, one must talk about Thong Siek Food Global, who’s also better known as the parent company of Dodo fishballs. Founded in 1976 as a family run backyard operation,...

Gen Z has officially retired the term 'Karen', the infamous label for entitled or rude behavior, and crowned this new name as its modern replacement. For Millennials, many of whom are now entering the 'prime Karen age', this shift hits close to home.  Meanwhile, the Doomsday Clock now sits at 85 seconds to midnight, the closest humanity has ever come to potential nuclear, climate, or bio...

Divorce is never just a legal process, and when infidelity is involved, it can raise painful questions about trust, fairness, and financial security. In Singapore, divorces and annulments rose to more than 7,300 in 2024, even as marriages fell. Many of these breakups happen after more than a decade together, when couples have already built shared lives and finances. So what does infidelity actuall...

Whisky investment is increasingly viewed as a long-term, scarcity-driven asset, supported by premiumisation and structurally limited supply. As demand expands beyond traditional whisky markets, Asia has become a central focus for investors. In Asia, China plays a growing role in shaping demand dynamics, influencing everything from consumption patterns to investment timelines, and adding a new dime...

Singapore shares fell today after crossing the 4,900 mark yesterday. The Straits Times Index was down 0.42% at 4,902.23 points at 2.18pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.09B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch for today, we have ST Engineering, after the group announced today that its total contract awards for 2025 reached a record S$18.7 billion, exceeding the S$...

More Singaporeans are set to get a bigger boost to their retirement and healthcare savings. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Manpower, and the CPF Board announced that the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme will cover more Singaporeans, with the government providing matching contributions for CPF top-ups. In addition, a new Matched MediSave Scheme is being introduced as a five-year pilot, helpin...

The gemstone market is gaining renewed attention as investors increasingly look beyond traditional financial instruments in search of scarcity, resilience, and long-term value. Specifically in the UK, demand for gemstones is projected to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2026, with London continuing to play a central role as a global hub for gemstone trading, auctions, and certification, shaping pricing an...

Which internet mood meme are you today - the “Nihilist Penguin” who just wants to walk away from it all or the daredevil who climbs Taipei 101 without a rope? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada break down two internet moods: the “Nihilist Penguin” meme and Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 free solo climb. They explore how a penguin walking toward its own de...

Singapore’s Straits Times Index (STI) broke new ground this morning and crossed the 4,900 threshold for the first time. The benchmark index hit a historic record high of 4,912.46 points in early trade, driven by gains made by its constituents – the 30 largest and most liquid companies on the Singapore Exchange (SGX). In terms of counters to watch today, we have OUE Reit, after the mana...

Stablecoins are no longer just a niche corner of the crypto world; they’re increasingly shaping the future of money. With issuance projected to reach $1.9 trillion by 2030 and potentially $4 trillion in a bull-case scenario, these digital assets are moving beyond crypto trading into e-commerce, cross-border payments, and household use. Could early movers in stablecoins and DeFi platforms see...

Singapore’s property market has always been competitive, but a recent investigation by The Straits Times has uncovered a worrying trend. Some agents are using 'bait-style' listings to attract buyers with prices that seem too good to be true, and often, they really are. From eye-catching show-flat photos to promises of 'direct-from-developer' deals, these listings can mislead buyers and...

Is pickleball already old news? On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh look at whether TYPTI — a new racquet sport dubbed the “snowboarding of the racquet world” — could be the next big hype. Backed by celebrities and pro athletes, TYPTI promises longer rallies, more spin, less noise, and a fresh alternative for players who find pickleball too simple or...

Singapore shares fell today, tracking movements in Asian markets. The Straits Times Index was down 0.66% at 4,859.01 points at 2.20pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$986.49M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have MoneyMax Financial, after the Catalist-listed pawnbroker on Friday attained in-principle approval from the Singapore Exchange for the transfer of i...

It is back to the real estate sector today as we take you through the ins and outs of a real estate management services group that recently spun off its coliving arm on the Singapore Exchange.  You might have guessed it by now. Yes we are talking about the majority shareholder of coliving brand Coliwoo, or the SGX mainboard listed LHN Group. Established in 1991, LHN Group prides itself with t...

Singapore’s carbon tax has nearly doubled, jumping from $25 to $45 per tonne, and that change is starting to show up where it matters most: household utility bills. The average four-room HDB flat could soon pay more each month, even if falling energy prices are offering short-term relief. With rebates in place for now but bigger hikes ahead, what does this really mean for your wallet, and ar...

After a year marked by trade shocks, political uncertainty, and a sharp pause in dealmaking, private markets are entering 2026 with a very different tone. Confidence is rebuilding, activity is picking up, and capital is once again moving, but beneath the surface, investors are still asking some hard questions about liquidity, valuations, and what comes next. So how durable is this recovery? Where...

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into how a college student went viral after emailing her professor for permission to use her iPad in class to join the BTS ticket queue, sparking a wider conversation about how far fans will go for concert tickets. That debate only intensified when fans were revealed to be flying to South Korea to use ultra-fast PC café inter...

Singapore shares rose today, driven by banking heavyweights UOB and OCBC. The Straits Times Index was up 1.26% at 4,889.27 points at 2.34pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.17B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust, after the Reit recorded a distribution per unit (DPU) of S$0.0388 (3.88 Singapore cents) for the second hal...

When change happens behind the scenes and silence follows online, speculation fills the void. So with Hougang United in flux, Sports Minutes sits down with Panarai “Otto” Pansiri and Walid Lounis to separate fact from fiction. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.