Blind boxes: adorable, collectible… and unexpectedly addictive. What began as a niche hobby for toy enthusiasts has exploded into a mainstream phenomenon, popping up in stores, fast food chains, and online platforms.

But this popularity comes with a downside. Concerns over compulsive spending have prompted Singapore to consider regulations aimed at curbing the gambling-like risks of blind boxes.

If rules are introduced, can strategies like ‘demarketing’ actually help curb addiction? And is it even possible to make a product designed to be irresistible truly safe without killing its appeal?

On The Big Story, Debbie Yong speaks with Dr. Nurhafihz Noor, Senior Lecturer in Business (Marketing) at James Cook University Singapore (Singapore Campus), to find out more.

Blind boxes: adorable, collectible&hellip; and unexpectedly addictive. What began as a niche hobby for toy enthusiasts has exploded into a mainstream phenomenon, popping up in stores, fast food chains, and online platforms.
But this popularity comes with a downside. Concerns over compulsive spending have prompted Singapore to consider regulations aimed at curbing the gambling-like risks of blind boxes. If rules are introduced, can strategies like &lsquo;demarketing&rsquo; actually help curb addiction? And is it even possible to make a product designed to be irresistible truly safe without killing its appeal?
On The Big Story, Debbie Yong speaks with Dr. Nurhafihz Noor, Senior Lecturer in Business (Marketing) at James Cook University Singapore (Singapore Campus), to find out more.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4–8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day’s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.

From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what’s happening — with clarity, context and a touch of personality.

Whether you’re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected — all the way home.

And she closes the day with a song that says it all.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4&ndash;8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day&rsquo;s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.
From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what&rsquo;s happening &mdash; with clarity, context and a touch of personality.
Whether you&rsquo;re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected &mdash; all the way home.
And she closes the day with a song that says it all.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4–8pm drive companion,

The Big Story: Can ‘less marketing’ curb blind box addiction in Singapore?

Good news for motorists! Petrol prices are finally heading down. But is relief at the pump really a sign that the worst of the cost pressures is over?

Motorists are paying less today as global oil prices fall sharply on easing geopolitical tensions.

So is this the beginning of real relief for households, or just a brief pause before the next wave of price pressures?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Terence Fan, Assistant Professor Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship, Singapore Management University, to find out more.

Good news for motorists! Petrol prices are finally heading down. But is relief at the pump really a sign that the worst of the cost pressures is over?
Motorists are paying less today as global oil prices fall sharply on easing geopolitical tensions.
So is this the beginning of real relief for households, or just a brief pause before the next wave of price pressures?
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Terence Fan, Assistant Professor Strategic Management &amp; Entrepreneurship, Singapore Management University, to find out more.

The Big Story: Cheaper petrol at last... Does this mean the cost-of-living will finally cool? 

Hiking is becoming an increasingly popular way for seniors to stay active, social, and connected to nature. From neighbourhood parks to more challenging nature trails, many older adults are embracing the outdoors as part of a healthier lifestyle.

But while hiking offers a range of health benefits, experts say there are risks that shouldn't be overlooked. In particular, the descent may pose a greater challenge than the climb itself, placing significant stress on the knees, ankles, and muscles responsible for balance and stability.

So, should seniors be encouraged to hit the trails? And are there circumstances where hiking may do more harm than good? 

On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Zackary Chua, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon from ACME Orthopaedics to find out why seniors are encouraged to hit the trails, and the circumstances where hiking may do more harm than good.

Hiking is becoming an increasingly popular way for seniors to stay active, social, and connected to nature. From neighbourhood parks to more challenging nature trails, many older adults are embracing the outdoors as part of a healthier lifestyle.
But while hiking offers a range of health benefits, experts say there are risks that shouldn't be overlooked. In particular, the descent may pose a greater challenge than the climb itself, placing significant stress on the knees, ankles, and muscles responsible for balance and stability.
So, should seniors be encouraged to hit the trails? And are there circumstances where hiking may do more harm than good?&nbsp;
On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Zackary Chua, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon from ACME Orthopaedics to find out why seniors are encouraged to hit the trails, and the circumstances where hiking may do more harm than good.

The Agenda: Hiking keeps seniors active, but are the risks being overlooked?

A Punggol resident has gone viral after sharing a surprisingly wholesome encounter with his upstairs neighbours during their renovation works. The young couple personally knocked on his door to apologise for the noise, handing over a handwritten note and a S$10 FairPrice voucher as a small gesture of goodwill.

But is a $10 voucher really enough to ease the pain of renovation noise… or is neighbourly goodwill worth more than that? Hongbin Jeong discusses this on What’s Trending.

A Punggol resident has gone viral after sharing a surprisingly wholesome encounter with his upstairs neighbours during their renovation works. The young couple personally knocked on his door to apologise for the noise, handing over a handwritten note and a S$10 FairPrice voucher as a small gesture of goodwill.
But is a $10 voucher really enough to ease the pain of renovation noise&hellip; or is neighbourly goodwill worth more than that? Hongbin Jeong discusses this on What&rsquo;s Trending.

The Big Story: Can ‘less marketing’ curb blind box addiction in Singapore?

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