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 shift gears to a cautionary tale for K-pop fans in Singapore: over 50 fans were scammed out of more than $70,000 by an online seller claiming to offer rare and sold-out idol merchandise.

On today&rsquo;s episode of What&rsquo;s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into the TikTok sensation &ldquo;turning Chinese,&rdquo; 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 shift gears to a cautionary tale for K-pop fans in Singapore: over 50 fans were scammed out of more than $70,000 by an online seller claiming to offer rare and sold-out idol merchandise.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

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 evening guide to the day's most important topics — navigate the key events in politics, business, markets, wealth management, and top investment opportunities. Keeps you informed and ahead of the curve, daily.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian (4pm - 7pm)

What’s Trending: Today you turn Chinese?... to K-pop fans spend $70,000 for an empty parcel

Singapore’s education system has seen multiple reforms aimed at reducing academic pressure, from changes to streaming and PSLE scoring to a greater focus on holistic development. Yet, high-stakes exams continue to influence school placements, family decisions, and significant spending on tuition and enrichment.

This week, the Ministry of Education announced it is reviewing both exam difficulty and how PSLE results are used in secondary school admissions, as part of a wider effort to curb what it calls an education ‘arms race’.

What could these potential changes mean for students and families? Will they actually reduce stress, or will competition simply take a new form?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Jonathan Sim, Lecturer at the NUS Learning & Development Academy and Fellow at the NUS Teaching Academy, to find out more.

Singapore&rsquo;s education system has seen multiple reforms aimed at reducing academic pressure, from changes to streaming and PSLE scoring to a greater focus on holistic development.&nbsp;Yet, high-stakes exams continue to influence school placements, family decisions, and significant spending on tuition and enrichment.
This week, the Ministry of Education announced it is reviewing both exam difficulty and how PSLE results are used in secondary school admissions, as part of a wider effort to curb what it calls an education &lsquo;arms race&rsquo;.
What could these potential changes mean for students and families? Will they actually reduce stress, or will competition simply take a new form?
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Jonathan Sim, Lecturer at the NUS Learning &amp; Development Academy and Fellow at the NUS Teaching Academy, to find out more.

The Big Story: Is the PSLE stress finally coming to an end? MOE considers reforms

Bitcoin just can’t seem to catch a break, after losing ground as investors shifted into gold and silver, it’s now sliding alongside precious metals in a broader risk-off move. Prices have fallen below US$85,000 for the first time in two months, raising fresh questions about where crypto goes from here.

On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Zann Kwan, Managing Partner & CIO, Revo Digital Family Office, to find out more.

Bitcoin just can&rsquo;t seem to catch a break, after losing ground as investors shifted into gold and silver, it&rsquo;s now sliding alongside precious metals in a broader risk-off move. Prices have fallen below US$85,000 for the first time in two months, raising fresh questions about where crypto goes from here.
On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Zann Kwan, Managing Partner &amp; CIO, Revo Digital Family Office, to find out more.

Wealth Tracker: Bitcoin slides to US$83,000 - Is now the time to buy the dip? Or is another crypto winter ahead?

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, 2025, up from S$0.04902 for the corresponding period a year earlier.

Elsewhere, from how Apple forecast a surge of ‍up to 16% in revenue for the March quarter, to how core consumer prices in Tokyo rose 2.0% in January from a year earlier, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus.

Also on deck, how US President Donald Trump said he would unveil his pick to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell later today.

On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

Singapore shares dipped today as investors continue to mull global earnings out this week.&nbsp;
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, 2025, up from S$0.04902 for the corresponding period a year earlier.
Elsewhere, from how Apple forecast a surge of &zwj;up to 16% in revenue for the March quarter, to how core consumer prices in Tokyo rose 2.0% in January from a year earlier, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus.
Also on deck, how US President Donald Trump said he would unveil his pick to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell later today.
On Market View, Money Matters&rsquo; finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

Market View: Trump endorses bipartisan deal to avert fresh government shutdown, to announce Fed Chair pick today; Apple forecasts surge of up to 16% in revenue for March quarter, Assessment of S&P 500 companies’ performance this season; China reportedly gives DeepSeek conditional approval to buy Nvidia’s H200 AI chips; Core inflation in Japan’s capital slows in January; Keppel DC Reit, NetLink NBN Trust to watch

What’s Trending: Today you turn Chinese?... to K-pop fans spend $70,000 for an empty parcel

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