by Sparkle Insights | Jul 27, 2025 | Popular Culture, Shopping, Social Media, Travel
By Iris Yim As a curious Gen X researcher—and a mom trying to understand her 12-year-old daughter Viveka and 16-year-old son Henning—I often find myself asking them questions about what grabs their attention online and what trends they’re into. It’s both...
by Sparkle Insights | Jul 27, 2025 | Gaming, Media and Entertainment, Popular Culture, Technology
By Brittany Chiu In December 2024, the ModRetro Chromatic, a modern reimagining of the classic Game Boy Color, sold out within 24 hours of its release. This wasn’t just another gadget launch—it was a cultural phenomenon that revealed something...
by Sparkle Insights | Jul 27, 2025 | Advertising, Culture, Marketing, Popular Culture, Social Media
By Iris Yim What comes to mind when you hear the words fast food? If you’re in the U.S., chances are the associations aren’t flattering. Over the years, I’ve heard everything from “Supersize Me” and “overly processed” to “not real...
by Sparkle Insights | May 20, 2025 | Culture, Popular Culture
By Iris Yim What does it take to leave everything behind, arrive in a new country with no English, quit nursing school, and—through grit, creativity, and sheer determination—build a thriving career as a full-time artist? Meet Yu Shu, a Chinese immigrant,...
by Sparkle Insights | May 14, 2025 | China, Chinese, Culture, Multicultural Marketing, Popular Culture, Shopping
By Brittany Chiu In the competitive landscape of consumer goods, a Chinese phenomenon is reshaping how brands engage with younger audiences globally. POP MART—which recently topped the U.S. App Store’s shopping app rankings—and its signature characters...
by Sparkle Insights | Mar 6, 2025 | Media and Entertainment, Multicultural Marketing, Popular Culture
By Brittany Chiu The global success of K-pop over the past decade has revolutionized the music industry and created vast marketing and advertising opportunities, especially in North America. As K-pop continues to expand its international footprint, the...
