Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

No time to waste for the South Korean president. Just hours after being elected as the new president, Lee Jae Myung has been sworn in.  Mr Lee had won 49.42 per cent of the nearly 35 million votes cast while conservative rival Kim Moon-soo had taken 41.15 per cent in the polls But now he faces a daunting task - to unite a country where division and discontentment continue to rack up. Not only that, he now faces the challenge to revive the economy, reinforce the Seoul-Washington alliance, and attempt to build ties with neighbouring North Korea and China. So what’s his first order of business now?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Benjamin A. Engel, Assistant Professor, Department of Korean Studies, Dankook University, to find out more.

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Ikhsan and Ilhan Fandi - but in this candid conversation with Sports Minutes, the brothers speak openly about battling injuries, dealing with setbacks, and rediscovering confidence. And as they return to the Singapore setup, they reflect on their journeys abroad, how they've grown, and the fire that still burns strong. More than just football, this is a conversation of resilience, brotherhood, and unfinished business. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Silent burnout doesn’t wait for people to ask for help. It seeps in quietly: lower output, less motivation, disengagement that looks like “just tired” until it becomes chronic. In today’s hybrid work culture, it’s even easier to miss, or to misread entirely. Safe Space is planning to address this gap by introducing cutting-edge AI technology and providing tailored mental health education, therapy, and community support. What does the future of mental health care look like in the workplace, and how can businesses proactively support their teams before burnout hits? On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Antoinette Patterson, Co-Founder and CEO of Safe Space to find out more. 

Elections are underway in South Korea. Polls close in just about an hour.  The new leader will face the challenge of stabilizing the political chaos as well as the economy that is reeling after unpredictable trade tariffs by the United States, a major trading partner and a security ally. So, who are the leading contenders? What are voters looking for in their next leader? And most importantly, who could be the next President? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Ryu Yongwook, Assistant Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore to find out more. 

After a stellar 2024, space stocks are no longer just a moonshot—they’re a movement. Fueled by rapid innovation and bold corporate ventures, the space industry is entering a transformative new phase, where investment potential is as vast as the universe itself. From satellite mega constellations to commercial space stations, the cosmos is now a battleground for market dominance and technological supremacy. So, which companies are set to soar—and which ones risk burning out before they ever reach orbit? On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Peter Lundgreen, CEO Lundgreen's Capital to find out more.   

Singapore shares nudged above the flatline early on as investors continue to mull the state of the global economy. The Straits Times Index was up a marginal 0.05% at 3,892.44 points at 10.40am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$398.81M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have CapitaLand Ascendas Reit, after the manager said today that it received in-principle approval for the listing and quotation of up to 202.4 million new units of CapitaLand Ascendas Reit on the mainboard of the Singapore Exchange yesterday.  Elsewhere, from China’s factory activity in May shrinking for the first time in eight months, to gold prices edging up to hit a near four-week high amid a weaker US dollar, more international headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck – what simmering trade tensions between the US and China mean for investors.   On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative, PhillipCapital.

The NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific at Marina Bay Sands Singapore runs from the 3rd to 5th of June 2025, with MONEY FM bringing you three LIVE “Under the Radar” conversations during this period.  Themed “Retail Unlimited”, NRF 2025 promises limitless possibilities in retail, from enhanced customer experiences to digital transformation strategies. It also aims to foster conversation among leaders in the global retail system, with representatives from over 25 retail associations worldwide in attendance.  To encourage more exchanges and activity, the event capacity has been doubled to accommodate over 10,000.  Several new features are also in store this year, including an exclusive CEO club or a gathering space for top retail executives to exchange ideas on the biggest trends and issues keeping them up at night.  In part two of this three part Under the Radar Specials series broadcast LIVE at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian spoke with Ryf Quail, Managing Director for APAC, Comexposium. Composium is the organiser of NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific for an overview of the event.

The NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific at Marina Bay Sands Singapore runs from the 3rd to 5th of June 2025, with MONEY FM bringing you three LIVE “Under the Radar” conversations during this period.  Themed “Retail Unlimited”, NRF 2025 promises limitless possibilities in retail, from enhanced customer experiences to digital transformation strategies. It also aims to foster conversation among leaders in the global retail system, with representatives from over 25 retail associations worldwide in attendance.  In part one of this three part Under the Radar Specials series broadcast LIVE at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian speaks to Samuel Sanghyun Kim, Vice Chairman & Group CEO, Lotte Retail for an inside look into the retail arm of one of Asia’s largest and most diversified conglomerates – Lotte Group.  Samuel and Tian Tian talked about Lotte Retail's business verticals, as well as the bright spots for growth, its recent moves to expand in Southeast Asia and in Singapore, as well as its plan to invest US$5.06 billion in shopping malls by the end of the decade to diversify its portfolio.

This year’s Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore was dominated by sharp warnings, strategic posturing, and urgent calls for stronger defense cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.  US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took center stage, warning of the “threat” posed by China and urging allies to ramp up military spending and deepen ties with Washington.  But while China was the subject of much of the discussion — it wasn’t there to respond in full. Why did China step back? Was it a tactical retreat or a diplomatic misstep?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Lim Tai Wei, East Asian expert & Professor at Soka University, to find out more.

Singapore shares dipped today, tracking movements in regional bourses.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.45% at 3,877.24 points at 2.46pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$839.73M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Grand VentureTechnology, because the semiconductor company said yesterday that it had paused its proposed secondary listing on Malaysia’s Bursa exchange in view of confidential talks with a third party in relation to a possible transaction which could lead to an offer for its shares.  Elsewhere, from an announcement by US President Donald Trump last Friday to double tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from 25% to 50%, to Samsung reportedly nearing a wide-ranging deal to invest in Perplexity AI – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus.   On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Chin Hui Leong, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.