Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

This time, Money Matter’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian reports from aboard the new Disney Adventure, the first Disney Cruise Line ship for guests in Asia and also the first to be homeported out of Singapore. Drawing on over 100 years of storytelling from Disney, Marvel and Pixar franchises, Disney Adventure promises to fill everyone with endless adventures and a magical experience. The ship has a passenger capacity of 6,700 and boasts seven themed areas, including the Marvel Landing which features the longest rollercoaster at sea.  Its maiden voyage will take place on the 10th of March or next Tuesday, and will operate as a “Cruise to Nowhere”.  In this Special, “On the Go” episode of Under the Radar, Tian Tian brings you more on the christening ceremony of Disney Adventure, as well as a sneak peek into what to expect aboard as she spends the next couple of days exploring the ship during its preview sailing.

China’s annual Two Sessions are underway, but it comes at a pivotal moment, with rising global tensions in the Middle East and fresh economic signals from Beijing. This year, China has set its lowest growth target since 1991, underscoring concerns about slowing momentum and shifting economic priorities. What does this more cautious outlook reveal about the state of the economy? And how much do external risks — from geopolitical conflict to US-China relations ahead of Donald Trump’s expected visit — factor into Beijing’s calculations? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Han-Shen Lin, Associate Professor of Practice in Finance and Capstone Director at NYU Shanghai, and Senior Advisor and China Country Director at The Asia Group, to find out more. 

Imagine being able to trade U.S. stock options before the market even opens, acting on overnight news, earnings, and global events, all from Asia. Today, we dive into how pre-market options are reshaping strategies, risks, and opportunities for investors, and why one brokerage is leading the charge in this game-changing shift. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Xu Shengyu, CEO, Longbridge Securities Singapore, to find out more.

Would you shop at a mall at 3AM? Seletar Mall is experimenting with 4AM closing hours, complete with late-night activities and a viral 'Downmall Challenge' that shows a former Singapore Youth Olympic cyclist riding a bike down the mall’s escalators.  Then in a new update, a family feud twist: Brooklyn Beckham reportedly ignores peace talks from his parents and responds publicly to Nicola Peltz instead.  And finally, the burger bite heard around the internet. When a fast-food CEO posted a video eating his own company’s newest burger, it was supposed to be a marketing win. Instead, his tiny, awkward bite turned into a viral meme, with brands, rivals and the internet roasting him in real time. On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Zia-ul Raushan break it all down. 

Markets across the Asia-Pacific rebounded today, with most major indices trading higher after several days of steep losses. South Korea’s Kospi led the gains, surging as much as 12% at one point — a sharp turnaround after suffering its worst session on record just a day earlier. Overnight in the U.S., stocks also moved higher, extending the rebound from the previous session. The Dow rose 0.49%, the S&P 500 gained 0.78%, and the Nasdaq climbed 1.29%, while Bitcoin crossed $73,000 for the first time in nearly a month. On Market View, Sean Cheong speaks to David Chow of Azure Capital to break down the latest market movements.

As tensions flare in the Middle East, global oil markets are on edge. Here in Singapore, major players like Shell, Caltex, Esso and Sinopec have raised 95-octane prices to around $2.92 a litre. Behind the spike? Growing fears that supplies could be disrupted through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. But this isn’t just a story for motorists. Singapore depends heavily on imported energy, especially natural gas and LNG, to keep the lights on and businesses running. So could higher oil prices feed into broader inflation pressures? And for drivers, should we brace for even more pain at the pump in the days ahead? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Song Seng Wun, economic advisor at the SDAX investment platform, to find out more. 

Markets bled red as the Straits Times Index (STI) slid to 4,812, with banks and blue chips, from DBS and UOB to Singtel and SIA, leading the losses. Over $3.6 billion in value changed hands, but confidence was harder to find. On Market View, Sean Cheong speaks with Dan Chang of Philip Securities to break down what’s really driving the sell-off, and whether Singapore is more vulnerable than investors think if global tensions escalate further. 

AI is everywhere, from trillion-dollar tech giants ramping up spending to Asian markets stepping up their role in the global supply chain. But with valuations stretched and volatility creeping back in, is it still about chasing the AI trade, or is it time to get more disciplined? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Jason Kuan (CFA), Director, Investment Research and Advisory, Chief Investment Office, CIMB Singapore, to break down why quality large-cap tech still matters, where Asia fits into the next phase of growth, and how the “3Ds,” Discipline, Diversification and Derisking, could help investors build more resilient portfolios.

Students in Singapore are rating their teachers based on whether they cause “high cortisol” or “low cortisol”, complete with photos, stress meters, and viral TikTok edits. Harmless school humour or public shaming that’s gone too far? At the same time, a shocking case out of South Korea is raising uncomfortable questions about beauty, bias, and social media obsession. A young woman arrested in a suspected drug-laced killing case saw her online following explode, with strangers praising her looks despite the serious allegations. On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh discuss whether we are witnessing something deeper about how Gen Z talks about stress… and how society reacts to attractiveness, even in extreme situations.

Sanctions. Forfeits. Points docked. It’s been a bruising week for Hougang United following the ruling by the Football Association of Singapore over the fielding of an ineligible player. In an EXCLUSIVE Sports Minutes sit-down, club captain Ryaan Sanizal tackles the tough questions head-on — speaking openly about accountability, resilience, and guiding a young squad through one of the most turbulent weeks in recent club history. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg