Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Today we’re going to take you through the ins and outs of a semiconductor optics company that made the headlines for its performance post-IPO on the Singapore Exchange.  Listed on the SGX in September 2025, our guest for today MetaOptics develops metalenses, or flat, glass-based lenses made with the same technology and process as semiconductor chips. But what does this mean exactly? Well, lenses are typically made using curved glass, which helps them refract and focus light rays, say in the case of camera lenses or magnifying glasses.   MetaOptics, on the other hand, uses a different process to make its lenses. Instead of using curved glasses, it uses a process called semiconductor photolithography to carve out microscopic pillars on a flat wafer, just like how transistors are engraved onto silicon chips.  With the microscopic pillars engraved on the lenses, the lenses behave like silicon chips, where their reflective index changes when varying amounts of electricity passes through it. This means the same lens can adopt multiple properties and perform multiple tasks from zooming in, focusing, or even shifting depth, depending on the situation.  In application, this means that devices such as smartphones, laptops or projectors will only need one metalens to perform multiple functions. This reduces the thickness and weight of hardware devices, making them easier to carry around. Beyond that, metalens can also be used to transmit information using light. This presents an opportunity for the firm to tap the rise in demand for computing devices in the age of AI. So how does the firm define its value proposition exactly, and what are the key revenue drivers for it?  Meanwhile, MetaOptics listed on the Catalist board of the Singapore Exchange in September 2025, and has seen its shares rise five fold in three months. More recently, the firm also announced plans to seek a dual listing on the US NASDAQ stock exchange. So how has the firm used the additional public capital raised? What are its plans for the future and what is its assessment of the effectiveness of listing on the local bourse then? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Mark Thng, CEO, MetaOptics.

Art has long been valued as both a cultural asset and a store of wealth, yet most artworks are bought once and never resold. As sustainability and alternative investing reshape the art world, ideas like “green-chip art” are gaining traction, promising to unlock hidden value while keeping art in circulation. Is there a real, scalable market for resold art, or are headline sales the exception? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Milon Goh, CEO of Art Again, on whether the secondary art market can change how we collect, invest and think about art.

On Feb 8, Japan will hold a snap election that could reshape the country’s political landscape. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is seeking to strengthen her coalition’s hold on power, while a newly reorganized opposition aims to make gains.  So, what’s really at stake in this election? And what could the results mean for the future of Japan’s domestic politics, its economy, and its role on the global stage? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Stephen Nagy, Professor of Politics & International Studies at the International Christian University, Senior fellow and China project lead at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and Visiting Fellow at the Japan Institute for International Affairs. They break down the key dynamics of the election, what to watch on election day, and what the outcome could mean for Japan’s future. The title of Stephen’s forthcoming book is “Japan as a Middle Power State: Navigating Ideological and Systemic Divides.”

Aside from Dubai chocolate, what is Korea’s newest global craze now? On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into the surprising rise of Korean gim, the humble dried seaweed snack that’s suddenly become a worldwide obsession. Once an affordable staple in Korean households, gim is now flying off supermarket shelves overseas, pushing prices up so quickly that even longtime vendors in Korea can’t believe what they’re seeing. And in China, one family has taken togetherness to a whole new level by building their very own 15-storey condominium to house more than 100 relatives under one roof.

Singapore shares fell today as investors continue to mull a selloff in US tech stocks overnight. The Straits Times Index dropped 0.7 per cent in the first 30 minutes of trading, with most counters opening in the red.  In terms of counters to watch, we have Nio, after the electric vehicle maker projects to record its first-ever quarterly adjusted operating profit for the quarter ended Dec 31.  Elsewhere, from how US President Donald Trump unveils TrumpRx discounted drugs website and what the move means for major pharmaceutical players, to how Intel and AMD have reportedly notified Chinese customers of supply shortages for server central processing units, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus.  Also on deck, how Amazon said it plans to spend US$200 billion this year on data centres, chips and other equipment. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

Lion City Sailors have announced the departure of Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković with immediate effect. Despite 8 wins in 8 league matches, the defending SPL Champions have suffered exits in both continental competitions - which led to increased scrutiny on the head coach. Having taken over the reigns in June 2023, Ranko departs having delivered five major trophies and a fairytale run to the ACL Two final. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

At 30, Amirul Adli chose change. Speaking to Sports Minutes, he explains why he left BG Tampines despite their strong season, how he’s adapting to life in Malaysia, and what pushed him to take this leap. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Asia’s investment landscape is evolving and private credit is at the heart of the change. But how is private credit moving from niche portfolios to a central role in investment strategies? What are the opportunities, risks and potential ripple effects of private credit on Asia’s real economy? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Charis Liau, Chief Investment Officer at IFS Asset Management to dig into the financing challenges faced by SMEs across Southeast Asia, uncover how investors are stepping in where traditional banks hesitate, and discuss whether this trend represents a lasting shift in how capital flows in the region.

Singapore faces a growing challenge in cancer screening, with participation rates for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers remaining worryingly low. At the same time, cancer diagnoses among younger adults are on the rise, highlighting an urgent need to rethink early detection strategies. And efforts like the launch of RISE (Research Institute for Cancer Prevention, Screening and Early Detection) aim to strengthen research, inform evidence-based policies, and develop strategies to improve early detection. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Professor Ravindran Kanesvaran, Chairman and Senior Consultant of the Division of Medical Oncology at the National Cancer Centre Singapore, and Co-Director of RISE, to explore the barriers to cancer screening in Singapore, the trends shaping cancer incidence in younger adults, and the strategies that could help Singaporeans detect cancer earlier and save lives.

Is cheap petrol across the Causeway really worth the trip or are Singapore drivers risking more than they realise? On this episode of What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Zia-ul Raushan break down the real costs behind JB fuel runs, from toll charges to fines, and why some drivers are still tempted despite the risks. Then, things get competitive: Sports Minutes host Ziaul Raushan is put on the spot in a rapid-fire news quiz. Think you can do better? Join The Straits Times’ What’s The News? competition, a nationwide current affairs challenge for students aged 15 to 19. Stay informed, test your news instincts, and see if you’ve got what it takes to keep up.