People
Directors, thinkers, rulers and bands: the figures whose names come up whenever Asian culture is discussed.
Japan
China
Confucius (孔子)
Chinese philosopher (551-479 BC). Founder of Confucianism, one of Asia's most influential thoughts.
Lao Tzu (老子)
Legendary Chinese sage. Founding figure of Taoism, presumed author of Tao Te Ching.
Jackie Chan
Hong Kong actor, director, producer, stuntman, and martial arts master, born Chan Kong-sang in 1954 in Hong Kong.
Korea
Sejong the Great
King of Joseon (1397-1450). Creator of hangul, the Korean alphabet, considered Korea's greatest king.
Bong Joon-ho
South Korean director and screenwriter born in 1969, creator of Parasite (2019), the first non-English-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan)
South Korean K-pop group consisting of seven members (RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook), formed in 2013 by Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE).