Big Take Asia

Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg media editor who analyzes streaming strategy, and Sohee Kim, Bloomberg Asia entertainment correspondent who covers K-pop, discuss Netflix’s bold move to live-stream BTS from Seoul. They talk about how the concert aimed to convert fandom into subscribers, Netflix’s Korean investments and event strategy, and the challenges and opportunities global streamers face across Asia.

Alan Kohler, a former FBI counterintelligence official, offers sharp perspective on the fallout from Xu Yanjun’s arrest. Short scenes cover phone calls that hint at Xu, arrests in his network, a prisoner swap, debates over tradeoffs in intelligence, and how human error and China’s tech rise reshape spycraft.

Clara Ferreira Marques, Bloomberg commodities and energy editor in Asia, gives sharp regional market analysis. Faseeh Mangi, Karachi-based Bloomberg reporter, brings on-the-ground reporting from Pakistan. They discuss soaring fuel prices, cooking gas shortages, government austerity measures, shifting oil trade flows, and the political fallout as energy shocks ripple across Asia.

David Ramli, a Bloomberg investing reporter based in Singapore, brings on-the-ground reporting about Chen Zhi and the alleged Prince Group. He recounts extradition footage and claims of large-scale scams and trafficking. He traces Chen’s rise from Fujian to Cambodia and explains how casinos, banks and crypto allegedly masked illicit networks. He outlines political ties, sanctions and the aftermath of shutdowns.

Xu Yanjun, an alleged Ministry of State Security officer accused of stealing aerospace secrets. Bradley, an FBI counterintelligence operative who planned and ran the sting. They recount the long con to lure Xu to Brussels, the staged coffee-shop trap, the tense arrest and extradition, the courtroom drama and landmark conviction. Fast-paced spycraft, surveillance, and legal showdown.

Fereidun Fesharaki, founder of FGE and oil markets expert. Daniel Ten Kate, Bloomberg reporter covering Asia and geopolitics. They map how Strait of Hormuz shutdowns, attacks on oilfields, and China's exposure could trigger supply shocks. Discussion covers which Asian economies are most vulnerable, strategic reserves, and how US-China diplomacy shapes energy risks.

Joumanna Bercetche, Dubai-based reporter covering Middle East on-the-ground reactions and oil markets. Jeff Mason, Bloomberg White House correspondent on U.S. policy and decision-making. They discuss recent U.S.-Iran strikes and timing. They outline regional missile and drone volleys. They examine Gulf state responses, impacts on the Strait of Hormuz and oil markets, and international diplomatic fallout.

In Episode 4 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take, we follow a spy from China’s Ministry of State Security as he tries to plan a delicate overseas meeting with a valuable source. But the person he’s talking to isn’t working alone. The Sixth Bureau from Bloomberg News follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil. The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episodes 1 - 3 here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenni Marsh, Bloomberg’s North Asia economy editor in Hong Kong, and Brendan Murray, Bloomberg’s trade editor in London, discuss the fallout from the Supreme Court tariff ruling. They parse reactions across Asia, how China may gain leverage ahead of high-stakes talks, and risks for chips, Taiwan and trade flows. Short, timely takes on shifting trade maps and geopolitical consequences.

Brendan Murray, Bloomberg global trade editor, breaks down market and policy fallout. Greg Stohr, Bloomberg Supreme Court reporter, explains the legal reasoning and next procedural moves. Rick Woldenberg, CEO of Learning Resources and lead plaintiff, recounts his company’s legal fight and supply-chain pain. They tackle the Court’s ruling, alternate tariff authorities, refund logistics and business uncertainty.