‘Demon Slayer,’ Twice and AI Spotlighted as Sony, Netflix, Amazon, Gold House Execs Map Asia’s Global Content Rise at All That Matters

At the All That Matters conference in Singapore, a pivotal discussion convened top executives from Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Amazon Music, Netflix, and the non-profit Gold House to analyze Asia's escalating influence on the global stage. Moderated by Angel Lee, Netflix's Head of Music Business & Legal Affairs for Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan, the "East Meets Everywhere" session dissected the transformative roles of anime, K-pop, and AI-driven production in reshaping the international media landscape.

Bing Chen, the Executive Chair and CEO of Gold House—a collective focused on amplifying Asian-Pacific creators and narratives—pinpointed a strategic industry evolution. He noted that the focus has shifted from penetrating Western markets to fostering internal regional strength. "Asia is becoming self-sufficient; Asia has Asia," Chen stated, pointing to the burgeoning crossover of K-pop with Indian sounds as a prime example. He championed expansive world-building over star-driven sequels for creating lasting franchises, holding up Pokémon as the archetype. This framework, which continuously refreshes its universe with new characters and stories, has proven remarkably resilient, having first launched as a video game in 1996 before becoming a multi-billion dollar cross-media empire.

Executives provided compelling data to support this new reality. Frankie Yaptinchay from Amazon Music detailed a cross-vertical strategy that yielded massive engagement, such as featuring K-pop giants Twice on "Amazon Music Live" after a Thursday Night Football game. This integration of Twitch, Prime Video, and live fan interaction drove unprecedented viewership. From Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Nobu Nakatake emphasized the long-term commitment required to build a global phenomenon, citing the "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" franchise as a case study. Its film, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle," has grossed over $600 million globally and attracted 67 million cinema attendees, a success deeply rooted in the original manga that began serialization nearly a decade prior.

The dialogue consistently highlighted the critical need for genuine creative alliances. Nakatake warned against label-forced partnerships, insisting that real artistic synergy emerges organically when "artists share a common language with one another." Chen expanded on this, suggesting that cultivating smaller, intensely devoted fan communities can often produce a cultural impact far greater than their size. He advised creators to formalize fan experiences and offer exclusive, status-oriented perks to build lasting loyalty. This approach mirrors the "fandom economy" model that has propelled many K-pop groups to international stardom, where dedicated fanbases directly influence chart performance and commercial success.

Looking forward, the panelists offered distinct guidance. Chen encouraged artists to adopt AI as a creative accelerator, noting that "a high volume of content output is, unfortunately, directly linked to the scale of audience growth." Yaptinchay advocated for increased Asian representation at major Western institutions like the Grammys, underscoring the work of advocacy groups like the Gold Music Alliance. Nakatake concluded with a clear directive for creators: "Achieve distinction by honoring your cultural roots, not by imitating Western chart-toppers." This collective perspective firmly positions Asia not just as a player in the global entertainment industry, but as a leading force designing its future trajectory.