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Research Article
Reclaiming Nudity: Feminism, Commodification, and the Male Gaze in Nxde
Wanqing Zhao*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, June 2025
Pages:
199-206
Received:
20 March 2025
Accepted:
24 April 2025
Published:
29 April 2025
Abstract: With the growing popularity of the Girl Crush concept, an increasing number of K-pop productions incorporate feminist elements. This study examines the Girl Crush style through the lens of postfeminism and commodified feminism, analyzing how it navigates the tension between female empowerment and the male gaze within the highly commercialized K-pop industry. Existing studies rarely provide a detailed account of how feminist symbols in K-pop are constructed and deconstructed. This study fills this gap by conducting a systematic semiotic analysis to uncover the layered meanings of these symbols. Through a semiotic analysis of the visual elements in (G)I-DLE’s Nxde music video, this study examines how symbols of nudity, performance, and objectification engage with feminist discourses. Findings indicate that while Nxde challenges media-driven sexualization by reframing nudity as a symbol of self-expression, it simultaneously conforms to mainstream beauty standards and commercialized aesthetics. This commercialization of feminist ideals paradoxically reinforces the male gaze, highlighting a core tension within postfeminist media culture. The MV oscillates between resisting objectification and reinforcing the very structures it seeks to critique, exemplifying the paradox of postfeminist media representation. This study contributes to the discourse on female representation in East Asian popular culture by emphasizing the performative nature of feminist imagery in K-pop.
Abstract: With the growing popularity of the Girl Crush concept, an increasing number of K-pop productions incorporate feminist elements. This study examines the Girl Crush style through the lens of postfeminism and commodified feminism, analyzing how it navigates the tension between female empowerment and the male gaze within the highly commercialized K-pop...
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Research Article
Harnessing FinTech and Islamic Finance for Climate Resilience: A Sustainable Future Through Islamic Social Finance and Microfinance
Md Shahed Alamm*,
Zahiduzzaman Zahid,
Nazmin Naher Nipa,
Ibrahim Khalil
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, June 2025
Pages:
207-218
Received:
19 March 2025
Accepted:
28 April 2025
Published:
14 May 2025
Abstract: Climate change represents one of the most pressing challenges to global sustainability, disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities and exacerbating socio-economic inequalities. This paper investigates the transformative potential of integrating Financial Technology (FinTech) with Islamic finance principles to address climate resilience. By harnessing Islamic social finance instruments such as Zakat, Waqf, and Sadaqah, alongside microfinance models, the study proposes a comprehensive framework for advancing sustainable development and climate adaptation. The convergence of FinTech and Islamic finance offers innovative pathways to mobilize resources, enhance financial inclusion, and promote environmentally conscious investments. This research highlights the critical role of technology-driven platforms in scaling Islamic social finance initiatives, enabling efficient resource allocation, and empowering communities to mitigate and adapt to climate risks. By leveraging FinTech solutions such as blockchain, crowdfunding, and digital payment systems, Islamic finance can achieve greater transparency, accessibility, and scalability in addressing climate-related challenges. Furthermore, the integration of microfinance with Islamic principles provides a unique opportunity to support climate-resilient livelihoods, particularly in underserved regions. The findings underscore that a synergistic approach combining FinTech, Islamic finance, and microfinance can significantly contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to climate action, poverty alleviation, and sustainable communities. This paper concludes that the ethical foundations of Islamic finance, coupled with the disruptive potential of FinTech, present a powerful mechanism for building a climate-resilient future, fostering social equity, and promoting environmental sustainability.
Abstract: Climate change represents one of the most pressing challenges to global sustainability, disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities and exacerbating socio-economic inequalities. This paper investigates the transformative potential of integrating Financial Technology (FinTech) with Islamic finance principles to address climate resilience. By...
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Research Article
From Pilot Project to Partnership: Expanding a Real-World Evidence Platform for Cannabis Research Through China-Brazil Collaboration
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, June 2025
Pages:
219-227
Received:
25 March 2025
Accepted:
4 May 2025
Published:
22 May 2025
Abstract: This article traces the evolution of a real-world evidence (RWE) platform for cannabis research, from its pilot phase as the "Real-World Data on the Therapeutic Response to Cannabis Products in Medical and Veterinary Practice" project in Brazil to its proposed enhancement through a strategic China-Brazil partnership. The initial pilot demonstrated the feasibility of collecting valuable data on therapeutic outcomes, product characteristics, and patient experiences. Building on this foundation, the proposed collaboration leverages China's technological expertise and Brazil's research capacity, specifically Chinese expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and digital health technology infrastructure, combined with Brazilian capacity in conducting clinical studies, access to diverse patient populations, and knowledge in biodiversity, to scale the platform, incorporate advanced analytics, and harmonize regulatory frameworks, navigating the distinct regulatory landscapes of both countries, including current restrictions in China on cannabinoid use, while acknowledging its role as a major producer of industrial hemp and its growing investment in biotechnological research. This integrated approach aims to accelerate the development of evidence-based cannabis therapies and policies, fostering innovation and responsible growth within the industry, while also addressing planetary health concerns. This approach aims to align scientific advancement with ethical and sustainability considerations, reflecting a planetary health vision.
Abstract: This article traces the evolution of a real-world evidence (RWE) platform for cannabis research, from its pilot phase as the "Real-World Data on the Therapeutic Response to Cannabis Products in Medical and Veterinary Practice" project in Brazil to its proposed enhancement through a strategic China-Brazil partnership. The initial pilot demonstrated ...
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Research Article
The Reception and Dissemination of Henry Thoreau in China (1926–1949)
Liu Luechang*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, June 2025
Pages:
228-232
Received:
19 April 2025
Accepted:
28 April 2025
Published:
24 May 2025
Abstract: While it is commonly believed in Chinese academic discourse that Henry Thoreau's reception in China began with Xu Chi’s 1949 translation of Walden, this study challenges that view by tracing Thoreau’s earliest appearances in Chinese literary culture back to the 1920s. Beginning with Zheng Zhenduo’s 1926 essay “On American Literature,” Chinese intellectuals such as Zeng Xubai, Zhang Yuerui, Xu Chi, Yu Dafu, and Lin Yutang cited, commented on, or translated Thoreau’s works, albeit often in fragmented or introductory ways. By examining early Chinese publications, writers’ reflections, and initial translations, this article reconstructs the formative phase of Thoreau’s reception in China from 1926 to 1949. Despite the limited depth of these early engagements—owing to political instability and cultural constraints—they laid essential groundwork for the later influence of Thoreau. The study argues that Thoreau’s image during this period remained partial and blurred, yet these initial encounters reveal the mechanisms of early Sino-American literary exchange and the conditions necessary for cross-cultural literary transmission. Through this case study, the article contributes to a broader understanding of the historical dynamics shaping the global circulation of American literature.
Abstract: While it is commonly believed in Chinese academic discourse that Henry Thoreau's reception in China began with Xu Chi’s 1949 translation of Walden, this study challenges that view by tracing Thoreau’s earliest appearances in Chinese literary culture back to the 1920s. Beginning with Zheng Zhenduo’s 1926 essay “On American Literature,” Chinese intel...
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