Malaysia's internet economy lags behind its Southeast Asian counterparts, contributing only USD 11 billion in 2019. Financial illiteracy is identified as a key barrier to growth, affecting both consumers and SMEs. Industry experts, including Aadarsh Baijal from Bain & Company, emphasize the need for improved financial education and access to financial services. The Malaysian government and regulatory bodies like Bank Negara Malaysia are taking steps to support digital financial services, which could significantly boost the internet economy by 2025. Addressing financial literacy and inclusion is crucial for Malaysia to achieve its projected USD 26 billion contribution to the global internet economy.

The article highlights five commoners who have married into Malaysian royalty, detailing their backgrounds and current lives. Juliana Evans, a British-Malaysian actress and businesswoman, is married to Selangor's Tengku Shariffuddin Shah Tengku Sulaiman Shah. Amelia Thripura Henderson, a Malaysian-Indian-Scottish model and actress, was previously married to Kedah royal Tunku Dato’ Harunnarasheed Putra Tunku Annuar. Dutch-born Dennis Muhammad Abdullah, married to Johor's Tunku Aminah Sultan Ibrahim, is noted for their high-profile wedding. Frenchman Aubry Rahim Mennesson, an avid cyclist, is married to Selangor's Tengku Zatashah Idris Shah. Lastly, Julia Rais, a former Malaysian-British actress, is the second wife of the current Malaysian king, Sultan Abdullah of Pahang.

The article ranks the world's richest royals as of January 2021, with Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn at the top, valued at up to US$43 billion. It details the sources of wealth for the top five monarchs, including stakes in banks, industrial conglomerates, and oil reserves. The list includes Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE, and Mohammed VI of Morocco. The article also touches on their spending habits and assets, such as real estate and shares in various companies.

Several celebrities, including Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, and Martha Stewart, have launched their own cannabis brands, offering a variety of products such as weed flowers, oils, and edibles in the US and Canada. These ventures highlight the growing trend of celebrity-endorsed cannabis products, with each brand bringing unique offerings to the market. Collaborations with established cannabis growers like Canopy Growth and Caliva are common, and the products range from relaxation-inducing CBD items to innovative cannabis strains and merchandise.

In-home beauty treatment devices, particularly LED masks, have gained popularity during the pandemic. The Cellreturn LED Platinum Mask, endorsed by several top-tier K-celebrities and featured in the K-drama 'The King: Eternal Monarch,' promises various skin benefits through its 1,026 LED lights cycling through red, blue, and pink wavelengths. The mask is convenient for home use but may not be ideal for frequent travelers. While it effectively reduces skin tiredness and inflammation, it may not smooth out fine wrinkles as expected. Priced at US$2,100, it could be a worthwhile investment for those focusing on home-based beauty routines.

The article highlights five wealthy South Korean influencers, including K-pop and K-drama stars, who come from affluent backgrounds. Gang Dong-won is the son of a vice-president at SPP Heavy Industries, while Siwon Choi, a regional ambassador for Unicef East Asia and Pacific, comes from a wealthy family. Suh Min-jung, daughter of AmorePacific's billionaire chairman, holds significant shares in Etude House and Innisfree. Yoon Tae-young, another actor, is the son of a former vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics. The article provides insights into their family backgrounds and current endeavors.

Taiwan's wealthiest individuals, including Aimee Sun, Cher Wang, and Chris Tsai, lead opulent yet understated lives. Aimee Sun is a prominent socialite and entrepreneur, Cher Wang is a successful tech industry leader, and Chris Tsai is rising in the corporate world. Other notable figures include Tsai Wang-chia of Want Want China Holdings and Delia Tseng, wife of Foxconn's founder. Despite their low profiles, these individuals' wealth and influence are significant.

The article profiles several wealthy Japanese individuals, including J-pop stars Namie Amuro and Masaharu Fukuyama, model Izumi Mori, and business figures Miwako Date and Shintaro Yamada. It highlights their net worth, career milestones, and contributions to their respective industries, such as Amuro's success in music and Yamada's achievement in taking his company Mercari to unicorn status.

Indonesia's young influencers and billionaires such as Sabrina Joseph-Tan, Claudia Sondakh, Arya Bakrie, Felicia Kawilarang Aluwi, and Ronald Akili are highlighted for living lavish lifestyles. Joseph-Tan founded HuntStreet, Sondakh runs Plentyfull in Singapore, Bakrie is a director at PT Bumi Resources Minerals Tbk, Aluwi is a VP at Halodoc, and Akili owns Potato Head. They are involved in various industries from fashion to healthcare, and they also engage in philanthropy and art.

Ellie Goldstein, Jillian Mercado, Chelsea Werner, Azfar Firdaus, and Aaron Philip are models with disabilities who are making significant strides in the fashion industry. Represented by agencies like Zebeedee Management and IMG Models, they have appeared in major campaigns for brands such as Gucci and Diesel, and have been featured in prominent magazines like Teen Vogue and Paper. Their work not only challenges stereotypes but also promotes greater inclusion and awareness of disabilities and marginalized identities in fashion.