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The blurring of K-beauty

The blurring of K-beauty

Renowned for its multi-step skincare routine and its foundation in the ever trendy Korean culture, K-beauty has become a multi-billion dollar industry across the globe.

The term covers a wide range of skincare, make-up and cosmetics from South Korea and is lauded for its quality and value.

But as demand grows, tens of thousands of companies are claiming to be K-beauty, and not all of them are based in South Korea. This has raised questions about its identity and authenticity.

In the midst of its identity crisis, counterfeiters are now getting involved.

So, what puts the K in K-beauty?

We hear from manufacturers, retailers and industry bodies who might have an idea.

Presented and produced by David Cann Sound mix: Ben Houghton

(Picture: A young Asian woman applying a moisturising cream in front of a mirror. Credit: Getty Images)

Can you buy your way into a job?

Can you buy your way into a job?

We look at a growing industry where candidates are spending on career coaching, résumé redesigns, AI tools, and job boards.

In a tough job market, with companies cutting staff due to artificial intelligence and rising costs, is this the way to get ahead?

We talk to job seekers about whether these tools really help and share what you can do to find work without spending money.

Presenter: Megan Lawton Producer: Sam Gruet

Correction, 27 October 2025: In this episode, which first aired on 22 October 2025, we introduced one of the contributors as Nicole Leeder. This was incorrect. The correct name was Nicole Gable, US country president for LHH and president for Recruitment Solutions in North America. We apologise for the error, which has been corrected in this updated version of the episode.

(Image: Giovanna Ventola, who runs an online community for job-hunters. Credit: Frank Ventola)

The two-year Tesla strike

The two-year Tesla strike

We head to Sweden where a handful of mechanics are taking on one of the world’s richest companies - and the world's richest man Elon Musk.

The strike at Tesla’s workshops has now reached its second anniversary.

It’s a clash of ideologies, in which each side has much at stake.

And after two years there is still no prospect of a resolution.

Presenter: Tim Mansel Sound mix: Annie Gardiner

(Image: Striking worker Janis on the picket line in Malmo, Sweden.)

Business Daily meets: Pinterest CEO Bill Ready

Business Daily meets: Pinterest CEO Bill Ready

Bill Ready started his working life in his parents' auto repair shop. Now, his world looks very different as CEO of the social media platform, Pinterest. It's an app where you can search for things like recipes, home decor, and fashion.

Pinterest has enjoyed strong growth since the company was launched in 2010. The platform has been valued at more than 22 billion dollars. But when it added controls for younger users the share price tanked.

Bill Ready tells Business Daily how the company's tried to make the platform safer for younger users, where the business is growing globally, and what the future might look like for the company as AI technology develops apace.

Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producers: Niamh McDermott and Hannah Mullane

(Picture: Bill Ready speaking at a conference. Credit: Getty Images)

The Americans investing in British football

The Americans investing in British football

From private equity Mega funds to Hollywood actors and hip hop stars, we look at the appeal of British football.

More than a third of clubs in England's professional football leagues are now owned in part or entirely, by US investors.

So why do so many Americans seem to want to invest in UK football clubs and what makes the so called ‘beautiful game’ such an attractive investment?

Presenter: Will Bain Producer: Matt Lines

(Tom Brady, Birmingham City co-owner and film director Matt Alvarez in the stands during the match between Birmingham City and Leeds United in 2023 in Birmingham, England. Credit: Getty Images)

Why are medical students going to Bulgaria?

Why are medical students going to Bulgaria?

We head to the Eastern European country to find out why it's become so popular with people from the UK and elsewhere in the world, who are going there to study medicine.

And we hear how Bulgaria is dealing with its own issues in retaining healthcare workers, as it faces a 'brain drain' to other countries and sectors.

Produced and presented by Gill Dummigan

(Image: An international student in a tuition session in Plovdiv, Bulgaria)

Can China’s debt problem be solved?

Can China’s debt problem be solved?

As China’s Communist Party conclave gets underway, we take a look at one of the biggest things affecting the country’s economy; debt.

2024 saw an estimated 25 - 34 million people default on their personal loans while household debt has now reached more than 60% of GDP.

With the government using subsidies and handouts to get people spending, can China’s debt problem be solved?

Presenter: Ed Butler Producer: Matt Lines

(Image: Diners in Shanghai, China during Golden Week, 2024. Credit: Getty Images)

Business Daily meets: Lamborghini's Stephan Winklemann

Business Daily meets: Lamborghini's Stephan Winklemann

The president and CEO of Lamborghini doesn’t just sell supercars, he sells a symbol of status, speed, and style.

But what does it take to lead one of the world’s most iconic luxury brands?

Theo Leggett meets Stephan Winklemann at a Lamborghini showroom in London, UK, to explore his journey from paratrooper to CEO of some of the top automobile companies.

We hear how he steers businesses through a worldwide economic recession, a pandemic, and global trade wars. Plus, with the rise of electric vehicles – what is the future for the luxury car company?

Produced and presented by Theo Leggett Additional production: Niamh McDermott

(Image: Stephan Winkelmann sat in front of a yellow Lamborghini wearing a suit and grinning into the camera)

God in your pocket

God in your pocket

Can your smartphone bring you spiritual fulfilment?

We look at the growth of religion-based apps, as the “faith tech” industry sees rapid growth.

Much of the tech charges a fee to use it, but not everyone is convinced.

Produced and presented by Rob Young

(Image: The "Text With Jesus" chatbot app which has thousands of paying subscribers. It lets people ostensibly ask questions of Mary, Joseph, Jesus and nearly all 12 apostles. Credit: Getty Images)

What's going on with Indonesia's economy?

What's going on with Indonesia's economy?

Indonesia’s president has now been in power for a year but having won the election on policies to support the lower classes, the economy is struggling. That struggle led to violent protests across the country making global headlines.

We speak to businesses, young people and families about the changes they’ve seen in the past year and discuss whether the new government can fulfil their economic pledges.

Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Hannah Mullane

(Image: Students eat food supplied by the Indonesian government's free meal programme at an elementary school in Darul Kamal, Aceh province on 13 October 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

Has Canada lost its trade war with the US?

Has Canada lost its trade war with the US?

The country has dropped tariffs on a wide range of US products, a major U-turn in the trade war.

It comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney said he had reached a “new economic and security relationship” with US President Donald Trump.

But with almost 40% of small Canadian businesses warning they might not survive another year under tariffs, and the province of Ontario losing tens of thousands of jobs, what will this shift mean for the economy?

We break down why Canada is changing course and what it could mean for businesses and consumers.

Presented by Sam Gruet Produced by Megan Lawton

(Image: US President Donald Trump, right, and Mark Carney, Canada's prime minister, shake hands during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington DC on 7/10/25. Credit: Getty Images)

Thailand’s debt spiral

Thailand’s debt spiral

Thailand has one of the highest levels of consumer debt in the world as a proportion of its GDP. We hear from people who have borrowed and cannot pay back. They are struggling to get regular work to make payments and cover interest.

We also speak to a private money lender - are they helping people or making the problem worse?

Producer/presenter: Ed Butler

(Photo: Jie Ae Nattarin, a money lender in Thailand wearing her trademark headband)

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