Kao: Bioré UV Partners with Stray Kids for an Exciting New Global Suncare Campaign, "SUNLIGHT IS YOUR SPOTLIGHT."

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 12, 2025--

Bioré UV, the top-selling suncare brand in Japan *1 and a globally acclaimed name from Kao Corporation (TOKYO:4452), is excited to announce its partnership with Stray Kids, one of the most celebrated K-pop groups, for its latest global campaign. This collaboration aims to encourage people to enjoy activities under the sun, empowered by high-performing, lightweight UV protection formulated for everyday use.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250212472016/en/

The "SUNLIGHT IS YOUR SPOTLIGHT." campaign will kick-off in April 2025 in more than 15 countries and regions *2, showcasing a dynamic blend of visuals, videos. Prior to the launch of the campaign, a video message from the members is now available.

*1 Intage SRI+® (Nationwide Retail Store Panel Survey) sunscreen market, cumulative sales from September 2020 to August 2024 in Japan.
*2 Number of countries and regions as of February 2025. Subject to change.

Message from Stray Kids

Video Message (YouTube)

Stray Kids is recognized for their unique musical creativity and global influence, boasting an impressive 31 million followers on Instagram. This collaboration aims to inspire a global audience, expanding its reach beyond the Asian market to the U.S. and U.K.

As a prominent brand in sun protection, Bioré UV plays a key role in Kao's Global Sharp Top Strategy. This strategy aims to establish leadership in important market segments by providing high-value products. While supporting Kao's growth objectives, Bioré UV is committed to driving innovation in sun protection and reaching a broader consumer base worldwide.

"We are thrilled to welcome Stray Kids as the faces of our new suncare campaign," says Mitsutoshi Kamiya, Vice President of Health Beauty Care - Asia (Int’l) Business at Kao Corporation. "Their global appeal, passion, and drive for excellence align with our values at Bioré UV. Stray Kids has overcome numerous challenges in the competitive music industry, stepping into the spotlight and continuing to shine on a global stage.”
"By emphasizing the benefits of proper sun care," Kamiya continues, " Bioré UV empowers individuals who are concerned about sun exposure to confidently enjoy the outdoors. We believe that Stray Kids truly embodies the phrase 'Sunlight is your spotlight.' Together, we strive to inspire people everywhere to prioritize effective UV protection and enjoy the sun with confidence."

Bioré UV offers an innovative range of lightweight sunscreens that provide long-lasting UV protection and hydrating formulas. These products cater to various lifestyles and skin needs. This global campaign will roll out across Bioré UV ’s official social media channels and select retail locations worldwide.

Campaign Overview

About Stray Kids

Stray Kids is a South Korean K-pop group formed by JYP Entertainment in 2017 through a reality survival show of the same name. They are heavily involved in self-producing their music and writing their own lyrics. In 2024, their album “ATE” set a record as the best-selling K-pop album in the U.S. Their December album, ' SKZHOP HIPTAPE “HOP”,' secured a historic six consecutive No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making Stray Kids the first act to debut top of the chart with their first six chart entries. Stray Kids was also recognized as the 2000s' top-charting artists on the Billboard 200. They are currently on their most extensive world tour to date, "Stray Kids World Tour <dominATE>". Their popularity extends beyond South Korea and Japan, reaching a global audience, including the United States.

About Bioré UV

Bioré UV, developed in 1996 by Kao Corporation, is Japan's leading suncare brand and a global innovator in sun protection. Known for its lightweight and hydrating formulas, Bioré UV provides long-lasting UV protection with an SPF of 50+. The brand combines effectiveness with everyday usability, offering reliable protection in a formula that is suitable for daily use. This allows users to enjoy the sun safely with confidence. Bioré UV has been the number one brand in Japan’s domestic sunscreen market for four consecutive years. Globally, the brand offers products in 27 countries and regions, striving to create a world where everyone can enjoy the sun with a healthy smile”.

About Kao

Kao, a Japan-based manufacturer of personal care and household products, cosmetics, and specialty chemicals creates high-value-added products and services that provide care and enrichment for the life of all people and the planet. Through its brands such as Attack laundry detergent, Bioré and Jergens skin care products, Laurier sanitary products, Curél, SENSAI, and MOLTON BROWN cosmetics, and Oribe hair care products, Kao is part of the everyday lives of people across Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Combined with its chemical business, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,530 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 34,300 people worldwide and has more than 130 years of history in innovation. As an enterprise that provides products people use on a daily basis, the Kao Group takes responsibility to actively reduce the environmental footprint of its products throughout the product lifecycle. This is laid out in Kao’s ESG strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, which launched in 2019. 
Please visit the Kao Group website for additional information.

Stray Kids (Photo: Business Wire)

U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran has proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic as an ongoing crackdown on demonstrators has led to hundreds of deaths.

Trump said late Sunday that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports mount of increasing deaths and the government continues to arrest protesters.

“The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night.

Iran did not acknowledge Trump’s comments immediately. It has previously warned the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has accurately reported on past unrest in Iran, gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information. It said at least 544 people have been killed so far, including 496 protesters and 48 people from the security forces. It said more than 10,600 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests.

With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.

The Latest:

The semiofficial Fars news agency in Iran, which is close to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, on Monday began calling out Iranian celebrities and leaders on social media who have expressed support for the protests over the past two weeks, especially before the internet was shut down.

The threat comes as writers and other cultural leaders were targeted even before protests. The news agency highlighted specific celebrities who posted in solidarity with the protesters and scolded them for not condemning vandalism and destruction to public property or the deaths of security forces killed during clashes. The news agency accused those celebrities and leaders of inciting riots by expressing their support.

Canada said it “stands with the brave people of Iran” in a statement on social media that strongly condemned the killing of protesters during widespread protests that have rocked the country over the past two weeks.

“The Iranian regime must halt its horrific repression and intimidation and respect the human rights of its citizens,” Canada’s government said on Monday.

Iran’s foreign minister claimed Monday that “the situation has come under total control” after a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in the country.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.

Iran’s foreign minister alleged Monday that nationwide protests in his nation “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after over 500 have been reported killed by activists -- the vast majority coming from demonstrators.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.

Iran has summoned the British ambassador over protesters twice taking down the Iranian flag at their embassy in London.

Iranian state television also said Monday that it complained about “certain terrorist organization that, under the guise of media, spread lies and promote violence and terrorism.” The United Kingdom is home to offices of the BBC’s Persian service and Iran International, both which long have been targeted by Iran.

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.

A huge crowd of demonstrators, some waving the flag of Iran, gathered Sunday afternoon along Veteran Avenue in LA’s Westwood neighborhood to protest against the Iranian government. Police eventually issued a dispersal order, and by early evening only about a hundred protesters were still in the area, ABC7 reported.

Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.

Los Angeles police responded Sunday after somebody drove a U-Haul box truck down a street crowded with the the demonstrators, causing protesters to scramble out of the way and then run after the speeding vehicle to try to attack the driver. A police statement said one person was hit by the truck but nobody was seriously hurt.

The driver, a man who was not identified, was detained “pending further investigation,” police said in a statement Sunday evening.

Protesters burn the Iranian national flag during a rally in support of the nationwide mass demonstrations in Iran against the government in Paris, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)