deadmau5’s Nyan Cat Car For Sale..Meowr!

It’s safe to say that the Nyan Cat car aka the “Purrari” could very well be the only Nyan Cat car a geek would ever need. If you’ve been lusting for it (and if you can somehow afford it) then you’re in luck because it’s up for sale!

The owner of the “Purrari”, of course, is none other than Joel Zimmerman, otherwise known as deadmau5 (pronounced as “dead mouse” and not “dead mau five”, by the way). He recently posted his Nyan Car-covered Ferrari458 Italia on Craigslist, of all places, and the going price starts at a perfectly reasonable $380,000.

Selling the majestic Purrari… asking 380k OBO … anything over 380 goes to charity, so get those bids in! (Toronto Humane Society) …. comes with Ipod full of nyancat songs. AND we will personally invite the buyer to Toronto to come and film a “farewell purrari” coffee run with me. :D (so basicly it comes with a free tim hortons coffee that youll have to pay for anyway). we will ship this thing anywhere in north america. um… also… car stuff… it has like 6500 miles on it… purrs like a nyancat. and can be fully factory restored (wrap removed) if you’re a pussy.

According to Joel, the car comes fully loaded with an iPod full of Nyan Cat songs. As stated, if you buy it off him, he’ll also offer the chance to fly out to Toronto to film a short coffee run.

like i said, whoever buys the car, can come and film a coffee run with me :) should be funny to see how this turns out.

The best part of it all, however, is that all the money above the asking price will go straight to the Toronto Humane Society. Needless to say, the new owner and the car will be the talk of the town the world. Go on and bid away, if you can afford it, that is.

Check out the gallery of Nyan Cat Car-ness:

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“In the Name Of God: A Holy Betrayal” Review: Sexual Abuse & Suicide Inside South Korea’s Creepy Cults

It seems wherever money and power are, corruption is sure to follow, often with sexual exploitation. Whether at the hands of beloved British TV icon Jimmy Savile or online scum bags like Hunter Moore, there always seems to be a pattern of sexual abuse and crime that follows in the wake of influential individuals. It’s the most tragic however when it’s witnessed in religious institutions with the people who should be upholding the highest standards of morality. We’ve seen our own fair share in Malaysia with Muslim preacher Ebit Lew.

In Netflix’s “In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal”, you’ll dive deep into the insane world of Christian cults.  The most popular one being Christian Gospel Mission, also known as Providence and called Jesus Morning Star (JMS) in South Korea. This docuseries follows not one but four cults, their rise and their downfall.

So does “In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal” do justice to its disturbing source material? Or is it as boring as a six-hour sermon on a Sunday morning? Let’s find out!

Right off the bat, this docuseries lets you know what it’s all about. It’s not here to dance around the subject matter and dance between the aisles as so many Netflix documentaries tend to do. They won’t jerk you around with the whole did-they-didn’t-they gimmick. They get right into the meat of it and it’s chilling stuff. The docuseries is split up into four sections. The first three episodes of the docuseries follow the story of Pastor Jeong Myeong-seok and JMS. Captured in chilling detail is the sexual abuse Jeong Soo-Jeong, also known as Maple, and other victims suffered at the hands of Jeong. All captured in a seemingly endless barrage of strange footage. We’re talking recordings of the pastor’s harem of naked women and sermons about how the fruit in the Garden of Eden was actually an allegory for genitals.

Then there’s the chilling story of Park Soon-Ja leading the congregation of the Evangelical Baptist Church (EBC) of Korea into a mass suicide a’la Jonestown. When the South Korean police came looking for her, they found them hanging from the rafters like animals at a slaughterhouse. All wrapped up in this suicide pact is financial corruption within the Five Oceans Corporation. While only a single episode is dedicated to the story of Park Soon-Ja and Five Oceans, it still proves to be one incredibly engaging roller coaster ride as we uncover the criminal motive that eventually led to the madness. The Odaeyang mass suicide still haunts the community in South Korea to this day.

Out of the four remaining episodes, two are dedicated to the story of Kim Ki Soon and her Baby Garden Commune. Starting off with good intentions, it soon devolves into a nightmarish hellscape, especially for the children. One of the most shocking stories is of a seven-year-old child being beaten and starved to death at the hands of Kim and her organisation Aga Dongsan. The episode “The Baby Garden of Death” will leave you in tears as witnesses and law enforcement agents recount the heart-breaking details.

Concluding the docuseries is a two-parter of Pastor Jaerock Lee of the Manmin Central Church. Much like Jeong, the story of his church is one rife with sexual abuse with the pastor himself being responsible of raping at least eight members of his congregation. All this while selling books and being invited across the world for pentecostal rallies and conventions. While his story lacks some of the more explosive details of Jeong’s, the docuseries still manages to end on a strong, sobering note.

In terms of content alone, “In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal” warrants a watch. Bolstered by primary sources of photographs, TV interviews and recordings is a line of credible witnesses and relevant authorities speaking on each of the monstrous ministers within the docuseries. So many times, documentaries like “Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich” will touch on an intriguing angle but never dive any deeper into it because there isn’t a lot of footage worth discussing. In this docuseries, though, no stone is left unturned as it lays out an effective timeline of the events with the perspectives of both victims and perpetrators being peppered in.

There are dramatised scenes in the docuseries to fill the visual gap of the interview segments but honestly, we don’t mind at all. They’re incredibly well done and they convey the tone of the situation perfectly without coming off as hammy or exaggerated. We supposed that some of the K-drama glamour was injected into these scenes. The only minor gripe we have is the way the docuseries is structured as a sort of anthology series with at least four cult leaders sharing the spotlight.

In terms of narrative cohesion, there isn’t a lot of commentary on how one religious lunatic leads into the next. It also would have been interesting to see how the wider Korean Christian community feels about the scandals and abuses taking place within these churches. Or perhaps a brief history crash course on how Christianity became such a force in South Korea. Still, in light of all that it gets right, it’s very easy to look past it.

Netflix’s “In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal” shines bright on its grim and controversial subject matter with both reverential clarity and engaging intrigue. While the entire docuseries lacks a particular narrative thread linking these four prophets of doom together, the pacing is impeccable and the level of detail afforded in the entire project is as ambitious as it is haunting. Members of faith communities, and not, will find a frightening window into the world of organised religion that cannot be turned away.

P/s: Be warned that those sensitive to child abuse and sexual exploitation may find it a bit much at times.

For those interested, you can now catch “In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal” on Netflix today!

Netflix's "In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal" shines bright on its grim and controversial subject matter with both reverential clarity and engaging intrigue. While the entire docuseries lacks a particular narrative thread linking these four prophets of doom together, the pacing is impeccable and the level of detail afforded in the entire project is as ambitious as it is haunting. Members of faith communities, and not, will find a frightening window into the world of organised religion that cannot be turned away.


“G.I. Joe: Retaliation”, The Rough & Tough

What, you didn’t watch the other G.I. Joe film installments in the past? That’s okay – you wouldn’t have missed much. See, the beauty about “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” is the fact that it’s not one of those epic few-part action films where you absolutely have to remember characters and plots from the past story lines to fully understand the current. Case at hand, the Matrix-type stories.

But that just means that you shouldn’t have high expectations for “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” to have much of a personality.

To us, that’s perfect fine because who doesn’t like a full-on action film where you’re not required to think while watching the likes of Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson, Byung-hun Lee, and Adrianne Palicki run around trying to save the world? Or to watch a firefly blow things up at command (quite literally)? Scratch that. How about watching a large chunk of the UK blow up at command with other cities soon to follow?

Having said that, all the (good guy) characters to make it through the entire ordeal – it is an action film after all.

It’s also safe to say that “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” is a lot less corny than we expected with smart, witty lines in tow. The most standout character? It has to be Roadblock (played by Dwayne Johnson). That’s right, we just called him “Dwayne Johnson” and not “The Rock”. It is with “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” that we realized how well Dwayne has managed to transition from being a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler to an action film hero. When you really think about it, there hasn’t been anyone else who has crossed over so seamlessly.

Props to Dwayne, of course, for playing his role(s) so well!

There’s also that breathtaking extended fight scene that we beg you to keep a look out for and not blink when it’s happening. Especially so if you’re watching it in IMAX 3D. It’s the one in the Himalayas and to be quite honest, it’ll make all the other fight scenes in the film really lame looking.  Also, if you’re afraid of heights, then we’re sorry in advance but you’re going to have to hold on to your armrest:

[youtube id=”jqW6ynaPXHU” width=”600″ height=”350″]

But please do not attempt to leave the cinema.

“G.I. Joe Retaliation” is slated for a 28th March 2013 (Thursday) release. That’s today!

For more information, visit their official website.

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#PitchPerfect3: Australian Star Ruby Rose In Talks To Star In Movie

It was reported that Australian actress Ruby Rose is in talks to join the 3rd instalment for the “Pitch Perfect” franchise, which will be helmed by Trish Sie (of “Step Up” fame).

While Elizabeth Banks will no longer act as director, she will reprise her role as Gail Abernathy-McKadden, a commentator for the ICCAs (The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella), and will remain on board as the film’s producer.

2017 is sure looking busy for the “Orange Is The New Black” actress. Not only is she starring in “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” alongside Vin Diesel (of “The Fast and the Furious” fame) and Nina Dobrev (of “The Vampire Diaries” fame), but she will also be appearing in “Resident Evil: Final Chapter” and “John Wick 2”.

According to Variety, Rose recently wrapped production on “Meg”, a shark film that also stars Jason Statham and Chinese actress Fan Bingbing.

Though plot details have been released yet, Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson (aka Fat Amy), and Brittany Snow are all signed on to return for “Pitch Perfect 3”.

The franchise follows a college female a cappella group, The Barden Bellas, as they compete against another a cappella group from their college to win the ICCAs. “Pitch Perfect” is loosely based on Mickey Rapkin’s non-fiction book, titled “Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory”.

“Pitch Perfet 3” is slated for release on 22nd December 2017.


Hype’s Now Playing: Ariana Grande – Focus

Ariana Grande has certainly come a long way since her Nickoledeon heyday.

Over the Halloween weekend, the 22-year-old singer got us jamming to “Focus”, her first single from her upcoming highly anticpated full-length album.

The Grammy Award-nominated, multiplatinum, record-breaking superstar dropped the brand new single an hour ahead of its scheduled midnight debut.

Produced by Max Martin, “Focus” is written by Ariana and Savan Kotecha. This horn-heavy pop track exudes a unique vibe with Grande’s powerful vocals.

Directed by Hannah Lux Davis, the music video showed Grande transforing into a blonde bombshell as she shimmied in her signature knee-high boots. And of course, she managed to hit the perfect high notes while performing an intense choreography.

Grande’s forthcoming album is the follow-up to her 2014 album “My Everything“. It is due to be released in 2016.

For more information, visit her official Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram.


#KimJongNam: Malaysian Police Confirms Death Of North Korean In KLIA2

Yesterday (Tuesday, 14th February), several South Korean media outlets reported that the half-brother of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un was found dead in Kuala Lumpur.

And now, Malaysian police have confirmed that the man assassinated at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) was indeed Kim Jong Nam.

After explaining that the incident happened at around 9am on Monday (13th February) as the victim was catching a 10am flight to Macau, Selangor CID chief Senior Asst Comm Fadzil Ahmat continued:

“He told the receptionist at the departure hall that someone had grabbed him from behind and splashed a liquid on his face. He asked for help…and was immediately sent to the airport’s clinic. At this point, he was experiencing a headache and on the verge of passing out.”

Kim Jong Nam, who had not gone through immigration yet, then experienced a mild seizure at the clinic and was rushed to Putrajaya Hospital. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it.

Kim Jong Nam is believed to have been in the country since 6th February, and police have began investigating the case by retracing the victim’s movement and tracking down those he has met.

The 45-year-old man also travelled under the name Kim Chol with the passport number 836410070. His biodata in the passport stated that he was born in Pyongyang on 10th June 1970.

They have also received a request for the body from the North Korean embassy, but will perform a post-mortem on Wednesday before releasing it.

Kim Jong Nam and Kim Jong Un both had the same father, but had different mothers. The former was also close to his uncle and mentor, Jang Song Thaek, who was North Korea’s 2nd most powerful man before being executed in 2013 by Kim Jong Un.

The elder Kim has also openly denounce hereditary succession in many of his interviews, but has presumed that “there were internal reasons (and) we should abide by such reasons if there are any”.

Despite Kim Jong Nam’s many protest stating that he has no interest in leading the country, many still believed that he was killed by his half-brother as he felt threatened.

In 2015, several media reports also surfaced, saying that North Korean spies attempted to murder Kim Jong Nam in Macau in 2011. A shootout with his bodyguards ensued, but the North Korean managed to escape.

In recent years, he has occasionally been sighted in sushi restaurants in Singapore and swanky hotel bars in Beijing, but otherwise has kept a low profile. He is also believed to have had homes and families in the aforementioned countries.

Kim Jong Nam has also reportedly left behind 2 wives, at least one mistress, and several children.

Sources: The Star Online, The Washington Post (1) (2), The Malay Mail Online.

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This Week’s Fab FASHION Drops Were MADE For Valentine’s Day!

We have officially entered the 2nd month of the year, and though new year’s was a month ago, many of us are only just settling into 2023. January was a trial month, after all! Besides being the month where you actually stick to your new year’s resolutions, February is also the month of love, and all things romance.

Yes, Cupid’s month is upon us, and aside from all the roses and chocolates, one thing we can look forward to is creating FIERCE lewks for all the dates you’ll be going on – whether it’s with someone special, or just by yourself. Here are this week’s dopest drops to cop for a fierce date night lewk:

Accessories are like vitamins for a show-stopping look. The new PS3/01 “Carbon Jade” and PS3/02 “Carbon Ruby” by SEVENFRIDAY are exactly that. Durable, light, and alluring, carbon fiber is used in various industries with plenty of applications. With the new PS3/01 and PS3/02, carbon fiber is utilized perfectly to form the distinctive TV-shaped case, matched with a subtle white highlight on the bezel to create a striking look. Made with lightweight opalin gunmetal, the iconic 4-layer dial now displays a skeletonized second layer. To complete the rugged look, there’s a genuine leather band inset with TORAY ultra-micro fiber. These timepieces are equipped with an NFC chip that allows authentication, warranty registration, and sign up for the community of UPO7F, where SEVENFRIDAY fans gather and share good times.

The new timepieces are now available for purchase at Red Army Watches stores located at Pavilion KL and 1 Utama.

Treat yourself to some new kicks as you strut down the streets with style! New Balance has announced the launch of the Made in USA 990v6 along with the debut of their “Runners Aren’t Normal” campaign. The updated 990v6 design dispenses with the standard midfoot saddle, allowing the pigskin and synthetic overlays to flow from heel to toe across the mesh upper. With the addition of the FuelCell midsole cushioning, the evolution of the 990 can be felt as much as it can be seen.

The Made in USA 990v6 (contains pigskin) is now available at the New Balance Pavilion KL and Sunway Pyramid; and online at newbalance.com.my and select retailers, with a suggested retail price of RM1,079.

Follow their Instagram or visit their www.newbalance.com.my to learn more about the 990v6.

As we approach the season of lovin’, it’s the time where we put on our rose – or better yet – magenta-tinted frames this Valentine’s Day. And there’s no better place to look for a pair of quality eyewear than Luxottica. A celebration of love, there is no other more suitable colour to represent the empowering love this Valentine’s Day than Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2023, Viva Magenta. Featuring angular, oversized frames in bright shades of pink, this selection of eyewear provides an effortlessly chic look for any wearer, perfectly embodying the emotion and love of Viva Magenta.

Take a leap into love with PEDRO’s Spring 2023 Collection. This season, PEDRO is connecting the physical and digital worlds, giving us a polished and effortless collection. Stealing the spotlight in the campaign are the latest shoes and bags of the season, freshly launched ins stores and online. For women, look out for vibrant colors that celebrate the freshness of Spring. Incorporating retro-inspired prints and classic silhouettes, this collection will elevate your daily outfits, giving you an edge whilst looking effortless. For men, PEDRO has replicated the same feel of optimism and liveliness with a hint of masculinity. Whether you are looking for classic and formal shoes in darker colors, or sporty and casual footwear and bags in bright colours, the Spring ’23 collection for men has them all.

The PEDRO Spring 2023 Collection is now available online and in stores. Discover your latest must-have fashion accessories on pedroshoes.com or visit your nearest PEDRO boutique to shop.

It’s time to get your revenge body ready for Valentine’s, and Under Armour has just the right gear. Though Lunar New Year has passed, their “Have You Eaten Yet” collection is a staple for any activity. Work out in style with the new UA Lunar New Year Terry Crew and Joggers, which come in two beautiful designs in striking red. Don’t forget to pick up the new UA HOVR Phantom 3 Lunar New Year Edition Running Shoes that are perfect for long and everyday runs.

The Under Armour Lunar New Year Collection is available at any Under Armour Brand House nationwide. You can shop this collection online at underarmour.com.my.

Get your love at first sight moment with Jimmy Choo’s SS2023 Eyewear Collection! Presenting a new range of sunglasses and opticals, they reflect the glamorous, confident and dating spirit of the house. The frames are decorated with the brand’s signature JC Monogram, placed prominently on the temples, a hallmark of quality, craft and design expertise. The shimmering crystal accents offer a contemporary twist to timeless eyewear while also offering a bold new proposition in the form of cutting-edge designs. Opalescent pearl details are paired with sparkling carrè crystals to bring a sense of refinement and flair to eyewear, turning the most functional accessories into something truly exquisite.

For more information, head on to their official website.

When it comes to Valentine’s Day, you simply can’t leave out Ms. Kate Spade! Get the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your girl with kate spade new york’s Valentine’s Day Gift Guide. From heart-shaped prints to small leather goods, and even a new staple handbag, the capsule collection includes an array of accessories and ready-to-wear perfect for a romantic evening or gifting a special someone.

The Valentine’s Day Collection is now available for purchase at kate spade new york stores. Discover the full collection here.

Of course, we can’t leave out the loverboys! In commemoration of Thai skateboard brand, Preduce’s 20th anniversary, G-SHOCK has collaborated with them for a new model, DW-5600PRE22. Designed by famed Preduce art director Thun “TRK” Puchpen, the base model of DW-5600 was dressed with the face of the Thai Guardian Giant represented in Thai mythology, believed to keep bad spirits away and its believers safe. The new DW-5600PRE22 stays true to the culture of Thailand by borrowing multiple colours and patterns typically found in Thai traditional paintings as found on temple walls. The animal fur clothing of the Thai ancient characters can also be found on the packaging of the watch, in organic lines of green and black.

The new DW-5600PRE22 is now available on the Casio Malaysia E-commerce website, at G-SHOCK Stores, G-Factory and all authorized Casio dealers, for RM615.

If you’re looking for one place to get all your Valentine’s Day essentials (chocolate and matching pyjama sets), Marks & Spencer has everything you need. This year, M&S wants you to feel that Love is All Around with the launch of an array of delicious and fun new treats that will make any heart ‘melt’! Besides, they’ve also come out with a selection of matching loungewear for a cosy, romantic night in. But if you’re going out for a cute date night, they’re also offering some cute animal print pieces that scream “Love is in the air!”.

The Marks & Spencer Valentine’s Day collection is available at all Marks & Spencer stores nationwide or online at marksandspencer.com/my/.

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#StarWars: Prince Harry & Prince William Secretly Filmed Stormtrooper Cameos For “Episode VIII”?

Last we checked, April Fools’ Day is over. So when we read that 2 members of the British royal family have been picked to join the cast of “Star Wars: Episode VIII”, we did a double take.

According to The Daily Mail, William and Harry secretly filmed cameo roles as Stormtroopers for the next “Star Wars” blockbuster.

The Princes visited the Pinewood Studios set of “Star Wars: Episode VIII” last week, where they met director Rian Johnson, stars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Daisy Ridley (Rey), and crew members.

In the scene that the Royals filmed, they appeared alongside Daisy Ridley, John Boyega (Finn), and Oscar-winner Benicio del Toro, who is believed to be playing new villain Lord Vikram.

A source reportedly told The Daily Mail, “The line given was that they were going to have lunch and a private tour of the rest of the set. What really happened is that the director came over and told them it was time to “get suited” and off they went to the wardrobe department.”

“The princes dressed up in full stormtrooper gear and filmed a scene in which Rey and Finn infiltrate a secret base. The rebel characters are in a lift with Benicio del Toro’s character when a group of stormtroopers enter – two of whom are William and Harry,” the source added.

Disney and the Princes’ spokesman neither confirmed nor denied the news so at this point, there is really no way of knowing if it is indeed true. In fact, since they’ll be appearing incognito as masked Stormtroopers, there would really be no way of knowing unless if the Princes confirm it themselves. It’d be a cool story for Prince William to tell his kids (George and Charlotte) though!

William and Harry won’t be the first well-known figures to make a secret cameo in a “Star Wars” film. Last year’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” featured Daniel Craig as a First Order grunt aka the Stormtrooper who Rey convinces to remove her restraints and leave the door open.

Daniel easily waltzed into the role as he was filming “Spectre” at Pinewood Studios around the same time that “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was being shot. Brings a whole new meaning to “Oh, I just happened to be in the area”, if you asked us.

“Star Wars: Episode VIII” stars Luke Hamill, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong’o, Oscar Isaac, and newcomers Benicio Del Toro and Laura Dern. The film is slated to be released on 15th December 2017.

Sources: The Verge, Daily Mail, The Guardian, Vanity Fair / Featured image via Getty Images.


7 Facts About Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse You Probably Didn’t Know

It’s time to celebrate Mickey and Minnie’s birthday! Created back in 1928, Mickey and Minnie have been part of many of our childhoods and continues to be one of the most iconic cartoon characters today.

In honour of their birthday on 18th November, here are 7 lesser-known facts about these household names that you probably didn’t know!

When Walt Disney first created Mickey Mouse in 1928, Mickey was originally going to be named Mortimer. Lucky for us, we can thank Lillian, Walt Disney’s wife, for talking him out of it as she felt it was too pompous. “Mortimer Mouse and Minnie Mouse” definitely doesn’t quite have the same ring to it!

Contrary to popular belief, Mickey and Minnie are not married, nor are they siblings (despite sharing the same birthday). Even without being a married couple, Mickey sure does set the bar high for love, as he’s forever courting Minnie as his one-and-only.

Mickey and Minnie were created to break down stereotypical cartoon characters – where they were both one of the first cartoon characters created with personalities in mind. Mickey, known for his eternal optimism, and Minnie, known for her upbeat and girlish femininity, are huge factors of why these two stars have remained so relevant till today.

Minnie was originally designed in the flapper fashion. Her first and main fashion statement was wearing the female version of a bowler hat with her signature daisy sprouting from the top.

Mickey made his theatrical debut in Steamboat Willie, the first-ever fully synchronized sound cartoon on November 18, 1928. However, Mickey only spoke his first words the following year in Karnival Kid – with his first words being “Hot dogs!”. That’s one way to leave an impact.

While Minnie’s lifelong friend is none other than Daisy, whom she often turns to when she’s in need of a confidante, she’s also a good friend who sympathises with the plights of others! Minnie’s known for always being there for her friends, lending her support whenever they’re in need, like helping Clarabelle Cow get out of sticky situations and Mickey by taking care of his dog, Pluto.

While one of the most iconic Mickey and Minnie merchandise today are the ear headbands, the first ever licensed Mickey Mouse merchandise was a writing tablet! This all happened when a man offered Walt Disney US$300 to use Mickey on a children’s pencil tablet, in which Walt agreed to because he needed the money.

Celebrate their 93rd birthday by re-watching some of your favourite Mickey and Minnie content on Disney+ Hotstar. Malaysians can stream their favourite shows and films now by subscribing to the service directly at DisneyPlusHotstar.my or on Astro at incredible deals.

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Theme Parks & Water Parks Are Allowed To Open Starting 1st July

Need something to cheer up your Monday blues? we’ve just received good news from our Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Yaakob.

Starting next month, the government will allow all theme parks, including water parks to resume its operations!

In a press conference held today (Monday, 29th June), Datuk Ismail Sabri revealed that a total of 54 theme parks with up to 10,000 labour forces across the country will reopen starting 1st July (this Wednesday). As usual, operators as well as visitors must comply with the government’s SOPs, mainly social distancing rules.

During the conference, Ismail Sabri also explained that the limit number of people allowed to enter is according to the capacity of the premise. Additionally for water theme parks, visitors will have to follow the guidelines for management and maintenance of public pools.

Watch the full live press conference here:


#Malaysia: Fire & Smoke As Another Smartphone Explodes While Charging

Yesterday (Sunday, 8th May), another case of a smartphone exploding while it’s being charged was reported.

According to mStarOnline, entertainment journalist Tengku Khalidah Tengku Bidin said that her daughter, Dina, was charging her phone in one of the rooms of their house in Setiawangsa when the incident occurred.

The smartphone exploded about half an hour after it was charged, burning a pillow in the process. “I was in the kitchen, and was shocked when my child was shouting fire, fire. There was fire and smoke from the handphone. Luckily no one was holding it the time,” she said.

No one was injured in the incident and thanks to Tengku Khalidah’s quick thinking, no further damage was done as she switched off the electricity mains of her house.

This is the 3rd smartphone-charging-related case in the span of just a few weeks.

On 19th April, a 30-year-old mother of 2 from Cheras died while using a charging smartphone. She was believed to have experienced an electrical shock from the smartphone, which was plugged into a wall socket. It was the first time that anyone in the country has ever been killed from using a charging smartphone.

A few days later, it was reported that a 28-year-old man from Kedah attempted to answer an incoming call on his smartphone that was charging when it exploded. He suffered injuries to the right side of his face, right ear, as well as the right side of his chest and right arm.

It’s not that uncommon to hear news about smartphones exploding or bursting into flames, causing burn accidents. But there are a few ways to educate yourself with some basic tech knowledge to avoid these mishaps.

For example, use only batteries or chargers that are original products. Third party chargers could save you a buck or two but they’re not always certified safe. Inexpensive batteries from unknown manufacturers can be very dangerous too, especially if you have a habit of charging your smartphone on your bed, inches away from your head, as you sleep through the night. This is because some manufacturers have been known to “save money” by not inserting the fuse that disconnects the circuit in the case of the battery overheating.

Another good tip is to not leave your device in hot areas, especially if it’s charging. Ambient temperatures affect batteries a lot and makes overheating problems worse.

Last but not least, if your smartphone is charging or you are using functions that cause it to heat up a lot, make sure you are using it in a ventilated place (which means taking it out of its case, if you have one).

Sources: mStarOnline via The Star Online, International Business Times, FMT, AndroidPIT / Featured image: The Star Online.

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Hype Picks: The Best Things To Do In Klang Valley This Week (17th-23rd January)

Say no more, we all know what we are here for — to line you up with the best, and only the best activities for you to fill up your schedule this week.

We have a variety of experiences for this this week, from theatre performances on the reality of immigrants living in Malaysia, to an exclusive Whiskey tasting event that includes an immersive cinematic experience, and even a CNY Pasar Malam for you to enjoy this Lunar New Year! So, let’s cut to the chase and get to the list of activities specially curated just for you!

1) CNY night market & China Art Exhibition

Date: 10th-30th January / 18th-23rd January

Location: Uncle Robert @ 2nd Floor, Pavilion Bukit Jalil / Estreet, LG, 1 Utama E

We know that the Lunar New Year is synonymous with night markets; so, we have a CNY Bazaar for you to pay a visit to! Not only you can shop till you drop, but you can also enjoy a China Art Exhibition and learn more about the culture while you’re at it.

Get your tummy ready because we have another night market for you to satiate your street food cravings! From stinky tofu to Dragon Beard Candy; halal to non-halal variety can be found at the stalls and vendors welcome you at 1 Utama!

Location: The Curve, Ground Floor, Western Courtyard, Mutiara Damansara

Do you want to change your lifestyle to be surrounded by more greens? Or are you simply someone who wants to add more plants to your collections of green babies? Then RiMBA Market is the place for you where you can win rare and beautiful plants, adopt plants for free, enroll yourself in various workshops, and many more activities you can participate in!

Location: 10-2, Jalan 5/109F, Plaza Danau 2, Taman Danau Desa, Kuala Lumpur

Looking for a platform for all ages to learn and share the fun of baking? Look no further! From baking chiffon cakes, to the difference in meringue textures and cream colour mixing; you can learn all this and more from the class. You will even get to design and decorate your own minimalist cake at the end of it!

4) Sip & Paint: Serenity Lavender Morning

Location: Art & Bonding No.22-3, Jalan 25/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50480

Looking for a more relaxing activity this week? Then opt for painting! Not only can you chat with other participants in a relaxing non-competitive environment, but you will also be provided with free drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Celebrate your Lunar New Year with a stunning and immersive cinematic experience along with a complimentary whiskey tasting. You can even witness a magnificent wishing wall, experience a gamified Tree of Fortune, and an Epic Journey of Good Fortune, all with Glenfiddich!

Location: Pentas 2, Kuala Lumpur Performance Art Centre

Witness legendary artists to rising names in the industry; jazz to progressive nusantara harmonies; amazing fingerstyle guitar solos to a full-on jazz orchestra in this majestic one in a million festival.

Get a view of what is happening in the lives of refugees in Malaysia who are denied access to formal rights to work and poverty living conditions. This theatre by Parastoo Theatre will open your eyes to the challenges faced by refugees everyday in Malaysia.

Are you a fan of Namewee’s works? We know how hard it is to get your hands on one of his films, but you’re in luck this week. After 7 years of hiatus, Namewee is back again with a new film, and this time, you can watch it locally!

Opening Hours: 12pm-8pm (weekdays), 10am -8pm (weekends & public holidays)

Location: AT 6, IOI City Mall, IOI Resort City, 62502 Putrajaya

If you want to go for something more adventurous this weekend, something more post-apocalyptic-esque, head over to District 21 for an indoor amusement park. From roller glider, to endless obstacle courses for you to try, all in one place.

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#EVAAir: #HelloKitty Planes To Fly Between Singapore & Taiwan Permanently!

In 2005, EVA Air and Sanrio worked together to launch the first generation of Hello Kitty jets. Conceived by EVA Air’s chairman to make flying fun, EVA’s Hello Kitty Jets have proven to be popular among travellers worldwide.

So much so that the second generation of EVA Hello Kitty Jets came in 2011 and today, there are 6 variants of unique and specially painted Hello Kitty Jets including the:

Now, hardcore fans of Hello Kitty will have a big reason to fly to Taiwan from Singapore for a holiday (or two) from June onwards this year!

An EVA Air Hello Kitty-themed jet will fly permanently between Singapore and Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport from 21st June, the airline said in a statement on Wednesday. This is because the airlines experienced “overwhelming demand” after introducing chartered flights on the plane between the two destinations in December.

Upon the announcement, EVA Air President Austin Cheng said:

After experiencing an overwhelming demand of our Hello Kitty jets when we introduced chartered flights between Singapore and Taipei (in December 2014), we knew Singapore had to be our first destination in South-east Asia to host our next Hello Kitty-themed aircraft. As Singapore is a popular tourism hub, we are proud to be able to extend our flight expansion plans into Singapore.

The flight, which will fly on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, as well as Tuesdays from 1st July, will have a brand new Hello Kitty-themed exterior. If that isn’t enough of the adorable icon, each aircraft comes with over 100 in-flight service items featuring Hello Kitty, including limited edition duty free products, and Hello Kitty-themed food, pillows, and restroom amenities.

To date, EVA Air has launched six variants of the Hello Kitty Jet on flights from Taiwan to Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, China, Guam and Paris. Singapore will receive the seventh variant of the Hello Kitty Jet, the airline said. Singapore is the first country in South-east Asia to host the aircraft, with other variants of the Hello Kitty jet plying routes from Taiwan to Japan, South Korea, China, Guam and Paris.

For more pictures, check out the gallery below:

*Pictures from AspirantSG, Jaunted, and superadrianme.


GSC Cinemas Is Offering A Free Movie Screening On 1st July

Miss watching movies on the big screen? GSC Cinemas is kicking things off with its reopening celebration.

For tomorrow (Wednesday, 1st July) only, you’ll get to enjoy a cinematic experience with a plus one for absolutely free! All you have to do is redeem your movie passes with the promo code JOMGSC00001T1.

The free movie screening is only valid for the 2017 action film “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”. The movie emerged as the top movie in the country and subsequently Malaysia’s 3rd highest grossing film. It was such a huge hit that even Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock gave us a special shoutout on Instagram.

If you’re keen to relive the experience, here are GSC’s terms & conditions:

– Only available for Jumanji: Welcome to The Jungle
– Only available for showtimes on 1 July 2020.
– Only available to redeem online, via GSC Website or GSC Mobile App.
– Available at all GSC locations, except GSC in Sarawak, GSC Terminal 1 and Aurum Theatre.
– Maximum 2 tickets per transaction.

In case you didn’t know, the 2019 sequel “Jumanji: The Next Level” is currently streaming on Netflix.

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#MyBalloonFiesta: Festival To Be Held In Kuala Lumpur For The First Time Ever

Are you ready to be amazed by a sky full of hot air balloons?

Well, you’re in luck, ‘cos MyBalloon Fiesta (formerly known as Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta) is set to make a comeback in 2017, and this time, it will be held in Kuala Lumpur!

Traditionally held in Putrajaya, the 9th edition of the festival is set to wow visitors in Desa ParkCity. It is a mere 25-minute drive from the city centre, compared to the almost 1-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya.

However, the balloons will still take off from Putrajaya. Although mass ascension (free flying) will begin on the mornings of 10th to 12th March in Precinct 2, Monumen Alaf Baru (which is the previous MyBalloon Fiesta location), the balloons will be back on display in Desa ParkCity by afternoon.

A whopping total of 18 balloons from 11 countries comprising of special shapes and colourful designs are expected to be in town this year. Balloon pilots will be made up of flying sponsors and media, but those interested can also sign up as members of MyBalloonClub. The membership grants you a complimentary tethered ride, amongst all other benefits.

Unwilling to fork out RM300? Fret not, the public is still welcomed to enjoy the view for free from a distance.

The highlight of the festival is the Balloon Display and Night Glow, which will be held at 6pm and 8pm daily. This year’s selection of international and local balloons will be gathered in Desa ParkCity, and it will be inflated for the Night Glow event. The balloons will also be lit up according to the rhythmic music playing in the background, promising a perfect photo shooting opportunity.

Aside from being mesmerised by the countless hot air balloons decorating the skyline, visitors will also be able to enjoy picnics and various activities around the grounds. Food festival, workshops, and culture shows will also be open to the public.

For more info, visit My Balloon Fiesta’s website and Facebook page.


#AlexandraShipp: Storm Actress Wants To Appear In X-Men’s “The New Mutants”

One of the more exciting parts of watching “X-Men: Apocalypse” is the reintroduction of some of our favourite mutants from the X-Men team such the young Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Nightcrawler.

Alexandra Shipp’s new reincarnation of Ororo Munroe aka Storm is also one such delight where we got to see her display a sense of vulnerability and sensibility of ups and downs before joining the the X-Men team. IGN reports that the 24-year-old actress is very much keen on reprising her role as Storm in the next X-Men spin-off , “The New Mutants”.

“I can’t say very much about New Mutants, but it would be awesome to do a little cameo, a little Where’s Waldo?, Where’s Ororo? in the background,” explained Shipp in a recent interview. She doesn’t exactly confirm or deny the rumour of her inclusion in “The New Mutants”, but the actress did reveal that she’d will be more than happy to be part of the production.

“I love Storm as a character. I’d love to reprise her in many different movies and be able to show people different sides of her because she is so multidimensional and I think that the people who love Storm at least as much as I do, really want to see that. We want to see Storm killin’ it and kickin’ ass. That’s the best thing about her, how amazing and powerful she is,” she added.

Seeing that Storm hasn’t made a huge impact on the big screen in recent years, and “X-Men: Apocalypse” marks Shipp’s first outing as the mutant superhero, it would be a welcome to see the weather change in her favour. Especially since some of the popular mutants will, no doubt, be making an appearance in Professor X’s academy.

Earlier this month, director Josh Boone reveal a number of lesser-known “New Mutants” characters on Instagram. The line-up include Wolfsbane (the Scottish character with werewolf-like transformation abilities), Magik (the younger sister of Colossus), Dani Moonstar aka Mirage, Cannonball, Sunspot, and Warlock.

Depending on how audiences respond to Storm in “X-Men: Apocalypse”, we could be seeing Shipp’s character in future X-Men spin-off films rather sooner than later. What do y’all think, was Shipp’s portrayal of Storm a standout in the super crowded field of mutants?

In the meantime, check out our “X-Men: Apocalypse” movie review here.

Sources: Screen Rant, Cinema Blend, Movie Web.

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#SKarf: What Happens When A K-Pop Idol Leaves A Group?

In case you’ve ever wondered what happens to K-Pop idols when they leave their group/agency, well here’s a story for you.

In 2011, JYP Entertainment and Alpha Entertainment held auditions in Singapore and Hong Kong and it was during that time when Singaporeans Ferlyn, Tasha (real name Natasha Low), and Elaine was recruited into Alpha Entertainment with other finalists who passed the auditions. Ferlyn, Elaine, and Tasha beat 3,000 other hopefuls who also auditioned and underwent 2 years of intensive training in South Korea.

We even mentioned them briefly in a post way back in 2013!

However, in late 2011, Elaine Yuki dropped out of the group due to medical reasons and also because the training was too tough. According to Yahoo Singapore, training for the girls in Seoul, Korea, came in the form of a military-style boot camp where they were not even allowed to go to the bathroom without a minder. Their intense 14-hour days would start at 7 am and involve hours of gym, dance, singing, and swimming. The girls were also made to wear sunglasses both indoors and outdoors all the time and not allowed to apply any makeup.

After she dropped out, Elaine revealed in a blog post:

I’ve dropped out from the girl group .. due to medical reasons and there being too tough … I couldn’t take it and broke down lots of times. It’s not easy being there, all my myself. Without friends and family. Especially in places which (sic) language you don’t even know how to speak. I can’t even describe and put it in words. I went through a going-to-be superstar life. Those trainings, those diet plans. Totally being controlled like as though (sic) I’m leading my life how they want it to be

Even though I’m back, but I’m actually very happy with my life now. I can do whatever I want to, go wherever I want to and meet whoever I wish to! Something I learned: Life’s not about fame. It’s about being happy.

Alpha’s Chief Executive Officer Alan Chan later stated that the girls would be groomed together with other Koreans to form a girl group debuting in 2012.

The girl group project would later be named SKarf. The “S” stands for “Singapore” while the “C” was switched out with the “K” for Korea.

2012 came and as promised, on 8th August, SKarf released their first teaser for their title song “Oh! Dance” through Alpha Entertainment’s official YouTube channel. The next day, the individual teasers of the 4 members (Ferlyn, Tasha, Jenny, Sol) were then released to introduce each of the members. They even went on to have their own reality program on MBC Music titled “Oh! My Skarf”.

Watch the music video for their title song, released on 12th August 2012 here, titled, “Oh! Dance”:

For awhile, it was all glitz and glamour on the front but that quickly faded as SKarf member Sol decided to leave the group due to personal reasons in Dec 2013. Korean member JooA and Japanese member Hana were then quickly added to the bill before SKarf made their comeback in Feb 2013.

But less than a year later in Sept 2014, it was announced that Ferlyn has also left SKarf. At first, there were rumours that she was leaving in order to become a leader for a new and upcoming K-Pop girl group by the next Chinese New Year (Feb 2015).

Singaporean media portal The New Paper (TNP) reported that Ferlyn the new K-Pop group will sing songs in both Mandarin and Korean in hopes to make a new break in the Asian market.

But that wasn’t exactly accurate per se as Ferlyn has just launched her first solo album, titled, “First”. As a matter of fact, last Friday (30th Dec), at the launch at Bugis+ in Singapore, she performed two songs, “Luv Talk” and “Bu Jian Bu San” from the album.

Ferlyn opened up about her struggles (presumably while she was still a member of SKarf) to TNP when she revealed, “I worked so hard on so many things, but I still got criticised instead of getting the recognition I deserved.”

That having said, Ferlyn also gushed that she’s proud of “First” as she sees it as her first real work by herself:

I get to make my own music and give my own opinions. I didn’t have to consider the possibility of the album concept not fitting well with the other members. I wanted this album to encourage those who have been through the same emotions I felt in the face of setbacks.

Watch the official music video for Ferlyn’s “Luv Talk”, which was released on 2nd Jan 2015:

She went on to add, “I don’t regret what I’ve done. I’m thankful for what I have and I’m learning from the mistakes I’ve made.”

Ferlyn is on Instagram and Twitter so if you’d like to find out more about her adventures as an ex-member of a K-Pop group and perhaps a successful solo artiste, follow her!

Sources: SKarf Wikipedia, Koreaboo, AsiaOne, TNP, Yahoo SG.

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5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Miss The Chance To Zoom Call SKE48

It is every fan’s dream to chat, interact and get closer with their favourite idol after each
concert. The starstruck moment that is only relatable to an ardent fan.

Ahead of their virtual concert on 18th July 2020 in conjunction with Japan Expo Malaysia 2020 Goes Virtual (JEMY 2020), SKE48 is excited to meet their fans through a half an hour special virtual hangout session.

Here are 5 reasons why you should not miss out the Zoom Call opportunity!

What would it mean if you directly zoom with the kawaii idols, literally from
the comfort of your own home? Imagine the rush of adrenaline when the members are waving at you from your mobile screen. This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with them. It will be an authentic and individualised experience despite not being physically present.

Many fans send mail or messages to their favourite celebrities knowing that it might not ever get read, and will likely not get responded to. After all, big name celebs literally get messages from millions of fans via their respective fan mail.

However SKE48 was founded based on the “idols you can meet”. The members are accustomed to meeting fans and known for their friendly nature! With the virtual meet, you can be rest assured that the members will remember you.

3. Have a shared experience with other fans

People attend concerts because they enjoy belonging to a group with similar interests. Despite of the travel restrictions, you can still hang out with people who share the same passion as you. What other fun way is there to show your fandom? You will get to experience the energy and excitement with the rest of the community. The teen sensation has gained worldwide popularity and is literally idolised by their adoring fans. Why not join them?

SKE48 has been charming fans with their cute nature, matching outfits and polished routines. Fans will usually chant song lyrics and cheer loudly during concerts. Despite not being able to travel to Sunshine Sakae of Nagoya, you can still clinch a slot and show some virtual love to these idols! This will satisfy the J-pop craving until the travel restriction is lifted.

This virtual meet will at least allow you to be “front and centre” of the action. Everyone is on equal footing and there is no need to jockey for position in front of the stage. Those who spend the additional time with the artists can capture this chat as a lifetime memory or “online photo opportunity”. You can replay the moments from your Zoom account and reminiscent precious moments with adorable members!

Among the members that will be joining the virtual session are Ruka Inoue (Team S), Yuki Arai(Team KII), Yuna Ego (Team KII), Nao Furuhata(Team KII), Haruka Kumazaki (Team E), and Kaho Sato(Team E).


Hype’s Exclusive: Waking Up In Singapore With The Boys From The Vamps

Founded in 2012, The Vamps are a British pop rock band consisting of members Brad Simpson, James McVey, Connor Ball, and Tristan Evans. Their names may be unfamiliar to you and we don’t blame you, as The Vamps are still fairly new in the music industry.

2 things that make them stand out though:

Thanks to our friends from Universal Music Singapore and Universal Music Malaysia, we got to sit down with the talented boys for a quick chat before their ridiculously good show at Hard Rock Coliseum last week in Singapore.

#Throwback Sharing a lighthearted moment with the boys from @wearethevamps during our exclusive interview. What a day! – @laineyyyx. #Travel #Music #TheVamps #TheVampsSG @universalmusicmalaysia @universalmusg

A photo posted by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy) on Jan 27, 2016 at 8:08pm PST

Hi guys, welcome to Asia. How’s Singapore treating you?

Brad: Yeah, it’s awesome! We’re ready to go. We love it here – the food, the heat, the people..wait, where are you from? Malaysia?

Yeah, we’re right next to Singapore. You guys aren’t coming to Malaysia.

Brad: No. No, we’re not. We’re not playing there on this tour but we do want to go there. Eventually :)

I read that Brad and James met Tristan via Facebook. Do you remember the first thing you said to each other?

Brad: James found me on YouTube and together we met Tristan on Facebook. He told me that he had a Nando’s blackcard which is like free Nando’s and I was like, “What, you’ve got a Nando’s blackcard?!” and he’s like, “Yeah, yeah..” but I thought it was a joke.

Brad: Well, one of. Do you have Nando’s in Malaysia? Does Singapore have Nando’s?  Yes, we have ’em in both Malaysia and Singapore.

You’ve opened for artistes like Selena Gomez, The Wanted, Taylor Swift. What were those experiences like?

Brad: Very good! Taylor’s was cray cray. She’s a big influence on us as a band and like, after the tour was over we really looked up to her.

You mean the country side of Taylor Swift or the pop side of Taylor Swift?

James: I love country but no, like I think..like just the whole show, the band and the lights and the stage was amazing. Everything was just great about Taylor.

Tristan: Selena Gomez was lovely. She’s very wicked on stage as well. She has a different persona on stage – she’s like 2 different people.

Brad: The Wanted were good, we did the whole tour with them around the UK. We even went on a night out with them and it was good fun. But that was like, their last ever tour.

You released your second album, “Wake Up”, just a couple of months ago. And it’s quite a back-to-back release with “Meet the Vamps” in 2014. What makes “Wake Up” different from “Meet the Vamps”?

Brad: Yeah it was like about a year in between. I think the overall sound is quite different because we wanted to go for a bit of an 80s-influenced sound. So we kinda listened to a lot of like Taylor Swift’s new album “1989”. And MGMT because the band makes like electronic sounds really well. We wanted to kinda do that on our album. If you could use one song off “Wake Up” to pick up a girl, which one would you pick?

What are the best and worst parts about being in a band with each other, would you say?

Tristan: I guess coming to Singapore. That’s a cool thing. Travelling is really cool, one of the best things.

Brad: There aren’t that many bad bits, really. But I do miss my family and friends, and get a bit homesick at times. Travelling gets a bit tiring but other than that, we get to play shows and be with our best mates while doing it. And coming out to Singapore and meeting the amount of fans out here.

Do you guys still get nervous before you go on stage and if you do, what do you do to kind of “zen” out?

Tristan: I don’t think we really..we don’t get nervous anymore unless if it’s something big on TV or something. Most of the time we’re just having fun.

Brad: Um, we’ve got like a “lucky” things we do before going on stage – we rub our chins together

Connor: Like a four-way rubbing of chins.

The boys from @wearethevamps just-a-rockin’ out to their song, “I Found A Girl”, during their soundcheck. Trust me when I say that the crowd here went absolutely wild ? – @laineyyyx. #Travel #Music #TheVamps @universalmusicmalaysia #TheVampsSG A photo posted by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy) on Jan 26, 2016 at 12:42am PST

What are the The Vamps members like on a good day – no work, no schedule, no tour?

Tristan: Bed. If we’re on tour, explore.

Brad: Explore, yeah. Eat! But if we’re at home, just chill out. And just sleep. Family.

So what else is in the pipeline for The Vamps this year? Do you have any projects that you can talk about?

Brad: We set up a record label about 6 months ago and we signed The Tide, and this year’s an exciting time for us and them because they’re going to be releasing an album. It’s exciting for us to see how they’ll come together as a band and how they’re gonna sound like..a year for now. And for The Vamps, aside from more touring this year, we’re already working on a 3rd album.

Thanks for taking time to do this for us, boys! We certainly hope to see The Vamps in Malaysia sometime soon ;)

We’ll leave you now with the very song that made us fall head-over-heels in love with The Vamps, “Wake Up”. Enjoy:

For more information, visit the boy’s website, Facebook page, or stalk them on Instagram ;)

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15 Funniest Names In Football History

The thing with names is that it’s something that we’re quite literally born with or suckered into without permission whatsoever. It happens to everyone and even to the best of us. Football players are no different. It’s especially tough when you’re a sportsperson of international fame because sports commentators, reporters, and journalists alike would often find themselves having to swallow chuckles and bite back giggles at the mention of silly names. For some of these footballers, they didn’t stand a chance.

Here are some of the world’s most unfortunate but also silliest names for some of the best football players on the field:

1. Stefan Kuntz was a prolific striker who played from 1980 to 1999. He had 25 caps for Germany and is now chairman of FC Kaiserslautern in Germany.

2. Bernt Haas played for Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion, where he supposedly was famous for eating hot curries and burnt his..you know. Only kidding!

3. David Goodwillie is a young Scottish striker for Dundee United who has been involved with a few controversies in his short career so far. Hmm.

4. Nortei Nortey, pronounced as “naughty naughtay”, is a talented Ghanian defender, plagued by injuries that were part of the Chelsea Academy and is currently looking for a new club.

5. Danny Invincible was an Australian who played for Swindon and Kilmarnock where he single-handedly saved Swindon from relegation in 2001/02. Hence the name, duh.

6. Paul Dickov This 40-year-old Scottish striker played over 400 professional games for the likes of Arsenal, Leicester City, Blackburn Rovers, and Man City. He is now manager of Doncaster Rovers.

7. David Seaman is on this list because, well, it would be a travesty not to have one of England’s most legendary goalkeepers (and a fine ice skater too).

8. Fabian Assman is an Argentinian goalkeeper playing for Independiente in the Primera División in Argentina. A really good question for any goalkeeper is, “Do you prefer Seaman or Assman?”

9. Milan Fukal is a Czech defender once linked to Manchester City and Leeds. Unfortunately his career never really took off which makes his excellent name kind of no-pun-intended-but-really-check-out-the-pun-on-that-one.

10. Uwe Fuchs was a former Middlesbrough striker, helping them win promotion to the Premier League and obtaining cult status before he was brutally dropped despite scoring 9 goals in 13 games. Oh fudge for Fuchs.

11. Rod Fanni plays for Marseille in French Ligue 1 and has five caps for France. For some unknown, mysterious reason, his name makes us laugh the most.

12. Dean Windass was a talented sportsman and a Striker for Hull City, Bradford City, and several other clubs with 732 games and 234 goals. Pretty impressive so hold back your fart jokes!

13. Andrei Arshavin is a former Arsenal player and now at Zenit St Petersburg. The pint-sized player maker was renowned for being an ars..um, a difficult character.

14. Argelico Fucks is now retired having played from 1992 to 2007 with 10 different teams across the world. You can imagine the field day journalists had every time he changed club.

15. When Charlton Athletic signed midfielder Anil Koc in January this year, the move prompted many a guffaw.

Don’t forget to check out the strangest football rituals here before you gear yourselves up for the FIFA World Cup 2014 with our simplified guide here.

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Deadpool: Tim Miller Blames Ryan Reynolds For His Exit As Director

In a sea of superhero movies, the “Deadpool” franchise has been able to carve out an identity of its own. It has earned legion of fans and achieved box offices success in a market that many consider to be overly saturated.

So it stand to reason that many directors would be more than happy to direct a sequel right? Not according to “Deadpool” director, Tim Miller, who passed up the opportunity to direct the sequel because of a disagreement with film star Ryan Reynolds.

In a recent interview with KCRW’s The Business, the 49-year-old let loose about his decision to leave the franchise. He cited his rift with the Canadian actor about the flick’s creative control to be the issue.

During the interview the filmmaker said, “It became clear that Ryan (Reynolds) wanted to be in control of the franchise. You can work that way as a director, quite successfully, but I can’t. I don’t mind having a debate, but if I can’t win, I don’t want to play.”

He later added that, “I don’t think you can negotiate every creative decision, there’s too many to make. So Ryan’s the face of the franchise, and he was the most important component of that, by far. So if he decides he wants to control it, then he’s going to control it.”

On the other hand, the 43-year-old actor was also asked about the director departure before, with him hinted that the two have struggled with creative differences. This resulted in another director, David Leitch who did “John Wick”, to take up the helm for the sequel.

Recently, the director just finished up directing a big name franchise film in “Terminator: Dark Fate”. He revealed that he also struggled creatively with producer James Cameron, stating in a conversation with The Business, that he would never work with 65-year-old director again.


#KualaLumpur: Crane Hook Falls & Instantly Kills Woman Driver

This is truly a sad case of someone being at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Last night (Thursday, 25th August), a young Chinese woman was crushed to death when a 1,000kg lifting hook from an overhead crane detached and fell on her Perodua Kelisa during a traffic jam at Jalan Raja Chulan.

The incident reportedly took place at a construction site nearby Pavilion at around 7:20pm. The 24-year-old victim has been identified as Chin Khoon Sing, who hails from George Town, Penang. Police believe that Khoon Sing was leaving from work when tragedy occurred. Her body was sent to Kuala Lumpur Hospital for a post-mortem.

A witness named Elizabeth, who was at the scene, told Bernama that she heard loud bangs before witnessing the aforementioned crane hook gave way and smashed into the vehicle in front of her. “People were running helter-skelter for dear life as the hook fell on the Kelisa. The incident happened very fast,” said the 34-year-old woman.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Amar Singh Ishar Singh stated that the case is currently being investigated under Section 304A of the Penal Code for causing death by negligence.

Our condolences to Chin Khoon Sing’s family and friends :(


Malaysian Producers Score Oscars Nomination For St. Louis Superman Short Film

MTV short film “St. Louis Superman”, produced by homegrown talents Teng Poh Si and Cheyenne Tan, has been nominated for Best Documentary Short Subject at this year’s Oscars!

Directed by Smriti Mundhra and Sami Khan, the 25-minute documentary will be competing alongside 4 other movies namely “In The Absence”, “Learning To Skateboard in A Warzone (If You’re A Girl)”, “Life Overtakes Me” and “Walk Run Cha-Cha”.

Based on true events, “St. Louis Superman” tells the life story of rapper-turn-activist Bruce Franks Jr., as he faces a lot of setbacks and mental trauma in the mission to transform his community in Missouri after winning the Missouri House Of Representatives in 2016.

He was inspired to enter the politics world following the tragic shooting of a young African-American Michael Brown Jr. by a white police officer nearby Franks Jr.’s hometown at Ferguson, Missouri back in 2014.

For those interested, check out the trailer here:

The 92nd Academy Awards will be held on 9th February 2020 (Sunday).

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Les Misérables Soundtrack Deluxe + 22 Additional Tracks!

The film has already scooped three Golden Globe Awards and at the recent BAFTAs it came away with the most honours on the night, winning four awards. It is nominated for eight Academy Awards® including “Best Original Song” for “Suddenly”, performed by Hugh Jackman.

The album of “Highlights from the Motion Picture Soundtrack” is enjoying the same phenomenal success with audiences keen to relive their experience of the film. On release in the UK, the album shot straight to No.1 in the Official UK Charts, making it the first time in more than 15 years that a motion picture soundtrack has topped the artist chart (the last being “Evita” in 1997) and has become the fastest-selling album in the UK this year. Sales in the UK are now at Platinum status within just five weeks of release.

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With sales of more than a million, the soundtrack has landed on the top spot in 22 countries. In the U.S. it went straight to No.1 on the Billboard album chart, the first adapted-from-a-stage-musical movie soundtrack to climb this high since “Mamma Mia!” in 2008, and is currently the one of the biggest-selling albums of the year in the U.S., having already achieved Gold status.

And now, fans of the film adaptation of Les Misérables and its soundtrack of highlights may look forward to furthering their enjoyment as it was announced today that the expanded deluxe soundtrack is released on 18th March 2013 (Monday).

The deluxe two-disc package includes an additional 22 tracks, previously unseen photos from the film set, and additional liner notes. It will be available in physical and digital formats.

For those who have bought the original highlights album, they may complete their collection by purchasing the new tracks individually.


Contest: 22nd Jump Street Merch Up For Grabs

Two years after their success in the 21 Jump Street program, Morton Schmidt (played by Jonah Hill) and Greg Jenko (played by Channing Tatum) are back on the streets chasing drug dealers. They thought by going to actual college that they would be hunting down real criminals once again. However, unannounced to them, they were assigned to an online university, only looking for key words and phrases during online lectures that might give off any indication of any illegal crime happening around the city.

Eventually, they come across the meeting time and location of another powerful gang in the docks. However, after failing in the pursuit of a group of dealers led by Ghost (played by Peter Stormare), Deputy Chief Hardy (played by Nick Offerman) puts the duo back on the program to work for Captain Dickson (played by Ice Cube) – now located across the street at 22 Jump Street.

Their assignment? To go undercover as college students and locate the supplier of a drug known as “WHYPHY” that killed a student photographed buying it on campus.

And now, the more exciting news is the fact that we’ve got some exclusive 22nd Jump street movie merchandise to giveaway! Do you want these goodies, like the ones seen on Channing Tatum here?:

* Disclaimer : No Channing Tatum to giveaway though.

22nd Jump Street will be released in a cinema near you on 24th July. For more information, visit the movie’s official website.


Hype’s Now Playing: Ladies’ Code – I’m Fine Thank You (Remake)

It has been one year since Ladies’ Code (레이디스 코드) member EunB passed away in a tragic car accident. Her fellow member and best friend RiSe died a few days later on 7th September due to injuries sustained from the accident.

As a moving tribute to the 2 young idols, the remaining Ladies’ Code members (Ashley, Zuny, and Sojung) made a special appearance at RiSe and EunB‘s Memorial Concert on 22nd August in Tokyo, Japan.

The concert was organised to fulfil RiSe’s wish of hosting an independent concert in Japan one day.

On 3rd September, the group’s agency, Polaris Entertainment, released a remake of Ladies’ Code song, “I’m Fine Thank You”. First released in 2013 via Ladies’ Code’s 2nd mini album, the track quickly rose to the top of the South Korean music charts after Ladies’ Code’s accident last year.

The remake features Ladies’ Code member Sojung as well as Polaris artistes Kim Bum Soo, Ivy, Yang Dong Geun, Han Hee Jun, Rumble Fish, and Sun Woo.

Listen to the song via the official “I’m Fine Thank You” remake’s music video below:

For more information, visit Ladies’ Code’s Facebook page.

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G-Dragon Confirms #BIGBANG’s Concert World Tour Is Happening

Can we get a double “whoop! whoop!” for this? BIGBANG‘s G-Dragon has once again set the Korean music scene abuzz with his revelation about the group’s upcoming comeback and a never-before-announced world tour.

Although the members have taken a break from promoting together as a group, the band has been touring a lot in Japan and the members have kept themselves occupied with their solo activities. G-Dragon briefly spoke about the band’s comeback plans at Seoul’s YG Family Concert earlier in August 2014 when he revealed that their new album will be released in the same month. However, the plan eventually fell apart and the release of their comeback album has become indefinite.

In November 2014, G-Dragon further revealed the band’s comeback plans in an interview, stating that all the members have been working on the songs for BIGBANG’s new album. He also revealed “Good Boy”, his latest single with Taeyang was initially made for BIGBANG but due to the members’ busy schedules, Taeyang and G-Dragon used the song for YG HIPHOP Project instead.

Having recently attended the Chanel Haute Couture show in Paris, Women’s Wear Daily managed to receive an inside scoop from the band’s leader who sat in the front row of the show next to A-List celebrities including Kristin Stewart, Vanessa Paradis, and Sean Penn.

A post shared by 권지용(權志龍) (@xxxibgdrgn)

WWD caught up with him for a quick chat and he told WWD that he is working on the group’s new album. BIGBANG is expected to make their comeback in the next few months because he further revealed that the group will be doing a world tour from April onwards.

Regarding the report, YG Entertainment responded by saying that the agency will make sure that both BIGBANG’s comeback and iKON‘s debut will happen in the first half of 2015. Taeyang of BIGBANG also hinted that the band will make a comeback when everyone least expects it. As the band has gone on a hiatus for almost 2 years, the band’s comeback will be their first time promoting as a 5-member boy group again since the release of the repackaged album “Still Alive.”

As of now, no further details about the world tour has been revealed. However, Taeyang is set to arrive in Malaysia next month for his solo concert world tour.

While the band’s comeback has been kept tightly under wraps, what do you think of their comeback concept will look like? Do you think they’ll include Malaysia again as part of their world tour? Share your excitement with us in the comments box below. :)


#WorldsBiggestGuestlist: Watch The Aftermovie From Hardwell’s Spectacular Charity Event

You can now re-live Hardwell’s incredible journey with his “World’s Biggest Guestlist” concert in Mumbai with the release of the official aftermovie.

Held on 13th December 2015 in one of India’s largest stadiums, the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Mumbai, Hardwell, joined by over 70,000 fans on his own personal guest list, united for an historical occasion to “make a social difference”.

The event brought awareness and change around the much-needed issue of education for young underprivileged children living in the slums of Mumbai.

Featuring highlights from Hardwell’s incredible set alongside words from United Welfare Trust founder Shailendra Singh and Anna Agency CEO Anna Knaup, the aftermovie is the perfect way to remember this landmark achievement, beautifully summarising the night with a series of incredible aerial shots, crowd testimonies and the numerous moments of spectacle.

Viewers of the footage also get a chance to watch Hardwell and team as they visit the slums of Mumbai; getting a chance to meet with the children whose lives the project will provide better lives for.

With over 125,000 fans registering for the opportunity to attend this historic event and to be a part of creating a brighter future for thousands of children, the concert billed as the “World’s Biggest Guestlist” sparked a revolution in live entertainment in India, as over 10 million fans tuned in via the Hotstar livestream from 75 countries around the globe – all showing support for what was a pivotal moment in contemporary dance music.

Watch the “World’s Biggest Guestlist” aftermovie in full below:

Together with charity organisation Magic Bus, this enormous charity event staged by Hardwell’s “United We Are Foundation” and Guestlistevents.in raised enough money to benefit over 18,000 children living in poverty, thanks to the many contributions of the sponsors and donations from fans.

For more information, hit up Hardwell’s website or Facebook page.

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#CebuPacificAir: Woman Gives Birth On Plane Mid-Air; Baby Gets Free Flights For Life

A pregnant mother gave birth to a premature but healthy baby girl on Sunday (14th August) while she was onboard Cebu Pacific Air, travelling from Dubai back to the Philippines. One fellow passenger named Missy Berberabe Umandal documented the extraordinary incident on Facebook.

In her post, Umandal explained that the lady, whose due date was 2 months away, started having contractions about 5 hours into the 9 hours flight. “She was set to give birth on October, so this came to a surprise, even to her Mother who picked her up from Dubai,” Umandal wrote.

Upon realising what was happening, flight attendants on duty started calling for medical assistance – 2 nurses onboard acted as midwives – before turning the front of the cabin area into a makeshift delivery room.

“We only heard one semi-loud screech, and a few seconds later, there were tinier, cute screeches, and it was when we knew the baby was born. Luckily, she only had to push ONCE,” Umandal added. Other passengers also aided the woman by donating infant clothing items for the child to wear after she was bathed in mineral water.

The pilot proceeded to land in Hyderabad, India, so both parent and child could receive medical attention. The mother, her own mother who was travelling with her, and the newborn baby girl were given 3-day temporary visas to recuperate.

The Philippines airline has since released a statement, announcing that this was the first time an infant was delivered on one of its aircrafts. “We’re blessed to have been an instrument in (the) safe delivery,” said lead cabin crew member Mark Martin.

As a result of this happy occasion, Cebu Pacific Air said it was rewarding the baby girl with an early birthday present – a million points in its lifestyle rewards programme, which is basically a lifetime of free flights with the carrier.

Sources: Missy Berberabe Umandal’s Facebook, Channel News Asia.


Universal Music Group Launches Def Jam Southeast Asia; Signs Joe Flizzow & 6 Other Rappers

Universal Music Group is pushing the hip-hop music beyond the boundaries with the launch of Def Jam Southeast Asia.

In addition, Universal also spilled the good news of a number of rappers that are set to be a part of the journey – including our very own Joe Flizzow, DABOYWAY and Young Bong from Thailand, former Sleeq member Alif, Fariz Jabba and Yung Raja from Singapore, Alif as well as Indonesia’s A. Nayaka- to celebrate the unveiling of the music label.

The former Too Phat member shared his excitement with his fans in an interview with NST, “I’m truly honoured to be part of Def Jam South East Asia. After 20 years as an independent artiste, working my way up, I’ve finally joined the ‘big boys’ in a major music label. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and we’ll all do our best. And best of all, my fellow label artistes are all my old friends.”

The party continued to pump up with the all the performers coming together for a freestyle rapping session in front of selected audience consisted of urban cultural hall of famers as well as industry insiders. The event then continued with the performance of “Gangshit” by DABOYWAY.

For those uninitiated, Def Jam started as an underground label that focuses primarily on hip-hop genre inspired by the lifestyle sported at the streets of New York. For the past 35 years, Def Jam finally has found a spot in the music industry, with big names joining in the label – including LL Cool J, Ludacris, The Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West and also Logic.

The #DefJamSEA announcement party in Singapore was a huge success. Big shout out to everybody that came out. To be a part of this legendary label that has contributed so much and helped shape the hip hop culture is a blessing. Being on stage with my family from different countries across the region, rapping in different languages but united for one cause, was an indescribable moment. We have come full circle. Now it’s time to put in that work! Let’s GO!

A post shared by  Joe Flizzow (@flizzow) on Sep 19, 2019 at 6:58pm PDT

Congrats to Flizzow and the gang! Let’s wait and see what his team has in store in the upcoming future with the label.

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Netflix’s “Eden” Season 1 Review: Anyone Above The Age Of 8 Should Skip This

Netflix has been steadily establishing itself as a force for great animated shows. It isn’t quite on the level as the anime-centric Crunchy Roll but it’s getting there. Recently, they’ve been knocking it out of the park with some quality animated programming of their own. Are you looking to laugh? They’ve got “F is for Family”, “The Midnight Gospel” and “Close Enough”. Looking for a horror fix? Jump on over to “Love, Death & Robots” or “Devilman Crybaby”.

Then there’s “BoJack Horseman”, a series that is easily one of the most agonising and poignant explorations of the vanity of Hollywood. A heart wrenching, unapologetic and wickedly funny window into the slow destruction of one man. And it all takes place in a world full of talking animals!

Netflix is at its best when it takes wild and crazy risks. Yes, there’s a lot of really bad misses on the streaming service but you cannot deny that innovation is what drives it to success. Recently, they made history with “Castlevania” establishing itself as the greatest video game adaptation of all time. They took a chance and it paid off! Which is exactly why it’s so frustrating to watch “Eden”. A bland, uninspired, middling series that reeks of borrowed plot lines from better sci-fi films.

The show takes place in an apocalyptic future. It’s been years since the human population has mysteriously disappeared from the Earth. Artificial intelligence (A.I.) and robots now rule the world. Mankind seems to be a myth to them. Stories of ancient creators who first gave life to machines. The ruthless robotic overlord, Zero has worked to stamp out this dangerous idea, through violence. That all changes though when two kind-hearted robots adopt a little human girl named Sara.

Over time, she rallies the robots to her side to finally topple Zero’s tyrannical regime. Along the way, she and her merry band of misfit machines will uncover a secret. The truth behind mankind’s vanishing from the Earth. She will be the key to restoring a human-robot Eden on Earth.

Look, we’re not expecting “Eden” to be the next “Westworld” or “Ex Machina” but still, what’s left here doesn’t leave much to your imagination. If you had to play a game of generic A.I.-gone-wrong science fiction cliche bingo, you’d probably score in the first round. The series does start off with a pretty interesting premise. It has its own version of Isaac Asimov’s “Three Rules of Robotics”. The show explores the obligatory essentialism vs existentialism themes. Asking the deep questions of what it means to be truly alive and how robots, much like humans, are not confined to their nature.

Unfortunately, that’s all it remains as – questions. Never answered in any meaningful way. For those who’ll attempt to give a pass to the show due to its branding as a children’s show, we’ll have to call bullshit on that! Shows like “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “The Dragon Prince” both managed to explore rich and complex themes. All while delivering plenty of fun and humour through the eyes of their young protagonists. Balancing dramatic gravity with youthful levity, injecting rich thematic elements within personal and relatable character arcs.

The series’ plot mainly revolves around the character of Sara Grace and Zero. Two distinct voices calling robot-kind to their side. There is some excellent potential for a dialogue between their differing beliefs. Especially when you realise how much the both of them have in common. Unfortunately, “Eden” doesn’t bother to explore these themes. And how can it when it’s paced out over four 25-minute long episodes? There isn’t enough time to properly set up an interesting premise or draw out the mystery in any meaningful way. Frankly, there’s little reason for “Eden” to even be a series. It might as well have existed as a 2-hour long feature length film on Animax.

Now, we watched it in both the original Japanese and English dub. As far as voicework goes, we found the Japanese cast to be a better fit for their characters. For Sara, Marika Kono definitely brings that childlike wonder and indignation where voice actor Ruby Rose Turner falters. The villain, Zero voiced by Koichi Yamadera does a decent enough job. That being said, actor Neil Patrick Harris brought a little more humanity and personality to Zero. As the creators have stated, it requires a lot of personality and effort to give life to these faceless robots. Regardless, any charisma found in these performances only serve as the mouthpiece for the show’s middling dialogue. We get it, humanity is a cancer on the Earth. We get it, in spite of our flaws, humanity is worth saving.

How many times must we hear this song and dance?

Credit where credit is due, the aesthetics and animation in “Eden” are incredibly polished. Colours and lights pop whether illuminated by the light of the sun or through the artificial glow of automatons. The choice to use primarily 3D-animation for movement and character designs is one that feels appropriate to its setting and audience. That being said, there is some sluggishness due to frame rate speeds. There’s also a significant lack of presence. Yes, the character models all look shiny and new but there’s no real weight to the way they affect the environment around them. So while the world looks pretty and clean, it falters in its attention to detail.

These issues are rather similar to the ones found in the first season of “The Dragon Prince”. The final battle involving two large mechs (of course) is surprisingly fluid and dynamic. Devoid of the awkward stiltedness found in the other scenes. Sure, it’s a little floaty but there’s enough style and excitement to scratch that primal giant-robot itch at the back of our brains.

“Eden”, much like its automatons, is a dull, soulless and predictable machine. Its plot and premise is a relic of the 2000s’ flirtation with speculative A.I. science fiction. The characters are anime archetypes lifted right out of an algorithm. Ultimately, it is an inoffensive 2-hour time killer for toddlers. Beyond that, it’s hard to recommend the first season of “Eden” to anyone else. Unless its second season goes through some radical re-imagination or retooling, this series is doomed to remain another number in the endless sea of better animated shows.

Still, if you’d like to give “Eden” a go, or are looking to take a quick break from your little one, you can now catch it on Netflix today!

So, what are your favourite animated shows on Netflix right now? Are there any upcoming releases you’d like us to review next? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

"Eden", much like its automatons, is a dull, soulless and predictable machine. Its plot and premise is a relic of the 2000s' flirtation with speculative A.I. science fiction. The characters are anime archetypes lifted right out of an algorithm. Ultimately, it is an inoffensive 2-hour time killer for toddlers. Beyond that, it's hard to recommend the first season of "Eden" to anyone else.


Hype’s Exclusive: #RedVelvet Talks International Recognition, #Rookie, & Future Plans

Red Velvet is no ordinary K-Pop girl group.

When they made their debut in the K-Pop scene in 2014, the group didn’t resort to the usual cutesy or girl crush concept, but went down the bizarre and eccentric route. Their debut music video, “Happiness“, was extremely colourful and featured very imaginative visuals. “Ice Cream Cake“, “Dumb Dumb“, “Russian Roulette“, and their latest track “Rookie” also left much to the imagination, with the video being as abstract as possible.

This is not to say that the girl group is not capable of pulling off mellower tracks. “Be Natural”, “One Of These Nights“, “First Time”, and “Would U“, are proof of that.

The girls were here recently for their “Rookie” mini-album event, and thankfully, we had the chance interview them:

Welcome to Malaysia! It’s your first time here, how are you liking it so far and what has surprised you most?

Yeri: We’ve been to a few countries recently, but the passion we received from the fans at the airport really surprised us a lot.

Your Malaysian fan event sold out in a very short time. In what ways have your international fans welcomed you?

Yeri: They held out placards with our names on it and took pictures of us. They also followed us around to welcome us.

What is it like to be recognised globally?

Irene: When we’re recognised at places, when people are shouting our names and when they welcome us everywhere we go, the recognition and the welcoming makes us happy.

Wendy: Sometimes I get shocked when they shout our names. When they shout and scream our names, I think, “Are they screaming for us? Or are there other artistes or other famous people around us?”  But when they scream our names, I’m like… “Oh my god they’re actually screaming for us!”. It makes me think that I should work harder and harder and come out with better songs and try to visit more and see the fans more. I just feel like…I just feel really thankful.

Wendy: No, no, no. Not at all. If you’ve seen my pictures, you can see all my surprised reactions. I’m shocked every time. Because the cheers that I get, it’s different all the time. I don’t know…It’s just always different. I don’t know how you can explain feelings but the goosebumps. It’s different, like how many goosebumps I get, it’s different. Yeah, it’s really different.

Considering that you are quite new to the industry, what are the qualities that make you stand out from the rest?

Seulgi: Our music is very energetic and our performances are cheerful, so our music and performance both give energy to the fans.

Wendy: In our album, there are lots of different genres of songs that you can listen to and I think that shows the colours of Red Velvet.

You’ve performed at SXSW at the United States recently, it’s clearly different from other festivals like K-Con. How do you feel performing for the event?

Seulgi: We went there as a representative of K-Pop and it was very meaningful for us. We really appreciated the chance.

Among the group members, who’s the joker and who’s the serious one?

Seulgi: Everyone is interesting and likes to joke around, but when it comes to serious moments, we can be serious as well. Actually, Yeri! She jokes around a lot and always calls out “Unnie” cheerfully to the older members.

You recently came back with “Rookie”. What was your most memorable moment during this album promotion?

Seulgi: Every moment is very memorable. But if we had to pick one, we were glad that we could celebrate our birthdays together with fans. As our birthdays fell on February and March, we had time to communicate with fans and it was extremely memorable.

Were there any interesting incidents that happened when you were shooting the music video for “Rookie”?

Seulgi: In the music video, there’s a man decorated with flowers – the flower monster. That flower monster was actually our director and he put on the costume, which was specially made for the music video. He was very passionate throughout the whole video in that costume and it was very funny so we took pictures together and we laughed about it. Yea, that was something interesting.

What would you say is the most rewarding aspect while working on this album?

Irene: After the first recording, after all the members recorded for the first time, we just sat there listening to the recording and enjoyed the song. That was the most rewarding part.

Seulgi: When fans sing along to our songs, it really touched my heart.

Wendy: For me, when our album came out at midnight in Korea time, it said “The 3rd Mini Album Rookie” by Red Velvet…Oh, it was the 4th! “4th Mini Album Rookie” by Red Velvet. And we were all listening to the album, full songs, full playlist, all together. That was really the happiest moment in my life.

Do you still remember the reaction you had back then?

Wendy: We never screamed but we were like, “Oh our songs just came out!” All of a sudden we were really quiet and we just listened. And I think that kinda showed how happy we were. That quiet moment…that silence…with our songs playing.

Since your debut until now, what’s your favourite track of yours and why?

Yeri: For me, “Rookie”. Because we enjoyed every moment in Korea after the recording. And even after the recording, when we listen to the song, it makes me happy.

Seulgi: It’s “Rookie” for me too. Because it’s our fastest song among all of our other songs and the rhythm of the song allows us to move around. The performance for the song is also extremely energetic and it allows us to share our energy with fans.

What will we be expecting from you in the future – new album, projects?

Irene: We’re always prepared to show better sides of us to fans. We worked on solo projects as well and we’re also preparing projects overseas to meet our overseas fans as well.

Anything you want to add before we wrap this interview?

Wendy: Hello to all Malaysian fans! We’re really happy to be in Malaysia, finally. And we’re very excited to be performing tomorrow and hope to see you guys tomorrow. We’ll try to visit more and more and more often, to Malaysia! We’ll bring you better songs and better performances. Thank you for all the love and support all the time. Thank you very much! Love you all!

Thank you for being such sweethearts, Red Velvet! We can’t wait for your return to Malaysia :)

Special thanks to Universal Music Malaysia and SM Entertainment for making this interview happen.

For more info on the girl group, visit their official website and Facebook page.

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#SPECTRE: Radiohead Surprises Fans With Unused James Bond Theme Song

Turns out the rumours about Radiohead being a bookmakers’ favourite to tackle the theme song for “SPECTRE” were true.

Best known for his falsetto vocals, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke gave fans a Christmas surprise by revealing on Twitter that his band did record a theme song for the latest Bond movie. He even made the rejected track available online for fans to listen.

Earlier in July this year, it was reported that Radiohead was the top contender to perform the theme song after an anonymous customer tried to place a £15,000 wager at 10/1 on the English rock band being the chosen artiste to perform the theme song for “Spectre”.

The massive bet caused one UK bookmaker to suspend the betting entirely, as a spokesperson for the William Hill bookmakers said, “There seem to be all kinds of rumours and the plot has had more twists and turns than a classic Bond tale, but surely nobody risks £15,000 on a hunch.”

Other artistes who were the rumoured favourites among bookies included Grammy Award-winning singer Sam Smith, previous Bond crooner Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Ellie Goulding.

Sadly, the film ended up using Smith’s “Writing’s on the Wall” as the official theme song. Though the soulful Bond theme song recently earned the Golden Globe nomination for “Best Song”, it received mixed to negative responses from listeners and critics, with many suggesting that it is unlikely going to be considered as an all-time Bond classic.

Radiohead’s unused “Spectre” theme song, however, received positive responses from fans after Yorke released the track on Twitter. According to Yorke, the band was “asked to write a tune” for the movie, but it “didn’t work out“. Despite failing to make the final cut, the track became their personal favourite.

Meanwhile, Radiohead is apparently working on their 9th studio album, which is the follow-up album to their 2011 album, “The King Of Limbs”. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood told

Guitarist Jonny Greenwood told Dutch music website 3voor12 in an interview that some songs in the forthcoming record won’t be very new, as they will include a reworked version of “Lift,” a track they have been performing since 1996.


CONTEST: Win Exclusive Tix To Juice’s 10th Anniversary!

Previously, we mentioned that JUICE will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary in less than a week. And who better to headline the finale party than Major Lazer himself? The finale party will be on Thursday, 13th of December 2012 at Stage KL from 9pm-3am.

The problem is, the JUICE birthday bash’s tickets are not for sale.

Luckily, we have FIVE pairs of passes to giveaway to FIVE lucky readers! Plus, we’ve made it really, really easy for you to snag them off us:

E-mail submit@hype.my and tell us why you deserve to win the JUICE 10th Anniversary tickets.

So easy! Go on, flood us with submissions.

Meanwhile, here’s a little Major Lazer for you:

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Hype’s Now Playing: Hydra — Hujung Mentari

Popular local band Hydra takes it up a notch by marking the band’s milestone with their single Hujung Mentari which is also the official soundtrack for the movie Dampak.

The band made up of vocalist Sayed Sahlan Sayed Hamid, bassist Mohd Faizul Azril Isa, drummer Ahmad Aizad Mohamed Fauzi, keyboardist Kamas Jezzriq Eddie Kismilardy and guitarist Mohd Fadzil Abdul Wahab have been around for a decade and is one of Malaysia’s most celebrated and most loved pub rock bands. The recent release of their debut single Hujung Mentari has now taken Hydra to a whole other ball game. The ballad written by Buddhi Hekayat and composed by Jason Choo is published by CAD Music.

The debut single Hujung Mentari consists of a slow yet hard rocking tune is perfect for the action packed thriller Dampak. A step forward for Hydra, Hujung Mentari takes them out of the pub scene and gets the band recognised as more than just a regular pub band.

“There’s a huge difference between performing cover versions and performing our own material,” said Sayed Sahlan at the launch of the single at Rockafellas Bar. “We spent quite some time making sure the recording reflected the mode of the song to complement one another and, injected a whole lot of what makes Hydra tick to give it that rock ballad feel.”

The band leader and founder said the single would be just the start of the band’s brand new direction.

“Hydra will be releasing our first mini album with all-original songs by the first quarter of next year,” he said. “We’ve been planning our very own album for a long time, and our recent successful visit to Phnom Penh to perform has reinforced our decision to do just that. In fact, we have been invited to perform in Cambodia again at the end of November,” he added.

Apart from the release of their single Hujung Mentari, Hydra has been invited to represent Malaysia at the World Peace Music Festival & Expo from August 15th to 17th, 2014 championing Women’s Rights and Anti Human Trafficking efforts, in Tacoma city, Washington, USA. Hydra is also the face of the White Ribbon Campaign 2013, organised by AWAM – a cause that works to prevent male violence against women and Hujung Mentari will be the official track for this venture.

If you want to catch Hydra live, head on over to Waikiki Bar on Mondays, Elinor’s Restaurant and Pub on Thursdays, Rockafellas on Fridays and Hangover on Saturdays as they hold a residency for these venues on these nights respectively.

For more information, head on over to Hydra‘s Facebook page!