“Nomadland” Review: Home Is Not A Place, It’s The People

How many of us would be willing to embrace a minimalistic lifestyle, giving up almost all of our belongings, roaming the plains? Not gonna lie, if we were to think about it, we’ll probably hesitate or ponder hard before doing such. After all, there are loads of uncertainties and dangers if we were to engage in such a lifestyle.

Nevertheless, Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” which debuted over the weekend on streaming, posits that very premise to an audience: the life of a modern-day wanderer. Having earned the top prizes at both Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival, we were curious to see what the fuss was all about. So, what is it that makes “Nomadland” the talk of the town? Let’s have a look!

In “Nomadland”, Frances McDormand plays a Fern, a woman who has just lost her life partner and property as the town she lives in withers and fades off due to the closure of a gypsum mining facility. As her seasonal gig at an Amazon factory expires for the winter, she embarks on a new journey of self-discovery, joining a desert rendezvous in Arizona and getting accustomed to the nomadic lifestyle.

“Nomadland” is a beautiful and harrowing reflection of today’s community, of the individual’s plight. There is no doubt that while this movie was initially conceived in 2018, there has been an increase in hardship due to the pandemic that struck the globe in 2020. Many have been forced out of their erstwhile life, some their livelihoods, a loss of friends and family. Nevertheless, what the film makes a point of is that while a lone twig may split at the centre, a bunch of them are bound together; as caring for one another will not just make them stronger, but also grow into an elegant and bountiful harvest.

This is the definition of home as it is. It’s not a place. No. It’s the people.

“I’m not homeless, just houseless,” Fern attempts to clarify when asked about the state of her being. Indeed, the film spends much time giving Fern a home in the rendezvous, the people that she interacts with along the way. Those sweet souls. They’re her home.

It is interesting to note that many of the characters in “Nomadland” aside from McDormand’s are actually playing versions of their real-life counterparts. In fact, most of them are actual van dwellers such as the elders: Swankie and Linda. It’s interesting to understand where these people are coming from, what their point of views are with regards to their lifestyle. For some, they just couldn’t accept being stuck in a hospital bed when their time was up.

In many ways, the movie tends to make itself feel like a documentary of the van dwelling practice. It’s raw. The community is real. The events they organise are real events being practised by the rendezvous in Arizona. Even the brains behind the actual operation, Bob Wells, is a character in this film. All these add to the realism, humanity, and authenticity of the craft.

As much as there is a focus on Fern interacting and meeting new personalities in her nomadic quest, there is also a haunting segment dedicated to displaying the character’s isolation. Fern’s journey through and through is one of self-discovery. It is deeply personal, and many times we experience her grief, the ghosts of her past, and the utter isolation she goes through even though she is surrounded by people. It’s tough looking at her chuckle in silence, staring into the distance with uncertainty at first. Nevertheless, as she grows, she begins to see that her own commitment to caring for herself being more pronounced and by the movie’s end, Fern the van dweller’s arc is complete.

We couldn’t help but notice the film’s thematic scope on rocks and geological features. Zhao made it clear that the rocks were a significant part of her cinematography as pebbles, and larger porous landforms are shown. Indeed, it could very well signify the character’s rocky relationship with life, how the stones had been hurled at her at this moment in time. Nevertheless, Fern’s adamant stance to maintain her own independence and individuality could also be interpreted as her being the pillar standing strong, never being eroded by the ocean.

Moving on, Frances McDormand, oh gosh. The sheer commitment to the role has to be applauded as she makes every second of her performance count. The pained expressions, her joy, her awkward silences, are all nuanced in a manner to breathe as much life into Fern. It’s a very different character than the fiery one she plays in “3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”, but it’s still an absolute joy to see her in this role.

“Nomadland” is truly spectacular as it is. Chloé Zhao has stamped her name in Tinseltown, making her one of the most exciting rising helmers to look out for in the next few years (hell, she’s directing Marvel Studios’ “Eternals”), and “Nomadland” proves every bit of it. She’s meticulous in her narrative, direction, and framing of Fern, imbuing the pain and pressures of a middle-aged widow as she traverses the landscape, and, oh, are they gorgeous. Zhao’s long wide shots of purple skies, accompanied by a delicate melody emanating from a piano, was an emotional experience.

It probably might be laborious for some viewers to get through this film, especially in these tough times because, yes, it truly hits close to home. Indeed, we’re not mad people when we say that the film is spellbinding as an authentic tale, one that is a slightly fictionalised version of reality, human in every step of the way. Coupled with Zhao’s impeccable filmmaking sense and McDormand’s solid skills on the screen, it’s no wonder that “Nomadland” is running for glory this year.

“Nomadland” is currently streaming on Hulu. The film is rated R for nudity and strong language.

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Chloé Zhao's "Nomadland" proves why it's a frontrunner for this year's awards season as its authentic filmmaking approach make it one of the most relatable and human narratives to hit the screen in recent times.


Girl Talk With 4Minute & Samsung Mobile

We last saw these K-Pop idol girls at the “Samsung The 27th Golden Disk Awards in Kuala Lumpur” in January, 2013. Since then, 4Minute has gone on to team up with Samsung to showcase the brand’s La’Fleur Collection, a special range of smart devices designed to fit and enrich the lives of women. Which is, in our honest opinion, pretty befitting for the girls since it embodies the unique personalities of every member of 4Minute.

Thanks to Samsung Malaysia, 4Minute has given us an exclusive peep into their lives, both on and off stage in this exclusive interview:

What is 4minute’s moment of great happiness so far?

“It is definitely the day when we made our debut. Till this day, we can still feel the excitement as well as the fear when we first started as a group.”

Where is your favourite place to hang out as a group?

“There is a place in Seoul called the Cube Entertainment Café. On the second floor, there is a choreography room where we can practice our dance routines and do our vocal training. It is a place that we visit whenever we can!”

What do you girls do to keep in good shape?

“We’re pretty lucky that we have choreography practice every day, and through this, we get to stay in shape as we’re dancing every day. Sometimes, when we’re really busy on tour, we’re actually worried about losing too much weight!’

Where do you find your inspiration that you channel through your music?

“We get inspiration from watching movies and music videos from foreign artistes. We also love to read foreign magazines to keep in touch with the latest styles.”

Which countries in South-East Asia have you visited before? Can you identify any landmarks or favourite food from these countries?

“We have visited most countries in South-East Asia. That said, we’re always visiting countries in a performance-capacity so we do not have much time to be tourists and visit many landmarks. In most cases, we only have enough time on tour to stay in the hotel or the theatre before our performances. Nevertheless, we always make it a point to try the traditional cuisine of each country we visit – but we’ve forgotten the names as we’ve tasted too many delicious dishes to remember.”

Which countries do you love to visit just to relax?

“During winter in Korea, we love to go to South-East Asian countries where the weather is still warm. In spring or autumn, we love to travel within Korea as it’s a beautiful time to do so. When it is summer time, take us to Europe!”

Which Samsung phone is your favourite model? Why?

“Of course, we love the La’Fleur collection. Some of us are using La’Fleur’s GALAXY S III mini and what we like about it is that it relates to us in terms of design and applications. It’s not just a new mobile case, but it is a mobile device that comes designed for women. Its flower pattern is just soooo beautiful and lovely!”

“Since we are all ladies, we love the Modiface make-up application available on the La’Fleur Collection. It’s pretty fun as we can be creative and see which look fits us best! We also love the Calorie Counter app, as we get to watch our diet while on the road.”

Do you have any messages for Malaysians?

“First, we’d like to apologise to our fans because we cannot see you guys as often as we get to see our fans in Korea. Despite that, we are very happy to have your support and we look forward to your cheers when we take the stage sometime soon. We wish you all a wonderful 2013 that is full of joy. We will do our best to come up with songs that you love. Thank you!”

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For more information on Samsung’s La’Fleur Collection, click!

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#Zoolander: Ben Stiller Confirms Justin Bieber Will Make A Cameo

Justin Bieber has gotten into a lot of troubles in the recent years, but this year could be his shot at redemption. His haters have had their best moments of their lives when multiple comedians took turns skewering the tattooed troublemaker on Comedy Central earlier this month.

In an attempt to reinvent his image, he took it all in good spirit. As if that wasn’t enough to shed his bad-boy image, American actor Ben Stiller revealed that the Canadian singer-songwriter is set to make a cameo in the upcoming sequel of 2001’s “Zoolander“.

A photo posted by Ben Stiller (@benstiller) on Apr 29, 2015 at 12:24am PDT

Stiller confirmed via Instagram that Bieber is joining the cast of “Zoolander 2″ for a cameo appearance. No details regarding his role were revealed, but he could be Stiller’s Derek Zoolander’s biggest competitor ever. He can be seen striking his best Blue-Steel pose against Zoolander in Stiller’s Instagram post.

Bieber may not be the only pop star to make a cameo appearance because various other celebrities including Jonah Hill, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Cara Delevingne, Naomi Campbell, and Anna Wintour were all rumoured to appear in the sequel as well.

Directed and produced by Stiller, the 1st “Zoolander” film was a cult comedy that received strongly positive reviews from the movie critics. Since it revolves around a male model becoming a pawn in a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the movie was never shown in Malaysian cinemas.

After confirming that the script for the sequel was already in the works since 2010, Stiller attended this year’s Paris Fashion Week and crashed the Valentino show with his co-star Owen Wilson to officially announce the sequel.

Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen, Kyle Mooney, and “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” star Penelope Cruz have signed on to star in the movie too. Olivia Munn, who will portray Psylocke in “X-Men: Apocalypse“, also joined the cast for an unspecified role. There is no lack of original cast members in the sequel as well because Will Ferrell, Billy Zane, and Stiller’s wife Christine Taylor will return to reprise their respective roles.

Stiller also confirmed that child actor Cyrus Arnold will step in to portray his character’s son.

Slated for release on 12th February 2016, the movie is co-written by Stiller himself and “Iron Man 2″ scribe Justin Theroux. The production crew is currently shooting the film in Rome.

For more information about the movie, visit its official Facebook page.


Mcalls’ #KWaveMusicFestival Was A Dream Come True For Malaysian K-Pop Fans

Presented by mobile network operator Mcalls, the K-Wave Music Festival, which was held on 5th August 2017 (Saturday), was a dream come true for Malaysian K-Pop fans.

Throngs of fans came together at Sunway Lagoon’s Surf Beach for an all-round feast for their eyes and ears. Featuring 6 K-Pop idol groups – VICTON, BtoB, B1A4, Teen Top, Apink, HIGHLIGHT – in a beach party-like setting, the organisers proved that location and variety truly is key in making an event successful.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

Tickets to the K-Wave Music Festival were priced between RM222 to RM788, a relatively small price to pay for the kind of line-up that it had, with some perks in tow. Hours before the show, rookie group VICTON rocked up to the Mcalls Lifestyle Store at Sunway Pyramid for a snappy meet and greet with some lucky fans. The atmosphere was, as anyone would imagine, intense yet exciting. VICTON was also the first group to perform at the concert, a set that really got the party started.

CUBE Entertainment’s multi-talented boy group BtoB took the stage to perform a number of their hits, showcasing their vocal chops while belting out songs like “It’s Okay” and “I’ll Be Your Man” (just to name a few) and also showing off some amazing footwork as they danced along to “MOVIE”. Malaysian Melodies (as BtoB’s fans are lovingly known) were, of course, delighted when Peniel led the boys as he communicated with fans in English. As always, BtoB’s interaction with the crowd was on point.

Against all odds, K-Pop quintet B1A4 rocked up to our shores once again on Saturday and brought with them a chockfull of energy. Malaysian K-Pop fans just about lost it when they performed their 2012 hit, “잘자요 굿나잇 (Baby Good Night)“. Dominating the catwalk strip on the T-shaped stage, the group worked the crowd as they sang and danced, and quite literally wet their fans.

Without skipping a beat, Teen Top stormed onto the stage all decked in white and armed with slick moves. Taking the festival to the next level, their EDM-laced performance was refreshing, as they wowed fans with songs like “긴 생머리 그녀 (Miss Right)”. Needless to say, the temperature was at an all-time high by the time Teen Top was done.

Sweet as sugar K-Pop idol girl group Apink, the only female acts on the “K-Wave Music Festival” line-up, floored the Malaysian Pink Pandas (as Apink’s fans are lovingly known) with their fan service. The girls definitely sashayed, wrist-flicked, and skipped their way into their fans’ hearts as the Pink Pandas enthusiastically screamed along to all-time favourites “No, No, No”, “Mr.Chu“, and their latest single, “FIVE”.

Last but not least, in a grand return to Malaysia, HIGHLIGHT (formerly known as BEAST) really gave the crowd something to scream about as they closed the show. For die-hard BEAST fans, it was emotional, as the boys explained their recent predicament and talked about how happy they were to be back. Judging by the way in which the crowd responded to the boys’ live performance of “Beautiful Night”, it’s safe to say that all was good as long as their fans got to see them on stage again.

BONUS: Psst. It was also revealed during the concert that a K-Wave Music Festival part 2 is already in the works! We can hardly wait to see which idols will come to Malaysia next.

Special thanks to our friends from Mcalls for having us at the K-Wave Music Festival :) For more pictures from the event, check this out.

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#CaptainAmerica3: Robert Downey Jr Joins Cast

It’s official. The next Marvel film that Robert Downey Jr is going to join will be “Captain America 3”!

No prizes for guessing which superhero is Robert Downey Jr going to portray in “Captain America 3”, of course.

Robert Downey Jr will reprise his role as Iron Man in the sequel of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”. Earlier last week, Robert Downey Jr dropped hints that he will be involved in other Marvel projects and perhaps this is the film that he was talking about.

As he only has 2 films (“Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Avengers 3“) left in his current contract with Marvel, his role in “Captain America 3” indicates that Marvel could still be negotiating with Robert Downey Jr for his involvement the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Rumour has it that the new Captain America film might be based on the event series “Civil War”, in which the major players include Iron Man, Captain America, New Avengers, New Warriors, Fantastic Four, and Spider-Man. In the comic series, the superheroes in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe were divided into two sides: one that supports the government’s registration program for superhumans and one that opposes the program.

The one who supports the program will follow Iron Man’s lead while the one who opposes will follow Captain America’s lead instead. It was also rumoured that Captain America’s presumed death might take place in “Captain America 3” and Winter Soldier will take over as Captain America for a short period of time.

Robert Downey Jr is not the only that has joined cast of “Captain America 3” as Jeremy Renner might reprise his role as Hawkeye in the film as well. “Captain America 3” is one of the movies that have been included in the Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it is scheduled for release on May 6, 2016.


#iKONTINUEinKL: 10 Of Our Favourite Songs By iKON

iKON is undeniably one of the most popular 3rd generation idol groups in K-pop.

The group was first introduced in YG Entertainment’s idol trainee reality survival program called “Who is Next: WIN” in 2013 as “Team B” alongside “Team A” aka WINNER. After many delays and postponements, the boys made their explosive debut as a 7-member group made up of leader B.I, lead rapper Bobby, Kim Jinhwan, Song Yunhyeong, Kim Donghyuk, Koo Junhoe, and maknae Jung Chanwoo in 2015.

Since their debut, the boys have racked up several successful albums and singles. So in no particular order, here’s a list of 10 of our favourite songs by iKON:

Needless to say, iKON is just our type! Released in 2015 under their debut album “Welcome Back”, “My Type” is a light-hearted summer hit that conquered local music charts for weeks. On top of that, the song’s music video for surpassed 1.7 million views on YouTube in just 24 hours!

Also from their debut album, “Rhythm Ta” is undoubtedly one of iKON’s most iconic (no pun intended) tracks. The hip hop hit was composed by by vocalist Ju-ne, with rappers Bobby and B.I contributing in the lyrics department.

Written by YG’s resident songwriter Teddy and Kush, “Apology” is an emotional ballad accompanied with strong rap verses and smooth hip hop beats. It’s Korean title, “지못미” (pronounced “Ji Mot-mi”), actually means “I’m sorry that I can’t protect you”.

Released in May 2017, “Bling Bling” is a summer dance track showcases the group’s charismatic attitude. Though not their most commercially successful work, we love its addictive beats and the boys’ sleek choreography. Besides that, the song was composed by B.I and rookie YG composer Millennium.

In “#WYD”, iKONICS get to their oppa’s soft and charming side. The refreshing single (which was the group’s only release in 2016) debuted at #3 on South Korea’s Gaon Chart, selling 167,705 copies and 3.2 million streams in just 5 days.

Any loyal iKONIC would agree when we say “Climax” is one of iKON’s best works. The meaningful song was first heard in “WIN: Who Is Next” and it was an original written by then trainees Bobby, Jinhwan, Yunhyeong, Koo Jun-hoe, and Donghyuk. It depicts the boys’ undying dedication and their journey to becoming who they are today.

Co-written by their senior BIGBANG’s G-Dragon, “I Miss You So Bad” was like an early Christmas present to fans as it was released on Christmas Eve in 2015. While it’s not one of their more famous works, we love the members’ energy when they perform this song live.

Fun, lively, and energetic, “B-DAY” (which can be found in their 2017 album “New Kids: Begin”)  is the boys’ attempt at an addictive dance hit. This is a track that you can’t help but dance to when you hear it.

iKON is a group that is versatile and full of talent – and “Love Scenaario” is proof that they can tackle any genre as long as they put their mind on it. This is one of our favourite 2018 K-pop hits and we play put this on replay everytime we feel a little stressed out from work.

“Goodbye Road” is one of iKON’s latest release and it can be found under their album “New Kids: The Final”. While the track doesn’t have any dramatic ad-libs or emotional melody, we can relate to its mellow lyrics about going through a break up.

iKON will be performing in Malaysia at the Malawati Indoor Stadium on 13th October 2018 at 6pm. Check out the deets here.

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Employee From Bank Muamalat & Public Bank Tested Positive For Covid-19

Following MBSB Bank and several Maybank branches, two more local banks have confirmed new cases related to the Covid-19 outbreak in our country.

Most recently, it was announced that the employees working at Bank Muamalat in Kota Kinabalu and Public Bank headquarters in Jalan Ampang have tested positive for the deadly virus.

Bank Muamalat stated that all co-workers who have been in direct contact with the affected staff have been asked to self-quarantine by staying at home for the next 14 days, until they’re given the appropriate medical clearance. This is done as one of their efforts for precautionary measures.

“Contact tracing is also underway in line with the Health Ministry’s guidelines. The branch, located at the Aeropod Commercial Square, Jalan Kepayan in Kota Kinabalu, has been closed to enable thorough sanitisation and cleaning procedures to be carried out. In addition, the operating hours of all branches in the affected areas have been revised to 9:15am-3pm,” Bank Muamalat wrote in the statement.

The decision came following the federal government’s announcement to reimplement the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Selangor, KL and Putrajaya areas. The Souq Al-Bukhary, Alor Setar, and Sandakan branches will also operate according to the aforementioned operating hours.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the Public Bank employee, whose result came out earlier this week, had last visited the Menara Public Bank building last Friday (9th October). CEO Tay Ah Lek stated, “Deep cleansing and thorough sanitisation activities have been carried out immediately on the affected floors. As an added precaution, the bank has also deeply cleansed and sanitised all common areas. Disinfection will also be carried out in the entire building.”

In the meantime, all its employees who had been in close contact with the individual are now on home quarantine. Others have also undergone the Covid-19 test at a private hospital. “The management is continuously enhancing staff safety measures to contain any potential risks. All staff have been advised to practice self-hygiene and adhere closely to the SOPs issued by the health ministry, as well as the provisions of conditional movement control order (CMCO),” wrote the statement.

In light of the reimposed CMCO period, do make sure that you follow all the SOPs issued by the government. Stay safe everyone!


“The Battleship Island” Cast & Director To Make Special Appearance At Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

Last week, it was revealed that the cast of “The Battleship Island” – Hwang Jung Min, Song Joong Ki, So Ji Sub – will be coming to Malaysia as part of a promotional tour for the movie.

Local broadcaster Astro Malaysia later announced that they will be presenting the tour in conjunction with the launch of tvN Movies on Astro.

“The Battleship Island” is a historical action flick centres on the Japanese colonial era, when roughly 400 Korean people, who were forced onto Battleship Island (“Hashima Island”) to mine for coal, attempt to escape. Song Joong Ki plays Park Moo Young, a member of the Korean independence movement who infiltrates the island in order to rescue a fellow independence fighter being held captive there.

Directed by Ryoo Seung Wan (of “Veteran” and “The Berlin File” fame), “The Battleship Island” stars Song Joong Ki, Hwang Jung Min, So Ji Sub, and Lee Jung Hyun.

And now, it has been confirmed that not only will the cast be in town, they will also be making a special mall appearance! GSC Cinemas took to their Facebook page to confirm the news, adding that Hwang Jung Min, Song Joong Ki, So Ji Sub, as well as “The Battleship Island” director Ryoo Seung Wan are slated to meet fans at the main entrance of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

More details to come but for now, mark it down in your calendars, peeps! 7pm on 9th August 2017 (Wednesday) at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur :)

Source: GSC Cinemas / Featured image: GSC Cinemas.


GOT7’s Jackson Wang Highlights 6 Must-Visit Places When In Hong Kong

Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or just want to take it nice and easy, Hong Kong has the activity for you to make you feel alive. Charge on fearlessly and discover the active side of Hong Kong with Jackson Wang!

Despite its small size, Hong Kong is just brimming with energy as it plays host to a wide range of competitions that even has Jackson feeling the fever! In this article by Hong Kong Tourism Board, the K-pop boybander from GOT7 shares his personalised 24-hour itinerary as a Hong Kong guide to several key places to visit.

Crystal-clear water, fine sand and low waves are just some of the things that make Repulse Bay Beach such a comfortable and carefree leisure spot. Feel your fatigue fade away when you take a glance at the beach. It’s extremely satisfying.

Located at Repulse Bay, the Pulse is the largest beach-side shopping mall in Hong Kong, and it is surrounded by sunshine and sandy beaches. When you are tired of being by the beach, you can head to the mall and shop in an air-conditioned environment. Isn’t it great? The mall features restaurants and bars from all over the world, as well as a huge 3D art gallery. In such a casual and carefree environment, time will just fly by as you’re shopping!

Who would have thought that a shopping mall in Hong Kong could be this creative! Located in Lai Chi Kok, D2 Place is the latest creative landmark in West Kowloon, and brings together various types of creative markets, fashion apparels and trendy lifestyles. Every store here is chock full of creativity!

In Hong Kong, fun and food come hand in hand, with a wide variety of new dining experiences. Various types of creative themed restaurants enable you to not only savour great delicacies and cuisines, but also have fun while doing so, including a restaurant that lets you go drifting, or play with cats while sipping a cup of tea. There’s even a restaurant featuring caravans as its theme. Now who said you can’ t have fun while you eat?

The Hong Kong Cyclothon is an international tournament that brings together elite cyclists, and a cycling event in which the public is welcome to participate. On 14th October 2018 (Sunday), world-class cyclists compete against each other along Victoria Harbour, while amateur cyclists can ride along Tsing Ma Bridge and challenge their limits. Families can also cycle together in the bustling downtown and enjoy the breeze at a leisurely pace. There’s just so many ways to choose from for you to have fun!

Listen to the roaring sound of the engines, and witness the fast and furious race unfold! The Formula E HKT Hong Kong E-Prix takes you through the world-class Formula E race to watch the racers speed on the racetrack along Victoria Harbour. Definitely a thrilling sight to behold!

Whatever gets you going, Hong Kong is sure to have it! As a dynamic city, Hong Kong is always on the move. This is also why Jackson is always looking forward to the next sport or activity! After all, you’ve got to live while you’re young!

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Contest: Win Exclusive “Goblin” & “Descendants of the Sun” Merchandise!

One thing’s for sure, top Korean dramas “Goblin” (도깨비) and “Descendants of the Sun” (태양의 후예) left behind a throng of adoring fans although it has been months since the episodes last aired.

What do “Goblin” (도깨비) and “Descendants of the Sun” (태양의 후예) have in common? Kim Eun Sook (김은숙), the screenwriter who was solely responsible for the dramas’ fame.

“Descendants of the Sun” (태양의 후예) is said to have revived hallyu (the Korean entertainment/pop culture phenomenon) that was in decline in the recent years while “Goblin” (도깨비) set a new viewership record for South Korean cable dramas.

It is without a doubt that both dramas raised the bar for the entire South Korean entertainment industry. So much so that, like you, we’ve been suffering from withdrawal symptoms. Trust us when we say, “We feel you!”

But now, you can keep a piece those dramas with you forever! Bragging rights and all ;)

Thanks to our friends from iflix Malaysia, we’ve got a couple “Goblin” (도깨비) and “Descendants of the Sun” (태양의 후예) merchandise to give away to our lucky readers. To be more specific:

The sequence of the prizes are as follows:

All you have to do is fill in the form below:


Hype’s Now Playing: Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike Live At #Tomorrowland

Returning to what is not only their home country of Belgium, but a magical and musical descent back upon the town of Boom, Kings of Tomorrowland Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike once again returned to 2015’s edition to headline the Saturday of the event in an unrivalled fashion.

Last year’s full live-set was the most viewed set of the festival with over 34 million views.

Smashing out the industry’s hottest-hitters from the excitement generated by “The Hum” throughout 2015, to their smash of the Summer featuring R&B superstar Ne-Yo on “Higher Place” – that was also the #1 most Shazamed track at the festival – by bringing their unique brand of high energy originals intertwined with party defining classics, it only takes a single live experience shared with the brothers to realise the scale of magic just witnessed.

From all-new IDs to fan-favourite set staples, blasting out their remix of Major Lazer & DJ Snake’s “Lean On“, as well as a mega mash-up of Kygo’s huge hit “Firestone” with their “Mammoth” Moguai chart-topper, it’s not hard to see exactly how and why Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike have one of the most explosive and captivating live shows on the planet.

With Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike’s headline set of 2015, make no mistake that you should tune in and bow down as the Kings of Tomorrowland show exactly why their worthy of their title across 60 minutes of audio carnage, at the world-renowned event that saw over 180,000 ecstatic attendees descend on the festival across its 3 main days.

For more information, visit Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike’s official website or Facebook page.


#RiseAsGod: TVXQ To Release Special Album Before Yunho’s Army Enlistment

South Korean top boy group TVXQ will once again conquer the world before Yunho‘s impending military enlistment.

Korean entertainment powerhouse SM Entertainment announced on Wednesday (15th July) that the K-Pop idol duo will be releasing a new special album to express their gratitude for the love and support that their fans have shown them.

Titled “Rise As God”, the album derives from TVXQ’s band name, which means “Rising Gods of the East”. Slated for release on 20th July (Monday) through various music sites, it will mark their first comeback album since releasing “Spellbound” in February 2014.

The special album is created to thank the fans who have not given up on them for the past 12 years. The title is fitting for the duo as they’ve conquered not only Asia but also the world. The album will consist a total of 10 tracks, including a solo from Yunho and a solo from Changmin. The music videos for both songs will be unveiled through their official website and SMTOWN’s official YouTube Channel. Fans can expect to experience different musical styles from the 2 members.

The group will go on a hiatus for a few years as Yunho will fulfill his mandatory military service on 21st July (Tuesday). His group mate Changmin will also enlist in the army on unspecified date later this year.

For more information, visit their official Facebook page.

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#TheBFG: Spielberg To Direct Roald Dahl Adaptation

Roald Dahl fans are going to love this one! Filmmaker Steven Spielberg is famous for his block-busting, is set to direct an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s novel “The BFG” with British stage and film actor Mark Rylance in the title role.

Rylance’s film credits include roles in Roland Emmerich’s “Anonymous” (2012) and Justin Chadwick’s “The Other Boleyn Girl” (2008). He’s also attached to appear in Spielberg’s forthcoming Cold War thriller “St James Place”, which stars Tom Hanks. An acclaimed theatre actor, he has 3 Tony Awards to his name.

In the book, “The BFG” features the friendship between a young orphan girl named Sophie and the titular kind and jolly Big Friendly Giant (BFG) whose job is to deliver pleasant dreams to children. The 2 join forces to stop the evil giants who are devouring children around the world. DreamWorks acquired the adaptation rights to Roald Dahl’s 1982 book in 2010, and E.T. scribe Melissa Mathison has been tapped to pen the screenplay. Matison was formally hired to work on the BFG screenplay back in 2011, so the script ought to be all but ready to go by now!

As I witnessed on stage, Mark Rylance is a transformational actor. I am excited and thrilled that Mark will be making this journey with us to Giant Country. Everything about his career so far is about making the courageous choice and I’m honoured he has chosen “The BFG” as his next big screen performance.

Dahl’s writings have long inspired filmmakers. Big screen adaptations of his books include Wes Anderson’s “The Fantastic Mr Fox” (2010), Henry Selick’s “James And The Giant Peach” (2007), and Danny DeVito’s “Matilda” (1996), among many others. The novel “Charlie And The Chocolate Factory” inspired Mel Stuart’s classic musical film “Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory” (1971) as well as Tim Burton’s 2005 remake.

Production for “The BFG” movie will start in 2015 and it’s due to open in US theatres on 1st July 2016. No word on when it will be released internationally as of yet but we reckon it won’t be too far off the US release’s mark.


“Ghostbusters” Lights Up Saloma Link Bridge In Kuala Lumpur

If there’s something strange, in your neighbourhood.. Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! To celebrate the release of “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”, Sony Pictures Entertainment Malaysia lit up Kuala Lumpur’s iconic Saloma Link Bridge over the weekend with the iconic No Ghost icon and green Ghostbuster logo.

This marks the first ever movie studio blockbuster to take over the Saloma Link Bridge. This spectacular visual treat is a once in a lifetime experience for lucky Ghostbusters fans who were able to catch the momentous scenery as well as special appearances from fellow ghostbusters and Stay Puft marshmallow mascot at the Saloma Link Bridge over the weekend.

The inspiration came from the tie between the torch-looking structure of the bridge and the heavy inspiration of “Passing of The Torch” from Ghostbusters Director, Jason Reitman, who is the son of the original Ghostbusters producer, Ivan Reitman.

“I want the audience to feel while they’re watching Ghostbusters like they’re being handed back Ecto-1, the proton packs, the music, the props, the characters. Piece by piece, from start to finish of the movie, you’re watching this mystery and we are kind of handing you back all your favourite elements of this franchise,” he was quoted as saying.

Check out more photos taken from the event below:

“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” is currently showing in cinemas. Read our movie review here.


#Vape: Perlis Health Department Urges Government To Ban Vape

The Perlis government is among the state governments in Malaysia that have yet to ban the sale and use of vape.

In keeping with the view of the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Perlis Health Department urged the Perlis government to support the ban on the sale and use of vape in the state.

Dr. Zaini Hussin, the department’s director, was at a state presentation for a state-level inter-department and agency woodball competition yesterday.

He told reporters that the proposal to ban vaping has been submitted to the state government. However, it was still up to the government to decide.

On behalf of the department, we are giving our view and stand after we received a letter from the MOH on the issue (to not allow the sale and use of vape including electronic cigarettes).

“However, I must clarify that we do not have the power to ban. Therefore, I extend this proposal to the state government to consider the ban,” he added.

Johor was the first state to announce a ban on all sale of vape products. Several other states then followed suit including Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Malacca. The Selangor government will also announce its decision on 13th January.

Vaping is also officially banned at 20 public universities and all government schools. It is unclear whether the Malaysian Health Ministry will eventually ban vape/vaping altogether, but it was previously reported that they were looking to implement an excise tax on e-cigarettes and vapes.

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#IMSAsiaPacific: Meet The Man Behind The Armada Juggernaut, Armin van Buuren

3 words: Armin van Buuren. The man really needs no introduction because he’s testament to the global dance music movement. Trance, in particular.

And there are sound reasons why he deserves to be where he is today.

Armin van Buuren is not “just a DJ”. He’s also a producer, a radio personality, a pianist, a label owner, and believe it or not, a law graduate. In fact, as his musical career began to take off, he actually put his law degree on hold, although he returned to graduate from law school sometime in 2003.

Now nearing 40 years of age, Armin started making music at the tender age of 14. He was inspired by French electronic music composer Jean Michel Jarre and thus, began pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a professional musician. He began working as a DJ in Club Next, playing multiple sets a week, most of which lasted 6 or more hours. He played more than 4 times a week during school holidays.

On his way up, he made fast friends with aspiring musicians like himself, Dutch DJs/producers Ferry Corsten as well as Tiesto (real name Tijs Verwest). They were a legendary trio, with Ferry and Tiesto coming together to form a special project called “Gouryella” in 1999, Armin eventually pushing out 2 collabs with Tiesto (“Eternity” and “Wonder Where You Are”) and multiple collabs with Ferry Corsten, the latest being “Minack”. Armin was part of the 3 pillars that put Dutch trance on the map.

In 2001, the first episode of Armin’s radio show, “A State of Trance” (ASOT) aired on ID&T, taking the format of a 2-hour mix in which he plays new trance tunes. Selected tracks are announced during the show in order to help promote new artistes and releases. Its radio-show/website combination has proven popular internationally, as fans – while listening to the radio-show – will converse in the website chat-rooms and forums during the broadcast.

Today, the show has 20 millions weekly listeners in 26 countries and the success of the show has also spawned to include several dance events around the world. The show is celebrated live each year in different locations around the globe with a lineup consisting of many trance artists.

In 2003, Armin co-founded Armada Music, a Dutch record label that specialises in releasing electronic dance music, as it kicked off with Motorcycle’s “As The Rush Comes”. The name of the record company is an abbreviation of its founders’ names: Armin van Buuren, Maykel Piron, and David Lewis.

Throughout the years, the record company has brought countless releases within the wide spectrum of electronic dance music to its fans. Armada Music actively releases records in trance, deep house, progressive house, techno, and even in the pop genre, making it a label that stands out from the crowd.

“Armada Music changes along with the ever evolving music industry, as we’re always trying to improve, finding new opportunities and developing our business.” – Maykel Piron

Armada Music also hosts its own worldwide events: Armada Nights.

Armada Nights have taken place in Buenos Aires, London, Amsterdam, Rome, Jakarta, New York, Dubai, Mexico City, Kuala Lumpur, and other destinations throughout the world. Other Armada-branded stages have appeared at Ultra Music Festival (UMF) events in Argentina and Chile, as well as Electronic Family in Amsterdam.

In 2011, Armin was appointed Officer of the Order of Orange Nassau for his services to music.

This year, the dance music visionary is set to join the international panel of esteemed speakers at the International Music Summit (IMS) Asia-Pacific 2015. He will be a highlight in a Keynote Interview alongside American DJ Kaskade, one of the biggest names in the global music circuit who has shaped the EDM scene in North America.

Purchase your IMS Asia-Pacific badge(s) here! Badges include access to all panels, a buffet lunch and the cocktail party. Early bird badges are sold out but regular badges will be available for 130€ until 20th November. Late badges will be available for 160€.

After IMS, celebrate and welcome the weekend with ZoukOut 2015, featuring artistes like Tiësto, Axwell Ingrosso, Nervo, Jamie Jones, Dixon, Deep Dish, Paul Oakenfold and many more. For delegates only, the festival is offering 20% off ZoukOut tickets, maximum one ticket per delegate, all purchases will be checked against your name.

IMS Asia-Pacific is slated to happen in Singapore on 11th December. More information on this year’s speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on IMS Asia-Pacific, visit its official website.

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5 MCU Villains Who Could Be Phase 6’s Thanos

To say that the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) Phase 4 has been erratic would be a major understatement. You’ve got super-spy thrillers to mystical kungfu flicks to cosmic horror films, all building up to individual paths that don’t really connect! Then you have the TV shows like “Loki”, “WandaVision”, “Moon Knight” and “Ms Marvel”. All wildly different in tone with seemingly no connection to each other.

Occasionally we will see Phase 4 films like “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” link up with the story beats established in “WandaVision”. Or with Yelena from “Black Widow” appearing in the “Hawkeye” series. Still, it all feels so disparate and unfocused. Where is the MCU heading towards? This new era seems to be opening on all sorts of different fronts but where is it all leading to? More importantly, whose it all leading towards?

Right now in the MCU, there are some possible candidates for the new big villain for Phase 6 (keeping in mind that we’re 2 freaking Avengers movies in 2025). So get out your Disney+ accounts and guidebooks ready because we’re running down the list of characters poised to threaten the universe and beyond!

In the mind-blowing ending of “Loki”, we learn about the Multiversal Wars waged by multiple variants of one Nathaniel Richard, a brilliant genius in every timeline. Some were nice and others not so much. We met a variant of him, He Who Remains, maintaining the balance of the multiverse in the final episode of “Loki”. As Sylvie stabs He Who Remains, he slyly tells her “I’ll see you soon”, implying that with the Sacred Timeline broken, there was nothing to stop other darker versions of himself from rising to take his place. Lo and behold, Loki returns back to the Time Variance Authority (TVA) only to find that in this timeline, it is controlled by one of Marvel comic’s most infamous variants of Nathaniel Richards, Kang the Conqueror.

If there’s any character more qualified to take over Thanos’ throne, it would be Kang. According to He Who Remains, the multiverse was in utter chaos with different variants conquering entire realities and universes! With the technology and power Kang wields, he could easily dominate the main MCU, also known as Earth-616. The nicer variant was already capable of creating an organisation responsible for maintaning and fixing timelines. Now imagine what the power-hungry Kang could do. He’s set to make an appearance in 2023’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and right now with the latest update from this year’s Comic-Con, Kang is confirmed to be the main antagonist in “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” which is set to be released in 2025!

The man is easily one of the most iconic villains in Marvel comics. Don’t let those awful live-action adaptations fool you. He isn’t just some mad scientist or mutated freakshow. No, he could take on the Avengers alone and come up on top. His technological abilities is on par with that of Tony Stark, he’s an expert in all manners of combat and he’s also a master of magic. At some point, he was even considered as a potential candidate for Sorcerer Supreme! That’s right, his powers rival that of Doctor Strange. Oh, and he’s also the ruler of an entire nation called Latveria. Lex Luthor ain’t got nothing on this guy.

Has Doctor Doom made an appearance in the MCU yet? No but we do know as of now that the “Fantastic Four” is set to be the final film of Phase 4. And of course, you can’t have a film about the Fantastic Four and not include their most famous villain! However, there’s a chance that we might get to see the masked ruler sooner than expected. There’s been rumours swirling about that Doctor Doom will be playing a role in the upcoming “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, which is set to be released this year. He’ll apparently be the mastermind behind the war between Atlantis and Wakanda. What’s even more interesting is the the announcement of “Avengers: Secret Wars”, which could be based on the 2015 comic event by Al Ewing. An event that sees Doom become the literal God-Emperor of the Marvel Multiverse. Regardless, sooner or later, the MCU will meet its Doom!

There are some hidden evils lurking in the deep, dark parts of the MCU. Eldritch gods who would want nothing more than to drag the MCU’s Earth-616 and the whole multiverse down into the depths. One such being would be the demonic creator of the Darkhold, Chthon. First seen in “WandaVision”, the Darkhold is a book of immense power, full of spells and curses that draw from the most dangerous and malevolent type of magic, Chaos Magic. It’s the kind that corrupts the soul and messes with the natural order of life and death. The scariest part is that it’s got spells that can enable its users to enter into other universes and possess their bodies.

In “Multiverse of Madness”, Wanda learns that long before she ever became the Scarlet Witch, or was even born for that matter, Chthon had prophesised of her coming. The question is: what nefarious purpose did Chthon have for Wanda? Was it trying to use her as a vessel to cross into the multiverse? Wanda decided to end her own life and destroy its temple along with the Darkhold before we could get any further answers. That being said, the threat is far from over. It seems that this dark being may have just found a new host, our dear Doctor Strange. For more details check out breakdown of the ending of “Multiverse of Madness”.

As far as we’re concerned, we’ve already seen the first Avengers-level battle of Phase 4 in “Marvel’s What If…?”. One that the denizens of Earth-616 are blissfully ignorant of. They’ll never truly known how close their universe came to being annihilated. They never had to face the wrath of Infinity Ultron! This metal man single-handedly wiped out all life in his universe. He killed Thanos in mere seconds. After wielding his universe’s Infinity Stones, we became aware of the multiverse and made it his mission to cleanse the multiverse of all life. The cosmic threat Infinity Ultron poses makes Thanos’ snap seem small in comparison. This guy literally devoured an entire galaxy with one bite!

In “Avengers: Age of Ultron”, we saw the genocidal A.I. fail to bring his twisted sense of order to the universe. He was completely destroyed by Vision. Infinity Ultron, too, was defeated before he and a variant of Killmonger were sealed away in a pocket reality by the Watcher. Defeated and contained…but not destroyed. It’s also worth noting that Ultron is more than able to survive outside of his physical self in a digital form. It’s more than possible that Ultron could have uploaded a copy of his mind into a device from another universe. Perhaps, he’s still out there, bidding his time. Looking for the right variant of himself to use to free his physical body from imprisonment. For Ultron, it’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when.

Sure, she’s not exactly a multiversal threat (yet) but there is a lot more to Valentina Allegra de Fontaine that she lets on. She says she represents some shadowy organisation that is focused in meta-human affairs. She managed to recruit John Walker into becoming U.S. Agent as seen in “Falcon and the Winter Soldier”. She almost got Yelena to assassinate Clint Barton in the “Hawkeye” series. Clearly, there’s a lot more to her than meets the eye. So far, she’s appeared in two series in Phase 4, which means she’s a key player in the grander scheme of things. The MCU has plans for her, but what exactly? Well, in the comics, Fontaine wasn’t just some covert agent. No, she managed to rise through the ranks to lead the organisation of HYDRA as Madame Hydra.

With the fall of both the old S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA, there was a power vacuum left in their wake. One that Fontaine could fill. She’s proven to be an expert manipulator thus far. In a deleted scene of “Black Widow”, she was originally meant to appear to Yelena, misleading her to Barton. Fun fact, she was also lover to Nick Fury in the comics. What’s her game here? Is she trying to start an Avengers team of her own? Only time will tell but one thing’s for certain, we’ll be seeing her in the future.

So what do you think of these villains? Which of them will take Thanos’ place? Be sure to let us know in the comments!


#NBC: Jennifer Hudson & Kelly Clarkson Join “The Voice” As Coaches

Sorry “American Idol”, but it doesn’t seem like Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson are interest in taking part in the show’s revival.

NBC has officially announced that the 2 “American Idol” superstars will joining “The Voice” as coaches. Hudson will be a season 13 coach later this year while Clarkson will come onboard as a coach for season 14 in 2018.

Many of you may know that J.Hud is no stranger to “The Voice”. Not only was she a coach on the UK version of the reality singing competition, but she and her contestant won the season. The Oscar winner will be replacing Alicia Keys who – after 2 seasons back to back – has expressed her desire to walk away.

Hudson will sitting on the show’s iconic revolving chairs alongside Miley Cyrus, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton. The advantage of having both Hudson and Clarkson onboard is mainly the fact that they’ve competed on a similar platform. These ladies know what is like to go through this entire process in front of the public eye.

As for the “American Idol” OG, her deal with NBC scuttles any possible return to ABC’s reboot of “Idol”. “Kelly has been a part of The Voice family for many years as an adviser and performer. We are thrilled she has chosen to join us as a coach to mentor the next generation through our unique vocal boot camp,” said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment.

Clarkson added, “We’ve gone back and forth about a role as a coach for years, but the timing hasn’t been right until now. I have always loved appearing on the show as an adviser or performer and established an amazing relationship with the network during my Christmas special. I can’t wait to turn my chair and see the faces of up-and-coming artists and provide them with the help and support they’ve needed to break into the industry. Watch out Shelton, I’m comin’ to win!!”

Watch @blakeshelton welcome @kelly_clarkson as a Coach for Season 14 of #TheVoice! 😂✌ pic.twitter.com/EbU1mV0ObV

It’s a huge loss for the “American Idol” reboot now that both Hudson and Clarkson are joining “The Voice” family. Are you surprised by their decision seeing as how the 2 singers are among the singing competition’s biggest success stories?

Sources: E! News (1)(2), Huffington Post.

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Tomorrowland Confirms Live Stream For Both Weekends

Can’t make it for Tomorrowland this year but don’t want to be left out? Fret not. If there’s one thing promoters have learned over the past year, it is just how severely ravers from around the world suffer from the fear of missing out (FOMO). Now, with the recent cancellation of raves in Malaysia, we have gotten the good news (good…depending on how you look at it) that we have all been waiting for: Tomorrowland will stream both weekends!

Yes, for most of us who can’t afford to go and are forced to watch from our laptops, we can once again torture ourselves with hair-raising music and mind-melting lights for two weekends in a row. Of course, you can always make it a little less sad and a lot more fun by calling friends over to experience it with you — it’ll be like a little rave of your own in the comfort of your own home!

The live stream will start July 18th (Friday) on Tomorrowland TV and on the Tomorrowland Radio show, both of which will be available on the official website for the festival.

It will be a non-stop radio broadcast and video streaming will take place each day from 3.00pm EST to 8.00pm EST.

Here’s what went down last year to get you all pumped up.


Ode To You: SEVENTEEN Returning To Kuala Lumpur For World Tour

Rejoice CARATs! Your favourite boyband SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) is returning to Kuala Lumpur – this time for their 2020 world tour.

Just moments ago, the K-pop group announced the 2nd part of their Asia tour on their social media. In addition to Indonesia, Thailand, and Philippines, Malaysia has also been added to their pitstops.

In case you didn’t know, SEVENTEEN was just here in KL a few months ago in February during Chinese New Year. They made an appearance at Pavilion KL where the K-pop stars were carrying out their duties as ambassadors of skincare and beauty brand The Saem.

If you didn’t get to meet them then, don’t miss out on another chance. Not a lot has been revealed, but we do know who the organisers are. iMe Malaysia, who recently brought TWICE here for their concert, has announced the concert date and venue.

The details to SEVENTEEN’s “Ode To You” Live in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:

Take note CARATs, the organiser iMe has announced that tickets will officially on go sale on 2nd November 2019 at Atria Shopping Gallery from 11am onwards. Meanwhile, online sale will only kick off at 6pm (on the same day). Fans who show up to purchase tickets at the mall will be able to claim 1 limited edition poster (first come first served basis).


#TheShapeOfWater Has A Shocking Human & Fish Monster Sex Scene

Have you ever wondered how a fish-person (or mermaid) have sex? Guillermo del Toro certainly has.

In his upcoming adult fairy tale “The Shape of Water”, audiences will get to see a bizzare sex scene between a woman and a humanoid fish creature. This human-monster relationship will probably be unlike anything we’ve ever seen on the big screen before.

“The Shape of Water” centres on a forbidden romance between a mysterious humanoid fish creature, being held in a government facility as an experiment, and Elisa Esposito, a mute technician who works there. When no one is around, Elisa would sneak into the room where the creature is being held. She brings him eggs, which is his favourite thing to eat. Slowly, their platonic friendship blossoms into a romantic bond.

In speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Doug Jones, who plays the creature (some of you may remember him for his role as Abe Sapien in the “Hellboy” movies), and del Toro reveal that at some point in the movie, Elisa and the creature will have sex. Jones even revealed that he was required to shoot some of his scenes in full frontal nudity.

“When I asked (del Toro) why this time does it need to involved full-frontal nudity — I mean, we’re going for it! — and he harkened back to the Creature from the ‘Black Lagoon’ and ‘Frankenstein’ and any of the classic monster movies that helped develop his love of monsters,” he told the publication.

The actor added, “There was always a romantic side to these characters and relationships on film that never got actualised all the way. Guillermo said this time, the monster’s going to actually f**k the girl. A gentler way to say it is that this is the creature from the wet, black lagoon who actually gets the girl this time.”

A fish/human sex is not only complicated and disgusting, it’s not that romantic to begin with. But as they say, different strokes for different folks.

Side note: “The Shape of Water” has received 13 nominations and is leading the pack in the 90th Academy Awards. The nominations include Best Picture, Best Actress for Sally Hawkins and Best Supporting Actress for Octavia Spencer.

Sources: io9 Gizmodo, Screen Rant/ Featured image: Fox Searchlight.

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#SunwayPyramid: Female Shopper Severely Injured In Escalator Incident

Oh no! Another escalator mishap has occurred.

On Sunday (5th March), a female shopper’s leg was severed at the calf in an escalator incident at Sunway Pyramid shopping mall.

Andrine Yoon took to Facebook to share the incident. According to her caption, the metal piece on the side of the escalator suddenly popped out while the shopper was riding on it. In a photo, the victim is seen bleeding heavily, with a piece flesh hanging off of her calf. As at time of writing, the post has been shared over 26,000 times.

In a Facebook statement, the mall’s management said:

Today at around 4pm, a shopper was injured as a result of an escalator incident. The shopper is being given medical treatment. We are currently investigating the situation and will update on any findings as soon as we get confirmed details.”

The Star noted that the victim was sent for treatment at a nearby hospital and no one else was hurt in the incident. Sunway Pyramid will be covering her medical expenses.

“We are still unsure how this had happened as it would usually take some form of abuse for the metal to come off like that,” said the mall’s marketing communications assistant manager when contacted by the newspaper.

We truly hope that the victim will fully recover as soon as possible.

If you ask us, we’ll be taking the elevator from now on.

Sources: Daryl Tsc’s Facebook page, Andrine Yoon’s Facebook page, The Star, Sunway Pyramid’s Facebook page.


#Malaysia: Video Of Father Taking Away Son From Mother Goes Viral; Father Shares His Side Of The Story

A video of a father trying to take away his son from his wife has gone viral on social media since its release last night (28th September).

The video in question, which features Datuk SM Faizal SM Nasimuddin of Naza Group Malaysia, and his ex-wife, Datin Emilia Hanafi, was uploaded on Facebook by a user named Ashraf Borhann, which has since gained 1.4 million views. It is unsure if Borhann was the first to upload the video, but as at time of writing, the post has been deleted.

In his caption, he wrote, “This is wrong man. No kid should ever go through this ?”

At the start of the video, Datuk SM Faizal can be seen tying to pull/drag away his young son, who is wearing a pink shirt, from Datin Emilia, who is hugging him tightly. The clip is a messy affair, with many people surrounding the family and the child can be heard crying loudly. The 2nd half of the video shows Datin Emilia lying on the floor while Datuk SM Faizal tries to comfort his son.

Many netizens were quick to jump into the conclusion that Datuk SM Faizal is cruel, violent, and a “wife-beater”. The video was heavily shared on various forums, Facebook news outlets, and blogs.

If you’re curious about the incident, the video can still be found here.

According to Malaysiakini, the couple divorced in March, as Datin Emilia filed a lawsuit under the Penal Code (Kanun Keseksaan) section 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) against her ex-husband, claiming that he had beaten her on 22nd November 2015 at their home in Desa Sri Hartamas.

After the video went viral, the 37-year-old father took to Instagram to share his side of the story to 83,000 followers. Though his account is set to private, many of his followers have screen captured the posts, which consist of 3 parts, and shared it on social media.

“I’m not one to sensationalise my personal life and family matters to the public, but after the video went viral, (I) have received many comments from netizens, and I was called to explain what actually happened in the said incident (that happened in the video),” he wrote in the first paragraph.

(Screenshots are taken from Beautiful Nara)

Apparently, the Syariah court granted him the permission to bring his 3 sons home for only one day. But because his eldest was feeling under the weather, the court allowed him to stay with Datin Emilia.

“Her (Datin Emilia) family spited harsh words to my family and I. I did not respond to their comments as I went to court with the intention to see my 3 kids, whom I dearly missed. After the proceeding, my ex-wife was unwilling to let take my sons. This made my sons very scared and confused. Then, she suddenly fell on the floor while tightly hugging my son,” he continued.

He also added, “I did not act violent, instead, I begged my ex-wife to let me see my son as I hold his hands. Looking at my sons’ facial expressions, I knew I will not be able to bring them home that day.”

In the end, he was only able to bring his youngest son home. “I spent some time with him, brought him to see his cousins,” he said. The boy was returned to Datin Emilia the very next day, just as the court ordered.

“I hope the public and the media will stop exaggerating the event as this is a personal matter. (…) My family and I will continue to abide by the decision of the court. As a father, I only want to solve this matter quickly and fairly for the welfare and future of my children,” he concluded.

Our take? Nobody knows what had really happened for sure. Netizens shouldn’t jump to conclusion based on what they see on social media.

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Hype’s Must Watch: Paper Towns

Adapted from the popular YA novel, “Paper Towns” by author John Green, the trailer for the movie of the same name has finally been released. 20th Century Fox released it online after it first debuted on NBC’s “Today”, giving fans of John Green’s work their first sneak peek at the long-awaited romatic mystery.

John Green, who’s also the author of the popular “The Fault in Our Stars” book, which was also turned into a movie, appeared on “Today” for the trailer’s release and praised the movie:

It’s a story about all different kinds of love, not just romantic love, but also friendship and how special friendships can be when you’re in high school. It’s much funnier than “The Fault in Our Stars”, which had some sad parts.

“Paper Towns” tells the story of Quentin “Q” Jacobsen’s (played by Nat Wolff) search for his missing childhood friend and crush named Margo Roth Spiegelman (played by Cara Delevingne). Margo mysteriously disappears after recruiting Quentin for an all-night parade of revenge on her ex-boyfriend.

And when Margo vanishes the next day, Quentin starts to find clues that seem to indicate that she wants him to find her.

The movie was directed by Jake Schreier (of “Robot & Frank” fame) and written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (of “500 Days of Summer” fame). The trailer features the song “Smile” by Micky Ekko and also reveals, among other things, the origin of the movie’s title – Margo describes Orlando as a “paper town” with “paper people” while hanging out with Quentin.

“Paper Towns” is slated for a US release on 24th July 2015.

For more information, visit the movie’s Facebook page.


#Singapore: Explosions In The Sky To Mesmerise Fans At The Coliseum

Early 2017 is shaping up to be a really exciting start of the year for Singapore.

Following the Coldplay mega announcement and the rumoured U2 gig, news have now surfaced that another music giant is due to play on the island come March 2017.

Post rock band Explosions In The Sky, best known for their best known for their instrumentally cathartic music, will be performing a headlining show at The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel. The show is part of the band’s tour to promote their 7th studio album, “The Wilderness”, which is also their first non-soundtrack release in 5 years.

“The Wilderness” explores the infinite unknown, utilising several of the band’s own definitions of “space” (outer space, mental space, physical geography of space) as compositional tools. The band uses their gift for dynamics and texture in new and unique ways – rather than intuitively fill those empty spaces, they shine a light into them to illuminate all the colours of the dark.

From the electronic textures of the opening track to the ambient dissolve of closer “Landing Cliffs”, “The Wilderness” is an aggressively modern and forward-thinking work – one that wouldn’t seem the slightest bit out of place on a shelf between original pressings of English progressive rock band Pink Floyd’s “Meddle” and “Obscured By Clouds”.

For more information, hit up the Facebook event page or the organiser’s website.


#WINNER: Idol Group Drops Double Title Tracks “Really Really” & “Fool”

Inner Circles (as fans of WINNER are lovingly known), the comeback you’ve been waiting for is here.

WINNER has dropped the music video for their double title tracks “Really Really” and “Fool” at 4pm KST (3pm Malaysian time) today (Tuesday, 4th April). The tracks are part of their single album “Fate Number For”, which marks their 1st comeback without former member Nam Taehyun.

Most of the members participated in the tracks for their latest comeback, with Seungyoon writing the lyrics and composing the music for “Fool”. The dance for “Fool” was also choreographed by Seunghoon. Meanwhile, “Really Really” was revealed to be of the tropical house genre with lyrics written by Seungyoon, Mino, and Seunghoon.

To shoot their music video, WINNER was revealed to have flown over to Los Angeles, California last month. The group will also be promoting their tracks through music shows “Music Core” and “Inkigayo” on 8th and 9th April respectively.

We must say, WINNER outdid themselves with their 2 latest tracks. Although both tracks are of different genres, they are equally as catchy.

The first track, “Really Really”, is more upbeat with the boys dressed suavely in the music video. With Taehyun’s departure, it seems like Jinwoo has more parts now – and his smooth vocals work well with the beats composed by Mino and Seungyoon.

“Fool” is a much more soothing and melodious song that emphasizes the gentle charisma of each member. The members look dejected in the music video as they look back on the good times they had with their previous partners. However, the recurring theme of lost and reflection will leave your heart aching by the end of the video.

WINNER made their debut in 2014 with “2014 S/S”, which contained the hit track “Empty” and “Color Ring”. They then released their 1st EP “EXIT : E” in February 2016, and was expected to continue promotions throughout the year with the rest of the series.

However, it was pushed back due to Nam Taehyun‘s mental health issue. The member subsequently halted all his activities and eventually left the group in November 2016.

For more info, visit WINNER’s official website and Facebook page.

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#Marvel: “Ant-Man” To Shrink Again In Sequel; Title & Release Date Announced

Thought you’ve seen the last of Scott Lang aka Ant-Man? As New York Comic-Con kicks off today, Marvel has announced that its “Ant-Man” movie will be getting a sequel.

Following his debut as a superhero in this year’s “Ant-Man“, Scott will shrink into the size of an ant while possessing the strength of a human again in the sequel to his solo film.

However, he won’t be the only superhero to appear in the 2nd “Ant-Man” film. For the first-time ever, Dr. Hank Pym’s daughter Hope Van Dyne will pop up in the sequel as The Wasp. As such, the sequel is naturally titled “Ant-Man and the Wasp”.

The addition of the sequel to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Phase Three forced the studio to shift the release dates of other films.

“Captain Marvel” was supposed to the first film Marvel Studios named after its heroine. With the addition of the “Ant-Man” sequel, it now becomes the 2nd film to be named a heroine as its release date has been pushed back from 2nd November 2018 to 8th March 2019. It’s a smart move from Marvel as Warner Bros. was rumoured to be releasing Ben Affleck’s solo Batman movie on the “Captain Marvel” old date.

“Black Panther” will now hit the theatres 5 months earlier as its release date has also been shifted from 8th July 2018 to 16th Feb 2018. It’s also the earliest in a year a Marvel movie has ever debuted.

Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lily are expected to return to the sequel to reprise their respective roles as Scott and Hope. Lily’s character would follow in her mother’s footsteps and don The Wasp’s suit.

The announcement did not really come as a surprise because “Ant-Man” has earned USD 410 million worldwide. However, it is unclear whether director Peyton Reed would return to helm the project.

So far, he only tweeted about the announcement:

— Peyton Reed (@MrPeytonReed) October 8, 2015

Marvel also announced that 3 new untitled movies will be released in 2020.

The full amended movie slate is as follows:

Before the release of “Ant-Man” sequel, Rudd will be seen as the miniature-sized superhero again in “Captain America: Civil War” on 6th May 2016.


First Look At Evangeline Lilly As The Wasp In #AntMan Sequel

Evangeline Lilly is suited up as The Wasp and ready for some action.

The 38-year-old actress took to Twitter to upload a photo of herself in her costume, giving fans a first look of her superhero character. The Marvel star also paid tribute to the late comic book icon Jack Kirby (who was a frequent collaborator of Stan Lee).

I am honoured to be on set today playing #TheWasp on what would be Jack Kirby's 100th birthday..#ThankYouJackKirby #AntManAndTheWasp pic.twitter.com/EBsV8jTK34

— Evangeline Lilly (@EvangelineLilly) August 28, 2017

If you remember during the mid-credits scene in “Ant-Man”, we got to see the supersuit worn by Hope’s mother, Janet Van Dyne. This was before she was trapped in the Quantum Realm. A close inspection by fans reveal that while Janet’s Wasp costume has a gold/red/blue/silver costume palette, Hope’s suit swaps gold in replacement for black.

Lily’s tweet does not reveal exactly where and when this particular “Ant-Man and The Wasp” scene is taking place. But seeing that there’s a chalkboard in the background, it seems quite plausible that this sequence is happening at an elementary school. It’s been confirmed that “Ant-Man and The Wasp” picks up after the events of “Captain America: Civil War“.

“Ant-Man and The Wasp” will hit theatres on 6th July 2018.

Source: Screen Rant/ Featured image: Twitter.

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#BlockB: Leader Zico Has Joined Instagram, Finally

K-pop fans are already drowning in joy as a huge bunch of idols and actors have recently signed up for an Instagram account.

Now, BBCs (as fans of Block B are lovingly known) have a solid reason to be overjoyed as the latest addition to the photo-sharing platform is none other than Zico, leader of hip hop group Block B.

On 18th May, Zico surprised fans when he shared an Instagram video through his personal Twitter account as the artiste did not have an Instagram account previously. The post served to inform fans of the existence of his newly-created account and also confirmed that the account is indeed legitly Zico’s.

The video showed the Block B rapper passing time idly in an airport. He was dressed casually, wearing a snapback and large sunglasses, and proceeded to give fans a 360° view of his surroundings.

As we speak, he has already amassed over 45 thousand followers so far and that amount is no doubt going to increase in the next few days. However, Zico has not followed anyone yet.

Take a look at the video here and don’t forget to follow him at @woozico0914!

A video posted by 지아코 (@woozico0914) on May 17, 2015 at 4:18pm PDT

In other news, Zico released his solo track titled, “Well Done” on 13th February and will be seen next as a judge on Mnet‘s “Show Me The Money Season 4”.


B-Movies So Bad That We Cannot Even-..

So, we talked about B-grade movies aka B-movies that we actually forgot were B-movies while we were watching them because we ended up actually liking them. However shameless that just sounded. Now, let’s look at the B-movies that were clearly more inferior to the more high-budget, better produced A-grade (read: blockbuster) movies.

Sure, it’d be unfair to compare A-grade movies to B-movies considering the circumstances. But despite how bad the script was (read: rubbish jokes), how forgettable the cast was (read: flat characters), or the overall quality of the production, some of these B-movies are definitely going down in history with the rest of mankind. Because as much as they’re painful or plain disturbing to watch, these definitely left a lasting impressions but we probably wouldn’t bring ourselves to watch them again. By that, we mean people still talk about some of these B-movies not because they’re good, but because they’re the complete opposite of good.

If you’re curious, here are the B-movies that were so bad (our opinion only entirely, of course) that we cannot even-..but we watched, just once:

Piranha is an American B-movie about a swarm of killer piranhas. On its own, it was meant to be a parody of the 1975 film Jaws, which had been a major success for distributor Universal Studios and director Steven Spielberg. Jaws went on to inspire a series of similarly themed B-movies such as Grizzly, Tintorera, Tentacles, Orca, Monster Shark, and Great White.

The Piranha film was directed and co-edited by Joe Dante, produced by Roger Corman, and starred Bradford Dillman, Heather Menzies, Kevin McCarthy, Keenan Wynn, Barbara Steele, and Dick Miller. Not sure how it managed to: spawn a sequel, “Piranha II: The Spawning” (even the name is quite B-name); 2 remakes, “Piranha” in 1995 and “Piranha 3D” in 2010; and even a sequel, “Piranha 3DD” in 2012, for the 2010 remake.

Even “Piranha 3DD” was still considered a B-movie, for obvious reasons. Watch the trailer:

Real-life piranha fun fact: There are approximately 20 species of piranha found living in the Amazon River, with only four or five of them posing any danger. Contrary to popular belief (thanks to the film), most piranha species are quite harmless and docile, but the ones with the nasty reputation for aggressive behavior are the red-bellied piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space is an American science fiction horror comedy movie made by The Chiodo Brothers and starring Grant Cramer and Suzanne Snyder. It is the only Chiodo Brothers’ directed and written film – they have worked in many other projects in other roles, such as producing and visual effects. This deliriously weird sci-fi film is about a race of aliens, who just happen to resemble clowns, that arrive on Earth to capture and harvest people (read: turn them into cotton candy) to use as sustenance. Killer Klowns from Outer Space was the only film that The Chiodo Brothers produced and directed but outside this movie, they’re known to have provided effects for titles like the Critters series and Will Ferrell’s Elf.

If you were never afraid of clowns, this should do the trick. Watch (before it gets taken down):

Killer Klowns from Outer Space by crazedigitalmovies

A sequel entitled Return of the Killer Klowns from Outer Space in 3D is currently in the works, slated to be released in 2016

Cannibal Holocaust is a 1980 Italian cannibal film directed by Ruggero Deodato from a screenplay by Gianfranco Clerici, starring Carl Gabriel Yorke, Robert Kerman, Francesca Ciardi, and Luca Barbareschi. The film tells the story of a missing documentary film crew who had gone to the Amazon. The only difference is that in the film, the film crew’s mission is to film cannibal tribes. A rescue mission, led by the New York University anthropologist Harold Monroe, recovers the film crew’s lost cans of film, which an American television station wishes to broadcast. Upon viewing the reels, Monroe is appalled by the team’s actions, and after learning their fate, he objects to the station’s intent to air the documentary.

The presentation of the film team’s lost footage, functioning similar to a flashback, inspired the found footage style of narrative filmmaking, later popularised by such films as the The Blair Witch Project.

Cannibal Holocaust achieved notoriety as its graphic violence aroused a great deal of controversy. The film was banned in Italy, Australia, and several other countries due to its portrayal of graphic brutality, sexual assault, and genuine violence toward animals. Some nations have since revoked the ban, but the film is still banned in several countries.

Watch the trailer at your own discretion:

Let it be known that Cannibal Holocaust is absolutely not, under any circumstances, a fun movie. It is beyond disturbing and beyond gross, and it will haunt you for years to come. As it did us.

While the original Chucky film, 1988’s “Child’s Play”, was an ace horror flick that was ahead of its time, Seed of Chucky more of less tanked.

Seed of Chucky is a comedy horror film and the fifth instalment in the Child’s Play series, written and directed by Don Mancini, who created Child’s Play and has written all of the films in the series. The film follows the events of the previous film and once again stars Jennifer Tilly (who plays herself and also voices Tiffany), Billy Boyd (as the voice of Glen), Brad Dourif (as Chucky), and Steve Lawton (as Stan). The film features rapper Reginald Noble, cult director John Waters, and S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt. Shot in Romania, it continues the series’ evolution from the pure-horror genre of the first film to a hybrid horror-comedy. It is also the first (and to date, only) appearance of Glen, the title character and son of Chucky and Tiffany.

Besides spoofing other horror films, the film references domestic dramas and tabloid television.

This film also counts as the first film in the series to contain nudity and so far, the final film to be released in theatres. In 2013, its sequel “Curse of Chucky” was released straight to video.

The Human Centipede (First Sequence) is a Dutch horror film written, directed, and co-produced by Tom Six. The film tells the story of a German doctor who kidnaps 3 tourists and joins them surgically, mouth to anus, forming a “human centipede,” a conjoined triplet. It stars Dieter Laser as the antagonist villain, Dr. Heiter, with Ashley C. Williams, Ashlynn Yennie, and Akihiro Kitamura as his victims. According to Six, the concept of the film arose from a joke he made with friends about punishing a child molester by stitching his mouth to the anus of a “fat truck driver”.

When approaching investors prior to filming, Six did not mention the mouth-to-anus aspect of the plot, fearing it would put off potential backers. The financiers of The Human Centipede did not discover the full nature of the film until it was complete. The film received generally negative reviews from mainstream film critics, but it won several accolades at international film festivals. It was released in the US on a limited release theatrically in 2010 and unsurprisingly received generally negative reviews.

A sequel, The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence), also written and directed by Six, was released in 2011.

Sharknado is a made-for-television satirical disaster film stars Tara Reid, Cassie Scerbo, Jaason Simmons, John Heard, and Ian Ziering.

The story centres on a freak hurricane swamping Los Angeles that becomes nature’s deadliest killer rules sea, land, and air as thousands of sharks terrorise the waterlogged populace. Surfer and bar-owner Fin (plyed by Ian Ziering) sets out with his friends, Baz (playd by Jaason Simmons), Nova (played by Cassie Scerbo) and George (played by John Heard), to rescue his estranged wife, April (played by Tara Reid), and teenage daughter Claudia (played by Aubrey Peeples). While heading to April’s home, George is killed and the group learns of a tornado warning. They arrive at April’s house just before the first floor is flooded and shark-infested. Collin (Christopher Wolfe) April’s boyfriend is eaten by sharks, but the rest of the group escape unharmed. They meet up with Fin and April’s son Matt (Chuck Hittinger), who’s taking shelter at his flight school; he and Nova become attracted to each other. Matt and Nova decide to stop the threat of the incoming “sharknadoes” by tossing bombs into them from a helicopter.

It first aired on Syfy Channel in 2013. It was also given a one-night only special midnight theatrical screening via Regal Cinemas and NCM Fathom Events, where it took less than USD200,000 in the box office across 200 screenings.

Sharknado spawned a sequel, “Sharknado 2: The Second One” (most creative title ever), which was premiered on Syfy Channel in 2014. A third film in scheduled for a 2015 release.

Why anyone would make some of the above films is still beyond us.

Got any “What the heck did I just watch?!”-worthy B-movies that you think we should add to the above list? Drop us a comment in the comment box below!

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Contest: Win #Hardwell’s Autograph!

So, if you didn’t hear, we met Robbert van de Corput aka Hardwell, the world’s current No.1 DJ/producer earlier this week for a quick chat. The electronic dance music (EDM) champ was in town for his gig at Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur, a memorable night that left his legion of Malaysian fans begging for more.

If you’re one of ’em self-declared #TeamHardwell troopers who, like many others, feel like you haven’t had enough of Hardwell after Tuesday (30th September) night, then you’re in luck! Because we’re giving away ONE framed picture of Hardwell, autographed by the world’s current No.1 DJ himself:

Yes, just the one. Think you’re lucky enough?

E-mail your answers with your details (Name, IC, Contact number) to submit@hype.my and if you’re the winner, we’ll contact you via e-mail after the submissions have closed.

For more information on Hardwell, hit up his official website.

He’s also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram if you want to stalk him. No pressure or anything!


WINNERS: Official Adventure Time Merch Giveaway!

Aren’t you peeps a creative bunch! Over the past week, we’ve received so many awesome submissions for our Adventure Time official merchandise giveaway that it was nearly impossible to pick the winners. Also because we only have three goodie bags filled with ’em cute Adventure Time stuff. But we’ve managed to pick out three lucky winners from the lot.

You ready? Here goes – the lucky winners are:

Come pick up your prizes from our office from 18th April 2013 (Thursday) onwards. Remember to bring your IC for verification purposes. Also, we need to stress that prizes are strictly are strictly nontransferable. Hype Malaysia reserves the right to refuse the collection of prizes for those who attempt to transfer it from one contest winner (in whose name it is registered) to another person.

B-13-5 Northpoint Office Suites, Mid Valley City,

Our office hours are 10am to 6pm (Monday to Friday only).


Hype’s Now Playing: EXO – Ko Ko Bop

“Ko Ko Bop” is finally out! As promised, SM Entertainment has dropped the music video for EXO’s (엑소) new track at 6pm KST on Tuesday (18th July).

Taken from the group’s 4th album “The War”, the head-bobbing song is described as an energetic reggae song with rhythmical reggae and bass guitar sounds. Besides that, members Chen, Chanyeol, and Baekhyun have participated in writing the lyrics, which talk about how to let your body move as it wants and dance freely together on the night before an inevitable war.

“The War” consists of 9 tracks including their title track “Ko Ko Bop”, “The Eve” (전야), “What U Do?”, “Forever”, “Diamond” (다이아몬드), “Touch It” (너의 손짓), “Chill” (소름), “Walk On Memories” (기억을 걷는 밤), as well as “Going Crazy” (내가 미쳐).

The music video is a stunning affair, featuring the group in various settings. In one scene, the members of EXO are seen standing on a white bench while a red sports car drifts around them. Also, we love how in sync the boys are when they dance.

The physical album for “The War” is set to release tomorrow (19th July). As at time of writing, pre-sales for the album have surpassed 807,235 units, making it the most pre-ordered K-Pop album of all time.

For more info, visit EXO’s official website, Instagram, as well as EXO-K and EXO-M‘s respective Facebook pages.

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Green Monday: Plant-based OmniMeat Now Available To M’sians

Going green has been the goal for many, with varying success. Green Monday, an advocacy platform for a plant-based lifestyle is taking it a step further.

Green Monday hopes to encourage Malaysians to adopt a plant-based diet for at least a day in a week. Sounds difficult? Fret not, to help, Green Monday has launched a new line of products called OmniMeat.

OmniMeat products are a blend of plant-based proteins which are sustainable and healthier alternatives to traditional meat without skimping on taste and texture. They are available in Ben’s Independent Grocer, Jaya Grocer, Village Grocer, Oliver’s Gourmet and selected AEON supermarkets.

If you are looking to taste-test the OmniMeat creations first, several eateries are at your service. Botanica+Co and Nourish by Kenny Hills Bakers have added plant-based dishes made of these products to their menu permanently.

Chef Chuan Lim, the Area Executive Chef of Botanica+Co was impressed with OmniMeat, saying, “It’s like I’m working with real luncheon meat, I don’t need substitution or to hide any taste of the product.”

David Yeung, Chief Executive Officer at Green Monday Group hopes that plant-based products will appeal to everyone. “Our OmniMeat is Halal-certified, so this is an innovative food product suitable for everyone,” he was quoted as saying.

If you don’t believe that plant-based meat products can be delicious, try it for yourself and see. After all, tasting is believing!


Malaysian Woman Earns RM42K Monthly Dating Sugar Daddies In Singapore

The sugar baby lifestyle is one of the “professions” that are frowned upon by many and considered to be deviant behaviour in our society.

However, that doesn’t bother 28-year-old Malaysian, Jenni (not her real name), who has been active in the sugar dating scene for more than 2 years in Singapore.

Jenni reportedly earns a total of SGD14,000 (RM42,000) monthly dating sugar daddies when combined with her monthly salary as a marketing executive. For a one-time meeting, the sugar baby charges up to SGD500 (RM1,530) per date via the Sugarbook app.

The 28-year-old said that she’ll never go out with men who are over 45 or married. Those are not her only conditions, as she won’t engage in sexual activities with new people, but she did state, “I may consider it if it’s a long term arrangement.”

She currently has long term arrangements with 3 sugar daddies, with one of them giving her a monthly allowance of up to SGD10,000 (RM31,000). They’ve been seeing each other for 5 months, but Jenni stated previously that she would avoid getting emotionally invested with any of her sugar daddies.

“I don’t feel a lot of guilt or anything. I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong or illegal. Sugar babies are not prostitutes. I think prostitutes get paid to do what they have to do, they cannot reject or say no. Whereas if I’m uncomfortable, I can always say no,” stated Jenni, on this controversial profession. Her parents are in the dark of her lifestyle but she still sends money back home to her family in Malaysia.

Jenni first started as a sugar baby when her friend showed her the Sugarbook dating app, which is practically the Tinder version for the sugar dating scene.

If you didn’t know, the Sugarbook dating app was created and developed by a Malaysian company. Read about it here.


Sugarbook’s Darren Chan Rearrested Over Rape & Prostitution Allegations

Darren Chan, the founder of the now-infamous dating app Sugarbook, has been arrested once again over the allegations of rape and offering prostitution services.

Selangor police CID chief SAC Datuk Fadzil Ahmat revealed that the 34-year-old was detained following a report received from a student at a local university.

As per Harian Metro, the incident reportedly took place in Subang Jaya on 19th February 2019. Based on the allegations received, the suspect was detained to assist in the investigation according to Section 376 of the Penal Code and Section 372 of the same code.

Meanwhile, Fadzil added that the state prosecution has made a review application on the decision of the Shah Alam Magistrate’s Court which rejected the remand application against the suspect. Just yesterday, the court rejected the police application to remand Darren to facilitate the investigation into allegations that the dating site has been used as a platform to find mistresses.

Foong Cheng Leong, the lawyer representing Darren, stated that the High Court Deputy Registrar Noorasyikin Sahat rejected the authority’s application after his client promised to give full cooperation to the police. So far, the police has received 74 reports linked to Sugarbook, an app that was banned by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), The Star reported.

Earlier today (Friday, 19th February), the High Court has issued a seven-day remand order against Darren. Judge Noorin Baharuddin issued the order after the suspect agreed to be held in remand to assist in the investigation under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Foong Cheng Leong, in addition to fellow lawyers T Shashi Devan and Low Li Qun, acted as Darren’s legal reps for the case, while Muhammad Iskandar and Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Shukor Abu Bakar prosecuted. Earlier, Shashi Devan submitted that their client had no objection to review the application, as well as relaying the message that he is willing to give cooperation to complete the investigation.

He said, “Our client also thinks it is a good platform for him to provide the information needed so that the investigation can be carried out quickly and completely.” Shashi also requested that the suspect not be handcuffed from the back as he suffered an injury on his shoulder.

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‘Datuk Seri’ Arrested For Threatening To Create Chaos At Police Stations

Some people believe that having a title means you can get away with anything. Happily, the police are choosing to prove them wrong.

A man claiming to be a ‘Datuk Seri’ was recently arrested for threatening two victims, including a police inspector.

Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay stated the case involved two men; a 56-year-old scrap metal businessman with a ‘Datuk Seri’ title and his 41-year-old friend. The two men approached their 50-year-old victim last Monday (22nd February) and physically threatened him to settle his RM450,000 debt. The victim then lodged a police report which led to the duo’s arrest on the 25th around Masai at about 8.30pm. “During their arrests, the one who claimed to be a Datuk Seri also threatened a police inspector by saying ‘if you arrest me, I will create chaos at all police stations and in your life’,” Datuk Ayob said at the press conference held at the Media Center of the Johor Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) on 2nd March.

Investigations showed the suspect’s ‘Datuk Seri’ title was not recognised by the Malaysian government. According to Malay Mail, the title was obtained from ‘Sulu’ which usually bestows the title if someone ‘pays’ for it. “But it does not matter where the title comes from, Malaysia or anywhere, whether it’s Datuk Seri or Tan Sri, if they are involved in criminal activities, we will catch them,” Datuk Ayob declared.

The Datuk Seri was also found to have records of 23 criminal offences with violent elements. He has been charged twice under the Emergency Ordinance and detained at Simpang Renggam and Pulau Jerejak in the 1980s and 1990s. “The ‘Datuk Seri’ has connections with a number of non-governmental organisations,” Datuk Ayob added. “We believe he donated to these NGOs to cover his criminal activities.” He also advised NGOs to “not simply fall for any sort of ‘donations’ from any person with titles“. Apparently the NGO which the suspect had been donating to had contacted the police multiple times to give their ‘positive input’ about the suspect.

The case is being investigated under Section 385 (extortion) and Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Penal Code. The Datuk Seri also faces an additional charge for threatening the police officer.

The duo were brought to the Magistrates’ Court on 2nd March. Additionally, the police are investigating to determine if the suspect has links to any political party.

Sources: Harian Metro, New Straits Times, Malay Mail, The Star


Sorn, The Rising K-Pop Star From Thailand

While creativity for the best “song and dance” video submissions for the “tvN K-Pop Star Hunt S2” is brewing, we take a step back with Miss Sorn. Last year, Thai-native Sorn passed all tvN K-Pop Star Hunt requirements and was crowned winner of its inaugural season under the scrutiny of over 50 million viewers.

Being winner means she has also bagged an exclusive trainee contract with South Korea’s top record label CUBE Entertainment, home to A-list pop groups such as BEAST, 4Minute, and female artiste G.NA.

It was all thanks to tvN K-Pop Star Hunt that Sorn has soared to stardom and has moved to Seoul for her debut album training.

During the press conference of the new season of tVN K-Pop Star Hunt, we managed to snag an exclusive interview with Sorn herself. And really, as big of a superstar as she’s about to become, Sorn is no more than 16 years old.

Yet, she spoke with awe-inspiring determination, with hopes and dreams to change the face of the K-Pop music industry:

Sorn then ended the interview by saying, “If I had the power to change the one thing I could change about the K-Pop industry..I would change the way the artiste(s) look. I think..that, well, because they’re not the same and therefore they should have their individual looks. K-Pop industry is kinda like package where they’re packed in a box and ready to sell. I just wanna change the style and the way they package their artistes.”

Aww. She’s such a sweetheart though! Good luck to you, Sorn. We’ll look forward to listening to your debut album soon.

For more information, visit HyppTV’s official website or hit up their Facebook page.

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The Reason Why Miss Universe Malaysia 2021 Pageant Is Cancelled

The Miss Universe Malaysia 2021 pageant won’t be happening after all, despite initial plans to proceed when national auditions were held in April.

This morning (Tuesday, 17th August), the Miss Universe Malaysia Organization (MUMO) cited the 2 main reasons why they’ll be taking a step back this year.

“We note the Miss Universe Organization’s decision to hold the 70th anniversary of the pageant in Eilat, Israel in December 2021.

Unfortunately, due to the worsening Covid-19 situation, which has resulted in limited international and domestic travel, we have been unable to hold our local Miss Universe Malaysia 2021 pageant.

We have therefore declined the invitation to this year’s pageant and regretfully would not be able to hold a local Miss Universe Malaysia pageant this year.

We wish all delegates the best of luck at the international competition, and look forward to participating again in the near future.”

To echo what netizens are saying, there’s also not enough time to organise a MUMO event in time.