Concert Review: GFriend Oozes Charm & Charisma During Malaysian Concert

Seems like its concert season again! K-pop girl group GFRIEND (여자친구) announced Malaysia as a part of their “Go Go Gfriend!” Tour. Held on the 29th of June 2019 at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam, the concert was organised by Macpiepro. This is the group’s first visit to Malaysia, which made fans extra excited to see their favourite girls perform live.

GFriend is made up of six members; Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, SinB, Yuju, and Umji. The group has made quite a name for themselves in the world of K-pop with their anime-esque sound and trademark intensive dance moves. Debuting in 2015, the girls has steadily risen up the charts by standing out with their notable robust, pop sound.

A post shared by Trumpet International Sdn Bhd (@trumpet_international)

The gates of Stadium Malawati was filled come the day of the event. 4,300 fans (also known as Buddies) were animatedly chatting away, cramming in line to get first dibs on Gfriend merch and goodies, taking photos in front of posters, and overall just brimming with excitement. The energy could be felt once you entered the stadium, despite the fact that it was an all seated concert. The moment the lights went off, the guttural screams being heard was a clear indicator of the overwhelming excitement of the crowd.

From the bombastic lights to the grand introduction of each members on the huge LED screen; GFriend made an entrance with a bang and a splash of colour. The familiar guitar riff of “Me Gustas Tu” rang through the speakers of the stadium as the girls themselves finally appeared on stage, dressed in candy coloured blazers with outfits to match. The ferocity of cheers that erupted the moment GFriend appeared in the flesh was enough to quake the halls of Malawati, rattling like the cry of a 100-year old spirit that finally avenged a grudge.

Perhaps it’s been a long time coming, as after all, this is the group’s first visit despite being active in the K-pop scene for several years now. Songs about partying and taking a vacation came on next, accompanied by relaxing imagery, truly setting the mood for a holiday. All traces of the stadium vanished; all that visible were 6 gorgeous girls and the blue of the animated ocean backdrop.

After performing 3 songs, a cute voice gushed, “Selamat petang, kami GFriend!”. It was none other than Sowon, the leader of the group, who greeted the crowd. The girls took their time to tell us the concept of their concert, explaining how the title of their tour was so that they could ‘run along’ with Buddies, much like a marathon. With mentions of how Buddies would love what they had in store for the crowd tonight (including different sides of GFriend, interesting stages, and even acting!), the lights were dimmed.

It’s hard not to smile watching GFriend perform.

Their stages exude brightness and warmth, with explosions of colour from their backdrops. It’s important to note the effort put in for their props as well, and how quickly it changed from song to song. It was especially evident during the Candy Land scene of “Truly Love” and the cafe tables and chairs for “Love In The Air”. The lights were then dimmed as the screen lit up with personal messages from each of the members. As the sentimental words formed, it was hard not to get emotional.

When the lights came back on, the girls returned after the first outfit change of the night; same candy coloured, pastel outfits but their blazer tops were replaced with dresses or crop tops and skirts. Gfriend served both stylish and feminine looks, as well as iconic high notes in their songs. In fact, they never once let down the energy once; effortlessly commanding the crowd to the beat of their songs. With their trademark synth-pop sounds, electric guitar riffs, and surprisingly fast-paced choreography, Gfriend is more than what meets the eye. They may be seemingly sweet, but make no mistake, these girls mean business. The answer comes in the form of razor-sharp dance moves and perfect synchronization. It’s a marvel to see how soft they remain while absolutely killing it on stage.

“You Are My Star” was the beginning of the slower numbers of the night, where members took their time walking around the extended stage to sing along with the fans. Lyrics appeared in English on the screen for “A Starry Sky”, which made Buddies resonate with the song even more. With smiles and mentions of “terima kasih!”, the girls disappeared behind the stage once more to prepare for the unit stages.

A rather dramatic questioned posed as the introduction of the VCR; “What if GFriend debuted as 3?” The mere thought of it was enough to get fans gasping in horror, as the mini-drama slowly began unfolding on the screen. Showcasing their acting and comedic sides, fans seemed quite entertained by the clip. The unit acts were based off their skit, where the girls of “Hug Hug” (which consisted of Yerin, Eunha, and Umji) appeared in huge puffy dresses with store-bought tiaras and saccharine sounds. All signs of cuteness were replaced by mature leopard prints of the older members, as “World Peace” (led by Sowon, SinB, and Yuju) took the stage next. Serving animal kingdom couture with a touch of furry, a heavy, throbbing EDM sound pounded through the stadium speakers.

#GFRIENDinMalaysia #GFRIENDINKL #GFRIENDinMY #GoGoGfriendinKL #GGGINKL #GGGINMY @GFRDofficial pic.twitter.com/gleZ3Jv1eN

After a caricature filled the screen, signaling that “emotional GFriend” stages were about to begin, the girls came out all in sequinned black ensembles. The emotional “You Are Not Alone” came on, Yuju’s crisp clear vocals cutting through the night. The bright lighting showed the sultry outfits better, as GFriend oozed seduction for “Only 1” and “LUV”. This certainly showcased a new side of GFriend, the hair flips and grinding of hips… this was no longer the cute girls from earlier! In their place stood confident women who knew exactly what they were doing. Despite the bright nature of their songs, it was all about the subtleties–mainly their expressions.

The girls took a break to inform the crowd that they’ve reached the midpoint of their performance. It only took mentions of them mentioning how the crowd was quiet, to get the entire stadium screaming the house down. The lights dimmed once again as the girls took the stage, singing an acoustic rendition of “Rough”. The angsty number was filled with even more emotion when sung in as a ballad, which had the crowd wolf whistling at the clear high notes being sung effortlessly.

[#GFRIENDinMY] #BUDDYs energy is so good and the fanchats are loud during Sunrise! 🔥🔥🔥#GoGoGfriendinKL #GFRIENDinKL pic.twitter.com/D6aJgN8oPJ

It was then time for the highly anticipated stage of “ Sunrise”, their latest single. The song easily had the loudest cheers, with Buddies furiously chanting along in time to the song. The members show off their impressive range as they completed face paced choreography while sounding extremely stable. The equally dramatic prequel, “Time in the Moon Night”, came up next. Tinged with nostalgia, the songs tugged at heartstrings as it spoke of dreams and love. After the girls disappeared once again behind the stage, English lyrics of both songs filled the screens, along with orchestral renditions of the song.  As this goes on, we see how the themes of opposites (especially with the sun and moon) play into GFriend’s concepts for these two EPs.

All speculation of what that meant however, was gone the moment GFriend appeared. As the dramatic intro of “Memoria” played, the lights illuminated the glamourous glittery dresses the girls had changed into. Wiping away traces of nostalgia with the upbeat and sexy “Flower” and a snippet of “Crush”, Gfriend got the crowd to the right headspace before launching them into the powerhouse that was “Finger Tip.” A turning point in GFriend’s discography, the powerful synth, rambunctious electric guitar, and drums of the track rang through the stadium. Bursting with girl powers of the 80s, GFriend exploded with charisma as they showcased their charms.

Taking a break to interact with the crowd for a bit, the members mentioned that it was time for them to say their last words for the night. Sowoon mentioned how she’d love to come back to Malaysia after seeing the reaction today. The girls even said that they read comments saying “come to Malaysia” and here they were! Umji surprised everyone by speaking in English, ending it with, “You guys were bagus!” “Korean pronunciation is bagus!”, added Yerim, which earned her a loud round of cheers. With promises of coming back as soon as possible for another round, the lights went off for the high energy “NAVIRELLA”.

When the stadium went dark, only lightsticks illuminated the place with a pale glow.

However fans knew better by now, and chants of “Encore!” echoed through the night until the music came back on. A VCR started playing, showing the behind the scenes of the members writing lyrics for the first time. As it was a fan song, they wanted to aptly capture the sincerity they felt. So when the girls came back out (and the said song, “Hope”, came on) the meaning touching fans even deeper than before. The girls were clad in comfortable tour T-shirts as they took their time walking to every corner of the extended stage, dancing along with fans. They even brought out monopods attached with phones for “Love Bug”, as the screens showed the girls with adorable cat and bunny stickers on their faces, singing along while being their goofy selves.

Doe-eyed Eunha smiled as she said, “We cannot return to Korea because your cheers are too loud!” The girls thanked fans for the banner projects and all their efforts for coming out today. They slowly took time to explain how they wanted to say thanks with a song that they themselves wrote. The youngest member, Umji, earnestly noted that “We put our hearts into the lyrics.” It was perhaps the most moving when the girls mentioned how even though we speak different languages, fans were able to understand exactly what they meant. As the final song of the night, “Compas” played—no tears were shed. The bright and cheerful song got everyone bobbing happily along, determined to end the night with smiles.

GFriend proved that having immediate knock out singles are just as important as the ones that age gracefully. With a sound that you don’t usually hear on the radio, GFriend stands out like a sore thumb in comparison to their competitors in the scene. That being said, their songs just seem to have a way of sneaking into your life and snaking itself around you until you’re filled with the suffocating need to burst out into chorus along with their addictive singles. In the more experimental phase of their discography, it will be a journey to see how much GFriend will continue to grow and prosper as a girl group like none before.

The assumption that girl groups need to “toughen up” for a girl crush concept is perhaps one of the biggest mistakes one could make when it comes to K-pop. There is nothing wrong with being soft and typically feminine, which is why a girl group like GFriend is so important. By not conforming to the boxes set before them, GFriend shows how they can remain powerful by changing the way the world views strength. With their fearlessly feminine concepts, the six girls are walking definitions of what it takes to be strong females in the industry. Now, that’s girl power!

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#ValleyOfTheDeer: Glenfiddich’s First Ever Interactive Distillery Tour In Malaysia

Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single malt scotch whisky, brings The Valley of the Deer to Kuala Lumpur from 27th – 30th May 2015 at Carcosa Seri Negara, offering Malaysians a rare behind-the-scenes look into what goes on at one of the world’s most reputable single malt distilleries.

The second instalment in Asia since the inaugural tour in Bangkok last year, this year’s showcase will take place at a site with heritage and history that is as rich as the brand’s. This promises a bigger and better experience, with some twists and improvements to immerse guests further in the distillery experience.

With a growing demand for quality single malts and sophisticated whisky palates among consumers in Malaysia, the country is an important market for Glenfiddich. Coupled with the fact that Glenfiddich’s signature flavours pair beautifully with the lively and complex characteristics of Malaysian food, the country was a natural choice for the next leg of the experience.

Matthew Fergusson-Stewart, Regional Brand Ambassador for Glenfiddich said:

Given Malaysia’s growing appreciation for quality and craftsmanship, we hope The Valley of the Deer will be well received by fans of Glenfiddich and single malt alike. We want to create an educational opportunity for whisky lovers to develop a thorough understanding of our range and the rare skills that go into creating this exceptional single malt.

While producing Scotch is an arduous process, creating Glenfiddich with its high standards of craftsmanship, is an art of its own altogether. At each stage, Malt Master Brian Kinsman ensures that the liquid meets the highest industry standards. Only the right combination of weather, land, water and aging can create the flavour that is distinct to the Glenfiddich range.

This includes carefully selected malted barley and water drawn from the Robbie Dhu spring, a source of soft Scottish spring water.

The Valley of the Deer will take guests on an interactive journey that showcases the making of each cask of Glenfiddich single malt whisky. Through the expert guidance of Ian Millar, Glenfiddich Global Brand Ambassador, and Fergusson-Stewart himself, guests will experience an average working day at Glenfiddich’s Dufftown distillery.

They will also be introduced to the various equipment involved in the distillation process and witness the perfected trade of coopering the barrels used to age Glenfiddich’s fine whisky.

Of course, a visit to the distillery would not be complete without sampling the finished product.

When all the various elements are combined, The Valley of the Deer presents an eventful affair for whisky lovers to experience the World’s Most Awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky and the magic that goes into creating “the best dram in the valley”.

Watch the “The Valley of the Deer 2015 Kuala Lumpur” video here:

Glenfiddich is giving its customers the opportunity to be a part of this exquisite experience as well!

Customers will receive tickets to The Valley of the Deer with every purchase of a bottle of Glenfiddich from 6th – 26th May 2015 at participating outlets in Kuala Lumpur – The Point, Tate, Malt & Leaf, and Blue Elephant. A Glenfiddich 12 Year Old entitles customers to one (1) pair of tickets, Glenfiddich 15 Year Old yields two (2) pairs of tickets, while a Glenfiddich 18 Year Old comes with three (3) pairs of tickets. A unique passcode will accompany the purchase of each bottle which will be used to redeem e-tickets from www.valleyofthedeer.com.

For more information on the company and its brands, go here.


Jesse McCartney To Make Debut In Singapore The Resolution Tour

Heartthrob Jesse McCartney is embarking on “The Resolution Tour” later this year.

It was recently announced that the 31-year-old singer has included several countries in Asia in his pitstops. One of them is Singapore, which will mark his first official performance in the country.

While a few of you may recognise him from “Summerland”, McCartney is perhaps well-known for his young pop star status during the early 2000s. McCartney released his first solo album “Beautiful Soul” in 2004 which landed at No. 15 on the Billboard 200.

Since then, the singer has 3 other studio albums under his belt – 2006’s “Right Where You Want Me”, 2008’s “Departure”, and 2014’s “In Technicolor”. Besides opening for Backstreet Boys and New Kids On The Block in the past, another fun fact about McCartney is that he co-wrote Leona Lewis’ monster hit “Bleeding In Love” with Ryan Tedder.

The details to Jesse McCartney’s “The Resolution Tour” in Singapore are as follows:

Concert tickets will go on sale on this Friday, 12th April onwards at all apactix channels.

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#Jumanji: Karen Gillan Responds To Negative Reaction Over Sexist Outfit

Remember when the first cast photo from the “Jumanji” reboot was released in September last year, many fans were not happy with one character’s outfit.

Although the image featured Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jack Black, and Kevin Hart as well, Karen Gillan was singled out and criticised for wearing a skimpy ensemble – which many thought was unnecessarily revealing. Turns out, Gillan is also unhappy over what viewers called, a “sexist” jungle attire.

In the promotional image above, Gillan, who plays an Amazonian warrior named Ruby Roundhouse, is wearing a cropped shirt with leather straps, low-cut short cargo shorts together with lace-up knee-high hiking boots. The 29-year-old Scottish actress insists that there’s more to the revealing costume than just an excuse to show some skin.

During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Gillan assures the public that her look does serves a purpose in the story. “I’ve experienced something similar when I worked on ‘Doctor Who’ and there was such an uproar about my costume when that was first revealed, so I thought it was happening all over again. But I have to say, I’d never take on a role that was truly gratuitous for no reason. There’s a really valid reason why she’s wearing that. My character is really not happy about it!” she said.

The actress doesn’t go into detail as to what the reason is, but it does echo a statement she tweeted last year which reads, “Yes I’m wearing child sized clothes and YES there is a reason! The pay off is worth it, I promise!”

Directed by Jake Kasdan, the “Jumanji” reboot is set to release on 22nd December 2017.


Amber Liu & Eric Nam Discuss Whether If f(x) Is Truly Over

f(x) member Amber Liu (엠버) finally broke her silence about the ongoing questions regarding her group activities.

The 28-year-old starlet recently made her appearance on Dive Studios’ podcast “K-pop Daebak Show” hosted by her bestie, Eric Nam (에릭남). During the session, Amber was asked, “Why do you think there has not been more of f(x)?”

The “Other People” singer pointed that there are a lot of things to consider. “Despite that you are in the same company or group, there’s still so many moving parts. Like if I want to do it (continue as f(x)), someone else might not want to do it, ” Amber clarified in the chat.

Additionally, Amber continued by suggesting that all the parties involved must be on the same page in order to get the “green light” for the project. She further assured by letting MeUs (as fans are lovingly called) know that all of the girls have been dying to make a grand return as a whole.

“When we feel like it’s the right time and the business is okay as well, I think we’ll figure it out,” Amber told the Atlanta-born entertainer. For those interested, check out the full video of the interview here:

To refresh everyone’s memory, the 4-member K-pop group’s last comeback was way back in 2015 with the song “4 Walls”. Amber, along with fellow members Luna and Victoria have since left their agency SM Entertainment back in September 2019.

All the girls are still coping with their solo activities as at time of writing. Hopefully 2020 will bring good luck for the girls.


#SCKLM2016: 24 KL Roads Face Partial/Full Closure On Sunday (7th August 2016)

This year marks Standard Chartered KL Marathon’s (SCKLM) 8th installation and will take place on Sunday, 7th August at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. As such, 24 roads including 2 highways in Kuala Lumpur will face partial or full closure this Sunday due to the marathon.

The Star quoted city police chief Comm Datuk Amar Singh as saying that the closure would start as early as 2am and the roads would be reopened after the marathon concludes at about 11am.

“There are about 35,000 participants this year and we are working closely with the organisers to make sure everything runs smoothly. I urge the public to plan their travels accordingly on Sunday and use public transport whenever possible,” he said at a press conference at the city traffic police headquarters today (Tuesday, 2nd August).

He also urged road users to follow the instructions of the traffic policemen on duty. The roads that are expected to be closed are:

Meanwhile, SCKLM organiser Dirigo Events Sdn Bhd has announced complimentary public transportation services for all SCKLM runners.

Selected stations at the Ampang, Sri Petaling, Kelana Jaya, and Monorail train lines will commence operations from 2am and will run at an interval of 10 minutes.

Runners may park their vehicles at stations with park-and-ride facilities free of charge provided they exit parking by 10am. The LRT service will be complimentary from 2am – 6am, and normal operations and standard charges will apply thereafter.

Take note and plan your travels well, peeps! And for those of you who will be taking part in #SCKLM2016 on Sunday, see you at the race ;)

For more information, hit up their website or Facebook page. SCKLM is also on Twitter and Instagram.

Sources: The Star, SCKLM Runner’s Guide Book.

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BIGBANG’s Seungri & Friends Cause Frenzy At YG Republique Kuala Lumpur Launch

From as early as noon, VIPs (as BIGBANG’s fans are lovingly known) were seen lining the streets of TREC Kuala Lumpur. In fact, some seemed to have rushed over from school as they were spotted wearing their uniforms – a rare sight for Kuala Lumpur’s entertainment hub.

Heck, they were even completely unfazed by the evening rain.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

A red carpet was rolled out, lit-up high tables were prepared, and large white tents stood over them. It could only mean one thing: YG Republique’s first ever Malaysian outlet is about to hold its grand opening. And with it is a guest list of some of South Korea’s most popular celebrities.

BIGBANG’s maknae (youngest member) Seungri (승리) was scheduled to make a special appearance at the YG Republique Malaysia opening, but he wasn’t going to be alone. Joining him were Korean celebrities, songwriter/actor/TV personality Jung Joon Young and F.T. Island’s Choi Jong Hoon, as well as Seungri’s Natural High Record (NHR) DJs Danu, TPA, Glory, and jaw-droppingly gorgeous K Plus models Yeon Hui and Soh Hee.

The 3-hour invite-only event at YG Republique Kuala Lumpur’s K Pub, Malaysia’s bonafide and first fully-themed K-Pop bar, and alfresco was attended by some 350 guests, graced by Korean ambassador to Malaysia Dr. You and Korea’s YG Foods CEO Miss Noh Hee Young.

Upon their arrival, which received a warm and somewhat noisy (but in a good way) reception from the fans, the artistes were quickly ushered into 3Geori Butcher’s aka Samgeori Butcher’s (삼거리 푸줏간), where they had a private dining session. Not one to give up so easily, fans continued waiting outside YG Republique Kuala Lumpur for a chance to catch a glimpse of their favourite Korean stars. Because determination.

After dinner, as part of the YG Republique opening ritual, Seungri an friends signed YG Republique’s signature pig-shaped balloons and marked the walls with their handwritten signatures. We hear that a local wall mural artist also presented Seungri an original artwork, a portrait of the Korean pop star. A sweet touch, we have to say!

But the excitement didn’t stop there. After the launch, Seungri performed his first ever DJ set at the YG Republique Malaysia after-party in Zouk KL! To be continued in part 2 of our YG Republique Kuala Lumpur launch coverage ;)

For more pictures from the YG Republique Kuala Lumpur launch, check out the gallery below:

Special thanks to YG Republique Kuala Lumpurfor having us! YG Republique is located at Hive block at TREC Kuala Lumpur.

For more information on YG Republique in Kuala Lumpur, hit up their Facebook page or TREC KL’s Facebook page.


#SelenaGomez: Singer Breaks Down During Emotional Tribute To Christina Grimmie

While the music industry was taken aback and gutted by the tragic death of Christina Grimmie, Selena Gomez was mourning the loss of a close friend.

During her “Revival” concert in Miami over the weekend, the 23-year-old singer took a moment to pay tribute to her late friend by delivering a piano rendition of Hillsong Worship’s “Transfiguration” in honour of Grimmie’s memory.

“When she was 14, we met her and my parents and I signed her,” the pop star recalled. Her stepfather, Brian Teefey, became Grimmie’s manager after discovering her on You Tube. The pair have been close friends ever since they were teens.

“I was 16 and in school at the time. Brian contacted my brother…So then my brother texted me in the middle of school, like, ‘I really think Selena Gomez’s stepdad is trying to get a hold of you.’ I didn’t believe it; I had heard too many stories. But it ended up being true, and he came over our house. We discussed things and everything fell into place. It was amazing how it happened. I’m so blessed that they’re in my life. They’re literally like a family – Selena has been so encouraging ever since we got hooked up. It’s crazy! It’s very much a fairy tale,” Grimmie previously told Seventeen Magazine.

A video posted by Selena Gomez Updates ⭐ (@selenamgomezfanss) on Jun 11, 2016 at 7:35pm PDT

“One thing about Christina and her family is that she holds her faith so closely to her. And I think it’s not about a religion and it’s not about anything or good deeds. It’s just that she had faith, and I don’t really understand how this really happened, but I would like to dedicate this next song to her,” Gomez shared with the crowd before wiping away tears as her fans voiced their support.

This was extremely personal for Gomez, seeing how she was overcome with sadness during her performance. Earlier in the day, the singer took to Twitter to remember her bestie with a black-and-white throwback photo of them goofing together. “My heart is absolutely broken. I miss you Christina,” she captioned the photo.

My heart is absolutely broken. I miss you Christina pic.twitter.com/KWGwZZlj4t

— Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) June 11, 2016

In lieu of the sad tragedy, E! News reported that Gomez cancelled her scheduled meet-and-greets with fans during her Miami show. Considering the aftermath of Grimmie’s death, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that music stars are now taking precautions when it comes to meeting fans.

Gomez was also overwhelmed with emotion while performing the ballad “Nobody” and can be seen mouthing “I’m sorry” to the crowd as she struggled to finish the song.

Our hearts ache. For Grimmie’s fans and especially for her friends, family, and loved ones.

In case you didn’t know, Grimmie’s shooter has been identified. More on him here.

Sources: E!News, Inquisitr, Billboard, ET Online.

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Interview: Clinton Kane On Bizarre Fan Encounter & Embracing His Inner Weirdo

When you listen to Clinton Kane singing, his music has the ability to make you feel less alone. As a fan listening to his debut album, “MAYBE SOMEDAY IT’LL ALL BE OK”, it’s beautiful yet tragic at the same time. Since putting covers on YouTube in 2019, the 23-year-old Aussie has been using music to deal with his mental health.

Getting a panic attack (sort of) kick-started Clinton Kane’s songwriting journey. When asked about the reason that caused it, the Norwegian-Filipino singer told Zach Sang that a girl (Debbie) had ghosted him for another guy (he saw their date on IG story). That triggered the panic attack, along with a bunch of penned-up emotions of abandonment trauma.

Q: Hey Clinton, what’s been the highlight of your tour in Canada so far?

“The energy in Canada was mad. I think after doing two tours in America, I’ve really grown to understand more of what I want my shows to feel and look like. Every single show in Canada was so full of emotion and energy.”

Q: Being on the road, you’re bound to meet all sorts of people. What has been the weirdest or most interesting fan encounter?

“I think the most interesting was when I played (in) New York. I walked through the line outside and I looked at a girl and she immediately passed out and fell to the ground after five seconds (laughed). Definitely do not recommend passing out. Please hydrate, love you.”

Q: Which track from “MAYBE SOMEDAY IT’LL ALL BE OK” has been your favourite to perform live?

Q: Was “14” the hardest song on the album to write? At what point were you satisfied with the outcome?

“After two years. The song is the story of my life and I think we finished the song the moment I closed that chapter/story of my life and the song was just perfect.”

Q: For those who find it hard to accept their own appearance – what advice do you have for them?

“You are so beautiful in your own way. Being attractive is entirely subjective to every single person. You are the only you there will ever be.”

Q: What are 3 nice things you like about yourself?

”I would say being self–aware emotionally, but honestly its ruining my life.”

“My generosity and self-sacrifice with family and friends of mine”

Q: Last year was pretty traumatic for you, and we’re so sorry for your loss. How has songwriting and music helped you in your healing process? [For context: he lost his his mother, father and brother in 2021.]

“I don’t think I’d honestly be here without it. Took a little of actual grieving for three months before I even started writing but soon as I started it, I was allowed to let my feelings out in a safe space.”

Q: As someone who’s constantly on the move (even since young), how did you cope with fitting in? Was there ever a sense of belonging?

“I didn’t (laughs). I was a mess. I’ve always felt out of place growing up ‘weird’, never really could make friends so easily and was completely turned off emotionally every place I went to. (I) never felt like I belong and I don’t think I ever will. I think I’m just gonna carry that with me forever. But forever grateful for my best friends who have turned into family that help me feel a little less of that.”

”Finally medicating myself for the challenges I have.”

Q: You teased about releasing a new single. What can you tell us about it?

”When did I do that? I’ve never teased before in my life!”

A post shared by Clinton Kane (@clintonkane)

You can listen to the new track “MEXICO” here:

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(UPDATE) #SNSD: Title Track’s Release Date & Album Details Revealed

SM Entertainment has officially announced the comeback of Girls’ Generation, releasing the name of their upcoming title track along with a teaser photo. “Party”, which is the name of the new single, will be unveiled on 7th July, after which they will be dropping a full studio album with double title tracks, “Lion Heart” and “You Think”.

“Party”, said to be a dance track, will be released on 10pm KST through various music sites, however, it is unsure if their music video, which was allegedly shot in Koh Samui, Thailand, will be dropped at the same time. Their new album will also contain B-side tracks “Check” and the instrumental version of “Party”.

“Lion Heart” and “You Think” will each have a music video, but SM Entertainment has yet to reveal the release dates. Girls’ Generation will also be promoting all 3 title tracks this summer, which means fans will be seeing the girls for a longer period of time to compensate for their 18-month hiatus.

It will be a clash of the titans as Girls’ Generation will be going head to head against BIGBANG, who’ll be releasing double title track “Sober” and “If You” tomorrow (1st July). The 2 groups are oftentimes labelled as the top girl group and top boy group of Korea.

This will be Girls’ Generation’s first comeback without ex-member Jessica Jung, who left the group back in September. SM Entertainment cited conflicts between schedules as the reason for the separation.

It seems like the girls from Girls’ Generation are determined to tease fans as well. Members Sooyoung and Taeyeon have revealed some teaser photos on their Instagram, and both photos showed a back view of the members while they point upwards to the sky.

Sooyoung’s photo came with the caption, “#PARTY #GG #Comingsoon#AreYouReadyToParty“, while Taeyeon’s post was captioned with “? #여름 #소녀시대 #gg#party (“? #Summer #GirlsGeneration #gg#party“.


#Deadpool: Ryan Reynolds “Delivers” Twisted Mother’s Day Message

Ryan Reynolds, or should we say, Deadpool, has done it again.

We all know how twisted our beloved antihero can be, but we certainly didn’t expect Deadpool to offer up this sweet message to his mama. After Reynolds confirmed that Fox’s “Deadpool” will be rated R, Deadpool’s version of the Mother’s Day tribute is, of course, very silly and kind of vulgar too.

#Deadpool: A motherfucker since 1991. #happymamasday pic.twitter.com/0ihBq71PHW

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) May 10, 2015

The photo, which came with the caption “#Deadpool: A motherf***** since 1991”, showed Reynolds’ character posing with a thumbs up in his costume after successfully delivering a baby from an unknown woman. The caption is surprisingly vulgar, considering how his character is only known for breaking the Fourth Wall and making crude jokes. Not to mention, Marvel has always censored him whenever he swears.

But on a positive note, fans of the Merc With The Mouth are getting more and more excited for the movie, especially after its test footage was leaked online last year. In March 2015, Reynolds further teased his fans by giving them a first look at his character in the costume.

Tim Miller will be directing the movie from a script by “Zombieland” writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. “Gotham” star Morena Baccarin will portray Vanessa a.k.a Copycat while “Fast & Furious 6” star Gina Carano will portray Angel Dust. TJ Miller is set to star as Deadpool’s sidekick Weasel, with Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead and “Game of Thrones” star Ed Skrein as Ajax.

Based upon Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero, “Deadpool” tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.

The production is currently underway in Vancouver before its release on 12th Feb 2016.

For more information, visit its official Facebook page and Twitter. Don’t forget to follow Ryan Reynolds on Twitter for more timely (or hilarious) updates.

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Carlsberg Malaysia Bids Farewell To Outgoing Managing Director, Lars Lehmann

Carlsberg Malaysia is bidding farewell to its outgoing Managing Director, Lars Lehmann. Lehmann who has been with the company for three years will be promoted to the Executive Committee (ExCom) for Eastern Europe at Carlsberg A/S.

Lehmann is set to take on the role as the Executive Vice President of Eastern Europe as well as the CEO of Baltika, Carlsberg Group’s company in Russia. Replacing Lehmann would be incoming Managing Director Ted Akiskalos. This change would be effective from 1st May 2019 onwards.

A post shared by Tim Chew (@timchew1311)

To cheers to new beginnings, a celebration party was held at Brixton 23 in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang. The 350 guests were treated to a feast as they expressed their congratulations to Lehmann while embracing Akiskalos to the family.

Speaking to the crowd, Lehmann shared about the good times he had with the company, noting, “It has been probably the best three years for me and the company. Together, we had an unprecedented financial year in 2018 with strong growth in revenue, net profit, and free cash flow, allowing us to declare the highest dividends in the history of Carlsberg Malaysia. None of these would be possible if it wasn’t for our customers and consumers’ support towards our brands, our people and our businesses.”

Akiskalos, the upcoming Managing Director has nine years of experience with the Carlsberg Group. In fact, he has led the company to return to double-digit growth and the highest reputational scores among all beer companies in Sweden.

As his time as the Managing Director of Carlsberg operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau, Akriskalos transformed Hong Kong into the market leader by improving its profits significantly within three years.

In delivering his speech, Akriskalos expressed his gratefulness over the appointment and his future plans for the company,

“I am most honoured and humbled by this appointment because Malaysia, which covers Singapore and an associate company in Sri Lanka, is one of the top three markets in Asia, in terms of profitability and growth. Taking over the helm from Lars, my intent is to continue our growth with our strong brand portfolio and win with our winning customers.”


#UsTheDuo: Folk-Pop Musical Pair Make The World Go Round With Their Love

There was a time, many years ago, when people discovered new music through radio stations. Unknown musicians and new bands didn’t need huge record companies to get exposure because they only needed to deliver music and find their audience through radio airplays.

But alas, times have changed. With artistes under major record labels plaguing radio stations, new musicians have instead found their audience through social media sites and music sharing platforms like YouTube and Vine. Sharing a similar story as every other YouTube musician and Vine artiste, Michael and Carissa Rae Alvarado aka Us The Duo, are currently enjoying their newfound fame after their cover videos on Vine went viral.

This pair of ridiculously good-looking husband-and-wife team, who randomly met and fell in love at a music video shoot, emerged in the music scene with their infamous #6SecondCovers on their official Vine account. With over 4 million followers on Vine, they scored themselves a record deal with Republic Records and subsequently had their song “No Matter Where You Are” featured on last year’s animated movie, “The Book of Life“.

Little did they know, they’d travel around the world to perform, sharing their love for each other and their passion for music with their fans. This past Sunday (5th July) night, the folk-pop duo reached Malaysian shores for their first Malaysian showcase at the Bentley Music Auditorium in Petaling Jaya.

Jin of JinnyboyTV hosted the showcase and helped build up the hype before officially inviting Us The Duo on stage. Fans collectively let out high-pitched screams, but quickly quietened when the couple started performing.

The duo kicked off the night by performing “Make You Mine”, a track off their 2nd album titled “No Matter Where You Are”. With their beautifully harmonised set of vocals, the Alvarados serenaded the crowd into a peaceful state of mind by delivering their acoustic tune. Love can be felt throughout the entire show, as the musical performances from the husband-and-wife team took us through a journey of their relationship.

From guitar to piano to percussion, the Vine sensations put out quite an impressive show as they displayed their music skill by playing a large array of instruments. Not to mention, the fact that they wrote and sang most of their songs made us think that they were really meant for each other!

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

There’s no denying that they’re the ultimate “relationship goal” as the lovebirds constantly show off their undeniable chemistry throughout the entire show, especially then they sat down together for a rendition of their single, “Slow Down Time”. At one point, the way they looked at each other and joked around onstage had the crowd saying “Aww..” in unison.

As if that wasn’t enough to convince us that they’re the most down-to-earth married couple in the world, Michael and Carissa brought a spine-chilling moment with their sultry rendition of “Sway”. When the crowd sang along to their rendition of “Missin’ You Like Crazy”, Michael teased and complimented fans by saying that they sounded beautiful. Not ones to disappoint their fans, they further belted out a show-stopping mashup cover of the most popular hit singles.

Towards the end of the show, the talented singers, who are close to a capella group Pentatonix, performed a hair-raising duet of “Like I’m Gonna Lose You”. Despite the difference in their vocal range, they found a way to harmonise with each other as their voices complemented each other. The night ended beautifully with their rendition of “No Matter Where You Are”, one of their favourite tracks that was also highly anticipated by fans. As a token of their appreciation, Michael and Carissa gleefully took a group selfie with their fans and even got down from the stage to greet them.

Special thanks to our friends from Universal Music Malaysia for the invite. We hope to see the lovely duo back in Malaysia for a full-scale concert soon :)

For more information, visit their official website. Of course, don’t forget to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Vine for more timely updates and their famed half-faced videos.

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Twiceland: 8 Things Not Allowed Into Twice’s Kuala Lumpur Concert

This has been a good month for K-pop fans. While Wannables got to see Wanna One in action last week, Onces will finally get to see Twice (트와이스) perform live in Malaysia this weekend.

Of course, there are going to be some ground rules to ensure everything go on smoothly. Concert organiser IME Asia took to Facebook earlier today (Monday, 23rd July) to clarify some ticketing details, transportation tips, and a list of prohibited items to the concert venue.

What are the restricted or prohibited items for “TWICELAND ZONE 2: Fantasy Park”? They are:

For those who don’t know where the concert venue is, Malawati Indoor Stadium is located at Persiaran Sukan, Seksyen 13, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor. You may reach the place either by car (parking is free) or public transport. If you are the latter, the nearest KTM station is Batu Tiga station. It’s faster to take a cab from there. But you’re taking a bus or train, here are some options.

Do note that all counters (VIP gifts redemption counter, media registration, ticket redemption for contest winners) will open at 2pm sharp. See y’all there ;)


#roKKiChats: Wi-Fi Service 10,000 Feet In The Air? Sure, Why Not!

According to AirAsia Bhd’s Ancillary Group Head Kenny Wong, the airlines will equip 20 of its planes with on-board Wi-Fi facilities by year-end. At present, only 4 of the company’s planes are providing the services, called roKKi Chats. But by the second quarter of 2015, AirAsia Bhd aims to install the service on all of its 80 planes.

roKKi Chats is an inflight WiFi service that enables guests to use selected Instant Messaging applications (IM apps) while flying. The roKKi Chats-supported IM apps are WhatsApp, WeChat, and LINE. So whoops, no Instagrammming pictures hashtagged #sunrise or #sunset or #rainbow or #cloudporn just yet!

The Wi-Fi service will turn on automatically once the aircraft is at a minimum altitude of 10,000 feet. The system will take roughly 5 minutes to start up and an inflight announcement will be made when roKKi Chats is activated. Once activated, you can detect and connect to the roKKi Chats network.

Guests on board can connect to the in-flight WiFi network using their own WiFi-enabled devices to access IM apps. Accessing the service is similar to how WiFi is commonly accessed on land (e.g. at the airport, cafes, homes, etc.).

Each roKKi Chats token is priced at RM8 for a total of 3MB data usage on WeChat, WhatsApp and LINE. However, you’d be pleased to know that in conjunction with the launch, guests on board the Wi-Fi enabled flights enjoy an introductory price of RM5 per token for a limited time. Each token is applicable for one device only.

The tokens are sold on a first-come first-served basis on each flight as it’s limited to only 90 users per flight, and is compatible on most tablets and smartphones.

Note: The system will turn off automatically when the aircraft reaches below 10,000 feet or when in restricted air spaces of India, China, and Macau. Also, roKKi Chats is not available for AirAsia X flights as of yet.

For more information, visit AirAsia’s website.


Father’s Day Shows To Watch & Bond With Dad This Month

The month of June marks the celebration of Father’s Day which is on the 3rd Sunday of the month annually. Bond with dad through the best of British TV on BBC Player available on Unifi TV. Show dad the love and appreciation he deserves by enjoying his favourite food and programmes together.

BBC Player has curated programmes from all notable genres that both you and dad could enjoy together. There are programmes for dads that like cars, travel, nature, and documentaries, just to name a few. There’s something for all the dads and here are the top picks of British programming.

“Top Gear” Season 32, premiering every Monday from 13th June

Genre: Factual Entertainment and Lifestyle

Join hosts Freddie Flintoff, Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness as they return to Top Gear for a high speed new 32nd season! This season all 3 hosts got their racing licenses and will be taking a trip across the Atlantic Ocean to sunny Florida, the US home of grassroots racing. Watch the hosts train to be professional HGV racers and there will also be car reviews too.

Bluey is an Australian blue heeler puppy, she has a vast imagination and loves to have fun on the daily. She and her little sister – Bingo would use their imagination to play with the environment around them, they would also use their playtime to learn and tackle their fears. What’s playtime without the involvement of parents! Mummy Chili is a working mom, while daddy Bandit works from home and takes care of both Bluey and Bingo.

“Fearless 48 Hours”, premiering Monday 13th June

Celebrities are pushed to the limit by ex-special forces soldier Jason Fox who has more than 20 years of military experience. The celebrities would have a weekend to remember as they are to survive rural Wales. This series mixes breath-taking views, nerve-wracking obstacles, and confessional talks to produce a genuinely unique collection of adventures that are both cinematic and emotional.

“Seven Worlds, One Planets” documents the unique contents of the earth with its diverse ecosystem and terrains. From the southeast point of Antarctica to the beautiful deserts of Africa, mother earth graces its beauty to all.  Unexpected stories will astound you. Be awestruck by magnificent scenery. Also, be amazed by the incredible flora and fauna.

“Where The Wild Men Are” with Ben Fogle S8

Renowned explorer Ben Fogle returns for another season of “Where The Wild Men Are”, where he meets more folks who have abandoned the rat race and settled in some of the world’s most isolated and inhospitable locations.

Have you ever wondered how they make our products? Follow Gregg Wallace as he explores some of Europe’s largest manufacturers to learn about the incredible procedures and technology that go into high-volume production. Cherry Healey analyses the science and invention behind each product outside the factory, while historian Ruth Goodman explains how it was conceived and popularised.

After a lengthy hiatus, popular chef Jaime Oliver returns to produce a series of exquisite dinners to be shared with friends, family, and loved ones. Each episode leads the viewer through cooking a whole dinner from beginning to end, with a range of full feasting menus ranging from nibbles and appetisers to shared plates and delectable desserts.

Kevin McCloud, a well-known designer, is back to aid more couples with their ambitious design ideas. This season, a couple wants to construct a home on the edge of a cliff in Scotland, but will their budget suddenly dwindle? Meanwhile, an entrepreneur has a vision for a massive mansion on a 16-acre parcel of land in Lincolnshire, and a former Paralympic swimmer is adamant that his new home be wheelchair-friendly so he can walk about and accomplish even the most basic activities.

An old but gold classic, Rowan Atkinson’s famous character Mr Bean surely would make anyone laugh out loud no matter the age. Have a good laugh with dad over the antics and mishaps of Mr Bean, he made the simplest of tasks funny and amusing.

“The Watch” is a contemporary and inclusive programme that appeals to a wide audience. Sir Terry Pratchett’s characters served as inspiration. An unusual bunch of misfits – The City Watch – discover the courage to rescue the planet in this hilarious yet suspenseful series, shocking even themselves in the process. Trolls, werewolves, magicians, and other unlikely heroes face a terrible scheme to revive a mighty dragon, which would be the end of existence as we know it.

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Henry Cavill Out As Superman In DCEU. Is Michael B. Jordan Next In Line?

Despite dying and resurrecting in the DC Extended Universe, it looks like Henry Cavill is hanging up his cape as Superman.

This news surfaced after it was announced that negotiations for Cavill to appear in next year’s “Shazam!” had failed with Warner Bros. Pictures. As of now, the 35-year-old English actor isn’t to any Warner Bros. movies as Superman.

Cavill was reportedly unable to commit to “Shazam!” because of scheduling conflicts. As a result, Warners has decided to part ways the British actor. This had allowed him to sign on to a Netflix project, namely “The Witcher” fantasy series.

“Shazam!” executive producer Dany Garcia posted a cryptic statement on her Twitter, seemingly addressing Cavill’s exit. “Be peaceful, the cape is still in his closet. @wbpictures has been and continues to be our partners as they evolve the DC Universe. Anticipate a WB statement later today,” she wrote.

True enough, Warners released a statement, saying, “While no decisions have been made regarding any upcoming ‘Superman’ films, we’ve always had great respect for and a great relationship with Henry Cavill, and that remains unchanged.” They neither confirm nor deny the news of Cavill’s ouster.

Be peaceful, the cape is still in his closet. @wbpictures has been and continues to be our partners as they evolve the DC Universe. Anticipate a WB statement later today.

— Dany Garcia (@DanyGarciaCo) September 12, 2018

A post shared by Henry Cavill (@henrycavill)

Word on the street has it that the studio may want to focus on a Supergirl origin story film instead. With the teenage heroin in the spotlight, Superman would no longer be required. “If we had to bet on an outcome, however, a creative reset seems most likely,” Entertainment Weekly commented.

With Cavill stepping down, Deadline reported that his replacement could come in the form of Michael B. Jordan. Warner Bros is apparently considering a “completely different direction” that will include a broader diversity and inclusivity initiative. The African American star played baddie Killmonger in the recent “Black Panther”.

The “Creed” actor is no stranger to comic book characters though. Besides Kilmonger, he has also played the Human Torch (in 20th Century Fox’s “Fantastic Four”). Earlier, it was announced that Warner Bros was eyeing Michael B. Jordan to play a young Morpheus in a new “Matrix” movie.

That said, Cavill has portrayed Superman in 2013’s “Man of Steel”, 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and 2017’s “Justice League“. It’ll be hard to top his performance.

Sources: Coming Soon, Entertainment Weekly, AMP.


(UPDATE) #SuJu: Super Junior’s Ryeowook Is “The Little Prince” In Teaser Images For Solo Debut

It’s no secret that ELFs have been waiting for a long time for Super Junior‘s Ryeowook (김려욱) to make his solo debut.

Fortunately, the wait is coming to an end soon because his talent agency SM Entertainment has shared some details about his solo debut album today (19th January).

Following the footsteps of his fellow Super Junior colleague Kyuhyun, Ryeowook was given the chance to shine as a solo artiste this month.

The singer is slated to drop his first solo album at midnight KST on 28th January 2016. Titled “The Little Prince”, the much-anticipated mini album will be the first solo album to be released through Label SJ, Super Junior’s new exclusive label created by SM Entertainment last year.

Prior to the release of the album, SM Entertainment offered fans a first glimpse at the concept for Ryeowook’s impending debut through 2 teaser images and an illustrated poster.

Ryeowook’s solo album is highly anticipated by fans because the idol is known for his powerful vocals in the group.

The singer, who was discovered through the CMB Youth ChinChin Festival in 2004, signed a contract with SM Entertainment after impressing the judges with his singing talent. Though he was trained in areas of singing, dancing, and acting, he placed particular efforts into his vocal training and music composition.

Besides his vocals, the idol is also known for his impressive piano skills. He also plays accompaniment for fellow members during their solo stages at their concerts.

Ryeowook will be holding his first solo concert from 19th to 21st February at the SMTOWN Theatre as part of the label’s “The Agit” concert series.

Ryeowook proved that he’s a charming little prince in a series of new teaser images for his upcoming album, “The Little Prince”.

Check out the teaser images in the gallery below:

Accorrding to AKP, the title track is the same name as his album. It is described as a “unique ballad song about a man who’s going through a hard time because of love”. Its lyrics also represent “a conversation between the man and the little prince”.

It is unclear how many songs will be included in the album, but are you excited about Ryeowook’s solo debut? Which Super Junior member do you think will debut as a solo artiste too? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.

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#IlluminateWorldTour: Shawn Mendes To Hold First Concert In Singapore This December

Get excited fans, cause Shawn Mendes is looking forward to treat you better.

The multi-platinum singer-songwriter has just announced his Southeast Asian leg this morning (Wednesday, 29th March) and Singapore has been included as one of the pit stops. The other Asian countries are: Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.

“The 18-year-old takes it to a new level on his 2nd album, coming off as a bona fide rock star. His guitar playing has advanced, his songwriting has matured and his vocals are crisp: This kid’s the real deal,” reads an excerpt from Associated Press.

Mendes, who recently did cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Kiss Me” with Camila Cabello, is touring in support of his sophomore album, “Illuminate”, which out in September last year. The album, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, has spawned hit singles such as “Treat You Better” and “Mercy”.

The details for Shawn Mendes’ “Illuminate World Tour” in Singapore are as follows:

General tickets are available at APACTix, but it’ll only go sale on 12th May at 10am. However, fans who have access to the ShawnAccess app are entitled for the special pre-sale beginning 5th May at 10am.


#ZoukOutSG: The “First Light” Official After Movie

ZoukOut 2014 (12th and 13th Dec) drew 50,000 revellers to Siloso Beach, Sentosa, making the largest turnout in its 14th year history!

Of the 50,000, the two-day festival that featured some of the biggest global acts alongside Singapore talent, saw 40% tourists from around the world, including visitors from neighbouring countries including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia (that’s us!), Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. No expense was sparred to deliver a world-class festival that delivered top-notch production of sound and visuals, and pyrotechnics, plus fringe activities along the sandy beach.

More than 25 artistes performed at the 2-day festival. Apart from its international line-up, ZoukOut also gave bigger play to local and regional talent. But if you missed it, fret not, the official ZoukOut 2014 “First Light” after movie was recently released. The video features some familiar faces and big names from the dance music circuit such as Steve Angello, Dannic, Above & Beyond, Showtek, Maya Jane Coles, Steve Aoki, and more.

Most importantly, it also features the official ZoukOut 2014 anthem, produced by our very own homegrown duo, Goldfish & Blink titled, “First Light”. You need to watch this:

Ah-may-zing, isn’t it? We saw this all happen as we were there too and we can’t wait for this year’s instalment already ;)

For more information, visit ZoukOut’s official Facebook page.


“Avengers: Age of Ultron”: Marvel Unveils New Character, the Vision

If there was a day that Marvel Studios enjoyed the most, it’d probably be Easter Day as the studio is known for dropping Easter eggs in Marvel’s cinematic universe. The Easter eggs have become a staple in Marvel’s movies to tease movie audiences with inside jokes and hints about the upcoming Marvel’s films.

If you haven’t noticed, the latest concept art poster for the upcoming “Avengers: Age of Ultron” also features this very tiny Easter egg. Which one, you ask?

That one! A fine transition from an intelligent system to a physical hero.

Marvel Studios confirmed that Paul Bettany has been selected to go from voicing over Iron Man’s intelligent system J.A.R.V.I.S to portraying this new character, the Vision. For those who aren’t sure about what expect from this new character, here are some of the things that you should know about the Vision in “Avengers: Age of Ultron”:

There are very little things known about the Vision in Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron”. However, we do know that it is somehow related to Iron Man’s intelligent system J.A.R.V.I.S. During an interview with Slash Film at SDCC 2014, the actor Paul Bettany revealed that both director and himself have discussed a lot about the evolution of his character and implied that J.A.R.V.I.S is “learning about the world at the exponential rate”. He also mentioned that the already sassy J.A.R.V.I.S will become more sassy in the film as well.

When Slash Film asked about Vision’s relationship with Tony Stark, the actor gave very vague details about it but answered that Vision feels paternal to a number of people in the film.

Since the creator of Ultron has been changed to Tony Stark in Marvel’s cinematic universe, the film now holds endless possibilities for Vision’s origin, especially his creator.

The Vision was originally created by Ant-Man‘s Ultron by gathering all the remains of the android Human Torch of the 1940s to fight against the Avengers. However, the Vision betrayed his own creator and helped the Avengers destroy Ultron. Since then, the Vision has become one of the Avengers and was later rebuilt by Tony Stark himself.

We can’t be certain about this but it seems like Weldon is trying to transform J.A.R.V.I.S into the Vision instead ever since he confirmed that Paul Bettany will be playing the role. The actor also mentioned in an interview that there’s a lot of distrust that has to be navigated by the Vision to make sure that the Avengers feel safe to have him around as their ally.

3. The relationship between Vision and Scarlet Witch

The introduction of the Vision had led us to believe that true love will bloom in the film as Vision and Scarlet Witch’s romance has been featured in the comic books. It is still too early to tell if both of the characters will get together in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” but we are certain that both of them will carry the storyline forward at some point in the film.

Die-hard comic fans will know how the relationship between Vision and Scarlet Witch also led a series of destruction as well especially during the loss of the twins that drove that Scarlet Witch insane. Regarding Vision’s relationship with Scarlet Witch, Paul Bettany mentioned in an interview that Vision is “protective” over her.

The Vision is known for his green skin suit and yellow cape but it seems like the Vision in the film will be wearing a white costume instead, as seen in the concept art poster. On top of that, Daily Mail reported that Paul Bettany was spotted visiting the set of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and had a white makeover much like the Vision’s chalk-white complexion as depicted in the 45th issue of “West Coast Avengers”.

In the comic’s plot, the Vision was captured and torn apart by some government agency controlled by Immortus. The Avengers managed to bring his torn pieces back to Ant-Man but the Ant-Man put him back together with a brand new costume instead. The Vision was stuck with this white look until the story got another reboot in the mid-90s.

It is not known why Vision is donning a white costume instead in the Marvel cinematic universe but that’s for us to find out once the film is released.

The Vision in the comic books has the ability to fly and change his density, enabling him to materialise at his own will. He also has the ability to emit deadly hot beams of infrared and microwave radiation through his forehead. However, Paul Bettany’s interview with Stash Film revealed that Vision will only discover his own abilities slowly after it’s created.

The actor also mentioned that the Vision is incredibly good at punching, so much so that it becomes his key power in the film.

“Avengers: Age of Ultron” is scheduled for a May 2015 release. It will be released in Malaysia on 23rd April 2015.

For more information, visit Marvel’s official website or Facebook page.

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Student Finds Rat’s Head In Canteen Breakfast

A secondary school student from Rui’an, China, discovered a tiny rat’s head in his breakfast of glutinous rice given out at his school. The photo of his discovery has gone viral on micro-blogging site Weibo, with many Chinese netizens expressing horror at the gruesome discovery.

The rat’s head was roughly the size of an adult’s last fingernail, according to Chinese news reports.

Rui Xiang Secondary School’s principal, Mr Weng Heng Xuan, told Beijing Times that when authorities came to conduct checks in the school on 7th May, they found a jaw from a large-sized rat that looked like it had been baked. Food safety authorities have confiscated the batch of dried mushrooms and glutinous rice from the school for further investigations.

A food safety official told Chinese reporters the rat’s head likely came together with the dried mushrooms which the canteen had ordered from a supplier. He also mentioned that they found a bone in the batch of mushrooms, but have yet to identify which animal it came from.

Authorities have also conducted checks on the dried mushroom supplier, but did not find traces of rat in their goods. However, they confiscated a batch of chopped dried mushrooms as they found traces of mud, plastic, and insects in them.


#TheMalaysianInsider: News Portal Blocked By MCMC For “National Security” Reasons

There is a reason why Celcom, U Mobile, and UniFi service users are unable to have access to The Malaysian Insider (TMI) news portal. Access to TMI has been blocked by several Internet providers following a ban for “national security” reasons.

Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) enforcement chief Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin confirmed the ban yesterday in a text message to TMI informing them that “we will issue a statement”.

TMI was alerted about the ban when some readers using Celcom and Unifi complained about being unable to log into the news portal. When trying to enter the site, users were forwarded to the MCMC page stating that the website “is unavailable in Malaysia as it violates the National laws”, The Star reported.

In a statement released by MCMC, it stated that the ban was enforced following a TMI article that allegedly violated Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, which deals with improper use of network facilities or network service.

“The block was implemented by the MCMC based in complaints and information received from the public. MCMC would like to remind news portals not to distribute or publish articles that have not been verified. This action can cause confusion and result in unwanted situations,” the statement read.

Happy 8th Birthday @tm_insider ! MCMC suggesting you take the day off. They could have at least sent you a cake.

— Premesh Chandran (@premesh) February 25, 2016

TMI, which turned 8 yesterday, is still accessible for those using other telco carriers such as Maxis and Digi.

Previously, Sarawak Report’s website was blocked in July 2015 following alleged statements that were deemed “detrimental to national security”, Free Malaysia Today reported.

Sources: The Star Online, Malay Mail Online, Malaysia Kini, The Malaysian Insider.


#BladeRunner: Harrison Ford Returns For A Sequel Without Ridley Scott

It’s official – Ridley Scott will not be directing the sequel to his 1982 masterpiece “Blade Runner”.

Harrison Ford will return to reprise his role as Rick Deckard in the “Blade Runner” sequel, while “Prisoners” director Denis Villeneuve is in negotiations to direct the sequel for Alcon Entertainment. Written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, the sequel is scheduled to start principle photography in the summer of 2016.

The story takes places a couple of decades after the conclusion of the 1982 original, which focus on a man (Ford) working as blade runner who was tasked with chasing down machines replicants.

Alcon Entertainment gained the rights to Blade Runner in 2011 with the intention of making both prequels and sequels to the iconic science-fiction thriller. Bud Yorkin is set to be the producer on the sequel along with Alcon co-founders Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson, while Frank Giustra and Tim Gable, CEOs of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers.

“We are honored that Harrison is joining us on this journey with Denis Villeneuve, who is a singular talent, as we experienced personally on Prisoners,” Kosove and Johnson said in a joint statement. “Hampton and Michael, with Ridley Scott, have crafted a uniquely potent and faithful sequel to one of the most universally celebrated films of all time, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with this amazing, creative team.”

Villeneuve is also the Oscar-nominated director of “Incendies.” He most recently helmed Jake Gyllenhaal in “Enemy.” His next film “Sicario” stars Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benecio Del Toro. and opens nationwide on September 18th.

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#CaptainAmerica: New Comic Series Reveals Shocking Truth About Steve Rogers (Warning: Spoilers)

Comic book fans, we have some really, really bad news for you.

We know that Captain America aka Steve Rogers walked away as a less-than-glorified hero in “Captain America: Civil War“, but it is nothing compared to this twist Marvel has just unleashed on all comic book enthusiasts.

Warning: Spoilers up ahead! Don’t read if you don’t want your comic book experience to be ruined!

“Captain America: Steve Rogers #1”, the new Captain America comic book series, was released yesterday (Wednesday, 25th May) and it is already offending thousands of fans worldwide as the fan favourite was revealed as one of the bad guys.

Captain America has secretly been a HYDRA agent since he was a kid. He even murdered Jack Flag, an alliance of the Captain, before declaring his allegiance to the terrorist organisation.

And no, Marvel is not softening the twist.

Marvel’s executive editor, Tom Brevoort, said:

(He is) actually Steve Rogers, not a duplicate or a clone or a robot or anything like that.

The writer of the aforementioned comic book, Nick Spencer, has also confirmed the fact.

Rick Remender, who was the previous writer on Captain America, had been building towards this story of Hydra having infiltrated various institutions of government and various super teams. (…) It was really obvious straight away that there’s nobody who could do more damage and nobody that could be a more valuable Hydra plant than Steve Rogers.

To make things worse, Brevoort has also said that this twist “is only the tip of it”.

We don’t know about you, but comic book fans worldwide are reeling in shock as Captain America was more than a comic book hero, he was a symbol of strength and beacon of hope for many people of the US.

We do hope that future issues of the Marvel comic will rectify the disappointment, but well, it’s just wishful thinking on our part :(


Interview: LANY’s Frontman Paul Klein On New Album “Mama’s Boy” & More

LANY has unveiled 4 of their singles that will be featured in their new album, “Mama’s Boy”, on streaming platforms; giving fans a sneak-peek of what’s to come.

The long awaited album by the indie-pop band is expected to release in 1 week (2nd October), and it touches on the perspective of being emotionally aware while making peace with one’s feelings.

We got the chance to interview LANY’s frontman Paul Klein on the upcoming album “Mama’s Boy” and one of its substantial singles “You!”.

1. What’s the direction for this album (compared to “Malibu Nights”)?

It’s so much broader and bigger. There are 14 tracks that are about 14 different things and I think that’s going to really help us reach more people.

2. What’s the story behind the name “Mama’s Boy”? Are you and the rest of the guys all mama’s boys?

We’re all mama’s boys. One thing is we haven’t really talked about where we’re from. People thought we’re from California but we’re from Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas which is in the middle of the country and we kind of want to tap into that. (Plus) Mama’s boy is a very American phrase.

Also, if you are a mama’s boy, you’re pretty in touch with your feelings and emotions, and you’re okay with that, and can articulate those things. I think that is super indicative of who we are and who we have been.

3. Which song was the hardest to write emotionally in “Mama’s Boy” ?

Probably, “I Still Talk To Jesus” or “If This Is the Last Time”. I started writing “I Still Talk To Jesus” in January 2019 and I didn’t wrap that song until September. I just know that it’s going to be an important song in my life and my career.

Of course, “If This Is the Last Time” is such a difficult song to write when you’re thinking of saying goodbye to your parents or your loved ones. I think that song will really stand the test of time. Talking about goodbyes and the last words you say to the people you love will never go out of style.

I was listening to ‘Yellow’ by Coldplay, I love this song, it is still famous 20 years later. It stood the test of the time like, why haven’t we tried to write our version of ‘Yellow’? I’m not exactly sure what ‘Yellow’ is about other than it’s a song about love.

So, we wrote ‘You!’ to write a song that felt universal which isn’t pigeonholed into physical attributes- it’s way broader. The song is about love and it can be about anything that you love.

5. Was the children’s choir in the latter half of “You!” planned or improvised?

It was actually an idea from our manager, which is really really cool. He understood the grandiose nature of where the song is headed and how epic it was. It’s a subtle thing that happens in the third chorus but you really feel the lift of energy and it’s a beautiful moment on the album.

6. What’s the significance behind you rocking that dress in the (“You!”) music video?

There wasn’t any particular statement I wanted to make but I was like ‘I wanna wear a dress!’. I talked to the guy who helps me style our music videos and we decided to go for more of the 1960s vintage dress and feel. I thought it looked cool, and it matched the energy of the vibe in the video. I didn’t realise it was going to be such a hot topic. (laughs)

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“Star Wars” Screenwriter Explains Rose Tico’s 76-Second Appearance In “The Rise Of Skywalker”

After playing a major role in “The Last Jedi”, the character Rose Tico played by Kelly Marie Tran, surprised many “Star Wars” fans with her role and limited screen time in the recently-released “The Rise Of Skywalker”.

It’s no secret that many fans weren’t too fond of the character when she was first introduced, but even her haters think that her lack of presence in the latest instalment was a bit harsh. Now with the aid of one of the film’s screenwriters, we may be able to understand why Tico’s screen time was only 76 seconds.

According to the screenwriter, Chris Terrio, the reason for the decision was to focus more on Carrie Fisher’s character, General Leia Organa. Terrio explained, “One of the reasons that Rose has a few less scenes than we would like her to have, has to do with the difficulty of using Carrie’s footage in the way we wanted to.”

The 42-year-old emphasised that, “We wanted Rose to be the anchor at the rebel base who was with Leia. We thought we couldn’t leave Leia at the base without any of the principals who we love, so Leia and Rose were working together.”

The screenwriter concluded that, “As the process evolved, a few scenes we’d written with Rose and Leia turned out to not meet the standard of photorealism that we’d hoped for. The last thing we were doing was deliberately trying to sideline Rose.”

Still, many viewers can’t help but feel that director J.J. Abrams was deliberately trying to sideline the work done by Rian Johnson in “The Last Jedi”. The actress has yet to give a comment about her character being sidelined.


Nabila Razali Responds To Fans Shipping Her With K-Clique’s MK

Have you watched the music video for Nabila Razali’s latest single titled “Peluang Kedua”? For those who don’t know, K-Clique member MK also makes an appearance as the singer’s love interest in the clip.

Upon seeing these two talented stars’ strong chemistry portrayed in the video, many fans have been shipping Nabila and MK together. So what does the “Akademi Fantasia” alum has to say about this?

In an interview with mStar, the “Kebaya Kasut Canvas” actress said that she, as well as the rest of the team involved, have done their best in conveying the message in the music video. Nabila further remarked that she’s happy with the immense amount of response received from music lovers.

When asked about fans’ desire to see the on-screen romance play out in real life, Nabila responded by saying that she isn’t ruling out any possibility. She shared, “I can’t say anything when it comes to my love life. I understand that a lot of people adore our on-screen chemistry in the “Peluang Kedua” MV. For me, it’s our responsibility to carry out the message, and I think MK has done a very good job.”

Ever since it was uploaded on YouTube back in August, the clip has gained over 21 million views online! For those interested, watch the full music video for “Peluang Kedua” here:

So what do you guys think of these two celebs together as a couple? Yay or nay?


#SuicideSquad: Many Scenes Involving Joker Were Cut Out, Says Jared Leto

The Joker fans, if you were planning on watching “Suicide Squad” just to get glimpses of your beloved character, we would suggest that you read this article first.

Jared Leto has revealed that many scenes involving The Joker were cut out from the movie, as director of the movie, David Ayer, and editor John Gilroy thought the scenes were not pivotal for the story line.

When questioned by French website Telestar, Leto said:

“There are a lot of scenes that didn’t make it to the final film. And hopefully they’ll see the light of day…who knows?”

Ayer also confirmed the fact in an interview with Collider, however, the helmer of the film declined to name any scenes. When asked whether the sequence involved The Joker and Harley Quinn, he only said “maybe”.

“We have a chunk (of deleted scenes) there’s definitely over 10 minutes of material on there. But this cut of the movie is my cut, there’s no sort of parallel universe version of the movie, the released movie is my cut. And that’s one of the toughest things about writing, shooting, and directing a film, is you end up with these orphans and you f**king love them and you think they’d be amazing scenes and do these amazing things but the film is a dictatorship (laughs), not a democracy, and just because something’s cool and charismatic doesn’t mean it gets to survive in the final cut. The flow of the movie is the highest master.”

There also won’t be an extended cut of the movie like “Batman v Superman: Ultimate Edition”, but ‘fret not. The deleted scenes will be included in the Blu-ray, so prepare to feast your eyes on The Joker then ;)

If you haven’t watch the movie yet, here’s our spoiler-free review and some fun facts to prep you for it.

“Suicide Squad” was released in Malaysia on 4th August and is currently available at all major cinemas.

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

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2013 Asia Super Showcase In Malaysia PC ft. AOA

Jointly organized by Marctensia Concerts and Universal Music  Malaysia, supported by Ministry of Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), the “Asia Super Showcase in Malaysia” is back again after its first successful run in December 2012!

The “2013 Asia Super Showcase in Malaysia” will be bringing a star-studded line-up: Girls’ Generation, AOA, and Shinhwa.

Form by S.M. Entertainment in 2007, Girls’ Generation is a South Korean girl group also referred to as SoShi or SNSD. They have recently released their fourth Korean album, “I Got A Boy” in January 2013. Girls’ Generation made their debut in Malaysia in March 2012 at KLCC, which attracted a massive number of fans. Malaysian SONE (as Girls’ Generation’s fans are lovingly called) would not want to miss this chance to catch their favourite girls again in Kuala Lumpur this coming May as they perform an array of their biggest hits!

Additionally, Malaysian K-pop fans must also not forget to give a warm welcome to “Ace of Angels” aka AOA, a South Korean idol girl group and band produced by FNC Entertainment. AOA made their debut in South Korea with their single album, “Angel’s Story” on 30th July 2012.

The girls made a special appearance at the 2013 Asia Super Showcase in Malaysia press conference yesterday, where they enthusiastically greeted members of the media and fans alike for the very first time:

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

Anyone else can’t wait to see AOA perform live at the “2013 Asia Super Showcase in Malaysia” next month?

The “2013 Asia Super Showcase in Malaysia” will be happening on 12th May 2013 (Sunday) at Stadium Merdeka, KL at 8pm. Tickets are priced at RM223, RM323 (free seating), RM353, RM453 (free standing), and VIP (numbered seating).

Check out more exclusive pictures from the press conference in our gallery!

For more information, hit up Marctensia Concerts’ Facebook page or their Facebook event page.


#INFINITE: Idol Group Begins Comeback Countdown With First Teaser Image

What a way to celebrate the month of July!

After SM Entertainment announced that Girls’ Generation will be making a comeback with a new studio album this month, Woollim Entertainment announced that INFINITE is ready for a comeback as well. Prior to INFINITE’s comeback, the talent agency teased the boys’ comeback concept by releasing the first teaser image that featured all 7 members of the group.

On Wednesday (1st July), Woollim posted the teaser image on multiple social networking sites and shared a link to the website for the boys’ upcoming comeback. The text in the teaser image, which reads “Reality”, seems to suggest that it will be the title of their new album. The talent agency also plastered a connect-the-dots image on their infamous “infinity” logo as well.

A music industry official earlier revealed that the boy group has been recording songs for their new album and are undergoing preparations for their 2nd world tour, “2015 INFINITE 2nd WORLD TOUR – INFINITE Effect”. The tour will kick off on 8th and 9th August 2015 at the Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium in Seoul.

Similar to their 1st world tour “One Great Step”, the group will be touring around the world to perform for their fans. The tour schedule has yet to be released.

The new album release will mark INFINITE’s first comeback in a year. The members have been focusing on their solo activities since releasing “Be Back” as a group in July 2014.

Earlier in May, leader Sunggyu made his solo comeback with his 2nd solo album titled “27” while Hoya and Dongwoo made a comeback as hip hop duo INFINITE H with their 2nd album titled “Fly High” in January. INFINITE F (made up of members Sungyeol, L, and Sungjong) also made their Korean debut with a single album titled “Azure” last December.

L is currently starring in SBS drama “The Time We Were Not In Love” and Sungjong recently joined the line-up of MBC’s popular military training program “Real Men”.

Do you think INFINITE will drop by Malaysia as part of their world tour? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Italiannies’ The Best Of Classics With Bongga Bongga

Tap your feet to the steady rock beat and expect a night full of laughter at Italiannies Empire Shopping Gallery this Friday (26th October 2012) with the “Kung ho”-ness of  Bongga Bongga. Leave all your workplace blues at the office and enjoy a good old time with great sounds.

Formed since 2008, these veterans play  dreamy acoustics to a mind boggling rock till you drop sets, covering classic and popular chart hits from the 60s to present. Together with their crazy wits and jokes, Bongga Bongga guarantees you a catchy, authentic and unforgettable night.

Bongga Bongga comprises of Sherman who is the lead vocalists, Arab on acoustic guitar, and Mark on percussions and drums. Good times are meant to be shared. So bring your family and friends along and revive back those good memories with Bongga Bongga at Italiannies. A’more di Merrier!

Venue: Italiannies, Empire Shopping Gallery

For more information, visit Italiannies’ Facebook page or Bongga Bongga’s Facebook page.


Hype’s Now Playing: CNBLUE – Cinderella

Because members of South Korean rock band CNBLUE are falling head-over-heels in love with a mysterious woman in the music video for their latest single, “Cinderella” ;)

The 4-member rock band has finally made their triumphant return to Korean music scene with “2gether”, their 2nd full-length album. The album marks their first Korean comeback since the release of mini album “Can’t Stop” in February 2014. A total of 11 songs are included in “2gether”, with Whee In of MAMAMOO featuring in one of the songs called “Domino”.

The complete track list for “2gether” is as follows:

As for “Cinderella”, it is a highly anticipated track because CNBLUE’s talent agency FNC Entertainment has been keeping fans on their toes by releasing a bunch of teaser images and videos since last week. The song, which was written by leader Jung Yong Hwa, is “a rock song that has a disco feel”. It is also the title track for their new album.

The music video for the song shows members of the band falling in love with the same mysterious woman. However, similar to Cinderella from the classic fairy tale, she vanishes from their sight when the clock strikes 12, leaving behind a shiny high heel.

Check out the music video for “Cinderella” below:

To promote “2gether”, the members are said to have participated in a recording for an upcoming episode of MBC’s hilarious idol variety show, “Weekly Idol”. The show is highly anticipated by fans as CNBLUE and MC Jung Hyung Don are meeting on broadcast for the first time since Hyung Don’s signing with FNC Entertainment.

MBC is expected to air this particular episode around mid September.

For more information, visit CNBLUE’s official Facebook page.


A Splash Of Orange With Glenmorangie

Glenmorangie makes orange everyone’s favourite colour.

TheGlenmorangie Orange Party makes a comeback with a bang! The well loved single malt whisky, Glenmorangie, threw its second Orange Party for the year at Soju Kuala Lumpur and stuck to its tradition by making the night a celebration of all things ‘Unnecessarily Well Made’.

As party goers arrived at Soju Kuala Lumpur, they were greeted by an orange man on stills and a man wearing a whiskey cask, both displaying ADA codes that revealed details of the party that awaited them inside. The night’s activities included a Glenmorangie photo booth exclusively set up to capture moments of excitement of each guest, giving them a printout as a keepsake from the night.

Hosted by Jeremy Teo, guests and fans of the single malt whisky stepped into a creatively stimulating 3-D journey of the Glenmorangie Distillery in Scotland. The artistic tour was made possible through a special collaboration with local artistic talent Ms. Haze Long, a 3-D illustration specialist. Another highlight of the night was that each art piece featured the location of hidden ADA codes interspersed on each of the 3-D art pieces with snippets of information about the iconic House of Glenmorangie.

Apart from indulging on Glenmorangie with a splash of water and ice, guests were offered the Glenmorangie Zest Serve − a distinct highlight at Glenmorangie parties that infuses tangerine to complement the notes of vanilla and citrus zest of Glenmorangie The Original.

The night was made even more fun with Soju’s resident DJs kicking things off before DJ Alexis G took to the decks at midnight. Amidst the dancing crowd, attendees were put to the test to recreating the 17 feet tall stills at the Glenmorangie Distillery in a Black Tower Challenge.

Always promising an experience like no other, Glenmorangie never fails to live up to its ‘Unnecessarily Well Made’ philosophy. Check out the photo gallery below for more pictures from the Glenmorangie Orange Party at Soju Kuala Lumpur.

Follow Glenmorangie Malaysia Facebook page for updates and further details.

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#BlurredLines: Robin Thicke & Pharrell Williams Lose Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit

On Tuesday (10th March), a Los Angeles jury decided that Robin Thicke and Pharrell copied a 1977 Marvin Gaye song in recording their 2013 hit “Blurred Lines”. According to Rolling Stone, Robin Thicke noticeably ripped off Marvin Gaye’s 1977 hit “Got to Give It Up” when he wrote the smash hit “Blurred Lines” with Pharrell Williams and T.I.

As such, both Robin and co-songwriter Pharrell must “award” Gaye’s family a whopping total of USD7.3 million as part of the ruling.

Strangely, Robin and Pharrell’s lawyer had previously asked the jury:

Why would Mr. Williams need to copy anyone to create a hit?

The verdict puts to rest over a year’s worth of legal drama (since August 2013) between Robin Thicke and Marvin Gaye’s estate, in which the latter sought USD25 million in damages, citing portions of the publishing, the profit from the song, and record company overhead.

After the case was concluded, a spokesperson for Pharrell told Rolling Stone:

While we respect the judicial process, we are extremely disappointed in the ruling made today, which sets a horrible precedent for music and creativity going forward. Pharrell created “Blurred Lines” from his heart, mind and soul and the song was not taken from anyone or anywhere else. We are reviewing the decision, considering our options and you will hear more from us soon about this matter.

“Blurred Lines” was the No. 1 song on Billboard’s 2013 year-end US pop songs chart.

Representatives for Thicke and Gaye’s estate were not immediately available for comment.


(Photos) Taco Bell Sunway Pyramid Debuts; Puchong & USJ Opening Soon

Following the launch of Taco Bell Wangsa Maju, Taco Bell Malaysia has finally launched its 6th outlet in Sunway Pyramid! Residents of Bandar Sunway can finally satisfy their crave-able Mexican-inspired cuisine without having to travel too far.

“The management at Sunway Pyramid, led by Eric Tee the Senior Leasing Manager, has been nothing but supportive in making this partnership truly successful. We continue to be humbled by the amazing reception we’ve received since we opened in Malaysia,” said Harris Beh, Taco Bell Malaysia’s Principal Franchise Operator.

Similar to all the other restaurants in Klang Valley, the newly-opened outlet in Sunway Pyramid boasts a Californian vibe that gets patrons in the right mood to enjoy the unique Mexican-inspired cuisine. What sets this particular venue apart from the rest is the opportunity to enjoy your meal while overlooking the Sunway Lagoon theme park.

The Taco Bell menu is customisable to fit any customer’s preferences. The proteins they offer are seasoned ground beef, seasoned ground chicken, grilled chicken, and even black beans for vegetarians! If you need help with food recommendations, check this out.

We can also officially announce that Taco Bell Malaysia will be opening its next 2 outlets in Puchong and USJ in the near future ;)


#GoT: Rave of Thrones In Australia!

Calling all members of team Hodor! Are you ready for a “Game of Thrones“-themed rave party in Australia?

By now, we assume you already know that the fictional character Hodor is in fact DJ Kristian Nairn in real life. Despite uttering only a single word in the HBO hit fantasy series “Game of Thrones“, Nairn speaks perfectly fine in real life and we are pretty sure he won’t only repeatedly yell “Hodor” at you should you ever come face-to-face with the formidable actor.

As a well-established DJ in his homeland, Nairn has been traveling around the world way before he became Hodor in the series. As the series has become wildly successful, the DJ has decided to launch a “Game of Thrones” themed rave party in Australia next month.

DJ Nairn will kick off his Australian tour “Rave of Thrones” from August 28 onwards until September 7. The organiser has stated in a press release that DJ Nairn is set to showcase some of the “deepest house from all 7 kingdoms” in 6 capital cities across Australia.

But of course, what’s a rave party in Westeros without a strict dress code?

Rave-goers are expected to dress themselves in medieval-inspired clothing, especially in “a manner that would befit Queen Cersi herself”. It is safe to say that the rave party will be transformed into he finest halls of Westeros instead of that “Red Wedding” that traumatized all of us.

Oh man we gotta say that this is definitely an occasion to drink to!

Sydney artist EGO is set to perform a special visual GoT-themed set with DJ Nairn, with a range of surprise guests and garnishing to enhance the show. The full tour dates have been released so check out if he’s going to perform at your city!

Meanwhile, the directors and locations for the upcoming Season 5 of “Game of Thrones” have been more or less confirmed. We know we’re itching for the production to hurry on up and start already! Perhaps they’ll reveal Jon Stark’s true parentage?

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It’s A Boy For The Angel!

“I am having a boy!”, she exclaimed with sheer excitement.

It’s official and it’s true, one of the world’s most famous Victoria’s Secret Angels is going to have a gorgeous baby boy. In December 2011, not long after she worked the runway for the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, 30-year-old Alessandra Ambrosio revealed that she was indeed expecting her second child.

And now she is only five weeks away from giving birth. Oh how time flies!

When asked, Alessandra gushed, “Because I already have a daughter, Anja, I know what to expect with a girl. So having a boy means it’s going to be surprising all over again. My fiancé is so excited. Now he has company! He won’t be in a house full of girls anymore!”

“I have wanted a boy for a long time. It’s the best news! But the hardest part is picking a name for him. I want something that works well in both Portugese and English. It can’t be too American or my grandmother won’t be able to pronounce it!”

And who better to help her pick out names than her adorable little daughter, 3-year-old Anja.

We’re pretty sure that little Anja will do more than just picking out names – we already know that’s she’s super excited about taking on the role as the responsible big sister to her future baby brother.

Alessandra and family are currently busy prepping for the new arrival. And us? We just can’t wait to see pictures of the beautiful family when the time comes!


Hype’s Exclusive: Turning It Up With VMPRMYTH

Independent, experimental multi-genre producer, rapper and singer-songwriter, Mustaqim Ariffin who goes by his stage name VMPRMYTH has released a string of singles since early 2010. Spotting a chest thumping and menacing style of sound, his latest track Glass Ceiling is from his upcoming debut album Ill-Made.

Apart from his individual music production, he is also the co-founder of MUSCLE/MACHINE, JSTN PWRS. Taking on various musical styles with their delta-blue inspired track Temptation and hip hop track Good Girl, VMPRMYTH is the one to watch!

How did you come up with the name VMPRMYTH?

I’m a Twilight fan and I am on Team Edward!

What kind of music did you listen to growing up?

I was shielded from MTV with the exception of Michael Jackson for most of my childhood. My sisters used to blast everything alternative from the 90’s and my dad was big on all kinds of world/folk music. My own musical journey had a lot of Deftones, Silverchair, Pac and Biggie.

Who were your major influences growing up?

Andre 3000, Tom Waits, Daniel Johns, Kanye West were and still are very fundamental to my own personal taste.

Why did you choose to get involved in Hip-Hop?

Why not Hip-Hop? It’s one of the few art forms that knowingly borrows from any other art form but constantly reinvents itself, while giving the artist a strong, verbal platform to express themselves. I can’t say the same for many other styles of music.

Probably 13. I still remember that guitar riff… puts me in between pride and making me cringe haha.

If you could collaborate with one artist, who would it be?

Flying Lotus. I think he’d see where I’m coming from.

What is your favourite thing about performing?

Just having a sick crowd that’s taken time out of their busy schedules to show you some love.

You are the co-founder of Muscle/Machine. Tell us more about that.

I wouldn’t be the musician I am today if it weren’t for Aren aka JSTN PWRS. Not everyone is lucky enough to meet someone who understands the core of what you do and helps develop it. We’re planning to release an instrumental mixtape within the coming months.

There are a number of projects and collaborations in the works which I am very excited about. As for now, people can expect my EP to drop early next year. I think it might turn some heads, especially sound geeks.

Listen to Glass Ceiling by VMPRMYTH here:

For more updates on VMPRMYTH, check out his Facebook page.

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Malaysians Take Charge, Debunks Lazy Myth

Fitness First Malaysia, the world’s largest privately owned health club group, launched International Fitness Week 2013, a global initiative to raise awareness of the importance of a fit and healthy lifestyle.

This worldwide movement ran from 11th to 17th March 2013 and encompassed a week-long calendar of activities aimed at educating and encouraging Malaysians to get moving and kick start their health and fitness regime. Each of the 13 Fitness First clubs hosted different activities, allowing both Fitness First members as well as members of the public to visit the clubs around the Klang Valley and experience the various classes and exercises offered.

The week started off with an Assessment Day, allowing people to evaluate their current fitness level.  This was followed by a variety of daily activities, such as FreestyleTM Training sessions, BODYJAM® and ZUMBA® dance classes. The week came to a close with a Rest and Relaxation Day, which offered a calming outdoor yoga session after the week’s spirited activities.

Throughout the entire week, Fitness First Malaysia opened their doors to more than 15,000 participants, showing that Malaysians are starting to get serious about their health and fitness.

International Fitness Week 2013 might be over, but this is just the beginning of the journey towards a healthier and fitter lifestyle for all Malaysians.  It’s never too late to start exercising, visit any of Fitness First’s 13 clubs in Malaysia to meet their experienced and certified team of fitness professionals.

For more information, visit the International Fitness Week’s website or hit up Fitness Fist Malaysia’s website.


Levito Drops His Stunning Remix Of Passenger’s “Let Her Go”

Levito shows gratitude after having reached 15,000 fans on his Facebook page by releasing a stunning remix of Passenger’s “Let Her Go”. Hailing from Poland, Levito digs his claws into the beautiful and heartwarming ballad piece by Passenger.

Keeping bits and pieces of the pure vocals of Passenger’s Michael David Rosenberg, accompanied by a faint “We Will Rock You” rhythmic sequence, Levito instils his own personal mix of melodic progressions into the track. Featuring a fast-paced rhythmic sequence that flows in and out of the softer, and more delicate segments, Levito’s remix captures a pleasant balance between the two extremes.

Check out Levito’s remix of “Let Her Go” here.