Hype’s Exclusive: A Coffee Conversation with Eric Nam

From being part of the Soompi coomunity to joining MBC’s singing competition to being a K-Pop star, Eric Nam has come a long away to be what he has always wanted to be – a singer. As a Korean-American, it wasn’t easy for him to become a K-Pop star but he believed in what he was doing and never let the obstacles to stop him. Thus, he began posting his own cover videos on Youtube channel and was discovered by MBC to join their singing competition “Birth of A Great Star 2”.

Since then, his life of being a singer in Korean entertainment industry kicked off with much fanfare, judging by the amount of fans that he has from all around the globe.

Music aside, Eric has been active on TV as a co-host and a reporter for MBC’s “After School Club” and “Session TV”. Due to his sense of humour and fun personality, he gained a huge following from people around the world including Malaysia. All thanks to M.E Malaysia, we were lucky enough to have a quick afternoon chat with him at Ministry of Coffee in Solaris Mont Kiara, KL before he performed for his first-ever showcase, “F.Y.I. On Stage with Eric Nam” in Malaysia.

Through the interview, we learned a little more about him: his obsession with coffee, his guilty pleasure songs, and his stage fright. Eric also got a taste of being a barista as he tried to make a cup of coffee during our interview. Here’s what went down during our coffee conversation:

H: Hi Eric, welcome to Malaysia! I heard this is your first time to have a showcase here! How’s Malaysia treating you so far?

E: Thank you so much! Everybody is just so nice and very warm welcoming, very accommodating so it has been very nice and awesome to meet my fans to have lots of fun.

H: Well, did you receive a warm welcome from the fans at the airport?

E: Yes, at the airport! I’ve been meeting the fans at the signing event and everyone was just so excited and I’ve been asked if I am more excited to see them.

H: Are you surprised that there are so many fans of yours in Malaysia?

E: Yes, yes. It’s been lot of people and big response and I know a lot of people were even studying for exams but they took their time to meet me so you know, it means a lot to me.

H: Okay so, your latest single “Ooh Ooh”, it sounds pretty different from the songs you’ve performed in the past. Just wondering, is there a reason why you wanted to try this new genre instead of other music genres such as rock music, etc?

E: You know, it’s just a fun genre and it’s the type of music that I like. There is a kind of “Bruno Mars” feel to it and I love Bruno Mars. Either way, it’s kind of like a merge to Bruno Mars’s songs and I kind of wanna do something that is different from the typical K-Pop scene and I tried to tie in more of a poppy sound with the Korean K-Pop sound. So, this song is the result of that. For me, I had a really good time making it and there are a lot of fun stuff to do so, yeah.

H: If you were given the chance to collaborate with Bruno Mars, what kind of songs would you want to produce with him (for example love song or break up song)?

E: Oh my gosh. Umm, if I could pick, I would do one really upbeat, fun song and then one ballad. I don’t know, whatever he wants to do, I will do. Haha! Because I think it would be a lot of fun and we would have a lot of great fun – I mean I am worse than he is. He’s just amazing. So to be able to work with him, it’s actually really good.

H: Everyone has their guilty listening pleasure, in terms of music. What’s your guilty pleasure in terms of music? Like songs you sing secretly in the bathroom?

E: I’ll admit, I’ve been listening to Taylor Swift’s songs. I think she’s a good songwriter.

H: Like her latest single, “Shake It Off”?

E: Yeah, I think she has good, fun, and catchy songs. Same with Katy Perry. What I’m amazed about them is that they have seemingly very simple melodies but they are incredibly catchy. So it’s a very, very easy to sing along to, but everybody knows them and it’s catchy. That’s very hard to do.

H: Okay now, let’s talk about your job as a TV co-host and reporter! You’re a co-host for MBC’s “After School Club” and Session TV (which started in April) and now “We Got Married”.  You’ve interviewed a lot of people, right? Do you still get nervous during the interview and do you still get stage fright while performing on stage?

E: I so do get nervous on stage. I don’t really get nervous interviewing people because I kind of go into the mentality of “just hanging out with friends, no big deal”. I think that helps because you know, they are just normal people and they just wanna have normal conversations. So, when you think about it from that perspective, I just don’t have that much pressure. If anything, I just to make sure that they feel comfortable and they get to say what they want to say.

E: I just do it. I just got to do it. There is no other real way to overcome it. I just got to run into it and do it.

H: You’ve mentioned in an interview that you wanted to do a travel or food-related show, right? Since you really like coffee, have you ever thought of doing a travel programme related to coffee, maybe you can travel around the world to try the best coffees?

E: Yeah. That would be awesome. That would be like a dream come true and it would be amazing. I don’t know if anybody would put that together, but I think it’s going to be a lot of fun if I were to do any type of food show, travel show, or something that I love. To think about it, I would probably gain a lot of weight too! Haha! But I think it would be okay if I were to host that show.

H: You know, I heard you are crazy over coffee (especially black coffee) – have you ever thought of being a barista?

E: You know, I’ve thought of it and I think it would be a lot of fun but I also know that being a barista is not easy. I like to make my own drinks at home, try out different combinations so it’s fun.

H: Then perhaps would wanna do a side business by opening your own coffee shop like what some of the idols have done in Korea?

E: I mean I do but right now, I am just too busy. I don’t have the proper mind to do that right now so maybe in the next two years, if I do well, that would be a goal of mine. That would be fun. I think.

H: You are quite concerned about the global issues and you were doing a non-profit charity work in India even before joining MBC’s “Birth of a Great Star”. Are there any charity project you are working on at the moment?

E: To be honest, I don’t, right now. I just don’t have the time. I really want to but if I want to do something, I want to be committed to it. I don’t want to go in and out, and just show up and not show up. That’s the hard part because that’s something I definitely wanted to take more time to do but my schedule wouldn’t allow it.

H: But you did do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

E: Yeah but you know, that’s not much. You donate to it, you do the challenge, you raise awareness. It’s all easy and fun but hopefully I have time to do some more on-ground activities in the future.

H: Ooh that’s nice :) Okay, my time is up now but thank you so much for the interview!

E: Okay! Thank you so much! Thank you :)

Once again, we would like to thank M.E Malaysia for the invites to Eric Nam’s showcase and special thanks to Ministry of Coffee for providing us the venue to interview! Don’t forget to check out our Facebook album and stay tuned for the official photos of the showcase at M.E Malaysia’s official Facebook page!

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#FantasticBeasts: Katherine Waterston Joins Cast As Female Lead

After much deliberation, Warner Bros. has finally found a female lead for their upcoming fantasy movie.

Earlier in May, it was rumoured that Kate Upton, Katherine Waterston, and Elizabeth Debicki were in the shortlist to play the female lead role in “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them“, a spin-off from the “Harry Potter” series. Now, it has been confirmed that one of the contenders, Waterston, will indeed be taking up the role of Tina, short for Porpetina. She will be starring opposite Eddie Redmayne, who will be playing Newt Scamander in the movie.

Greg Silverman, Warner Bros.’ president of creative development and worldwide production, said:

Katherine Waterston is a rising star, who was a revelation in our film “Inherent Vice”, earning the praise of both critics and audiences. We are thrilled to have her back in the Warner Bros. family, especially in one of our most anticipated titles for 2016, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”.

J. K. Rowling, author of the “Harry Potter” series and its spin-offs, also sounded off her approval on her Twitter account:

I couldn't be happier with our Tina: Katherine Waterston! #FantasticBeasts https://t.co/VSTUdGYUrF

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 15, 2015

Waterston’s character, Tina, is a “witch who operates in the U.S.” and will be playing a “pivotal role” in Scamander’s adventures in New York City. This fact is consistent with Rowling’s previous tweets, in which she hinted at a wizarding school which will be placed in the United States. This also indicates that the majority of the movie will take place in the U.S., as opposed to the original “Harry Potter” series, which took place in United Kingdom for the entire books and movies.

Warner Bros. has also revealed that Tina will be meeting Scamander when “he stops in New York City on his travels to find and document magical creatures”. Fans are speculating that Waterston’s character could be Scamander’s eventual wife, also named Tina, who was mentioned in the bio for the “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” book.

However, the studio has yet to find a suitable candidate for 2 other important roles in the movie, which are Queenie, the younger sister of Tina, and Jacob, Scamander’s rival. Variety reports that the studio is “looking for more established faces” for the upcoming spin-off movie, rather than newcomers, as was the case in the original “Harry Potter” movie series.

Director David Yates, who directed the last 4 “Harry Potter” movies, will be helming “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, based on a script by Rowling. The movie will revolve around Newt Scamander, a fictional magiczoologist who travels the world in order to document the natural behaviour and habitat of all magical creatures.

“Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for 17 years, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the “Harry Potter” series but an extension of the wizarding world,” Rowling explained.

The film, which is intended to be the first of a trilogy, will see its release in cinemas on 18th November 2016.

Sources: Entertainment Weekly, US Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety


The Power Of Plastic Surgery Gives The World A South Korean Miranda Kerr

As one of the biggest trends in Korea, it is not surprising that a young woman underwent plastic surgery to look like Australian model Miranda Kerr. This South Korean woman appeared on Martian Virus — a Korean entertainment show as a guest for looking like Miranda Kerr through plastic surgery. The South Korean clone of Miranda insisted that she only had work done on her eyes and nose.

The segment on Martian Virus followed the guest as she goes through her makeup ritual. Beginning with foundation before moving on to her eyebrows, she spends the most time on her eyes and stresses on her lips to round out the cosmetic portion. She then puts on her contact lenses as her final step to looking like Miranda.

Ashley Horn blows $25,000 on plastic surgery to look like her famous half sister Lindsay Lohan

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The xx To Bring Asia Tour To Kuala Lumpur In January 2018

2018 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for indie music fans. That’s because The xx will be visiting Malaysia for the first time ever!

London’s indie pop band – which consists of members Romy Madley Croft (guitar, vocals), Oliver Sim (bass, vocals) and Jamie Smith (beats, MPC, production) – have announced 7 dates for their “I See You Tour Asia” next year. Besides Kuala Lumpur, the trio will also be playing in Jakarta, Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila, Osaka, and Tokyo.

Since making their debut in 2005, the English act has rose from obscurity to gain a huge following. Well known for their intimate and minimalist musical style that fuses genres like indie pop, indie electronic, dream pop, and electronic rock, The xx has completed sold-out shows and headlining festivals around the world.

Their debut, “xx”, which produced hits such as “Heart Skipped A Beat”, “VCR”, “Islands”, and “Crystalised”, won them the 2010 Mercury Prize. The band’s sophomore album, “Coexist”, peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200. Earlier this year, The xx released their 3rd record, “I See You”, and it peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200.

Brought to you by Upfront Arena, the details to The xx’s “I See You Tour Asia: Live in Kuala Lumpur” show are as follows:

Tickets will go on sale starting 18th October at 10am via Ticketpro (all tickets subject to a ticketing fee of RM 4).


SO MAN Show: William So & Edmond Leung To Perform In Genting

Why settle for 1 when you can enjoy 2 talents? William So and Edmond Leung will be combining their music expertise to put on a spectacular show in Malaysia next month.

The title of their concert, “SO MAN Show”, is actually derived from their names – William So Wing Hong (蘇永康) and Edmond Leung Hon-man (梁漢文). The term “so man” also refers to a man’s masculinity. According to a press release though, the “SO MAN Show” seeks to focus on “life and love from a male perspective”.

Both singers are veterans in the Hong Kong entertainment industry. William and Edmond were also bandmates in the supergroup Band of Brothers. However, this marks the first time they are professionally performing as a duo.

William kicked off his career after emerging as a runner-up the “New Talent Singing Awards” in 1985. Since his 1989 debut album “Insomnia”, the 50-year-old star has gone on to act in numerous TV series (such as “Healing Hands”) and movie projects.

Edmond earned a contract with Capital Artists, after securing a spot as a finalist in 1989’s “New Talent Singing Awards”. Besides having success in films and TV, he also released over 30 albums! The 46-year-old entertainer was also the first male singer to receive both the Ultimate Top 10 Songs Award and the Ultimate Album at the Commercial Radio Hong Kong Ultimate Song Chart Awards.

Brought to you by Resorts World Genting, the details to William So & Edmond Leung’s “SO MAN Show” are as follows:

Genting Rewards Card (GRC) members will get to enjoy a standard 10% discount via cash or credit card, and Genting Points redemption, applicable on VIP to PS3 seats categories only. Tickets for children are priced at RM47.

For more information, call +603 2718 1118 or visit their website here.


#GhostbustersReboot: All-Female Cast Chosen + Release Date Confirmed

Last August, we wrote about a possible “Ghostbusters” reboot happening, or not happening. It was later confirmed in October that yes, it was definitely happening, but with a twist. The twist is that the reboot will include a feminine touch! And now, the all-new, all-female Ghostbusters are finally here!

It has been a difficult journey though as the reboot has endured a long development process. Original director Ivan Reitman was on board to return, but while original cast members Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson had agreed to reprise their characters, Bill Murray proved elusive. Ivan Reitman then bowed out of the project when Harold Ramis passed away last year.

Following Ivan Reitman’s departure, Paul Feig was approached to direct and re-conceived the project as a reboot starring an all-female cast.

Melissa McCarthy, who was already in talks for one of the leads, has signed on for the Paul Feig-directed reboot, and Sony is now negotiating with Kristen Wiig as well as Saturday Night Live players Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) January 27, 2015

Leslie Jones, who is currently onscreen in Chris Rock’s “Top Five”, joined SNL early last year and this fall was promoted to feature player status. Kate McKinnon, on the other hand, has been on SNL since 2012 and last year was nominated for an Emmy for her work. Negotiations are ongoing, but the quartet are expected to sign on as the spectre-seeking, poltergeist-punishing, phantom-phollowing foursome in the reboot, which is eyeing a summer shoot in New York.

The film is set for release on 22nd July 2016, Paul Feig confirmed via his Twitter account:

In other news, #Ghostbusters will be hitting theaters July 22, 2016. Save the date! — Paul Feig (@paulfeig) January 28, 2015

Honestly, we can’t even pretend that we’re not the least bit excited about this! Are you too? Let us know in the comments box below!

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Teacher From Sibu Drop In On Students With No Internet To Keep Lessons Going

With classrooms taking place online, students who lack internet access at home are sadly missing out on lessons.

However, a teacher from Sibu went out of her way to visit her pupils that had no internet, to make sure none of them are left behind in school.

Mujalifah Kassim, or Cikgu Muja, goes to her students’ house every Friday to check and mark their homework. The 39-year-old Bahasa Malaysia teacher told Harian Metro that she has been doing this since the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced the closure of schools from 9th November to 18th December.

Cikgu Muja said that she took the initiative due to the absence of smartphones, laptops and internet access among rural students residing outside Sibu Jaya. The SMK Sibu Jaya teacher stated, “I don’t want them to feel left out because of that. Hopefully, by going to their houses, this will give them some motivation to continue studying, despite not having complete facilities or equipment to attend online classes.”

The heartwarming story of Cikgu Muja went viral after a former student of hers took a photo of her teaching at the front gate. As the photo went around, she said that she didn’t expect netizens to question why families would let her stay outside in the hot weather.

However, the teacher insisted that she has personally rejected their invitations to enter their homes, further adding, “It’s because I don’t have to take a lot of time when marking, checking and commenting on my students’ homework.” She added that it’s better the way it is, since she has to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Ministry of Health (MOH), despite being in a green zone.

Her story proves that a teacher’s sacrifice to impart their knowledge onto their students shouldn’t go unnoticed. Thank you, Cikgu Muja!

Sources: Harian Metro, Siakap Keli Facebook Page.


There Is A Musang King Marathon Happening On 17th & 24th August

Who’s craving for more durian? Seeing as how the durian season is still going strong, Matrix Concepts is organising the Musang King Marathon this month.

The first event is set to take place tomorrow (Saturday, 17th August) while the 2nd event is scheduled to take place the following week on 24th August (also a Saturday).

Besides being treated to free delicious durian, other tropical fruits – like rambutan, mangosteen, coconut, and more – will also be up for grabs. Dessert lovers will be happy to know that durian ice cream will also be available.

Since this is a family event, parents are encourage to bring their kids. Here are some of the exciting activities that visitors can enjoy together:

Hosted by Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad, the details to the Musang King Marathon events are as follows:


Groupon’s World Food Programme Campaign

Groupon, the global pioneer and leader in social e-commerce, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, are launching a daily deal across Southeast Asia to support the empowerment of girls in Asia through school meals programmes.

From 25th March until 5th April 2013, Groupon will call on the general public to help provide a child with WFP school meals for four weeks and with a monthly ration to take home. 100% of donations go directly to WFP’s School Meals Programmes, implemented in 14 countries in Asia, including five countries in  Southeast Asia.

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Poverty and tradition often exclude girls from education; more than 36 million primary school-aged girls around the world don’t attend school. Combating hunger among children helps to improve school performance, close the gender gap in schools and empower girls by increasing their chances to have a brighter future.

One nutritious meal a day promotes regular attendance, as a poor family needs to provide one less meal per day for their children, and also offsets the cost of education. WFP seeks to increase the percentage of girls going to school through targeted interventions, such as take-home rations, which are given to girls in return for regular school attendance and which benefit the entire family.

It only costs US$0.25 to feed a child a school meal per day, so every donation makes a difference. To contribute to WFP for this initiative, click!

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Woman Recovers From Coma After Listening To Jay Chou’s Music

Music works wonders. Just ask this Jay Chou (周杰倫) fan.

Recently, a young Chinese woman from central China miraculously regain conscious from a 4-month coma. The source? It was through the healing powers of music, particularly Jay Chou’s pop songs.

According to a report by Wuhan Evening News via South China Morning Post, a 24-year-old woman suffered a brain dysfunction due to lack of oxygen. As a result, she fell into coma in November 2017. Her condition did not improve much. In fact, it got worse. The woman’s heart reportedly stopped 3 times while kidneys and lungs were severely damaged.

Peng Keling, who was the intensive care unit nurse in charged of the unidentified patient, decided to play songs sung by Jay Chou over the course of 3 months. He even told her jokes and entertainment news in hopes of getting through to her. “I listened to Jay Chou’s songs growing up, so I thought maybe she’d like them, too,” Peng was quoted as saying.

It worked! Just as the song “Rosemary” (taken from the pop star’s 2006 record “Still Fantasy”) was playing sometime in March, the woman regained consciousness.

Not long after opening her eyes, the male nurse on duty went through some standard procedure with the patient such as raising her arms and legs and pointing her fingers. “Doctors all came to her bed while I kept singing the song she liked,” Peng Keling wrote in his diary before adding, “When I asked her how well I sang, she said ‘not bad’ weakly.”

The young woman has since been transferred from intensive care to a general ward. The newspaper report also reveal that Peng Keling is close in age as the woman. It’s safe to assume that the other Jay Chou fan is also in his mid-20s.

Yesterday (Monday, 14th May), the Taiwanese Mando-pop King released a brand new single titled, “If You Don’t Love Me, It’s Fine” (不愛我就拉倒). The music video was directed by the singer himself. The melancholy mid-tempo tune centres on a man dealing with the aftermath of a heartbreak.


Malaysian Pride Shila Amzah Bags Another 2 Awards In China

Chinese-singing Malaysian songstress Shila Amzah (茜拉) has done her country proud again by bringing home 2 awards from an award ceremony in China yesterday.

The 27-year-old bagged Most Popular South East Asian Artiste and Hottest International Artiste at Asia Pacific Hot Song List Music Festival (亚太热歌榜中榜音乐盛典) which took place in Zhengzhou, China on 6th August 2018.

Shila was the only Malaysian representative at the event which was also attended by various Mainland Chinese and Taiwanese artistes including Fan Fan (樊凡), Chyi Chin (齐泰), CNK group, Dragon Pig (龙猪), Diana Yang (杨林), and more.

At the event, Shila performed a cover version of Grady’s (關喆) “Miss You Tonight“ (想你的夜), one of the best songs that she performed on the 2nd season of “I Am a Singer” (我是歌手) which she became the 2nd runner-up.

Shila Amzah shared the joyous news on her Instagram and IG stories.


#Nimona: Fox Animation To Adapt Novel; “Feast” Director Patrick Osborne To Direct

Rejoice! “Nimona” will be seen on big screen soon.

An adaptation is in the works as it was reported that Fox Animation has picked up the rights to the New York Times’ best selling graphic novel “Nimona” by Noelle Stevenson.

Patrick Osborne, the director behind the Oscar-winning Disney animated short film “Feast“, is on board to direct the movie from the script written by Marc Haimes. Roy Lee from Vertigo Entertainment will be overseeing the project.

Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren’t the heroes everyone thinks they are…But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona’s powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

Written and drawn by Noelle Stevenson, who is also the co-creator of “Lumberjanes”, “Nimona” was “born” while Stevenson was still a student at Maryland Institute College of Art. It was recently published in full as a graphic novel by HarperTeen. The critically acclaimed novel has been nominated for Harvey and Eisner Award.

On the other hand, director Osborne was the head of animation for “Big Hero 6” and has previously worked on various Disney projects including “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Paperman” while a former DreamWorks executive Marc Haimes has penned a number of screenplays like “Kubo and the Two Strings” and “The Last Word”.

No trailer or release date have been revealed but we will be looking out for updates so stay tuned ;)

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JPJ Makes (Intentional?) Boo Boos In Guidelines Poster

Yesterday, our Department of Motor Vehicles (Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia) posted up a guidelines poster of the proper specifications for registration plate numbers. The poster’s pretty straightforward as it lists down the exact arrangements for alphabets and numbers, proper display, as well as permitted sizes and colour combinations.

They’ve also taken the liberty to throw in some registration number plate samples according to our Malaysian states such as Pulau Pinang, Negeri Sembilan, and Melaka. However, upon closer scrutiny, and we’re not sure if this was overlooked or an intentional error, the registration number plates that the graphic designer picked out as samples were quite..cheeky, to say the least.

“PENIS”, “NABI”, and “MAFIA”? Sure, these number plates probably do exist and are in use in real life but to use them as samples in the guidelines? Hmm.

Having said that, motorists who fail to follow the guidelines can face a fine of (not exceeding) RM300 under Section 14(1) of the Transportation Act 1987. Good to know that we can for some reason get away with cheeky registration number plates though, huh?


Michelle Yeoh To Star In Next “Crouching Tiger”

In 2000, one of the most influential kung fu movies of modern times became the highest-grossing foreign language film in American history despite the fact that it was shot entirely in Mandarin. The movie, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, which stars Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-Fat and Malaysian-born actress Michelle Yeoh went on to win four 2001 Academy Awards after being nominated in 10 categories.

Michelle Yeoh was also nominated for best leading actress in the BAFTA as well as the Hong Kong Film Awards and the Golden Horse Awards.

Word has it that the 49-year-old actress will be returning to star in the sequel of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. According to Hong Kong media, Michelle Yeoh confirmed it herself last Wednesday during a promotional event in Beijing.

The sequel will be based on “Iron Knight, Silver Vase”, the final book of the Crane Iron series penned by the late Wang Du Lu. It will go into production in May and is expected to be completed in 2014. It was also said that the original movie’s Oscar-award winning director, Ang Lee, would not be involved this time.

And that’s..about all we know for now. We’ll update with more details as soon as we know. Meanwhile, you go, Datuk Seri Michelle Yeoh!


CONTEST: Win An Autographed Rita Ora CD!

Yoohoo! Who wants an autographed copy of Rita Ora’s “ORA”? See, the thing is, she was here recently for Future Music Festival Asia 2013 and she couldn’t just leave without doing some kinda special for her lucky fans So, we’ve got FIVE copies of those to give out to FIVE of our lucky readers/followers.

With many thanks to our awesome friends from Sony Music Malaysia, of course!

You want em? It’s really, really easy to win:

Most creative answer wins. Go, go, get going!

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Wonder Woman 2’s Main Villain Is Reportedly Cheetah

Wonder Woman and the crew are getting back together for the sequel. It has just been announced that the Amazonian princess will be pitted against main foe, Cheetah.

Rumour has it that Warner Bros. is looking to cast a big name actress after Oscar-winner Emma Stone reportedly passed on the opportunity. Although “American Horror Story” actress Sarah Paulson expressed her desire to play Cheetah, no other name is currently on the shortlist.

There have been several mantles of Cheetah in the DC Comics over the years but we heard “Wonder Woman 2” will be the Barbara Ann Minerva version. According to Movie Web, she’s “a British anthropologist who winds up becoming the cheetah god after locating the lost city of Urzkartagan and stumbling into the middle of an ancient ritual”.

Miss Minerva has been Cheetah since the New 52 DC Comics reboot so it makes sense for the DC Extended Universe to go with this iteration. The humanoid cat creature has enhanced agility, ability to control animals, great intellect, can sense death, shape shift, is rather stealthy, heightened senses, and super strength.

Set to take place during the Cold War, Chris Pine will return as Steve Trevor. Saïd Taghmaoui and Ewen Bremner will also be reprising their roles as Sameer and Charlie respectively.

“Wonder Woman 2” is slated for release on 1st November 2019.

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Netflix’s Thunder Force Review: The Single Strangest Superhero Film We’ve Seen In A Long Time

By now, we’re thoroughly jaded with the idea of superhero films and comic-book based movies. We witnessed its renaissance in the early 2000s with Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” and Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight”. Then the 2010s happened and the entire genre went from pop-culture fixture to the defining ethos of the decade. In a post “Avengers: Endgame” world, it’s safe to say that we’ve seen it all. We’ve seen the genre established, deconstructed, reconstructed, parodied and satirised. So when 2021 came rolling around with Netflix’s “Thunder Force”, we were expecting something wholly unremarkable. Another cross-genre superhero film trying to strike novelty out of a drying shaft.

Surprisingly though, “Thunder Force” managed to come up with something we’ve honestly never seen before. A superhero comedy film appealing to mothers and aunties in their mid-40s. From then on, the film descends into the realm of the weird and bizarre. The only question is: Does “Thunder Force” offer any substance with its strange? Let’s find out.

The film starts with a fairly interesting idea. Cosmic rays bombard the Earth and superpowers seem to only manifest in those displaying sociopathic tendencies. Thus, an entire population of super-powered villains known as the Miscreants are borne. When a young girl named Emily Stanton loses her parents to a Miscreant attack, she swears to find a way to avenge their deaths and stop the Miscreants. Along the way, she befriends a loud, socially awkward girl named Lydia in school. As time goes on, Emily and Lydia see their paths in life diverge until fate brings them both back together years later. Or rather Lydia’s bumbling stupidity. When Lydia gains super-strength, Emily decides to team up with her to form Thunder Force. Together, they fight crime and endeavour to save Chicago.

On the surface this seems like the stuff of B-grade Cinemax schlock. In actuality, it’s worse. The main beats of the film are familiar enough that anyone who has seen two buddy-cop films in the last decade can predict them. What no one could have seen coming is the sheer amount of disparate elements in this film. We’re supposed to believe that Emily is the serious straight-man to Lydia’s loose canon. And yet she constantly breaks character with these strange indulgences. We understand its a comedy and that non-sequitur jokes are not uncommon.

What’s strange is the frequency of it within the film. Some of it works, namely Lydia’s romantic relationship with a handsome crab-armed villain. It’s endearing in a silly sort of a way. The rest of it however makes the film feel like the entire thing is being improvised on the spot. As if it’s a “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” or “Saturday Night Live” sketch turned into an hour and 40-minute long film! This issue is further exacerbated when writer and director Ben Falcone employs the use of bathos to carry a scene.

What is bathos? Well, essentially it’s when a character undercuts the dramatic weight of a serious moment by either saying something ridiculous or over-talking. It’s everywhere in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and we utterly abhor it.

Even if the punchline lands, there’s a strong tendency for it to overstay its welcome. Now imagine awful, cringe-worthy dialogue and terribly unfunny jokes being further drawn out. It turns a less than amusing situation into the stuff of nightmares. Actress Melissa McCarthy and Olivia Spencer as Lydia and Emily do have excellent chemistry together on-screen. When they banter and rift off one another, there is a bond and connection between the two that is genuinely endearing and heartwarming at times.

McCarthy plays the same loud, abrasive, socially awkward weirdo she does in nearly every one of her films at this point. We’ve made peace with that. What’s interesting is actress Olivia Spencer whose normally known for playing heavy dramatic roles dipping her toes into a buddy-cop superhero film. Alone the two are dull or grating. As a duo though, there’s a fun camaraderie to the slapstick madness of it all.

Believe or not, the villains here are the ones that get the most laughs out of us. Especially Jason Bateman of “Arrested Development” fame who plays the suave and sexy Crab in the film. Bateman is famous for playing the straight-man in films like “Game Night” and “Horrible Bosses”. Here though, he’s allowed to tap into his more sillier side. The main antagonist here is the King played by Bobby Cannavale also offer some pretty hilarious takes on supervillain foibles. They’re not the most insightful ones but they’re worth a chuckle.

If you’re expecting big-budget action fight scenes, well…don’t. “Thunder Force” isn’t trying to be “Kick-Ass” and that’s fine. No one’s expecting our leads to do back flips or anything too physically demanding. Still, there’s a sluggishness to the framing and fight choreography here. They feel limp and slow, as if the editor couldn’t be bothered to do anything more than throw CGI on-screen. Which brings us to another major issue with the film, the aesthetics.

Again while we get that “Thunder Force” is trying to be comical, some of the aesthetic choices come off as contrived, cheap or weird. You’re telling us that  Emily, who owns a multi-million dollar company, can’t afford a proper armoured vehicle? The two of them have to travel around in a purple Lamborghini?

While it’s nice that Netflix’s “Thunder Force” is finally giving women in their 40s their time of day in the superhero film genre, we believe they deserve better. Melissa McCarthy and Olivia Spencer and a handful of talented actors can’t do enough to elevate this romp beyond the bargain bin. It’s a puzzle how “Thunder Force” manages to be so predictable and yet so bizarre, all at the same time. It’s hard to really recommend this film to anyone…even to its supposed demographic. If you are curious though, you can check it out on Netflix today!

So what’s the weirdest superhero film you’ve ever seen? Is “Thunder Force” a sign that we should give the genre a break? Be sure to let us known in the comments below!

While it's nice that Netflix's "Thunder Force" is finally giving women in their 40s their time of day in the superhero film genre, we believe they deserve better. Melissa McCarthy and Olivia Spencer and a handful of talented actors can't do enough to elevate this romp beyond the bargain bin. It's a puzzle how "Thunder Force" manages to be so predictable and yet so bizarre, all at the same time.


Take Part In These 5 Activities With Shopee This Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is less than a month away and Shopee is already rolling out the big guns.

For the Shopee Kongsi Fa Cai festival themed discounts, don’t forget to log into the online shopping portal from 14th – 16th January as well as from 22nd -24th January to take part in CNY Essentials Festival, Shocking Sale Festival, Shopee Mall Festival, CNY Mega Festival, and more.

A post shared by Shopee Malaysia (@shopee_my)

In conjunction with the Lunar New Year celebration, 7 brand has also officially launched their stores on Shopee. They are MSI, Logitech, Etude House, Cros, ELLE, Anmum and World of Sports.

Of course, that’s not all. There are also 5 exciting activities to entertain you till next month:

For more details and to start shopping, swing by https://shopee.com.my.

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#KTMB: New Automated Fare Collection System To Be Implemented

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) announced today that a new fare collection system will be implemented from 2nd December (Wednesday) onwards.

The new system will enable commuters to use a single ticket to access all train services in Klang Valley.

During a press conference announcing the service’s price hike today, KTMB commuter services general manager Azshidah Shah Shahari told reporters that their current system will be replaced by the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC).

The AFC will be operating by June 2016 and intergration with Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transits (LRT), and monorail services are assumed to be ready by 2017.

On a separate note, Prasarana group chief executive Datuk Azmi Abdul Aziz announced a new distance-based fare collection sysyem for 3 of its lines, namely the LRT Kelana Jaya Line, Ampang Line, and the KL Monorail Line.

He revealed that the new ticket prices would consist of a single flag fall of 70 sen, based on the different blocks of distances. Azmi demonstrated that “the further a rider went, the price charges would be reduced in each distance block”.

For instance, riders would be charged 26.4 sen per km for distances of 4.1km to 9 km. For 9.1km to 14 km, it would be 21.6 sen per km. It would be 10.8 sen per km for trips above 24km.

In addition, Azmi said that rides are subjected to a special extra charge known as the Transit Acquirer System, which he said was put in place by the Land Public Tranport Commission (SPAD).

It was reported that the construction of MRT Line 1, which begun in August 2012, is expected to begin its operations in July 2017.

National news agency Bernama further reported that Line 2 is still in its preceding works and is expected to operate in the year 2021.

Sources: The Star Online, The Malay Mail Online.


#McDonalds: Fast Food Giant Getting Rid Of The Big Mac & Apple Pie?

In the past week, a Daily Buzz Live post has been going viral, causing panic amongst McDonald’s lovers and unleashing an Internet frenzy. The post, titled, “McDonald’s Removing Big Mac, Apple Pies And Eliminating Large Size Options”, claimed that the fast food giant announced that it will be phasing out 8 menu items starting from early 2015. The site even went as far as posting up a screenshot of a fake tweet from the McDonald’s account that read, “It is with a heavy heart that we must announce that the Big Mac will no longer be apart of our menu. It is our sincerest apologies.”

The #1 biggest telling sign that the above tweet was a hoax? “Apart”.

Not only that, the said article also went on to quote a certain Mark Andrés, supposedly the President of McDonald’s US, who apparently suggested to McDonald’s investors that McDonald’s doesn’t need to have preservatives in their food, sparking “widespread speculation”. And that’s fine except that a quick visit to the official McDonald’s website will tell you that the President of McDonald’s US is Mike Andres, not Mark whoever-he-is!

Grammatical error and wrong name aside, it’s true that McDonald’s will indeed be slimming down its menu beginning January 2015, but they will not be removing their star items. In this case, the Big Mac or the Apple Pie. According to CNBC, McDonald’s is simply reducing its number of extra value meals from 16 to 11, its number of Quarter Pounders with cheese from 4 to 1, premium chicken sandwiches from 3 to 1, and snack wraps from 3 to 1. The move will also help boost service speed at the fast food giant’s outlets.

Let’s not forget that McDonald’s have also been keep busy counter-attacking the rumours:

@Drake72Jason Hiya! Don’t believe the rumor! Our Big Mac is here to stay!

— McDonald’s (@McDonalds) December 23, 2014

@billyjacq That’s just a silly rumor. Don’t worry—the Big Mac isn’t going anywhere!

@I_amGob Whoa, whoa, whoa—hold the phone! That’s just a rumor—the Big Mac isn’t going anywhere!

@_Karinadeleon Stop the press! This is just a rumor. The Big Mac is staying on our menu!

And on that note, you may all calm down now. There’s nothing that a little Googling won’t help. Also, what’s surprising is that nobody bothered to check the official McDonald’s Twitter account to see if the (now confirmed to be a hoax) tweet was genuine in the first place. Hmm.

Let’s not forget that these other “popular” online hoaxes that have sparked interest/outrage amongst netizens could also have been easily avoided if people actually took the time to do proper research:

Sources: Wall Street Journal Blog, McDonald’s website, CNBC, Consumerist, Daily Buzz Live.

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CNBLUE “Can’t Stop” Live in Kuala Lumpur

It looks like the CN Blue boys can’t get enough of their Malaysian fans because only slightly a year after they were last here in Kuala Lumpur, they’re coming back again!

Following the much awaited release of their 5th mini album “Can’t Stop”, CNBLUE will be embarking on their new concert tour “2014 CNBLUE LIVE – Can’t Stop” in Kuala Lumpur. Known for their high-energy performance, CNBLUE is undoubtedly one of the most prominent band in Korea’s music industry. Comprised of lead vocalist and guitarist, Jung Yong Hwa, guitarist and vocalist, Lee Jong Hyun, drummer Kang Min Hyuk and bassist Lee Jung Shin, they debuted in 2010 with the EP “Bluetory”. Since then, they have won countless music awards on South Korea’s music chart shows.

So, you wanna go see them or what? Deets are as follows:

Ticketing: Tickets can be purchased via TicketCharge.

For further information, please log on to IME Productions’ Facebook page or CN Blue’s official Facebook page.


#Indonesia: 2 Missing Malaysians In Flores Waterfalls Found Dead

The 2 young Malaysians who had gone swimming at the Cunca Wulang waterfalls in the Mibeliling district in Flores, Indonesia, were found drowned.

Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim told Bernama that the bodies of Mohamad Azfar Tahir, 23, from Kuala Lumpur, and Mohammad Ezzaq Azumi, 23, from Kelantan were found at 11am and 1pm respectively yesterday.

Azfar and Ezzaq were in Flores on Saturday with 2 other friends, Mohamad Qayyum Pirdous, 23, from Perak, and Mohamad Imran Helmy Had, 23, from KL, for a holiday. They were joined by a 39-year-old Flores resident, Wenseslaus Hendro Akung, as their local tour guide.

According to Bernama, Azfar was said to have gone for a swim the moment they arrived there, but when he was nowhere in sight, Wenseslaus in to look for him. However, when their guide was seen struggling, Ezzaq dive in to help. Unfortunately, all 3 men vanished under the surface of the water.

After witnessing what happened, Qayyum went in search for assistance and contacted the police. All the bodies were found at the bottom of the waterfall including Wenseslaus’ body.

In a statement issued, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) said the remains of Azfar and Ezzaq would be brought home as soon as possible. “The Foreign Ministry and the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta would like to extend our condolences to the families of the victims in this tragedy,” Wisma Putra added.


#ThinkingOutLoud: Ed Sheeran Accused Of Copying Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On”

Uh oh, Ed Sheeran is in hot waters over his hit song, “Thinking Out Loud” (2014)!

The British singer-songwriter is currently being sued by the family of singer-songwriter Edward Benjamin ‘Ed’ Townsend, who was the co-writer of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” (1973). TMZ reported that the family is accusing Sheeran of stealing the melody, harmony, and rhythm composition of Gaye’s panty-dropping classic.

The lawsuit, which was filed on Tuesday (9th August) in the Southern District of New York, asked for damages to be assessed at a jury trial. As at time of writing, Sheeran has yet to give his statement.

Townsend’s heirs weren’t the only ones who thought that “Thinking Out Loud” sounded similar to “Let’s Get It On”. Apparently, Legendary R&B vocal group Boyz II Men also pointed out the “obvious” resemblance between the 2 tracks during their 25th Anniversary concert in New Jersey.

The group also did a cover of “Thinking Out Loud” and “Let’s Get It On”. You can listen to the cover below and judge for yourself:

The lawsuit came 2 months after Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard, and their publishing company HaloSongs, sued Sheeran for $20 million over his hit song “Photograph”. As aforementioned, the California-based musicians claimed that “Photograph” is a total rip-off from their 2009 song “Amazing”, which was sung by Matt Cardle.

What do you think about the lawsuit? Do you think that Ed Sheeran copied Ed Townshed’s and Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On”? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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#Pavilion: Korean Fashion Brands SPAO & MIXXO To Set Up Shop In Malaysia

There’s no denying that Korean culture has been gaining lots of attention from all around the world these days.

Just last week, Sephora announced that YG Entertainment‘s cosmetics brand moonshot has finally been launched in Malaysia. The beauty store will also be launching famed Korean cosmestic brand 3CE by Stylenanda soon.

Now, the popularity of Korean culture is reaching new heights because popular Korean fashion brands SPAO and MIXXO will finally open their first Malaysian stores soon.

SPAO is the first original S.P.A (specialty store retailers of private label apparel) label launched by Korean fashion retailer E-Land.

The global clothing brand shop bears a striking resemblance to Japan’s Uniqlo. It is Korea’s leading brand shop that offers tonnes of items including casual wear to men’s suits, women’s suits, children’s clothing, underwear, sportswear, and accessories. It also offers product lines co-produced with top-notch designer, Chang Kwang Hyo.

The brand collaborates with Korean entertainment powerhouse SM Entertainment on its marketing. Besides AOA from FNC Entertainment, the brand is currently endorsed by EXO and Super Junior‘s Eunhyuk, Leeteuk, and Donghae.

As for MIXXO, it is an affordable fashion line launched by E-Land in 2010.

Mainly targeting women in their 20s to 40s, MIXXO’s apparels are designed to fit Asian women in general in terms of color and size. Their women’s collection consists of basic casual wear, career wear, and suits that are on trend but not too trendy.

Stylish yet affordable, MIXXO is looking to compete with other fast fashion brands such as Zara, H&M, Uniqlo, and GAP. Similar to H&M, it will release special collaboration lines with high-end designers. The brand will partner up with Italian shoemaker Lario and Irish knitwear label Lochcarron, which were both acquired by E-Land in recent years.

The label aims to expand its presence overseas. It has already opened its Japanese and Chinese stores earlier this year.

After the success of their expansion in China and Japan, both SPAO and MIXXO are now aiming to invade Malaysia soon.

Both brands will open their respective first stores at Parkson Department Store in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. They will also build their flagship stores in all the major cities in Asia.

The opening dates for their flagship stores in KL are not announced yet, but we will update this post as soon as we know.

Do you think artistes like Super Junior and TaeTiSeo, who are currently endorsing the brand, will come to Malaysia to promote the brands? We certainly hope so. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed for now ;)

Stay tuned to our site for more updates. Don’t forget to visit MIXXO Malaysia’s official Facebook page and SPAO Malaysia’s official Facebook page too.


Shopee Malaysia Receives Backlash For Using Artist’s Artwork Without Permission

Shopee Malaysia has found themselves in hot waters when it was discovered that they had used an artwork without the artist’s consent.

This incident highlights the troubles artists have with the modern age since many of these artists’ artworks are often taken and used without the credit and proper compensation being given to their original creators.

The art was taken from American artist Adam Ellis, who came to prominence during his time at Buzzfeed. His 4 panel comic strips often times depict comedic but relatable incidents, which allowed him to amass a large following.

Ellis would often time upload his work on his social media. There, his fans can interact with the artist by commenting and help spread comic stripes. However, sometimes people would use his artwork and edited it into memes. This would sometimes end up going viral on the internet.

Though, usually free spirited and generally okay with his work being edited into memes, the artist takes a particular offence when his work are used by brands and corporations without consent. Even if his artwork was slightly edited into a meme, these brands and corporation should have the financial power to properly compensate him for his creation.

After discovering the ad, Ellis took to his Twitter account to share about his displeasure at the incident. In the post he wrote, “When are brands gonna realize that “memes” aren’t free clip art for them to use in advertisements?“

When are brands gonna realize that "memes" aren't free clip art for them to use in advertisements? pic.twitter.com/4jurEiK3Cf

— Adam Ellis (@adamtotscomix) December 11, 2019

Amusingly, in the thread he called out Shopee Malaysia directly, asking how he can bill them. He wrote, “Anyway @ShopeeMY lemme know where to send an invoice.” In the same thread, he later jokingly added that, “these brands need to realize they’re stealing a comic about gay Sonic/Knuckles fanart.”

Fortunately, the online shopping platform has since recognised their mistake and even contacted Ellis personally regarding the incident. In the reply, they stated that they value the artist’s work and would like to make amends by taking their discussion privately.

Hi Mr Adam Ellis, we’d like to first sincerely apologize to you for this regretful event. We appreciate the hard work that comes from being an artist, and the value of your work. We want to make this right and have dropped you a private message to discuss further. Thank you.

— Shopee Malaysia (@ShopeeMY) December 12, 2019

Hopefully, there won’t be any hard feelings for all the parties involved. At the end of the day, give credit where credit is due.

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The Many Reasons Why K-pop Fans Are Boycotting SM Entertainment

K-pop fans have been trending the hashtag #BoycottSM (boycott SM Entertainment) on Twitter since last night (Tuesday, 10th November). What’s the tea, you asked?

Apparently, K-pop fans got behind the movement after venting out their dissatisfaction towards the famed entertainment company for several reasons. Check out the tweet below:

Scrolling through the hashtag, fans aren’t happy with the company’s uneven distribution of profits. In this case, they discovered that SM reportedly receives 95% of the profit from the roster’s physical album’s sales, while the promoting groups or artistes only gets a mere 5%, which is quite different as compared to K-pop groups from other major music labels.

Others also argued that the company rarely sends active groups – namely EXO and Red Velvet – to promote overseas. This relates to the fact that the groups will receive 70% of the profits while SM only gets 30%. To quote a Twitter user, SM only offers their artistes the “bare minimum”.

For those curious, feel free to check out the list below:

#BoycottSM but don't hate the artists. unsubscribe to SMTown channel on YT, unfollow all SM accounts, mass email them

honestly, we should have done all of this before, they treat their artist with a bare minimum, promote them when they're new and dispose them after a few years pic.twitter.com/eHyRjauqdY

Another issue that has sparked a major outcry among hardcore fans of the idols under the company is in regards to SM’s upcoming girl group Aespa. In case you missed it, the company’s launch of its first ever all-female ensemble since 2014 has been stealing the spotlight with their virtual (artificial intelligence/ AI) concept.

Most recently, SM took to Twitter to announce a potential collaboration project between them and renowned Chinese IT company, iFlytek. Netizens were dismayed by the news though, with most of them urging the former to drop the plan. They claimed that iFlytek aids genocide and is allegedly involved with the oppression of the Muslim community in China.

i’m not supporting any AI product from a company that supports mass oppression of uyghurs in xinjiang. they literally ENABLED human rights violations https://t.co/AcdkJso9Gm pic.twitter.com/Ck3VrQc7oY

— local kwangyapopper (@jenwinist) November 10, 2020

attach these photos if you use the hashtag and mention SM.#BoycottSM #StopTheCollaborationWithiFlytek @SMTOWNGLOBAL pic.twitter.com/ikoUV94dh5

[🌸]It is important to save the SMILES of these beautiful people!

SM please don't collaborate with iFlytek not only for our girls, but also for those who were hurt. #StopTheCollaborationWithiFlytek #BoycottSM @SMTOWNGLOBAL pic.twitter.com/uJ32JE4iSs

— MY UNION | Spicy (@aespaMYunion) November 10, 2020


#AliceInWonderland: New Teaser Features The Voice Of Alan Rickman

It won’t be long now before the long-awaited sequel to 2010’s “Alice in Wonderland” opens in theatres. And while we count down the months to the release of “Alice Through the Looking Glass“, you can bet that Disney will continue to keep us excited.

The Mouse House recently released a new teaser for “Alice Through the Looking Glass” and although it’s short, it’s also bittersweet, for it features the iconic voice of the late actor Alan Rickman.

You’ve been gone too long, Alice. There are matters that cannot be neglected. Hurry.

In the movie, Alan Rickman voices Absolem, better known as the Blue Caterpillar. He was last seen as a butterfly on Alice’s shoulder as she sailed off to China, but we’ll be able to hear a lot of him in the upcoming sequel.

“Alice Through the Looking Glass” is the last film Alan Rickman completed before his death last month.

“Alice Through the Looking Glass” finds Alice returning to Wonderland to battle the half-clock, half-human creature, Time, to save her best pal, the Mad Hatter. She is warned that she won’t be able to win a race against time and change the past, but she winds up going on a time travel adventure to prevent the loss of her friend.

Check out the 30-second teaser below, which shows various clips of Alice (played by Mia Wasikowska) falling through the sky and encountering strange characters such as the Queen of Hearts (played by Helena Bonham Carter) and Time himself (played by Sacha Baron Cohen).

It's about Time. See Alice Through the Looking Glass in theatres May 27. 🕐https://t.co/CZrGJEEmeu

The film will be released on 27th May 2016.

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

Sources: The Wrap, Disney’s Twitter / Featured image from Screen Rant.

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“Living Things” Album + Linkin Park Lanyard

Set for release on the 26th June 2012, Linkin Park’s “Living Things” is the follow up to September 2010’s “A Thousand Suns”, making this the shortest turnaround time for a Linkin Park album ever.

It was officially announced on the 16th of April 2012 to coincide with the release of the album’s debut single “Burn It Down”. Since then, “Burn It Down” has quickly made it way to the airwaves of Malaysia’s No.1 English local radio station, Hitz FM and is expected to climb he charts soon in all radio stations.

As a matter of fact, their official music video for “Burn It Down” has garnered a whopping number of over 4 million views of YouTube since. Watch:

[youtube id=”dxytyRy-O1k” width=”600″ height=”350″]

And now, you may pre order the “firecracker record” from all retail outlets in the Klang Valley! Every pre order comes with an exclusive, limited edition Linkin Park lanyard. Only available while stocks last.

Well? Awesome news is awesome or what? Go get ‘em!

For more information, visit their official website.


#StarWars: First #TheForceAwakens Poster Out Now; Full Trailer Coming Soon

You’ve seen the teaser trailer for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (as well as the Korean promo video), but soon, you’ll feel the force awaken from the dark side and possibly, the light side too.

Brace yourselves. The official trailer for the highly anticipated space opera will be released at full force (no puns intended) soon.

On 18th October (Sunday), Disney and Lucasfilm announced that the official full trailer for the movie will be dropped during the halftime break of ESPN’s “Monday Night Football”. The game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia will start at 8:15 pm ET (about 8am on Tuesday, 20th October in Malaysia).

Since we are only 2 months from the release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, the studios decided to surprise fans with its official theatrical poster and some new teasers too.

Mark Hamill‘s Luke Skywalker is nowhere to be seen in the offical poster, which begs the question: “What happens to Luke?” There is no immediate answer to that question, but it definitely got us curious if his character is being kept as a bigger surprise for the film.

Directed by J.J. Abrams, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is written by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan. The previous film in what was a 6-movie series, “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith”, was released in 2005.

Harrison Ford and Peter Mayhew are returning to reprise their respective roles as Han Solo and his old friend Chewbacca.

The official synopsis has yet to be released, but the story is set around 30 years after the events of 1983’s “Return of the Jedi”.

The upcoming sequel stars Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn, and Adam Driver as Kylo Ren. Oscar Isaac, who will be seen next as Apoalypse in “X-Men: Apocalypse“, is portraying Poe Dameron, an elite pilot who has been sent on a mission.

Check out the new teaser trailers below:

The Resistance gathers tomorrow. Watch @ESPN’s Monday Night Football for a new look at #TheForceAwakens.https://t.co/Ft8vVg26VG

— Star Wars (@starwars) October 18, 2015

— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) October 18, 2015

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is set to be released on 18th Dec 2015.

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

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(UPDATE) #AirAsia: Low-Cost Carrier To Offer FREE SEATS For 4th Jan – 25th Aug 2018 Travels

The moment that all you wanderlusters have been waiting for has finally arrived.

According to Malaysia Freebies, starting 5th June (Monday) at midnight, low-cost carrier AirAsia will be giving out free seats to all domestic and international destinations from as low as RM0!

AirAsia also posted up a teaser on their Facebook page indicating that they have a surprise that they can’t wait to share. The airline is due to reveal the campaign a little later this afternoon.

From what we know, the booking period is from 5th to 11th June 2017, for the travel period of 4th January 2018 till 25th August 2018. As per usual, AirAsia BIG members will have first priority for online booking on 4th June (Sunday).

It’s happening! AirAsia confirmed that they are indeed giving out free seats starting 4th June (Sunday) for AirAsia BIG members and 5th June (Monday) for the general public.

More details to come! For now, we’re ready to get a-clickin’! :D


#Celcom: Free Data For Facebook & WhatsApp For 1 Whole Week

Good news to all you Celcom subscribers!

After experiencing an outage during the long weekend, the telco has announced that they will be providing 7 days of free data for Facebook and WhatsApp to all Celcom users.

The initial starting date was supposed to be on 25th April but Celcom has since postponed it to this weekend. “We are happy to announce that we will be providing FREE unlimited Facebook and WhatsApp to all Celcom and Xpax subscribers from 29 April – 5 May 2017. No internet quota will be deducted for Facebook and WhatsApp during this period,” reads the statement on their Facebook page.

Last Saturday (22nd April), Celcom released a statement, acknowledging that there were data disruptions affecting Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. The telco later assured users that they were working on upgrades with Facebook.

For more information, stay tuned to Celcom’s Facebook page.

Sources: Lowyat, Celcom/ Featured image: Celcom.


From Shu Uemura To Gucci Beauty: Dope New Beauty Drops To Cop!

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by the sheer amount of new beauty releases, and having no clue which products are actually worth trying? If so, you’ve come to the right place! From skin-loving masks to fun and fresh scents perfect for spring, here are 10 NEW beauty drops you should look forward to:

Combining the purity of nature with the effectiveness of modern skincare, the Korean natural skincare expert, I’m From, has come out with two remarkable products that can seamlessly blend into your existing skincare routine, delivering noticeable glow-guaranteed results for your skin!

The I’m From Fig Scrub Mask is a powerful dual-action exfoliator infused with 1.2% Fig powder and Black sugar. This invigorating combination eliminates dead skin cells and impurities, unveiling your smooth, glowing skin beneath.

Once you’ve gotten rid of all the dead skin cells, immerse your skin in the calming embrace of the brand’s bestselling I’m From Mugwort Mask. Infused with 2.1% real mugwort from Ganghwa, this mask is a natural remedy and treat for troubled, stressed, or acne-prone skin.

Available now, in all I‘m From official stores or authorised retailers at: Watsons, Shopee, Lazada, Zalora, and TikTok.

In pursuit of skin luminosity, La Prairie re-examined its signature Science of Light, the foundation of the White Caviar Collection. The re-imagined White Caviar Pearl Infusion is a potent serum now powered by Lumidose, a proprietary illuminating molecule that is enhanced with Swiss Golden Caviar ingredients. It targets in reducing the appearance of the four major pigmentation disturbances – brown spots, redness, sallowness, and greyness while increasing the density of collagen fibers in the dermis.

La Prairie’s illuminating and firming ritual begins with White Caviar Essence Extraordinaire. The illuminating and firming treatment lotion hydrates and diminishes the appearance of age spots. It is then followed by the White Caviar Pearl Infusion, which optimises skin’s ability to reflect light by reducing the appearance of pigmentation disturbances and improving skin surface for better light reflection. The White Caviar Eye Extraordinaire is then applied to target the pigmentation disturbances of the delicate skin in the eye area, concluding with the White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire that visibly stamps out unevenness, leaving the complexion illuminated.

The La Prairie White Caviar Pearl Infusion is available at Isetan The Gardens Mall, Isetan KLCC, and Parkson Pavilion for RM4,100. For more information on the La Prairie White Caviar Collection, CLICK HERE.

If you’re looking for a long-lasting foundation with excellent coverage, and comes in a wide range of shades, Gucci Beauty has come out with the perfect product that can fulfill all those needs – the coveted Éternité de Beauté, a 24-hour, no-transfer foundation that lasts from day to night. All you’d need is just one drop of this full coverage foundation for a luminous and comfortable matte finish that feels extremely lightweight on the skin. The Éternité de Beauté debuts in 40 diverse shades covering a range of four undertones: cold, neutral, warm, and olive.

Available at selected Gucci Beauty stores – Mid Valley Megamall, Suria KLCC, Sunway Pyramid, Sogo Southkey Mall and selected Sephora outlets.

With M·A·C’s new soft matte Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer, available in ten shades, you can add warmth and depth to your complexion. Or, in five different shades, add glow with their dimensional radiant Skinfinish Sunstruck Radiant Bronzer. Both finishes are intended to bring out the best in your natural skin tone.

This cream-like powder is buildable and blendable, with pigments that have been double-processed for a vibrant, believable finish. It provides a fantastic payoff that ultimately feels like natural skin while providing the perfect sunned colour to a wide range of skin tones. The powders are infused with M.A.C’s proprietary Marshmallow Cushion Blend for a silky texture that always appears smooth and refined. The long-lasting formula is waterproof, sweat- and humidity-resistant, and lasts up to 24 hours. Combine with their all-new 143S Bronzer Fan Brush to shade your complexion with Pro-level precision.

Available in-store at M·A·C or order online at maccosmetics.com.my and enjoy free shipping and sample with every order.

Penhaligon’s introduces a new story around the astral universe with the new fragrance Solaris Eau de Parfum and a repack of the brand’s bestseller in the British Tales pillar, Luna Eau de Toilette. The scent opens with a sparkling top note of Blackcurrant, followed by a creamy floral bouquet of Ylang Ylang. The background is enveloped by the warm woody vibrations of sandalwood and the sensuality of vanilla.

Luna Eau de Toilette, a fresh floral from Penhaligon‘s, offers a feminine counterpart to the woody leather notes of Endymion Concentreì. Inspired by the light of a magnificent crescent moon that brightens one’s dreams, this luxurious new fragrance captures the intoxicating spirit of the mythical Goddess of the Moon. Hypnotic and sensual, Luna shines up from the dark water, illuminating the ink-coloured night sky. Opening with the bitter freshness of orange bigarade, the heart unfolds with the crisp lightness of juniper berry, rounded off with the sensuality of a dark woody base.

Penhaligon’s is available exclusively at Escentials KLCC.

Embrace the sunny weather with Dolce&Gabbana Beauty’s new Dolce Violet Eau de Toilette, the Dolce range’s new, fruity and cheerful fragrance. Symbol of joy and light-heartedness, this new fragrance evokes freedom, determination, and a touch of irony.

The fragrance opens with fruity, cheerful, and colourful notes. The deliciously effervescent blackcurrant bud absolute is combined with Madagascar mandarin and enhanced by the soft floral freshness of the cyclamen accord. The violet infuses the fragrance’s heart with its refined and seductive floral properties, enhanced by succulent blackberry notes and the vivacity of the pear. The creamy and sensual base notes of sandalwood and vanilla, a precious ingredient exclusively from Madagascar, envelop the robust trail of the perfume, crowned by hints of musk.

The Dolce Violet Eau de Toilette is available in 30, 50 and 75ml formats. For more information on the Dolce Violet, click here.

If you’re a skincare enthusiast, you’re probably familiar with Clinique’s cult-classic Moisture Surge™ 100H Hydrator, but did you know about their five sensitive skin claims? Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H is designed for deep and lasting hydration, helping to prevent moisture loss and protect skin’s glow. The formula contains a blend of proprietary ingredient, Aloe Bioferment with Hyaluronic Acid, that work together to deeply hydrate and soothe the skin. The lightweight gel-cream texture absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling refreshed and supple. The advanced formula provides long-lasting hydration while correcting five skin sensitivities:

Clinique‘s Moisture Surge 100H is perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It is oil-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic, making it ideal for daily use. Its key ingredients include Aloe Bioferment + HA Complex as well as a a blend of Vitamins C and E.

For more information on Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H, visit clinique.com.my. Available in-store and online at a starting price of RM102 (30ml).

There’s nothing that keeps your skin in tip-top condition quite like a sun care routine. With 6 types of sunscreen options to choose from, INNISFREE might just have what you need. Those looking for sunscreens that double as a makeup base should try their Tone Up Watering Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ and their Tone Up No Sebum Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++. The Tone Up Watering Sunscreen has a lightweight, moisture-based formula that gives a natural and dewy tone-up effect, while the Tone Up No Sebum sunscreen contains the patented Sebum Fix for pore and sebum care, delivering a tone-up effect that can last up to 24 hours.

For more intensive protection, the Intensive Triple Shield Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ and Intensive Long-Lasting Sunscreen EX SPF50+ PA++++ are great options. Their Intensive Triple Shield Sunscreen is a physical water-resistant sunscreen that can also protect skin from blue light, and the Intensive Long-Lasting Sunscreen is suitable for people with oily and combination skin, drying down to a matte finish.

If you want more moisture in your sunscreen, you should also consider the Hyaluron-Moist Sunscreen Essence Texture SPF50+ PA++++, which is a chemical sunscreen that delivers intensive hydrating and soothing care, and the Mild Cica-Sunscreen Tone-Up SPF50+ PA++++, a green based formula that corrects redness and offers a natural tone-up without leaving any white cast.

shu uemura invites you to join the delectable sugar game with Japan’s beloved candy character: peko! Known as the forever 6-year-old with a passion for candies, shu uemura gives a modern twist to this beloved character in a mouth-watering limited edition makeup collection, offering the freedom of expression to let you explore your individual beauty. Play with makeup fueled by fresh candy colours, infused with syrupy textures fusing a milky fragrance. This unprecedented shu uemura x peko collection will unleash the sweet-tooth adrenaline-charged makeup maverick in you!

Available from 1st of June nation wide, you can get this collection in-store at shu uemura Mid Valley Megamall, Pavilion KL, 1 Utama, Sunway, Tebrau, Gurney Plaza and Lazada, or during the shu uemura x peko pop up @Mid Valley, East entrance lobby, from 5th – 11th June.

Our hands are often the busiest and most expressive parts of our bodies – from driving and cooking to typing to texting – our hands work hard and are often the first areas to show signs of aging. Rihanna and Fenty Skin are here to make sure that your hands are not forgotten in your skincare and sun protection routine! The new Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Broad Spectrum Mineral SPF 15 Hand Cream hydrates, smoothens, and softens hands while also protecting them from the sun and helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles – all without the heavy, greasy slip.

This hand cream is sheer and weightless and packed with conditioning butters, antioxidants, and zinc oxide. It softens skin, strengthens skin’s moisture barrier, smooths the texture of rough, dry hands, and protects skin from sun damage caused by UVA and UVB rays. The targeted SPF protection for hands keeps early signs of aging – like fine lines and wrinkles – at bay.

Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Broad Spectrum Mineral SPF 15 Hand Cream (RM105) is launching online at sephora.my on May 18th, 2023.

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Zooey Deschanel & Ben Gibbard Legally Divorced

Any Zooey Deschanel fans in the house? Because the beautiful yet quirky actress is officially single and rumour has it that she’s ready to mingle.

In September 2009, Zooey and Death Cab for Cutie frontman, Ben Gibbard got married after a year-long engagement. However, in November last year, the couple announced their separation. They were only married for two years. Zooey subsequently filed for divorce in December 2011, citing irreconcilable differences. Hmm. We do wonder what differences she’s talking about though.

In any case, the Los Angeles Superior Court has finally granted the divorce.

And trust the quirky “New Girl” actress to be so quick on a feet – she’s apparently already going out with someone! Who is it? None other than screenwriter Jamie Linden, with whom she was seen cuddling with and engaging some serious PDA. Aww. Who could resist Zooey’s beautiful blue eyes anyway, right?


“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition” Coming To Pavilion Bukit Jalil

Anime fans, get excited because the most anticipated anime exhibition is finally arriving in Malaysia! Which anime you ask? Well, it is the one-and-only “Demon Slayer”! Through this exhibition, fans can explore the world and mind of the manga genius, Koyoharu Gotouge.

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition” is coming to you early next year from 18th February to 18th May 2023, where it’ll take place at the esteemed Pavilion Bukit Jalil. This highly anticipated exhibition is one that will definitely exceed all of your expectations.

The concept of the “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition” is heavily based on the well-loved established exhibition in Japan. Fans will have the opportunity to see many on-screen props and characters live right in front of their eyes! Where else can you act out your favourite scene with your favourite character but at this exhibition?

Among the many references to expect from the upcoming exhibition, fans can anticipate the iconic Nichirin Sword, “Demon Slayer” Corps uniform and members, the Infinity Castle effect in the House of Demons, the battle of Mount Natagumo, and even over-the-top illustrations by Mr. Akira Matsushima.

We’re not done yet! At the “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition” there will be two new interactive zones called “Shinobu & Kanao” and “Mugen Train Arc”. What’s unique about these two zones is that fans can get a limited-edition “Demon Slayer” Corps certificate by joining the interactive games via their smartphone!

When you’re done exploring the exhibition, bring home a piece of “Demon Slayer” with exclusive Malaysia-only merchandise newly drawn by Ufotable, the actual production studio of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba”. So rest assured the quality would be impeccable – literally the best of the best!

Excited? We are too! For more information about the “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition”, stay tuned to ACO Media’s official Facebook and Instagram page. Ticketing information will be announced in the coming days.

Puteri Teja contributed to this article.


Yasmin Ahmad Lives On Through “How You Know?”

Yasmin Ahmad, a passionate, witty, humorous, and humble Malaysian that needs no introduction, had her book “How You Know?” launched just hours ago at Kinokuniya, KLCC. Although she has left us, she’s still known to be a creative genius – and the face of the bittersweet and sometimes poignant Petronas ads.

Oh, and let’s not forget her films, “Rabun” (2002) and the extremely popular “Sepet” (2004).

Since her departure in 2009, many have felt that she went without leaving any “pesan-pesan” (messages). The fact though, is that she left plenty. With most of it living through people who knew her, and worked with her.

I will always remember Yasmin for her ability to consistently produce relevant and meaningful work. She did it simply by observing what was happening around her and what she believed was needed by people. She was able to dig deep into her rich life experiences and by injecting wit and charm into it, she produced memorable work that inspired not only the industry but the entire nation. She takes the form of a leader, a mentor, a joker, a mother, and an inspiration.

The words above came from none other than Tan Kien Eng (CEO of Leo Burnett Group Malaysia).

When he uttered those words, it was clear to us that Yasmin, despite being an  entire universe away, still lives on, and continues to leave behind her legacy. As a matter of fact, the book launch was made possible by the very people who loved her deeply and remember her right until her last waking moment – her family members, friends, colleagues, and people who knew her personally.

Yasmin’s “How You Know?” is not a memoir. It is not a biography. It is not “just another story book”.

It contains nuggets and gems of her wisdom from her student days, through the many phases of her life, right up to the day of her passing. The book include anecdotes, poems, and photographs of her that have been contributed by various people and how they fondly remember interacting with her.

All sales proceeds of the book will be in aid of Yasmin’s favourite charity organization, Mercy Malaysia (which was founded by Yasmin’s good friend and mutual admirer, Dr. Jemilah Mahmood).

“How You Know?” can be purchased at selected major bookstores for only RM35 per copy.

For more pictures from the launch, click! For more information, visit the official website.

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#BAP: Idol Boy Group To Make Long Awaited Comeback In November

Earlier in August, an associate from B.A.P‘s agency TS Entertainment told Korean media outlet Top Star News that the Korean idol boy group was “thinking of coming back at the end of this year or at the beginning of next year”.

Well, it’s no longer just a thought now.

According to Soompi, citing an inside source, B.A.P will be making their long awaited comeback next month (November). The 6-member group is currently preparing to release the new album around the middle of November.

It’s a highly anticipated comeback as all 6 members of the idol boy group were embroiled in a lawsuit drama with their agency last November. At the time, they cited unfair income distribution and slave/invalid contracts as the reasons for them submitting the lawsuit to the Seoul Western District Court.

The members have since stayed out of the limelight by stopping all their activities. They communicated with their loyal fans through their own fan cafe while trying to come to a peaceful and amicable agreement with TS Entertainment.

Both parties held their first court trial on 13th March and through a series of “communicational trials and heartfelt efforts“, the group eventually agreed to return to the company in August this year.

The release of the new album will mark their first comeback in more than a year since the release of their first full-length studio album “First Sensibility” and 4th Japanese single “Excuse Me”.

The group is planning to hold a showcase and fully promote their new album through broadcasts and fan meetings. In fact, they will hold a showcase at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza at 3pm on 15th November for their comeback. All 6 members are said to have participated in creating their comeback album.

BABYZ, are you guys excited about their comeback? What do you think their comeback concept will look like? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.


Hype’s Now Playing: Robin Thicke & Nicki Minaj – Back Together (MV)

You’ve heard the track, now watch as Robin Thicke is to move on.

All set for a comeback, Robin Thicke has enlisted Nicki Minaj to give him the push that he needs. About two weeks ago, Robin released “Back Together” his disco-infused single featuring Nicki.

Now, the music video for “Back Together” is here and it’s a whole lot of fun. The video shows Robin looking dapper in his suit as he’s partying it up at a pool party in Miami. Robin is seen getting chummy with a gorgeous girl before the video takes moving on to a different scene that sees Nicki dancing on a couch alongside Robin as she raps her verse.

Robin goes in to touch her hand but the clearly unimpressed Nicki is seen moving her hand away before waving her finger at him and strutting away, looking sexy and fierce as f*ck.

Throught the rest of the video, the epic pool party continues, unleashing some serious throwback vibes that makes us want to be partying it up at a pool party ourselves.

Check out the video for “Back Together” below.

Let us know what you think of the song and music video by sounding of in the comments section.

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#Malaysia: Flood Expected To Occur In These Coastal Areas In Johor

If you had already made plans to travel down to Johor for a holiday later this month, you might want to rethink your decision. That’s cause October is going to be a very wet month.

The Johor government has issued a warning to those living in the coastal areas to make early preparations and take extra precaution as the high tide phenomenon is expected to hit the state later this month.

According to the New Straits Times, Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat announced that the state branch of the Malaysian Meteorological Department has forecasted that water levels could possibly reach up to 3.9 meters in certain areas, between 16th to 20th October.

The high tide was brought by the perigee, a phenomenon when the orbit of the moon is nearest to the earth. As a result, a simultaneous occurrence of thunderstorms and strong winds could cause certain areas to be flooded.

The coastal areas that will most probably be affected are:

“I advise residents in coastal areas to take precaution, to be careful and to keep themselves updated with weather changes. Recreational activities at coastal areas should be avoided during that period,” Ayub was quoted as saying.


BTS x Mattel LED Project Mapping To Take Place In Pavilion KL

Calling all Malaysian ARMYs! There’s going to be an exciting BTS event happening in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

Following the debut of Mattel BTS IDOL Dolls and special edition UNO BTS cards in Malaysia, K-pop fans will get to witness a special LED projection mapping at the BTS x Mattel event.

The entire BTS x Mattel Fashion Dolls are dressed in looks inspired by what these K-pop stars donned in their music video for “IDOL”. As you may know each BTS IDOL Doll costs RM104.90 while the limited edition UNO BTS cards collection is sold at RM25.90.

With rooted hair and 11 points of articulation, the dolls can be posed in their many iconic dance moves. So go ahead and choose from RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook or (if you have the cash to splurge) collect them all.

Meanwhile, the UNO BTS cards has a special “Dancing Wild” card where the next player must perform their BTS dance routine or draw three additional cards. The usual Skip, Reverse and Wild Draw Four action cards can also be found here.

So what can ARMYs expect at the in-mall roadshow? Details are as follows:

The 2-hour special interactive LED display will feature an interactive screen where fans’ real-time photos will be uploaded as a unified collective photo together with their idols.


You Are Ok: The Maine To Tour In Asia This September

The Maine just announced their upcoming tour Asia and Australia.

The 2019 “You Are Ok” tour is in support of their 7th studio album, which is also titled “You Are Ok”. Are y’all excited to see members John O’Callaghan, Jared Monaco, Garrett Nickelsen, Patrick Kirch, and Kennedy Brock in action?

Sadly, for those of us living in Malaysia, the American rock band currently has no plans to stop by our country at the moment.

The countries that have been unveiled so far include:

The details to The Maine Live in Singapore are as follows:

Concert tickets will go on sale on 3rd May 2019 from 9am onwards via www.upsurgeproductions.com.

A post shared by The Maine (@themaineband)

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(UPDATE) Legally Blonde 3: Reese Witherspoon To Reprise Elle Woods

Back in the game, back in the fray, back the hell out of her way, cause it’s Reese Witherspoon coming through.

The day started out just like any other regular day, but it got a whole lot better when we heard that the Oscar-winning actress is in talks to reprise her role as Elle Woods for “Legally Blonde 3”.

A vague description about “Legally Blonde 3” by Deadline reads:

“They are keeping the plot under wraps, but I’m told it will be much in the spirit of the first film, in which Woods’ idealism and pink-dominant wardrobe prevailed over the cynicism and snootiness all around her after the freshly dumped former sorority sister heads to law school. The sequel brought her to D.C. to join the staff of a congresswoman to pass a bill to ban animal testing. The intention here is to make this more about female empowerment, a message that hits at a fortuitous time in the culture. The feeling is to draw back in the audience that grew up with the original film and find a new global audience.”

If the deal goes through, the 42-year-old A-lister would also produce through her Hello Sunshine production company. Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith and Karen McCullah are also reportedly in final talks to return as the screenwriters. A director has not been secured yet.

During her appearance on “The Late Late Show” in March, Witherspoon and James Corden were pitching potential story ideas. “I think it would be kind of cool to see her 15 years later. Like, what’s she doing now? What do you think? I don’t know. But I need a good idea,” she asked the talk show host.

When Corden suggested that Woods could become the first female president of the United States, Witherspoon replied, “She could, yeah. She could be a Supreme Court Justice, or she could be a really great, powerful attorney … or she could be in prison!”

Could you see Ms Woods campaigning to become the first woman president?

Here is a suggestion – “Legally Blonde 3: Commander In Chic”, the next instalment in the blonde cinematic universe we’re all excited about.

It’s official y’all! Reese Witherspoon is ready to make a splash as Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde 3”.

The actress took to Twitter last night (Thursday, 7th June) to announce the good news by posting a short clip of herself floating by in a pool while wearing a pink swimsuit. “It’s true…” she captioned the tweet.

It’s true… #LegallyBlonde3 pic.twitter.com/i9zBrUpRCp

— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) June 7, 2018

“Legally Blonde 3” is currently slated for release on 14th February 2020, Valentine’s Day.

Sources: News au, Deadline, Coming Soon.


#Thailand: Aussie Tourist Falls To Death In Parasailing Gone Wrong

Oh dear, an tourist from Perth met a tragic accident on Wednesday (12th July) when he and his wife were vacationing on the Thai resort island of Phuket.

The 71-year-old Aussie, named Roger Hussey, fell to his death after plunging 30m into the sea while parasailing. It is believed that the entire incident was recorded on video by his wife, Budsabong Thongsangka.

The videoclip started with Hussey looking relax and smiling to the camera. A worker can be seen strapping Hussey into his safety gear. After making sure everything was secured and adding a life vest, the duo was then pulled up into the air. Seconds later, Hussey is seen falling helplessly into the ocean as the parasail wing was still climbing.

According to local media, Hussey had apparently confused the ropes on his parasail and accidentally yank a hook that unstrapped his harness. Although beachgoers at Kata beach rushed to his aid and managed to pull the Australian from the sea, he had difficulty breathing and passed away in the hospital.

Police announced that the boat operator and driver Monthian Jandaeng has been charged with reckless driving causing death. The Aussie couple had been spending their holiday in northern Thailand’s Chiang Mai before Phuket. They were scheduled to return to Perth on Friday (14th July).

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

Sources: News via Lowyat Forum, ABC, SMH.

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LEGOLAND® Malaysia Mascot Spotted At KLCC

As the nation prepares to celebrate its 55th National Day, a huge crowd turned out yesterday to meet the LEGOLAND® Malaysia mascot Ollie the Dragon, who made a special appearance at KLCC.

Bearing a huge sign reading “Happy National Day” the mascot mingled with the guests and gave away some goodies during the festivities. Spotted at KLCC Symphony Lake Fountain, Ollie also invited excited fans to have their photos taken with him by the official LEGOLAND photographer.

Beginning tomorrow, 30th August 2012 until 3rd September 2012, these pictures will be posted on the Official LEGOLAND® Malaysia Facebook page. If your picture appears on the page get in touch with LEGOLAND at: info@LEGOLAND.my and there could be a very exciting surprise coming your way!

LEGOLAND® Malaysia opens on 15th September 2012 in Nusajaya, Johor Bahru. The Park will be the first of its kind in Asia. We can’t wait!

To read more about our sneak preview of the Park, click! For more information, visit LEGOLAND® Malaysia’s Facebook page.


What We Really Thought Of “Looper”

Here’s what happens: Joe (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) lives in the year 2042, and he’s a Looper. A Looper is basically a mafia-employed assassin – also known as a murderer without any hesistations.

His duties are plain and simple – to kill bound and gagged targets that are sent back through time. For each successful kill earns Joe silver. And Joe has quite a fair bit of silver stashed away. Yup. He has cold-bloodedly killed some.

All is well until an order to “close the loop” came from a future boss named, the “Rainmaker”.

Joe’s boring cycle of “wait and shoot” breaks one day when his older (about 30 years into the future) self appears. The older Joe (played  by Bruce Willis) escapes and it lands the younger Joe in trouble.

While the mafias are after him, the younger Joe is suddenly in a struggle against past, present, future, escape, survival, and revenge. Live, die, kill, protect, save, which one will it be? Also, the movie wouldn’t have been complete without a few twists and turns:

Tough! Wouldn’t you like to see how the younger Joe gets out of this one?

On the hindsight, sci-fi and time travel fans would love this one. Director Rian Johnson doesn’t know this yet but he has created a slick and twisted sci-fi movie that will continue to entertain for years to come. Think of it as a more messed up (in a good way) version of ”Back To The Future”. While most sci-fi and time travel flicks involve a lot of heavy CGI, “Looper” is oddly simple enough and rawer. Not much special effect needed save for some awesome yet-to-be-made gadgets seen in the movie.

Obviously, special effects aren’t needed to define a good sci-fi movie. As long as it has strong, witty lines and good looking actors to carry their roles well. And yes, we’re talking about you, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Fake nose and all.

Our advice though, is that you get into this one without feeling the need to dissect the idea of time traveling. Keep in mind that it hasn’t been invented (obviously!) and try not to gauge its technics in “Looper” by comparing it to other time travel movies.

We didn’t argue with it. We just enjoyed it!

Looper will be released at a cinema near you on 27th September 2012. For more information, visit the movie’s official website.

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#TheGreatYoga2017: Yoga Lin To Hold Concert In Arena Of Stars In September

Fans of Yoga Lin, we’ve got good news for you ;)

The Mandopop singer will be coming to Malaysia this September for his “The Great Yoga 2017” world tour! If you’ve always wanted to see the Mandopop singer live in action, this is your chance.

The 29-year-old singer made a splash in the Mandopop scene through his appearance on the singing competition “One Million Star Season 1 (第一季超級星光大道)” in 2007. He emerged as the winner although faced with other strong contenders such as Aska Yang, Judy Chou, Peter Pan, Afalean Wu, and more.

This won’t be Yoga Lin’s first time in Malaysia, as the singer previously wowed fans in 2007 during his promotional tour and a joint-concert in 2008.

He’s also famed for his highly distinctive vocals, wide vocal range, and outstanding singing abilities. Hit tracks from the singer include “Fairy Tale (說謊)”, “Unrequited (浪費)”, “If I Were A Song (如果我變成一首歌)”, “Wake Up (自然醒)”, and more.

Tickets can be bought from BuyTicket’s website.

For more info, visit Galaxy Group’s website and Facebook page.


South Korean Air Force Parodies Les Misérables

Well, it looks like the South Koreans now have their own version of the popular musical drama, Les Misérables. To fully understand what we’re going to say next, you need to have watched the film or at least the Broadway production.

Two years of military service is mandatory for all able-bodied men in South Korea, which technically remains at war with its rival the North. During service, many of the men enrolled would serve in remote, mountainous areas and get little time off to visit family or friends. But even that kind of luxury cannot be abused or taken for granted as it would result in dire consequences. You remember what happened to K-Pop idol Rain recently, right?

In any case, the 14-minute video was said to have been made to boost morale among the corps. Entitled, “Les Militaribles”, the video parody garnered more than 1,100,000 views in just a few days (it was released on the 5th February 2013 via YouTube).

“Les Militaribles” (try not to pronounce it as, “Les Mili-terribles”) tells the tale of a lovelorn military service recruit and a vindictive superior officer and it uses the same songs from the musical such as “Look Down”, “I Dreamed a Dream” and “Do You Hear the People Sing?” – except, it’s all sung in Korean.  The “cast” in the video, with the exception of the woman playing Cosette, were actual South Korean military conscripts.

[youtube id=”lZunEARBb6I” width=”600″ height=”350″]

With regards to the purpose of the parody video, Major Cheon Myeong-nyeong told the South China Morning Post:

We made the video to lift the spirit of servicemen who had to work so hard to clear snow during the unusually heavy winter this year. We hope that the video can help shatter the image of the military as a dull place and encourage more youth to take the service with delight.

The video even got a retweet from actor Russell Crowe, who plays Inspector Javert in the Les Misérables film:

“Dig down, dig down, and clear the snow below. There is no end to this accursed snow. Dig down, dig down, you still have two service years to go..”

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Bane: The One-Man Film Noir At PJ Live Arts

If you think film noir belongs to the silver screens of the past, think again. Several awards and five-star reviews later, the first chapter of one-man film noir parody series Bane will finally thrill, surprise, and delight at its Asian debut in PJ Live Arts, Jaya One.

Bane is a testament to the power of live acting. UK actor Joe Bone skillfully performs all of Bane’s 79 characters and sound effects alone on a bare stage – a feat so impressive, he scored a Guinness world record for it. Accompanied by musician Ben Roe’s live guitar score, the detective story comes alive with all the wit and glamour of the film noir world. Expect car chases, gun battles, toxic mutations, and high-speed pursuits.

Be amongst the first in the continent to experience this cinematic rollercoaster of action, comedy, drama, and music in Bane, the best crime movie never made.

Dates: Thursday, 25 April 2013, to Saturday, 27 April 2013

Venue: Theatre @ PJ Live Arts, Level 1 Block L Palm Square @ Jaya One, 72A Jalan Universiti, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Box Office: +6017 2-BUY-TIX | +6017 2289849 (12pm–7pm daily) www.tix.my (24hours)

Admission: RM40 (RM35 early bird / LIVE Cardholders)

For more information, hit up their website or their Facebook page.