Interview: Pink Sweat$ On Creating “Pink Planet”, & His Relationship With Kehlani & SEVENTEEN

David Bowden or better known as Pink Sweat$ is the R&B artist everyone’s been buzzing about. Philadelphia born and raised, but currently based in Los Angeles, this 29-year-old singer is standing out from the crowd for all the right reasons.

He broke into the music scene in 2018, with his first single “Honesty” reaching number 10 on Spotify’s US Viral Chart. His first album “Volume 1” was released on 2nd November 2018. He has since released two more albums and several hit singles. Fans have also enjoyed hearing his collaboration with several other artists, like Kehlani, and DK and Joshua from SEVENTEEN.

Sweat$ initially had no plans to be an artist. He loved writing songs and figured that was what he’d do for the rest of his life. But after being diagnosed with achalasia when he was 19, he felt the need to let his voice be heard. “…it made me realise I shouldn’t waste time, because I didn’t know if this would lead to me losing my voice,” he stated.

His brand of R&B is different from the usual tunes. “Everybody was rapping gangster, and I’m from the hood, so I was seeing the stuff that these people were rapping about and it wasn’t cool to me,” Sweat$ explains. He wanted to show people that there was more to life than just becoming a gangster or dealing with drugs.

True to himself, his latest two singles, “At My Worst” and “Heaven” are people’s thoughts put into music. With these two singles, he has declared his debut album, the Pink Planet project completed and is ready to showcase them in a livestreamed concert this Friday (12th February).

We got the opportunity to interview Pink Sweat$ to find out more about “Pink Planet”, “At My Worst”, and understand the artist a little better.

1. “Heaven” is coming out on the 8th, and you’ve released “At My Worst”. So, with these two songs, is the “Pink Planet” project finally finished?

It’s finished, the whole project is coming out on the 12th.

2. What has been the biggest challenge throughout this journey of putting together the “Pink Planet” project?

I would say the biggest journey is… you know just feeling like it’s finished, because sometimes you think it’s done, and then you add another song, or you go back in on an old song and you change something. So, I think for me that was probably the hardest thing to just be like “Okay, it’s done, it’s fine, it’s fine.”

Cause, you know, us as humans, sometimes we can be our worst critic, where we don’t allow things to just happen. It’s like, “Uh, I got to edit this, I had to edit that.”

3. How did you come up with the name “Pink Planet”? Does it have a similar backstory to your name, Pink Sweat$?

No, it’s just, I always wanted to create a world. And I feel like my brain, the way that I build… It’s like, I call it world building, like I’m creating a place, a space where people can… You know when they come in, feel free to express, free to learn, free to be vulnerable. And I feel like my music is a gateway to that sometimes.

Somebody can listen to one of my songs and that starts a conversation for them. Like, “Man, I want somebody to love me at my worst! Hey babe, you think you’ll love me at my worst?” Like, I think it just creates that conversation. And I kind of wanted to create a place where people can come, you know, even though it’s not a physical place, it’s a mental place. It’s beautiful when you get there.

4. Did anything spark “Pink Planet” in particular?

I guess what sparked it was, I just wanted to do something bigger. Because like before, all my music was kind of broken down into simple instruments, like just a guitar or something like that. So, I kind of wanted to do something bigger. And I felt like, I’m making it bigger means that it’s gotta be an album if I’m going to go big. It’s like, I gotta go all the way. “Pink Planet” is just like, it’s such a big idea.

5. We love that you’ve enlisted Kehlani on “At My Worst”. And we want to know, how did the collaboration come about? What’s your relationship with her like?

We’re not like best friends or anything, but I met her at a party like two years ago, something like that. And we exchanged information and we’ve admired each other’s music. And when it came time to do it, I knew I wanted (a woman) to do it. So, yeah, we just figured it out. Like, our teams talked to each other. We talked, her and I talked to each other. We just made it happen.

6. Kehlani is known for her defiance and radical honesty. Were there other traits you saw while working with her that you really admired?

I feel like she’s herself, through and through. You know, she tells her truth. And I like that. I think it’s rare. It’s a good trait.

7. You did a remix of “17” with members of the K-pop group, SEVENTEEN. So, what was it like working with Joshua and DK?

I think originally, we just thought it was like ironic, you know? I was like, “Oh wow, I have a song, “17” and their group name is SEVENTEEN.” And then, me and my team, we talked. And we just thought about it, and we were like “Yeah, we should just try to reach out and see if they’re down.”

They’re really dope. We try to pay attention to the things that we can see that are like, you know, maybe not be in America but somewhere else, where we can kind of collaborate and I feel like with them, they are already very successful where they are, you know, and we kind of wanted to just collaborate and show people that, you know, two different worlds coming together. They’re very nice, they’re so nice. Very nice people.

8. We also love that you didn’t miss the irony of your song being “17” and that you invited members from SEVENTEEN.

Yeah! At first, I thought I was like, “Man, maybe it’s not SEVENTEEN. Maybe it’s something else, maybe I’m like not seeing it correctly.”

9. What is your fascination with the K-pop world?

Yeah, I think what fascinates me most is the visual aesthetic of, like, stage performance and music videos and things like that. So, I definitely want to do more collaborations in the future. I guess it just matters when the right song comes along, you know? Like once the right song is there, it’s like “Oh, this is perfect.”

10.  We noticed that being different and standing out is your brand. Was there anything in life that drove you to prioritise these two traits and make them your core as a singer?

I feel like the thing that drove me to be myself is, we’re all different. And you never discover your differences until you become your true self. I feel like for me, when I was young, I used to want to fit in. I used to want to be like everybody else. It’s kinda like, “Blend in, you don’t want to stand out too much.” So, people are looking at you and you’re like, “Ah, I just want to blend back in.”

So, when I got older, it just made me think like, “I’m denying myself of my own freedom.” Because when you’re yourself, you’re the most free. You’re the most happy, the most loving, the most caring. When you’re not yourself, you get frustrated. You’re like trying to be like everyone else. Do the same job as everybody else, go to the same basketball court as everybody else… You just get lost in yourself.

11. If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be and why?

If I could change one thing about the music industry, I would change how people perceive music. I will try to make people understand the power that music has to affect people positively.

12. Unlike most of the R&B songs of this current era, your songs in particular have intentionally avoided degrading women and talking explicitly about sex. What led you to avoid these conventional topics of the R&B songs, aside from just being purposefully different?

I feel like I wanted to challenge myself. I wanted to challenge my peers. I just wanted to challenge the status quo. Because usually, everybody is like, “Oh, sex sells, sex sells,” and it’s like, “Okay, everybody knows that, right?” Everywhere around the world, everybody knows all sex sells.  So, I just proved to myself that I don’t have to do that if I don’t want to. Like if I want to talk about sexual things, maybe in the future I will, but I just wanted to challenge myself. Just like, I wanted to see if I could make something out of myself from, you know, not doing those things.

Check out “Heaven” when it drops on the 8th and listen to “At My Worst” in the meantime. Don’t skip the remixes either, you’d be surprised at how different the songs can be.

We’d like to warmly thank Warner Music Malaysia for giving us the chance to meet this talented R&B singer virtually. We can’t wait to hear more from Pink Sweat$ in the future!

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Do The “Harlem Shake”!

There’s a new viral trend on the interwebs and just in case you think it’s anything like the slapstick “Gangnam Style”, well, you’d be sorely disappointed. Not because it’s boring per se – but because what it’s all about is (originally) a 30-second video of people dancing along to Baauer’s “trap and bass” track in a room.

The supposedly original “Harlem Shake” video as follows:

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It soon became one of those internet memes and with the power of social media, it spread like an epidemic, creating waves and spawning over 12,000 “Harlem Shake” versions and parodies. Collectively, they’ve been watched more than 44 million times in a week. By the umpteenth version, it has become 30-second videos of people just randomly getting jiggy with the song in just about anywhere you can imagine.

It always starts out with a random person, often wearing a helmet for we don’t know what reason, dancing alone in a room/space filled with really bored looking people. Then suddenly, just as the song is about to “break”, everybody in the said room joins in. Some even manage to miraculously find the time to change into ridiculous looking costumes.

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They say that this is going to be the next “Gangnam Style”. Yeah. We don’t even. And no, we’re not going to teach you how to do it. You’ll just have to put on a helmet and try it out yourself.

But do share the video when you’re done. Haha!

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M’sian Couple Arrested For Extorting Woman Over Nude Pictures & Videos

A 22-year-old man and his 23-year-old fiancé were arrested after they were caught extorting a woman in exchange for not releasing her nude photos and clips.

Petaling Jaya police chief, Asst. Comm Nik Ezanee Mohd Faizal, said the victim had initially shared her nudes with her 22-year-old ex-boyfriend. The investigation revealed that the man had lost his mobile phone sometime in March.

It all started back on 31st May, after the 21-year-old received a text from a mysterious person who claimed that they had kept her nude photos. They asked for RM1,000 from the woman in exchange for not spreading it online.

During the investigation, the woman admitted to giving RM300 in cash to the man who is also a friend of her former partner. The culprit then asked her to transfer RM400 into a bank account registered under the name of a woman, who is also engaged to him.

Following the report lodged, the police officials have arrested the duo in two separate raids in Sea Park and Sungai Besi respectively. In addition, the male suspect was revealed to have two previous records linked to drugs.

The case is currently investigated under section 384 of the Penal Code.


Movie Soundtracks That We Can’t Stop Listening To

Admit it. You’ve sang Idina Menzel’s “Let It Go” more times than you’d care to admit and you won’t even think twice about re-watching Disney’s “Frozen” for all the songs that were featured in the film. The fact that we can immediately think of a film when we listen to a particular song proves just how much music matters to movies.

Some of the soundtracks may not have been originally written for the film but they surely captured our attention for fitting perfectly into movie scenes. Through these films, we were introduced to the top-line artistes that were tied to curate the film soundtracks and some old acts that were left unnoticed.

So, from rom-com to action-packed films to musicals, we’ve compiled a list of soundtracks that have stuck with us ever since we watched the films. Unfortunately, we’re not going to include Disney movies into the list because we just can’t choose our favourite Disney song like how parents can’t choose their favourite child. Check out the movies that made it into our list:

Baby Groot wouldn’t be dancing so happily in the film if it weren’t for Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back”. All thanks to Star Lord aka Peter Quill’s mixtape, the film took us back in time by featuring a number of songs from the 70s to 80s.

They are undoubtedly some of the best feel-good music that held some sentimental values for Peter Quill as the cassette tape is the only thing that he had with him before being kidnapped from the planet Earth. Although the songs weren’t originally composed for the film, the pop music helped set the tone and the mood for the film and it was an awesome mixtape indeed!

The songs of hopelessness, the songs of uprising, and the songs of victory; these are just some of the songs that have been featured in the soundtrack album for “The Hunger Games” trilogy. Music A-listers such as Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Arcade Fire, and Lorde were involved in composing the original soundtracks for the film.

Some of the songs may not fit well with the folk theme of the film, but “The Hunger Games” and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” soundtrack albums were a great collection of songs that gave a much richer experience for both the music fans and the audience of the film.

All the glitz and glamour in the film adaptation of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” have been translated fairly well in the original soundtrack album of the film. On top of directing this film, Baz Luhrmann curated the soundtrack album together with American rapper Jay Z, who was involved in producing the film.

The album contains both original soundtracks and cover versions that incorporated the new style of music into 1920’s jazz age. From will.i.am’s “Bang Bang” to the cover version of Beyonce‘s “Crazy in Love” to Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful”, the album is a mix of upbeat tunes and hauntingly beautiful music that successfully defined the film.

“The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug” caught us off guard with Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire” in the film’s original motion picture soundtrack album. While everyone expected to hear some majestic scores from the film, “I See Fire” is a hauntingly beautiful track with Sheeran’s signature acoustic music style.

But of course, the sounds behind the soundtrack album were mostly composed by Howard Shone. Without Shone’s film scores, some scenes in the film might not have been as impactful as it turned out to be in the end. On top of that, the scores highlighted the film’s fantasy theme and captured the spirit of the film.

It’s true, the Bee Gees songs that were featured in “Saturday Night Fever” used to be the songs that people would listen to before heading out for a night in the disco. It has been almost 30 years since the film was released but the disco music songs in the film had a cultural impact with a lasting effect on the world.

The soundtrack album of “Saturday Night Fever” was mostly composed and performed by the Bee Gees but there were some other delightful pieces performed by other artistes including Kool and the Gang as well as the Sunshine Band. Sure, they may be a little old school for you but trust us when we say they can turn any place into a dance floor.

Speaking of the disco music style, the iconic musical film “Mamma Mia” is a film that was known to have created new wave of cultural phenomenon based on the stage musical of the same name. The original pop group ABBA was involved in curating the soundtrack album with the use of some traditional Greek instruments.

“Mamma Mia” has featured vocal performances by the film’s cast, who sang the cover version of ABBA’s songs. “Mamma Mia” aside, the album yielded other notable tracks such as “Honey, Honey”, “Dancing Queen”, and “The Winner Takes It All”.

Ask anyone about the song they remember most from iconic romantic disaster film “Titanic” and most of them will say Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”. Because, needless to say, the song became a worldwide smash hit upon the release of the film.

However, similar to “The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug”, the soundtrack album mostly contained original scores composed, orchestrated, and conducted by James Horner. The album has sold over 30 million copies and became the highest-selling primarily orchestral soundtrack.

One of the things you’ve probably heard from those who’ve watched this coming-of-age film is the brilliant song choices. Throughout the film, the characters were seen exchanging mixtapes and at the same time introduced some great soundtracks for the movie goers.

The notable tracks such as The Smiths’ “Asleep” and The Beatle’s “Dear Prudence” allow us to appreciate the music more even though some of them were rather emotional. The genre of the film helped set the tone, which in turn helped create soundtrack album that is – for lack of a better word – brilliant.

Got any song from a film that you can’t stop listening to?

Just share us the list of your favourite movie soundtracks in the comment box below! ;)

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8 Dope Things To Do In The Klang Valley This Week (20th-26th March)

Another week, another list of fun activities to check out!

Look no further if you want to liven up your week with a variety of enjoyable activities! From bead embroidery to Ramadan markets, here’s a list of things you can do this week in the Klang Valley:

At The Bibliophile Workshop, you get to design your own pattern or follow a few samples with the help of their instructors. All embroidery supplies (such as beads, needles, etc.), a wooden hoop (which serves as a frame), designs, and a free beverage are provided throughout the session. Reserve your slots immediately. Click here for more details.

Take a spin in Putrajaya’s smooth streets! Although this course rolls, beginners are advised to try the shorter route first. There will be some infrequent rises, so cycling at your own pace is advised at all times. Everyone is welcome to participate in this event, but please be mindful of your personal safety as well as the safety of other cyclists around you. Click here to register.

A post shared by Something Tuft by glavens (@something_tuft)

Location: Fluffy Space Workshop @ Aurora Sovo Bukit Jalil

Tufting is a fun craft that you should try out. You can create your own carpets, coasters, or framed artwork to serve as a reminder of your special experience. Click here to register.

Location: MRT Pasar Seni (starting point)

Possess a talent for photography? Then join this mobile photography workshop to appreciate the beauty of contemporary and historic architectural structures in Kuala Lumpur. With the help of guest photographer, Eddy Izuwan, discover the finest techniques for taking stunning iPhone photos of history, culture, and downtown Kuala Lumpur. To register, click here.

A post shared by Blue Ice Skating Rink (@blueiceskating)

There’s no snow in Malaysia, given the hot weather. But there’s a new place in town where you can experience snow and a whole lot of other exciting activities! Experience the ultimate REAL ICE entertainment by Blue Ice Snow Park at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, which also includes family favourites and a skating academy. Come by this weekend and prepare to let your inner child go!

Location: Eco & Fun Gamer’s Corner, MyTOWN Shopping Centre

With their Nintendo Switch e-gaming nook, MyTOWN offers you the FUN aspects of the Eco & Fun campaign! At the Gamer’s Corner in MyTown, you can raise your mood and general wellbeing.

Location: Verdure Flora-Lifestyle Workshop Academy

Participate in a fun online session to make handcrafted organic soap while spending quality time with your loved ones at home. Since homemade soaps are an affordable luxury and a well-liked gifting option, it’s undeniable that most people love them, especially when they contain organic ingredients or have lovely designs. Click here to book your slot.

Location: MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre

Ramadan season is here, and that means it’s time to check out some bazaars! Head to Kaloot Bazaar Ramadan to experience a bazaar feel like no other. There’ll be performances by artists, religious sharing, solat terawih berjemaah and lots of Ramadan delicacies to try out.

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#WildestDreamsMusicVideo: Taylor Swift Releases Sneak Peek Of New Music Video

Taylor Swift aka Tay Tay is set to release her latest music video right before the MTV Video Music Awards.

The pop singer-songwriter made the surprise announcement earlier this month about the release of “Wildest Dreams”, one of the sexiest tunes off her “1989” album.

If you haven’t heard it, the Lana Del Rey-esque track is considered one of the most sensual and mature tracks from “1989”, and is pretty much already a fan favourite.

Speaking to Us Weekly last year, gorgeous Tay Tay revealed what inspired the dreamy song. The then-single singing starlet said that “Wildest Dreams” is the best example of how her expectations have changed when it comes to love.

So, what does a dreamy song deserve? Perhaps an equally dreamy music video. And Tay Tay just unveiled (again, to her 60 over million Twitter followers) a brief but also pretty intense preview of what’s in store:

As you can see, the above 15-second clip features a piercing blue eye (probably Tay Tay’s?), a galloping horse, packs of wild zebras running freely through the plain, a bird, a sunset, and some sensual canoodling in a rain storm.

Aww man we were super hoping that she would feature boyfriend Calvin Harris in it! Sorry not sorry.

Her latest single will follow “Shake It Off“, “Blank Space“, “Style”, and “Bad Blood“.

The “Wildest Dreams” music video will premiere during the MTV Video Music Awards pre-show on 30th August (Sunday). Hang tight!


11-Year-Old Malay Girl To Compete At Taiwanese Singing Show

11-year-old Chinese-singing Malay singer Fatimah Noryyah (法蒂玛诺雅) is set to represent our country at the second season of famous Taiwanese singing competition, “Jungle Voice” (声林之王).

Fatimah is one of the 4 Malaysian contestants who will be competing against more than 140 other contestants from around Asia including Mainland China, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Canada and more.

沒想到會有金曲獎入圍歌手來參加《聲林之王2》！飛行導師之後還將邀請到王嘉爾！真的讓人越來越期待播出了！ (#史蒂芬周) #聲林之王 #JungleVoice #林宥嘉 #蕭敬騰 #ETtoday新聞雲 #ETtoday星光雲 #聲林海選 #聲林之王第二季 @yogalin_official @jam_hsiao0330 @junglevoice_ettoday @ettodaytw @starettoday

A post shared by  聲林之王 Jungle Voice (@junglevoice_ettoday) on Jul 3, 2019 at 12:31am PDT

The other 3 Malaysian contestants are Golden Melody Awards (金曲奖) nominee Evangeline Wong (王艳薇), and contestants from the Malaysian selection of “Jungle Voice 2”, Ivy Lee (李艾薇) and Zhang Zi Qing (张子晴).

Fatimah who is often nicknamed as “Little G.E.M Tang”, is also the youngest contestant at “Jungle Voice 2”. She previously participated in “Let’s Sing Kids” (中国新声代 ) Season 5 in 2018.

Popular Taiwanese singers Jam Hsiao (萧敬腾) and Yoga Lin (林宥嘉) will serve as the show’s primary mentors while GOT 7’s Jackson Wang (王嘉尔) and Matilda Tao (陶晶莹) will be the temporary mentors.

“Jungle Voice 2” will air on 23rd August 2019, every Friday night, 9pm on ET Today Channel, YouTube, and app. Malaysians can also catch the show same time on Astro GO and On Demand, or on Astro AEC and AEC HD, every Saturday at 6pm.

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“Jiang Ziya: Legend of Deification” Review: A Divine Journey of Self Discovery

You know, October may claim to be the spooky month of the year. Where ghastly thrills and eerie ghouls abound, Halloween is there to bring in the fun. Nevertheless, that does not mean we can’t revisit a certain festival for the second time this year. SO, YAS. Happy Lunar New Year folks!

Now, we might picture you scrunching up your visages, placing your fingers on your brow while scratching it, pondering as to what madness overcame this page to be wishing you “Gong Xi Fa Cai” in the closing months of the year. No prob, lads. We’re here to tell you why!

Originally set to release in January this year was a Chinese animated feature called “Jiang Ziya: Legend of Deification (姜子牙)”. Alongside Jackie Chan’s action flick, “Vanguard” (which was also released last month), these films were meant to be some of 2020’s Chinese New Year highlights. Nevertheless, the increasingly dire circumstances around the globe forced the movie to be pushed back to October. So, now you know, our new year greetings have been justified.

“Legend of Deification” is the second entry in the Fengshen Cinematic Universe. The first outing in the aforementioned series was 2019’s “Ne Zha”, which came as a pleasant surprise due to how fluently animated it was. Indeed, “Ne Zha” had heart, humour, a compelling anti-hero, and a superb message on identity. Furthermore, the dizzying kinetic aura it emanated was a sight to behold considering the sheer scale of the set pieces. Divine.

As such, it was a no-brainer to us that this second entry, “Legend of Deification”, was somehow going to live up to the epic scale of “Ne Zha”. What we did not know was that it would exceed those expectations. Wanna know why? Let’s dive in.

The movie tells the tale of our eponymous protagonist, voiced by Zheng Xi, who leads an army through a fierce battle against Emperor Zhou of the Shang dynasty as detailed through a beautiful 2D-rendered prologue. With his leadership, the divine army eventually prevails and defeats the emperor’s forces.

Shortly after the battle, the emperor’s “destined love”, Su Daji (Yang Ning), is revealed to be a nine-tailed-vixen spirit. With the knowledge that she would be the chaos bringer to mankind, her corporeal form is held captive atop the golden pillars of Kunlun.

Jiang Ziya’s victory led to him being conferred the title of “leader of the gods” but for him to fully embrace the role, he is subsequently given his final task: execute the nine-tailed-fox. However, as he is about to strike the spirit down with a blow from his sword, he is pulled into a dreamlike stupor by Su Daji, making him question his reality and the life-changing decision by showing him a little girl fastened tight within the hairs of her tails.

Jiang Ziya is not able to bring himself to execute an innocent but this delay inadvertently unleashes evil upon Kunlun, which he makes short work of by cutting off her head. Nonetheless, his initial compassion is frowned upon by the gods. As such, he is banished from the heavenly council to Beihai, living a solitary life.

After a time jump of ten years, our protagonist is still forlorn on Earth but his fate changes when he crosses paths with Jiuwei (Ji Guanlin), a young child who visits his town in search of her father. Seeking a chance at redemption, he agrees to follow her across treacherous lands to Mount Youdo to assist her in her mission.

Now, please excuse us while we simp all over an animated model, cos he’s as breathtaking as Keanu Reeves.

One of the main differences between the source material and the film is concerning Jiang Ziya’s age. In the literary source, the figure is commonly depicted as an elderly man with a military strategist’s mind equivalent to Hannibal (not Lecter) of Rome. However, the animated version displays a much younger-looking middle-aged man with long flowing hair tied up in a ponytail, wielding a divine staff as his main weapon. Well, he may be held in high regards within the divine community, but man, Jiang Ziya is fine as hell.

Many times, Jiang Ziya’s failure to strike down the spirit is alluded to and we see a pitiful resentment within him. He’s still every bit as bold, physically adept, and reeking of benevolence. However, inside him is a broken man, pained as evidenced through his eyes. He’s an outcast, one who could not live with his own failure.

Jiuwei, on the other hand, is similar to the title character. An outcast of society due to her physical attributes, she has been a loner all her life. However, unlike Jiang Ziya, she is not harbouring as much pain due to her more cheerful personality. Indeed, her presence bleeds into Jiang Ziya’s struggle as does his into hers. The dynamic between the characters is indeed beautifully conceptualised as they both find themselves on the path to Mount Youdo.

The filmmakers also take their time to zoom in on the details, giving viewers several key pieces of imagery to soak in. And it’s heavenly! The contrast between the desolate sands of the desert and the gigantic white pillars of Kunlun indeed were sights to behold. Without a doubt, much thought was given into presenting epic cinematic visuals.

Like “Ne Zha”, a great deal of care was given to craft slick animated fight-sequences. It’s a welcome delight when these sequences are executed as the action is dizzyingly fast-paced to get your blood pumping. The nine-tailed fox is animated with such ferocity that with every swipe of her sharpened claws, you do feel the danger that she poses to our heroes. Along with some truly amazing blasts of runic energy, the sequences were made to awe.

One thing that we felt “Legend of Deification” exceeded its predecessor in was with regards to its colour compositions. The vibrant hues and shades of blue were used to full effect in constructing effective contrast between the forces of light and darkness. Indeed, many scenes were given a great amount of heft due to how the animation was framed and coloured.

Moving on, one other aspect we absolutely fell head-over-heels over was the animal sidekick because…

Look at that, folks. What a beauty. This smol white bean is definitely the scene-stealer whenever it comes onscreen. Although it’s referred to as a milu deer, it’s mannerism is similar to that of a dog’s. Its mysticism lends it the ability to communicate as if it were blowing bubbles. Indeed, it joins the likes of Pascal and Flounder as one useful cute lil’ creature as he certainly holds his own during some really entertaining battle sequences.

The movie is not completely without fault as we felt that the plot could have had a slightly better structure, especially when it came to the use of Emperor Zhou and the nine-tailed spirit in several sequences. However, this issue is just a minor gripe and one that did not affect our enjoyment of this tale.

“Jiang Ziya: Legend of Deification” has not met our expectations. No. It has surpassed them. Such is the quality of the film that was such a joy to watch and we definitely recommend this to our readers. indeed, we can’t wait to see what the studio, Beijing Enlight, can do next.

Sorry PIXAR, but as of now, this has to be our favourite animated feature of 2020 (not that there are many anyway). It’s got all the goods. Raw emotion. A gosh-darn adorable animal sidekick. Exquisite imagery. Visceral action.

All that and it’s. Just. Breathtakingly. Epic.

Do stay around through the rolling credits as there are some post-credit tags and a beautiful teaser trailer for the next entry in the animated world of the gods, “Deep Sea”.

Have you watched “Jiang Ziya: Legend of Deification” yet? What did you think about it? Don’t forget to wish us a very “Happy Lunar New Year” in the comments below!

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#Halloween: Hollywood’s Creepiest Demon Dolls

We’re about 10 days to one of the most highly anticipated occasions of the year, where ghouls, witches, and vampires alike haunt the streets at night. Yes, it’s none other than Halloween.  And because we’re feeling particularly “festive” about it, we thought we’d introduce our readers to some of Hollywood TV’s and film’s creepiest, cursed demon dolls. It’s safe to say that they’re probably the stuff your nightmares were made of. So approach this list at your own risk!

“Dolly Dearest” sees a family move to Mexico to take over the Dolly Dearest factory. Little do they know that the factory is close to a Mayan cult’s tomb and an evil spirit just so happens to take refuge inside the factory dolls. A pretty unoriginal story but when Dolly shows her evil side she is pure nightmare fuel and a rather nasty scene with a sewing machine will leave you wincing.

Although the clown doll is a minor part of “Poltergeist“, his presence is unforgettable. Poor Robbie is already creeped out by the doll as he covers it with a jacket in an earlier scene. Imagine his horror when the doll comes alive and drags him under his bed to try and strangle him. A scene that traumatised many children over the years and one of the most memorable scenes in horror.

Sadistic doll Talky Tina is not from the film but from the classic creepy series, “The Twilight Zone”. Originally aired in 1963, Talky Tina featured in the 126th episode, “Living Doll”. Tina is a sweet and innocent looking doll until she speaks. A young Telly Savalas plays the stepfather who begins to suspect that Talky Tina is actually evil. He cuts her head off but she still comes back to finish him. Remember, you better be nice to Talky Tina.

A now cult film from 1989, “Puppet Master” features an array of killer dolls including leader Blade who slices and dices with a hook, Pinhead who uses his large hands to kill, and Tunneler who uses his drill-like head to dispatch of his victims. A popular series with horror fans, “Puppet Master” went on to spawn many sequels.

What is it with the 80s and killer doll films? “Dolls” is the 1987 horror about a group of people who stop by a mansion to escape a storm. Living at the mansion are 2 eccentric toy makers who have a rather large collection of haunted dolls that like to come alive and punish bad people. Who knew a newborn baby doll could be so creepy?

The cult horror villain voiced by Brad Dourif is probably the most well known evil doll ever. Although Chucky has now become some kind of loveable anti-hero, the first couple of films from the “Child’s Play” series feature a more evil and creepy version. With a death count of 30, Chucky is a doll you don’t want to mess with.

No scary dolls list will ever be complete without mentioning Tiffany! Voiced by Jennifer Tilly in “Bride of Chucky”, Tiffany is pure sass and glamour but still pretty deadly especially if you mock her. All she wants in life is to be married and live a sweet housewife life, only she has a short fuse and will likely bash you to death with her rolling pin.

From “Saw” creators Leigh Whannell and James Wan, “Dead Silence” is a great film about a man who returns to his hometown to discover the truth about his wife’s brutal murder and why he was sent a creepy doll named Billy. A dark and creepy film with plenty of twists and turns, “Dead Silence” features several dolls but there is something about Billy’s cold stare and twisted smile that chills you.

Jigsaw made his debut in the first film of the series, “Saw“, and he later appeared in Saw II, III, IV, V, VI, and 3D. He’s described as a mysterious person who kidnaps people he believes take their lives for granted and subjects them to “tests”, usually mechanical devices rigged to maim or kill the subjects if they fail to complete it within a certain time period. Jigsaw didn’t actually do any killings in “Saw”, but he sure was creepy.

Annabelle made her first appearance in 2013’s “The Conjuring”. An innocent-looking pigtailed doll at first, she later becomes possessed by a demon that threatens a young couple with a newborn baby.

How about that? Which one was the creepiest for you? Did we leave any spooky dolls of Hollywood out? Let us know in the comments box below.

Also, if you’re still mustering up enough courage to watch Annabelle, allow us to help you with our movie review here. We’ll leave you now with the official trailer of the film. Don’t hold your breaths!:


Fun Facts: Things You Need To Know About The #Annabelle Origins

It came as no surprise to us that the hype has been built up way before “The Conjuring” spin-off film, “Annabelle” was released worldwide. Despite making only a cameo appearance in 2013’s hit horror film “The Conjuring”, the creepy-looking haunted doll Annabelle instantly became popular. Since there are more stories to be told about the doll, a spin-off film “Annabelle” is born.

Earlier in July, Warner Bros and New Line confirmed that the doll will be making its return through the spin-off film and announced that the film will be released worldwide this October. However, the stars who portrayed the paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren will not be appearing in the spin-off film as the film is set to be an origin story for Annabelle.

If you’re excited as we are, here’s getting to know a little more about “Annabelle”:

“The Conjuring” cinematographer, John R. Leonetti became the director for the spin-off film as the previous director James Wan announced he’s retiring his directing work for the horror genre. Together with Peter Safran, James Wan continued to assist the new director and became the producer for the film instead. The script of the film is written by Gary Dauberman, who has previously done uncredited production rewrites for both “Final Destination 5” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street”.

2. Connection between the female lead and Annabelle the doll

The female lead of the film was cast to portray the male lead’s expectant wife Mia Gordon who is obsessed with rare vintage doll. In the beginning of the film, the female lead receives the doll from her husband and names the doll Annabelle.

Ironically, the actress shares the same name with the doll as her real name is Annabelle Wallis.

3. Based on a true story investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren

“Annabelle” is based on a true story investigated by the paranormal investigators pairing Ed and Lorraine Warren. The doll is part of the demonic objects collection that they’ve displayed in the Warren Occult Museum. Back in 70s, the couple gained their popularity through their doll as the story of the doll is considered unique from the rest of the possessed items.

According to the paranormal investigators, the doll was manipulated by the evil spirits rather than possessed by it as the spirits can only possess living human bodies. Thus, the investigators took the doll and locked it in a container to prevent it from infesting the humans.

Well, believe it or not, the Annabelle doll isn’t as scary as it looks in real life. In fact, the doll is a large rag doll that was named as Raggedy Ann.

No nudity, no vulgarity; the film seems like a perfect horror film for all to watch but clearly, “Annabelle” is not for the weak hearted as the film was given the same R rating as “The Conjuring” by MPAA. The reason it was rated R was because of the “sequences of disturbing violence and terror”.

If the male lead of “Annabelle” looks familiar to you, well, it’s not completely by coincidence! American actor Ward Horton was a model repped by Wilhelmina Models company and has appeared in various magazines.

Halloween seems like it’s going to be filled with a bunch of scary pranks as Mezco Toyz has announced that they will soon released merchandise based on Annabelle the doll! There’s no info about the toys yet but it is expected to be released this Halloween.

Starring Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton, the film is slated for release on October 2, 2014 in Malaysia (general release).

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JYJ’s Kim Jae Joong To Tour 6 Asian Cities Including Kuala Lumpur

You may remember Kim Jae Joong (김재중) as a member of the Korean pop group JYJ and was one of the original members of boy band TVXQ.

However, the 33-year-old South Korean star has been making a mark as a solo artist and branching out into K-dramas.

Kim Jae Joong will be embarking on his Asian tour early this year. The 6 Asian countries that have been confirmed so far include:

C-JeS Entertainment previously announced that the K-pop star will be debuting his first Korean release in 4 years. “Kim Jae Joong is confirmed to be releasing a new album sometime in mid-January of next year. As Kim Jae Joong has not been active (in the Korean music industry) for a long time, we predict that music industry insiders and fans will be keeping their eye on him following the news of his January comeback,” the agency said.

#김재중 아시아투어 #콘서트 개최도시 확정!?? . ??#아시아 #6개도시 에서 재중이가 함께합니다❤ . ✔ 1월 18-19일 #서울 ✔ 2월 22일 #방콕 ✔ 3월 7일 #자카르타 ✔ 3월 14일 #쿠알라룸푸르 ✔ 3월 28일 #타이베이 ✔ 4월 25일 #마카오 . #1월14일 새 미니앨범 [#애요]와 함께 ✨2020 KIM JAE JOONG Asia Tour Concert✨로 여러분들을 만나러 갈게요 ✈ . Don’t miss his following Asiatour tour concert on Jan 18-19th in #Seoul! And Feb 22th in #Bangkok, Mar 7th in #Jakarta, 14th in #KualaLumpur, 28th in #Taipei and on Apr 25th in #Macau! Let’s be w/him! . #김재중 #재중 #JJ #Kimjaejoong #JJun #金在中 #Cjestagram #씨제스타그램

A post shared by  씨제스 엔터테인먼트 l CJeS (@cjes.tagram) on Jan 2, 2020 at 4:34pm PST

The venue and ticketing details for the former boybander have not been announced yet. Stay tuned for further details.

Kim Jae Joong’s concert tickets will go on sale from 12pm on 18th January onwards. Take a look at the seating plan below:


#ZikaVirus: Mosquito-Borne Virus “Spreading Explosively”, May Infect Millions

It’s the talk of the town world, and not for the best of reasons.

The Zika virus is now active in more than 20 countries, prompting worldwide concern and travel warnings targeting pregnant women. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the mosquito-borne Zika virus may infect up to 4 million people, and the agency is deciding if the outbreak should be declared an international health emergency.

WHO director-general Dr Margaret Chan said in a statement on Thursday (28th January) that the level of alarm was “extremely high”. “Last year, the virus was detected in the Americas, where it is now spreading explosively. As of today, cases have been reported in 23 countries and territories in the region,” Dr Chan said.

What is the Zika virus? What can/does it do to a person? Here are some things you need to know:

But here’s an alarming reason for caution: what seems to be happening in affected pregnant women, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy, is that the virus has been shown to pass through amniotic fluid and interfere with how the fetus’ brain is developing.

Thus, resulting in babies suffering from microcephaly, a disorder in which the brain and skull don’t develop as well and are too small.

Dr. Chan explained, “Arrival of the virus in some places has been associated with a steep increase in the birth of babies with abnormally small heads and in cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome.”

There are currently 22 countries that have reported incidences of the Zika virus, mainly located in South America and even in some developed nations like the United States. Brazil is getting a lot of attention because the country has seen a significant increase in microcephaly. In Brazil, there were 4,200 cases in just a few months, and 51 children have died.

Brazil sounds like a far away place but mind you, Malaysia is not spared from the spread of the Zika virus. According to The Star Online, the Malaysian Health Ministry has cautioned that Malaysia is vulnerable to the Zika virus too.

Deputy Health Director-General Datuk Dr Lokman Halim Sulaiman said in a statement on Friday (29th January) that the Ministry was monitoring the spread of the virus and believed that the disease could spread to Malaysia because of the high presence of Aedes mosquitoes in the country.

Dr Lokman added that the risks brought by the disease were also high as Malaysians had yet to develop an immunity to the virus, making it likely that the disease could spread very quickly among Malaysians.

As such, he has urged all visitors – especially those from South and Central America and Malaysians returning from infected areas – who exhibit fever and spots to report themselves to the Quarantine Health Centre or the nearest Health Department as soon as they arrive in Malaysia.

He also advised pregnant women to refrain from visiting infected countries and said that a health alert would be issued to all Government and private health facilities.

Sources: Al Jazeera, CNN (1), Sunday Times, The Star Online, CNN (2).

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#KPop: SISTAR’s Hyorin Signs With Spinnin’ Records; Set To Release EDM Track

A girl of many talents and all the right moves, SISTAR’s Hyorin (효린) has her eyes set on the international stage.

The K-Pop idol has previously taken on the hip hop genre, releasing collaborations with renowned artistes such as Dok2, Jay Park, and Far East Movement. She also competed as a rapper in the 2nd season of “Unpretty Rapstar” (언프리티 랩스타 2), a female counterpart of “Show Me The Money”.

Not one to stop challenging herself, Hyorin will be dabbling in the EDM industry next!

According to her label, Starship Entertainment, the 26-year-old vocalist recently signed on with an international label in preparation for her next project. In their statement, Starship Entertainment said, “The world’s largest EDM record label Spinnin’ Records signed a contract with Hyorin, the first Asian artiste to ever do so. A collaboration with Justin Oh will be released in March.”

For the uninitiated, Spinnin’ Records is a Netherlands-based electronic dance music label that is currently leading the flock in the EDM industry. The powerhouse is home to some of the world’s biggest artistes including DVBBS, Headhunterz, MAJK, NERVO, R3hab, Sander van Doorn, Swanky Tunes, Tiesto, VINAI, Will Sparks, and more. Besides their main imprint, Spinnin’ Records hosts approximately 40 sub-labels, the majority linked to a specific artiste.

Justin Oh, on the other hand, is a Seoul-based DJ/producer and arguable one of South Korea’s fastest rising EDM artistes. First discovered by dance music legend Paul Oakenfold, Justin’s work has since received heavy support from industry giants such as Armin Van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Gareth Emery, W&W, Tritonal, and many more. To date, he has made numerous appearances at some of the industry’s biggest events such as Future Music Festival Asia (FMFA) and Ultra Korea.

In other news, Hyorin is expected to participate in South by Southwest (SXSW), an annual conglomerate of film, interactive media, music festivals, and conferences that take place in mid-March in Austin, Texas.

One step forward to world domination, Hyorin! We can’t wait ;)

Sources: Soompi, Spinnin’ Records / Featured image: Starship Entertainment.


#2016SBSGayoDaejun: Epic Collaboration Stages To Look Out For On The Year-End Show

Get ready for your world to be rocked because this year’s edition of SBS “SAF Gayo Daejun” is set to be lit!

The year-end music show has always been the highlight of the K-Pop music scene, and fans have always looked forward to it because it has produced some of K-Pop’s most popular collaborations. This year, it seems like the production team is even more hellbent on giving fans an awesome show, as they have roped in various performers for several exciting collaboration stages.

Here are some of the performances lined up for the night:

1. G-Dragon (BIGBANG) x CL x Teddy x BewhY x Okasian

The most highly-anticipated collaboration performance of them all has to be G-Dragon and CL’s stage. Initial reports revealed that the labelmates would be showcasing a hip-hop stage as a duo, but subsequent news stated that “Show Me The Money 5” winner BewhY and underground rapper Okasian are joining in as performers.

YG Entertainment’s resident producer Teddy will only be part of the performance as the producer, and won’t be appearing onstage.

2. Park Jin Young x GOT7 x TWICE x Seventeen x G-Friend

Park Jin Young (JYP) is another producer who will be producing a special stage for the music show. It is not sure if he’ll personally make an appearance on stage, but we know that GOT7, TWICE, Seventeen, and G-Friend will be performing a dance medley of his hit songs!

With YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment showcasing performances from their in-house producers, you did not expect SM Entertainment to sit still and just be audiences right?

Yoo Young Jin, who produced “Sorry, Sorry”, “Ring Ding Dong”, “Mama”, “I Got A Boy”, and countless other tracks performed by SM idol groups, will be putting on a stage for the progressive music genre. The stage will be brought to life by labelmates EXO and NCT.

4. 10cm x Chanyeol (EXO) x Rosé (BLACKPINK) x Jihyo (TWICE)

It will be a grand performance from the 4 of them, as it will one of the rare occurrences that artistes from the Big 3 (SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment) are coming together on a public performance. Indie band 10cm will be headlining the performance, which will be an acoustic medley of hit K-Pop songs.

5. Yoon Jong Shin x Kyuhyun (Super Junior) x Eddy Kim x Eunji (A Pink) x Sungjae (BTOB) x Kim Se Jung (gugudan/IOI)

It’s winter in Korea, and ballads are the best songs for the season.

Mystic Entertainment’s CEO and producer Yoon Jong Shin will be showcasing a ballad stage, and the aforementioned singers and idols who are famed for their vocal prowess will be participating. Just imagining their vocals blending together are giving us goosebumps!

Uhm Jung Hwa, a veteran in the K-Pop industry, will be making her comeback this month, and what better way to celebrate it than to look back on her successful career.

The singer will be putting on one heck of a performance with BIGBANG’s T.O.P, and they are slated to perform “D.I.S.C.O”, a collaboration track the duo released around 8 years ago. The track was produced by Yang Hyun Suk, and the duo’s stage presence often wowed audiences back then. It would be interesting to see if the duo will still complement each other after so many years ;)

Yang Hee Eun is a respected sunbae (senior) in the Korean music industry, and her performance with talented vocalists Lee Hi and Baek A Yeon is expected to be nothing less than spectacular. It will be a collaboration between music shows “Fantastic Duo” and “K-Pop Star”, as Yang was a frequent guest on the former while Lee Hi and Baek A Yeon were contestants on the latter.

8. Shin Ji Ho x Henry (Super Junior-M), Raina (After School), Benji (B.I.G)

Famed Korean pop pianist Shin Ji Ho will be making an appearance on the show, and he will be leading a classical music collaboration stage with Henry, Raina, and Benji. As the idols are famed for their talent in playing musical instruments, fans are all hyped up for their collaboration stage.

9. Kim Do Hyun x A Yeon x Jonghyun (CNBLUE) x Young K (Day6)

Guitarist Kim Do Hyun and drummer A Yeon (who is known as bebop a-yeon on YouTube) will be putting on a performance as a rock band, and they will be joined by Jonghyun and Young K. Jonghyun is known as the guitarist of CNBLUE while Young K performs as the bassist of Day6, so their collaboration would be a once-in-lifetime event for fans.

10. Luda Lee x N (VIXX) x Jimin (BTS) x Yein (Lovelyz) x Mina (TWICE) x Momo (TWICE) x Cheng Xiao (Cosmic Girls)

Of course, singing is not the only thing that makes a performer, as being able to dance is a crucial talent nowadays.

Dancer Luda Lee (who was on dancing program “Dancing 9”) will be heading a modern dance and ballet team which will be comprised of the aforementioned idols. Those idols have been lauded for their dancing skills, and it’s finally time for the limelight to shine on them.

11. Taemin (SHINee), Jinyoung (GOT7) x Yugyeom (GOT7) x Ten (NCT) x Seulgi (Red Velvet) x YooA (Oh My Girl) x Lisa (BLACKPINK) x Eunjin (DIA)

The Luda Lee team won’t be the only dance performers of the night, as Taemin, Jinyoung, Yugyeom, Ten, Seulgi, YooA, Lisa, and Eunjin will be forming a “street dance team” for a large-scale collaboration.

We have a feeling this performance will take place as a dance battle, but we’ll have to wait for the night to know for sure ;)

12. Eunha (G-Friend) x Cheng Xiao (Cosmic Girls) x YooA (Oh My Girls) x Nayoung (gugudan) x Nancy (Momoland)

The group, which comprises of the aforementioned idols, was formed as “Inkigayo”‘s project girl group. They made their debut just recently in November on a special episode of the music show, and will be performing their track “Taxi” on Monday night.

While this hasn’t been confirmed by SBS, several sources have reported that the year-end music show will see a collaboration performance by 12 rookie groups. The groups were chosen as they have made their mark on the industry this year, and the performance will feature songs from each group.

It will be split into 2 teams, the male and female idol team. The former is made up of KNK (5 members), HALO (6), SNUPER (6), ASTRO (6), SF9 (9), and PENTAGON (10), while the latter will comprise of LABOUM (6), DIA (7), MOMOLAND (7), CLC (7), gugudan (9), and Cosmic Girls (13).

Apart from the collaborations, other artistes, groups, and idols such as BIGBANG, SECHSKIES, BLACKPINK, EXO, BTS, GOT7, SHINee, Lovelyz, Red Velvet, MAMAMOO, BTOB, VIXX, Seventeen, CNBLUE, Sistar, G-Friend, AOA, HyunA, A Pink, Ailee, SNSD Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon, NCT, EXID, INFINITE, and TWICE will also be performing.

SBS’ Gayo Daejun will be broadcasted on SBS on 26th December (Monday) at 8:55pm KST (7:55pm Malaysian time) and will be hosted by SNSD Girls’ Generation’s Yuri, EXO’s Baekhyun, and Yoo Hee Yeol.

Sources: allkpop (1) (2), soompi (1) (2) (3) (4)

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#ParisJackson: Daughter Of Michael Jackson To Make Feature Film Debut

19-year-old Paris Jackson will be making her feature film debut in Amazon Studios’ “Untitled Nash Edgerton Project”.

The upcoming movie is described as a dark comedy-thriller and it was reported that she’ll portray an edgy 20-year-old named Penny. The model will be starring alongside household names like David Oyelowo, “The Fate of the Furious” star Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Thandie Newton, and Sharlto Copley.

Dubbed by Vanity Fair as Hollywood’s newest It Girl, the daughter of Michael Jackson previously guest starred in Fox’s musical series, “Star”. A source close to the model said, “If you had to put her priorities in order, it would probably be acting, activism, and modelling.”

The source also added, “She’s passionate about all of them. Her modelling career is really taking off and you can expect some big announcements coming in the next month or so.”

Helmed by Nash Edgerton, who made his feature directorial debut with Aussie thriller “The Square”, the upcoming movie will follow Harold Soyinka (played by Oyelowo), a mild-mannered American businessman who becomes tangled with duplicitous business partners, Mexican drug lords, international mercenaries, and the DEA. As he attempts to survive in one the most dangerous places on Earth, the question lingers: Is this ordinary man in way over his head, or is he 2 steps ahead?


#DoctorStrange: Set Photos Offer First Look At Benedict Cumberbatch’s Role

Not done with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) yet? Neither are we.

With Marvel‘s “Ant-Man“ marking the end of Phase Two of the MCU, it’s time to get real excited for Phase 3. One of the highly anticipated movies that will be featured in the 3rd phase is “Doctor Strange“, a film that will introduce the “mind-trippy” supernatural side of Marvel’s Universe.

Back in December 2014, “Sherlock” star Benedict Cumberbatch is confirmed to have joined the film as Doctor Stephen Strange aka the Sorcerer Supreme.

Before Cumberbatch was cast, “Her” star Joaquin Phoenix was Marvel’s top choice to play the role. However, the negotiations fell apart and the casting was back to square one. At the time, “Matrix” actor Keanu Reeves and Jared Leto were also rumoured to take up the lead role too.

The studio eventually cast Cumberbatch because Marvel’s President Kevin Feige said that “Stephen Strange’s story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity”.

Now, it seems like principal photography on the movie is currently underway in Kathmandu, Nepal because several set photos have recently surfaced online.

In the original comic, cocky neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions after a horrific car accident. The set photos seem to indicate that Cumberbatch’s character has been away from his medical practice for a while and is currently on a quest to search for The Ancient One, a Tibetan mystic who fixes Strange’s hands and teaches him to become the next Sorcerer Supreme by taking him as an apprentice.

The Tibetan mystic will be played by Tilda Swinton, though the actress is no where to be seen in the set photos. What we did get to see is a much clearer look at a scruffy Cumberbatch in full costume as Stephen Strange.

It is unclear how long the filming will be carried out in Nepal, but the studio is expected to film in the UK next month.

Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” will be helmed by director Scott Derrickson (of “Sinister” and “Deliver Us From Evil” fame) and based on the screenplay written by Jon Sphaits (of “Prometheus” fame).

Rachel McAdams is attached to play the female lead, though her role is kept under wraps. Michael Stuhlbarg will play Doctor Nicodemus West while Chiwetel Ejiofor will portray the good doctor’s arch foe, Baron Mordo. “Hannibal” and “Star Wars: Rogue One” star Mads Mikkelsen is also in talks to play a villain, but his role remains a mystery.

Take a look at the rest of the set photos:

#drstrange shooting in #Kathmandu #BenedictCumberbatch. pic.twitter.com/c7nxyzjIlU

I met Benedict Cumberbatch at Bhotihiti today ;)#bigfan #drstrange pic.twitter.com/24IpqvTb6b

— siraj सिरज (@serazahmad) November 5, 2015

Another shot of Cumberbatch at Bhotahiti, taken by Sanjay Adhikari #cumberbatchinNepal #drstrangeinNepal pic.twitter.com/hjGpkOoKkP

“Doctor Strange” is officially slated for release on 4th November 2016.

Stay tuned to our site for more updates.

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#BreakFree: Ariana Grande Reveals Collab With Zedd

As expected, following the announcement of young DJ/producer Zedd’s upcoming album, there’d be surprises in tow. We say this because while he has revealed that the new album is about 80% done, he didn’t exactly disclose his collaborations. And if you know Zedd well enough, you’d know that he has a way of picking out the most un-mainstream people to work with.

Until Ariana Grande spilled the beans, that is.

The announcement came after she snapped photos of herself all dressed up like a 60s sex bomb ala Jane Fonda while hinting at a possible new music video. She also dropped hints on Twitter about wanting “Break Free” to be her next single and that fans will hear it “sooner than u think”.

And apparently, a 10-day countdown is already in the works:

In an interview with Billboard, Zedd openly praised her “unique” and “special” voice saying, “Ariana Grande’s voice is super-recognisable, it has a unique texture, and really, that’s all I’m looking for in a singer, is to have a voice that is really special and different from other voices you hear every day.”

20-year-old Ariana Grande has already achieved record-breaking success for her current single (which features Iggy Azalea), “Problem”. As of now, it’s her highest-charting single and it currently sits at number two on Billboard’s Hot 100. Watch the video here:

The highly anticipated wait for Zedd and Ariana Grande’s single together comes to an end as it is finally here! Grande’s strong vocals and Zedd’s sound go hand in hand on their latest single. “Break Free” is probably the furthest Zedd has gone into the pop genre but it surely has a radio crossover appeal, making it a win-win situation for both Grande and Zedd.

Doing what he does best — creating chart topping hits featuring brilliant female artists, we believe that “Break Free” by Zedd and Ariana Grande is set to be a chart topper too! What say you?


#Purpose: Justin Bieber Drops Music Video For Every Song From His Album

Beliebers, are you ready for some exciting news?

Canadian singer-songwriter Justin Bieber has just released a whole set of music videos for every song from his latest album, “Purpose“.

On 14th November, the singer began releasing his new music video every hour in order to complete a short film called “Purpose: The Movement”. This came after he debuted his latest album at Los Angeles’ Staples Center last Friday (13th November).

His artiste friends including Diplo, Travi$ Scott, Big Sean and Halsey have all appeared in the videos for the tracks that they are featured on.

The videos showcase a bunch of dance crews dancing ’till the beat drops from a grocery store to a classroom. The theme of the video would fit the tone of each song and thus, viewers should expect some videos to be fun and some with dramatic scenes.

The full tracklist of “Purpose” is as follows:

You can watch all 13 of the videos below:

Beliebers, which video is your utmost favourite? Just so you know, we love all of ’em ;)

Sources: The Malay Mail Online, Hollywood Life.

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The Dirt On Laneway Festival Singapore 2013

Mark the 26th January 2013 (Saturday) box on your calendar bright red because the quintessential Indie Rock Festival – St Jerome’s Laneway is heading straight back to Singapore for its third year.

This time, the ever popular festival will move to Singapore’s newest landmark, The Meadow at Gardens By The Bay, to accommodate the fans in an ambient environment that will maximize the experience and create a greater dynamism.

[youtube id=”2gzsI8tidf0″ width=”600″ height=”350″]

With a heady mix of groundbreaking genre bending and eclectic acts, comprising of the new and the known, Laneway Festival Singapore will see a stellar lineup that is perennially exciting as it is programmed by music-lovers for the music fans. These are the artistes that you should be prepared to rock out to:

Laneway Festival Singapore 2013’s deets are as follows:

Venue: The Meadow at Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore

Ticketing: Standard Ticket (S$145), 4-ticket Bundle (S$493), VIP Ticket (S$350), Event Day Ticket (S$160)

*Ticket price excludes $3 booking fee per ticket

Good enough reason for us to invade Singapore come January 2013? We think so! For more timely updates on Laneway Singapore, hit up their Facebook page or follow them via their Twitter account.


Malaysia: 8 Reasons Why Local Films Don’t Do Well Compared To Hollywood Films

Local 2018 horror flicks like “Hantu Kak Limah” and “Dukun” have been smashing records at the box office, with the former making RM32.5 million since its debut.

However, the pressing issue remains – Malaysian movies can’t seem to hold a candle to Hollywood blockbusters with the exception of a few gems. So why aren’t Malaysians flocking to the cinema to support homegrown content?

Last year alone, the Malaysian film industry produced and released 59 movies that only drew in 4.5 million from admissions. In comparison, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia revealed that the figure has declined from 2016 when 47 Malaysian feature films made a total of 7.16 million admissions.

It’s no surprised that Malaysian movie-goers, particularly the Generation Y, still prefer Hollywood flicks. Former entertainment journalist Ku Seman Ku Hussain commented that the process of movie-making these days have diverged from the production in the 1980s and 1990s.

Let’s ask ourselves this question, “When was the last time you were really eager to watch a locally-made film in the cinema?” Never mind. If there’s one consensus, it’s the fact that there’s no surefire formula. Having said that, here are some of the reasons that may be hindering local films from finding success:

1. Lack of audience acceptance because it doesn’t call out to all Malaysians.

A local film should include a storyline and cast that is relatable to the audiences. For example, many films by Malay directors tend to focus on the Malay culture instead of Malaysia. “These films do not even reflect the true socio-culture of Malays and are merely social fantasies copied from Hollywood or Hong Kong movies,” Ku Seman Ku Hussain said.

2. One the biggest obstacles is producing material that will not only interest different races but also movie financiers.

3. Many Malaysian movies are created solely for entertainment purposes to make money instead of driving home a valuable message.

4. Local film producers prefer making films that appeal to the mainstream movie-buffs.

5. Malaysian box office themes, more often than not, revolves around the same formula – love, the Mat Rempit (illegal street racers) life, horror and comedy.

6. Most Malaysians are only attracted to movies with light genres that are also heavy in pop culture. This explains why local films hardly make it to international festivals and end up flopping.

7. Local audiences also don’t seem to appreciate intellectual pieces. The same can be said for Oscar-nominated movies in Hollywood that are screened here.

“This is something that is worrying to me. As an industry, filmmakers will succumb to the audience’s palates. This means there would be fewer chances of quality films being produced,” Ku Seman Ku Hussain added.

In the words of creative consultant Amiruddin Karim, the Malaysian film industry is only inclined to promote the movie after the final product is finished. Take “Avengers: Infinity War” for instance – the trailer came out almost a year before it hit theatres. It was able to generate buzz and sustain excitement until its debut.

Our film scene may be far from Hollywood, but the local movie industry still has plenty of potential to grow. Do you agree with the points above? If you have additional thoughts, feel free to share them in the comments below.

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BMW Wows With Innovations Showcase

BMW Group Malaysia displayed its latest technological offering for the premium automotive industry as the premium carmaker unveiled its much anticipated sedans, the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 Series and the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Series at the BMW Innovations Showcase at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

The all new BMW ActiveHybrid 3 Series and the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Series are fitted with the most advanced power train technology for hybrid vehicles, excelling in all aspects of hybrid disciplines.

Introducing these all-electric mode sedans completes the BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series product line-up in Malaysia, in line with the Malaysian government’s growing support for Advanced Green technology.

So you can expect the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 Series and the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Series to top output, fuel efficiency, range, all-electric top speed, acceleration, and internal space and luggage capacity when pitted against other cars of its respective class.

Or maybe, they are already in a class of their own!

But of course, the star display was not only those sedans; the unveiling also included a special preview of the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept Car, a futuristic roadster designed to allow for optimal insights into the display and practical application of future BMW Connectedrive features such as:

The revolutionary 2-seater BMW Vision ConnectedDrive is the test bed and precursor of technological innovations to come in the near future. Divided into three areas of safety, infotainment, and comfort the fundamental concept of the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive – the intelligent networking of driver, vehicle, and the outside world – is expressed on four levels: the display and operating concept, an unparalleled light installation, the design of the car itself, and the integration of the whole concept into a multimedia experience.

For more pictures from the event, click!

The retail prices (on the road, without insurance, with BMW Service + Repair Inclusive (BS+RI)) for the new BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and BMW ActiveHybrid 5 are:

For more information, visit BMW Malaysia’s website.


#Prometheus: Ridley Scott Confirms Sequel Is Happening!

Despite being praised for the visual aesthetic design and acting, Ridley Scott‘s “Prometheus“, which was released in 2012, received mixed response from fans and critics due to its predictable plot and unresolved mysteries.

Since then, a number of sequel theories have emerged online, with fans attempting to explain what really happened to the characters in the movie.

However, all of the greatest mysteries left behind by Scott will finally be resolved as the director himself confirmed that the sequel of “Prometheus” will indeed be his next film.

According to /FILM, Scott has been wanting to develop “Prometheus 2” for the longest time. Earlier rumours suggested that it will hit theatres in spring 2016, but it was later revealed that the date was actually reserved for Scott’s upcoming sci-fi film “The Martian“.

The studio then moved up the release of “The Martian” to fall 2015 before pulling it up even closer to 2nd October this year.

“The Martian” wasn’t the only project that Scott has worked on as he has got several projects including “The Cartel”, “Blade Runner 2“, and “Alien 5” currently brewing. With so many projects under his belt, some fans can’t help but wondered: When will Scott work on “Prometheus 2”?

During an interview with Empire about “The Martian”, Scott let slip that he was already working on “Prometheus 2”. Matt Damon, who starred in Scott’s “The Martian”, told the magazine that “the release date change was no problem for Scott”.

Ridley was done with the movie about 2 weeks after we shot!

In response to his comment, Scott confirmed “I was already on to my next movie! I was starting to look for locations for my next movie, which is Prometheus 2.”

Of course, there’s no release date for “Prometheus 2” yet. Various reports, however, suggested that it will start production around January 2016 before its expected release in 2017.

20th Century Fox and Scott did not announce any sort of timeline and details for the sequel, but the director previously revealed that it will “pull back from the Xenomorphs and introduce a new alien instead”. It is unclear if the original cast members such as Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace will return to the sequel too.

Would you like to see a sequel of “Prometheus”? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.

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Local YouTuber Arrested For Slander; Publicly Apologises While In Tears

Most of the time, we seem to forget that our actions have consequences. Especially when it comes to using the Internet.

A local YouTuber was arrested for slandering and insulting another online personality during a Facebook live broadcast.

Joan Lee from the Oscar express 4.0 channel is known for her fiery temper and tendency to attack others online. She and co-host Daren Yap from the channel were filming a Facebook live when they started insulting and degrading a woman who, according to China Press, runs a small business online.

In an interview with China Daily, Putrajaya Police District Director Mohd Fadil revealed that the woman reported the incident to the police on 13th March. She alleged that Joan Lee had insulted and slandered her on the Facebook live. As she felt threatened, she decided to lodge a police report.

Mohd Fadil reported that Joan was arrested on 31st March after the matter was investigated. The arrest took place at a hotel in Subang Jaya, Selangor. According to China Press, Joan was returning from a contest when several police officers in plain clothes surrounded and escorted her to a police car. A video of the arrest was filmed and posted online.

“In the preliminary investigation, no one else was involved in the case,” Mohd Fadil said. “The police will invoke Article 500 (defamation) and Article 504 (intentionally insulting and destroying public peace) of the Criminal Code, and Article 233A of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for the investigation.” He also mentioned that Joan would be detained until 2nd April to assist in the investigation.

However, last night, Joan made a public apology via another Facebook live on the Mrs Asia Supreme Pageant group. Apparently, the victim issued a letter to her asking for a public apology. Joan was in tears as she apologised to everyone who was involved in the matter, including a friend who was dragged in by accident.

Sources: Facebook (1)(2)(3), China Press


The Journey Makes For Malaysia’s Number One Movie

Produced by Woohoo Pictures, local movie, The Journey is Malaysia’s number one local movie. Presented by Astro Shaw, The Journey achieved its highest box office sales of RM12.92 million as of February 23rd, 2014.

Director, Chiu Keng Guan said, “Thank you for making The Journey, Malaysia’s Number 1 local movie. All of us involved in the production of the movie from the cast to crew are delighted and overwhelmed by the unanimous support and words of encouragement from Malaysians from all walks of life via word of mouth, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so on. The Journey is a beautiful Malaysian made movie with a huge Malaysian appeal as it transcends cultures and generations, thus celebrating the values of filial piety, love, family unity, cultural diversity, as well as themes of east-west and parent-child tension.”

Ben Andrew Pfeiffer, who plays Benji in the movie said, “I am overwhelmed with the film’s reception. This movie truly belongs to the Malaysian people. What a surprising and beautiful outcome for everyone involved. I would like to thank Astro Shaw for placing their faith in the entire team. It feels like this will be a film that stays in the hearts of all who witness it for a long time to come. It’s become a cultural and national treasure”.

The Journey is now showing in cinemas nationwide and will make its theatrical debut in Singapore in March. The movie is also slated for a release in Taiwan later this year.


Gaga Can’t Walk, Cancels Tour

Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way Ball” Tour concerts scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Chicago, Saturday in Detroit and Sunday in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, have been canceled for now. The “Mama Monster” revealed that she can’t walk due to a condition called “synovitis”, better known as severe joint inflammation. Thus, forcing her to postpone the four shows.

However, after additional tests to review the severity of her issue, it has been determined that she has a labral tear of the right hip. Lady Gaga would need surgery to repair the problem, followed by strict down time to recover.

Refunds for the cancelled performances will be available at point of purchase starting on Thursday. Concerts scheduled for with makeup dates to be announced later.

Aww, it’s alright, Mama Monster. Get well soon!

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Winnie The Pooh Appears As White Blob In China’s Release Of “Kingdom Hearts 3”

“Kingdom Hearts 3” will be one of the most highly-anticipated video games that many gamers around the world have been looking forward to.

The most recent trailer of the game shows the main character Sora meeting the honey-loving bear Winnie the Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Woods. This has gotten many fans excited for the game release – well except for China.

According to several Chinese gamers, the recent trailer of “Kingdom Hearts 3” seems a bit odd in China as Winnie the Pooh has been completely censored out from both images and videos.

Based on the screenshots shared by some gamers on Twitter, Pooh appears as a white blob of light which seems to be a weird and funny way to censor out the character, and what’s weirder is that he’s not even completely censored as you can still see his feet.

Images of Winnie the Pooh from Kingdom Hearts 3 are being censored in China due to the country's history of censorship issues with the yellow bear pic.twitter.com/EO0sj5Ao3H

— Censored Gaming (@CensoredGaming_) November 20, 2018

This interesting way of censorship has becomes a huge joke on social media as the Chinese trailer looks absolutely ridiculous and that beautiful moment between Pooh and Sora has turned awkward.

If you have no idea why Pooh is censored out in the Chinese version of “Kingdom Hearts 3” – well, it all started back in 2013 when an image of Xi walking with President Barack Obama was posted alongside a picture of Pooh walking next to Tigger.

The comparison soon becomes a well-known meme in China and so, the loveable bear has now become the symbol of the Chinese resistance against the ruling Communist Party, which is why the character has been heavily blurred in China. Even “Christopher Robin” was banned from being released in China this year.

Reports out of China have confirmed that in the Chinese version of “Kingdom Hearts 3”, Winnie the Pooh will be censored. Rather than removing the bear from the game altogether, the game has instead been edited slightly to blur his appearance, but from screenshots shown on social media, the blur editing seems to be anything but “slight”.

“Kingdom Hearts 3” is set to release on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 29th January 2019.


15 Klang Valley Malls With The Best Christmas Decorations 2021

Can you already hear the Christmas bells jingling? Because Santa’s sleigh is just around the corner! We absolutely love Christmas here at Hype because we get to see shopping malls around Klang Valley literally bring Santa’s sleigh in the middle of their malls. And when we say literally, we mean it.

Remember for the previous years? When KL East Mall had a white Christmas and when Pavillion had the Millennium Falcon replica? Yes! And this year, we can’t wait to list down our favourite decorations for the shopping malls around town too!

This year, Pavillion Kuala Lumpur is presenting you with the theme of “Mystical Christmas” that allows you to explore a snow village in the mall! At the entrance, it would be absolutely hard to miss Coach’s not only gorgeous, but also the largest holiday installation, “Give A Little Love”. The installation also features Coach’s mascot, Rexy, who will be making an appearance on the LED screen.

This year, Da Men Mall in USJ is bringing us a Christmas with the theme of “Whimsical Elves”! This would be absolutely fun not only for the kids but also their parents! Elves coming out to play in the shopping mall and turning it into a colourful playground. Although, not all elves are playful, some are working very hard at the gift wrapping station. Not only that, but you would also be excited for the Christmas Treasure Hunt that rewards you with daily BookXcess voucher.

While Intermark Mall in Kuala Lumpur is trying to bring a very unique Christmas by giving shoppers the chance to be fit and healthy with their theme of “Fun Fit Christmas”! Besides having the usual Christmas decorations (candy canes and Santa), there are several pop-up stations to keep you occupied and fit, like mini golf, cycling, mini football, and track running! You might want to bring your sports shoes the next time you go shopping here ;)

This year, Sunway Putra Mall is absolutely embracing the true Christmas spirit with their theme of “Together For Good” by giving back to those in needs and making sure no one is left behind during Christmas. Of course, the colourful 7-metre tall present boxes in their Ground Floor excites us to take pictures with, but what piqued our interest more is their motive. Other than giving back to society, they also committed to eco-friendly materials to promote sustainability!

Other than that, shoppers can also participate in Christmas Guardians Augmented Reality where they can take place in 5 games in 5 locations within the mall. With this, they can stand a chance to join the Christmas Guardians Shopping Spree Challenge on the 18th December 2021.

The Christmas spirit of making sure no one is left behind with “Together For Good” goes all the way to Sunway Pyramid too! Just like Sunway Putra Mall, Sunway Pyramid is also offering the 5 Augmented Reality experience to shoppers enabling them to enjoy the Christmas festivities both online and offline! Look at those huge teddy bears used as decorations!

What’s the significance, though? Sunway Pyramid is giving back to the community when you purchase a teddy bear for RM10 from the CSR booth; the proceeds will be donated to Sunway’s official charity partner, MyKasih! What’s as exciting too is, after the purchase, you can light up a Christmas tree in the concourse as a sign of gratitude.

1 Utama’s decorations this year will transport you to a magical Christmas village when you step foot into their cobbled stone pathway surrounded by pine trees that leads up to a three-storeys tall Christmas tree centrepiece. Their Nordic reindeers will make you feel welcomed while carolling and musicals make your shopping experience delightful.

What will excite you even more is their 10 days Christmas market that will bring a whole new experience of street shopping to you; from traditional Christmas delicacies to scented candles to cheer your Christmas up! And, when you spend a certain amount in 1 Utama, you can even get jolly goods from them.

Don’t feel like going for the conventional white Christmas? Then The Mines is the place for you! Experience Christmas on the waters with their cruise! They even have different packages for you to choose from, and two different lake routes you want your cruise to go on; South Lake and North Lake. Not only you can go on a normal cruise tour, but they also offer packages for dinners on the cruise (although you have to place a booking 3 days prior).

This year, Paradigm Mall in Petaling Jaya is keeping it nostalgic with their Christmas decorations palette of red, green and gold. However, what has made them in our list is, their amazing gigantic replicas of musical instruments. The piano is 14 square metres huge! Not only that, but they also have cello, merry-go-rounds, and music boxes! Alongside the gigantic decorations, they also offer musical workshops for you to attend and bond with your loved ones.

Step into the magical realm in KL East Mall with the Elven King and Queen greeting you into their world. They are not only serving you with their cute and festive decorations but also give you the chance to explore the mystical kingdom of elves!

Stepping into Mid Valley Megamall this year will make you feel like you are stepping into Hansel and Gretel’s fantasy world. No, not because there are witches, but because they have a real-life sized gingerbread house in the middle of the mall surrounded by Christmas trees and the traditional but evergreen ornaments.

If Mid Valley made you feel like Hansel and Gretel, then The Gardens will transport you all the way to Alice’s Wonderland having tea party with the Mad Hatter. Well, it isn’t actually the Wonderland’s tea party, but it sure is as magical with the forest animals, huge butterflies and colourful floral archway.

It isn’t a tea party without pastries, so when you past the archway, you can find yourself drooling over the assorted pastries on the gift table. Spend springtime Christmas in The Gardens rather than the usual winter Christmas! You might even catch Santa and Ms. Claus if you come at the right time!

Choo! Choo! All aboard the Suria KLCC’s Express, we’re going straight to Santa’s cottage this Christmas! Head over to KLCC today to witness one of our favourite Christmas mall decorations this year. KLCC is decorating their mall with a replica of a antique trains that you always see in Hallmark Christmas movies. They absolutely managed to capture the traditional European Christmas vibes with their decorations this year!

Be prepared to be dazzled by the massive 30-feet tall Giant Christmas Tree at Avenue K’s Atrium. It’s a Christmas wonderland in the city adorned with baubles, poinsettias and twinkling fairy lights. You can also take part in the mall’s “Count The Baubles” on the giant tree contest to win some cool prizes. Besides shopping for seasonal décor and gift items, visitors can also look forward to a Christmas schedule jam-packed with performances and activities.

Pavilion Bukit Jalil is turning into a Christmas Wonderland this holiday season. Take memorable photos underneath the glistening Snow Tunnel, enjoy a 360-spin on a classic Christmas Yuletide Carousel or grab yourself a train ticket and get on-board the Christmas Train at the Centre Court.

Shoppers at the Alamanda Shopping Centre will not only get to enjoy a Polar Express-Home themed
decorations in the mall, but they will also be entertained with various forms of live entertainment.
These include festive classic performances which will be held at centre court, and these range from a
magic show to a Christmas-themed dance to a jazz band, all the way to walkabouts by Santa Claus
on Christmas Day itself.

Now, those are our favourite Christmas mall decorations for this year in Klang Valley. Which one was your personal favourite?

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

There’s a brand new Sedan up for grabs for shoppers who take part in MOP KLIA’s ‘Shop and Win’ contest. Shoppers get to also ‘Flip and Win’ an instant reward when they spend a minimum of RM300 in a maximum of two receipts. A 3-day only Countdown Christmas Sale will be held from 17th – 19th December, with extended shopping hours until 11pm. Shoppers stand a chance to enjoy additional Instant Reward Cash Back during the happy hours from 9 – 11pm.

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#SonyHack: Real-Life Cyber Attack Case To Be Turned Into A Movie

They are turning the highly publicised Sony Pictures hack into a what?!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project will be helmed by Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer, the team who made the 2013 Oscar-nominated and multiple Emmy award-winning documentary, “The Square”, which chronicled the 2011 Egyptian Revolution.

The Sony hack happened last year, when hackers “Guardians of Peace” aka #GOP weasled their way into and shut down Sony’s servers. After which, they demanded that the movie studio pull “The Interview”, a Seth Rogen and James Franco comedy depicting a fictional CIA plot to kill North Korea’s leader, which led people to believe that North Korea was behind the unlawful intrusion.

#GOP then released over 170,000 emails and 30,000 documents in apparent retaliation.

The movie is expected to explore alternative theories as to who actually hacked Sony, shut down their servers, and leaked massive troves of emails from high-ranking executives like former Sony Pictures chief Amy Pascal. Apparently, the duo were already working on a documentary about international cyberattacks when the Sony story began unfolding, and they decided to use that hack – one of the largest and most damaging in corporate history – as an entry point for a broader look at the phenomenon of cyber aggression.

The Sony story is an important chapter in this larger issue. The analysts and experts we speak to see it as the 9/11 of cyberattacks, and the implications will be felt for years to come.

No further details were released about the production of the docu-movie as of yet but hmm, we wonder which major studio is going to give this one a go though. Sony Pictures, perhaps?


MBPJ Has Installed 12 Special CCTVs In Petaling Jaya To Curb Illegal Parking

Motorists, you may want to avoid parking illegally especially when you are in Petaling Jaya.

In an effort to curb illegal parking and improve traffic flow, the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MBPJ) has introduced a new technology that utilises real-time cameras and is equipped with loudspeakers. These improved CCTVs (closed-circuit television) are situated at various locations around Petaling Jaya.

These CCTVs monitor drivers in real-time via surveillance. Whenever a vehicle commits an offence, an officer monitoring the situation will issue a warning to the driver through the loudspeaker system. Should the driver refuse to listen, he or she could be slapped with a summon or have their vehicles clamped or towed. This system operates 24/7.

For those who want to know, the CCTVs installed at the 12 strategic spots in Petaling Jaya are:

“The council took the initiative of installing 12 CCTV cameras with speakers to handle obstruction especially those caused by double parking. Until February, a total of 1,295 drivers obstructing the road removed their vehicles after hearing instructions from MBPJ officers via the speaker,” said Petaling Jaya Mayor Datuk Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain.

He also added that 120 cameras are linked to the police for security and road safety purposes.

Source:Harian Metro / Featured image: MBPJ/ NST.


21 Shopping Malls Open, Changed Operating Hours Or Temporarily Closed During CMCO

The government has recently imposed the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur & Putrajaya for 2 weeks. This initiative was implemented by the government upon the advice from the Ministry of Health (MOH).

During this period, all entertainment centres, such as cinemas and karaoke centres, are closed and events are also cancelled. With the CMCO imposed, most malls in the affected areas have announced the changes they’ve made to endure this tough period.

Here is all the statuses of malls that have made announcements following the CMCO in Klang Valley:

A post shared by Berjaya Times Square KL (@berjayatimessquarekl)

7. Sunway Malls (Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Putra, Sunway Giza & Sunway Velocity)

8. CapitaLand Malls (3 Damansara, Melawati Mall, Sungei Wang Plaza & The Mines)

A post shared by 3 Damansara (@3damansara)

A post shared by Wangsa Walk Mall (@wangsawalkmallofficial)

A post shared by The Starling Mall (@thestarlingmall)

18. IOI Malls (IOI Mall Puchong, IOI City Mall)

Feel free to check out all the SOPs during the CMCO period here.

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Hype’s Now Playing: Tiësto & KSHMR – Secrets ft Vassy (Diplo Remix)

Superstar producer/DJ Tiësto‘s “Secrets”, a collaboration with KSHMR and Vassy, already hits real hard, but a touch of Diplo definitely takes it up another level! The Major Lazer head honcho recently released a remix of “Secrets”, turning the track into a heavy trap banger that is now available for streaming on SoundCloud.

According to Rolling Stone, Tiësto loves Diplo’s remix. He was quoted saying:

“I love what Diplo did with his remix.” “The original is high energy from start to finish so Diplo stripped it down and added a real island feel to the song which is great for the summer.”

The track originally appeared on Tiësto’s surprise album “Club Life: Volume Four New York City” which was released in May via his Musical Freedom Label. The album served as the latest instalment of his highly popular Clublife series, which highlights and focuses on a different city and dance music hub.

Diplo’s remix of “Secrets” however, does not appear on the “Club Life” album and there’s no word on when it will officially be released.

Undeniably one of the busiest man in the dance music community – Diplo has been everywhere recently; his collaborative projects — Jack Ü and Major Lazer releasing separate albums this year to critical acclaim, he’s also contributed to some of the most energetic productions including Madonna’s latest LP.

When not working on music, Diplo has been busy promoting Major Lazer’s cartoon series. Listen to Diplo’s remix of “Secrets” below:


BLACKPINK Announces Asian Tour In 7 Countries Including Malaysia!

In case you haven’t heard, global K-pop sensation BLACKPINK will be having their long-awaited comeback later in the August month! It’s been so long since we’ve heard new music from the girls and BLINKs all over the world are excited about the news!

You know what comes with new music? That’s right, a world tour! The K-pop girl group had their first concert here in Malaysia back in 2019 at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam and last night they finally announced their “BORN PINK World Tour!” Let’s check out all the places they will be stopping by!

After a 2-year hiatus, YG-Entertainment confirmed that BLACKPINK, one of the biggest K-pop groups of all time, will finally be coming back with their new album “BORN PINK”. The pre-release single “Pink Venom” is set to release on 19th August.

Last night at 11pm, BLACKPINK’s official Twitter page posted the schedule announcement for the “BORN PINK World Tour” starting from October 2022 until June 2023 (so far)! Starting off their first show in Seoul, South Korea on the 15th – 16th October, the K-pop group will be heading to other Asian countries starting January of next year!

Finally confirming all that’s been circulating on social media, BLACKPINK will be in our area on 4th March 2023! The venue however has yet to be confirmed along with tickets prices so be sure to stay tuned for more updates from us. Here are all the announced countries that the girls are set to perform at:

BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] SCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT

Official world tour website▶https://t.co/xHlSYVczWD#BLACKPINK #블랙핑크 #WORLDTOUR #BORNPINK #SCHEDULE #ANNOUNCEMENT #YG pic.twitter.com/yPJOGOjkVE

— BLACKPINK GLOBAL BLINK (@ygofficialblink) August 8, 2022

While there’s not much info on what BLINKS can expect on tour just yet, it was previously reported that the “BORN PINK World Tour” will be the largest world tour in the history of a K-pop girl group. With a statement like that, we can definitely expect to have the concert of a lifetime so start saving up for your tickets cause you’ll be enjoying their concert “as if it’s your last”.

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The 11/10 Experience With SaltyCustoms

Known as the first apparel consultancy service in Malaysia, SaltyCustoms started in 2010 when two friends, Shannon Toh and King discovered their shared passion for well-fitted, high quality t-shirts. However, taking customised t-shirts to a whole new level, SaltyCustoms also focuses on providing clients with a well-rounded t-shirt customising experience that has redefined the t-shirt industry.

Last weekend, SaltyCustoms launched the 11/10 Experience with SaltyCustoms to celebrate its status as Malaysia’s first Apparel Consultancy Service in Malaysia. The celebration which took place at SaltyCustoms’ office, The Academy, was attended by members of the media, VIP guests, clients and friends. Guests of course were also treated to a night of fun and entertainment with a demonstration of Do It Yourself (DIY) t-shirt screen printing booths, a scrumptious buffet dinner, free flow of beers and cocktails before taking the night to the SaltyCustoms Experience Party which featured entertainment by local band Paperplane Pursuit and artiste Darren Ashley.

Hype.My managed to sneak in a quick chat with the Founders of Salty Customs, Shannon Toh and King.

How did you come up with the name SaltyCustoms?

Shannon: I used to draw a lot of comics and cartoons during my high school years and most of it featured a character called the Saltydogg. So when naming the business came along, we decided to go with keeping the intriguing word Salty and Customs because what better way to define our business and hence SaltyCustoms.

Is there a minimum order  when it comes to placing an order?

Yes, at the moment we accept orders starting with a minimum of ten t-shirts and there is no limit as to how many t-shirts can be ordered within per order.

Have you received any unusual or unique requests?

Oh we have actually. The most unique request we’ve received was one  that wanted us to print certain amount of words (five) on the calves of the shirts in a limited amount of time. The printing of those words on the calves would have required machinery works and time so unfortunately we had to turn the request down as the time frame that the client wanted it in was a tad too short.

What else is included in SaltyCustoms’ products?

Apart from t-shirts, SaltyCustoms also provides customised Polos and microfibre jerseys. We don’t provide shirts because we focus on quality and fits. The t-shirts that SaltyCustoms’ provide are all designed to fit perfectly and the perfect fit was developed through our many years of researched.

What kind of clients do your target – brands, agencies, vendors?

All sorts actually. To date our clients include AirAsia, Groupon, Heineken, Universal Music Malaysia, Monsoon Cup, Chatime, Barbie Live, Topman, GAP, Zalora and Astro Supersport. We also did a collaboration with 100 Plus  on The 100 Plus On The Move – Dato’ Lee Chong Wei Promotion which featured our signature SaltyCustoms fits.

Where do you get your inspirations from?

Anywhere actually. We look around the office to conjure up ideas, visit a number of websites for the latest updates on things, brain storming sessions amongst colleagues so yeah, pretty much everything can be an inspiration to us.

Watch the collaboration by SaltyCustoms and 100 Plus here.

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