Hype’s Now Playing: Daniel Kim – #PopDanthology2014

Previously, you’ve heard DJ Earworm’s take on the remixes of the year’s biggest songs, and now, artiste Daniel Kim of Vancouver, Canada, has offered up the 2014 edition of his annual up-tempo spin on pop hits. Famed for his annual “Pop Danthology” mashups, DJ and artiste Daniel Kim spent hours working on his 2014 edition.

And by that, we mean really long hours because he clocked a whopping total of 180 hours to seamlessly wave together 66 of 2014’s most addictive tunes. His take includes songs from Meghan Trainor (All About That Bass), Pharrell Williams (Happy), Calvin Harris, and Taylor Swift (Shake It Off). We’re sorry not sorry for being obsessed with this one today – and days to come until New Year’s Eve.

Daniel Kim’s “Pop Danthology 2014” song list is as follows, in alphabetical order by artiste:

You may repeat this one as much as you like ;)

Find out how Daniel Kim put it all together (music plus video) here.


#MaryPoppinsReturns: Meryl Streep In Talks To Join Cast

Are you ready for a spoonful of sugar? :)

According to sources, “The Devil Wears Prada” actress Meryl Streep is in talks to join Emily Blunt and Lin Manuel-Miranda in Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns”! The Oscar-winning actress is said to play the role of Poppins’ cousin, Topsy.

Directed by Rob Marshall (from “Into The Woods”), the script will be penned by “Finding Neverland” writer, David Magee while Oscar-winning composer Marc Shaiman and Broadway musician Scott Wittman (both from “Hairspray”) will be in charge of the film’s soundtrack.

“Mary Poppins Returns”, which stars Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins and Lin-Manuel Miranda (from “Hamilton”) as Jack, a street-lamp lighter, takes place in 1930s London, where grown-up Jane and Michael Banks live with Michael’s 3 children. The Banks family are visited by Mary Poppins (played by Emily Blunt) after an awful family tragedy.

Disney’s “Mary Poppins” was based on Pamela Lyndon Travers’ children book of the same name. Travers wrote a total of 7 books that were published between 1935 to 1988. The original 1964 musical stars Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.

“I am truly humbled and honoured to be asked by Disney to bring P.L. Travers’ further adventures to the screen. The iconic original film means so much to me personally, and I look forward to creating an original movie musical that can bring Mary Poppins, and her message that childlike wonder can be found in even the most challenging of times, to a whole new generation,” director Marshall said in a recent statement.

What do you think about the casting news? Let us know in the comments below!

“Mary Poppins Returns” is slated for release on 25th December 2018.

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Hype’s Now Playing: Ali Aiman – Breathe

No stranger to the world of music, Ali Aiman, is a Malaysian-born multi-instrumentalist who’s been strutting his stuff since 2006. Brilliant at playing the piano and trumpet, the 26-year-old makes comeback in the local music scene after six years of living abroad.

Throughout his career, Ali Aiman has performed the role of a sessionist, arranger and producer for both local and international artists. Refusing to shy away from the limelight, he has progressed from a producer to singer-songwriter, a dream come true for him.

A graduate from Berklee College of Music where he finished with 1st Class Honours in Contemporary Writing and Production, Ali has also cultivated the art of of orchestration, arranging, composition, jazz piano performance and music production under the tutelage of A-list professionals.

The singer-songwriter recently released his Overture EP and its first single “Breathe” has rapidly gained heaps of attention across social media. Besides “Breathe”, the EP consists of 6 other tracks and all songs except for one was written, produces and mixed by Ali himself.

EP is now available for download on iTunes and Bandcamp, as well as streaming on Spotify, Deezer and Tonton Music.

For more on Ali Aiman, follow him on his social sites: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


HUAWEI Introduces Latest Flagship Products In APAC Smart Office Launch 2022

Calling all tech savvies and tech geeks, we have amazing news for you! Get ready to be amazed by Huawei’s latest technological advancements encompassing the aesthetics, display, performance, connectivity and interaction of the products. Even if you’re not obsessed about modern technology, you will be after you witness what Huawei has in store for you!

Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG), one of Huawei’s three business units, has recently held the much-anticipated APAC Smart Office Launch today (Wednesday, 27th July), drawing attention to a broad range of Smart Office Flagship products—designed to improve creativity as well as communication.

“Huawei focuses on 1+8+N concept to connect a wide range of products and serve five scenarios better, including Smart Office, Fitness & Health, Entertainment, Smart Home and Easy Travel,” says the President of Huawei Device Asia Pacific, Louie Lyu.

In this latest release, customers will come to expect an enhanced experience as Huawei extends their Drag-to-Connect capabilities to more devices. In doing so, the company intends to provide a streamlined process of connecting and interacting on multiple products. Some of the products include:

However, not all products will be available in Malaysia. For now, the HUAWEI MateBook D 16 and MateBook 16s are available for pre-order until 5th August 2022, along with freebies, such as the HUAWEI Stylish Backpack and other goodies worth more than RM1,000 and RM 1,700 for the products. The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro, MatePad Pro 11 and FreeBuds Pro 2 will be coming soon to Malaysia.

For more information on these products, head on over to the company’s website or if you want regular updates, you could follow Huawei on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Neetashini Kanendran contribute to this article


Evan Glodell’s True Labor Of Love

Yesterday, we introduced you to the world of “Bellflower“, an acclaimed independent film that will soon air on Astro B.yond’s Sundance Channel HD (Channel 436). It’s a film that has since gone on to win multiple awards and garner high praises from film critics and other filmmakers.

The fact that it was shot on a self-assembled camera (which has come to be known as the Coatwolf Model II Ultra Large Format) gave Bellflower its extraordinarily artistic edge and feel, winning the film a nomination for “Best Cinematography” in the 2012 Independent Spirit Award.

We (conveniently) forgot  to mention that the film was also written and directed by Evan Glodell, who also has a role in Bellflower (as Woodrow). And since the debut of his work, he has been named a “one-of-a-kind filmmakers, a natural driven by wild energy like Tarantino“.

So, thanks to the wonderful people of Sundance Channel, we had the opportunity to dig deep into the inner workings of Evan’s mind, who sacrificed almost everything personally to complete the project – including selling off all his personal belongings and living in an abandoned wing of an office building to fund the movie. Are you impressed?

Bellflower is based on a lot of personal experiences. Do people in small American suburbs really spent their time waiting for the world to end?

“Oh! I mean I’m sure some people do, but I don’t think that’s very common. Playing with fire and building the car — that stuff is what me and my friends used to do when we were just messing around. But the stuff that’s more based on reality in the movie come from a break up I went through when I was a lot younger.”

Is it true you made the film with just $17,000?

“That is very true. That is even maybe a bit misleading because it makes it sound like at some point we actually had $17,000. But actually we never had it. We never had any money. Basically everyone who was working on the film, put in like little bit at a time — whatever they had. Like, “Oh, I have a couple of hundred dollars to help get gas and food to shoot this week.” And that went on for almost three years — until the movie was done. So $17,000 is an estimate, but it is pretty close to what everybody spent the whole time we were shooting.”

“I would like to! The only place I’ve been is Japan. I was in Tokyo about two months ago to promote theatrical release, which just started over there. I was there for three days and they had me doing press the whole time. It was exciting to go there, but it happened in a flash and I was at home.”

How do you think your film will relate to Asian and Malaysian audiences?

“I am from (the United States) and I’ve been here most my life. Hopefully a lot of the ideas are universal and everybody goes through relationships and goes through having their heart broken and deals with that. All the stuff that happens in the movie, I imagine it happens everywhere. So hopefully that part will come through.”

We heard at some point Medusa was your regular ride. Where is she now?

“I have it! It’s my only car. I don’t drive it every day because it cost a lot of money in gas. But I still have it and it is running and we take it out sometimes.”

What are your favorite films? Are you watching any films right now?

“I’m really bad at this! Every time someone asks me this question I always draw a blank. I watch a lot of movies but I can never think of a crazy list. I don’t know. When I was younger I didn’t even realize there were independent films, so I grew up watching whatever the biggest movies were playing out here. In the last couple of years I have been devouring as much independent films as I can because I realized there were all these really good movies that you don’t hear about necessarily, but you’re looking for.”

We can’t help but giggle at his last answer. How is it that such talent can’t tell us what his favourite films are? His head must’ve been filled with too much film-making awesome for anything else. And “Bellflower” is the perfect, classic example of such Evan Glodell awesome!

Catch the acclaimed independent film when it premieres on 15th August 2012 (Wednesday) on Sundance Channel HD (Astro B.yond Channel 436) at 11pm.

For more information, visit their official website.

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Win A Trip To Witness The BPL by Pledging With Carlsberg’s #PRICEOFPASSION!

Heads up football fans, this one’s for you!

Stand a chance to win a trip to UK by pledging with Carlsberg’s #PRICEOFPASSION! Carlsberg is giving Malaysians a true taste of the Barclays Premier League and football fans a chance to win an all-expensive paid trip for two to watch their favourite football team play live in the UK!

Low Kah Wai, winner of the first instalment of Price of Passion, is a 23-year-old Arsenal fan who took on the challenge and successfully fulfilled his pledge which won him an all-expense-paid trip for two from Carlsberg to watch the Gunners take on Manchester United at Old Trafford.

All you have to do to stand a chance to win the ultimate prize is to click on this  link and make a pledge to carry out an act that is a testament to a Carlsberg fan’s passion for football. Shortlisted fans will then be judged by a panel of judges based on the creativity and passion of their pledges to determine the winner.

The lucky winner will then have to fulfil his pledge before he can have the time of his life in the UK for a BPL experience he’ll never forget.

The challenge for pledges closes on March 14th, 2014 so come up with the most ingenious idea you can and sign up!

For more information, visit Carlsberg’s Facebook page and use the hashtag#PriceofPassion on all your social media platforms!

Once again, to access the Price of Passion app page to make your pledges, click on this link  –  http://goo.gl/sI7EIu


#PottermorePresents: J.K. Rowling To Release 3 New EBooks On Potterverse Characters

Potterheads, we’ve got more materials coming our way!

J.K Rowling, author of the popular “Harry Potter” book series, will be releasing “Pottermore Presents”, a series that will span 3 eBooks. It will be published on 6th September and will contain short stories about several Potterverse characters.

This was announced on Pottermore, where the new series was described as eBooks that will “delve even deeper into the wizarding world”. Each title will cost US$3 (approximately RM12) and will record around 10,000 words. Never-before-seen stories will be added to the book, but so will existing content from Pottermore.

The 3 books will be titled “Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide”, “Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Political, and Pesky Poltergeists”, and “Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship, and Dangerous Hobbies” respectively.

Let us give you a short introduction to each of the books:

1. “Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide”

This “guide” will invite you into every nook and cranny of the beloved wizarding school, “Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry”, and will reveal previously-unknown information of the school.

Wanna know more about the Hogwarts ghosts? Wondering what happens when the Sorting Hat can’t decide on a student’s house? If those questions are lingering in your head, then this book would be the perfect read for you.

2. “Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Political, and Pesky Poltergeists”

You’ll be able to explore the darker roots of the wizarding world with this book. If you’re constantly fascinated by the horrors of the Azkaban prison or curious about the troubles that are faced by the Ministry of Magic, this book will answer your questions.

New and original pieces of writing by J.K Rowling featuring Horace Slughorn’s early years will be included, as well as stories about the ruthless roots of Professor Umbridge.

3. “Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship, and Dangerous Hobbies”

There’s more to the teachers of Hogwarts than the facade they put on. This particular book will celebrate the colourful staff of Hogwarts, bringing them to life with their backstories.

Care of Magical Creatures teacher Silvanus Kettleburn was barely mentioned in the books, but we’ll discover more about him in the upcoming publication. There will also be another new piece of writing on Minerva McGonagall and her involvement in the 2nd wizarding war. The lives of beloved characters Remus Lupin and (not-so-beloved) Sybill Trelawney will also be explored.

“Pottermore Presents” will be available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish. It is available for pre-order now at selected eBook retailers and Pottermore.

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Hype Malaysia’s Christmas Playlist

Let’s get into the spirit Christmas now shall we?

With only two days to go, the Hype Malaysia team have wide smiles on our faces and are blasting Christmas songs in the office, truly embracing the spirit and joy of Christmas. In conjunction with Christmas, we would like to share the joy with our readers and with everyone else so here’s a list of songs that we can’t get enough of this Christmas. We hope you’d enjoy them as much as we do!

2. Mariah Carey — All I Want For Christmas Is You

4. Stevie Wonder — That’s What Christmas Means To Me

5. Elvis Presley & Martina McBride — Blue Christmas

The five videos listed above are our top 5 picks this Christmas! We also recommend Michael Buble’s Christmas album and classic Christmas songs by Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra!


Batman v Superman: Unveiled At #SDCC2014

(Featured image from Getty / Kevin Winter)

Warner Bros had their panel at the 2014 San Diego Comic Con (SDCC), where they revealed some much anticipated “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” teasers. The panel was attended by director Zack Snyder himself as well as the “Holy Trinity” of the film: Batman (Ben Affleck), Superman (Henry Cavill), and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot):

Oh hey The Trinity. #sdcc #Batfleck pic.twitter.com/mtaczYMxH8

— Brian Truitt (@briantruitt) July 26, 2014

Earlier in May, you got a glimpse of Ben Affleck as Batman and the newly made-over Batmobile. And earlier this month, the first official photo of Henry Cavill as Superman was released. Naturally, Warner Bros had only one more extremely crucial thing left to do during their 2014 SDCC panel – to release the first official photo of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman.

From what we’ve read, Warner Bros sure knew how to make an entry and an impression. Hall H, where the panel was held, was wrapped in giant surround screens showing a “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” teaser and several sneak peeks at the concept art before bringing director Zack Snyder and stars Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, and Gal Gadot onstage for a wave. Just a wave, because the “Holy Trinity” didn’t speak at all.

The concept art featured the rooftops of Gotham City, Superman flying through flames, with an intense expression on his face, Batman standing in the rain on the dark rooftops, Batman with his Batmobile, Superman running away from an alien spaceship, Superman carrying what looks like an injured Lois Lane, and Superman doing a three-point landing. Batman and Superman both looking hella intense and angry and kind of Frank Miller-esque.

There you go, your first look at Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman! Although the colours don’t quite come through in the poster, the costume is dark red top with a blue skirt and red boots, gold on the top, and she’s holding a sword. And that tiara! Doesn’t she look like a cross between the Wonder Woman you remember and Xena?

In addition, the first teaser for the film was screened. We hear that the 20-second video was exclusive to the 2014 SDCC panel and Warner Bros isn’t planning to release it to the public just yet.

It starts with thunder and rain, as a hand pulls a tarp off of something… it’s Ben Affleck’s Batman on a Gotham City rooftop, and he’s in the full bat-armor from Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. His eyes are glowing white, and we see that what he’s pulled that tarp off of is the bat-signal. He turns the signal on and the famed bat symbol fills the sky… but then we see it’s aimed at something. At a man floating in the sky. A super-man! Cut to a close-up of Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel as his eyes start to glow with heat vision. Cut back to Batman whose eyes are still glowing white. It’s the stare down of all stare downs! Cut to the title screen: “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”.

We’ll wait and see if we can somehow find an official YouTube video of the above teaser video. Perhaps a little later today or in the coming few days.

Meanwhile, let us leave you now with this awesome picture of Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, and Ben Affleck out of their superhero costumes and Jedi robes:

“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” is slated for a 6th May 2016 release.

The Zack Snyder-directed action adventure also stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Diane Lane, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter and Scoot McNairy.

For more information, hit up the “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” website or Facebook page.

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#2016: 15 Long-Awaited Movie Sequels To Look Forward To This Year

It goes without saying that 2016 going to be great for cinema because there are a million and one blockbuster movies slated for release in the coming months.

Movie buffs and sci-fi geeks are, of course, already looking forward to franchise follow-ups such as “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice“, “Captain America: Civil War“, “X-Men: Apocalypse“, “Star Trek: Beyond“, and “Star Wars: Rogue One“. But did you know that there’s also a list of long-awaited sequels to look forward to this year?

A lot of the upcoming ones (from comedy to horror, to action and some animated flicks) have unfortunately gotten lost in translation because of the other heavily promoted summer blockbusters but that’s okay, we’ve got them sorted out in a handy list! Prepare to see a lot of familiar faces or hear a lot of familiar voices as these movies will be making their return after long absences:

Note: Release dates are as per current US release dates. Subject to change according to region.

1. “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny” (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2)

Synopsis: The sequel tells the story of a group of noble and legendary knights and soldiers who fight for peace and justice by protecting a 400-year old blade named The Green Destiny in Qing Dynasty China. It is based on the final book in Wang Dulu’s Crane-Iron series, “Iron Knight, Silver Vase”, and deals with the legacy of The Green Destiny, the mythically powerful sword wielded by Chow Yun Fat in the first film.

Synopsis: After spending most of their time focusing on their troubling teenage daughter, Toula and Ian are facing marital problems while also having to deal with yet another Greek wedding – this time, even bigger and fatter.

3. “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” (Snow White and the Huntsman 2)

Synopsis: As 2 evil sisters prepare to conquer the land; 2 renegades – Eric the Huntsmen – who previously aided Snow White in defeating Ravenna, and his forbidden lover, Sara set out to stop them.

4. “Alice Through The Looking Glass” (Alice in Wonderland 2)

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

5. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2)

Synopsis: The Turtles come into conflict with T.C.R.I. scientist Dr. Baxter Stockman, the Foot Clan, and the return of their enemy, The Shredder, who has hired Stockman to create mutants of his own in the form of Bebop and Rocksteady. Meanwhile, an invasion above New York City is led by the Dimension X inhabitant known as Krang. The Turtles are joined in the fight by their human friends April O’Neil, Vern Fenwick and the vigilante Casey Jones.

6. “The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist”

Synopsis: Paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren travel to north London to help a single mother raising 4 children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits.

Synopsis: One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic spectacles, The Four Horsemen resurface for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing the unethical practices of a tech magnate. The man behind their vanishing act is none other than Walter Mabry, a tech prodigy who threatens the Horsemen into pulling off their most impossible heist yet. Their only hope is to perform one last unprecedented stunt to clear their names and reveal the mastermind behind it all.

Synopsis: The friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish reunites with her loved ones, and everyone learns a few things about the real meaning of family along the way. The film will take place 6 months after the events of “Finding Nemo” and will be set off the coast of California.

9. “Independence Day: Resurgence” (Independence Day 2)

Synopsis: 2 decades after the first Independence Day invasion, Earth is faced with a new extra-Solar threat. Using recovered extraterrestrial technology, the nations of Earth collaborate on an immense defense program to protect the planet. When the aliens attack with unprecedented force, only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can save the world.

10. “Ghostbusters” (Ghostbusters Reboot)

Synopsis: Erin Gilbert (played by Kristen Wiig) and Abby Yates (played by Melissa McCarthy) are a pair of unheralded authors who write a book positing that ghosts are real. A few years later, Gilbert lands a prestigious teaching position at Columbia University, but her book resurfaces and she is laughed out of academia. When ghosts invade Manhattan, Gilbert reunites with Yates, teaming up with a nuclear engineer, Jillian Holtzmann (played by Kate McKinnon), and a subway worker, Patty Tolan (played by Leslie Jones), to bust ghosts and save the world.

11. “Ice Age: Collision Course” (Ice Age 5)

Synopsis: Scrat’s epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age World. To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and adventure, traveling to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colourful new characters.

12. “Untitled 5th Bourne Film” (Bourne 5)

Synopsis: The next chapter of Universal Pictures’ Bourne franchise will find the CIA’s most lethal former operative drawn out of the shadows.

13. “Bridget Jones’ Baby” (Bridget Jones’ Diary 3)

Synopsis: With 2 men (played by Colin Firth and Patrick Dempsey) in her life, a pregnant Bridget Jones (played by Renée Zellweger) must figure out who’s the father of her baby.

14. “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” (Jack Reacher 2)

Synopsis: Jack Reacher returns to the headquarters of his old unit, only to find out he’s now accused of a 16-year-old homicide.

15. “Underworld: Next Generation” (Underworld 5)

Synopsis: “Underworld: Next Generation” will reportedly continue the story of “Underworld: Awakening”, in which vampire “death dealer” Selene (played by Kate Beckinsale) woke from a cryogenic sleep to find herself in a future world where the existence of vampires and werewolves had become public knowledge.

Which ones are you personally looking forward to? Are there any sequels you think should be included in the list above? Let us know in the comments box below :)

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#KarakHighway: All Lanes Fully Reopen To Motorists After 3-Day Closure

Earlier last week, all lanes in both directions on the Karak Highway were blocked due to a landslide that was caused by an overflow of a water catchment area.

Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department’s deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Soiman Jahid was quoted as saying that the heavy rain over the last few days had caused the catchment to overflow, picking up sediment and mud which became a landslide.

As a result, motorists travelling between Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan were forced to use altenative routes to reach their desired destinations.

Following a 3-day closure, Bentong OCPD Supt Mansor Mohd Nor has now confirmed that all lanes of the KL-Karak highway are fully reopen for motorists to use.

He said that the stretch of highway near Lentang, which was closed due to the mudslide, was reopened at around 1pm on Sunday.

“On Saturday, we opened one lane in each direction to traffic while work continued to clean the remaining debris,” he said when contacted by The Star Online. “By 1pm today (Sunday) all work was completed and the affected stretch is now fully operational,” he aded.

A total of 4 vehicles were reportedly trapped in the mudslide that happened last Wednesday evening. However, no casualties were reported as all passengers managed to escape from their vehicles.


Hype’s Now Playing: Taeyang – 눈,코,입 (Eyes, Nose, Lips)

The first of the music videos for Taeyang’s new album, “RISE”, has been released!

Titled, “Eyes, Nose, Lips”, the song was written by Taeyang, renowned YG Entertainment producer and ex-1TYM member Teddy, DEE.P, and Rebecca Johnson. The song is one of the nine new tracks on his comeback album and also the title track. Surprisingly, Taeyang has chosen a slow and emotionally powerful song for his title track, which shows off his vocal prowess. We haven’t heard Taeyang fully utilise his (solo) singing talent since the days of “Wedding Dress” in 2010 so we can’t complain!

We hear that YG Entertainment boss Yang Hyun Suk had a part in making the music video for the ballad, sharing his ideas and concepts for the song. And you will see later that it’s pretty straightforward and simple, with no dancers, no actual props (Taeyang is topless!) or elaborate music video set, save for a billboard that eventually bursts into flames at the end of the video.

Judging from the way the song was done, one can safely say that he has since achieved his dream of becoming something beyond a K-Pop idol (read: BIGBANG) i.e. a progressive R&B artiste. But don’t just take it from us. Watch the music video and judge for yourselves:

Taeyang will be only promoting one title track, although there will be two other music videos for “1AM” and “Beautiful”. Go here to purchase Taeyang’s new album via iTunes.

For more information, visit his Facebook page.


Hype’s Now Playing: f(x) Amber – Borders

When f(x) Amber blew our minds with her first solo “Shake That Brass” featuring SNSD’s Taeyeon last year, we knew that her solo career wouldn’t just end there. Sure enough, her latest solo track “Borders” was released earlier today (25th March)!

“Borders” marks the 7th release for South Korean entertainment mogul SM Entertainment’s “STATION” digital single project.

A post shared by Amber Liu 刘逸云 (@amberliu)

Written and composed by the rapper herself, “Borders” is an English rap ballad with a soft chorus that strongly showcases her vocal potential. Unlike her first solo track, this song has no glamorous concept and it tells the story of the real her.

“This song took me a lot of courage to write because I was always apprehensive of the subject it talked about. I’ve been doing this job (singer) for a long time and right now, I speak out as Amber of f(x) nor “celebrity” Amber, but just Amber. Just plain, simple, human Amber.”

She said that through this song, she hopes her fans will never give up on themselves, and that there will always be a silver lining. The chorus of the song also mentioned Amber’s mom, who is always supportive and loving.

“Cause mom said I’d be crossing borders, never be afraid even when you’re cornered. Stand up straight, fight your way, through the borders”

Once again, Amber proved to be a capable songwriter. “Borders” is definitely something that will show fans her “human” side. Even the music video (produced by DPR Production) shows different sides of the struggles that people face every day.

Be sure to check out the next “STATION” digital single next week on 1st April 2016!

“STATION” is a special digital music channel project by SM Entertainment which will release one single every week for a year.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.


Alpha’s Dream Stage Malaysia Talent Search 2013

For the first time in Malaysia, you will have a chance to fulfill your dreams of becoming a K-Pop star! How? Well, this one occasion, “Alpha Dream Stage Malaysia Talent Search 2013” is specially brought to you by Alpha Entertainment. Alpha Entertainment Group (Alpha) is a Singapore-owned Entertainment Company. They strive to groom talents from Asia, for Asia and beyond.

“Alpha Dream Stage Malaysia Talent Search 2013” is the first search of its kind, conducted by Alpha Entertainment Group. This is the same group that was responsible for the highly successful launch of SKarf, the first K-pop group consisting of both Singaporeans and Koreans, into the highly coveted Korean entertainment scene.

[youtube id=”Oqf1uMYFjjE” width=”600″ height=”350″]

This talent search aims to identify talent in Malaysia and if found suitable, may have the chance to become the next group to debut in Korea as well.

Deets of the “Alpha Dream Stage Malaysia Talent Search 2013” are as follows:

Dates: 29th and 30th June 2013 (Saturday and Sunday)

For more information, visit their website or their Facebook page.


Jay Chou Returns To Malaysia Next Year With 20th Anniversary Tour

Mandapop king Jay Chou (周杰倫) will be coming to Malaysia early next year for a brand new concert world tour dubbed as the “All New Jay Chou Concert World Tour”!

The 40-year-old Taiwanese singer-songwriter will be performing for a one-night-only concert on 29th February 2020 at National Stadium, Bukit Jalil.

This will be Chou’s 8th concert tour which celebrates the multi award-winning singer’s 20 years in the music business.

The concert is brought to us by the same organiser which will also be bringing Chou to Singapore for a 2-day concert in January 2020.

#周杰倫全新世界巡迴演唱會新加坡站

A post shared by  G.H.Y Culture & Media SG (@ghyculturemediasg) on May 18, 2019 at 4:12am PDT

Jay Chou last came to Malaysia for a concert back in 2018 during “The Invincible Tour Part 2” which was held in late January 2018. The singer then returned to Malaysia in October 2018 to accompany his wife Hannah Quinlivan, who was shooting a film in Malaysia at the time.

Ticketing details for Jay Chou’s concert in Malaysia have yet to be announced. Stay tuned for more updates.

Jay Chou was originally slated to perform on 29th February 2020. However, due to the coronavirus situation, GHY Culture & Media announced that the “Carnival” world tour has been postponed to 22nd August 2020 instead.

Fans who aren’t able to make it on that date may proceed to request for a refund from 13th February till 27th February. Details on the full refund can be found here.

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#ViralFestAsia2017: Rain, AKB48, Namewee, & More To Perform In Bangkok

Prepare your umbrellas because Rain is coming to our part of the world!

The K-Pop superstar, along with Japanese idol group AKB48, local rapper Namewee, and more will bring the party to you in the upcoming Viral Fest Asia 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand.

After its successful inception last year, the festival is back for its 2nd edition, this time even bigger and better. Dubbed as Asia’s first ever digital music festival, last year’s show boasted an attendance of more than 8000, with more than 25 performers entertaining the crowd.

While we had the queen of K-Pop HyunA last year, legendary Korean singer Rain is taking her place this year as headliner. Namewee, who represented Malaysia last year, will be joining the festival once again.

Other performers include Exile the Second, Flower, Juice=Juice, Badshah, Suran, Siro-A, Somkiat, Hugo, BNK48, Son Tung M-TP, and more.

Tickets can be bought via Thai Ticket Major’s website. Early bird tickets (from now until 20th May) are priced at THB990 (around RM124) for standard tickets and THB1990 (around RM250) for VIP tickets.

After that, standard tickets will be sold at THB1690 (around RM212) while VIP tickets can be obtained for THB3690 (around RM462).

For more info, visit their website and Facebook page.


(UPDATE) #Penang: Boy Stripped & Chained To Staircase By Father Because He Was “Naughty”

It was reported that an 8-year-old boy was stripped naked and chained to a staircase at a flat housing area in Paya Terubong, Penang by his father because he misbehaved.

At 2:30am on Sunday (15th May), a resident of the apartment, Michael Jin, took to Facebook to share photos and a video about the incident. As at time of writing, the post has been shared more than 2.8k times and the video gained over 10k views.

In his post, he stated that the boy was chained from 10pm to approximately 2:30am, and had to relieve himself on the spot.

“No matter how naughty your child is, he shouldn’t be treated like this. There was once he was beaten till his head bled. I took some photos and went to find his family. His father was holding a wooden bat to scare me but I snatched the bat away and threatened him to release his son,” wrote Jin.

According to The Star, Paya Terubong Village Security and Development Committee chairman Frankie Kee said he found out about the boy after the social media post went viral.

“I visited the boy upon receiving the news. I warned the father, who initially refused to open the door, and told him that what he did was child abuse. He pleaded for pardon and promised not to do it again,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

He also added that the father is a single parent and that the boy is his only son.

Besides that, Kee mentioned that this was not the first time he was chained to the staircase and that the father would threaten other neighbours when they tried to help the boy.

“I decided not to make a police report considering the condition of the family. But I’ve given my contact number to the neighbours and told them to call me should such a thing happen again,” he said.

Do you think that the police or the children’s social care should intervene? What are your thoughts about the father’s parenting style? Let us know in the comments below!

The 8-year-old boy is now under temporary custody of the state’s Welfare Department.

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Mior Faridalathrash Wahid confirmed that the boy’s 45-year-old father was arrested when he turned up at the Air Itam police station to give a statement at about 4pm yesterday (16th May).

Besides that, Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin said that the boy will be sent to the Penang Hospital for a check-up, even though there aren’t any obvious injuries on his body.

“I’ve spoken to the boy’s relative. She hopes that the public would leave the family alone so that the authorities could investigate the case and also to protect the interest of the child,” assemblyman Yeoh stated.

Sources: The Star (1), The Star (2), Frankie Kee’s Facebook page, Michael Jin’s Facebook page.

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#ZikaVirus: Symptoms, Risks, & Prevention Tips To Keep You & Your Family Safe

As the Zika virus continues to spread throughout Asia at an alarming rate, it’s important to arm yourselves with sufficient knowledge because many people aren’t even aware of the disease.

The Zika virus is spread by Aedes mosquitoes’ bites, the same infected mosquitoes that carry similar viruses like dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. While the infection is dangerous to foetuses and newborns, it is generally not life threatening to children or adults.

It is important to note that most people who have been infected won’t experience any symptoms or will only have mild symptoms during the early stages.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the most common symptoms of Zika are:

These symptoms will typically last between 2 days to a week. Those infected by the virus usually aren’t sick enough to be admitted to hospital, which explains why people remain oblivious that they have been infected.

As previously mentioned, pregnant women and newborns are especially vulnerable to the Zika virus, as the virus has been shown to pass through amniotic fluid and interfere with how the fetus’ brain is developing. Foetuses in the first trimester are prone to birth defects as the virus can cause severe brain damage in babies.

In this case, the Zika virus can result in babies suffering from microcephaly, a disorder in which the brain and skull don’t develop as well and are too small. On top of that, reports of Guillame-Barre Syndrome, a serious neurological condition that can lead to paralysis, have also risen in areas where the virus has been reported.

Another alarming risk that expecting mums may face is a miscarriage.

Besides that, Zika can also be transmitted through unprotected sex, even though the person hasn’t shown any symptoms at the time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that the virus “can be passed from a person with Zika before their symptoms start, while they have symptoms, and after their symptoms end”.

At this point, there are no vaccines or prescription medications available to combat the virus as Zika has not been widely studied, but the World Health Organisation (WHO) did previously declare the rise in birth defects linked to the Zika virus outbreak a “public health emergency”, underscoring the seriousness of the problem and paving the way for research and aid to be fast-tracked to tackle the infection.

If infected with Zika, your doctor or medical professional will likely prescribe these following treatments:

Of course, it’s important to take measures to control the spread of Zika virus. Here are several basic measures to prevent Zika infection:

Want to read more about this deadly virus? You can check out our previous articles here.

Sources: Top 10 Home Remedies, CDC, Live Science.


Hype’s Now Playing: Taylor Swift – Out Of The Woods

Taylor Swift kicked off 2016 on a high note with the premiere of the music video for “Out of the Woods”, one of the singles from her blockbuster album “1989”.

The music video made its debut on ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” on the New Year’s Eve (31st December).

The “Out of the Woods” music video is the 6th music video from “1989”, following clips from “Shake It Off“, “Blank Space“, “Style”, “Bad Blood“, and  “Wildest Dreams”.

Directed by Joseph Khan (the same director behind the “Bad Blood” music video), it was shot on a location in New Zealand. Tay Tay is featured in the gorgeous video that took place in various natural settings. First, she is seen being chased by wolves in a forest. The next moment showed her standing atop a new snow-covered mountain before submerging in the ocean. The video then ended with Tay Tay getting out of the woods and finding “herself” (literally) on a beach.

It also ended with one of the liner notes from her album:

She lost him. But she found herself. And somehow that was everything.

Check out the visually stunning music video for Taylor Swift’s “Out of the Woods” below:

For more information about Taylor Swift, visit her official website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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#Carlsberg: Help Yourself To A Pint Or Two Via This (Beer-Dispensing) Billboard

You think you’ve seen it all until you’re reminded with something like this that you sure ain’t seen nothing yet!

Recently, beer company Carlsberg decided to make Londoners tipsy-ly happy with probably the best poster in the world. Not our words, theirs. Gone were the days where ads would try to sell you their products because this one will quite literally feed you their product.

The Danish brewer, with help from ad agency Fold7 and design company Mission Media, unveiled a beer-dispensing billboard at The Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane in London.

As seen in the picture above, the billboard was emblazoned with the headline, “Probably the best poster in the world.”

Upon the unveiling of the drinkable billboard, Carlsberg UK’s senior brand manager Dharmesh Rana commented:

We want to get the Carlsberg brand in front of as many beer drinkers as possible. To do this, we have to think differently with our approach and can’t just rely on great TV advertising. “If Carlsberg did posters” is one of many ideas that we’ll be developing over the course of the year to ensure that beer drinkers up and down the country see the Carlsberg brand in a new and engaging way alongside TV.

Oh, and just in case you’re worried that this might encourage underaged drinkers, well, the brand was on hand to monitor the drinkers, making sure that no one there was under 18 years of age. Ace!

Check out the pictures in the gallery below:

Talk about outdoor advertising with a bit more kick ;)


Boston Marathon Bombings Suspect Charged

Prosecutors charged Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on Monday with carrying out last week’s bomb attacks on the Boston Marathon that killed three people (including eight-year-old Martin Richard) and injured more than 200, U.S. officials said. The formal charge, which could carry the death penalty if the 19-year-old Tsarnaev is convicted, was overseen by a magistrate judge at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, a court official said.

Tsarnaev was being treated there, listed in serious condition. The criminal complaint against him said he suffered gunshot wounds to his head, neck, legs, and hand during shoot-outs with police hunting him down last week. “Although our investigation is ongoing, today’s charges bring a successful end to a tragic week for the city of Boston, and for our country”,  U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement.

Two bombs made from pressure cookers and left in backpacks ripped through the crowded finish line of the famous Boston Marathon road race a week ago.

Tsarnaev was captured last Friday after a manhunt in which his older brother and suspected accomplice, 26-year-old Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was charged with using a weapon of mass destruction and malicious destruction of property resulting in death. If convicted, he could be sentenced to death, life in prison, or a term of any number of years, the U.S. Justice Department said.

Tsarnaev, an ethnic Chechen college student, was unable to speak due to his injuries. But the fact he was charged on Monday meant that he was communicative, because the magistrate judge would have to be satisfied he was aware of the proceedings. Police previously declined to comment on media reports he was communicating with authorities in writing.


#Uber: Get 7 Free Rides Worth RM7 Each This Ramadan!

Tired of braving through traffic jams and looking for parking? We’ve got the thing to dispel you of your worries ;)

Uber is back with their promo codes – this time to sprinkle some joy on your Ramadan celebrations. The promotion will offer you 7 free rides worth RM7 for rides all over Malaysia, as long as Uber is available in that area.

Effective today (Monday, 5th June) until 11th June, users only need to key in the following promo code to get themselves some free rides:

The promo code only needs to be applied once and if the ride costs more than RM7, customers will need to pay the balance by themselves.

What are you waiting for? Get travelling! :)

For more information on the car-hailing app and their promotions, visit Uber Malaysia’s official website and Facebook page.

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Chris Pratt & Fellow Guardians Cast Speak Up On James Gunn’s Firing

Late last week, the Marvel Cinematic Universe world was rocked when it was announced that Disney had fired James Gunn from “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” over his controversial tweets.

Since then, several key members from the franchise family have spoken up and defended the filmmaker for his past actions. They include Dave Bautista, Sean Gunn, and Michael Rooker. This morning (Monday, 23rd July), the main actors, Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana, have finally broken their silence on this matter.

It’s been a challenging weekend I’m not gonna lie. I’m pausing myself to take everything in before I speak out of term. I just want everyone to know I love ALL members of my GOTG family. Always will.

— Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) July 22, 2018

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters. Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

— Chris Pratt (@prattprattpratt) July 22, 2018

Both Saldana and Pratt were pretty vague in their responses and did not mention Gunn by name. It seems as though the actress isn’t fully ready to comment on the drama. Instead, she simply highlighted that she loves “ALL members of (the) GOTG family”. Pratt was even more cryptic, opting for a Bible verse from James in the New Testament.

Now that “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is lacking a director, it’s still a question mark if Marvel Studios will used the screenplay that Gunn had written for the 3rd instalment. Bautista was one of the first ones to voice out his feelings on Disney’s decision, saying that he’s “NOT ok with what’s happening” to Gunn. He’s not alone in this as more than 150,000 (as at time of writing) have sign a petition for Disney to rehire Gunn.

I will have more to say but for right now all I will say is this..@JamesGunn is one of the most loving,caring,good natured people I have ever met. He’s gentle and kind and cares deeply for people and animals. He’s made mistakes. We all have. Im NOT ok with what’s happening to him

— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) July 21, 2018

Love to every single member of my GOTG family.

— Karen Gillan (@karengillan) July 23, 2018

10. Working on those movies made my brother a better person, and they made me one too. I'm proud of that. Peace.

Although Gunn has received many support from peers from the movie industry, many others have also voiced out their disgust with him too. Clearly, this dispute shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

Sources: Cinema Blend, Screen Rant/ Featured image: Monkeys Fighting Robots.


Royal Family Officiates Opening Of The First Starbucks Franchise In Perlis!

The people of Perlis have something to look forward to as Starbucks Malaysia has officially opened its first store in Perlis, completing the company’s presence in all states and federal territories in Malaysia. The new store is a drive-thru located in the state’s capital of Kangar, the largest town in Perlis that has historically been known for its paddy field landscape and rice production.

The Perlis Royal Family attended the opening event to officiate the opening of Starbucks store in Kangar Jaya, Perlis. The Starbucks Kangar Jaya Drive Thru was successfully officiated by DYTM Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, Raja Muda Perlis.

The royal family was accompanied by DYTM Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shareen Akashah Khalil, Raja Puan Muda Perlis, Her Nobleness Dato’ Seri DiRaja Tunku Shazuddin Ariff Ibni Al Aminul Karim Sultan Salehuddin, Tunku Laksamana Kedah and Dato’ Sydney Quays, Group CEO of Berjaya Food Berhad.

Also attending the opening event, their royal highness’ daughters Sharifah Khatreena Nuraniah Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra and Sharifah Farah Adriana Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra. Here we see the royal family posing together after the unveiling of the ceremonial wall plaque.

Dato’ Sydney Quays, who is also Starbucks Malaysia and Brunei managing director, gave a tour around the store for the royal family together with His Nobleness Dato’ Seri DiRaja Tunku Shazuddin Ariff Ibni Al Aminul Karim Sultan Salehuddin where they also witnessed a Coffee Story and Demonstration session by Ayesha Dahlan, Coffee Specialist of Starbucks Malaysia.

According to Dato’ Sydney Quays, the new store was supposed to open earlier but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He added that Perlis was the last state for Starbucks to open an outlet with the main reason being finding a suitable location. “We are delighted to bring the unique Starbucks experience to customers in Perlis,” he said.

If you guys didn’t know, the new store is the 62nd drive-thru store out of 345 branches in Malaysia. The store has been designed to reflect the brand’s more than 50-year coffee heritage, while embracing Malaysia’s distinctive local traditions and culture.

Customers visiting the store will be able to enjoy Starbucks signature handcrafted beverages prepared by passionate and skilled baristas, as well as locally inspired food items such as the recently launched Kuih Kerak Jagung by local celebrity chef, Dato’ Fazley.

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#MBPJ: Traffic Offenders Will Be Barred From Renewing Road Tax

You’ve got a few more months left to settle your summonses in Petaling Jaya because according to The Star Online, traffic offenders who failed to do so will be barred by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) from renewing their road taxes.

The English-language daily reported that MBPJ will bar traffic offenders from renewing their road taxes starting March 2016.

Details of the offenders will reportedly be submitted to the Road Transport Department (JPJ), which will then bar the car owners from renewing their road taxes.

In the same report, Petaling Jaya mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain was quoted as saying that MBPJ received approval from JPJ that enabled them to carry out the drastic action from the department last month.

It was revealed that MBPJ has a total of 4.1 million unpaid traffic summonses amounting to RM100 million.

In an effort to encourage traffic offendrs to settle summonses before the deadline, Azizi added that MBPJ will offer an 80% discount until 29th February.


#KLCityGP: 5 Major Roads In The City Closed For The KL City Grand Prix

Five major roads in the city will be closed this coming weekend to make way for the KL City Grand Prix – Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Perak, and Jalan P. Ramlee.

As such, those heading for the city’s first street race are advised to use public transport as the roads will be closed from 6am to 6pm, from 7th – 9th August. This is because only vehicles going to the properties near parts of Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, and Jalan Sultan Ismail would be allowed.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Mohd Amin Nordin said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) was working with the police on traffic restrictions and road safety:

We have devised a plan to divert the traffic away from the track area as well as provide access to the event area to those who require it. A plan is also in place to facilitate access after the end of the day’s event from 6pm to 6am. We have also spoken with the surrounding property owners to inform their staff about the event. Traffic information will also be distributed to all property owners. I hope the companies affected will make the effort to inform their staff on the traffic restrictions as well as event date and time.

Mohd Amin added that a lot of questions were raised by the agencies on various possibilities that may happen during the event and a lot of views were shared.

“GT Global Race agreed to allocate 500 employees to work during the race. They will be stationed along the 3.2km circuit to assist if an accident should happen and assist the public if needed. The Integrated Transport Information System variable message signboards will also display traffic information to the public,” he said.

Mohd Amin said City Hall had engaged with Prasarana and Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to make any necessary arrangements. Prasarana group communications and strategic marketing executive vice-president Lim Jin Aun said the monorail and Kelana Jaya line would run as usual.

Meanwhile, a statement by SPAD said the bus services affected by the event in the central business district would be rerouted for the 3 days. The buses would use existing bus stops along the redirected routes and services. The public can call the SPAD hotline at 1-800-88-7723.

GT Global Race chief executive officer M. Arrasu said pedestrians would not be affected much throughout the event. “Generally, pedestrian access will not be restricted on race days,” he said, adding that track crossings would be provided at 5 strategic locations 6 times a day.

“On 7th and 9th August, pedestrian track crossing times are 8am, 8:40am, 2pm, 2:40pm, 2am and 2.40am while on 8th August, it will be at 9am, 9:40am, 3pm, 3:40pm, 3am, and 3:40am. On top of that, there will be continuous access to existing features such as the Bukit Bintang-KLCC elevated walkway as well as the Bukit Nanas and Raja Chulan monorail stations,” he said.

The Kuala Lumpur City Grand Prix is taking place from 7th – 9th August.

Tickets are priced at RM350 for Perak, Sultan Ismail, and Ampang grandstand and RM450 for P. Ramlee Pit grandstand. Premium walkabout tickets are priced at RM50 for adult and RM20 for children between 3 and 12 years old. Gates open at 9am daily. Go here to get your tickets.

For more traffic information, call the 24-hour hotline at 019-374 7774.

For ticketing details and other information, visit their website. Alternatively, you could also follow them on Twitter for more timely updates!

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(UPDATE) #GentingPremiumOutlets: Genting To Open First Hilltop Premium Outlets In Southeast Asia

It’s no secret that Malaysia is a shopping haven, especially after Johor Premium Outlets, the first luxury premium brand outlet in Southeast Asia, was officially opened in 2011. Not only did the outlet boost the economy, it attracted millions of local and foreign visitors annually.

Due to its commercial success, Genting Group and its partner, Simon Property Group, announced on Wednesday (27th May) that they will build a RM200 million premium outlet in Genting Highlands.

Situated at Genting Highlands Resort within the East Coast Economic Region, Genting Premium Outlets will be the first hilltop Premium Outlet Centre in Malaysia and South East Asia. Construction work is about to begin on the 600,000 square feet outlet, which is expected to cost a total of RM200 million. As the 85th Premium Outlet Center in the Premium Outlets portfolio, development for Genting Premium Outlets is targeted for completion in the last quarter of 2016.

The outlet is a key component of the Genting Integrated Tourism Plan, a 10-year development, expansion, enhancement, refurbishment and infrastructure master plan; an illustration of private sector participation under the Economic Transformation Programme. It will offer a gross leasable area of approximately 300,000 square feet that will house 150 designer and brand name stores and 4,000 parking bays for cars and buses.

During the press conference, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and Chief Executive of Genting Group said:

We are proud to have Genting Premium Outlets as a hallmark development within the Genting Integrated Tourism Plan (GITP). Its strategic location within Genting Highlands will allow Genting Premium Outlets to leverage and also further enhance Genting Highlands’ attraction as a major tourist and holiday destination that draws about 20 million visitations annually.

“As we realise the ambition of this development, we hope to further cement Malaysia’s position as South East Asia’s shopping haven and a preferred investment destination for retail and real estate that has the potential of generating high growth,” he added.

Stephen Yalof, Chief Executive Officer of Simon Premium Outlets also said:

Following the success in Johor, we are very pleased to announce the opening of our second centre, Genting Premium Outlets, in Malaysia. The collection of brands and overall shopping environment will offer visitors to Genting Highlands an upscale shopping experience at impressive savings, synonymous with the Premium Outlets reputation.

No further details about Genting Premium Outlets, but Jean Marie Pin Harry, General Manager of Johor Premium Outlets, revealed that the new Premium Outlets is expected to attract 4 million visitors annually.

Visitors are promised to get a unique and distinctive shopping experience when Genting Premium Outlets is officially open. The upscale mix of international designers and exceptional brand name stores at Genting Premium Outlets will offer retail aficionados impressive quality savings of 25% to 65% every day, making every visit “always worth the trip”.

Situated within Genting Highlands, Genting Premium Outlets is highly accessible as it is well connected to the capital city, Kuala Lumpur by car, bus, taxi and cable car (from Genting mid-hill to the peak). It is approximately 45 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur and within 1.5 to 2 hours drive from Ipoh, Kuantan and Seremban via the North-South Expressway and Karak Expressway.

The announcement about the new Premium Outlets also coincides with the unveiling of the Premium Outlets new brand identity that will effectively synergise Simon Premium Outlets sophisticated and aspirational premium shopping experiences all around the world.

According to Genting Premium Outlets’ Facebook page, the premium outlet centre will be holding its soft opening on 15th June 2017 (Thursday).

There has been no word, however, on the brands that will be available during the soft opening or if there are any soft opening promotions. But according to their Instagram post, shoppers can expect up to 65% off popular brands such as Brooks Brothers, Coach, Hugo Boss, Adidas, Tumi, Polo Ralph Lauren, and more.

We’ll update this post with more details as soon as we have ’em ;)

For more information, visit Genting Premium Outlets’ official website.

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#AgainstTheCurrent: Pop Rock Band To Return To Malaysia For “Gravity” World Tour

Half way through 2015 and it’s only getting better because another rock band is set to make its way back to Malaysia.

For starters, we have South Korean band CNBLUE heading our way next month for a meet and greet session. Just a day after the event, Us the Duo will make their Malaysian debut at the Bently Music Auditorium and in September, legendary rock band Bon Jovi will be coming back to Malaysia to perform at Stadium Merdeka after 20 whole years.

And now, to add on to the fun, Against The Current will reach out to their Malaysia fans again via their “Gravity” world tour!

Against The Current is a female-fronted pop rock band that rose to international fame through their hit cover videos, such as Paramore’s “Ain’t it Fun” and Taylor Swift’s “Red”. Originating from New York, the band is made up of lead vocalist Chrissy Costanza, drummer Will Ferri, and vocalist/guitarist Dan Gow. They began posting cover videos on YouTube in 2011 and took their music up a notch through powerful collaborations with other YouTube musicians including Alex Goot and Kurt Schneider.

The band gained momentum by releasing their original tracks on their official YouTube channel, which currently boasts more than 1 million subscribers. Without the support of a major label, they independently released 2 EPs and dozens of singles. They’ve also toured around the globe and made their Malaysian debut at Bentley Music Auditorium in August 2014. By March 2015, the band proudly announced that they’ve inked a deal with Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic Record.

Before making their major label debut in winter 2016, they will embark on a headlining world tour summer 2015 in support of their recently released EP titled “Gravity”  with stops in Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. And to our surprise, they will be making a stop in Malaysia too!

** Ticket prices are inclusive of 6% GST and RM4 ticket processing fee.

Digital Idea is the promoter for Against The Current “Gravity” Live in Malaysia 2015. Concert tickets were launched on 15th June (Monday) at 10 am via Ticketing Agent, Ticket Charge. To purchase tickets, you may log on to Ticket Charge’s official website and contact their hotline at +603-92228811. Tickets are also available at Ticket Charge office and at selected stores including Speedy Music Store, Rock Corner Music store, Victoria Music Center, and Neway Karaoke outlet.

With their immense popularity, we suggest you rush to get the tickets before they’re all gone!

We’ll leave you now with the band’s latest music video, “Gravity”. Enjoy ;)

For more information about the concert, visit Digital Idea’s official Facebook page or contact them at 018 7706 623.

Don’t forget to check the band’s official website and Facebook page for more timely updates.


#KirstenDunst: Possible Reunion With Director Sofia Coppola For New Film

The last we heard from Sofia Coppola, she dropped out of the director’s chair for Universal Pictures and Working Title Film’s live-action adaptation of Han Christian Anderson’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” due to creative differences.

Now, a new report has emerged online, suggesting that she will reunite with German-American actress Kirsten Dunst for a new untitled film.

According to The Playlist, Town & Country recently had an interview with Dunst, who will be seen next in the 2nd season of FX’s “Fargo“. While there’s no direct quote from the actress, Town & Country noted that the star stated that “there’s also talks of a 3rd film with Sofia Coppola in 2016”.

If the report is true, the movie will mark their 3rd time working together as Dunst previously starred in Coppola’s 1999 film “The Virgin Suicides” and 2006’s “Marie Antoinette”.

The Playlist did some guesswork and stated that Dunst might be talking about the film adaptation of Alysia Abbott’s “Fairyland: A Memoir of My Father”. According to The Playlist, the film tells the true story of a daughter and her bisexual father in San Francisco, their relationship, and the onset of the AIDS crisis. It was revealed that Coppola signed up to co-write the movie with Andrew Durham (who produced Coppola’s debut short “Lick The Star”) back in 2013.

However, there’s no indication on whether she will direct it as well.

Coppola has been staying behind the camera since the release of her 2013 film, “The Bling Ring”. The only project she has coming up is “A Very Murray Christmas”, a Netflix Christmas special starring her “Lost in Translation” lead Bill Murray.

In addition to “Fargo” season 2, Dunst will be seen next on the big screen in Jeff Nichols’s “Midnight Special”, which opens on 18th March 2016.

Would you like Dunst and Coppola to team up for another movie again? Who do you think should join the said film as well? Let us know in the comments box below.

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Hype’s Exclusive: Interview With The Voice Indonesia’s Billy Simpson

So, we had the chance to meet up with Billy Simpson, the winner of the first season for The Voice Indonesia as he was recently in town to perform at the Lake Garden Festival.

From just being a bassist in church to being a winner of an iconic singing competition, Billy Simpson told us a little bit more about his life and his journey to becoming a singer-songwriter. Through the interview, we asked him about his experience in Malaysia so far and discovered that he has a “close” relationship with Malaysia too!

That’s right, Billyvers! Check out what went down when we met Billy Simpson for the first time in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:

H: Hi Billy! How is Malaysia treating you so far?

B: So far so good lah. I’ve been to Malaysia before and I love the food here. But this is my first time doing promotions here because before this, I’ve always only been here for holidays. My dad actually grew up in Penang.

H: Oh, that’s cool! When was your last time here in Malaysia then?

B: Few months ago…I think it was May? I was in Penang for a week with my friends because we just want to look for good food.

H: So since you’ve been to Malaysia before, have you ever heard of any songs from Malaysian artistes?

B: Of course! But they are like the older ones like Siti Nurhaliza, Sheila Majid, and the other idols.

H: That’s interesting. Then what are your favourite songs from them?

B: Siti Nurhaliza’s “Aku Cinta Pintamu?” Is it? *sings a little* That’s a hit song, right? That’s the song that made her well known in Indonesia, right?

H: Haha, yes I think so. Okay, so you’re the winner of The Voice Indonesia, are there any unique vocal techniques that you’d like to share with the aspiring singers out there?

B: You know, actually, even singing, I learnt it by myself in the toilet. I’ve never had any professional trainings before. I have no experience and I never did singing professionally before The Voice, so umm, for special techniques, I don’t think I use any special techniques at all! My singing style is like..sending a message. It’s not only the melody, rhythm, fork, beats, or lyrics..it’s the message that I want to send across. I want my music to impact people.

H: If you want your music to give a certain impact to people, have you ever thought of writing your own songs to inspire people as well?

B: Actually, this is pretty rare for a winner of a singing competition. All these while, the label would prepare 10 to 14 songs for the winners once they’ve won the competition. So that happened to me as well. But the label somehow, out of the blue, they asked, “Billy, do you write your own songs?” I said yes. They said, “We’ll have to listen to them then”. Then I showed it to them and they decided, “You know, we might as well use all your songs so that we can promote you as a singer-songwriter”. I got a shock because I kept all the songs for years and they didn’t go anywhere. But now, everyone is singing it and few days ago, I saw a Malaysian selfie video featuring my song! It’s just crazy!

H: You’ve recently released the music video for the song “Janjimu Itu” from your latest album “Lukisanku”. What was the inspiration behind the song?

B: I wrote all of it and the song is about keeping a promise. It’s not just talk the talk, but walk the talk. I just tell everyone to listen to that song so that they can be inspired to keep their promises more.

H: You’re going to perform at the City Harvest KL this Sunday (August 17th), what can people expect from your performance that day?

B: Umm, this is the thing. For me, the wonderful thing about winning The Voice is not just me winning and having my career, but I have a story to tell. You know, my background is not that advantageous. I don’t have a musical family and I’ve never had any professional training before. I have no recording experience, nothing. And I started singing when I was in my second year of university and that was my first time singing in public.

B: It was terrible *laughs* I picked the wrong song. I picked the song that wasn’t my genre and then I forgot the lyrics. But you know, nevertheless, that was the turning point of my life. I fell in love with singing but I still didn’t receive any professional training. I still worked an office job from 9 to 5, until The Voice. Yeah, so I hope my story can inspire and encourage people to just be yourself, give their best in what they do and not be afraid to try something new! Because for me, singing is something I didn’t do since young.

H: But you’ve been playing bass since you were 13-year-old, right?

B: Playing bass and singing, they are both very hard. Usually, the singers start from playing the guitar. But that was pretty odd, right? *laughs*

H: At that time, have you ever thought of being a singer instead of just playing bass?

B: Nope. When I started learning to play the bass, I didn’t have as much confidence as compared to now. Because you know, being a musician, you’re not in the spotlight and you don’t get as much attention as say..the singer. It’s like me being in my comfort zone, behind the main vocals. Actually I was very happy being a bassist back then, just that everything changed during my university days.

H: Is there any pressure from being a singer right now?

B: I used to get a lot of pressure when I joined The Voice because I didn’t get any blessings from my parents. They will let me sing for fun or for church, but not for work. But everything changed when the video was aired on TV. My cousins, my family, and my best friends decided to call my parents, asking them, “Hey your son can SING!” And I think so too *laughs*. Because they are not musical, so they didn’t feel anything. So yeah, after that they’ve been very supportive. All went well until today.

H: Few months ago, we met up with YouTube stars Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider. Have you ever heard their cover videos before?

B: Sam is the kid that plays the guitar, right?

H: Oh no, that’s Sungha-Jung! We’re assuming you haven’t heard of them. Which YouTube musicians do you know of then and would like to collaborate with?

B: I love Gabe Bondoc, Philippine. I love Tyler Ward, Kina Grannis but somehow I don’t know Sam Tsui *laughs*! But I know all these guys. Who else? Oh, and of course Boyce Avenue and Jayesslee, the twins who sang the “Hillsong”! I’m not a YouTube star myself but if you ask me if I have the desire to collaborate with them, then of course yes! Especially last time, even before The Voice. However, because I am with a major label, I don’t think that’s possible. Maybe for fun, if I meet them? It wouldn’t be something I am allowed to do. But then again, who knows?

H: So you mentioned that when you first started singing in your uni, you picked the wrong genre. What was the genre you picked?

B: I sang “I Believe I Can Fly”. It’s an okay song and I can sing it now! I picked the song at that time because I was familiar with the song but it wasn’t my style. Throughout the years, I learned that there are a lot of considerations to take into before picking the right song. The message, the genre, the beat…so now I’m focusing on genres like pop with a bit of British and folk. You know, songs with lots of acoustic guitars.

H: Do you have any guilty listening pleasures on your playlist? Like songs you’ve never told anyone about?

B: My music taste is pretty boring *laughs*. I love listening to Coldplay and Adele and my ultimate band is actually One Republic. For now, I’m listening to all the songs from “The Fault in Our Stars”. All the songs in the movie are great! And you know, I actually picked my songs from the movies. I have no musical background, but I watched a lot of movies with great music like the songs Disney movies, Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, and even Michael Jackson’s songs!

H: One last question! Do you still get stage fright? And if you do, what do you do to calm yourself down?

B: Do I still get stage fright? Yes. Do I get nervous? Yes, all the time. But I think that won’t go away as long as you’re a human being *laughs*. The nervousness is still there but you learn to get familiar with it. You know it. You’ve visited it before. So I think it’s the kind of feeling you need to work around with. Sometimes when we are nervous, we tend to focus so much on ourselves. Maybe we think like, “How to handle the crowd?”, “What will people think about me?”, “Will I mess up?”, especially before I stepped onto the Blind Audition stage. That was like the craziest moment and most nerve-wracking experience ever. Singing behind 4 maestros’ backs, you never know what will happen to you. The whole of Indonesia was listening to every note that you sing, you can go too fast at times. It’s just crazy but I prayed to myself that day. The moment I started to sing, I felt like I was singing in my bedroom and I was completely in my comfort zone. The nervousness was still there but once I started to sing, it was gone.

B: Oh yes! It’s like I’m in the zone! That’s the term for it.

H: Haha okay cool. That’s all for the interview. Thank you so much!

Special thanks to our friends from Universal Music Malaysia for having us! Don’t forget to subscribe to his Youtube channel and follow him on Twitter for more timely updates!

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#GDA Artiste Profile: Teen Top

In 2010, South Korean boy group Teen Top debuted under T.O.P Media, which was founded by Andy Lee of Shinhwa (one of South Korea’s longest surviving groups). Teen Top consists of six members – C.A.P, Chunji, L.Joe, Niel, Ricky, and Changjo. Although they were a new group, some of its members have actually previously had experience of being in the entertainment industry e.g. Ricky and Niel. Ricky debuted in Seo Taiji’s music video whereas Niel debuted through “Please”, a musical.

Teen Top’s debut album, “Come into the World” was released in July 2010. The music video for “Clap”, the title track off the album, which featured After School’s Lizzy earned them some recognition because of its unique concept. And when the group finally performed “Clap” live, netizens were duly impressed by the boys. As a matter of fact, that was how Teen Top earned their nickname, “Knife Choreography”.

In January 2012, Teen Top released “It’s”, their second mini album. “It’s” contains six tracks which were produced, composed, written, and mixed by Brave Brothers. A few hours before it was officially released, the album leaked to shareware sites, garnering over a thousand hits in only 10 minutes. By the time Teen Top released the music video for “Crazy” (their comeback song off “It’s”), fans were already deliriously overjoyed.

The fact that 4Minute’s Kwon Sohyun was featured in “Crazy” helped, of course:

[youtube id=”EKtxtDG2NkY” width=”600″ height=”350″]

A month later, Teen Top won their very first award on KBS Music Bank since their debut. Their success followed suit when they performing the closing stage on MBC Music Core, followed by their SBS Inkigayo win. On top of that, they is also currently in the running to bag the “Single Album of The Year” award for “It’s” at “Samsung GALAXY The 27th Golden Disk Awards in Kuala Lumpur”!

Here’s another fact: Teen Top is slated to make an appearance at “Samsung GALAXY The 27th Golden Disk Awards in Kuala Lumpur” (GDA).

To purchase tickets, hit up TicketPro or any of their participating outlets right now! Tickets to the event are available in three tiers, priced at RM999 (Samsung GALAXY Zone), RM688 (Rockpit), and RM199 (Hallyu Zone). We hear that tickets are going to go fast so hurry!

For more information, visit their official website.


Cinemas Ready To Welcome Back Fully-vaccinated Movie-goers

When Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa asked the public to convey their hopes and suggestions earlier this week, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) wasted no time in proposing to reopen cinemas again.

In response, Annuar Musa replied that the government is set to announce something related to this soon. “Yes, I am aware of the situation faced by cinemas in Malaysia, and I have brought up the issue with National Security Council (NSC), together with other issues related to the creative industry. InsyaAllah, the government will announce something soon,” he tweeted back.

Guys please reply @AnnuarMusa to get us to #ReopenCinemas!! 🙏🏻 https://t.co/e70FIcJ40a

Ya, saya sedar keadaan pawagam-pawagam di Malaysia dan saya sudah bawa isu ini ke MKN bersama isu-isu lain berkenaan industri kreatif. InsyaAllah kerajaan akan mengumumkan sesuatu tidak lama lagi. https://t.co/aytp8XQEyO

— Annuar Musa (@AnnuarMusa) September 3, 2021

Having been closed since last year, we’ve witnessed the closure of Malaysia’s third-largest cinema exhibitor, MBO Cinemas. Unlike other F&B and retail businesses, the film and cinema workforce have had little to no alternative source of income.

“Our nation’s economy and mental health is in a crisis and the prolonged closures affects not only livelihoods and businesses, but also the well-being of all Malaysians. If recreation and leisure activities can provide fully vaccinated individuals a brief respite, cinemas too can do the same safely and securely, as our stringent SOPs with compulsory masking and distanced seating do not allow physical contact and mingling in halls,” the Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors (MAFE) was quoted as saying.

The MAFE has already prepared more enhanced SOPs if/when cinemas are allowed to reopen. It includes:

“No clusters have ever been traced back to the cinema; people sit apart with their masks on at all time (unless eating or drinking); there is no mingling. I’d say it’s pretty safe to allow fully-vaccinated audiences back! #HelloWeCan #ReopenCinemas,” Twitter user @sharmineishak added.

Guys, tolong baca elok2 artikel tersebutPawagam masih BELUM dibenarkan beroperasi, artikel tersebut adalah HARAPAN dan KESEDIAAN pengusaha pawagam utk beroperasi dgn SOP ketat. Kita sama2 nantikan kalau ada pengumuman pembukaan semula cinema dlm masa terdekat kan YB @AnnuarMusa? https://t.co/aXw3c4DA7f

— #ZHAFVLOG (@zhafvlog) September 4, 2021

Cinemas haven’t been given the green light to reopen just yet, but movie-goers are longing to watch the latest blockbusters on the big screen again.

Now that Prime Ministe Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced the ease of restrictions in the creative industry, cinemas are finally prepared to reopen for the fully vaccinated.

TGV Cinemas has just announced that the following criteria for those who are eligible to enter the cinema premises:

GSC will be also be sharing their reopening updates soon.

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#MazeRunner: Sequel To Hit Theatres In 2015

Following the success of the adaptation of James Dashner’s “The Maze Runner”,  the release date for the sequel for the adaptation has been announced!

Titled “The Scorch Trials”, 20th Century Fox announced that the sequel for “The Maze Runner” is set to be released on September 18, 2015. The first film, directed by Wes Ball, raked in a surprise success total of over USD81.5 million in worldwide box office since its release on September 11th.

Along with the announcement came a concept art poster for “The Scorch Trials”:

Huge news! Scorch Trials, sequel to #MazeRunner, will arrive Sept. 18, 2015. AND here is @wesball‘s first concept art pic.twitter.com/KqfbTtAf5u

— 20th Century Fox (@20thcenturyfox) September 21, 2014

“The Maze Runner” franchise will follow in the footsteps of “The Hunger Games” franchise to become a successful YA adaptation. The adaptation of “The Scorch Trials” will be the second installment of the film franchise and the plot will connect to the cliff-hanger ending of of “The Maze Runner”. Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and Ki-Hong Lee are expected to reprise their role in the film.

We must say, we just can’t wait to watch the sequel! What did you think of the first film? If you liked it, don’t forget to check some of the fun facts about the film and let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!


Ticketing Details For K-Wave 3 Music Festival Are Out!

K-Wave 3 Music Festival will be happening this August, and we finally have the ticketing details and seating plan! If you haven’t make plans yet, it’s time to start saving up ;)

Brought to you by Mcalls, FTISLAND, EXID, AOA, Monsta X, Jeong Sewoon, WJSN, and BOYFRIEND will be the performers for the 3rd installment of the music festival.

Unlike K-Wave 1 and 2, the concert will be moving indoors this time around to bring fans closer to their favourite idols. K-Pop fans will also be able to enjoy non-stop music for more than 2 hours!

Aside from the free standing rock zone, the rest comes with numbered seats.

There are a few ticketing categories, but youths between 15 and 17 years old will get to experience the show for only RM34. Those in the same age group who are Mcalls subscribers will be able to get free admission by redeeming Entry Packages.

Other concert-goers can gain entry by buying their Entry Packages, which includes a concert ticket, RM4 processing fee, and a free Mcalls Y33 SIM pack (worth RM30). Mcalls subscribers will have priority sales, which starts at 12pm on 29th and 30th June. Public sales will commence on 1st July at 12pm.


“Thank You” G-Dragon Special On One HD

“Thank You” is a talk show that brings together celebrities from different fields of work to share their personal stories hosted by Cha In Pyo. In this particular two parts edition, it features comedian Kim Mi Hwa, ballerina Kang Soo Jin, and BIGBANG’s Kwon Ji Yong aka G-Dragon on a trip to Jeju Island.

On the show, G-Dragon will demonstrate his lesser known “talent” of cooking where he whips up “Chapaguri” for fellow guests, ballerina Kang Soo Jin, comedian Kim Mi Hwa, and show host, actor Cha In Pyo. He has never cooked the dish for anyone else, but because the dish is delicious he cooks it for himself at times.

Also on “Thank You”, catch G-Dragon talk about his views of romance and marriage and even confess he could get married as soon as the next day!

“Thank You: G-Dragon (Part 1)” premieres first and exclusively on 29th June 2013 (Saturday) at 3:15pm and 11:15pm on ONE HD (Astro B.yond Ch393). “Thank You: G-Dragon (Part 2)” premieres first and exclusively on 29th June 2013 (Saturday) at 4:45pm and 30th June 2013 (Sunday) at 12:45am on ONE HD (Astro B.yond Ch393).

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Travel: 10 Hidden Attractions To Visit In Langkawi

When you’re looking for the ultimate tropical escape in Malaysia, Langkawi is by a long shot the main contender. Encircled by turquoise waters, home to the most lovely cascades and forest valleys in the world, Langkawi, which was awarded the UNESCO Global Geopark status is brimming with hidden fortunes that are bound to make an epic escape.

It’s easy to see why Langkawi is rapidly turning into Malaysia’s hottest tourist destination. Here are 10 places you should visit if you find yourself on this treasured island!

A mausoleum to honour a legendary old folk story of Mahsuri binti Pandak Mayah, whose beauty was the envy of her sister-in law, who started a rumour accusing Mahsuri of being unfaithful to her husband. Condemned to execution without trial, Mahsuri swore her innocence as she laid a curse on Langkawi condemning the island to go through a barren spell for 7 generations. It proved to be true as only recently, Langkawi came out of their dry spell and is now regarded as a huge tourist attraction.

Take this chance to learn more about the beautiful Mahsuri whilst indulging in the classical Malay architecture and artistry as a few wooden houses act as a mini museum displaying some of Mahsuri’s jewels as well as the weapon used to execute her. You will also find a tomb set in a white square, embedded in beautiful greenery with a brief description of Mahsuri’s destiny.

The iconic Dataran Helang is the home of the commanding 12 meters high Eagle statue. The words helang (eagle) and kawi (reddish brown) are the inspiration behind the enchanted island’s name. Overlooking the Kuah Jetty, the larger than life eagle is seen as the inviting symbol for travellers coming into Langkawi. Notwithstanding the Eagle, the Giant Brahminy kite and a medium-sized shopping centre make this a well-known travellers picture taking spot.

Get a feel of the verdure of Langkawi with the steepest cable car ride in the world. At 708 metres above sea level, you will be blessed with views of the entire Langkawi Island and surprisingly, even Southern Thailand! Massive rock towers and ridges providing incredible 360 degrees panoramic views make this a unquestionable ‘must see’ for all visitors. Partake in the Langkawi Skyrail by meeting up with the jungle trekking tour located at the medium station on the Langkawi Skybridge, a one-of-a-kind curved bridge at the highest point of the Machincang Mountain.

Underwater World Langkawi (UWL) is one of the biggest marine and freshwater aquaria in South East Asia. It is built to bring issues to light on the significance of conserving our valuable aquatic living things, consequently making comprehension of the profound and indistinguishable bond among man and nature. At Underwater World Langkawi, attractions include, Tropical Rainforest & River Ecosystem, Temperate & Sub-Antarctic and Marine Section, Freshwater Fish Section, the Seashell Display, the Koi Pond, the Reptilium Section, Invertebrate Section, the Coral Reef Section and the Poisonous & Venomous Section. Featuring an enormous 15-meter-long walk-through tunnel, visitors can see the exceptional sea creatures up close and personal such as the Giant Green Turtle. The gigantic oceanarium is situated near a shopping centre and bistro. Visitors are thus provided with a one-stop shopping, eating and entertainment package, all of which are situated within one area.

The liveliest spot in Langkawi, located by Chenang Beach. A great place loaded up with colourful bean bags on the sand, this is the definitive area you need to be at to soak in the sunset views. Get there early, book your beanbag, feel the music and spend your time devouring the food and drinks at nearby restaurants whilst waiting for the performances to start. Performances include twirling fire batons, tossing and catching them, spinning sparkling pois and lighting up the night with a giant cone of flame shot from a rod. This is one activity that is sure to light up your night!

An unblemished nature reserve and an assortment of geo-sites loaded with astounding flora and fauna, dazzling geological developments such as, mammoth limestone rocks, fossils, caves and lagoons, beaches and of course thick forests of mangroves. Keep an eye at the mangrove region and the muddy flats, you will see a bunch of astonishing creatures. Other than squirrels, mud crabs and monkeys, you will also see monitor lizards that can easily plunge in and remain submerged for a sustained period in the water. Located nearby, there lies a floating fish farm. They host enormous open water tanks and you can see an amazing array of fish in them. There are many hidden caves here that are concealed by the dense mangrove roots. This is where you will find mangroves aged more than a 100 years old. You can likewise find the tallest limestone rock arrangement of Langkawi overshadowing the aged mangroves.

Rice museums may not be big on your rundown of activities to do in Southeast Asia, yet on the off chance that you’re going through Langkawi, a pit-stop to Museum Laman Padi is worth the effort. The island of Langkawi is a state famous for being known as the rice-bowl of Malaysia and the highest producer of rice in the country. Langkawi opened the museum in 1998 as a presentation centre for local rice-related artefacts, charts, pictures and rice planting tools, diverging towards being an eco-tourism draw. It grandstands the verifiable and social significance of conventional paddy-cultivating and offers visitors a hands-on understanding of the techniques of rice cultivation.

The Langkawi Craft Complex began its operations around 1996 and is sized at a massive 32 acres of land located at Jalan Teluk Yu in the Sub-District of Bohor, Langkawi Island. The architecture of the complex is embellished with Islamic thematic components intent on improving decorative designs on the walls detailing a good mix with Malay architecture. The Langkawi Craft Complex hosts a selection of different local craft products and at the same time, visitors have the chance to browse through the Heritage Museum and the Customs & Wedding. Apart from engaging in interactive craft activities, visitors have the opportunity to record delightful moments at the Dataran Tangga Seribu (A Thousand Staircase Square), one of the symbols at the Langkawi Craft Complex.

The massive park is opened to the public to provide exposure on the utilization of modern innovation in Malaysia’s agricultural industry. This park is well known for its commercialised farms planted with a wide variety of organic products. Here, you will be taken on a ride around the area using the uniquely provided transportation. If you are a herb-plant enthusiast, this place is the perfect fit for you. After the touring ride, you can take a break by feasting on a wonderful local fruits buffet. There are north of 20 various types of seasonal and non-seasonal tropical fruit trees in the farmland. The fruit farm covers about 40% of the total land area of the park. A portion of the many fruits you can see here includes star fruits, guava, citrus, mango, rambutan, pulasan, durian, cempedak, jack fruits, longan and many others. Visitors are gifted with an intriguing keepsake of a palm leaf ‘origami’, uniquely created by the area’s staff.

There is a surplus of 100 fine arts made by 23 Korean craftsmen and a few capable nearby specialists. You can see mythical beasts emerging from the photo frames, or a man’s hand extending out of his portrait to warmly greet. This is the second biggest 3D art museum on the planet and absolutely the biggest in the entire Malaysia. It traverses across 3 stories in a structure and covers a complete floor area of around 2,000 square meters. There are a few zones or segments in the art museum each having its own theme and a type of 3D workmanship. The type of zones includes the aquarium zone filled with pictures of marine life, a safari zone portraying work of art with animal life, a few zones where you can interact with the art items, and dream zones, where you will feel like you are strolling through dreams.

It is clearer now more than ever that Langkawi has a lot to offer, whether it’s to simply relax by the beaches, take part in fun activities or to absorb the cultural heritage. There is no shortage of picture-worthy islands, dreamlike bays and stunning sea shores, this great archipelago of 99 islands ought to be on everyone’s bucket list! What are you waiting for? Plan your trip today!


Hype’s Now Playing: Tove Lo – Scars (The Divergent Series: Allegiant OST)

Calling out to all Tove Lo lovers! Your favourite Swedish pop star has gone and recorded the soundtrack for “The Divergent Series: Allegiant” and the tune is amazing!

It’s about damn time we heard some new music from Lo. Although there is no new album from the singer, she does provide fans with the perfect treat in the form of a brand new single “Scars”, the lead track from the Allegiant movie soundtrack.

“Scars” is not the first song that Lo has written for a film franchise’s soundtrack. Her other song “Scream My Name” was on the soundtrack for “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1”. She also shares writing credits with fellow Swedish hit-maker Max Martin on Ellie Goulding’s international pop mega-hit “Love Me Like You Do” which appeared on the “Fifty Shades of Grey” soundtrack.

Hauntingly beautiful, “Scars” starts with a solid vocal delivery from Lo with little to no distractions in the background. As the song builds, so does the soft beats that eases us into the anthemic chorus. We can already imagine it playing for any slow motion scene in Allegiant.

Just like the movie, the song is about being broken down but rising above in spite of the suffering one has had to endure. “Know they’re cutting you deep/ Feel the scars in your sleep/ What didn’t kill us made us stronger/ Stories left on our skin/ Wear them with everything/ What didn’t kill us made us stronger,” she sings the chorus.

Co-penned by Jakob Jerlström and Ludvig Söderberg, we feel that “Scars” could have easily blended in with the tracks on her previous album, “Queen Of The Clouds”. Though slightly darker than Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do” and lighter than Lo’s recent radio hit “Talking Body”, this mid-tempo electric pop tune could be the next crossover smash, if given the right push.

“I was more upbeat, but I’m not anymore. I’ve been on the road writing all these super happy dance jams but it’s turned back into darker stuff lately. It’s going to be a similar vibe to “Queen Of The Clouds” where maybe the music feels happier than the lyrics actually are. There’s that double thing I love to play with,” said Lo in regards to her upcoming album that she’s currently working on.

Hopefully “Scars” is a sneak peek of things to come. Listen to the encouraging track below:

“The Divergent Series: Allegiant” opens in theatres on 18th March 2016.

Sources: Breathe Heavy, Nordic Playlist, Popology.

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Justin Bieber Moons You!

Newly single Justin Bieber has done it again. But at least this time he didn’t crash Instagram.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane first. There was that highly publicized breakup of his with longtime girlfriend Selena Gomez, followed by the paparazzo who was killed after taking pictures of his car, and then soon after..the “Mary Jane” incident plus the #cutforbieber drama.

You could say that it has been an eventful few weeks for The Biebs – and it’s only January 2013!

Just yesterday, Justin decided to create more waves with a picture of himself, uh, his butt. Posted via Instagram, the picture has now been deleted but not before it hit about, oh, only 86,000 likes. And you know what they say about anything social media, right? The moment it goes out, it can’t be taken back. Here’s the picture that he posted:

It didn’t help that Justin’s manager, Scooter Braun, seemed to have been “encouraging” the prank when he joked in response via Twitter, “as a prankster you have to respect another good prank. only makes sense. #crackdealer”.

P/S: Any guesses about who Justin Bieber could’ve been mooning though?


Interview: Getting Acquainted With J-pop Girl Group SKE48

AKB48 has carved a name for themselves and you might be thinking that they’re just an idol group with many cute girls with catchy songs. Well, they’re more than meets the eye.

In Japan, these girls are regarded as a national symbol. They are very amiable, and many Japanese people adore them, regardless of age or gender. But hang on! What’s the difference between SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, JKT48 and SNH48?

Aki-P, the producer of AKB48 wanted to make his concept of “idols you can meet” spread nationwide, and at the time, the opportunity to open another theatre presented itself in Sakae, Nagoya. SKE48 is named after SaKaE and the girls are generally famous for their strong dancing and powerful performances.

We had a chance to get to know SKE48 ahead of their virtual concert for Japan Expo Malaysia. The girls talked about their bonding time with senior members and their expectations from their fans.

What has surprised you the most about meeting fans from different regions of Japan and around the world?

Haruka Kumazaki : I’m so thrilled that our SKE48 spirit can resonate with everyone around the world. Also, I’m very much looking forward to observe what type of support we might receive during this event.

Yuki Arai: I’m so anxious to know the reaction from our overseas audiences. We’ll do our best in our performance so that those who don’t understand Japanese can also enjoy our performance.

What are you looking forward to during the virtual meet and greet session with your fans?

Nao Furuhata: I’m happy to communicate with people we hardly have a chance to interact with. Although we will be at a distance from each other, we can still exchange a smile.

Yuna Ego: As we haven’t had the chance to interact with our overseas fans, I’m looking forward to a fun session together with them and our fans in Japan.

How do you keep in touch with seniors who have graduated and seek helpful advice from them?

Kaho Sato: With those senior members who have already graduated, I’ve been communicating via SNS. Plus, I do chat with them when they come to watch our shows. I keep in touch with senior members who have helped me in person during their birthdays, New Year and other occasions.

In addition, I’ve been learning from those senior members on how to be aggressive or responsive during our performance and other related activities.

Ruka Inoue: We’ve exchanged contact details with each other and sometimes we get to hang out together. I’m always fascinated at watching their expressions and dancing techniques. In following the footsteps of senior members of SKE48, I will strive harder moving forward so that people can admire my performance.

To catch their live performance during Japan Expo Malaysia, click here.

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