#XMenApocalypse: First Look At The Cast In New High-Res Images

Words just aren’t enough to describe how we feel about Bryan Singer‘s upcoming superhero film, “X-Men: Apocalypse“.

We can see ourselves having one helluva great time next year as the upcoming “X-Men” movie features a slew of critically acclaimed actors and some newcomers. Prior to the release of the film, 20th Century Fox debuted some high-res versions of the movie stills first released by Entertainment Weekly.

Olivia Munn, Oscar Isaaac, and Michael Fassbender graced the cover of the Entertainment Weekly magazine in their respective mutant roles as Psylocke, Apocalypse, and Magneto.

Isaac described his character as “the creative-slash-destructive force of this earth”, adding:

When things start to go awry, or when things seem like they’re not moving towards evolution, he destroys those civilizations.

In the movie, his character will recruit wayward mutants, brainwash them, and physically enhance them to become the biblical “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”. They are nicknamed “Famine, War, Pestilence, and Death”.

According to EW, a young Storm will be recruited by Apocalypse from the streets of Cairo. The villain will also recruit Ben Hardy‘s Angel from Berlin and Psylocke, who is working “behind the iron curtain” for Caliban. The 4th horseman is Magneto, whom Fassbender claimed has “fallen in love and he’s basically left his metal ways behind”. He added, “Apocalypse finds Erik at a low ebb and recruits him“.

As the movie is set in the 1980s, the cast will be sporting some killer 80s wear and questionable hair choices.

Evan Peters is confirmed to be reprising his role as Quicksilver and he can be seen sharing a scene with Jennifer Lawrence‘s Mystique in one of the new high-res images. James McAvoy, Rose Byrne, and Nicholas Hoult will also be returning to play Professor X, Moira MacTaggert, and Beast respectively. The original cast members will be joined by newcomer Lana Condor, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

Condor joined the cast as Jubilee while Turner, Sheridan, Shipp, and Smit-McPhee will play the younger versions of Jean Grey, Cyclops, Storm, and Nightcrawler respectively.

Singer is directing “X-Men: Apocalypse” based on a screenplay written by Simon Kinberg, Mike Dougherty, and Dan Harris. The movie is slated for release on 27th May 2016. It will be released in Malaysia on 19th May 2016.

For more timely updates, just check out the movie’s official Facebook page or follow Bryan Singer on Instagram and Twitter!

Source: 20th Century Fox via comingsoon.net


Empire City’s #PartyOfTheCenturyMY: 2AM, Paris Hilton & More Coming To Malaysia

Missed the chance to meet South Korean ballad group 2AM when they were here in KL last year for the grand opening of Dal.Komm Coffee‘s first Malaysian outlet? Well, don’t you worry because the boys are coming back to Malaysia for Empire City’s “Party of the Century”!

A first for a Malaysian project, “Party of the Century” is an exclusive preview party of Empire City, a 30-acre mixed use development in Damansara Perdana. With its “Glamourous 20’s” theme, the party looks to set a high standard for all others in 2015.

An integrated development in a vibrant, artfully stylised world, this “City of Lifestyle & Entertainment” aims to be the ultimate spot for meeting, dining, shopping, and relaxing, all within a self-contained city that balances business with leisure.

Mark Farquhar, Director of Leasing for Empire City said in a statement that this city “is a major project for [them] and the entire Klang Valley”. There are 2.5 million square feet of net lettable retail area, 8 corporate towers, and office suites, 3 international 5 star hotels and a cinema themed hotel are built around the 5 pillars that are at the core of Empire City; Design, Art, Music, Performance and Culture.

Based on the concept of the past, present and future converging in the one place now known as Empire City, the combination of the five Pillars form the philosophy that drives the development and operation of all establishments under Empire City.

From style to service, and architecture to amenities, these attributes are instantly recognisable from the thoughtful planning and unparalleled attention to detail, which ultimately aims to deliver the most unique and enriched experience to all. Our preview event in January is a celebration of these ideals, and a literal coalescence of our vision for Empire City in the future.

Included within Empire City will be a number of unique offerings, such as the cinematic world’s first multiprojection theatre, an Olympic-specification ice rink and stylised boulevards, like Asian Food Street, that will bring the international luxury feel to life for residents and visitors alike.

For one night only, Empire City will come to life with a dazzling celebration that reflects its distinct blend of lifestyle and entertainment!

The private, closed-door event will be held on 23rd Jan and will see exclusively invited VIPs and guests from around the world coming together for a night of glamour and exquisite indulgence. Dressed to the theme of the “Glamourous 1920’s”, the chic atmosphere will be completed with a stellar line-up of international performance and sensational surprises, set in a world-class city on the rise.

Bringing these pillars to life will be an array of performers and artistes, ranging from the renowned Korean group, 2AM, to flamboyant speed painters, as well as the traditional with a twist in the form of an LED dragon dance.

In addition, special performances from Paris Hilton, Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, DJ Ken, and Australian tenor, Mark Vincent will enhance the international atmosphere created by the honoured guests and business owners flying in from across the globe.

Bummed that it’s a private, closed door event? Fret not! We’ll be there and we’ll be updating our Twitter and Instagram from the party. So if you haven’t followed us via those social media platforms, now would be a good time. Just saying ;)

For more information, visit Party of the Century’s official website and Facebook page.

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


5 Reason Fans Will Love Joey Yung’s Concert In Resorts World Genting

It’s quite rare for an artist to travel all the way to Malaysia just to promote their concert, but that’s a testament to Joey Yung (容祖兒)’s dedication to her fans.

Last Friday (21st February), we attended the press conference held at White Ballroom Petaling Jaya where fans and the media got to interact with the 39-year-old singer.

During the press con, Joey shared that she’s performed in Resorts World Genting as many as 7 times! If there is one thing she’s looking forward to explore next month, it’s to dine in at Burger & Lobster. In addition, she’s also craving for Nasi Lemak cause she loves spicy food. The subject of food came up after she was spotted enjoying durian at SS2 the day before.

Although the entire session (including photo ops) was approximately only 1 hour, the Hong Kong songstress got us pumped up for her upcoming “Love in Genting” concert. If you’re still undecided whether to attend her show, here are some reasons to entice you:

1. In celebration of 2 decades in the entertainment business, Joey’s “Love” concert is her biggest one yet.

2. From now till May, Malaysia is the only Asian tour stop.

3. Since Twins duo Charlene Choi (蔡卓妍) and Gillian Chung (鍾欣潼) are currently in Malaysia to shoot “Female Forensic Scientist JD” (女法醫JD), Joey might invite her girl pals to her concert if their work schedule permits. Maybe an impromptu performance together?

4. New music? While chances for that are slim (since she’s only recently recorded some new tunes in the studio), fans will get to witness some new numbers live from the “Pretty Crazy” era.

5. Every other pop concerts have either been postponed or cancelled. We won’t be getting any concerts until later in the year. Might as well right?

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

The details to Joey Yung’s “Love in Genting” concert are as follows:


64-Year-Old Man Stabbed At Jalan Maharajalela

It was his first every monorail ride but it’s not one that he would soon forget. Senior citizen Wong Kock Hinn was stabbed in the abdomen with a kitchen knife at 2:30pm on Jalan Maharajalela. He was on his way to the temple where he worked as an executive secretary but was feeling a little under the weather so he decided to take the monorail.

I have high blood pressure and I felt a bit dizzy so I decided not to drive. I took the public transport from Bukit Jalil where I live before getting off at the Maharajalela station. I was walking towards the temple when two men on a motorcycle approached me. One of them grabbed my bag and yanked it hard so I pulled on the bag as well. The suspects got down from the motorcycle and one of them stabbed me in the abdomen. I felt excruciating pain and at the same time, my bag strap snapped, allowing them to flee the scene.

Wong Kock Hinn was immediately rushed to the hospital after his colleagues were contacted, where he had to undergo surgery to remove the knife. Thankfully, there was no internal organ damage. He did however lose the RM2,000 that he was carrying in his bag.


#KyoChon: South Korean Heartthrob Lee Min-Ho To Attend Pavilion KL Outlet Launch

Make a date with South Korean heartthrob Lee Min-Ho (이민호) when he comes to town to launch the largest KyoChon outlet in Malaysia at Pavilion KL!

Best known for his roles in Korean drama series like “Boys Over Flowers” and “City Hunter” as well as feature films like “Gangnam Blues”, the 28-year-old Lee is one of South Korea’s biggest superstars.

Currently on a break after wrapping filming on China-Korean joint production “Bounty Hunter“, the superstar will be making his way back to Malaysia.

Lee, who is the official spokesperson for the world-famous South Korean fried chicken franchise, will be making an exclusive, one-day-only appearance at the brand new KyoChon Pavilion KL outlet on 25th March, 6pm.

The Pavilion KL outlet is Kyochon’s 3rd Malaysian branch so far, following successful outlets in One Utama and Menara Hap Seng.

Fans will get a chance to win an exclusive pass to meet the superstar in person. Here’s how:

From now until 20th March, fans who spend a minimum of RM68 (in a single receipt, terms and conditions apply) at any KyoChon outlet will get a form that will give you chance to win a pass to meet Lee Min-Ho.

There is no limit on the number of entries one can send in, but the more you spend at KyoChon, the better your odds of meeting your idol ;)

For more information about Lee Min-Ho’s visit to Malaysia, visit KyoChon Malaysia’s Facebook page.

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


Shila Amzah To Write & Record A New Song For Her Baby

Malaysian singer-songwriter Shila Amzah has recently revealed the gender of her baby in a gender reveal party – and it is a boy!

The singer is excited to learn about the baby’s gender and has revealed that she is currently in the midst of writing and recording a new song for her new baby boy.

Dulu abah @ndlalaofficial tulis lagu “budi Dan jasa” utk kami adik beradik.. Sekarang sha pulak tulis lagu utk in sha Allah my future baby ? I just wrote a song for my baby ? Jap nak nangis tepi bucu katil.. #pregnancyhormones #mommyemo #suaramommydahtidur #babyS? #demo #unfinished #ipadpro

A post shared by  씰라茜拉shila amzah?? (@shahilaamzah) on May 6, 2019 at 10:29am PDT

Semoga Ramadan kita akan dipenuhi dengan sgala apa yang baik-baik sahaja.. Berkata baik, berbuat baik.. Doakan yang baik2… Bersangka baik.. ? #RamadanKareem #ramadanmubarak

A post shared by  씰라茜拉shila amzah?? (@shahilaamzah) on May 5, 2019 at 5:22pm PDT

Previously, Siti Nurhaliza had also written a song specially for her firstborn Siti Aafiyah, titled “Comel Pipi Merah”. However, the reason Shila decided to do the same is not due to Dato Siti, but rather she is following her father’s footsteps.

“Last time, daddy (ND Lala) used to write “Budi dan Jasa” to us siblings. Now it’s my turn to write a song for my future baby, Insha Allah. I just wrote a new song for my baby,” Shila wrote on her Instagram.

Shila Amzah has noted that she and Haris have already found a name for their baby which is now being referred to as babyS for the time being.

Many celebrity friends including Jihan Muse, Ummi Nazeera, Zara Zya, Rossa, Yana Samsuddin and more, congratulate the couple for their exciting news.

Alhamdulillah hari ni dah dapat gender baby ? It’s a? BOY ? ALHAMDULILLAH!! we have found a name just couple of weeks ago.. Semoga #babyS? sentiasa jadi Anak yang Soleh.. Mommy and daddy loves you ? Btw Selamat menyambut bulan Ramadan kepada semua ? @sugarsurprise #genderreveal

A post shared by  씰라茜拉shila amzah?? (@shahilaamzah) on May 5, 2019 at 12:27am PDT

Shila Amzah recently released a new Malay tune titled “Tiada Dirimu”, the official soundtrack for TV3 drama series ” Cari Aku Di Syurga” starring Aeril Zafrel  and Janna Nick.


Ed Sheeran Returns To Malaysia For Divide Tour 2019

Did you miss Ed Sheeran’s 2017 sold-out concert in Malaysia? It’s fine if you did, because the global superstar is coming back to Malaysia this year for another round of concert!

Organiser PR Worldwide has announced that the “Perfect” singer returns to Asia for his second round of Divide Tour which include stops at Tokyo, Seoul, Osaka, Singapore, Bangkok and Jakarta.

A post shared by PR Worldwide Sdn Bhd (@pr_worldwide)

Ed Sheeran’s Divide Tour 2019 Kuala Lumpur will take place on Saturday, 13th April 2019 at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil. Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Tuesday, 15th January 2019 via prworldwidelive.com or myticket.asia.

Like every other big concerts, the scalpers will definitely try to snap up all of the tickets and resell it to fans for a higher price. So to prevent this from happen, the organisers are implementing these rules:-

To recap, here are the details for Ed Sheeran Divide Tour 2019 in Kuala Lumpur:-

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


Malaysian School Children To Be Indoctrinated..

The Ministry of Education Malaysia has genius plans underway to indoctrinate all Malaysian school children against being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transfender (LBGT). Starting with apparent “warnings”.

With the introduction of a so-called “Social and Reproductive Health Education” program, the Ministry aims to warn all school children of the “threats and dangers” or being LGBT, in an effort to combat the growth of the LGBT community in Malaysia.

Not that we’re anyone to judge but we’re not really seeing how being gay is “threatening” or “dangerous” to one’s health. Last we checked, on its most surface level, it simply means gender preference, right?

Upon the announcement on the program, Dr. Puad Zarkashi (Deputy Health Minister) said, “In the past, sex education was taught indirectly through other subjects, but now the government feels that ‘Social and Reproductive Health Education’ needs to be a special subject to tackle the rise in social problems among teens. We cannot wait longer to implement this because according to our studies, many teens in the country do not know the function and importance of healthy interaction among guys and girls.”

He also added that the program would begin in primary or lower secondary school. Well, that’s fair. But here are some things to consider:

Also, might we add that the program will be done with the help of Malaysia’s Islamic Development Department and State Religious Department. Coupled with a series or rehabilitation and treatment courses that will be given to Muslims who have “deviated” from “societal norms”.


Katy’s Journey Sans Make-up

One singing starlet’s headed for the big screen in a documentary-style movie that’s slated to be released this year. Modeled after Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never”, the movie will include footage collected during her tour, along with adorable childhood photos of hers truly and her family.

It’s all set to be her up-close-and-super-personal story on growing up and her rise to stardom:

[youtube id=”qx92_aRoatQ” width=”600″ height=”350″]

So colorful! There’s nothing better to describe Katy Perry than a splash of colors, truckloads of energy, and who can forget that trademark lollipop dress?

In her latest appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ show, Katy said, “When you see the film, it’s a bit scary because there are a lot of shots of me bloated with zits and normal. I think it’s important to start breaking down the idea that to achieve your dream, you always have to be perfect or flawless or live in some kind of fantasy world. So that’s why I decided to put everything into film.”

“I think sometimes, people think that we’re perfect – and we know we’re not perfect at all.”

Aww. Katy Perry wants her fans to realize that she is just like everyone else, and that she’s not without her flaw. And we applaud you, Katy, for deciding to bare a make-up free face in your film. After all, who doesn’t like fresh faces, right? Don’t you, too, agree that this feels like an all-access pass into Katy Perry’s life?

Of course, it helps that she’s naturally gorgeous! And confident!

“Part of Me” will be released in August 2012 in 3D. Yes, 3D! We wanna watch it so bad.

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

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


#NSFW: Rihanna Releases Official #BBHMM Music Video

At the recent BET Awards, Barbadian singer Rihanna took it upon herself to duct tape boxer Floyd Mayweather‘s mouth shut and tie his hands together before she decided to throw money at BET’s President of Programming Stephen Hill. Now just in case you haven’t already heard, both scenarios were staged and Riri’s got no beef with either of them.

So, why did the bad*ss singer do what she did?

Well, it was all to promote the launch of the music for her latest smash hit single, “B*tch Better Have My Money“. At the BET Awards, the “Diamonds” singer announced that the music video was slated for release on July 2nd (Thursday) before proceeding to tease fans with a trailer of the #BBHMM music video.

Fast forward to today, it’s July 2nd and as she promised, the highly anticipated music video has arrived!

The trailer showed a woman getting into an elevator with her dog, only to meet her twisted fate, or in other words, Rihanna, before she wound up stuffed inside a trunk. Truth be told, the teaser only gave us a glimpse of the fresh hell that bad gal Riri brings upon the woman.

The 7-minute music video, directed by Rihanna and Megaforce sees Riri channel her inner Hannibal as she and two of her bad b*tches torture the woman who seems to be the girlfriend of Riri’s former accountant. The music video also sees Eric Roberts and “Hannibal” star, Mads Mikkelsen make an appearance.

Bloody, gory and incredibly twisted, we’re pretty sure the premise behind #BBHMM comes from when Rihanna’s accountant made her lose millions of dollars a couple of years ago.

Watch the full “B*tch Better Have My Money” music video:

Personally, we can’t get enough of the “B*tch Better Have My Money” music video. What about you? Let us know by sounding off in the comments section below. ;)


Hype Picks: The 10 Best Films of 2022

We’re approaching the final moments of 2022 and we guess you know the drill. After a year of political roller coasters, an Oscars slap, and arguably the best World Cup Final, it’s time to wrap up and pause to reflect. Corporate shakeups. Crypto crashes. Celeb trials. The world in itself is an entertaining, dramatic mix.

Lest we forget the virtual world on screen, 2022 has had some bangers in that arena too. From high-flying blockbusters, multiversal madness, and hysterical biographies, this year marked a return to form for the world of cinema post-pandemic.

We witnessed high flyers like “Top Gun”, Idris Elba wrestling a lion, and the Rock’s bald scalp hurtling toward the screen. We basked in weird, colourful, tangerine moments, and slurped up Brad Pitt’s comedy. We sat in tears in the heartfelt moments, remembering superheroes that had been taken from us.

But there was one film that made us love, live, burn 20000 calories per day, and purchase a lifetime’s worth of MnMs. Without a doubt, this was definitely a movie with actors and a script.

Okay, sorry, we just love morbin’ around. We also loved Gruing up. #gentleminions

So… despite everything that “Morbius” achieved to become the ‘most movie’ in history, the real question is, what were the films that really brought that razzle dazzle this year? What experiences stood out to us?

Without further ado, here are our top ten picks for 2022, in no particular order.

This was the one movie that was going to make the list ever since it was released. The brainchild of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, this audacious affair is nothing short of entertaining from start to finish!

What may start out as a normal Chinese aunty struggling to pay her taxes explodes into madness as Michelle Yeoh dons the jacket of the multiverse. Hot-Diggity-dog fingers, google-eyed stones jumping off cliffs, wuxia warriors, and Wong Kar Wai homages, this film is the package.

Indeed, “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once” is an explosion of flair, drama, and all-out performances with Michelle, Stephanie Hsu and comeback kid, Ke Huy Quan all making the best of their multiple roles. It’s insanity and total boundless fun, and yet, it manages to compel viewers with its message of kindness, compassion, and themes of family all rounded up in one mighty bagel.

Indeed, it’s got everything… all at once.

If “1917” was a message of hope and sheer determination in the face of war, “All Quiet on The Western Front” is the antithesis of such. Set within the timeline of the first World War,

We follow Felix, a young man, determined to serve his country with his mates. Nevertheless, the harsh truth sets in once he is exposed to the horrors of war. Death, destruction, and desolate cries soon overcome this battalion but there is no way out of it. The only choice they have is to fight.

Without a doubt, more and more lives get picked off one by one, until there is no one left to continue the journey.

Regardless, the cinematic quality that accompanies the tale is exquisite, allowing audiences to simmer in the sad reality that these characters are going through. There is much to revel in, from its camera work and extensive set choreography. It is harrowing, and enduring, and allows room for tension and the appropriate breaks of such.

When Robert Pattinson was first announced as the new Caped Crusader a while back, the Internet, cruel as usual, scoffed. How could this “Twilight” sparkle ever be the Dark Knight? Well, you proved em’ wrong Pat.

In a reimagined Gotham City, separate from the bleeding DC Extended Universe (pre-James Gunn of course), vengeance broods silently. It’s great to have Batman lean into his detective persona, with a camaraderie of villains to boot.

Paul Dano’s Riddler is a standout performance, Zodiac-inspired and absolutely crazed between his eye sockets. His threat is always there, and he helps to bring out the best in the world’s greatest detective. With Zoe Kravitz’s Selina Kyle and Jeffrey Wright’s Jim Gordon teaming up with the Bat to save Gotham from being riddled with bullets, the grit and grime of dirty crime are placed front and centre, creating a narrative where Bruce is still unaware of his influence, gradually figuring out his place in the world and the acceptance of what he has become.

It’s a fulfilling watch, with a world full of storytelling opportunities. It’s safe to say that this pocket universe that Matt Reeves built will prosper and thrive with all the spinoffs that have been planned as long as they keep to this sort of tone and quality. The only thing that could probably stop the Batman is when there’s something in the waaaaeee… OOOOoooo.

What would you do if you’ve got one pesky mite that wouldn’t leave ya? Would you cut off yer fingers to prove a point? “The Banshees of Inisherin” is a painful comedy. And we don’t mean that we winced due to the comedy being bad. We grit our teeth at the gory sights that somehow accompany the ridiculous personas that pepper this very film.

Colin Farrell has had one heck of a year with “After Yang” and his turn as Oswald Cobblepot in “The Batman”. In this Irish piece, he plays Padraic, a character who is adamant about rekindling his friendship with Colm, played by Brendan Gleeson. The issue is that the other party really doesn’t want to have anything to do with this “stupid” man, and goes to great lengths to prove that he wishes to be left alone.

On the surface, it might seem like a whiny drama, but truly, there’s much more to it. It does get weird at times, like boy-hitting-on-a-40-year-old-woman or donkey-choking-on-a-human-finger zany stuff. It delves into the absurdities that humanity can sometimes offer. But at its core, is a tale of brotherhood and life, and the power that relationships can possess.

This is one that probably should have been given more attention. Alejandro G. Innaritu, acclaimed for works such as “The Revenant” and “Birdman” created this wonderful piece of art this year.

We’re not sure if the film’s primary language may have been a barrier but the cinematic language spoken here is definitely one of the best we’ve seen all year. Innaritu’s sensibilities showcase his talent in moulding scenes with circumstantial themes. There’s nothing quite like it. From a mystifying opening with a bunch of axolotls slipping onto a drenched train floor to a bloated man’s head as he looks up to his father, the visual subtext being presented here is calculated and crafted from an experienced eye.

As the title would have implied, “Bardo” as a film is a metaphor for life’s journey until it reaches its end. And yet, there’s its Spanish translation to take into account, which allows for humorous and amusing devices to be applied to its frames.

De hecho, esta película es una de las mejores del año. Espectacular!

“The Menu” behaves like a stand-up performer. No one is safe from being critiqued, not even criticism itself. And that’s what we love so much about it.

This dark satire from Mark Mylod starring Anya Taylor Joy and Ralph Fiennes is served like a coursed menu, marking its very beats with appetizers, entrees, and dessert. However, with every tinkle in its waiter’s bell, it devolves deeper into doom for its guests.

Ralph Fiennes’ chef is cruel and calculated, but with the unknown factor that is Anya’s Margot, the dinner plan goes askew as the street-smart and common sensibilities of the latter give the chef a taste of his own poison. The mystery of the situation beckons viewers to consume more. And the more we eat, the more precarious the cliff that these guests traverse.

Oh, and bonus points for making the food appear so appetizingly sumptuous. Seriously, we were already smacking our lips, wishing we could reach out and take whatever food was onscreen. Simply… delicacies.

It isn’t often that a movie leaves us feeling utterly empty by its conclusion… and yet, we still feel that rush of satisfaction. It is that very ironic pairing that has caused us to revisit and ponder upon its themes again and again.

Tang Wei and Hae il Park star in this cat-and-mouse game that ends up with the feline caring for that very mouse within his own house. The whole movie is riddled with ironic circumstances. Twas the beauty that envelopes Park Chan-Wook’s latest cinematic effort. Indeed, his win at Cannes this year is a testament to his directorial prowess but of course, the two performers that headline this film are mesmerizing to watch too.

In the end, it cannot be said that our protagonists manage to make the best of their circumstances. The character growth feels… redundant by its climax. Yet, somehow, the story being told here is one of a failed, forbidden relationship. It is one that should cease to exist, and yet against all odds, works. It’s beautiful, the irony of it all.

For this entry, we knew we had to have at least one horror movie to make the list. Truth be told, 2022 was a phenomenal year for terrifying films. Taiwan’s “Incantation” was disturbingly interactive. “Smile” absolutely surprised us with its commentary on mental health, and “Bodies, Bodies, Bodies” was sheer dumb fun.

However, we’re here to talk about the powerhouse that is “Pearl”. T.I West released this relatively quick follow-up to his slasher, “X” with Mia Goth returning to play the starring role. While “X” focused more on being a slasher, “Pearl” takes its time to revisit memory lane, with its appreciation of the arts, all while showcasing the downward spiral that Mia Goth’s character endures.

“Please! I’m a star…”, Pearl echoes as dreams are crushed in a single motion of the proverbial hammer. All hell breaks loose as the leviathan unveils itself and brings down her wrath upon mankind. It’s an unforgettable watch of disturbing proportions, especially if we take Mia Goth’s performance into account. Like… who could spend three minutes looking into the camera while going through visible alterations of emotions throughout the credits. Creepy af.

Arguably the most adorable script of the year, “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On”, is a snail’s tale… or actually, we don’t really know what Marcel is… Only… that Marcel is… a mollusc… with a pair of cutesy Balenciagas or Vans on.

Formatted as a found footage documentary, the tale of Marcel (voiced by a raspy Jenny Slate) and her grandma is spoken through the lens of their host, who finds the tiny duo living within the crevices of his rental. It’s heartwarming and rewarding, but it also has moments of tragedy and emotional weight. Despite the absurdities surrounding the existence of a one-eyed talking in our world, it manages to bring out the best and not-so-veritable aspects of humanity all in one fictional biography.

The macro perspective used here allows us to peer into the details of Marcel’s daily life, as she hoppity hops and swings around using strings and perfectly placed marbles. It’s so satisfying to watch the complex mechanisms that a little calcite organism conceptualizes, along with the cute stop-motion work that makes up so much of what Marcel the shell is.

Tom Cruise, you crazy son of a top gun. Hell yes, he did it again!

Never in our wildest minds would we have thought that a sequel to the 1986 trooper would have been needed, much less, land right smack on our ultimate list. But it did so, spectacularly!

Of course, the high-octane thrills that were promised were always going to be a draw, but this sequel doubled down on its subordinate title, expanding and giving proper emotional heft to its titular character.

With Maverick now boasting 4 decades of seniority in the jet-fuelled field, he returns once again to guide a group of hotshots on a top-secret mission. We catch up on his field efforts as well as his personal life, as he meets up with heroes old and new.

There’s no doubt that Joseph Kosinski’s intention was to create the blockbuster for the ages. When it’s pumping that adrenaline through your veins, you feel every push. Every single engine boost, the air dives, and the Gs we experience throughout the mission are a rush. It’s a ride made for you to cheer and whoop along as the crazy action sequences unfold right before your very irises.

Truly, its box office record this year and its streaming statistics are a testament to the audiences’ approval of Mr Cruise’s insanities. It’s still the highest-grossing film of the year, with only “Avatar: The Way of Water” having the potential to surpass that number (next year).

In the end, it was a legacy movie that only took glances back at its past. There was a lot of focus ahead, and it created the need for speed from a new perspective.

And of course, who could escape hot beach football scenes set to the tunes of OneRepublic? Miles Teller’s ab swivels are unforgettable… So, we’re just going to leave this here as a parting gift.

Do you agree with our list? Do you think we’ve all been morbed beyond repair this year?  Likewise, we want to know what your picks are! Tell us your favourite movies in the comments!

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


#IMSAsiaPacific: First Lineup Of Speakers For Summit Revealed

IMS Asia-Pacific (AP) has unveiled its first line-up of speakers for its Asian debut in Singapore on Dec 11 at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove.

This initial list of confirmed speakers, comprising artists and top executives in the music industry, make up the who’s who of the global stage of electronic dance music in relation to Asia-Pacific and are regarded as the industry’s thought leaders. They hail from all corners of Asia plus Europe, North America and, of course, host country Singapore.

Spanning all aspects of the industry, they include IMS co-founder/presenter Pete Tong, MBE; English DJ/producer Paul Oakenfold; Berlin-based electronic musician/DJ Richie Hawtin (M-nus/ENTER./Canada); JC Ahn (International Director, Vuent/Ultra Korea, South Korea); Dr Gino Yu (Doctor of Medicine and Music, Hong Kong); Lincoln Cheng (Owner, Zouk Club, Singapore) Hideki Natsumura (Manager KUVO Planning Section, Japan) and Mark Lawrence (CEO, Association for Electronic Music, UK).

Full list of IMS Asia Pacific 2014 in Singapore speakers as follows:

A forum for music technology collaboration and creation, this is where the biggest minds in music come together to create new dance music apps, exclusive remixes, and music technology trials. IMS also showcases opportunities for the newest breakthrough artistes and record labels.

* Ticket price includes entry to IMS; buffet lunch; and drinks at cocktail party.

* 50% discount for students in music schools at SAE Institute and Republic Polytechnic.

* IMS delegates enjoy W Singapore – Sentosa Cove special room rate at S$360 per night (9th – 12th December).

Buy tickets and book rooms at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove here.

Pictures from the previous IMS events here:

For more information, visit their official website.


Netflix’s “Tiger King 2” Review: A Fangless, Boring Cashgrab With Nothing New To Offer

With Joe Exotic behind bars, we all thought the “Tiger King” story had found its conclusion. Sure there were some loose ends here and there but we had our fill of faux animal activism, bad music videos and alleged assassination attempts (he probably did it). 2020 was a wild year so it was nice that we had a little bit madness to keep us companied.

Well, the ride isn’t over yet. In spite of Exotic’s incarceration, Carole Baskin and a handful of sordid tiger-rearing nutjobs are still on the loose! The first time we saw “Tiger King”, our collective minds were blown as Netflix struck gold with a documentary series so wild and strange, it gave us pause. Now, we’ve see documentary series from haunted hotels to Satanic serial killers but “Tiger King” still sits on a pedestal for us.

“Tiger King 2” has a lot to live up. So will it deliver on the first season’s insane high-points?  Hopefully we’ll get more information on what really happened to Baskin’s husband at the very least. Buckle up and get ready because we’re going back in!

It’s important to remember that “Tiger King” really isn’t about tigers or conservation. Rather the show mostly revolves around the colourful personalities drawn into the life of rearing big cats. In the wake of Joe Exotic’s prison sentence, there is a power vacuum that needed to be filled. Like a season out of “Game of Thrones”, a former ally has risen to capitalise off the Tiger King’s fall, Jeff Lowe. Lowe was Exotic’s former business partner but after a messy fallout with Lowe conspiring to put Exotic away, the man and his wife Lauren has seized the throne for a time. Beside Lowe, this season of the show also focuses on the other benefactors of Exotic’s arrest. His husband Dillon Passage has made full use of his “Tiger King” fame to secure various business deals.

And in case you’re wondering, the answer is yes. Joe Exotic will be featured in the show, though mostly in the form of blurry prison video calls. The series is fully aware that their main attraction can only be shown in a very limited capacity. So how do they make for it? Well, they also track the online phenomena of the “Tiger King” craze and how the series has inspired fans to advocate for Exotic’s release. One mega-fan, who is a Texan millionaire named Eric Love, has even launched a whole campaign to get Exotic a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.

Have you ever come across a TV series where the creators try to pander and build off their fanbase? “Tiger King 2” is a textbook case of what happens when you buy into your own hype. Honestly, we don’t care about any of these secondary players! Where are the other eccentric psychopaths and nutjobs who run the tiger zoos? We get that certain big cat owners like the pseudo-cult leader Doc Antle would be hesitant to appear due to his portrayal in the first season. Still, this is not the way you pad out content. This feels transparent and very calculated like that crappy after-show episode “Tiger King and I” in the first season.

Those who are interested in learning more about Joe’s past will at least leave with a better understanding of his childhood. There are some fairly interesting facts that this season covers, like how he was the youngest police chief in the state of Texas. He also used to strip for the mayor of the state as well. Stories like that are worth telling. Where it falls off the rails though, is when it focuses on the fan reaction of the series. It frankly feels self-congratulatory and desperate, which betrays either a lack of vision…or a lack of content.

This season dedicates a surprising amount of time to discussing the disappearance of Carole Baskin’s husband, Don Lewis. In the previous season, it was hinted that Carole possibly had her husband murdered and fed his corpse to the tigers. The first season masterfully played on this grim fact for dark humour with plenty of clips of Joe accusing her of that. Here though, we turn this oddity into a semi-serious true crime investigation involving vigilante detectives like Ripper Jack.

It’s dull, meandering and definitely eats up a good chunk of the runtime…which we suspect is the point. At the end of the day, the results of this prolonged segment is inconclusive. Great, we had to sit through all of these interviews and swallow all this information only to leave with little answers.

The rest of this season is the show trying to convince us that Jeff Lowe is every bit the psychopath that Joe was. Sure, the guy’s shady and he’s incredibly manipulative but damn it he’s no Joe Exotic! Call us back when he becomes a gay polygamous ex-Presidential candidate, TV star. Admittedly, “Tiger King 2” does provide a sense of finality to the whole series. The federal government is finally clamping down on big cat owners. The party’s over. Along the way, we get to meet some pretty interesting characters like Zuzana Kokel – now she’s someone who deserves far more screen time.

Netflix’s “Tiger King 2” is a disappointing and dull follow-up to the series’ excellent first season. This five-episode entry shows a clear lack of creativity and content, in its length, narrative and pacing. When it’s not trying to bank on the fanbase’s goodwill, it’s busy gathering as much secondary sources of information in an effort to pad its runtime. “Tiger King 2” has lost its edge and its throne.

Look you guys had a good run, but perhaps it would be better to let the series rest for now and only return when there’s more developments to report on. For those who can’t get enough of Exotic, you can now catch “Tiger King 2” on Netflix today!

So what do you think of “Tiger King 2”? Do you think Carole Baskin really killed her husband? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

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

Netflix's "Tiger King 2" is a disappointing and dull follow-up to the series' excellent first season. This five-episode entry shows a clear lack of creativity and content, in its length, narrative and pacing. When its not trying to bank on its fanbase's goodwill, it's busy gathering as much secondary sources of information to add to its runtime. "Tiger King 2" has lost its edge and its throne.


GSC Pavilion KL To Close Down For Good This Month

In a surprising revelation, we just heard that GSC Pavilion KL will be closing down.

GSC has yet to make any official announcement but some have already spotted a notice at the cinema outlet presumably at the mall. As it stands, GSC Pavilion will permanently shut down next week.

An insider told Lowyat.net that the theatre chain failed to reach a new agreement with Pavilion KL. As such another cinema chain from China (Dadi Theater Circuit) will replacing the GSC Pavilion branch. Said to be China’s second-largest cinema chain, the new cinema is expected to begin operations in May 2021.

“We would like to take this opportunity to convey our sincere thanks and gratitude to all movie-goers who have supported GSC Pavilion KL since its opening (29th November 2007). Do keep an eye out for future GSC locations, and we can’t wait to see you again!” the statement from the cinema management reads.

It’s such a shame that the popular cinema outlet won’t be around any longer. As stated above, GSC Pavilion KL will be closed from 17th February 2020 onwards.


Singer Aishah Proves Dato Vida’s Jewellery Is Indeed Fake

Entrepreneur-turned-singer Dato Seri Vida has gotten herself in a hot mess after veteran singer Aishah, winner of “Gegar Vaganza 4” has exposed that the former has given fake jewelleries to the latter as prize for the singing competition.

Vida defended herself saying that Aishah does not understand that the value of the jewellery will drop over time, and some of Vida supporters even condemned Aishah for making up stories.  After receiving all kinds of accusations, Ashah decided to visit a local jewellery store and proved that her words are real.

A post shared by Wan Aishah Wan Ariffin (@aishahjmm)

Aishah has uploaded 2 videos to serve as proofs that the jewellery she received from “Gegar Vaganza 4” is indeed fake. “Plenty of accusations were thrown at me, so please listen to what the experts from a local jewellery store have to say,” Aishah expressed on her Instagram.

According to the 53-year-old, the diamond detector will have a long beep sound if it senses real, genuine diamond. So Aishah let the staff checked her diamond ring 1st to show that diamond from her ring is real. But when Aishah passed Vida’s necklace to be examined, the detector didn’t make a sound.

Aishah mentioned that she didn’t want to settle the problem this way but previously when she approached the organiser as well as Vida’s representative behind the scene, hoping to settle the matter peacefully, she was ignored completely.

After Aishah’s revelations, netizens immediately swarmed Dato Vida’s social media and asked her to apologise to Aishah and admit her mistake. According to some of the netizens, Aishah is not the 1st victim to Vida’s fraud as many users have already complained about the quality and authenticity of the cosmetic millionaire’s products.


#NYE2015: Train & Bus Service Hours Extended For New Year Celebrations

The end of 2015 is just around the corner and people around the world will come together to welcome the brand-new year. Planning to stay out late to celebrate the occasion, but not sure how to return home? Don’t fret!

In conjunction with the New Year celebrations, the operation hours for the Komuter, Light Rail Transit System (LRT), KL Monorail, and RapidKL bus services at selected stations today (31st December).

In a statement issued by Prasarana, the LRT and Monorail services at key stations will be extended to 12:30am and 2am.

Services at the Hang Tuah and Bandaraya stations on the LRT Ampang Line, as well as the Hang Tuah station on the KL Monorail Line will be extended to 12:30am. The company will also extend the service hours at the Masjid Jamek station on the LRT Ampang Line, Masjid Jamek and KLCC stations on the LRT Kelana Jaya Line, and Air Asia-Bukit Bintang station on the KL Monorail Line to 2am.

“Although the entrance gates of the other stations will be closed in stages according to the normal operation hours, LRT and Monorail passengers at the key stations involved can still exit at any station until the end of the service extension time,” the company added in the statement.

As for the bus services, the company will extend the service hours to 2:30am for selected routes, including:

Meanwhile, the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) announced in a statement that its Komuter service hours will be extended to 1:30am with additional services for the KL Sentral-Rawang, Putra- Seremban, and Putra-Port Klang routes.

The company also stated that 5 Komuter train stations – Putra, Bank Negara, Kuala Lumpur, KL Sentral, and Bandar Tasik Selatan – would be in operation until the last train.

Passengers are advised to purchase return tickets or use the Touch ‘n Go card to avoid congestion at ticket counters and ensure a smooth journey back home.

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


#PrincessDiaries3: Highly Anticipated Sequel Won’t Be Happening In Near Future

We hate to break this to you, but “Princess Diaries” won’t be making a return to the big screen any time in the near future :(

Just yesterday, the interwebs went crazy over the news that “Princess Diaries 3” is in the works. Unfortunately, several insiders who are familiar with the situation denied the possibility and confirmed that Disney is not developing a 3rd instalment of he popular “Princess Diaries” series.

The rumours first started when The Tracking Board reported that a sequel was currently in development, with Debra Chase (who produced the 1st and 2nd instalment of the popular film series) returning to produce the latest outing. It was further fueled when Heather Matarazzo (who played Lilly Moscovitz in the previous “Princess Diaries” films) tweeted that some “good news” are in store for fans of the franchise.

In a twist of events, another source close to the project refuted the rumours, confirming that a “conversation” was indeed brought up about a possible sequel, but the discussion, sadly, ended without a positive result. The source added that no screenwriter has been attached to the sequel, nor is Disney currently developing the movie.

Insiders who are close to Anne Hathaway (who was the star of the movies) also stated that no script has came her way and the actress is not attached to any “Princess Diaries” films as of now.

Do you think there’s still hope for “Princess Diaries 3” to be developed? If there is, do you want the original cast to return? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments box below! ;)


(UPDATE) Hype’s Now Playing: CL x Diplo – Dr. Pepper

CL of 2NE1 made history by giving fans a taste of her upcoming US solo album through a new collaboration track with Los Angeles-based DJ/producer Diplo as well as hip hop acts RiFF RAFF and OG Maco.

Titled “Dr. Pepper”, the song has been in the works since last year as a short snippet of it was teased through Diplo’s Snapchat.

“Diplo cancelled a session on me, and I was so mad at him. I was drinking a can of Dr. Pepper and wrote the song so I could go home as soon as possible, Diplo ended up loving it!” CL told The Fader, explaining how the song came about.

CL previously teamed up with Diplo for 2014 Style Icon Awards in Seoul. She also made a surprise appearance during Jack Ü‘s set at 2015 UMF Miami to perform “Dirty Vibe”, a single from Skrillex’s 2014 album, “Recess”.

Regarding the collaboration, Diplo said, “CL and I go back a long way, from the first time YG contacted me about 6 years ago. I ended up being in the video for Chris Brown’s “Look At Me Now” and I met G-Dragon and T.O.P (of BIGBANG). I worked with them before I knew what K-pop was, to be honest.”

I’ve been active in CL’s first full-length album, mostly trying to find a right balance between glossy K-pop attitude and keeping CL positioned where she belongs—as the baddest coolest female out right now. “Dr. Pepper” is something that might not register that well with actual K-pop, seeing as it’s a straight Atlanta-style rap record, but the net around K-pop is so wide that it can be anything with confidence and style. Thats what CL brings to it.

Other than Diplo, CL is also working closely with a number of producers and artistes including Taboo of Black Eyed Peas and Florence + The Machine. American talent manager Scooter Braun is managing CL’s debut as a solo artiste in America.

Earlier today (14th August), 2NE1’s CL took to Instagram to announce that the music video for “Doctor Pepper” will be released at 6am PST/9am EST/10pm KST.

Mad Decent took a step ahead by releasing the music video on their official YouTube channel.

The 2NE1 leader is expected to make her US solo debut in September.

So, what do you think of the song? Isn’t it addictive? Did it make you more excited about CL’s upcoming solo debut in the US? Let us know in the comments box below!

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


What Will Happen To The NU’EST Members After Their Disbandment?

Say it isn’t so! Yesterday (Monday, 28th February), fans were in deep shock after it was announced that K-pop boy group NU’EST (뉴이스트)  will be disbanding after 10 years as a group. :(

Pledis Entertainment (the five-piece ensemble’s home label) broke the news via an official statement posted on the group’s official Weverse account. The entertainment agency revealed that members JR, Aron, and Ren will be leaving the company, while Baekho and Minhyun will renew their contracts.

“The exclusive artist contract with NU’EST will be concluded as of March 14. Our company and the members of NU’EST went through careful consideration and discussions on the future of the individual members and on what would be the best path for everyone and how they can present their best selves.

JR, Aron, and Ren have decided to start afresh after leaving our company. Baekho and Minhyun will renew their contracts. We respect and support the decisions of every member, as they are the result of careful and extensive consideration and discussions.

NU’EST is a valuable group that holds a special place in our company as the first boy group of Pledis Entertainment. The group has been loved by many with their stylish music, performances, and the way in which they write their dramatic narrative with their fearless attitude since their debut. We would like to extend our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the members who have always put their best foot forward over the past ten years.

The group will cap off their official activities as NU’EST of Pledis Entertainment with their album that will be released in March. Pledis Entertainment wishes the best for the members’ new leap forward and growth and will continue to cheer for their bright future ahead of them.

We would like to express once again our gratitude to L.O.Λ.E (as fans were lovingly called ) who have always stayed by NU’EST side. We ask you to give your unchanging love and support to the members as they embark upon the next chapter of their careers. Thank you.”

Not long after that, the five members of the award-winning K-pop group came up with handwritten letters to personally deliver the shocking news to their fans). They shared individual handwritten letters, confirming that the group has sadly disbanded. You can read their statements here (Translated via @nauveesrt):

— 백민쩨렌론러 💖~ing (@nauveesrt) February 28, 2022

As revealed in the statement, NU’EST will release one last album together this month, prior to the members going their separate ways. While fans were devastated by the sudden news, many have also been hoping that some of the boys would be carrying on their activities either as a unit, or even as solo artistes in the future.

We sincerely wish them all the best in their upcoming careers!


#TheRainbowSkywalk: Highest Skywalk In Malaysia Set To Open On Top Of Penang’s KOMTAR Building

If you’ve enjoyed standing inside a transparent glass box while enjoying a spectacular 360 degrees view of the Klang Valley at KL Tower’s Skybox, then we’ve got some exciting news for you.

Penang’s KOMTAR – an acronym for Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak – building stands at 232 metres. It is the 6th tallest skyscraper in Malaysia and has the highest skywalk to date. Very few have ever been to the top since its inception in 1985. But soon, the public can access the tower’s latest addition: The Rainbow Skywalk.

Located on the 68th floor of the building, The Rainbow Skywalk is a semi-circle glass path that juts several metres out of the building. If you’re doubtful whether the pathway is secure enough, fret not; it is perfectly safe and will not crack under pressure.

According to The Star, the material used to build the pathway was the same glass used to make the Grand Canyon Skywalk in America. The glass was heat-treated, temper-proofed, and laminated by Universiti Sains Malaysia through a series of vibration, wind and pendulum tests.

“Komtar is the pride of Penangites. It was once the tallest building in South-East Asia. When we first went up, the view took our breath away and we instantly started thinking of how we can get people to enjoy their trip to the top,” Only World Group (OWG) chief operating officer Datuk Jean Koh was quoted as saying.

Brought to you by OWG, the details for The Rainbow Skywalk are as follows:

*The ticket for The Rainbow Skywalk is inclusive of Observatory Deck and Window of The Top.

If you and your friends are looking for some activities to do with adrenaline rush this holiday season, then make it a point to visit The Rainbow Skywalk. We’re pretty sure it’ll be well worth the trip ;)

For more information or ticketing enquiries, hit up The Top’s website here.

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


#Malaysia: Shah Alam Aims To Be Polystyrene-Free By 2017

Visit any mamak stores or food court to “tapao” your meal and your take-away order will usually be packed in a in polystyrene packaging. It’s so common that many of us assume it’s safe, however, reports have shown that this material can cause negative harm to both our health and the environment.

Last month, we heard that the usage of polystyrene and plastic will be banned in Johor in an effort to preserve the environment. Yesterday (17th May 2016), it was announced that Shah Alam is also aiming to stop the use of polystyrene packaging by next year, starting with next month’s Ramadan bazaars.

According to The Star, the campaign will be carried out in 4 stages to allow traders and food providers sufficient time to switch to environmentally-friendly packs. To begin with, food trucks have already been discouraged to use of polystyrene food containers at the start of this month. This would apply to the 30 Ramadan bazaars locations next month.

After the Ramadan bazaars, the 2nd stage will take place on 1st August in markets and food stalls. Restaurants and shopping centres will follow suit from 1st October onwards. By the 4th stage next year, all operators will be required to stop using polystyrene packages.

“We will be giving 150 biodegradable food packs to the traders (at Ramadan bazaars). The cost has been factored into the rental of the lots,” said Shah Alam mayor Datuk Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad during the launch of the campaign at the MBSA Auditorium yesterday.

“Selangor will be initiating a no-polystyrene campaign next year. However, until we receive a directive, traders are allowed to use the packs. We cannot stop the food traders from using the polystyrene containers but we want it to be controlled. Using environmentally-friendly boxes is a practice they would have to start from now for the sake of environmental sustainability,” he added.

Known as a “silent killer”, polystyrene not only takes 500 years to disintegrate in landfills, it can also cause cancer. Although the effects cannot be seen immediately, it’s time for Malaysians to be more aware of the health risk when using polystyrene products.

Sources: The Star, NST, The Borneo Post.


#HitTheStage: Controversy Arises Regarding SHINee Taemin’s Performance

SHINee’s Taemin was crowned as the 1st winner of the 1st round of Korean dance competition “Hit The Stage”, but not everyone was happy with his win.

Complaints have arisen, with many having an issue with Taemin’s performance with Koharu Sugawara on the show, accusing it of being unfair to the other contestants. However, Mnet has spoken up regarding the fiasco and insisted that Taemin competed fair and square.

On yesterday’s (Wednesday, 4th August) edition of the show, Taemin chose to perform his own song, “Goodbye”, complete with the same choreography that he will be showcasing on music shows. This did not sit well with many netizens, as they soon resorted to the interwebs to air their complaints.

Some claimed that Taemin had an unfair advantage, as he had more time to choreograph and practice his dance, compared to the others, who had to come up with a new choreography in a short amount of time. Many others were also unsatisfied with his win, as they stated that he did not comply with the “devil” theme.

However, not all responds were negative. Netizens also defended Taemin, stating that Taemin had the same amount of practice time as the others, or even less, as he only knew about the choreography then. Others commented that Taemin did indeed obey by the “devil” concept, as his dance is about a ninja that confronts his inner devil.

Mnet also came into the fray, responding:

“There is no problem. The producers only present the theme. We respect the artistes’ choices regarding their song selection and stage performance. Taemin just expressed the devil’s internal image and selected the song that would express this the best. On the recent broadcast, all of the artistes were well aware that there were no restrictions on song choices. Taemin and all of the other contestants have not violated any of the rules presented by ‘Hit the Stage.’”

“Goodbye” is the Korean version of Taemin’s recently released Japanese single, “Sayonara Hitori”. The track was included in Taemin’s first Japanese album “Solitary Goodbye”, made public yesterday (Thursday, 3rd August), along with the songs “Tiger”, “Final Dragon”, “The Person I Loved Most In This World”, and the Japanese version of “Press Your Number”.

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


Japan & Thailand To Cover 50% Of Travel Expenses For Your Next Trip

Calling all travel junkies out there! We have good news in store for y’all.

Thailand and Japan are reportedly covering up to 50% of your accommodation fees for your next visit. This is to help the countries’ tourism sector that has suffered a significant decline following the Covid-19 outbreak.

Japan Tourism Agency’s Hiroshi Tabata told the press that the government plans to “allocate over $12.5 billion to a new holiday subsidies programme,” which could launch as soon as July. In this case, the country will debut discount coupons and vouchers to be used at local shops and eateries.

However, keep in mind that the deals will only apply to visitors who have made bookings via Japanese travelling agencies. Whereas for international tourists, the country currently has an international travel ban in place, prohibiting foreigners from entering. But rest assured that the programme doesn’t exclude foreign visitors to take part.

As for Thailand’s case, GirlStyle reported that the government is planning to offer travel packages and discounts ranging between 40 to 50% off by either July or the end of this year. Word has it that the country will begin lifting enforcement rules and allow travellers to visit the country again. For those who don’t know, the Land of Smiles is currently in lockdown until the end of June.

Despite no specific details being revealed for now, maybe you can consider the 2 aforementioned countries for your next vacation.

The Japan Nation Travel Organisation (JNTO) has since stepped in to clarify that the Go To Travel campaign is meant to revitalise the domestic tourism market and help people living in Japan only.

This means that the support will not extend to overseas visitors as previously implied.

Sources: GirlStyle via WoB, Matador Network.


#BSB: 15 Interesting Things About One Of The World’s Best-Selling Boy Bands

As you guys may have already heard by now, once known as the biggest boy band in the world, Backstreet Boys (BSB) will be making their way back to Kuala Lumpur this May. That’s right – A.J., Brian, Howie D, Nick, and Kevin are embarking on an Asian tour which will kick off in Taipei on April 30th.

The tour which also includes neighbouring countries like Singapore and Manilla was announced on February 4th in an official statement:

Yup, that’s right – the Backstreet Boys are coming back and if you’ve not gotten your ticket for their concert you best do it now because from what we hear, they’re selling like hot cakes! Don’t believe us?

In conjunction with Backstreet Boys’ return to Kuala Lumpur, we’ve come up with a list of fun facts about the band that you may or may not know. Check it:

There you have it – 15 fun facts about the band that we hope will help prep you for their upcoming show here in Kuala Lumpur. Information for Backstreet Boys’ “In A World Like This Tour” live in Malaysia are as follows:

We leave you today with “I’ll Never Break Your Heart”, one of our personal favourites from Backstreet Boys.

Sources: Daily Mail, Independent UK, Irish Times, Fox News & Bio 1,2,3.

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


#BladeRunner: Ryan Gosling In Talks To Star In The Sequel

Ryan Gosling is currently in negotiations to star in the yet to be titled “Blade Runner” sequel, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

It’s not yet known what kind of character Gosling will take on, but Harrison Ford will be reprising his role as Rick Deckard.

Ridley Scott, who was the director for the original film, will be executive producing the sequel with Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble. Scriptwriters Hampton Fancher and Michael Green have also signed on to the movie. The idea of the movie was initially conceptualised by Fancher and Scott, with Alcon Entertainment picking it up in 2011.

Denis Villeneuve is set to take the director’s seat. Producers of the film include Bud Yorkin, Andrew A. Kosove, Broderick Johnson, and Cynthia Sikes Yorkin.

The 1982 sci-fi classic tells the story of Deckard, a police operative who is assigned to hunt down the machines called “replicants”, which are visually indistinguishable from adult humans. The sequel is expected to take place several decades after the original film, which was set in Los Angeles in November 2019. No storyline for the sequel has been released yet.

Gosling was last seen writing, directing, and producing “Lost River”, a fantasy neo-noir film. He will be acting in an upcoming musical drama film, “Weightless”.

Although no release date for the film has been announced yet, the principal photography is expected to start in summer 2016.


Hype’s Now Playing: Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake – Love Never Felt So Good

Within just the first few days of sales, airplay and streaming, “Love Never Felt So Good” has already entered Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. The sleek duet features the pop-plus-R&B royalty Justin Timberlake and the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson.

“Love Never Felt So Good” appears on Michael Jackson’s “Xscape”, an posthumous album that’s packed with never heard before music from the King of Pop. Most of the songs were made “new” by Timbaland and J-Roc, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Stargate and John McClain (a former A&M Records executive and co-executor of the Jackson estate).

According to recording exec and producer Antonio “L.A.” Reid, “When I first went into Michael’s archives and heard the in-the-raw version of the song you’re about to hear, I was instantly reminded that, yes, Michael Jackson is the greatest.” That’s because “Love Never Felt So Good” dates back to 1983, a year after Michael Jackson’s other hit, “Thriller”, was released. And just in case you haven’t had the chance to look at the CD sleeve, “Love Never Felt So Good” was co-written, co-produced and recorded with singer-songwriter Paul Anka.

FYI, Paul Anka also worked on the old but gold “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”, Tom Jones’ “She’s a Lady”, and Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”. Surprised yet?

The “contemporised” version introduces Justin Timberlake’s vocals, an upbeat and disco pop-ish beat, and this awesome music video:

The feel-good, “let’s get up and dance” number was also used in the new Jeep commercial, which takes all the best aspects of summer and combines them into one happy-go-lucky ad. It’s the rugged, off-road sport utility vehicle brand’s first ever summer campaign and thanks to the song, we think it’s perfect fit!

Here’s one of the four 30-second TV commercials:

Love it? We know. We do, too. And love never felt so good. “Xscape” is available on iTunes here. You can also stream the entire album via Spotify here.

For more information, visit Michael Jackson’s official website.

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


Uniqlo To Launch New Collection Of Marvel Tees & Hoodies

In conjunction with Marvel’s 80th Anniversary UT series, Uniqlo will be launching a new collection of superhero attire.

The upcoming “Uniqlo x Marvel” collection, which is set to debut this month, will be divided into 2 different themes. It’ll be the Marvel Retro Gaming UT Series and the Marvel Hoodie Series.

The Marvel Retro Gaming UT Series was inspired by retro video game consoles. Remember the pixelated character design games we used to play when we were younger? This collection certainly brings us back to our game boy days. The best part? These designs are also available for children.

Instead of just limiting it to t-shirts, Uniqlo’s Marvel Hoodie Series are also expected to fly off the shelves. Show your support of your Marvel heroes – be it from the Avengers, X-Men, and more. The retro designs are minimalistic and versatile so you don’t have to limit it to just Marvel occasions.

Both the Marvel Retro Gaming UT Series and the Marvel Hoodie Series are expected to debut on Uniqlo Malaysia’s website on Malaysia Day (16th September) and Uniqlo Malaysia stores.


Quentin Tarantino B*tchslaps Interviewer

His latest film, “Django Unchained” has been making its rounds in the entertainment industry as a piece of work that features loads of gunplay, dead bodies, and cringe-inducing scenes. In other words, multiple award-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino latest project doesn’t really stray from his prominent style of bloody-violence-all-up-in-your-face.

However, in a recent outburst, it’s obvious that Quentin is sick of talking over and over again about the connection between big-screen violence and the real thing. The filmmaker angrily shut down Channel 4’s Krishnan Guru-Murthy attempts to get him to comment on the subject during an interview.

Krishnan apparently asked Quentin why he’s so sure there is no link between enjoying movie violence and enjoying real violence. To which Quentin replied, “I’m gonna tell you why I’m so sure? Don’t ask me a question like that. I’m not biting. I refuse your question”. When Krishnan continued to press for answers, Quentin fumed:

Because I refuse your question. I’m not your slave and you’re not my master. You can’t make me dance to your tune. I’m not a monkey. I don’t want to talk about the implications of violence. The reason I don’t want to talk about it is because I’ve said everything I have to say about it. If anyone cares what I have to say about it, they can Google me. And they can look for 20 years what I have to say but I haven’t changed my opinion one iota. And I’m shutting your butt down. I’ve said it already…I just refuse to repeat myself over and over again because you want me to for you and your show and your ratings.

The video of the purported interview as follows;

[youtube id=”GrsJDy8VjZk” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Yup. Nobody be pissing Quentin Tarantino off. Have you not seen his repertoire of movies? Seriously.

“Django Unchained” has been nominated for several prestigious film awards such as the “Best Picture” Oscar award and “Director” BAFTA award. To say the least.

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


(Video) Pavilion KL Features Coach’s Rexy On Giant LED Screen

If you’re an avid shopper, you’ll surely know about the giant LED screen located in Pavilion Elite Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang. Pavilion KL’s screen has been home to a lot of different creatures like this year’s Chinese New Year Bull. But this time, it will be displaying Rexy, Coach’s beloved mascot.

When you look up, you may see Rexy showing off Coach’s new Rogue handbag. Apparently, that isn’t Rexy’s only goal. It’s there as a part of Coach’s new initiative, Windows of the Future.

Windows of the Future showcases 9 bespoke window displays around the world. It will be seen in locations like New York City, Honolulu, Tokyo and of course, Malaysia. Coach hopes this initiative will reduce environmental waste caused by everchanging window displays.

On screen, you will see Rexy burst into a Coach store. She leaves a mess behind her, but her aim is simple– to grab as many Rogue bags as possible. Here’s a surprise: you can help her! If you check out the Coach store beneath the screen, you’ll see Rexy in the window display with multiple pieces of the Rogue bags. Beside the display is a QR code that leads to a digital AR (augmented reality) game featuring Rexy.

The goal of the game is to help Rexy capture more Rogue bags. Aside from the satisfaction of being able to help Rexy with her goal (and being able to play a fun game), there’s a prize for whoever scores the most points at the end of the campaign. Winner walks away with an exclusive Rogue bag! The game will be available from 4th to 24th October, so there’s still plenty of time for you to join the competition.

Speaking of phones… Pavilion KL has just launched a new mobile app. With the app, you can interactively navigate the mall and have consistent updates and announcements. Of course, you’ll also be able to enjoy some mobile-exclusive rewards.

Additionally, Pavilion KL will be introducing their new loyalty program, Pavilion Privileges. With it, you can get exclusive benefits, event invitations and more. Also, members with the mobile app will be able to skip queues when you redeem rewards and all your account information will be at your fingertips.

Drop by Pavilion KL to check out its new offerings and to play with Rexy, but don’t forget to stay safe!

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


DC Comics + Warner Bros’ Future Superhero Films Lineup

“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” is all set to lay the foundation for future DC superhero films and it looks like Warner Bros is really gearing up to take on Marvel Studios for box-office glory.

Apparently, Warner Bros has got its superhero films slate planned till 2018. The studio is way behind Marvel in terms of cashing in on its comic book properties but if the following lineup of films really delivers, the folks down at Marvel might have something to worry about.

Here’s the full lineup which reportedly will be unveiled at the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con:

A source also revealed that the real reason behind delaying “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” had nothing to do with the film’s script or actors, but because the studio is treating the film as a launch pad for “The Justice League” and subsequent films and needed time to develop the whole lineup:

Like Marvel’s The Avengers, there will be cameos of superheroes for future instalments. The cameos will include the already known Cyborg and Flash. Green Lantern may be introduced. And Aquaman will be seen in the Justice League movie. Problem is, Warner Bros Pictures was still negotiating with the actors for those cameos and future roles, meaning major contracts for multiple JL/character films to follow. The studio didn’t want to move forward until they had more of this secure so they held off starting production for a few months. Seemingly simple reason, but the implications are pretty darn huge.

That aside, we’ll know if the rumoured Warner Bros superhero films lineup is indeed not so much a rumour in about 10 days or less.


Elaine Kang Saddened By Loss Of Local Dance Choreographer Vinz Khoo

A local dance choreographer and program planner, Khoo Wei Ming passed away in his sleep on 7th March. The incident shocked and saddened those in the Malaysian entertainment circle.

The 56-year-old’s last Facebook post informed his friends that he was heading to KL via the bus to cut his hair. The next day, he was pronounced dead after passing away in his sleep.

Khoo Wei Ming (邱维铭), or Vinz Khoo to his students, is a dancer from Muar with more than 30 years of experience under his belt. When he was younger, he performed on stage with renowned artists such as Andy Lau, Anita Mui, Leslie Cheung and more. Khoo has also choreographed for events such as the “Entertainment Association Awards” award ceremony and “Top Ten Charity Shows”.

After the announcement of his passing, those who had worked with him in the entertainment scene expressed their condolences with messages. Local actress Lim Ching Miau (林静苗) posted a heartfelt goodbye on her Facebook page, thanking him for teaching her how to dance, despite her size. “Teacher, there are so many things I want to say to you, now… no more. Teacher, why do you have to be so sudden..” she wrote. “Teacher, I just recently wanted you to go live to teach me how to dance… Teacher…”

Khoo had also taught dance to local artist Datuk Elaine Kang ( 江梦蕾). The two have worked together over the years and his passing left the artist devastated. She received news of his death in the afternoon on 7th March, and had to take some time to sort her emotions afterwards. Apparently they had called each other on the 3rd of March and the artist said he sounded alright then.

According to Datuk Elaine, Khoo had started exercising and living a healthier lifestyle ever since he returned to his hometown. His passing was unexpected and many are still feeling the loss.


Malaysian Movers & Shakers Does Fashion Meets Art

20 By Two’s “Fashion Beyond Borders”, a Malaysian-Singaporean cross-cultural fashion exchange platform, is set to launch its debut twin retail events this September, showcasing the debut Fall/Winter 2012 collections of 18 well-known and emerging fashion brands from two countries.

The pilot fashion showcase will see the exchange of Malaysian and Singaporean designers, with our homegrown fashion talents flown to attend the event in Singapore to talk about their work and vice versa.

Malaysia’s Joe Chia, Alia Bastamam, Chic Yamada, and Thirtyfour are slated to exhibit their pieces alongside Singapore’s AL&ALICIA, Lauren Jasmine, and By Invite Only from 14th September to 16th September at Publika, Solaris Dutamas.

Expect a different fashion experience altogether as 20 By Two will run an online pop-up store in tandem with the two showcase event, with online-exclusive pieces available for sale.

Address: 1 Jalan Dutamas 1, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: 4 pm to 10 pm (14th Sept) & 10 am to 10 pm (15th & 16th Sept)

For more information, visit 20 by Two’s official website.

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


#RIPLeonardCohen: “Hallelujah” Singer Dead at 82

Leonard Cohen once said, “If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.”

The hugely influential Canadian singer and poet, with a musical career spanning over 5 decades and is said to be “one of the foremost songwriters of the contemporary era”, has passed away at the age of 82.

The sad news was confirmed on the legendary musician’s Facebook page. The statement reads, “It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away. We have lost one of music’s most revered and prolific visionaries. A memorial will take place in Los Angeles at a later date. The family requests privacy during their time of grief.”

The Montreal-born artiste is known for writing scores of songs that touched on the themes of religion and love, depression and suicide, politics and war. New York Times called him “an unlikely and reluctant pop star” seeing as how he only released his 1st record at age 33 in 1967.

Since then, Cohen has produced more than 2000 songs that have been covered by artistes from different genres ranging from the folk singers to rock, pop, country, and even rhythm and blues performers, including U2, Elton John, Sting, Trisha Yearwood, and Aretha Franklin.

His string of hits included “Suzanne”, “Bird on a Wire,” “Everybody Knows”, and “I’m Your Man”, but as Reuters points out, his most famous song, “Hallelujah,” in which he invoked the biblical King David and drew parallels between physical love and a desire for spiritual connection, has been covered hundreds of times since he released it in 1984. The song remains popular even to this day.

His 14th and latest studio album, “You Want It Darker”, was recently released by Columbia Records on 21st October 2016. The album was produced by Cohen’s son, Adam.

We bet that choirs of angels are singing “Hallelujah” right now. Of course, it’s their cover version. #RIPLeonardCohen :(


#BadBloodMusicVideo: The Most Dramatic Star-Studded TayTay Music Video Ever

After teasing the star-studded cast with an array of scintillating posters for over a week, Taylor Swift’s dramatic star-studded music video for “Bad Blood” is now ready for our your errbody’s viewing pleasure.

As promised, the #BadBloodMusicVideo finally made its world debut at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards, and as expected, TayTay went all out for the highly anticipated music video. For starters, there’s heaps of ass-kicking, some gun-toting, and tonnes of robot-making futuristic girl power written all across the epic clip.

The slew of “Bad Blood” teasers were officially released via TayTay’s Instagram account, which were definitely indicative of what’s to come:

On top of that, each celebrity had their own alter ago in the Joseph Kahn-directed clip, and the character posters echoed a bit of a “Sin City”-esque vibe with the red, black and white color scheme.

In case you didn’t know, rumour has it that this single (TayTay’s 4th single from her hit album “1989“) was widely interpreted as a kiss-off to former pal Katy Perry after a reported dispute over the employment of various backup dancers.

TayTay herself has managed to keep mum over the details regarding the video’s plot top secret, though she did tweet earlier:

And just a few days ago, the ever-growing list of famous faces slated to appear in the video included (but wasn’t limited to):

The music video features TayTay recovering from a betrayal by a warrior buddy (played by real-life friend Selena Gomez) by going into battle training with a crew that includes various of her model friends and, in the final stages, actresses Mariska Hargitay and Ellen Pompeo.

Believe it or not, Cindy Crawford is also there to give her seal of approval before TayTay marches into battle.

But don’t just take it from us, watch the video below:

“Band-Aids don’t fix bullet holes”, eh? This is not the team of “superheroes” that you’d want to have bad blood with anytime soon (if ever), that’s fo sho.

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


#WonderWoman: Michelle MacLaren Quits As Director

“Wonder Woman” is one of the highly anticipated movies in the DC Comics‘ Cinematic Universe, as it focuses on the female superhero in the all-male superheroes team. The movie will boast a huge amount of female cast members and Warner Bros. chose a female director to helm the project.

However, director Michelle MacLaren announced that she has quit and will no longer be involved in the movie.

Maclaren has worked on many TV shows, such as “Breaking Bad“, “The Walking Dead“, and “Game of Thrones“. Thus, her announcement as the director came as no surprise. However, it seems like the difference of opinions has forced her to exit the production.

The studio released a statement stating:

Given creative differences, Warner Bros. and Michelle MacLaren have decided not to move forward with plans to develop and direct Wonder Woman together.

Warner Bros. did not elaborate further and a replacement has not been announced yet. Filming will start on September 2015, and it is expected to premiere in cinemas by 2017. Maclaren’s departure is not expected to delay the release of the film.

Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, and Charles Roven will continue to serve as the producers of the film while Gal Gadot will make her first appearance as Wonder Woman in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice“, which is slated to be released on 25th March 2016.

Maclaren’s next project is rumoured to be Marvel’s first female superhero solo film, “Captain Marvel”, which is expected to be in cinemas on 6th July 2018.

The full movie slate of the DC Cinematic Universe is as below:

What do you think of Maclaren’s departure? Who do you think should direct the film? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.


#LoveWins: Taiwan Becomes The First Asian Country To Allow Same-Sex Marriage

Taiwan’s top judges in the Constitutional Court has ruled in favour of allowing same-sex marriage, making the island the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage and cementing its status as a beacon for LGBT rights.

The court found that the current laws, which states that only a man and a woman can marry, therefore preventing members of the same sex from marrying, violated their right to equality and were unconstitutional.

Following the ruling, the court said in a press release that “disallowing two persons of the same sex to marry, for the sake of safeguarding basic ethical orders” constituted a “different treatment” with “no rational basis.” The court concluded that “such different treatment is incompatible with the spirit and meaning of the right to equality” as protected by Taiwan’s constitution.

The parliament has two years to amend existing laws or pass new ones.

Taiwan, known for its liberal values, holds the biggest annual gay pride event (Taiwan Pride) in the region. In October 2015, attracted more than 78,000 participants, making it the largest gay pride event in East Asia.

The decision is undoubtedly a victory for Taiwan’s LGBT activists, who have fought for decades for marriage equality.

Sources: The Washington Post, BBC, Taiwan Pride / Featured image: AP.

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


#JYJ’s Yoochun Says He “No Longer Hates” TVXQ!

The singer-turned-actor Yoochun of K-Pop idol boy group JYJ had an interview with the Korean media outlet Edaily on 13th August shortly before the release of his new film “Sea Fog” released the same day. In the interview, he was asked how he felt about his former band TVXQ! and its members. To which he cautiously replied:

As time goes by, I questioned myself … What was all that for? Each of us made own choices for our lives. I no longer hate them. I hope we all could be happy. I hope the five of us can do well in our position. I don’t know when, but it would be cool if all of us could come together to drink soju.

His remarks come as a surprise given the emotional conflicts between JYJ and TVXQ! has shown in public.

The 28-year-old star debuted as a member of K-pop idol group TVXQ! in 2004, and left the team in 2009 for JYJ with two fellow members – Junsu and Jaejoong. The trio filed a lawsuit against their then-label SM Entertainment for what they claimed was an unfair contract. TVXQ! now consists of Yunho and Changmin, who decided to stay in the group.

Yoochun said that he has been “happy” about his career since he departed from TVXQ!. The trio have continued their activities as singers with 2 studio albums dropped so far and they’ve broadened their presence as actors in dramas and musicals. Yoochun also said that he looks forward to seeing Yunho’s acting in the drama “The Night Watchman,” which is broadcast every Monday and Tuesday on MBC.

His group JYJ released its second studio album “Just Us” on 29th July, and is now on its Asia concert tour “The Return of The King”. The trio will head to China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand to continue the tour.

We’ll update you guys as soon as we get further confirmation on that!


#IMSAsiaPacific: Transformational Music by Dr. Gino Yu; “This Is Religion 2.0”

The inaugural International Music Summit (IMS) Asia-Pacific kicked off on 11th Dec 2014 at the beautiful W Singapore Sentosa Cove, featuring the crème de la crème of the music industry. Particularly, the dance music industry.

IMS, which began life in Ibiza, was created in 2007 and is now revered as one of the world’s most important music industry gatherings in the world. It’s also a platform for labels, agents, managers and brands to debate, announce and explain new initiatives and strategies music to the industry.

Presented by BBC Radio One’s Pete Tong, IMS is regarded as the premier platform for the thought leaders in electronic music is where announcements for the season ahead are made and deals are confirmed. With talks by some of electronic dance music’s foremost DJs, their managers, and owners of the most significant brands in dance music, it is a place for everyone who is anyone in the dance music industry to network and create important business relationships.

The first IMS Asia Pacific saw the attendance of specially invited guests, key opinion leaders from the scene, members of the media, as well as speakers such as Pete Tong, Paul Oakenfold, Steve Angello, NERVO, Stereosonic’s Frank Cotela, and Life in Color’s JC Ahn. Also, Dr. Gino Yu, PhD. Consciousness Researcher, Director of Digital Entertainment at Hong Kong Polytechnic University as well as founder of Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association.

Dr. Yu draws on his 30 years of experience in consciousness research to take us on a whirlwind ride through centuries of mythology and ritual to construct a metaphysical case for what is happening in electronic music culture today. Joining the dots between music and physiology, religion and ritual, symbolism and faith; he explains why he believes the global explosion of interest in electronic dance music is the contemporary awakening of the ancient practice of achieving higher levels of consciousness through music induced trance.

Why drug culture doesn’t work in Asia, the fundamental difference between East and West, what remains if you strip away the stories, art and rituals from religion, and why no-one in Asia has invented a technology which has made a global impact in the last 300 years. Can we really engineer a culture that works for society today which combines music and art to generate a transformative experience for everyone’s mutual benefit?

Keep up with Dr. Gino Yu via his Twitter here, where he shares

And if you’re kicking yourself for missing the first edition of IMS Asia Pacific, fret not! We hear that the summit will be making a return this year for 2 whole days ;)

For more information, visit IMS’ website or Facebook page.

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


Wang Leehom’s “Music-Man II Round II” in Malaysia!

Multi-talented Mandopop start Wang Leehom will return to Malaysia to charm the socks off his loyal fans’ feet this March! For two nights in a row, Wang Leehom is set to perform “Music-Man II Round II”, an electrifying performance enriched by the interweaving of “East meets West hip hop” pieces with breathtaking dance movements that promises an authentic musical journey.

Singer-songwriter Leehom is, of course, no stranger to performing in Malaysia. As a matter of fact, he has been here several times in the recent years but concertgoers who have seen him live can definitely agree on one thing – he always leaves his fans begging for more.

Come 28th, 29th and 30th March (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday),  Leehom will put up one of the year’s most impressive concert performances at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands, Malaysia.

See him perform in his superhero alter-ego Music-Man as he enthralls audiences with adrenaline pumping material arts sequence, sizzling dance choreography as well as an exhilarating display of the singer-songwriter’s musical prowess through an array of “weapons” as such the zither, piano, Er-hu, violin, electric guitar, and more!

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

Dates: 28th, 29th and 30th March (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday)

Venue: Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands

To purchase tickets, click! For more information, visit the organizer’s official website.


“Me. I Am Mariah” 2014 Singapore Concert Announced

4 years ago, syrupy-voiced songstress Mariah Carey set foot in Singapore to perform at the Singapore Grand Prix 2010. Since then, she has given birth to a pair of adorable twins and is now back with a bang! Having just released her 14th album that is truly Mariah titled, “Me. I am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse“, she has proven time and time again, just like every other time, that she has still got it.

Sure, chances of her being in this region are slim but not all hope is lost, Mimi fans. It was just announced that Mariah Carey is sinking her stilettos once again on Singaporean soil! Organisers UnUsUaL Entertainments will be bringing Mariah Carey to Singapore come October to perform at the newly-completed National Stadium. She performed at the old National Stadium about 14 years ago and will be the first artiste to have performed at both the old and new National Stadium.

With a career spanning 20 years, 5 Grammy awards, and more than 200 million records, her headline tour is guaranteed to be an extravagant pop spectacular!

Ticketing: SGD248*, SGD198*, SGD168*, SGD128*, SGD98* (*excludes SGD4 booking fee) via Sports Hub Tix.

* OCBC card members priority booking from 30th July – 3rd August. Public sales start on 4th August.

Note: The “Me. I Am Mariah” 2014 Singapore concert is part of her upcoming concert tour which will reportedly also bring her to Malaysia, China, Japan, and Korea. Yes, you read right. Malaysia. There has been no news about her concert here yet though but hang in there! We’ll find out if it is in fact true.