8 Roads In Klang Valley Closed Until 2018 For MRT Construction

Drivers take note, you may experience some inconvenience over the next couple weeks.

Several roads in the Klang Valley will be closed to facilitate in the ongoing construction of the MRT Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya (SSP) Line. The road closures is expected to carry on until the first quarter of 2018.

1. Sungai Besi Highway (6th December 2017 – 5th January 2018)

LEFT LANE CLOSURE ALONG SUNGAI BESI HIGHWAY (KM9.4 – KM9.7) NEAR KAMPUNG MALAYSIA RAYA (SUNGAI BESI-BOUND)Date : 06 December 2017 – 05 January 2018Time : 9:30am – 4:30pm / 10:00pm – 5:00am#kltu pic.twitter.com/i9DhoqpNJP

— MRT Corp (@MRTMalaysia) December 4, 2017

The closure will affect the left lane near Kampung Malaysia Raya along the Sungai Besi Highway (KM9.4 – KM9.7), before the exit to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan. Refer to the tweet above for the affected dates and time.

2. Jalan Pekan Sungai Besi (25th November 2017 – 19th January 2018)

LANE CLOSURE ALONG JALAN PEKAN SUNGAI BESI SUNGAI BESIDate : 25 November 2017 – 19 January 2018Time : 10:00 am – 5:00 pm#kltu pic.twitter.com/WcqYeBOVFV

— MRT Corp (@MRTMalaysia) November 23, 2017

The lane closure along Jalan Pekan Sungai Besi starts from the traffic light junction at LRT Sungai Besi (KL bound) towards MRR2 highway.

3. Persiaran APEC (23rd November 2017 – 11th April 2018)

CONTINUATION OF LANE CLOSURES BY STAGES ALONG PERSIARAN APEC (NORTH-BOUND AND SOUTH-BOUND)Date : 23 November 2017 – 11 April 2018Time : 8am – 5pm & 8am – 1pm#kltu pic.twitter.com/3pha8RPhPT

— MRT Corp (@MRTMalaysia) November 22, 2017

The 600 metres stretch along Persiaran APEC will be a long term duration. The closures are being implemented in stages.

4. Jalan Kepong (29th November 2017 – 27th February 2018)

CONTINUATION OF LANE CLOSURES ALONG JALAN KEPONG – AEON BIG KEPONG (SUNGAI BULOH-BOUNDAND JINJANG-BOUND)Date : 29 November 2017 – 27 February 2018Time : 11:00pm – 6:00am#kltu pic.twitter.com/2Qv4ok5WNq

— MRT Corp (@MRTMalaysia) November 27, 2017

CONTINUATION OF LANE AND PARKING BAY CLOSURES ALONG JALAN KEPONG – DESA JAYA SHOP LOTS (SUNGAI BULOH-BOUND AND JINJANG-BOUND)Date : 29 November 2017 – 27 February 2018Time : 11:00pm – 6:00am#kltu pic.twitter.com/9iKhSURqKK

There will be a continuation of lane closures along Jalan Besar Kepong, which is near Aeon Big Kepong from now till late February next year. The lanes near Pekan Lama Kepong and Metro Perdana are also affected.

INTERMITTENT LANE CLOSURE AT JALAN PUTRA PERMAI (SERDANG BOUND)Date : 01 December 2017 – 31 December 2017Time : 24 Hours#kltu pic.twitter.com/o3CyGPiZ4N

— MRT Corp (@MRTMalaysia) November 29, 2017

INTERMITTENT LANE CLOSURE AT JALAN PUTRA PERMAI (PUCHONG BOUND)Date : 01 December 2017 – 14 December 2017Time : 24 Hours#kltu pic.twitter.com/cMpBIOMln6

INTERMITTENT LANE CLOSURE AT JALAN PUTRA PERMAI AND PETRONAS (PUCHONG BOUND)Date : 01 December 2017 – 31 December 2017Time : 24 Hours#kltu pic.twitter.com/9DYfZS9UUi

To those that frequent Jalan Putra Permai, both the Puchong bound and Serdang bound routes will be affected throughout this month.

6. Jalan St Thomas and Jalan Ipoh (December 2017)

MRT SSP Line Project Construction Activities along Jalan Ipoh (KL-bound) (04 December 2017 – 31 December 2017) pic.twitter.com/jNAYFMKx3P

— MRT Corp (@MRTMalaysia) November 30, 2017

The existing road at Chip Huat Electrical & Hardware beside Jalan St Thomas has been permanently closed since 4th December. For motorists heading towards Jalan Ipoh, you are advised to use an alternate route.

MRT SSP Line Project Construction Activities Along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (KL-bound) nearby Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Batu (03 December 2017 – 25 February 2018)8am – 5pm intermittently, only on SUNDAYS. pic.twitter.com/ryu8MFlx1I

MRT SSP Line Project Construction Activities along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (KL-bound) nearby Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Batu (02 December 2017 – 02 June 2018) pic.twitter.com/W1DZbwRQLE

Do note that the internal road between SG Auto Works and Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Batu has been closed. Those driving towards the housing area will have to take a left turn at Perniagaan Winco, pass the school entrance and turn left.

CONTINUATION OF SLIP ROAD CLOSURE TO JALAN KUALA SELANGOR FROM LEBUHRAYA DAMANSARA PUCHONG (SUNGAI BULOH-BOUND)Date : 02 December 2017 – 31 December 2017Time : 10:00PM – 6:00AM#kltu pic.twitter.com/1TXfuAOZUR

The continuation of slip road closure to Jalan Kuala Selangor from Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong is being affected.

To view the entire list of road closures and alternate routes to take, visit MRT Corp’s website.

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#SunwayLagoon: Celebrate The Month Of Halloween At “Nights of Fright 3”

Get ready to “come feel the fear” as the scariest and most terrifying “Nights of Fright 3: Festival of Fear” returns to Sunway Lagoon this October, with a whole new level of terror.

And all new scare zones and scare mazes!

All new chaos is in store, as last year’s resident host, Mr. Chaos, a human-decayed zombie with a sole mission to create a carnival of chaos. This year, even more chaos awaits, as Mr. Chaos takes the frightful and delightful Ms. Havoc as his nightly bride!

The epicenter of all things evil during “Nights of Fright 3”, Lynton V Harris Scream Park is featuring the all new Kevil Hill, a cryonic vision of the future gone dangerously wrong. Kevil Hill- where evil lives!

Be sure to head to Terrortory-X, for a feast of fright with the very scary, “Escape from Pudu 2″ as even more deranged and hungry inmates join last year’s scariest attraction. Plus, the all-time favourite, “The Mummy’s Revenge Tomb of Terror – in 3D!”.

Terrortory-X is also home to the new “Toxic – The Scariest Place Unearthed” – a devastated wasteland where chainsaw wielding mutants have destroyed everything in their sights!

You can feel a chill in the air stepping into Pirate Jack’s “Locker O’ Lanterns”, as the pirate zombies refuse to let go of their lost treasure in an atmosphere clouded with despair and desperation.

Death Port is no place for the faint-hearted. All sorts of criminals were brutally executed here, and the corpses have been left there to serve as a warning that nothing stays dead for long!

And if that’s not enough to get your hearts racing, “Nights of Fright 3” is bringing in Sadako – Japan’s creepiest ghost.

Sadako Dori is your worst nightmare come to life. So when the slit-mouthed woman painfully asks “Am I pretty?”, answer correctly, and whatever you do, do not look into the well!

Visitors may dress up in their spookiest outfitsto attend “Nights of Fright 3″* at only RM58 per person, while enjoying unlimited rides and attractionsthat are available throughout the amusement park.

Daytime park guests who wish to “Feel the Fear” at “Nights of Fright 3” on the same evening as their visit, may enjoy a special rate at only RM35.

“Nights of Fright 3: Festival of Fear” at Sunway Lagoon is happening on 2nd, 3rd, 8th – 10th, 15th – 17th, 22nd – 24th and 29th – 31st October 2015, from 7:30pm till 11:30pm.

*This event is recommended for guests above 12 years old. Visitors dressed in their coolest and spookiest costumes will not be allowed to wear face masks or theatrical makeup to the event nights.

For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.


#Instagram: Photo-Sharing Platform Unveils New & Cleaner Web Design

Ooh, Instagram has surely been on a roll in the recent months, and it looks like they’re not quite done with their changes as of yet.

In April, the popular photo-sharing social platform unveiled @Music, an Instagram handle dedicated to, well, music. In the same month, the company also introduced 3 new filters as well as emoji hashtags, which kept us pretty busy just..spamming. And that’s just on the surface/app!

On the backend of it all, they also changed the way hashtags worked (read: hashtags’ restrictions) and now, Instagram has unveiled a new look for their “forgotten child”, Instagram on web.

The new website design on both desktop and mobile drastically cleaned up the page (no more slider/picture grid on top) and put focus on the posts.

In fact, as seen in the screenshot above, there are only 3 large images in each row now, compared to the 5 small images it used to display. Hence, the photos are much bigger and doesn’t require clicking for a better view. Instagram also did away with the white borders (see what it used to look like here) and got on board with simplicity, making it the perfect platform for photogs and aspiring photogs to showcase their pictures.

Psst. It also may or may not remind you a little of the VSCO Grid pages. Cough cough.

Instagram says that the pages are starting to roll out today and should be visible to everyone by the end of the week.

This will receive much love from the minimalists, we’re sure! And on that note, we’re on Instagram too so don’t forget to stalk follow us here.

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

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Siti Nurhaliza Criticised For Asking Danial Chuer To “Be More Masculine”

Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza has been drawing flak from local netizens over the supposedly “insensitive” comment she gave to Danial Chuer on live TV recently. For those in the dark, the latter is currently competing in the fourth season of the singing programme “Big Stage”, where the iconic songbird serves as the resident judge.

During the fourth week of the competition, which was broadcasted last night (Sunday, 27th February), the young singer did his own rendition of the hit song “Gila”, originally performed by the trio of Kaka Azraff, Noki and Loca B. Fair enough, his performance was met with positive feedback from the judges.

#GempakLive: Uishhh memang GILA persembahan @danialchuer malam ni! Letopannn!

Undi peserta Big Stage Musim Ke-4 hanya di https://t.co/5GxFaieium#BigStage2022 #DominasiBBNU pic.twitter.com/PGwho3mvFt

— Astro Gempak (@Astro_Gempak) February 27, 2022

Things went sour, however, when Datuk Syafinaz Selamat began calling out Danial’s way of walking, which she pointed out that he looked somewhat similar to Bella Hadid’s catwalk. To make matters worse, Siti also appeared to echo the experienced singer’s sentiment. In this case, she advised the 20-year-old to “be more masculine” while performing on stage.

As we mentioned above, it appears that some netizens didn’t react too kindly to Siti’s remark. One commentator even put the “Cindai” singer on blast, saying, “TokTi is cancelled! She literally humiliated Danial Chuer with her ignorant and condescending comment. How can one of the most prominent public figures in Malaysia openly supports toxic masculinity? Go educate yourselves.”

Feel free to check out some of the other comments we found on social media here:

Amidst the mounting backlash against TokTi, Danial later clarified that he wasn’t affected by the criticism left by the juries at all. In an interview with MyBuzz, the former “Idola Kecil” contestant revealed that this wasn’t the first time he received such a comment about him being “less masculine”.

During the interview with the YouTube channel, the Sabahan singer also explained that he was unaware of his actions while performing on stage. Danial then shared that he had taken all the comments in stride in order to further improve the quality of his performance in the coming weeks.

Do you think Siti’s comment towards Danial was offensive?


10 Best Value-For-Money Stays In Asia We’re Totally Here For!

Ahoy, wanderlusters! Planning your next trip and looking to get the best bang for your buck? Online travel platform Agoda has you covered with a selection of 10 quirky, unique and/or breathtakingly beautiful properties that are each in their own way remarkable, loved by travellers and score 9+ out of 10 in ‘value for money’ reviews.

From luxury retreats and creative hubs, to lodging inside a shipping container – these properties are unbeatable when it comes to combining character and comfort with affordability. So, whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, read on to discover travellers’ favourites for mostly budget-friendly, yet unforgettable, stays that are sure to delight, surprise, and inspire.

Value For Money Rating: 9.2
Room Rate: RM392.35

KLoe Hotel was recognised as the top choice by Agoda travellers in Kuala Lumpur last year. Scroll through the images on Agoda and you’ll get an idea why. This boutique hotel positions itself as a hub for creative nomads and has given a lot of care to its interior design, making sure the central courtyard and the open walkways unleash creativity within every guest. With special rooms for reading, listening, and drawing, there’s a place for any potential artist. And any writer’s block is sure to disappear with a plunge in the courtyard pool.

Value For Money Rating: 9.0
Room Rate: RM741.54

We all know true beauty comes from within, and boy does that hold true for this Singapore favourite. The Shipping Container Hotel @ Haw Par Villa is exactly what the name implies: A shipping container turned hotel room. Doesn’t sound that appealing? Think again! The interior is surprisingly cosy and comfy. ‘An experience’, but a pretty good one given the 9 out of 10 ‘Value for Money’ rating.

Value For Money Rating: 9.2
Room Rate: RM340.04

Even before setting foot in the Smarana Hanoi Heritage hotel, its distinct exterior will put a smile upon your face. It surely stands out, with vibrant colours, lively plants, and charming French balconies. Once inside, odds are you’ll by now have fallen completely in love with this hotel: It’s authentic, stylish, and welcoming. Everything just feels right. Truly a unique and reasonably priced 5-star in a prime Hanoi location.

Value For Money Rating: 9.8
Room Rate: RM113.13 (with private bathroom)

The Feel Good Hostel & Cafe, the only hostel in this list, more than deserves its spot. Guest reviews mention comfy beds, clean rooms, great service, and the location isn’t bad either, with backpacker’s favourite Kao San Road or the splendor of the Grand Palace just on the other side of the Chao Phraya river. Oh, and for those wanting a bit more privacy: Rooms with private bathrooms are also available, often for less than 900 Baht per night!

Strategically situated on Ayala Avenue, the Seda Residences Makati more than deserves its top value badge. This four-star hotel radiates class and is a sure bet for anyone who wants to a stress-free stay in the Philippines. You’ll feel right at home in one of the comfy rooms and will be awed by the unparalleled views from the Sky Lobby on the 19th floor or the roof deck bar on the 35th floor.

Value For Money Rating: 9.4
Room Rate: RM844.86

From the lobby and the cocktail bar to the bed light design and the shower head: Every detail has been given the utmost care in Nohga Hotel Akihabara. This hotel scores higher than 99% of other properties in Tokyo, not just in terms of value for money but also when it comes to cleanliness and service score. The location is great, with amazing restaurants and train station at walking distance, but you’ll be perfectly happy to just spend time at this urban retreat.

Value For Money Rating: 9.1
Room Rate: RM392.35

The first thing you’ll notice about the newly renovated Union Hotel in Seoul is how much everyone working at the hotel cares about the place. The staff take a lot of pride in the hotel’s exquisite modern design and keep the rooms and facilities sparkling clean. Talking about facilities: In addition to the fitness centre, there’s a garden, a yoga room, an indoor golf centre and even an indoor tennis court! All of that for room rates that are available for as little as 3000 THB per night.

Value For Money Rating: 10
Room Rate: RM1,458.24

At 11,150 THB per night, the Desa Hay Canggu resort in Bali might not fit everyone’s budget, but if you do want to splash some cash you’ll experience a stay that guests describe as nothing short of exceptional. It’s rated 10/10 for ‘value for money’ by over a hundred verified guests, a perfect score! The rooms are huge, and some include private pools, and you’ll probably have to free up some space in your phone’s gallery because of how photogenic everything is. From the lush gardens and the tranquil pool to the rice fields just outside the resort. Highly recommended for romantic getaways.

Value For Money Rating: 9.1
Room Rate: RM209.25

Casa Severina, got awarded ‘top choice’ in Goa last year in the 3-star hotel segment. The remarkable service level contributes greatly to Severina Hotel’s value for money rating, but so do the lush grounds, the swimming pool and the fitness facilities. And don’t forget its prime location near the beach. All of that can be enjoyed from the comfort of a sizable 40m2 room with a king bed and a balcony, for as little as 1600 THB per night. Value for money indeed!

Value For Money Rating: 9.2
Room Rate: RM396.93

Sure, Cho Hotel 3 is located in the heart of Taipei, close to the sights, public transportation and all that, but you’ll fall in love with this little gem because of its heart. Guests call it a home away from home, and for good reason: There’s a piano in the lobby, a wall full of drawings and messages from previous guests, and there’s a relaxing lounge with free mineral water and instant noodles. The friendly, multilingual staff at the reception solidifies Cho Hotel 3’s reputation as a travellers’ favourite.

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Hype’s Now Playing: PSY – Daddy (ft. CL of 2NE1)

The music video for “Daddy“, the latest single by South Korean rapper/singer PSY, has got to be one of the most bizarre music videos we’ve ever seen.

The “Gangnam Style” singer recently made his triumphant return to the Korean music scene with his highly anticipated 7th studio album, “Chiljip PSY-Da”.

The album was released alongside the music videos for his 2 epic title tracks, “Daddy” and “Napal Baji”.

Featuring leader CL of 2NE1, the music video for “Daddy” features Psy as himself, his father, and his son. It opens with a horrifying scene where Psy’s face was superimposed onto a baby’s body. We then see Psy as a young boy flirting with his female classmates and his teacher in school. The singer also plays a playboy grandfather who mingles around with women.

“Daddy” is a song that Psy co-wrote with American rapper Will.i.am and according to SPIN, it is also a remix of Will.i.am’s hit song, “I Got It From My Mama”. Similar to “Gangnam Style”, its music video for “Daddy” is likely to inspire tonnes of parodies. The fact that it’s a highly addictive EDM track also makes it possible for clubs to be blasting it for some time to come.

This album marks Psy’s first comeback since releasing “Gentleman” in April 2013 and “Hangover” (ft. Snoop Dogg) in June 2014. It is the follow-up album to “PSY 6 (Six Rules), Part 1”, his 2012 EP that featured collaborations with BIGBANG‘s G-Dragon, Korean hip-hop duo Leessang, and more.

The 9-track album will feature a star-studded guest artiste line-up including will.i.am, Ed Sheeran, JYJ’s Junsu, Gaeko, and more.

Psy’s “Chiljip PSY-Da” goes on sale today. The singer will hold his comeback stage at the 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) on 2nd December (Wednesday).

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


Zepp Kuala Lumpur Opens With Performing Guest Rock Band Bunkface

There were no suitable standing concert venues for 2,000–3,000-person audiences back in 1998. Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) collaborated with Zepp to develop a one-stop solution for concerts in order for artists to fill that void and provide an alternative venue to typically seated theatres for rock band performances.

Zepp Kuala Lumpur officially opened its doors on 26th May, with Zepp Hall Network Inc. Vice President of Hall Operation Division Shinichiro Honda present. Zepp operates ten event halls in the region, eight of which are in Japan and one in Taipei. Apart from being a concert venue, the hall can also be used for corporate meetings, weddings, and car shows.

The RM100 million hall can fill 2,414 people, provided with standing and seating areas, as well as eight VIP boxes with private lounges. It has a floor area of 6,500 square metres and is pre-equipped with top-notched lighting and audio equipment, lowering production costs for quick rehearsal setups. The venue’s central location in Kuala Lumpur makes it easily accessible by Light Rail Transit (LRT), as LaLaport BBCC is directly connected to Hang Tuah LRT Station.

“We looked into at the Malaysian event space market and spotted a potential for Zepp to become the go-to option for a variety of shows, including concerts, corporate, social, and personal events. By ensuring our KL event space meets the highest standards of our hall networks in Japan, we are confident that we can ultimately contribute and help Malaysia’s entertainment and events industry to continue growing to new heights by offering a world-class concert venue and event hall,” said Honda.

Malaysia’s well-known rock band Bunkface was the first performer at Zepp Kuala Lumpur’s opening event. The group performed three songs live, “Malam Ini Kita Punya,” “Revolusi,” and their latest single “Korang,” which was released in March. SEARCH, Malaysia’s legendary rock band, will also perform at the hall on the 4th and 5th of June.


Chow Yun Fatt Signed As Hugo Boss’ Ambassador

“We are most honoured to have Chow Yun Fatt as the first Asian testimonial in the history of Hugo Boss. He possesses not only immaculate style and class, but also the confidence and charisma of a man of distinction. He is the true embodiment of the spirit of the brand”, said Gerrit Ruetzel (President and CEO of Hugo Boss Asia-Pacific) upon the announcement of their new brand ambassador.

For the first time ever, Hugo Boss is using an Asian person, celebrity, as their brand ambassador from 2012 to 2013. Surprise surprise! And who better to pick out from the lot than the one and only household name among both Chinese and Western audiences, Chow Yun Fatt.

Known for his major roles in epic movies such as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Anna and the King“, Chow Yun Fatt is to appear in an advertising campaign presenting a number of both formal and casual Hugo Boss looks from the “BOSS Selection Autumn/Winter 2012” collection. Before you start thinking, “Isn’t he too old for this?”, the collection is a high-end men’s collection targeting the 40-something-year-old consumers.

Picking decades-long Chinese superstar Chow Yun Fatt to champion that collection? Not surprising!

The photo shoot was done in Hong Kong’s legendary “Tsim Sha Tsui” district and will surface in August regionally. We can’t wait to see it!

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#B1A4: K-Pop Idol Boy Group’s Fanmeeting Event Goes Awry After Video Surfaces

Yesterday (10th Jan), a special fanmeeting was held for B1A4 fans as the K-Pop idol boy group was in town. B1A4 (비원에이포) is a South Korean group under the management of WM Entertainment. The group debuted in 2011 with the single “O.K” after their first introduction to the public through a webtoon. They have since released 2 studio albums, 5 EPs, and various singles in South Korea.

The B1A4 “Let’s Fly” fanmeeting was presented by Acer Malaysia and TGM Events.

TGM Events is a global concert production house headquartered in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia and Los Angeles, CA. The team behind this production house is as diverse as their locations with an international team that hails from Dallas, Texas to Manila, Philippines.

Tickets for the were going from between RM199 – RM799. The RM799 ticket, which was an “Acer VVIP Package”, included a hi-touch and free Acer liquid jade smartphone and an opportunity to win a goodnight call from B1A4 – which was innocent enough. However, the innocence soon “unravelled” during the event itself, held at KL Live in Kuala Lumpur.

Media outlet Sukan Star TV’s Facebook page uploaded a 3 minute odd video titled, “Perempuan melayu dicabul atas pentas oleh mat kpop semalam”, suggesting that Malay girls were “molested” on stage by the idols. With a title like that, it quickly gained traction and by now, it has gone viral. In 9 hours, the video was viewed more than a million times and counting.

As seen in the video above, some of the B1A4 members were seen hugging and kissing a few tudung-clad Malay girls on stage. There’s even a shot of one B1A4 member hugging a girl from behind but here’s the thing though, she hugged him again after that voluntarily.

How did the fans end up on stage with the idols, you ask? According to one of our team members who was present at the fan meeting, the event people organised a game which required fans to leave questions on a memo board. After which, the B1A4 members themselves picked a question at random each and the fans who wrote the questions will get to go up on stage. Which meant that at that point, even the organisers had no idea which fan, tudung-clad or not, will get to go on stage.

Having said that, despite the obvious willingness of the tudung-clad B1A4 fans (as documented), both the group and the K-Pop genre has come under fire since the controversial video emerged. Netizens are far from pleased. In fact, they’re raging mad, throwing in comments reflecting anger and shame.

One user said, “I can’t even bear to watch this video till the end. Such a pity to watch the piece of clothing in which is meant to protect one’s decency molested. In my opinion, maybe the piece of clothing is worth more than the wearer. As a Muslim, I feel so insulted watching this video.” Another commented, “I blame the girls themselves. Where do you put your pride as a Muslim girl.”

Our very own Minister of Youth and Sports, Khairy Jamaluddin also took to Twitter to say:

Banyak dikatakan ttg Kpop. Harap gadis2 Msia kembali kpd lelaki tall, dark & hensem. Bukan pale, skinny & pretty. Itu bukan lelaki sejati.

— Khairy Jamaluddin (@Khairykj) January 11, 2015

A lot is being said about K-Pop. I hope Malaysian girls will return to men who are tall, dark, & handsome. Not pale, skinny, & pretty. Those aren’t real men.

B1A4 members Jinyoung, CNU, Sandeul, Baro, and Gongchan, who have only been to Malaysia a handful of times to date (one of which was for the 27th Golden Disk Awards, held in Sepang) for their fan service? Was it the fault of B1A4’s Korean manager for not properly briefing the idols prior to the event on the different sets of religious beliefs in Malaysia? Or the organisers for planning games that would somewhat encourage that kind of contact between the idols and their fans on stage?

Organiser TGM Events has released an official statement via their Facebook page which spoke volumes for their sense of responsibility and we applaud them for addressing the issue.

RE: B1A4 SPECIAL FANMEETING IN KUALA LUMPUR

We have been made aware of the attention that certain parts of the programme of the aforementioned event have been getting from certain media.

As an events organizer, we feel that it is our responsibility to clarify in explanation on the events that occurred out of respect to B1A4, their management and most of all, the BANAs who are the fans of B1A4.

1. Fans were selected at random, based on questions that they posted on a message board with only their first name. The artist, artist management and organizer did not know who the selected fans were until they were brought on stage.

2. It is not part of standard protocol that KPOP artists would get up close and personal with fans. However, as this was a specialized fan meeting event, the programme was tailored towards fan engagement and interactivity. Before the event in question took place, the MC instructed the fans to not touch or get too close to the members of the group. Upon revealing of the parody clip to be acted out,the group members asked and clarified with the selected fans if they were uncomfortable with the activity. However, the fans gave consent on stage, in front of a live audience.

3. As a company run primarily by women, we do not and never will condone molestation or sexual harassment as alleged by the media outlet. The terminology used was taken out of context and it is extremely disappointing to us to witness an act of such irresponsible journalism.

4. We do not discriminate against any fan based on their race and religion. Therefore, our programmes are tailored to the preferences of our general target audience. It is not within our authority or jurisdiction to restrict fans from activties that they willingly partake in.

5. We do not condone online harassment. Therefore, we absolutely will not release any information on the fans involved. We believe in the protection of their privacy and their physical and psychological wellbeing.

We apologize in all sincerity for the problems caused to the artist and their fans caused by these reports. In future events, we will take into consideration the cultural and religious implications of the interaction between fans and artists.

More pictures from B1A4’s fanmeeting event here.

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#SpiderMan: Peter Parker Has A New Love Interest & It Isn’t Mary Jane Watson Or Gwen Stacy

For months, fans have been speculating that Zendaya will be playing a black Mary Jane Watson. Turns out, the actress-singer claims that she won’t be playing a love interest in “Spider-Man: Homecoming“.

So who will Peter Parker end up asking to the homecoming dance? It appears that “Homecoming” is setting up a new love arc for the web-slinger. Sources are also saying that neither Mary Jane Watson or Gwen Stacey will be making an appearance his time around.

According to Latino Review, Liz Allan (played by Laura Harrier) will be the girl that Peter Parker is interested in. Although this piece of information hasn’t been officially confirmed, one thing we know for sure – we’ll definitely will see Peter interacting with Liz as one of his high school classmates.

Liz Allan may not be as popular as Mary Jane Watson and Gwen Stacey in the list of Spider-Man’s love interest, but she came before them in the earlier comic book series. As per Spidey lore, Peter had the hots for Liz, who was dating schoolyard bully Flash Thompson at the time.

Seeing as how Spider-Man is still in high school and in his early crime-fighting career, it would make sense for Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures to take a cue from the classic Stan Lee and Steve Ditko comic book arc and use Liz as the superhero’s main romantic interest.

It will be interesting to see how this all-new cinematic romance unfolds when “Spider-Man: Homecoming” swings into theatres on 7th July 2017.

Sources: Cinema Blend, Movie Web, Latino Review.


Matilda The Musical To Debut In Kuala Lumpur This June

Update (15th May): Matilda The Musical has been postponed to March 2021.

Matilda The Musical, based on the beloved Roald Dahl novel, is set to debut in Malaysia for the first time.

Winner of 85 international awards (including 16 for Best Musical), Matilda The Musical is in its 9th year and has been seen by over 8 million people. The good news is, local musical fans can soon enjoy Matilda The Musical in our own home country.

“The musical follows Matilda, a precocious 5-year-old girl who loves reading and learning, but is suppressed by her TV-obsessed parents who pay her little attention. As she grows up, she begins to resist the challenges and obstacles presented to her, learning that sometimes you have to be a ‘little bit naughty’ in order to get through life.

As she begins to master living with her family, her world is thrown into disarray as she starts a new school under the tyrannous grip of head teacher Miss Trunchbull. Seeking solace in the library in a world of her imagination and creation, Matilda forms strong bonds with adults such as librarian Mrs Phelps and her class teacher Miss Honey. Together they give her the confidence to embrace her special gift and individuality which is needed to reclaim her life.”

The details for Matilda The Musical are as follows:

Early bird purchases will get to enjoy 10% discount on selected sections (pictured below). This promo is valid for those who get their tickets before 29th February 2020.


Malaysia’s Biggest Travelling Fun Fair Coming To Gombak This CNY

For those who don’t plan on balik kampung this Chinese New Year can visit Gombak’s brand new fun fair featuring some of the most exciting and fantastic rides from Europe!

Malaysia’s biggest travelling fun fair, Euro Fun Park, will be situated at Taman Sri Gombak KL (beside Maybank) starting from 2nd February to 3rd March 2019.

The fun fair was established in the 90s and it is one of the pioneers in the travelling fair industry. Previously, the homegrown fun fair has travelled to Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuantan, and Perak.

Featuring more than 20 rides, some of the top rides at the fun fair include the Vortex, Sky Rider, Challenger, Merry Go Round, Dodgem Car, Top Gun, Haunted Castle, and many more!

With over 50 years’ experience in the amusement industry, the theme park ensures that all of the rides’ mechanical structure and electrical system properly follow the safety protocol in Malaysia.

Entry ticket for adult costs RM4 while children costs RM2. Token for the rides are at RM2, however each rides varies with different token quantity.

For more info, visit www.eurofunpark.com

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Hype’s Now Playing: JoJo – FAB. (feat. Remy Ma)

In life, you’re bound to come across certain two-faced, disingenuous people. And if that experience has left a bitter taste, we’ve got the perfect song to describe your feelings, courtesy of Jojo’s latest music video.

“FAB.”, in case you’re curious, is not an acronym for fabulous. Oh no, in Jojo’s world, “FAB.” stands for “fake ass bitches”. To put it frankly, the 25-year-old singer is out here putting them bitches in their rightful place.

While roaming the gritty streets of New York City, the songstress calls out the fake friends and jealous ones that need to be cut from her life. The lyrics to “FAB.” also condemns those who talk behind people’s backs, mistake kindness for weakness, or conveniently disappears when you need them the most.

“When they smile in your face, but behind you it ain’t well wishes/ When they eatin’ all the food off your plate and they don’t do dishes /When they words and they actions blur and they don’t know different/ No time for these fake ass bitches,” sings Jojo on the hip-hop-tinged pop track, which features rapper Remy Ma.

Both ladies unapologetically throw up their middle fingers in “FAB.” and somehow, the 3-and-a-half minute black-and-white footage makes their gesture even more badass. If anything, the song’s message is an inspiration to trim the dead weight from your life.

“I wrote that on the treadmill. I was literally singing in my head, and I was like I can’t stand these fake ass bitches in my face. I was like, you know what? I’m not cut out for the shmoozing and the fakeness. I literally can’t stand it. I know I’m not the only one that can relate to that. Sometimes [the music] industry can feel a little bit like high school so I was just reflecting on that and pounding it on the treadmill. I came to the studio that night and I was like, listen we gotta talk about these fake ass bitches,” the pop singer previously told Entertainment Weekly.


#Yuna: MeleTOP Apologises Over Insensitive Parody Of “Crush” Performance With Usher

Astro’s entertainment show, “MeleTOP”, has come under fire for putting out a parody video of Malaysian pop singer Yuna and American R&B artiste Usher.

The parody clip poked fun of the live performance of “Crush” which the duo performed at The Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, USA, last June. The incident sparked controversy after Usher was seen hugging the Muslim songstress.

The local comedy show, which aired last week, featured comedian Shuk SYJ, who applied blackface makeup to appear as the African-American singer, while comedian Jihan Muse decided to channel her inner Yuna by attempting to imitate the singer’s fashion taste – headscarf, earrings and all.

During their parody performance, Shuk was seen extending his arms to his fellow comedian, indicating that he wants to hug her, but instead, the funny woman played dumb and candidly bows down. While some found the parody hilarious, Yuna was less than impressed.

The singer took to Facebook to express her disapproval in a Facebook post that has since been deleted. Read her response here:

In case you didn’t know, blackface was a style of entertainment based on black stereotypes that gained popularity in the mid-19th century. Nonblack performers (typically white men) would paint their faces black by using burnt cork, greasepaint or shoe polish to portray African-American characters. Blackface is considered both derogatory and racist.

MeleTop has since issued an official apology on their Twitter account, saying, “We would like to sincerely apologise to Yuna & Usher for our recent parody video, which was poor judgement on our part. Rest assured that this does not reflect our values and beliefs.”


#Bii Successfully Ends Promo Tour; Talks New Album, Plagiarism & More

When Taiwanese-Korean singer Bii 毕书尽 announced that he is going to hold his 1st overseas solo concert in Malaysia this year, we were pleasantly surprised yet curious to know why he has decided to do so. Out of so many countries in the world, he decided to kick off his overseas solo concert in Malaysia. This can be attributed to the fact that he held his first overseas promo tour in Malaysia back in 2013.

Thus, it’s safe to assume that his loyal fanbase is the reason why he decided to return to Malaysia for a large-scale solo concert.

The Taiwanese-Korean singer kicked off the promotional tour for “Bii My Love Live in Malaysia” with an autograph session in Johor Bahru on last Friday (16th Jan), followed by Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (17th Jan), and Penang on Sunday (18th Jan). Before he rushed off to his autograph session in KL, he attended a press conference for his concert at Bangsar’s Pullman Hotel to talk about his new album and what to expect from his concert.

“Action Bii” is Bii‘s 1st full length album after the release of an EP and 2 mini albums, ”Bii Story” and “Come Back to Bii”. The title track of the same name is one of the songs that he composed for the album, in which he revealed that it is a song that shows a more upbeat side of him. The album consists of 10 songs, and 5 of them are composed by Bii himself. However, he was recently accused of plagiarising CNBLUE‘s “I’m Sorry” for one of the songs he composed, “你在ㄍㄧㄥ什麼? (Baby Don’t).” Regarding this claim, he responded by saying that he did notice that some parts of the song sound similar to “I’m Sorry”, but the similarities are inevitable since both songs shared the same pop-rock genre.

When the emcee mentioned that Bii had filmed 7 music videos in England in just 10 days, he further revealed that there were only 8 days given for their shoot in England and France, with the remaining 2 days spent in the airport. He further revealed that although he had fun between shoots, everyone barely had enough sleep, and some of the crew members only got 2 – 3 hours of sleep daily.

“Bii My Love Live in Malaysia” will be held at Stadium Negara on 21st March 2015, and that’s 2 months away from now. However, Bii revealed that his company and himself had already planned to make his 1st oversea solo concert in Malaysia for quite a while. He explained that this is because the fans here had been supporting him since his 1st overseas promo tour in Malaysia, thus it is an honour for him to perform in our country again.

When asked about what we can expect from his concert, he revealed that even though he was stressed out by the song selection and the choreography for the concert, fans can expect to see a different side of him as he has been preparing a lot of surprises for them. He also revealed that a band under his company will guest perform at his concert, alongside Ian Chen 陳彥允, Dino Lee 李玉璽, Andrew Tan 陳勢安, Miu Chu 朱俐靜, etc.

Bii also revealed to the emcee that his Mandarin has improved a lot now thus he wasn’t too worried about talking more. The emcee also jokingly warned Bii to refrain himself from hugging fans due to the recent controversial B1A4 fanmeeting.

Right after the press conference, Bii conducted a number of interviews with various TV and radio stations before rushing off to Fahrenheit 88 for the autograph session. As the ticket launch for his concert was held on the same day, fans were seen gathering in front of the mini stage right after they bought the tickets. Bii was later met with screams from adoring fans as he kicked off the autograph session with a live performance of his promotional track, “Action Go~”.

Bii introduced himself right after the performance, talked to the emcee briefly, and participated in a game session with some lucky fans. Selected fans were asked to play a game that required them to catch the ping pong balls thrown by Bii. The one who collected the most ping pong balls was eventually given an opportunity to take a selfie with Bii. He then performed another song from his latest album, “I Wanna Say” and proceeded to end the show with the autograph session.

Tickets for “Bii My Love Live in Malaysia” are priced at RM488 for VVIP zone, RM388 for VIP zone, RM338 for PS1 zone, RM238 for PS2 zone, and RM168 for PS3 zone. So far, only tickets for PS2 zone had already sold out.

For those who wish to purchase tickets, you can buy tickets via TicketCharge or the ticketing hotline 03-92228811 as well as authorised ticketing outlets.

For more information, visit Absolive Entertainment‘s or Click Entertainment‘s website.

Don’t forget to follow Universal Music Malaysia’s Chinese Facebook page for more updates.

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Concert Review: BTOB Gave Fans The Perfect Farewell Present

Just when we thought that 2018 was done with us, BTOB proved to still have tricks up their sleeves. CUBE Entertainment’s septet surprised Malaysian fans with a fan meeting on the 16th of December (Sunday). The event was held at MITEC’s Ballroom, which seated over hundreds of Melodies (BTOB’s fandom name) that came from far and wide to see their favourite oppas.

The last we saw of BTOB was actually only last year during the first round of K-Wave Music Festival, where they performed alongside various other K-pop acts. However, this fan meeting in particular was a special one, as it was the last time BTOB would be seeing fans for a long time. With mandatory army enlistment just around the corner for the boys, it was touching to see them come back one last time.

Fans were lining up at the venue hours before the event started, exchanging freebies among themselves. The event garnered the attention of fans from all over South East Asia; with attendees from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and even Taiwan and South Korea. Excitement was in the air already, as they could barely contain themselves from being reunited once again with their favourite group.

When the lights went off, all that was visible were shades of blue being emitted from lightsticks in the form of saxophones. The cheers were practically deafening from the crowd, as they waited for the grand entrance of the boys. With a bombastic intro VCR that hyped everyone up, BTOB finally graced the humble stage of the ballroom with their presence.

A post shared by 비투비 • BEAUTIFUL PAIN (@beautifulpainaddicts)

Beginning the night with a delicate ballad, the piano intro of “Missing You” started playing from the speakers. As the sentimental song slowly filled up the hall, fans waved their lightsticks along in unison. As the fanmeeting was a rather bittersweet one for both parties, BTOB chose to sing a majority of their milder songs—opting for their ballads over their more jovial tracks. Fans were not even the least disappointed, as BTOB never fails to bring their A game.

While most groups in K-pop are known for their catchy, fast paced dance tracks, BTOB excel when it comes to ballads. Being some of the most prominent vocalists in the industry, they took full advantage of their voices when it comes to live performances. As they are a seasoned group (debuting back in 2012), it was so satisfying seeing how naturally the members slipped into their stage personas.

The boys introduced themselves and excitedly greeted fans. BTOB typically consists of 7 all rounded members; leader Eunkwang, Hyungsik, Minhyuk, Ilhoon, Peniel, Changsub and Sungjae. However we were only joined by 6 of them, as Eunkwang is already in the military. Regardless, they proved to be fully functional without their leader—goofing off like their ordinary selves.

Youngest member Sungjae noted how he was just recently here in Malaysia for the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9 and how glad he was to be back. Ilhoon tried his best to speak in English, mentioning how, “Kuala Lumpur is beautiful… and so are the women.” After an array of woos, they sang 2 more songs from their latest EP, “Hour Moment”, “Friend” and “Climax”.

With an evening lined up with activities for both BTOB and Melodies to participate in, it was hard to tell who was more excited. Emcee Hani was brought on stage to help communicate during the games; her bright and bubbly personality matching the boys’ enthusiasm. BTOB’s beagle-like charms were present as ever, evident with their ruthless teasing of fans. However it was a 2-way street, with Melodies themselves getting back at the boys when they got the chance.

The first activity up was called “Melody’s Wish” where BTOB would choose wishes in the form of post-its that fans had written on before the show. This was also a chance for fans to come up on stage, depending on their wishes, which sent the crowd into frenzy. With the aid of Hani, it was rather comical seeing BTOB learn casual Malay slang. As some of the members took a long time deciding to pick a wish, Sungjae kept on telling them, “Cepat sikit!” and even adding in, “Ahh, stress!”.

Among the wishes that Melodies wanted were: a rather amusing dance battle between Changsub and Sungjae (which the former won with his unique facial expressions) and Hyunsik singing a verse from Frank Sinatra’s “Moonwalk”. However the star of the session goes to the lucky fan who Peniel picked, as her wish was to sing on stage with BTOB. It was truly a wow moment to hear her belting the song as if she was a performer herself, matching in perfect harmony with the members. BTOB themselves were so impressed; they jokingly asked if she would like to take Eunkwang’s place.

With that, they wrapped up the first session. Sungjae mentioned how he felt like a genie granting fans all their wishes. It was then quickly followed by a lucky draw, which were based on ticket queue numbers and pure luck. Lucky winners either won a signed album or a Polaroid-like instant photo of the members. It was impressive to see how the members of BTOB turned even a number announcement into something entertaining; never losing a chance to make Melodies smile.

Throwing it back a little old school, BTOB performed a much older single of theirs, “It’s Okay” which arguably gained them recognition for their vocals and choice of genre. They brought the house down with their harmonies and high notes. Keeping in the line of ballads, they also performed, “Only One for Me”.

Hani came back on stage, which signalled the start of the next game. It proved to be quite the challenge, as Melodies had to guess the song within 1 second of it playing. They were playing against the BTOB members themselves, which would normally feel like no brainer but the boys gave no exceptions. The moment the first round started, they snatched the opportunity almost at once to guess the right answer. They loosened up for the second round, allowing fans to actually guess but even then, they never did stop with the teasing.

When a fan won a prize for the round, Sungjae jokingly mentioned that her present would be Changsub’s phone number. With the constant mantra of, “Lek lu!” (courtesy of Hani teaching them the Malay equivalent of ‘calm down’) BTOB were such natural entertainers on stage. There was barely a need for an emcee with how confidently they carried themselves.

The final round of games played with something similar, except instead of listening to a song clip—Melodies now had to guess the song by hearing a member sing a single syllable. This proved to the tougher than the former game, which took several tries before a right answer was produced. BTOB actually invited the winners of this round on stage, solely because they felt their efforts deserved it. It was also hilarious seeing Sungjae guess a song correctly, then demanding for a present (though he did give it up in the end to the next winner).

After all the fun and games, it was only fitting to perform something similar. The stylish “Movie” began playing, getting everyone into the funky groove of the track. BTOB did switch it up however, playing the dance track “Blowin’ Up” immediately after—which caught most fans off-guard. Suddenly all traces of the nostalgic ballads gone, wiped away by the throbbing of heavy bass and fast paced choreo. Sungjae snuck in the famous Fornite ‘hammer dance’ as well, earning chuckles amongst screams from fans.

Breathless after an upbeat number, the boys mentioned how it was time for their final round of messages for the night. Almost immediately, groans were heard from fans, who felt that time went by far too quickly. All the members wished for Melodies to always stay healthy and happy, and that they would return again as a whole group. There was a biting pain with this statement, as it would be a few years until all the members are done with their military enlistment. Nevertheless, fans assured BTOB that they would wait for them—no matter how long it would take. Sungjae decided to lighten up the mood by asking what famous food was there to try in Malaysia, but due to the chaos of answers that ensued, he gave up and retorted, “…I will search (for it) myself.”

It was heart wrenching to hear “Beautiful Pain” after all the messages of goodbye. The meaning of the song more obvious than ever now, Melodies teared up to the melancholic number. When the lights went out and BTOB disappeared, fans broke into a harmonious chorus of “Someday”, imploring them to return for the encore stage. Clearly it worked, as Peniel announced from the shadows that they would give them one last song before saying goodbye.

Ending the night with “Finale (Our Concert)” was an absolutely brilliant choice of an encore track. One where all members belt their hearts out together; the emotional number was practically written for moments like this. The song tugged at all the right heartstrings while having a perfect sing-a-long chorus. It was hard for fans to concentrate on the delivery of the song though, with members throwing roses to the crowd. Nevertheless, it was a moment of pure musical bliss. With an almost majestic air to it, BTOB took a grand exit after a perfect showcase of their vocal abilities.

Not many groups like BTOB often come along. They proved to be one of a kind, with their natural loveable charms but unmatched musical talent. Even though a hiatus is likely on the horizon with one member after the other leaving for the military, there is no doubt that they can return strong as ever with the fierce love of their fans.

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#KalenderBomba2017: Annual Calendar Featuring Malaysian Firefighters Is Back!

Think that our own firefighters aren’t sizzling hot? Well, you got that wrong ;)

The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia has released the 2017 edition of their annual calendar, which features hot, buff, and hunky firefighters plastered all over it.

The firefighters are portrayed in several different and tough situations, in order to highlight the challenges they face while doing their jobs. Of course, we do see them putting out fires, but that’s not the only thing they do. In the calendar, they can also be seen going on rescue missions such as putting out forest fires, airlifting victims from mountain peaks, and helping those who are trapped in vehicles.

“For this year’s calendar, we have mixed the themes. The images are of the department’s machinery, firefighting missions, water rescues, and forensics elements. This is to show that our scope of work includes duties outside our core activity, which is firefighting and general rescue services,” said Fire and Rescue Department Corporate Management division Senior Supt Norizan Saad.

As always, the models portrayed in the calendar (both males and females) are full-time staff of the department.

Wondering why all the firefighters in the calendar are buffer than usual? Well, there’s a legit reason for that.

Norizan explained that the department is promoting a “Let’s Get Fit” programme, which will be running until next year, and he hopes that the “abang-abang sado (muscular male officers)” will show that they are a fit department.

Sadly, the calendar is only available for internal circulation, but fret not, as they will be giving them out at several Bomba-hosted public events.

If you wanna get a copy of it, remember to keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for event announcements ;)


BLACKPINK Has Broken 17 Records With “How You Like That”

When BLACKPINK (블랙핑크) asked us “How You Like That” last Friday (26th June), the answer from fans was unanimous.

Since then, the South Korean mega girl-group has been breaking records and snatching wigs left and right. It’s been a long time coming, but it was worth the wait. We’ve compiled all the records the quartet has broken so far:

1. Biggest YouTube Premiere In History: BBC News reported that 1.65 million viewers tuned in to watch the “How You Like That” music video premiere. The previous record holder was BTS’s “ON” (with 1.54 million people during the premiere).

2. Fastest K-Pop Girl Group MV To Hit 10 Million Views: It took only 3 hours and 40 minutes for “How You Like That” to reach 10 mil. The previous record was “Kill This Love” at 4 hours and 13 minutes.

3. Fastest Korean Group To Hit 20 Million Views: The duration for BLACKPINK’s comeback single was 4 hours and 32 minutes. Previous record holder BTS’s “Boy With Luv” – 5 hours and 3 minutes.

4. Fastest Korean Group To Hit 30 Million Views: In 6 hours and 48 minutes.

5. BLACKPINK is the first girl group to debut #1 in approximately 2 years on Korea’s largest music site, Melon.

6. “How You Like That” recorded over 100,000 unique listeners in the first hour of its debut on Melon – making it the highest number in history for a girl group.

7. Fastest Korean Group To Hit 40 Million Views: In 8 hours and 37 minutes.

8. Fastest Korean Group To Hit 50 Million Views: In 11 hours and 25 minutes.

#BLACKPINK representing the four elements: AIR, EARTH, FIRE, WATER

🪁🌷🌞🎣 ➖🌪 🌍 🔥 🌊 pic.twitter.com/3PCp9FG8Xb

9. Fastest Korean Group To Hit 60 Million Views: In 15 hours and 8 minutes.

10. The smash single reached #1 on iTunes Top Songs charts in at least 60 different regions. In the United States, “How You Like That” also set an new all-time record for girl groups.

11. Fastest Korean Group To Hit 70 Million Views: In 19 hours and 55 minutes.

13. Hit over 82.4 million views within 24 hours.

14. Hit 90 Million Views: In a day, two hours, and six minutes.

15. “How You Like That” soared past 100 million views in a day, eight hours, and 22 minutes.

16. “How You Like That” debuted at No. 5 on Spotify’s daily Global Top 50 chart – a new record for girl groups overall (not just K-pop).

17. It also climbed to #2 on Spotify’s daily global chart over the weekend. This is the highest-ranking song of any K-pop artist in Spotify history. The previous record was BTS at #3.

Re-watch BLACKPINK’s powerful visual here:

BLACKPINK also made history today by being the first K-pop group music video to surpass 1.2 billion views on YouTube with “DDU-DU DDU-DU”. The only other Korean music videos to do so are PSY’s “Gangnam Style” and “Gentleman”.

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What Happened When A Customer Asked For 52% Discount To Install Air-Cond

If you want good quality services or products, then you’ll probably need to invest a good sum of money for these things. However, it’s common for people to pay less and demand more. That’s not fair to the people who are trying to make a living. Sometimes being too stingy or thrifty might come back to bite you.

For instance, installing air-conditioners in your house takes time and energy as the technician must ensure it is working properly and that it is safe enough to be used once it’s installed. But for some reason, this customer wasn’t willing to pay in full for the air-cond installation service and this was the result he got (or could’ve gotten):

A Facebook user going by the name Ang Kong Sing posted 2 screenshot photos of a conversation between a customer and an air-conditioner technician. In the Whatsapp conversation above, the customer said he wanted to install a 1-horsepower air-conditioner at his house.

The technician then provided the customer with the information about how much the service would cost which was RM250. Unfortunately, the customer was not willing to pay the reasonably affordable price and instead asked for a discount. When asked how much he was willing to pay, the customer said RM120, basically asking for a 52% discount.

To convince the technician to accept the offer, the customer told them that the air-cond doesn’t have to look perfect just as long as it gets the job done. The technician then shared a photo of what the air-cond would look like once it’s installed. The photo showed the air-cond hanging sideways with no support underneath it. Terrified of the dangerous and risky setup, the customer quickly declined the service.

Netizens responded to the Facebook post with many finding the whole thing hilarious as they’ve never seen an air-cond installed in that position. Others believe that the technician’s price was actually quite cheap and affordable, arguing that the market price could go as high as RM350.


Red Bull’s Extra Boost + Exciting Prizes!

What’s better than a drink that has proven to maintain alertness, endurance, and performance of a person? A drink that stimulates both mind and body, has entrenched itself and is widely accepted worldwide?

A drink that’s all of the above yet rewarding, that’s what! Yup, from now until 30th June, Red Bull Malaysia is allowing you to instantly win your share of 1.5 million bottles of Red Bull. And that’s not all – there are also prizes worth RM100,000 up waiting for their new respective owners!

Sounds awesome? Well, they don’t call it “Malaysia’s No.1 Energy Drink” for nothing.

How to win ’em? If you’re already an avid Red Bull fan (read: buy lots of Red Bull), then you’re in luck! All you have to do in submit your proof of purchase (pull ring or bottle cap) to be in the running!

Entry forms can be downloaded from these links:

T & C apply. For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.


#TMRByAIA: The Music Run Returns To Malaysia This October

We’re sure most of you enjoy running while immersing yourself in your favourite music, but perhaps it’s time to get out of your comfort zone and join the rest of the music lovers and running enthusiasts for the next instalment of “The Music Run”!

That’s right, peeps. The Music Run is back and better than ever :D

Having toured Asia and entertained over 50,000 “Music Runners” from Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar, The Music Run™ by AIA promises to deliver a brand new experience to participants on Saturday 10th October at the iconic Sepang International Circuit.

The fun run is once again brought to us by AIA. Everyone is encouraged to join the run as it will bring them one of the most unique running experiences they’ve ever had. Participants can choose to walk, run, or even dance through 5 different music zones namely “Pop Divas”, “Indie Rock”, “Pop Kings”, “Hip Hop”, and “Dance Music”.

Taking place for its second year round, The Music Run is proud to have an ongoing relationship with its partners the likes of Linora Low who will continue to re-live the beat as well as get the adrenalin-fuelled excitement going, after the finishing line, “Music Runners” will get their fist-pumping and heart thumping at the end zone with some of the hottest and amazing line ups in Malaysia – Paperplane Pursuit and Darren Ashley.

Watch the official trailer from last year’s event below:

Interested participants can pre-register at their official website and gain 20% discount when registration opens.

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

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Malaysian Couple’s Movie-Themed Raya Photos Went Viral Online

Why settle for the same old traditional family shot when you can spice things up with some creativity during Hari Raya?

Take a cue from Mohd Zuhairi and his family. Every year they would dressed in their Raya outfits and perform their own parodies from popular Hollywood franchises. Since 2016, it has become an annual tradition for the family to take their movie-themed photoshoot to the paddy fields in Taman Uda, in Alor Setar, Kedah.

This year, Mohd Zuhairi Mohd Zubir, 29, decided to pay tribute to the mega-blockbuster “Avengers: Infinity War” by channeling Captain America. This is evident by the iconic shield he has on his right hand. His 30-year-old wife Nur Adawiyah Rusly is Scarlet Witch with her telekinetic powers while their son wields Thor’s powerful Mjollnir.

The family’s Raya portrait also has photoshopped cameos by other well-loved Avengers. You can easily spot baby Groot in front of Mohd Zuhairi while Rocket is ready to do battle behind them. The Hulk, Iron Man, Spider-Man, together with Thanos and his circular space vessel can also be found.

Last year, the couple channelled their inner wizards with their wands intact. We can also make out a tiny figure of Harry Potter flying on a broomstick. Is that Lord Voldermort in the clouds chasing after him?

The whole idea came about 2 years ago, when Nur Adawiyah was pregnant with their first child. The pair and BB-8 robot were pictured running away from an incoming explosion.

Are you feeling inspired to do a similar parody? If yes, what movie do you have in mind?

Sources: Nur Afifah’s Twitter, Malay Mail.


Top 10 Celebrity #ALSIceBucketChallenge

The #ALSIceBucketChallenge has taken social media by storm.

The craze has gotten so big that people from all over the world, including celebrities are dumping ice buckets over themselves and donating money after. What is ALS, you ask? ALS also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord.

ALS can strike anyone and as ridiculous as you think it is for people to be dumping ice all over themselves, the “Ice Bucket Challenge” is actually a brilliant gimmick and has proven to be a wonderful way to create an awareness of the disease. Ever since Pete Frates started this challenge in July, more money has been donated to the foundation and people are becoming increasingly aware of the disease.

Now, names such as Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Gwen Stefani, Iggy Azalea, Jennifer Lopez, Christiano Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard and many more have taken part in the “Ice Bucket Challenge”. Some celebrities however, took the challenge to a whole other level. Here’s our pick of the Top 10 Celebrity “Ice Bucket Challenge”:

1. Robert Downey Jr. took a break from being awesome to be even more awesome by taking part in the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge”! The actor is seen sitting in the pool as he gets icy water dumped on him before he could finish what he was saying! Haha

2. Justin Timberlake together with The Tennessee Kids accept the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. JT called out Jimmy Fallon in his challenge.

3. Lady Gaga rules all. Mama Monster doesn’t say a word in her challenge but has nominated Adele, Michael Rapino, Vincent Herbert, and Arthur Fogel on her Facebook page.

4. Guardians Of The Galaxy’s Chriss Pratt took the “Ice Bucket Challenge” in an unorthodox way that includes downing a bottle of Smirnoff Ice but thanks to his wife Anna Faris, he doesn’t get away without a soaking wet shirt.

5. Dr. Dre takes on the “Ice Bucket Challenge” and came out seemingly unfazed after taking a 50 gallon bucket of ice cold water! The rapper nominated fellow rappers Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg to take on the challenge.

6. Chris Pratt‘s Guardians Of The Galaxy co-star, Dave Bastista, accepts Pratt’s challenge and takes on the “Ice Bucket Challenge”. However, he does it slightly differently – instead of throwing a bucket of ice on himself, he gets into a tub full of ice. *shivers!*

7. Macklemore takes the “Ice Bucket Challenge” in front of 30,000 screaming German fans! So dope!

8. Challenged by a number of people, including Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon together with Steve Higgins, The Roots, and Rob Riggle takes on the challenge. It’s really very nice to see so many celebrities in just one video.

9. Taylor Swift and Jamie King does the “Ice Bucket Challenge” and also offers to donate USD100 for every person in the video. Epic!

10. Tom Hiddleston and his glorious abs takes the challenge and he also nominated Benedict Cumberbatch so we all win.

So, there you have it, our 10 favourite “Ice Bucket Challenge” videos. Before we go, we leave you with Charlie Sheen’s version of the challenge. Yes, he may just have ruined it for everyone.

If you want to be part of the “Ice Bucket Challenge”, all you have to do is record yourself pouring a bucket of ice water over your head. Before doing that, challenge 3 of your friends, loved ones, or co-workers to do the same within 24 hours.

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Yuna’s Song Used At Oscar De La Renta New York Fashion Week

Yuna’s 2012 hit “Lullabies” was played during the grand finale of the highly sophisticated Oscar de la Renta New York Fashion Week.

Yuna shared the proud moment on her Instagram where the remix version of her song “Lullabies” was played in the background as supermodel Bella Hadid strut the runway in a gorgeous black strapless gown.

“Megababe Bella Hadid and grand finale of Oscar de la Renta,” Yuna wrote where she included the hashtag, #yunalullabies.

Bella also shared a rehearsal clip of her runway walk on her Instagram where the same song was played in the background.

In case you didn’t know, Oscar de la Renta is a hugely famous fashion brand, named after a Dominican fashion designer. De la Renta became internationally known in the 1960s as one of the couturiers who dressed Jacqueline Kennedy.

Other celebrities who donned De la Renta’s dresses include Amy Adams, Sandra Bullock, Cameron Diaz, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, Elle Fanning, Taylor Swift, and more.

Thus, having your song played at Oscar de la Renta’s high profile fashion event is truly a huge deal.


#MRT: Trial Run For Sungai Buloh – Kajang (SBK Line) To Begin In October

Get excited because we’ll soon get the first feel of Malaysia’s very own MRT!

Scheduled to start operations in December previously, Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) has revealed that they will be introducing trial runs of the new train system starting from 1st October.

The runs, which will continue for 3 months, will see the MRT travelling from Sungai Buloh to Kajang (SBK Line). A total of 31 stations will be located along the MRT Line, and it will go through areas such as Bandar Utama (where 1 Utama is located), Semantan, Bukit Bintang, Cheras, as well as Sungai Jernih.

MRT Corps director of operations and assets management, Mahmood Razak, also stated that as of end-June, 86.52% of the SBK MRT Line was already completed. “Phase 1 of the MRT SBK Line (…) will be almost complete by October, as all civil structural works for the elevated stations and guide ways are complete,” continued Razak.

Car parks will also be provided at 14 of the stations, with several multi-storey and open-air car parks already being close to completion. Approximately 9,200 parking bays will be available, with 1,200 at the terminals of Sungai Buloh and Kajang, while the rest will be dispersed at various stations throughout the MRT Line.

Supporting facilities like the feeder bus and car parks will start operating as the same time as the 51-km long MRT Line. 140 feeder buses will be covering a 3-km radius around the stations during the trial period, with an interval of 10 minutes per bus, subject to traffic conditions. After the trial, a total of 300 buses will be deployed.

For more info, visit Rapid KL’s website and Facebook page.


Hype Picks: The Best Things To Do In Klang Valley This Week (27th Dec-2nd Jan)

Have no idea where and how to spend the last week of your 2021? What about plans for countdown night? No worries! Just like before, Hype is here to help you plan out your week!

You don’t have to worry about spending new years in mundaneness because we have an array of events to do, and places to go for you to choose from. Here’s what we have lined up for you this week:

Spend your 2022 New Year’s Eve at Sunway Velocity Mall with the instant rebate up to RM88, 000 that they offer, while you shop at their pop-up market in Nanjing Street with buskers to entertain you.

2. New Years Countdown Buffets & Fireworks

The best way to send a year off and start a new one is with good food and drinks on hand while admiring fireworks. So, where is the best place in Kuala Lumpur you might ask to get a taste of this experience? Head over to Pullman KLCC or Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur! In Grand Hyatt, you might get to see the fireworks with KLCC at the background; but in Pullman, you can dance the night away to live DJ music until the clock strikes twelve!

Psst, as part of the Barbie Staycation experience, Grand Hyatt has also introduced the sickening Barbie Cafe where you can live your Barbie fantasy while kiki-ing with your girl pals over Afternoon Tea. You can read more about this here.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

Not only can you enjoy their buskers singing the year away, but they are also offering a free Beam ride that you can look out for at their parking spaces!

Date: 31st December 2021 – 2nd January 2022

Location: Pavilion Bukit Jalil Exhibition Centre

If you have no idea what or where to eat this week, head over to the food expo they will be holding this Friday that will totally satisfy your friend group, as it will be the one-stop makan place with cuisines ranging from Asian to European.

Location: Art & Bonding, 22-3, Jalan 25/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Want to start off the New Years in peace while unleashing your artistic side at the same time? Bring creativity into the brand new year at Sip & Paint! Instead of using normal paint, you are going to use glowing paint and maybe repaint the New Year’s fireworks you saw the night before!

A post shared by The Gardens Mall, KL (@thegardensmallmy)

Date: 28th December 2021 – 2nd January 2022

Location: The Gardens Mall, Kuala Lumpur

You know what they say; new year, new adventure! So, to start off all the adventures you’re going to have for the new year, head over to Thule’s promotion booth in The Gardens Mall and grab all the adventure gear you need!

7. Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return To Hogwarts

Potterheads, brace yourself, because we are returning to Hogwarts for the new year! Join the Golden Trio – Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson – and other casts to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter on HBO GO.

A post shared by POPULAR Malaysia (@popularmalaysia)

Date: 24th December 2021 – 2nd January 2022

Location: The Starling, Petaling Jaya Event Hall, Level 5.

Calling all local bookworms out there, Popular is having their Warehouse Books Clearance Sale, with rebates up to 80% on books, stationery, gadgets as well as CDs and DVDs for a limited time only.

Why walk when you can skate into the new year? Rather than café hopping this weekend like you always do, try out something new and fun that gives you a boost of energy, perhaps by roller skating like a Korean idol?

Watch as Hong Kong rings in the New Year with the First-Ever Arts Spectacular across Victoria Harbour

For those who would like to experience the New Year’s countdown in another country, you can experience Hong Kong in a whole different light during the livestream countdown.

Hong Kong will ring in the New Year with a dazzling light art extravaganza, featuring radiant lights along the entire Victoria Harbour waterfront, the city’s flagship Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New Year countdown lights on the recently opened M+.

Starting on New Year’s Eve, the 65.8-metre-tall LED facade of M+, Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture, will showcase a sweeping, high-contrast visual tale created by talented local digital artists as a homage to the city’s various landmarks, neighbourhoods, and vibrant arts and culture scene. It will be transformed into a countdown clock, which will travel across the rich cityscape of Hong Kong during the final minute of 2021, before eventually splashing the numerals “2022” and New Year’s greetings across its screen as the clock strikes midnight.

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#NikonCaptures: Nikon Singapore & Contest Winner Apologises For Fake Photo

Yesterday, Nikon Singapore was ruthlessly attacked for selecting a doctored submission as the winning entry for a “NikonCaptures” contest organised on its Facebook page.

The photograph, apparently shot with a Nikon D90 at f/2.8 and 1/1600s by one Chay Yu Wei, featured an airplane flying in mid-air above a fixed vertical access ladder.

Chay was gifted with a Nikon-branded trolley bag for his “winning shot”.

However, some eagle-eyed Facebook users pointed out that a white box can be seen around the airplane. As expected, Nikon Singapore’s Facebook page is quite closely and heavily followed by photography enthusiasts so they’d be able to pick out things that an average Facebook user would usually overlook.

One commenter even took the liberty to adjust the levels, revealing the said box:

Other users who seemed familiar with aviation standards in Singapore also pointed out the “restricted area near Chinatown” that prevents airplanes from flying that low.

As such, Chay’s submission drew flak from Facebook users, with many calling it out to be fake – for obvious reasons.

The fact that Chay casually replied his Instagram post’s comments (albeit weeks ago) with, “It’s the last flight out!!” and “I was lucky!” certainly didn’t help his case.

What followed suit was a shitstorm and a PR disaster of sorts, with various Facebook users creating their own edited versions/memes and posting them up in the comments section of the “winning shot” post. At first, Nikon Singapore responded to the memes, but it looks like the replies have since been removed.

At about noon yesterday (Saturday, 30th January), Nikon Singapore finally responded to the influx of memes and sarcastic comments on their page.

In their statement, they said, “NikonCaptures is a casual photography contest that focuses not on the devices or props you use, but on the imagination and creativity that each photographer exudes while capturing and sharing their images. We have taken in every feedback received, and we sincerely apologise for the oversight on our part. We are now in the process of carefully revisiting the contest’s rules and regulations, for the benefit of all our current NikonCaptures members. We will update everyone of the contest rules once we have revisited all of them.”

“At the same time, we welcome the funny and witty entries being shared in response to our recently awarded image. It’s with joy that we acknowledge that the global photography and image community is alive and thriving. We thank you for the numerous spontaneous contributions and encourage everyone to keep the imagination alive,” they added.

The statement was met with more negative replies, with some calling it out to be a “very safe PR reply”, urging Nikon Singapore to reselect the winner. Some even chided Nikon Singapore for wanting to be associated with “shopped work” should Chay Yu Wei not be immediately disqualified.

Shortly after, Chay posted up an apology on his Instagram, confessing that his NikonCaptures submission was indeed edited. He explained that he snapped a picture of that set of ladder while he was on a photo walk in Chinatown, but subsequently felt that a plane would make for an “interesting point of view”.

Chay said that it was “a playful edit using the PicsArt app” and that he didn’t mean to “bluff anyone”, adding that it was a joke and that he “crossed the line by submitting the photo for a competition”.

Hello everyone, This goes out to everyone who has seen my Chinatown plane post. I’m sorry! This is going to be quite a read so that’s the first thing I would like you to read if you don’t have time to read below; I would like to apologize for the mistake I have done. I’ve been quiet so far because I’ve been trying to contact Nikon and have been waiting for them to contact me back to discuss about this. I understand that what I would say might affect Nikon’s brand hence I decided to wait for their advice. However, since more than 24 hours have passed and I have not managed to have discussions with Nikon, I think I shouldn’t wait and it’s important for me to come out to address this issue. Like one user commented, I was on a photo walk in Chinatown and I chanced upon that set of ladders. I snapped a picture of it, and subsequently felt that a plane at that spot would make for an interesting point of view. Hence, I inserted the plane with PicsArt and uploaded it to Instagram. That’s how I use Instagram, sometime it’s to showcase the work I’m proud of, sometimes just to have fun. This case, that small plane was just for fun and it was not meant to bluff anyone. I would have done it with photoshop if I really meant to lie about it, but no, it was a playful edit using the PicsArt app and uploaded to Instagram. When my friends commented with some questions, I also answered it jokingly, saying it’s the last flight of the day and saying it was my lucky day that I did not wait too long. At that time, of course everyone who read it took it as a joke, before this issue arrived and it is taken seriously. However, I made a mistake by not keeping it to Instagram as a casual social media platform. I crossed the line by submitting the photo for a competition. I meant it as a joke and I’m really sorry to Nikon for disrespecting the competition. It is a mistake and I shouldn’t have done that. I also shouldn’t have jokingly answered Nikon that I caught the plane in mid-air and should have just clarified that the plane was edited in using PicsArt. This is my fault and I sincerely apologise to Nikon, to all Nikon Photographers, and to the photography community as general.

A photo posted by Yu Wei (@yuuuuuwei) on Jan 30, 2016 at 5:06am PST

After which, Nikon Singapore posted up another statement to admit that they “made an honest mistake” and that they shouldn’t compromise standards even for a casual photo contest.

The company also assured followers that they will tighten their image review process to avoid similar situations in the future.

What do you make of the NikonCaptures situation? Do you think that Chay Yu Wei should’ve been disqualified? Let us know what you think in the comments box below.

Sources: petapixel, MMO, The Star Online, AsiaOne, Nikon Singapore’s Facebook page, Chay Yu Wei’s Instagram / Featured image from Nikon Singapore’s Facebook page.

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“Twitter Mirror”: MTV Japan Takes The VMAJs 2013 Up A Notch

MTV Japan today announced that it is launching Twitter Mirror at this year’s 12th annual MTV Video Music Awards Japan (VMAJ), making it the first music and entertainment platform to launch this social media technology for such large-scale events not only in Japan, but in Asia. “Twitter Mirror” will give fans exclusive live “backstage access” to the VMAJ, by enabling celebrities to snap photos backstage during the red carpet event and instantly post them online. Tweets will be posted through MTV Japan’s official Twitter account, accompanied by the hashtag #VMAJ.

The exciting new service had been launched at star-studded events in the US such as Grammy Awards 2013 or The Oscars 2013 where celebrities could automatically tweet photos through the events’ official twitter accounts, simply by posing in front of the mirror. “Twitter Mirror” has now been brought to Japan and exclusively introduced at this occasion.

The feature ‘Twitter Mirror” is much like a photo booth and will send self-portraits of celebrities directly online. Each tweet automatically gets the hashtag (#VMAJ) and posted to the official MTV Japan’s official twitter account (@MTV_JAPAN). Sharing these real-time experiences with rare shots of the stars behind the stage will enable fans to be more engaged at the event.

Meanwhile, check out the nominees for this year’s awards here.

The MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2013 will premiere on MTV Japan on 23rd June 2013 (Sunday) at 8pm (Tokyo), and will air across MTV’s global network including MTV Asia.


YouTube To Block Indie Labels That Don’t Sign Up To New Subscription Service

Independent artists could vanish from YouTube in a matter of days after the Google video serviced confirmed it was blocking content from independent labels that refuse to sign up for its new subscription music service.

YouTube, owned by Google, will begin testing the new service that will charge people to watch and listen to music without ads, as well as download songs to their mobile devices in the span of the next few days.

Robert Kyncl, YouTube’s head of content and business operations told the Financial Times that the service will launch even more rapidly and widely later in the year. He confirmed that YouTube will be blocking videos from independent labels that do not agree and sign licensing deals for the new premium tier.

“While we wish that we had 100% success rate, we understand that is not likely an achievable goal and therefore it is our responsibility to our users and the industry to launch the enhanced music experience,” said Kyncl, claiming that YouTube has signed up labels representing 90% of the music industry.

Independent labels are likely to disagree with Kyncl as their licensing agency Merlin has estimated that indie collectively make up for 32.6% market share of the recorded music industry’s sales and streams.

Worldwide Independent Network’s chief executive Alison Wenham gave a blunt response to Kyncl’s comments when she was contacted by The Guardian. According to Wenham, “they have suffered a simple but catastrophic error of judgement in misreading the market.”

Wenham also said, “YouTube was setting itself up for failure and only a small number of independent labels would agree to its terms.”

“We have tried and will continue to try to help YouTube understand just how important independent music is to any streaming service and why it should be valued accordingly. Music fans want a service that offers the complete range of music available. This is something that companies such as Spotify and Deezer do, both of whom have excellent relationships with the independent music sector,” Wenham continued.

WIN also claims that YouTube has signed profitable licensing deals with major music labels such as Universal, Warner and Sony, while demanding that indie labels sign up to less profitable terms or face having their videos being blocked or removed from YouTube’s free service.

“Our goal is to continue making YouTube an amazing music experience, both as a global platform for fans and artists to connect, and as a revenue source for the music industry,” said a Google spokesman. He said the subscription-based service would bring new revenue streams “in addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars YouTube already generates for them each year. We are excited that hundreds of major and independent labels are already partnering with us.”

In the recent years, YouTube has become a key promotional outlet for many independent labels so with this new subscriptions, artists like Adele, Arctic Monkeys, Jack White and Radiohead could have their videos taken down.

YouTube attracts over 1 billion monthly viewers, with music being one of its most watched and biggest categories. The upcoming premium subscription tier will compete with other music sharing services like Spotify, Deezer and Napster.

Here’s a playlist from Arctic Monkeys for your listening pleasure, before it gets taken down!

How do you feel about YouTube’s decision? Sound off in the comments!

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5-Year Malaysian Passport Fee Reduced To RM200

Malaysian travellers can rejoice as the fee to make or renew their passport for 5 years is now RM200, down by RM100, effective Thursday (15th Jan). The passport fee for senior citizens, children below 12, Haj pilgrims, and students below 21 and studying abroad is RM100.

Prior to this, senior citizens and students studying abroad paid RM150 for a five-year-passport. The disabled do not need to pay for a passport.

The notice of the latest directive was posted outside immigration offices on Thursday. With the reduction of the 5-year passport fees, the 2-year passport is not available anymore.

Awwyis now we’re talking! Time to make those travel plans abroad, peeps. Especially since we’ve got all these long weekends in Malaysia this year.

So, allow us to suggest these following places:

Source: The Star Online / Featured image from funnymalaysia.


Opus Jay World Tour In Malaysia?

Taiwanese singer-songwriter Jay Chou is famous for one thing – writing songs that combine Chinese and Western music styles to produce the best of all Mandopop R&B tunes, alongside some dabbling in the rock and pop genres. He’s also famous for taking charge of the storyboard, directing, and editing the music videos for most of his songs. Yes, we know, he’s pretty darn talented!

Since his debut, Jay has been on at least five series of solo concert tours, with stops in cities such as Taipei, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Las Vegas, Toronto, and Vancouver.

And now, Jay is embarking on yet another one in conjunction with the release of his latest album, “Opus12”. The album has been so widely received that it was only apt that the King of Mandopop himself follows up with yet another mind-blowingly awesome world tour!

Named, the “Opus Jay World Tour”, it will start from May 2013 onwards, with the first leg of the tour in Beijing. After which, he will be heading to Shanghai and further into the tour, Singapore. The Singapore gig, slated to happen on 6th – 8th June 2013, recently hit headlines when it recorded a whopping total of 18,000 tickets sold in only 2.5 hours.

But that’s not the best part just yet – it was recently revealed that Jay Chou’s “Opus Jay World Tour” will also include a stop in Malaysia. Yuh huh. He’s coming back to Kuala Lumpur! Full details haven’t been announced yet but we do know that it’s happening in August 2013. Well, peeps, get ready to race to buy tickets because we’re pretty sure these ones are going to sell like hot cakes too.

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

More deets to be announced soon so watch this space!


CONTEST: Get Rita Ora-fied & Win Prizes!

Are you inspired by Rita Ora’s style and fashion? Want to win cool prizes?

All you have to do is to join Sony Music Malaysia‘s Rita Ora contest. Show ’em your Rita Ora style by taking a photo of your best Rita Ora fashion inspired look. Then, upload your photo and get your friends to vote for you.

The top FIVE finalists with the highest vote will get a chance to walk away with all the fabulous prizes below:

[youtube id=uI6VfwBV8Gc” width=”600″ height=”350″]

This contest will run from 14th to 28th February 2013. Winners will be announced on the 5th March 2013 (Tuesday). And just in case you’re wondering what Rita Ora’s “ORA” (packed with wild, pumping tunes) is really all about, check out our review!

For more details, visit Sony Music Malaysia’s Facebook page.

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#GwenStefani: First Album In A Decade To Be Released In March

After spending a decade focusing on being a wife and a mother, pursuing a career in fashion, and hosting TV shows like “The Voice”, Gwen Stefani is finally releasing new music. Titled, “This Is What The Truth Feels Like”, Gwen’s latest LP will mark her first solo comeback since 2006’s “The Sweet Escape”.

Gwen herself made the official announcement on her Instagram, with an image of a notepad with 12 handwritten song titles listed on the page.

A post shared by Gwen Stefani (@gwenstefani)

We’re not sure what the 4 hearts underneath the track list mean but perhaps she’s thinking of releasing 4 bonus tracks in a deluxe version too? ;)

Gwen, who split with husband of 13 years Gavin Rossdale last August, previously revealed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that her new album is a “breakup record”. Which, frankly, kind of explains the song titles e.g. “Misery”, “Where Would I Be??”, “Used To Love You”, “Me Without You”.

“My cross to bear was to go through these heartbreaks and write these songs and help people,” she said.

And that’s not all. According to Rolling Stone, Gwen is also collaborating with Target to produce the first music video created on live television. The clip for her upcoming single, “Make Me Like You”, will be captured during a 4-minute commercial break from the 58th annual Grammy Awards and will feature multiple sets and costume changes in real time.

Fans can watch a second view of the video performance via Periscope, Facebook Live and Snapchat. The results will become the official “Make Me Like You” music video, located at Vevo. Sounds complicated but we can’t wait to see it!

Gwen Stefani’s “This Is What The Truth Feels Like” is slated to be released on 18th March.


Malaysian Comedy Ladies Share Their Struggles In The Industry

KL’s beloved comedy festival LOL Fest is back for the 3rd time, featuring over 40 comedians internationally and locally from 14th September to 27th October 2018.

Organised by LOL Events, the laugh-out-loud fest will consist of a variety of comedy shows, including magic, music, improv, and so on, but one of the exciting highlights that stand out this year will be the festival’s 1st ever all-female show aptly called “Bi+ch Perfect“, set to take place on 5th October.

The female-centred show will be all about girl power and women’s empowerment, presenting a line-up of strong and funny female talents from the comedy scene such as Comedy Queen Joanne Kam, the glamorous yet sarcastic Michelle Barbour, the 2018’s Comedy Star winner Shaq, the Maldivian comedian who overstays her visa in Malaysia Nuha, the Malay-speaking funny woman Filzah, and the musical comedy trio Te+eksense featuring filmmaker Shamaine Othman, actress Farah Rani, and host Sherry Al-Hadad.

Being in this male-centric industry, the ladies admitted that it is not easy for them to be where they are today. So during the recent launch of LOL Fest 2018, these hilarious chicks shared some of the face-palm moments and struggles they encounter throughout their career as female comedians.

Michelle: “It’s the same as being a male comedian except that I spend more money on bras.”

Shaq: “I don’t feel any different because the guys are very welcoming. Sometimes I think I get preference because I’m a female.”

Joanne: “Do not invite the guy you like to your comedy show. F*** them 1st, then they can come.”

Michelle: “Actually, get them to put a ring on your finger 1st, then they can come.”

Nuha: “It’s so nice to see a woman who doesn’t talk about tits and ass.”

Michelle: “You’re really funny for a girl.”

Shamaine: “I was accused of plagiarising Ali Wong just because we talk about the same topic.”

Farah: “I was booed once on stage for singing badly, but I was in character. It’s part of the show.”

Nuha: “I’ve been called an embarrassment by my mom. But I’ve only been doing this for half a minute, so give it time.”

Shamaine: “Female comics get scrutinised more than male comics. They will never question why males talk about d***s all the time.”

Nuha: “Female comedians always get compared to each other.”

Michelle: “Even when we talk about topics that are the same as the men, people will find ours not funny but are loving the men’s material.”

Shamaine: “It took quite a while for local audience to accept female comics talking about risky topics like sex and d***s.”

Shamaine: “I always tell myself that it’s only 1 person.”

Joanne: “There’s so few of us (female comedian) that we become the minority. When I was in Hong Kong, I was given a 5 minute spot, but it’s in between 20 guys. Though I wouldn’t mind being in between 20 guys.”

Michelle: “When I first started up. I used to be the only woman in a lineup of men. I thought that this got to be the lineup for the worst gang bang ever.”

Joanne: “The name Bi+ch Perfect came about because we are all strong in our own sense, and the term ‘bitch’ is not necessarily a bad word because there’s the saying ‘Bitches get stuff done’.”

Shamaine: “Now is the time to get involved in comics if you’re a woman. Especially in Southeast Asia, now it’s the time.”

Joanne: “I’m not ashamed to go to Shamaine and ask for help even though I have been in the industry for 20 over years. I’m not afraid to ask for advice.”

Shamaine: “It’s a good process because you get another comic’s point of views.”

Michelle: “But this is where the gender divide comes in as well, because if you ask a male comic, you will get a male’s perspective, but it’s not going to be a female’s voice. So that’s why it’s important for the girls to band together and help one another.”

Joanne: “For example, if we talk about menstruation, I don’t think the boys can help.”

Shamaine: “Jen Han can. He’s that equipped.”

Michelle: “UK comedian Bill Bailey inspired me to make people laugh. Also, Joanne. Over the years, I’ve always struggled with concept of acting like a girl, and she basically showed me that it was okay to be out and loud about things that you faced in the real world.”

Shamaine: “I started sketch and improv comedy first, so Tina Fey would be the person that I look up to. But for stand-up, it’s definitely people like Joanne, Amy Schumer, and Margaret Cho who are just unapologetically themselves.”

Farah: “I also started out as a sketch comedian. So definitely Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, as well as the whole group from SNL.”

Nuha: “My whole world shifted after seeing Joanne and Shamaine’s stand-ups! It took me a few years to work up the nerve, but now I’m doing it as well. ”

Shaq: “There are a lot of female comedians that I look up to, like Marina Franklin. So After seeing how talentedly funny they are, I’m inspired to do what they do and make people laugh. That’s on international level, but for local level, Joanne Kam is definitely my goal.”

Filzah: “I got interested in stand-up when I saw a show at Istana Budaya a few year ago. But I didn’t really understand the concept back then, and I was scared. But after seeing more Malay-speaking people doing stand-up, such as Rayza Mukmin, then I decided to give it a try.”

Michelle: “No, don’t do it. I don’t need any more competition. Just kidding, I would encourage everyone to try comedy regardless of their gender. We need more funny people in the world.”

Shamaine: “We need more funny people in this country because comedy talks about the truth. It is basically the safest way to dish out the truth.”

Michelle: “Yes. If you wanna tell people the truth, you make them laugh otherwise they’re gonna kill you.”

Nuha: “I go around encouraging everyone from my female grab drivers to my friends. There are so few women in the comedy community but there are so much variety among them. So I want more female voices in the scene so that they can bring their own unique perspective.”

Filzah: “For me, I would encourage the ‘makcik-makcik bawang’ to do stand-up. Because rather than talking bad about someone behind their back, they should do it on the stage instead.”

LOL Fest 2018 will be taking place at the multifunction venue Jenerator, which is part of the newly renovated KL Citywalk. The 4-week long festival will kick off with Jimmy Carr, hailing all the way from the UK with his ‘Best of Ultimate’ and closing the whole run would be none other than Malaysia’s queen of comedy – Joanne Kam Poh Poh, where she will end her own national La La Lian nationwide tour in KL..

Other acts include award-winning comedian magician, Jarred Fell, and renown comedian magician juggler, Nick Nickolas alongside James Bustar who brings us family friendly acts. Welcoming our neighbours, Sharul Channa who’s well known for her “Aunty Sunita” and the hilarious Hirzi who will team up with the OG Malaysian improv group, AIIA. And not forgetting our homegrown names such as Douglas Lim and Kuah Jenhan.

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James Blunt To Perform In Malaysia This Coming March

James Blunt is coming to Malaysia next year!

In support of his 5th studio album “The Afterlove”, the English singer-songwriter will be bringing his world tour to the country as part of his Asian leg.

Best know for his hit singles “You’re Beautiful” and “Goodbye My Lover”, James Blunt released his 1st studio album, titled “Back to Bedlam”, in 2004. The album achieved international success and sold over 11 million copies worldwide, topping the UK Albums Chart and peaking at #2 in the US. It was also the best-selling album in UK in the 2000s.

The 43-year-old singer, who was also a former reconnaissance officer for the British Army, has received numerous awards and 5 Grammy Award nominations. In 2016, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for Music by the University of Bristol.

He dropped his latest album “The Afterlove” in March and it consists of 10 tracks, including “Love Me Better”, “Bartender”, “Lose My Number”, “Don’t Give Me Those Eyes”, and “California”.

Details for his “The Afterlove” Malaysian concert are as follows:

James Blunt will also be performing in Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China.

For more info, hit up Buy Ticket’s website here.

Source: The Hive / Featured image: Allevents.