Enjoy RM5 Discount On Lazada By Using Touch ‘n Go eWallet

In the spirit of Eat, Play, and Love life to the fullest, shoppers can now enjoy a RM5 discount with a minimum purchase of RM50 when using the Touch ‘n Go eWallet.

The RM5 discount can be redeem at “Collectible Payment Voucher” via Lazada app between 29th to 31st October. Do note that it is only limited to 3000 transactions and each user is limited to a single RM5 discount.

Today (Tuesday, 29th October), Touch ‘n Go eWallet officially announced that its 5 million users can now experience seamless online shopping by using the new eWallet payment option on eCommerce platform Lazada Malaysia.

The object of this launch is to provide digital users a hassle-free shopping experience through an immersive bricks-to-clicks pop-up store. Some of the notable lifestyle brands like L’Oreal Paris, Maybelline, Garnier, NYX Professional Makeup, Nestle and Unilever have joined this shopping structure.

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


Bride Asks For Husband’s Permission To Hug Ex-BF During Wedding

Ted Mosby from “How I Met Your Mother” was right all this time, “Never invite an ex to your wedding.”

This week, netizens have been buzzing about a viral clip showing a bride’s encounter with her former beau during her special day.

In a TikTok clip posted by a user known as @mayangkumay from Indonesia, the bride can be seen asking for her husband’s permission, who was standing next to her, to give the former flame one last hug. The groom then nodded his head as a sign of giving the green light to his wife, much to her excitement!

That particular moment garnered tons of reactions from social media users not only in Indonesia, but also in our country as well. In this case, many criticised the bride for shamelessly embracing another man at her wedding. Others also sympathised with the groom and pointed out that the groom deserves a better wife.

Take a look at some of the responses that we got from Facebook below:

For those interested, check out the full clip here:


#Proton: Company Issues Recall Of Inspira & Exora CPS 1.6 Models

Proton car owners, we have some news for you!

110,000 Proton Inspira sedans and Exora CPS 1.6 MPVs are being recalled in a bid to fix existing or potential flaws in the aforementioned cars, Proton Holdings Berhad said in a statement yesterday (23rd May).

On 18th February, Mitsubishi Motors Japan issued a global recall of selected models, including the Mitsubishi Lancer, for defective right-turn indicator switches. The Inspira is being recalled as it is a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Lancer while the Exora CPS 1.6 MPV was recalled by Proton to check the powertrain fuel line.

A total of 20,330 units of Inspira, manufactured from 2010 to 2014, and some 90,000 units of the Exora CPS 1.6 MPV, manufactured within the period of 2009 to 2015, will be affected.

In the statement, Proton said that the recall is a precautionary measure, and they will notify affected owners. The owners should then make an appointment with their preferred service outlet for an inspection.

All costs of labour and parts relating to the rectification work will be borne by Proton.

In February, Proton recalled some 100,000 units of its Exora, Preve, and Suprima models to fix the CFE oil cooler hose.

To check if your vehicle is involved in the inspection or to make an appointment with your preferred service outlet, visit www.carinquiry.proton.com. For further inquiries and assistance, call the Proton customer care hotline at 1800 888 398, or drop an e-mail to customercare@proton.com.


“Evolution of Suede”: Old School Vs. New School

In collaboration with Crossover and Raising the Bar, PUMA adds excitement to the “Evolution of Suede” by organizing the first in-store silent DJ battle in Malaysia. Aptly named the “Crossover Party“, the event was held at the Crossover outlet in Sunway Pyramid as part of the “Evolution of Suede” campaign, in celebration of the Suede’s 45th year of changing the game and the release of the Future Suede.

Hosted by Mr. Dan, a renowned hip-hop rapper and producer at Egoistic Records, the event saw guests enjoying themselves to the beat of the music during the silent DJ battle.

A silent disco or silent party may be new to Malaysians, but it has been a familiar scene in European countries. Instead of a speaker system, the music can only be heard through FM-transmitted wireless headphones worn by party guests.

Anyone without the headphones will hear no music, offering the effect of a room full of people dancing to no music.

The PUMA silent DJ battle saw DJ Fuzz, a DJ that has been around since 1999, battling H3, a new and upcoming DJ that came about in 2009, to win over the audience. DJ Fuzz played his old school mix of hip-hop, top 40s, house, commercial, and reggaeton tunes, while H3 played his newer mix of dubstep and drum & bass.

As an extension to the Instagram contest that is currently going on, a pair of PUMA Suede and VIP passes to the finale party on the 5th of April 2013 were given out during the event to an attendee with the most interesting picture posted on Instagram with the hashtags specially coined for the campaign – #forthestreet, #MY, and @PUMA. The first 30 people that made purchases during the event also got their shoes autographed by graffiti artists, Bee of PHBKLK, Iqbal of Fresh Kids, Carpet, Katun, and Bone.

Social media users can also use the campaign hashtags on Twitter and Instagram to join in the global celebration and converse with other PUMA fans around the world. Various events and activities took place over the duration of the “Evolution of Suede” global campaign, which will end with the finale event.

Check out our gallery for more pictures from the event!

For more on the “Evolution of the Suede”, visit their website.

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


#RichardMarx: Legendary Crooner Brings His Solo Tour To Kuala Lumpur

Mention Richard Marx anywhere and “Right Here Waiting” immediately comes to mind. The singer-songwriter from Chicago has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and still remains the only male artiste in history to have his first 7 singles reach the Top 5 on the Billboard charts.

If his latest album “Beautiful Goodbye” is anything to go by, it proves that the singer still has it in him to churn out great music. And now, we hear Richard Marx is returning to our Malaysian shores on 9th March 2016 and will be performing at the Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre!

The Richard Marx of yesteryear was all the rage back in the late 80s. Before he dominated pop radio, Marx was a background vocalist for music heavyweight, Lionel Richie and Chicago, while co-writing hits with Kenny Rogers.

By the time he kicked off his solo career, his self-titled debut sold more than 4 million copies in the U.S. while his follow-up album “Repeat Offender” was even more successful, hitting #1 and going quadruple-platinum with 2 #1 singles in “Satisfied” and “Right Here Waiting.”

During the 2000s, Marx decided to focus on songwriting for others, namely NSYNC, Josh Groban, Sara Bareilles, Keith Urban, Vince Gill and Jennifer Nettles. He even won a Grammy Award for co-writing Luther Vandross’s “Dance With My Father”.

Tickets for his concert in Malaysia are now on sale. Diamond tickets are also available at special request and limited to a select number. Check out the ticket prices below:

Tickets are available purchase via Ticket Pro. You can also call their ticketing hotline number +603 78807999 for deets.

For more information, visit Fat Boys Malaysia’s website or Facebook page.


Interesting Malaysian Cinema Features To Enrich Your Moviegoing Experience

For movie buffs, a fun moviegoing experience comes from catching a great flick in the cinema. However, that only contributes little to the overall moviegoing experience as other factors such as ease (ticket purchasing), comfort (seats, ambience), and technical features (sound, screen), amongst other minor things, play a big part too.

For example, spending an additional RM60 on a 3-hour long Gold Class movie ticket would make a world of a difference as compared to say if you went for a normal priced ticket. Or spending an additional RM20 on a D-Box motion seat ticket or a Dolby Atmos hall ticket (or both) for an action flick will allow you to watch and enjoy the movie on a whole new level.

As such, we thought we’d quickly list down some Malaysian cinema features (and some upcoming cinema features) that will enrich your moviegoing experience. Trust us, this is worth your while:

Formerly known as Tanjong Golden Village, TGV Cinemas is the second largest cinema chain in Malaysia. In the recent years, TGV Cinemas underwent a rebranding exercise spree, which saw its (previously largest) outlet in Sunway Pyramid being put through some renovation works. You might remember the 1 Utama outlet going through a major facelift as well not too long ago, which took a year-long’s worth of renovation works. The TGV 1 Utama outlet is currently the largest TGV cinema in Malaysia with 12 halls. TGV currently has 22 cinemas all over Peninsular Malaysia (including the one which is undergoing renovation). Another 4 outlets will be opening in the future, including 3 in East Malaysia.

With the renovations came the more luxurious cinema hall concepts such as TGV Club and TGV Indulge. We picked TGV Indulge specifically because it is the first luxury cinema in TGV 1 Utama. We were there recently with a good friend of ours and local entertainment icon, Chelsia Ng. We have to say that it’s worth the going momentarily broke for. It has its own private ticketing counter, lounge and dining area and also 2 exclusive cinema halls fitted with reclining chairs and personalised call-waiter-service that can accommodate 32 and 40 pax respectively.

Whilst Indulge is open to the public, it is specifically targeted at those who enjoy exclusivity and the finer things in life. Check out the absolutely fine menu here.

TGV Indulge tickets are priced at RM45 each.

Because how can anyone call themselves an avid moviegoer if they haven’t watched on in IMAX at least once? Though this technology really needs no introduction, we’ll throw in some facts anyway. IMAX (an acronym for Image MAXimum) is a motion picture film format and a set of cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. It has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems. Since 2002, some feature films have been converted (or upgraded) into IMAX format for display in IMAX theatres and some have also been partially shot in IMAX.

Some of your favourite movies that were shot in/for IMAX are such as “Gravity”, “Transformers: Age of Extinction”, “Lucy”, “Interstellar”, and of course, the “The Hobbit” trilogy. Let’s not forget that the upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” is wholly filmed with IMAX cameras!

TGV Cinemas’ highly talked about Beanieplex is named after the highly comfortable and spacious bean bag seats that you get to sit on at the TGV Beanie auditoriums. Couples would also be pleased to know that the colourful Beanieplex seats are positioned in pairs making it quite private and quite ideal for lovebirds. The seating also provides a wide leg room of 2.0m, so that cinema patrons can be at full recline (read: couch potato mode) while watching a movie. TGV’s introduction of bean bags to the cinema industry has indeed revolutionised the moviegoing experience in Malaysia.

TGV Cinemas’ Beanieplex halls are available at TGV 1st Avenue (Penang), TGV 1 Utama, TGV Sunway Pyramid, TGV Setia Walk Puchong, TGV Tebrau City (JB), and TGV Bukit Indah (JB).

We must say that it’s pretty darn perfect for that first date or Valentine’s Day or anniversary celebration too. Fun for all the best novelty reasons, tickets for TGV Cinemas’ Beanieplex are priced at RM22 per person.

Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) is the largest chain of cinemas in Malaysia. The biggest cinema is located at Mid Valley Megamall and it houses 18 screen cinemas and has 2899 seats which is the largest in Malaysia. As of late 2012, GSC operates the largest circuit of cinema in the country with a total of 229 screens in 29 locations and 42273 seats all throughout the country. All of which are located in prime sites in major cities and towns throughout the country. They’ve recently opened up a new outlet at Quill City Mall and they’ll be launching another one at Nu Sentral Mall in Kuala Lumpur a little later this week ;)

Ah, yes. How can we go without talking about GSC Cinemas’ Gold Class and Premiere Class, the cinema feature which gave us our first taste of luxurious moviegoing ahead of other cinema operators in Malaysia?

It truly is a 5-star cinema experience as the Premiere Class (equivalent to the business class service in the airline) features equipped with comfortable and spacious seats. The seats come with an attached tray at the side for patrons to place their snacks and drinks. Premiere Class has an attached lounge and adjoining toilets.

The Gold Class (equivalent to the first class service in the airline), on the other hand, features an auditorium with an attached lounge and toilets.

Apart from the standard picture quality and state-of-the-art digital sound that forms the usual movie experience in normal GSC halls, the Gold Class hall offers an even better service that includes wide and comfortable reclining seats (with pillows and blankets in tow!) and a table for every 2 seats with a service call button.

Gold Class is available at Signature Gardens, Pavillion KL, and 1 Utama (New Wing) while Premiere Class is available at Signature Gardens, Berjaya Time Square, and Gurney Plaza Penang.

The revolutionary Dolby Atmos is the most significant development in cinema audio since surround sound, taking a unique layered approach to sound design. It redefines the cinema experience by offering content creators new ways to tell their stories. This sound platform preserves the director’s intent in each scene on what you hear in the theatre accurately to  reflects the filmmaker’s vision and ensure an immersive movie experience possible.

Can’t really picture it? We’ll let the below video do the talking:

Movies that are slated to be released with inclusion of the necessary specification for this feature are such as “The Avengers: Age of Ultron” in May, “Kingsman: The Secret Service” in Feb, and “Insurgent” in March.

For more information on the upcoming Dolby Atmos movie releases in 2015, go here.

As per its official tagline, “Your Movie in Motion”, the D-Box feature offers movie fans perfectly synchronised motions with the movie scenes. Imagine the scene of a fast seed car chase ala “Fast & Furious”. Done? Good. Now imagine a seat whereby you can feel vibrations and movements in sync as the car swerves to the right or to the left. Yes, that’s basically what D-Box does! The D-Box seats provides movements and vibrations, shifts you up and down, right or left, or even front and back. These special seats will be activated with each paid D-Box movie ticket and customers can control the intensity of the movements from high, medium, low, to off.

The Dolby Atmos hall at GSC 1 Utama also comes equipped with the D-Box motion seats. Talk about taking a cinematic experience to another level and moving you beyond words.

Cathay Cineplexes Damansara opened its doors to the public on 27 May 2006. It originally offered 10 screens within an entertainment-themed mall for the ultimate movie/shopping experience. On 22 May 2008 2 additional halls, dubbed as the Platinum Suites were launched. Each suite comes with individual electronically controlled reclinable suede-leather seats, and is connected by an exclusive lounge complete with WiFi, videogame consoles and massage chairs. On 22 November 2012, the cinema which is now currently known as Cathay Cineplex, e@Curve Damansara, introduced an additional 4 new halls, bringing the total number of halls at the location to 16, and its overall seating capacity to 2,472.

Cathay Cineplexes Damansara’s Platinum Movie Suites are perhaps its pride and joy, designed to offer a first class moviegoing experience. Similar to GSC’s Gold Class theatres, the seats are positioned in pairs, resemble large and comfortable armchairs that can be reclined up to 140 degrees of pure comfort. The seats also offer extra leg space and a table attached to every 2 seats. Additionally there’s also a personalised butler service as there’s a service call button located on your seat. The only difference is that privacy and exclusivity of the Platinum Movie Suites is that is houses ample of space between seats, with a minimum of 16 – 30 seats per hall.

The Platinum Movie Suites also have an attached lounge for the exclusive usage of Platinum Suite patrons. The lounge offers facilities such as Ogawa massage chairs, an Xbox gaming station, and a magazine corner. Patrons will also be treated to a complimentary beverage.

*Pictures from Cathay Cineplexes Damansara’s Facebook page.

Psst. We hear that you can even book it as the ultimate venue for you to host your most decadent and glamorous events!

Tickets can be purchased at RM25 during non-peak periods and RM40 during peak periods.

About 2 weeks ago, we wrote about South Korea’s CJ CGV (the largest multiplex cinema chain in South Korea) and their plan on opening up their first Malaysian outlet. So this is not so much an existing Malaysian cinema but perhaps a soon-to-come one. CJ CGV’s chain includes 85 sites, 681 screens, and 100 thousand seats in Korea. In 2013, CGV’s 106 theatres and 833 screens in South Korea accounted for 101 million tickets (worth a gross of USD751 million) of the record-breaking 213 million admissions sold nationwide. Currently, the cinema chain has branches in places around the world including Los Angeles and China. Recently, our source indicated that CJ CGV now has eyes on Indonesia, Myanmar, and Malaysia – all fast-growing economies in underscreened markets. Yes, Malaysia. Let’s take a look at some of their exciting features.

Oh so suh-weet! These are basically your couple seats made even more private. For a more intimate experience, the exclusive Sweetbox seats that feature a double sofa coloured conveniently in red. Typically located in the last row of the theatre, the tickets don’t cost much more and also provide more opportunities to snuggle up with that special someone. Best of all, there’s no annoying drink holder in the middle to mess up the timing on your expert moves. The very spacious seating can also be a nice alternative for those of you who want more space for yourself, but you’d also be the target of a lot of bizarre or sympathetic looks from other couples.

There is also a sweetbox premium option that provides luxurious leather sofas as well as pillows and cushions for a highly enjoyable experience at the theaters. This option makes those inevitable lulls in the movie much more tolerable as well. (Source)

Watching movies in 3D is great, but some people believe that actually experiencing what the character does in the movie is beyond extreme. In Seoul, South Korea, movies in 4D is possible – or rather, made possible with an interesting technology called 4DX. 4DX is a technology that allows its viewers to actually feel the strong wind or smell the different odours in the movie. The feature also fills the screening hall with different special effects like wind, different scents, vibrations, moving chairs, and water to let their viewers experience what is happening in the movie.

Doesn’t it seriously sound like being in some sort of an amusement park ride all at the same time? It’s not going to be something that you’d forget anytime soon, that’s for sure.

Located on the 11th and 12th floors of CGV Chungdam, this highly private space seats 24 and is accompanied by a very luxurious interior complete with couches, tables, and bookshelves to give it that sense of elegance. The Private Cinema is perfect for that exclusive party or event, and the red carpet is rolled out before you as soon as you step out of the elevator and admire the decor. Spending time here feels like owning your own penthouse, as the brilliant wood flooring and well placed lighting reek of regality. (Source)

Starium is perhaps one of the most striking aspect of CJ CGV because of its massive screen. In fact, the word “big” is not enough to describe the one at the Yeongdeungpo CGV multiplex in western Seoul, said to be one of the world’s largest movie screen, measuring 31.4 meters (103 feet) in width and 13 meters in height, occupying 407.9 square meters (4,390 square feet). One of the most striking aspects of the Starium theater is its powerful sound system. For the best sound, it uses an 11.2-channel stereoscopic system, which it claims provides uniform distribution of sound in every part of the theatre.

Some moviegoers who have watched a film there have even said the acoustics are similar to what you’d find at an opera house. The Starium boasts 50 speakers, more than double the number that regular theaters often use. The speakers are actually the same ones found in concert halls. They are spread out over a long line, and each speaker can be adjusted manually in order to balance the sound across the theatre. (Source)

There’s no knowing for sure which one of the above CJ CGV features will come with the opening of the first CJ CGV outlet in Malaysia, but we sure hope that we’ll get to experience all of ’em!

So, you ready to take your moviegoing experience to the next level with some of the above awesome features? Do you know of any other Malaysian cinema features that belong in our list? Let us know in the comments box below!

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CONTEST: “F*** Me I’m Famous” CD Giveaway!

Now that we’re all back from the long weekend, and with the “Future Sound Asia Pres. David Guetta” event looming and well on its way, it’s only apt that we surprise our loyal Hype Malaysia readers with a little giveaway. And no, we weren’t kidding when we asked if we should be giving out his CDs.

So, how many of you would like a copy of David’s “F*** Me I’m Famous!” CD? Because we hear that our wonderful friends at Warner Music Malaysia have reserved FIVE copies especially for you lucky peeps! How to win ’em?

2. Like Warner Music Malaysia’s Facebook page (because they’re awesome for making this happen).

3. Screenshot both pages once you’ve liked them! It should look like this:

4. E-mail the screenshots to submit@hype.my.

Done? Cool! Then you’d be in the running to snag yourself a David Guetta CD! We’ve got our fingers crossed for you. Good luck, peeps! Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out what went on during our exclusive interview with David here.

Psst. He spills the beans on what he really, really thinks about electronic dance music (EDM) then and now, and also, haters. Not even kidding!

1. Please state your full name, IC number, e-mail address and contact number in your contest entry.

2. Winners will be announced on our Facebook page and a winners list post.

3. Contest is open to those residing in Selangor only.

4. Prizes are strictly nontransferable. Hype Malaysia reserves the right to refuse the collection of prizes for those who attempt to transfer it from one contest winner (in whose name it is registered) to another person.

5. Submissions close on the 25th September 2012 (Tuesday).


Jon Bon Jovi Calls Justin Bieber An A**hole

Jon Bon Jovi has the whole rock star thing down pat, and he’s not impressed with Justin Bieber‘s antics.

In an interview with the London Evening Standard, the 51-year-old musician slammed Bieber for showing up two hours late to a concert at the O2 arena in March:

Every generation has guys that do that, none of that is new. They run the risk of disrespecting their audience members who have worked hard to pay for their ticket, to give you the permission to take two or three hours of their lives – or in that kid’s case, 80 minutes of their lives.

Do it once, you can be forgiven. Do it enough times and shame on you. They won’t have you back. Then it just becomes a cliché. It’s really not cool – you’re an asshole. Go to f***in’ work!

Bon Jovi’s admonishment of Bieber might be a bit premature since he’s only been extremely late to his own show twice, but the singer was less than ready to take full responsibility for his lateness after his London concert.

The 19-year-old pop star blamed “technical issues” and claimed he was only a mere 40 minutes late to the London gig. Though he did apologize, the incident happened during a time when the singer was exhibiting strange behavior that had many wondering if Bieber was in the middle of a breakdown.

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


[Watch] Incredibles 2 Trailer: Mr Incredible Does His Most Heroic Work Yet… Be A Parent

Sequels that come out a bazillion years after the original almost always turn out to be shit — see “Dumb and Dumber to” and “Zoolander 2”. But the sequel to Brad Bird’s “The Incredibles”, which was released 14 years ago, is something cinephiles have been desperately clamouring for.

In this trailer (or Olympic sneak peak) of “Incredibles 2”, we pick up exactly where the first film left off, with The Underminer threatening to tear the city apart. The trailer also, introduces a new character voiced by Bob Odenkirk that could quite possibly be the villain of this movie.

We also get a bunch of cool action sequences involving Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl. But what made the first “Incredibles” really awesome is the depth of its characters and the family dynamic. Fear not, we get loads of that too! In this trailer, we see Mr. Incredible struggling, as usual, with his fatherly duties.

“Incredibles 2” is set to hit cinemas on the 15th of June 2018.


UAE To Legalise Drinking Alcohol & Cohabitation Before Marriage

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently announced a major overhaul of the country’s Islamic personal laws.

Under the recent rulings, the government has given the green light to decriminalise consumption of alcohol as well as cohabitation.

The law reform is aimed at improving the country’s economic and social status as well. It was also done as an effort to attract tourists and investors to come to the country. To quote Daily Mail, the move is taken following a “historic US-brokered deal to normalise relations between the UAE and Israel”, which is expected to bring an influx of travellers and investment from the latter country.

Previously, alcohol consumption was only permissible for foreigners with special licenses. Through this new law, UAE citizens can also purchase and drink alcoholic beverage. Having said that, National News sheds some more light on the rules that still exist regarding the consumption of alcohol in the country:

In another update about the new law, unmarried citizens or foreigners were considered guilty if lived together under one roof. However, with the announcement of the major overhaul, locals as well as non-natives of the countries under the UAE are now permitted to practise cohabitation.

In the meantime, suicide or attempted suicide will not be considered a crime in the UAE. Divorce and inheritance rulings have also been overhauled.

Sources: DailyMail, The National. / Featured Image: Metro UK.


What Do Steven Spielberg & Marilyn Monroe Have In Common?

“Smash” is an American musical drama series that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater, revolving around the creation of a new musical based on the life of the late Marilyn Monroe.

It follows a cross-section of dreamers and schemers who all have only one common desire – to be a “Smash”.

The series, a production of DreamWorks Television, was premiered on NBC in the US on 6th February 2012 and is co-produced by world-famous movie-making entrepreneur, Steven Spielberg. Its pilot episode was watched by a whopping number of 11.44 million viewers.

Because it garnered so much positive feedback and the momentum quickly picked up a throng of followers, on 22nd March 2012, it was reported that NBC renewed Smash for a second season:

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The story starts with a successful songwriting team (portrayed by Debra Messing and Christian Borle) who begin to work on the said Marilyn Monroe-esque musical. Then comes a tenacious producer (played by Anjelica Houston) with something to prove.

The excitement grows once casting of the title role begins. And from there onwards, it’s one hell of a rollercoacter ride that will culminate on opening night when the audience will determine whether it will be a smash.

Smash. Indeed. Could this be the series to give FOX’s “GLEE” a run for their money? We’ll see. Catch Smash every Monday at 9pm on DIVA Universal, Astro Channel 702!

For more information, visit Smash NBC’s official website.

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#Deadpool2: Director Tim Miller Reveals The Truth About His Departure & Cable Casting Rumours

You’d imagine that production for “Deadpool 2” would be nothing but sunshine and smooth sailing after the unexpected box office success for “Deadpool”.

However, the sequel encountered an unfortunate bump in the road when Tim Miller dropped out of the project, with insiders claiming that there were creative differences between the returning director and star Ryan Reynolds. Now Miller is setting the record straight for himself.

During his recent appearance on CG Garage’s 100th episode podcast, Miller clarified that it was never his intention to make a more gigantic, stylised sequel. “I just want to say one thing to the geek audience out there, because it’s important to me what the geeks and nerds of the world think. I didn’t want to make some stylised movie that was 3 times the budget. I wanted to make the same kind of movie that we made before because I think that’s the right movie to make for the character. So don’t believe what you read on the internet,” he said.

So if that was not the caused of his exit, was it because Miller and Reynolds were feuding over the casting of Cable? It was rumoured that Miller was dead-set on casting Kyle Chandler as Cable but Reynolds reportedly disagreed. “Kyle Chandler was not going to be Cable. All this stuff that I read kind of kills me,” the director added. Miller went on to recount that there were disagreements during the post-production process, but no major arguments.

Since Miller’s departure, he has since been replaced by “John Wick” director David Leitch. Contrary to popular belief, “Deadpool 2” won’t be a mega-budget film but will instead, stick to the basics.

“Deadpool 2” is set for release on 2nd March 2018.

Sources: Screen Rant, Independent UK, /Film.


The Ultimate K-Pop Fan Gathering Is Back!

Organized by the Universal Music Malaysia, the “Universal K-Pop Crazy Party” is back again after its first successful run in February 2012! The “Universal K-Pop Crazy Party 2013” will be bringing all the K-Pop fans together to go crazy for a whole day again!

The lucky draw has amazing prizes such as a “Fly Away K-Pop Concert” package and Girls Generation’s individual standees! Also, and this one’s especially for the Girls’ Generation or SHINee fans, you best prepare your speech for lovely idol as your words might be recorded to be sent to Girls’ Generation and SHINee. Got something to tell them? Well, this is your chance!

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The headlining competition will be the Universal K-pop Crazy Party Cover Dance Competition, open to groups of five to nine after purchasing one of the Universal K-pop Artist albums or caller ringtones. There will be two categories of participation: SHINee and Girls’ Generation.

Three dance crews will be chosen from each category and they will be invited to Universal K-pop Crazy Party 2013 to compete for the champion title and a grand prize! How to participate? All you need to do is just video your dance performance (not exceeding five minutes) and upload it to YouTube! After that, e-mail the YouTube link to umg2007@gmail.com!

This invite-only event will be held on 24th March 2013 (Sunday) from 2pm onwards at Bentley Music Auditorium in Mutiara Damansara. There will also be booths where fans can buy their favourite artists’s albums/merchandise via the Universal Music stand or sample food from Korean local restaurants’ booths.

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


Hype’s Exclusive: R3hab Promises A Dance Music Revolution At Thirst 2015

The upcoming Thirst 2015, themed “We Are All Stardust”, promises to be a new experience beyond just music. Officially announced in February, this year’s event will turn things up a notch (or two) with a brand new show concept and is set to offer an experience like no other.

Let’s just say that it’ll  be music for the eyes ;)

Thirst 2015 will see both international and local DJ/producer heavyweights such as Dash Berlin, R3hab, Goldfish & Blink, B.A.T.E, XU, and Hulkas take the “We Are All Stardust” stage for a visual feast of your lives.

But while they’re preparing to blow your minds, we took a moment to call R3hab (real name Fadil) up for a quick chat. On his birthday (2nd April) no less!

Hey Fadil! What’s going on? Where are you right now and what are you currently up to?

Hello how you doin’! I’m in Mexico right now because I have a show in a couple of hours. I was actually about to take a nap before the show.

You last played in Malaysia during Thirst 2013 at Sepang International Circuit. What do you remember most about that show?

I think Malaysia is cool because people are very energetic and enthusiastic and..I mean, Malaysia has got great food – fried rice, satay, just in general. and the Petronas Twin Towers. It’s just a great place to be at and actually, on my next gig I’m gonna stay in Malaysia for a couple of days because I love Malaysia.

You’ve released quite a few collabs with renowned artistes in the past few years. Among all of the artistes that you’ve worked with, which ones have inspired you the most?

I’m a big fan of Calvin Harris because he makes great records. His work is the perfect hybrid between radio records and club music – he’s definitely one of my greatest inspirations and influences.

What has been some of the most impactful comments that you’ve heard people make about you?

I think what’s very impactful is that people are so happy to go to the show and they have an amazing time. Some people have said to me, “I was going through a hard time, but then I saw you and I really had a great time”. Just making people happy and putting smiles on their faces, that’s really impactful to me.

Looking back at 2014, what has been some of your most memorable achievements or moments?

Good question! Uhm..I made a record with Calvin Harris so that was a big achievement for me last year. But the biggest achievement for me was just making music and performing, in general. Sometimes, you forget that that’s a big achievement too, you know. I mean, I came to Kuala Lumpur and played for 5,000 people, and everyone was having a great time. That’s actually a great achievement!

What’s in the pipeline for you for 2015? Are there any interesting collabs coming that you can talk about or is there an album in the works?

Well, there’s definitely some interesting stuff coning out that I can’t really talk about. It’s really interesting and I really want to finish it before I talk about it.

You mentioned that one of your biggest achievements is putting out music with Calvin Harris. Is there a personal wishlist of top DJs/producers that you’d like to someday work with?

I would like to work with a guy like John Legend as a writer and maybe the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I’m trying to see if we can make something interesting together. I’ve also always been a big fan of Skrillex – he’s doing a really interesting Jack Ü project now with Diplo. It could be interesting to just do something different.

Unlike Thirst 2013, this year’s event promises to be a different experience altogether. What can your fans expect from your show at Thirst 2015?

A lot of new music! A lot of new music, first of all, and you know I’m the type of guy who tries to give a lot of energy to the crowd and see where it goes. I’m not very strategic because I play on emotions. I always try to reach the crowd on the spot and not think about it too much. I’m planning to play a lot of new music and make sure that everyone has a great night.

Alright, thanks for the chat, Fadil! Looking forward to your Thirst 2015 set already.

Thank you! My pleasure. I’m excited to be back in Malaysia. Thank you so much.

We’ll leave you now with a snippet of R3hab’s Tomorrowland 2014 set.

Special thanks to Heineken Malaysia and Roots Asia for making this interview happen ;)

Don’t forget to grab your tix to Thirst 2015!

Deets on Heineken as well as the brand’s ongoing activities are available on Heineken’s website or Facebook page.

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


#GuinnessMY50: Guinness & Malaysia Celebrate 50 Years Together With Limited Edition Designs

For the first time, Guinness Malaysia created brand new limited edition designs for one country, drawing inspiration from its culture and its people. A world-first, made especially to celebrate 50 years of Guinness being brewed in Malaysia.

The creations were unveiled at a spectacular launch event at the Intermark Hotel, Kuala Lumpur last week, featuring 3 limited edition designs for its Foreign Extra Stout bottles and cans.

The 3 limited edition designs, which will be available while stocks last between now and November, are a marked departure from the brand’s iconic black and gold visuals. Each one is bursting with vibrant colours and intricate patterns, inspired by the wealth of history and culture Malaysia has to offer.

What hasn’t changed, however, is the glorious Guinness inside – it’s still the exact same formula that Malaysians have known and loved for all these years.

Each design represents a distinct era in Malaysia’s journey – stretching back to our tribal roots, through to the age of independence, leading into the modern day and looking ahead to the future.

The new limited edition designs have not only been inspired by Malaysia; they have been created for Malaysians, by Malaysians. Behind the designs are 5 luminaries of the Malaysian creative scene, who came together to explore the concepts of history, identity, and culture.

Representing a range of creative disciplines, the “Creative Council” comprised of musician Edwin Raj (frontman of local band They Will Kill Us All), artist Donald Abraham, film director James Lee, graphic artist Lefty (Julian Kam), and photographer Vincent Paul Yong.

The limited edition bottle designs mark 50 years since the first locally-brewed Guinness left the brewery at Sungei Way, the location where it is still brewed today.

The 3 collectible limited edition designs will appear on all bottles (325ml and 640ml) and cans (320ml) of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout sold in Malaysia from now until November, while stocks last.

More pictures from the launch are available below:

For more information, visit Guinness’ Facebook page or search for the hashtag #GUINNESSMY50.


The Korean “Prince of Ballads”: He Speaks!

As you might already know, we spent the weekend with the Korean “Prince of Ballads”, Tim Hwang (Hwang Young-Min), who was in Malaysia as part of his first fan-meeting plus promotional tour. Lucky us, we got to speak with the talented and good looking American-born Korean right after his press conference – he was only too happy to oblige.

Chattier than we imagined him to be, might we add!

So let’s relive that moment and find out what he has been up to since his hiatus, and how Tim has finally settled in in South Korea, where he has been pursuing his musical career. Little twists and quirks, included:

Welcome to Malaysia, Tim. How are you settling in? What has surprised you most about Malaysia?

“I haven’t really experienced much of Malaysia! It was from airport to hotel and then here right now in this interview. Nothing has really surprised me yet – there are a lot of similarities with Indonesia. Like, on the way here there was a massive traffic jam (laughs). But really, Indonesia holds a special place in my heart so, it feels the same, it feels familiar, yet different you know?”

Previously, you had a hiatus for almost six years and that’s pretty long for someone in the Korean music industry. What did you get up to in those years of absence?

“A lot of different things happened and there are a lot of reasons for that – you know how they say when it rains it pours? Having to take the hiatus was definitely difficult for me. So many different issues happened all at once. But more importantly, through that situation, it pushed me to learn about who I really am and what I’m doing with my life.”

Was your comeback a challenge, considering the circumstances?

“Coming back into the industry with another album was..the Korean music industry is totally different now what with all the boy groups and girl groups. I mean, there were definitely groups like that back in the day but now they’re everywhere! It was difficult adjusting but I adjusted – there were so many advantages from that hiatus.”

We agree. The “K-Pop groups” invasion is out of this world! Is it difficult being a ballad singer, you know, in an industry that has such a strong “group” trend and kids who have obviously started training from a very young age?

“Sometimes, I even get surprised at how young they start – training at a very young age and all. It’s very extreme. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages with being solo. Being on my own all the time sometimes suck – it would be nice to have ‘hyungs’ or members in a group that you can kinda rely on and it would be fun. But at the same time, being a ballad singer means that the range of people that I meet is probably different. I’ve met so many types of people and stood on so many different types of stages.  It’s really interesting and..I guess I’ve always stayed faithful to my music.”

What were the things that shocked you the most when you moved to South Korea from the United States to pursue your music career?

“Back home in the United States, my family’s very Westernized. We’re Christians so we go to church and stuff, so we were taught to bow to greet each other by bowing and in church, we’re all brothers, sisters, and more importantly, we’re all friends. But in Korea, the way in which people relate to each other is really important. I always kinda knew it but I didn’t know how extreme it was. I mean, I’ve never called my brothers ‘hyungs’. It would be so awkward. In Korea, there are ‘hyungs’, and ‘noonas’, and ‘dongsaengs’ – hierarchy is taken very seriously there so that came as a cultural shock to me. That and the food too, of course. The actual food and the way of eating food.”

We can imagine! While we’re on that topic of your great shift from United States to South Korea, tell us, do you think in English or do you think in Korean?

“Before, it was all in English but now it’s all mixed up.  As in, I would think in English and then filter it into Korean. Now, it’s kinda like, probably 60% English and 40% Korean. And I think I can express myself better in Korean now. Sometimes, there are Korean words that you can say to fully express yourself that would’ve taken an entire sentence to say in English.”

Say you’re on a Korean variety show, when you speak to the TV host, do you do the whole “think in English, translate into Korean, words come out in Korean” process?

“Yes! Haha. That’s why I’m so slow sometimes. People are like, why is Tim so quiet? And I’m just sitting there trying to understand what they’re saying because they speak so fast! And you can’t always translate English word for word into Korean because grammatically, Korean is the other way around. So it would’ve sounded silly. I had to go experience moments like that four or five times before I got it figured out. It has gotten better now!”

Let’s talk about your music a little – how much creative control do you have over your songs and which one of your songs holds a special sentimental value to you?

“Where I’m at right now, I have as much creative control as I want but to a certain degree because I have to take into consideration the company, their plan, what I’m good at, what is right for the market, and all that stuff. So I kinda have to juggle all of that. As for the song that holds a sentimental value for me it would be ‘New Beginnings’. It was written at a time when there were a lot of suicide cases in Korea and I wanted to write something that would reach out to people. The suicide rate is still high and it’s not something you can dismiss, you know? We need to talk about it and address the issue. ‘New Beginnings’ was written to inspire people and to encourage the younger generation.”

Last one for the road, Tim, what is your dream?

“My dream is to be satisfied and to be happy today. Because, tomorrow’s not promised to me, it’s not promised to you, we don’t know what’s going to happen but people live like it’s promised to them. For me, acknowledging that tomorrow’s not promised to me gives me a better perspective on what’s precious and what’s real in life. Of course, as an artiste, we all want fame and fortune but that’s something that’s not promised to me. And knowing that makes me want to put all my energy into being that today – happy and satisfied with being who I am.”

[youtube id=”Wd3Fs9Leumo” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Aww. Thank you, Tim. For your music, and for being so inspiring – we’re already your number one fans! Special thanks to our friends from Sony Music Malaysia for organizing the interview. To check out Tim’s music, click! The “prince” is also on Twitter, if you’re interested in stalking him.

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


#WorldWarZ: Sequel To Be Released In 2017

Get your weapons ready, guys. It looks like a new bunch of zombies will come running after us in an upcoming sequel of “World War Z“.

TheWrap’s reporter Jeff Sneider broke the news that the sequel will be released on 9th June 2017.

BREAKING: Paramount to release WORLD WAR Z 2 on June 9, 2017.

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) May 22, 2015

Released in 2013, “World War Z” is an American apocalyptic action horror film directed by German-Swiss filmmaker Marc Forster (“Stranger Than Fiction”, “Finding Neverland”). Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard, and Damon Lindelof wrote the screenplay from a screen story by Carnahan and J. Michael Straczynski, based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Max Brooks.

The movie stars Brad Pitt as Gerry Lane, a former United Nations investigator who must travel the world to find a way to stop a zombie pandemic. Despite being criticised for “the anti-climax and outdated CGI”, it received generally positive reviews from critics and fans alike for its “realistic revival of the zombie genre”. It became the highest-grossing zombie film of all time for grossing over USD540 million against a production budget of USD190 million.

Due to its massive box office success, a sequel was announced shortly after the film’s release.

The studio hired director Steven Knight to write the sequel while “The Impossible” director Juan Antonio Bayona is attached to helm the project. Co-financed by Skydance, the movie will be produced by Pitt, Jeremy Kleiner, and Dede Gardner via their Plan B Entertainment banner. Pitt will also return to star as the main protagonist.

The plot details have been kept under wraps, but Knight told Thompson on Hollywood that the sequel will start off with a “clean slate”.

Paramount Pictures’ “World War Z” was originally slated for release in 2016, but it has been pushed back to 2017 instead. It will be released on the same day as 20th Century Fox’s “Fantastic Four 2″.

Filming is expected to begin in October this year.

You can check out one of the most iconic scenes from the first film below:

Are you excited for the sequel? Who do you think should join the cast as well? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.


CONTEST: Win Hennessy V.S.O.P KYRIOS Party Passes!

Just yesterday, we mentioned that the good people of Hennessy Malaysia will be throwing a series of nationwide parties in conjunction with the launch of the Hennessy V.S.O.P KYRIOS – the 3rd edition of the Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilege Collection. KYRIOS, Guardian of the Codes of Hennessy V.S.O.P, is setting out to take over nightlife in KL and beyond, with the first Hennessy V.S.O.P KYRIOS party happening this 21st March at The Butter Factory, KL.

Featuring H-Artistry 2012 headliners Brain and the Eye, Mr. Nasty & GuruGuru, and one of Taiwan’s biggest EDM exports, DJ Cookie, prepare to be blown away at The Butter Factory, as it takes on a copper bronze hue to set you on your journey through the Legendary Codes of the world’s most loved cognac – Hennessy V.S.O.P.

Lineup: B.A.T.E., Mr.Nasty & GuruGuru, DJ Cookie (Taiwan)

We have a total of THREE pairs of passes to giveaway to THREE of our lucky readers, and each pair of these passes comes with a pair of Hennessey V.S.O.P KYRIOS Miniatures 5cl! These passes will entitle entry and access to free flow of Hennessy V.S.I.P long drinks for the first hour of the event. You want in?

Here’s what you gotta do to win them. Tell us:

E-mail your answers to submit@hype.my before 17th March 2013 (Sunday). The correct and most creative answers will stand a chance at winning the passes and partying it up at Hennessy V.S.O.P KYRIOS highly anticipated nightlife debut!

* Normal consumers will have to purchase Hennessy V.S.O.P at The Butter Factory prior to the event to obtain passes: one bottle for two passes, two bottles for five passes.

For more information, visit Hennessy Malaysia’s Facebook page.

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S’porean Student Assaulted His Mother’s Private Parts & Starved Her

As children, we are to respect our parents. That includes looking after and being there for them in their old age.

This 30-year-old son may have missed the memo however. He physically abused his 68-year-old mother, citing stress as the reason.

Andy Koh Ju Hua pleaded guilty on 16th March to four counts of voluntarily causing hurt. Initially, he lived together with his father and his mother in Singapore, however, in 2017, he started abusing his mother. He starved her and forbid her from showering or making noise when he was stressed with his studies. He also assaulted his mother’s vaginal area with a metal padlock and his knee. Koh was studying for a Master’s degree at the National University of Singapore then.

In the beginning, Koh’s mother refused to file police reports as she did not want to risk ruining her son’s future. She also sought shelter with her nephew and niece periodically. The victim was hospitalised three times and placed in a safe house each time, but would insist on returning to her family soon after. She only decided to reveal the offences and lodge a police report in June 2020.

In January 2018, Koh hit his mother’s vaginal area with his knee. Her niece found her later, looking disheveled and experiencing pain in her lower regions. She stopped her niece from reporting the matter to the police and went to the hospital, saying her wounds were from her falling down. At that time, she did not want to implicate her son. The hospital noted extensive bruising on her abdomen, buttocks, lower limbs and external genitalia. They started her on intravenous antibiotics and discharged her later in the month.

Koh assaulted her a second time in December 2018 by hitting her face with his hands and hitting her vaginal area several times with a metal padlock. His mother did not stop him, and instead, allowed him to take his frustrations out on her. She was later found with swelling on her body and bloodstains on her gown over her vaginal area. Her second hospital visit alerted the police to her abusive situation, but she merely told them she had fallen in the toilet.

She finally reported the incidents to the police in June 2020 when Koh punched her three times in the mouth without warning. She fled the house, bleeding and desperate, and found her way to her relatives. They described her as sunken, thin, frail and very dirty. Her nephew reported the incident to the police, stating that his aunt was abused by her son, and she was distraught. This time, the victim told the hospital that her son had punched her face and that her chin and lip hurt.

Koh was remanded in November 2020. However, he said he loves his mother and hopes to reunite with her. He wants to “live happily ever after” with her after receiving treatment for his purported “psychotic disorder”. Deputy Public Prosecutor Magdalene Huang stated Koh has no previous convictions, yet she sought at least 30 weeks of jail. She stressed that the victim was not only elderly, vulnerable, but also his mother. The usage of the metal padlock to assault her “is especially vicious and cruel,” she said.

Huang also highlighted the perpetrator’s complete lack of remorse, as seen in a report by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). “Although the accused has ultimately chosen to plead guilty, he had denied his offences to the police. Throughout investigations, he denied the offences,” she said. She did however, allude that his mental condition, supported by the IMH report, is “the only one mitigating factor“.

Koh, who was unrepresented, was in tears as he asked for a mandatory treatment order (MTO). “I love my mother a lot and I do not know why I committed all those silly things to her. I need to undergo treatment to overcome my psychotic disorder,” he said. Koh also hopes to cure himself via the treatment to “live happily ever after” with his mother. “She is not young anymore and I certainly wish to take care of her in her remaining days.”

Although the prosecution objected to the calling of an MTO report, the judge found it appropriate to consider. “What is critical is for the offender to receive treatment if it’s something that had any causal or contributory link, but we should get a report to ascertain if that’s the case,” District Judge Kessler Soh stated. Initially, he called for a report to asses Koh’s suitability for an MTO, but it was later retracted according to court records. The case will be heard again on 23rd March for mitigation and sentencing.

According to CNA, the National University of Singapore said Koh’s Master’s candidature was terminated in January 2021 when he did not return from his leave of absence, which started in August 2019.


Elton John, Katy Perry, Prince & Daft Punk Added To Apple Fitness+ Artist Spotlight Series

New workouts with music by Elton John, Katy Perry, Prince, and Daft Punk will be added to Apple Fitness+’s Artist Spotlight series starting this week. The series gives one particular musician their own own exercise playlist. New workouts starring each artist will be added to Fitness+ every Monday for four weeks, spanning a variety of workout categories like cycling, HIIT, strength training, yoga, dance, and treadmill.

Apple Music and Apple One subscribers can take advantage of the Fitness+ Spotlight series, which is inspired by the Artist Spotlight Fitness+ workouts. It includes a special playlist for each individual Artist Spotlight musician that includes inspiring, upbeat songs from their entire catalogues as well as collaborations and remixes to keep people moving outside their Fitness+ workouts.

Like Katy Perry said, “I know it’s good for me, and I need it to stay ready for my Vegas residency, PLAY, but sometimes, the only thing that gets me through a workout is the music. I hope these Artist Spotlight workouts on Fitness+ will motivate people to get moving and have fun while doing it!”

With songs by artists like BTS, Queen, Nicki Minaj, The Beatles, Shakira, Calvin Harris, Keith Urban, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Lopez among others, the Artist Spotlight series offers more than 50 workouts that span almost every sort of exercise.

So without further ado, let’s get into some of the type of workouts Fitness+ users can do and with which songs:

To correspond with Prince’s penchant for the number seven, Fitness+ trainer Sherica Holmon will lead users through seven working songs throughout the Cycling workout, including “Kiss,” “I want to be your lover,” and “I would die 4 U,” among others.

Users will flow to four ballads from Elton John’s tremendous catalogue during a yoga session conducted by Fitness+ expert Molly Fox. The songs are “Tiny Dancer,” “Your Song,” “Daniel,” and “Blessed.” Users will stand, reach, bend, and twist as each song explores a fresh pose.

Fitness+ trainer Jamie-Ray Hartshorne will guide customers through some of Katy Perry’s biggest hits, including “Teenage Dream,” “California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg),” “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F),” and more, in an upcoming treadmill exercise set to her music.

Get Apple’s Fitness+ and try out the Dance, HIIT and Strength workouts for yourself!

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


#Rara: Meet Lara Alana, The Young Malaysian Instagram Sensation

Who is Lara Alana and why is she more popular than most of us combined?

To date, this 20-month-old toddler has over 1.7 million followers on Instagram and is close to reaching 1 million “likes” on her public Facebook page. In fact, she’s so well liked that her pictures and videos on social media never fail to attract thousands of “likes”, making her an obvious internet sensation.

So how did this precious cute girl become so famous? Well, it could be because little Lara is the daughter of local celebrities Awal Ashaari and Scha Alyahya. While most celebrity parents would choose to keep their children away from the spotlight, the celebrity couple have learnt to embrace Lara’s stardom as a positive thing.

The 32-year-old actress reveals that the comments on Lara’s social media platforms have provided them with some good parenting tips.

“We interact with our followers on parenting. Once, people commented that we should not allow Lara, nicknamed Rara, to sit on the floor with her legs folded and we looked it up online, we found out that it could harm a child’s growth. Since she is our first child, such positive comments taught us and helped us in raising her,” she said.

Besides that, Rara’s followers are also treated to a load of cuteness from her daily antics – from her playdates with friends, public appearances, and holidays trips to her fashionable “outfit of the day” posts (along with the hashtag #raraootd).

For more photos and videos of the super adorable Rara, follow her on her Instagram account and Facebook page.


Instagram To Roll Out New, Cleaner Comment Feature

Finally, we’re getting proper comment threads on Instagram!

In a blog post, Instagram wrote, “Today we’re making conversations about Instagram posts even easier by adding comment threads. Comment threads help you keep track of conversations and make it easy to respond to a specific thread. This update will make your feed an even better place to share interests, get inspired and connect with others.”

Just like its parent company (Facebook), replying to a comment on Instagram will begin a new thread, which will make the conversation easier to follow. All users have to do is hit reply underneath any comment and their response will automatically be grouped right underneath it in a thread.

As for when this new feature will arrive, according to Instagram, it’s expected to roll out as part of Instagram version 24 and above globally on Android and iOS “in the coming weeks”.

Sources: Lowyat.NET, Instagram / Featured image: Instagram.


The DJ Rodion & Hype Exclusive

It’s true. DJ Rodion aka Ed Cianfanni is what Italian dance music geniuses are made of. If you haven’t already heard, he’s making his way over to our shores for a pre-Merdeka gig at Bedroom, Pavilion KL next week!

And before he does, we snag him for an exclusive little one-on-one. Check out what went on when DJ Rodion took time off his Asia tour to speak to us.

Hi Ed! How are things with you? Are you currently touring or working in the studio?

“I’m touring Asia at the moment : I already DJed at uber cool Migas in Beijing and at Kee club in Hong Kong. The tour will continue together with the fellow Metro Tokyo through Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, and Shangai, until early September.”

For those who are already not in the know (and perhaps prospective fans), how would you best describe your music and the kind of tunes that you would usually drop at your gigs?

“My productions are usually pretty busy with diverse musical elements and bizarre style changes. So probably that’s what one could expect when I DJ. I love to stay tight but combining different genres, from steady Italo arpeggiated basslines to druggy house, through acid and cyborg disco funk.”

What would you say is your greatest achievement to date? Any gigs that were extra memorable or meeting a successful a DJ (like yourself) who has inspired you? Tell us why those memories stuck with you.

“Being on tour around Asia at the moment makes me feel pretty happy, it’s quite a rewarding experience. Generally speaking, being able to travel around the world and meet new people to work with, test new crowds, taste new foods and learn new habits is quite essential to keep yourself in the loop. And it might lead to very funny and memorable nights, from the live set in a greek pole dance club, till the afterhour party among sheeps and horses in spain. I m also glad I ve been able to release on nice labels the music I wrote togheter with many artists and friends which I love and respect.”

What can Malaysian partygoers expect from your gig at Bedroom KL?

“I can guarantee a properly moustached set.”

If you weren’t a DJ/producer, what would you most likely be doing?

“I most likely be cooking at my own small restaurant, possibly on the beach. I got quite a crush on food and I find that the art of cooking, so selecting the right ingredients and blend them togheter has many similarities with the art of arranging and blending sounds. I also found that many of my trusted DJ friends share the same passion with food and cooking.”

Alright, final thing on our list – would you like to say anything to your Malaysian fans?

So, what say you? Wanna catch the master of Italian disco live at his Bedroom KL gig? Click for deets or better yet, bag some free passes from us! You may thank us later.

For more information, check out the event page.

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#StarTrek4: Chris Hemsworth To Star In Sequel; Writers & Plot Revealed

It’s official – a 4th “Star Trek” movie is in the works :)

That’s not all, Paramount Pictures has also confirmed that Chris Hemsworth will be starring in the new sequel alongside Chris Pine.

The “Thor” actor will be reprising his role as George Kirk aka the father Captain James T. Kirk. Just in case you’ve forgotten, George Kirk was killed off in “Star Trek” (2009) reboot after he sacrificed himself by deliberately colliding with a Romulan ship to save his crew and his son.

Besides that, it was reported that the remaining cast is “expected to return”.

Meanwhile, the studios has enlisted J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, the duo behind the first draft of “Star Trek Beyond”, to pen the script for Gene Roddenberry’s intergalactic franchise. Skydance (David Ellison and Dana Goldberg) and Bad Robot (J.J. Abrams and Lindsey Weber) will serve as executive producers.

The official plot for the upcoming instalment is as follows:

“In the next instalment of the epic space adventure, Chris Pine’s Captain Kirk will cross paths with a man he never had a chance to meet, but whose legacy has haunted him since the day he was born: his father. Chris Hemsworth, who appeared in 2009’s ‘Star Trek’, will return to the space saga as George Kirk to star alongside Pine.”

No title or a release date for the upcoming film has been confirmed yet, but we’ll be updating this post with more information as soon as we get ’em details :)

“Star Trek Beyond” is slated for release on 21st July 2016.

For more information, hit up the movie’s website or Facebook page.


Hype’s Must Watch: #TheDrop

“The Drop” (not to be confused with the other “The Drop“, which was dedicated to electronic dance music) is a 2014 American crime drama film directed by Academy Award-nominated director (of “BULLHEAD”) Michaël R. Roskam and written by Dennis Lehane. The film is based on Dennis Lehane’s 2009 short story “Animal Rescue”.

Dennis Lehane also adapted the script into a 2014 novel of the same name.

The story follows lonely bartender Bob Saginowski (played by Tom Hardy) through a covert scheme of funneling cash to local gangsters aka “money drops”, in the underworld of Brooklyn bars. Under the heavy hand of his employer and cousin Marv, he finds himself thrown right in the smack of a robbery gone awry and entwined in an investigation that digs deep into the neighbourhood’s past where friends, families, and foes all work together to make a living – no matter the cost.

“The Drop” stars Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini, Matthias Schoenaerts, John Ortiz, and James Frecheville. It was screened in the Special Presentations section of the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, from which the film received positive reviews.

The film will be released in cinemas nationwide on 13th November.

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

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#BackToTheFuture2: Introducing The World’s First REAL Hoverboard!

Welp, the future is here. Soon, you will be introduced to the coolest gadget in the world (at least for us, it is cool) because the REAL hoverboard is here!

No, we are no longer talking about that hoverboard hoax. We are talking about the legit hoverboard that has finally been invented by engineers! First appeared in 1985’s cult film “Back to the Future Part II″, the hoverboard is one of the most sought-after fictional gadgets that most moviegoers have wished was real in the 20th century. It has been almost 20 years since the film was released but now, our dreams have come true, all thanks to Greg and Jill Henderson, the awesome people behind the Hendo hoverboard!

Why is it called Hendo, you ask? That is because the hoverboard is named after Greg Henderson, the mastermind behind the brand new gadget. But how did he turn a fantasy into a reality? By using a new technology – magnetic field architecture (MFA). Not much technical details were provided about this new technology but all we know is that the primary focus is on a magnetic field (obviously).

With 4 disc-shaped hover engines attached to the board, the flying skateboard is able to levitate about 1 inch off the ground as the engines create a special magnetic field that pushes the board off the ground. It’s a breakthrough in our world, but American tech media outlet, The Verge noted that the board is currently “more of a technology demo than something that’s going to get you to work in the morning.”

Thus, the engineering team is still look for ways to improve the gravity-defying board’s ability to levitate.

But getting it might be a problem now because as anyone would expect, it ain’t cheap to get your hands on this cool new toy. Priced at $10,000 per hoverboard, moving around the town with the flying skateboard sure comes at a high price. At the same time, they are also offering same kind of technology with the Whitebox™ Developer Kit. Unfortunately, it’s purely designed for you to get a sense of control over that little hovering white box. In fact, it only hovers around 12-15 minutes with a charge time of about 2 hours.

Moving around the town with hoverboard is highly unlikely as the hoverboard can be enjoyed in a specially tailored environments only. Thus, the Hendo Hoverboard is currently looking for support through a Kickstarter community to help them produce the board. They are also busy designing the world’s first hoverpark with a special surface as the board requires a magnetic field to levitate. Everyone is given the opportunity to be part of the project by claiming a brick-sized piece of the surface and engraving their name on it.

The Kickstarter campaign for Hendo Hoverboard ends on 14th December, which coincides with San Francisco Star Trek convention. The Hover Event, or rather the grand launch of the product will be held on 21st October 2015, where they will delivering their first set of production Hendo Hoverboards! :D

Are you excited for the launch? What do you think of the real hoverboards and will you get one for yourself? Let us know in the comments box below!


Macau Scam: MACC HQ Escapee Arrested In Pahang Resort

The “Macau Scam” main suspect who escaped after being released by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been arrested earlier today (27th October).

Fugitive Goh Leong Yeong, or Alvin Goh was nabbed at a resort in Pahang at 1:20am along with a foreign woman which is believed to be his girlfriend.

It was reported that Goh has been moving from one location to another to avoid arrest. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department director Datuk Huzir Mohamed said the arrest was made possible after police intelligence worked around the clock following the manhunt that started on 12th October.

Comm Huzir stated that Goh has been taken to the KL police headquarters for further action. “We will also be investigating further on his escape which some claimed to have been assisted by certain quarters,” he said when contacted by NST.

The 32-year-old suspect initially escaped from the MACC HQ after being released, fearing that he might be taken into police custody, on 11th October. It was reported that Goh managed to escape by climbing the building’s fence with his bodyguards’ help.

Last week, the police had confirmed Goh Leong Yeong and another suspect, Addy Kana, to be agents or coordinators for the money-laundering syndicate. The two individuals were hired to provide facilities such as call centres, equipped with computers and telecommunication equipment, to target China citizens with online gambling and other scams.

In related news, a 27-year-old doctor had recently fell victim to a “Macau Scam” call, losing a total of RM20,168.60. He reportedly received a call from an unknown number posing as a representative from the Inland Revenue Board and the police.

The doctor was then told that he was involved in drug smuggling and money laundering activities, and that a prosecutor would contact and assist him. On the same day, he received 12 TAC (Type Allocation Code) messages from a bank and was told to give it to the prosecutor.

The victim realised that he had been cheated after finding out that a large sum of his money was missing from his bank account, before proceeding to lodge a police report.

To avoid situations like these, we advice everyone to not answer calls from unknown numbers and avoid giving anyone your bank account details (especially TAC Codes).

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Mnet: Produce X 101 Unveils The First 15 Trainees

Mnet’s 4th season of “Produce X 101” has kicked off and the excitement from K-pop fans is already palpable.

Hosted by actor Lee Dong Wook, “Produce X 101” is set to officially debut on 3rd May 2019 and will air every Friday night. The contestants recently performed the title track for the popular survival show series, called “X1-MA”. It was also the first time viewers got to see them perform together.

Below are the first 15 trainees for “Produce X 101”:

Based on your impression so far, who are your bias? With Son Dong Pyo at the centre spot (as voted by fans), check out the live performance from the boys below:


Sorry, They’re Still Gonna Be Party Rocking!

After one unfortunate rescheduling, LMFAO Live in Malaysia 2012 is still going to rock the Surf Beach at Sunway Lagoon on the 9th of April 2012 (Monday):

[youtube id=”Ktt9WUuKlyM” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Initially, the world-famous party rockers were supposed to person on the 29th of March 2012 but had to postpone their concert due to Sky Blu‘s back injury. In case you haven’t heard, Sky was diagnosed with 3 herniated discs and, as a result, is unable to accompany his partner on the upcoming Asia tour dates.

In an official statement issued by the Party Rock Crew, Redfoo said, “LMFAO is super group and our mission since the beginning is to change this world into a party planet, one show one at a time! The LMFAO fans, better known as LMFAO-sters, Baby Babies, Party Rockers, Wigglemiesters and Shufflin Zomb Zombs, have supported us through thick and thin all the way to Number One!”

“It is my duty to carry out LMFAO’s Party Planet Mission and keep the Party Rockin’ with super friends, The Quest Crew, DJ Air, Q Da Danca, Shuffle Bot, Nate & Furr and Charley Pearl all better known as Redfoo & The Party Rock Crew.”

Eager to return to the stage Sky Blu added, “Injuries like these are tough because you can’t see them, you can only feel them. It’s been challenging but I’m doing everything necessary to be back at 100%. I can’t wait to get back out there. Until then, keep the party going!”

LMFAO Live in Malaysia 2012 is brought to you by official title sponsor, Samsung Malaysia Electronic Sdn. Bhd. and concert promoter, JS Concert Productions. Event details are as follows:

So head on over to any Rock Corner, The Guitar Store, or Victoria Music outlets to buy ’em! Alternatively, you may also purchase them online here.

(And don’t worry, all tickets purchased with the earlier date of 29th of March 2012 will still be valid for the 9th of April 2012 show)

For more information, visit LMFAO’s official website.


One Dog 10 Ringgit: Controversial “Kempen 1 Anjing 10 Ringgit” Cancelled

Nothing says “disbelief” more than how we felt when we saw a “Kempen 1 Anjing 10 Ringgit” poster being widely shared on Facebook late yesterday.

The Majlis Daerah Tanjong Malim (Tanjung Malim District Council) posted up the controversial dog-catching poster on their Facebook page for a campaign that was supposed to run starting today (Wednesday, 3rd June) until 12th June. It was meant to encourage the public to catch stray dogs, with the council offering to pay RM10 per animal. Hence the name, “1 Anjing 10 Ringgit” (“One Dog 10 Ringgit”).

The (now removed) poster was widely shared on social media, including Facebook as well as cross-platform messaging app, WhatsApp. In case you missed it, here:

As seen in the poster above, there are “terms and conditions” for the campaign, such as the dog has to be alive and that pet owners aren’t allowed to hand over their own canines.

Needless to say, it caused quite a ruckus on social media.

However, according to The Star Online, quick action by 2 good Samaritans, the Ipoh Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (ISPCA) and state executive councillor Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, managed to halt the campaign just in the nick of time. They’ve also possibly saved hundreds of dogs in the Tanjung Malim district from untimely deaths.

ISPCA president Ricky Soong called Dr Mah for help, explaining that it was not the right way to go about dealing with stray dogs.

Dr Mah assured me that he would help and by 11pm, I saw that all posts on the campaign had been deleted from the district council’s Facebook page. At about midnight, the poster on the campaign was taken down from the district council’s website and not long after at about 1am, it announced that the campaign was cancelled, to my relief.

He also added, “I do understand that the district council’s intention is to deal with the problem of strays but its method is just too cruel. I’m sure they were going to put the dogs to sleep instead of neutering or spaying them as to do so would cost them between RM100 and RM150 per animal.”

In another report by The Star Online, Noah’s Ark Ipoh (NAI) will meet Tanjung Malim District Council officials next week to propose a neutering campaign in place of the council’s aborted “One Dog 10 Ringgit” campaign.

Its founder, Dr Ranjit Kaur Mendhir said that NAI, with help from other private veterinarians in the state, would help the council formulate a “Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage” (TNRM) campaign in the district.

Sources: The Star Online (1), The Star Online (2).

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#BIGBANG: “If You” (1st July Release) Is The “Saddest Song BIGBANG Has Ever Written”

You’ve heard BIGBANG’s “Loser” and “Bae Bae” (MADE Series M), as well as “Bang Bang Bang” and “We Like 2 Party” (MADE Series A). But nothing will prepare you for “If You” (MADE Series D), and YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun Suk is testament to that.

Last week, both G-Dragon and Taeyang released teaser photos hinting at their appearance changes for MADE Series D. After which, the official “If You” poster was revealed, an artwork that exudes seriousness and “somberness”, somewhat.

And now, Yang Hyun Suk has revealed that “If You” is the saddest song that BIGBANG has ever written and spoke about the upcoming release for MADE Series D.

When I listened to the song, there was a moment where my heart skipped a beat. It is the saddest song BIGBANG has released since their debut nine years ago. If I, who is in my 40s, becomes this emotional from the song, I believe those in their teens and twenties will definitely shed tears together. I think this is the first time I’m more excited about a release than BIGBANG.

He went on to reveal that “If You” is by far his favourite song out of the “MADE” album. Knowing Yang Hyun Suk, a compliment like that is hard to come by so we’ll have to take his word for it ;)

In addition, he also stated that the 2nd track that will be released, “Sober,” will be a summer song to contrast the sad “If You” track.

“If You” and “Sober” will be released on 1st July as part of their third “MADE” release, MADE series D. The releases will uphold BIGBANG’s promise to release 2 new singles every month from May until August. In September, BIGBANG will finally reveal their full album, MADE.

Aherm, it’s time to whip out that waterproof mascara and boxes of Kleenex to best prepare ourselves for the release of “If You”, VIPs.

For more information on BIGBANG, hit up their Facebook page.


Contest: “Avengers: Age of Ultron” Goodies Up For Grabs

As you might already know, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” will be released in Malaysia come 23rd April 2015. And we know that, judging from the response from Malaysians every time we put up an “Avengers” post, a lot of you are true blue fans of the Marvel superheroes. Not that we blame you – we’re huge fans ourselves too ;)

Thanks to our awesome friends from Marvel Malaysia, we’ve got a great big “Age of Ultron” giveaway in conjunction with the upcoming release of the “Avengers” film! What do you say to some premiere screening tickets as well as official Marvel merchandise? You say, “Hellz yes!”

We’ve got 20 pieces of merchandise to giveaway. Some examples of what’s up for grabs are such as:

This is, of course, on top of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” tickets!

Deets of the premiere screening are as follows:

To win the goodies, all you gotta do is tell us:

E-mail your answers with your details (Name, IC, Contact number) to submit@hype.my. Each winner walks away with 2 tickets per person, on top of one piece of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” merchandise. There are limited tickets and this will be based on a first-come-first-served basis so go on and start sending in those e-mails. The faster your are, the higher your chances will be.

The latest instalment of “Avengers” is slated to be released in Malaysian cinemas nationwide on 23rd April.

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

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(UPDATE) #SuJu: Kyuhyun To Release 1st Mini Album “At Gwanghwamun”

Super Junior-M’s Zhoumi won’t be performing on the stage alone because fellow member, Kyuhyun, is set to debut as a solo singer too!

On 6th Nov, SM Entertainment made a surprise announcement that Kyuhyun is the next Super Junior member to make his solo debut with his 1st mini album called “At Gwanghwamun”.

Kyuhyun, who is also the main vocalist of Super Junior, is set to release his 1st mini album on 13th Nov. The music style is unclear at the moment but judging from the teaser image, autumn will be a major inspiration for his album’s concept.

As the singer has a very soothing voice, we can assume that the album might contain a lot of ballad songs, which we totally love!

Kyuhyun’s solo debut is coming after his group released their comeback album, MAMACITA in late August. After promoting their album for almost 2 months, SM Entertainment announced that Kyuhyun’s fellow member, Shindong will enlist on 25th Nov to serve his compulsory stint in the Korean military. Thus, the rest of the members are currently focusing on their solo activities.

Prior to the release of his solo album, Kyuhyun has given a sneak peak at the album by revealing the full track list of “At Gwanghwamun”.

There are 7 songs in total in his solo album, one of them is composed by Kyuhyun himself. In fact, the lyrics of his self-composed song “My Thoughts, Your Memories” is written by fellow label mate, TVXQ’s Changmin.

Kyuhyun’s fans are in for a double treat as the singer himself has also revealed a snippet of “Flying, Deep in the Night” via SMTOWN’s official YouTube channel. Listen to the song below:

So, what do you think of the song? Are you excited about Kyuhyun’s solo debut? Share your thoughts in the comments box below!


Christmas 2020 Gift Guide For Apple Lovers

With the festive season upon us, we’ve put together a list of gifts that will keep on giving, whether it’s to help you stay connected with your loved ones, take your photography to the next level, bring out your inner creative or achieve your health and fitness goals.

If you need some assistance figuring out what to get for an Apple fanatic and if it’s within your budget range, then this gift guide will be useful for your holiday shopping.

Everything you love about iPhone 12 in a smaller package, iPhone 12 mini is the perfect gift for your loved ones these holidays. With a brand new design featuring expansive edge-to-edge Super Retina XDR displays for a brighter, more immersive viewing experience, and a new Ceramic Shield front cover, it brings the biggest jump in durability ever on iPhone. The Apple-designed A14 Bionic, the fastest chip in a smartphone, coupled with an advanced dual-camera system, delivers meaningful new computational photography features and the highest quality video in a smartphone so you’ll never miss those special moments.

Always wanted to take your smartphone photography to the next level? iPhone 12 Pro Max delivers the world’s best pro camera with even more versatile features for all levels of photo and video enthusiasts thanks to state-of-the-art camera hardware powered by A14 Bionic. A new OIS stabilises the sensor instead of the lens so your shots are steady, even when you’re not, while the Wide camera’s larger sensor brings way more detail out of the shadows. And for the first time, you can take Night mode Time‑lapse videos with a tripod to capture scenes with dramatic motion. With iPhone 12 Pro Max, give the gift of photography this holiday season.

Everything just clicks with the new MagSafe cases and wallets, each piece magnetically snaps together like magic and choose whether you snap on a case, a wallet or both. And with a range of colours and materials to choose from, there’s something for everyone.

Ahead of 2021, a healthier, more active, more connected life is within your reach thanks to Apple Watch Series 6. Measure your blood oxygen level with a revolutionary new sensor and app and see your fitness metrics at a glance with the enhanced Always-On Retina display. You’ll be ready to reach all our new year health, wellness and fitness goals, with a little help right from your wrist. And with a wide selection of bands including the new Solo Loops, you’ll always be able to match your Watch to your style.

It’s now easier than ever to enjoy the benefits of Apple Watch for a lot less than you are expected thanks to Apple Watch SE. Perfect for any of your loved ones, Apple Watch SE features an expansive Retina display so you can see more at a glance, advanced sensors to track all the ways you move and powerful features to keep you healthy and safe.

Now available in five gorgeous finishes — Sky Blue, Space Grey, Silver, Rose Gold, and Green, iPad Air features an all-screen design with a larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, Touch ID, and the powerful A14 Bionic for a massive boost in performance, making this by far the most powerful, capable and colourful iPad Air ever made. iPad Air now features stereo speakers in landscape mode so users can enjoy wider stereo sound while watching their favourite holiday movies, and Apple Pencil support coupled with features like Scribble on iPadOS 14 means a niftier way to pen festive recipes, or to brainstorm your next personal project.

To make festive shopping easier, you can also check out Apple’s gifting page here.

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Johnnie Walker® Cocktails by Shawn & Karl of Omakase+Appreciate

For a couple of years now, Johnnie Walker® has continued to embody the spirit of progress with its iconic mantra, “Keep Walking”. This year, the brand brings this very belief to live through Step Inside the Circuit Lounge — the brand new race party platform succeeding the iconic Circuit Lounge series.

As part of this year’s Step Inside The Circuit Lounge, Johnnie Walker® brings its celebration of personal progress to a new level by getting talented individuals to share their success and passion for their careers as the brand’s Keep Walking ambassadors.

Two of the Keep Walking ambassadors are none other than the dynamic duo behind Omakase + Appreciate. Chong Yi Shawn, better know as Shawn, was crowned the local champion of the Diageo Reserve Wold Class Bartending Competition in 2011 while  his partner in crime Karl Too has worked at some of the most prestigious bars in town — including Tate and Skybar.

Giving me a taste of what to expect at the 2014 Circuit Lounge event, the duo treated me to an exclusive Cocktail workshop.

Here are the cocktails that I learned to make:

Refreshing and unique, this tropical concoction combines fresh coconut water and Johnnie Walker® Black Label™ in a perfect union.

30ml Johnnie Walker® Black Label™
60ml fresh coconut water

Build and serve in a rock glass over cubed ice.
Garnish with fresh coconut flesh.

Alcohol content: 9.48g alcohol per serving

Perfect for chocolate lovers, this cocktail is crafted to please your tastebuds with a reveal of indulgence in every sip. This delicious cocktail is prefect to be served and indulged in at any glamorous celebrations.

30ml Johnnie Walker® Gold Label Reserve™
20ml chocolate sauce
10ml caramel sauce
Ground coffee

Make the chocolate sauce by mixing chocolate powder, sugar and water.
Combine all ingredients in a shaker and throw.
Serve over ice.
Garnish with ground coffee.

Offering a bitter sweet finish, Black Strike is hearty cocktail that brings the hints of spice and fruitiness of the Johnnie Walker® Black Label™ to life.

30 ml Johnnie Walker® Black Label™
8ml Ristretto liqueur
8ml lemon juice
8ml sugar
A dash of spicy chocolate bitters

Mix all ingredients into a shaker with ice.
Shake it.
Pour over ice in a rock glass.
Garnish with lemon slice.

Alcohol content: 12.21g alcohol per serving

Personally, I loved the Black Coconut because it was really refreshing and smooth. Try making these cocktails at home and share with us your favourite by sounding off in the comments!

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#Penang: Line Clear Forced To Close After Rat Droppings Were Found In The Kitchen

It looks like Line Clear has taken yet another hit to their business.

According to multiple news outlets, the Penang Health Department has issued an order for the popular Penang nasi kandar outlet to close for 2 weeks after rat droppings were found in the kitchen following an inspection.

The department’s officers carried out the inspection with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) that started this morning (Monday, 13th March 2017) and ended at 1pm. City councillor Ong Ah Teong said that they inspected 3 restaurants and took action under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983 for their failure to meet hygiene criteria for restaurants.

MMO quoted Ong Ah Teong as saying, “We found live and dead rats in the premises, along with cockroaches, so they have been ordered to shut down to clean up their premises by the Health Department.”

Ong added that Line Clear is allowed to open until 8pm today.

Line Clear wasn’t the only one affected by the order as the council also took action against 2 other eateries on Penang Road that were found to be unhygienic. Yasmeen restaurant, which is located beside Line Clear, was also told to temporarily shut down to clean up their premises. Both Line Clear and Yasmeen restaurant have been given at least a week to clean up their premises before they can apply for a second inspection and appeal to be allowed to open for business again.

However, no order for closure was given to Sup Hameed, which was also found to be operating in dirty conditions. Instead, Sup Hameed was slapped with a RM1,000 compound fine.


Here’s How You Can Beat The Traffic Going To & From Your Destination

The holiday season is officially over, and with everyone going back to work, traffic congestion will be increasing as well. Not to mention, the unpredictable weather tends to affect the flow of traffic as well. Being stuck in traffic is the bane of everyone’s life as there’s no understanding of whether the congestion will be a short or long waiting time.

The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) bestowed a ‘cheat code’ on us to beat the traffic for work, and holiday purposes with real-time updates of all existing highways within Klang Valley. Here’s how you can beat the traffic with the resources provided by them:

The official portal of the Malaysian Highway Authority allows you to get updates on the highway that you will be using for your commute or holiday trip. It is fairly easy to access the highway updates on the site as all you need to do is visit the site, locate the ‘Status Trafik Semasa’ column and select which highway (E1: NKVE Highway to E38: SMART Tunnel) update you wish to acquire.

Other than checking on the highway updates, the portal also offers a toll calculator for you to be extra prepared with a sufficient amount of balance on your Touch n’ Go card for your daily commute. It’s also fairly easy to use as the calculator is right next to the highway update column, and the toll calculator has all the toll booths that are located in the Klang Valley and have information on the rate of each vehicle eligible to pay for the toll fee.

Beating the traffic and being prepared for tolls has just gotten better. The resources available on the official Malaysian Highway Authority portal are accessible to anyone. You can now cut your traffic waiting time with the highway cam updates by choosing the least congested highway that would be best for your commute.


#IMSAsiaPacific: EDM Power Player Amy Thomson To Change Things Up In Shanghai

As the founder and CEO of management, agency, and consultancy firm ATM Artists, Amy Thomson is solely responsible for the incredible success of Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Axwell, otherwise known as Swedish House Mafia.

What first started out as an inside joke between Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell, and Eric Prydz (who decided not to join the group) later became a legacy, and it was Amy who oversaw it.

Formed in 2008, the electronic dance music supergroup made international headlines, topped charts, played to sold-out crowds, and became “the faces of mainstream progressive house music”. With Amy’s help, the trio cinched deals with Absolut and other brands, and toured the world, which helped market their music to audiences beyond the dance music scene.

And who can forget the time the group performed at Madison Square Garden, the legendary 20,000-seat indoor arena in New York City? Not only was it a feat that no electronic dance act has ever accomplished before, the show sold out in just 9 minutes.

It is without a doubt that Swedish House Mafia, the dance music phenomenon, received a lot of love in the short time that they were together. They didn’t only rewrite the artist playbook, they rewrote history altogether. And all under Amy’s leadership.

Some would argue that Amy Thomson worked Swedish House Mafia right down to their bones, and was ruthless, but most powerful leaders in the world are. In fact, pop culture website Complex once included her as one of “The 15 Most Powerful Women in the EDM industry”

Swedish House Mafia may have split, but her work doesn’t stop there. Aside from being essential to breaking Afrojack and Alesso in Las Vegas, she’s also the Music Director for Light, the Cirque du Soleil-designed nightclub inside Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay. On top of that, ATM Artists’ roster includes some of the biggest names in electronic dance music such as Axwell, Ingrosso, Alesso, Don Diablo, Moby, Hard Rock Sofa, Thomas Gold, Chase & Status, and Dirty South.

Come 29th and 30th September, Amy will take the stage at this year’s International Music Summit Asia-Pacific (IMS Asia-Pacific) in Shanghai as part of the panel of esteemed speakers, where she will discuss breaking artistes into Asia, the next frontier for electronic dance music.

IMS Asia-Pacific will feature a Market Focus on Japan, a region which has trail blazed electronic music in the region for 30 years and remains the technological home of innovation for the genre.

Amy will be joined by the likes of Skrillex, IMS founder Pete Tong, the “Queen of C-Pop” Jolin Tsai, Alesso, leading underground Thai DJ Nakadia, and many more as they come together to explore the growing influence of electronic music and the issues, challenges and opportunities that face the industry globally and in Asia.

Interested? Get your IMS Asia-Pacific badges here. Meanwhile, more details for this year’s speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on IMS Asia-Pacific, visit their website or Facebook page.

Sources: Rolling Stone, Complex / Featured image: musictimes.

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Hype’s Now Playing: Gwen Stefani – Baby Don’t Lie

Awwyis Gwen Stefani is all geared up and ready to go with her solo comeback!

We last heard of her solo works in “Love. Angel. Music. Baby.” about a decade ago. And now, she has more or less confirmed her 2014 comeback with a brand new single, “Baby Don’t Lie”. Well, we can’t say that we didn’t see it coming considering the fact that she’ll be serving as a coach on “The Voice” this season, on top of rumours about her writing new music for No Doubt too. All of these activities can only mean one thing – promo time!

For now, Gwen’s third solo studio album remains untitled and there isn’t an official music video for “Baby Don’t Lie” as of yet. We hear that the music video will debut on Tuesday with a sneak peek arriving on Monday night during “The Voice”. The drum-heavy “Baby Don’t Lie” features radio favourites Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic, Beyoncé), Benny Blanco (Kesha, Katy Perry), and Noel Zancanella (Maroon 5) as co-writers and co-producers on the track, which perhaps explains why it isn’t quite as left-field and forward-thinking as her debut. But something tells us that it’s going to be a hit anyway, because she is Gwen Stefani after all!

Can’t wait to watch the music video now, can you? Neither can we.

For more information, visit Gwen Stefani’s website.


#F1: Singapore To Drop The #SingaporeGP #F1NightRace After 2017?

After months of speculation that Singapore may not renew its Formula One (F1) contract, F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that Singapore no longer wants to host the race.

The Singapore Grand Prix takes place on the Marina Bay Street Circuit and was the inaugural night race and first street circuit in Asia for F1 races.

First organised back in 1961, the event was discontinued after 1973 and a variety of reasons have been suggested, including an increase in traffic, the very high danger and unsuitability of the track for racing, the inconvenience of having to close roads for the event and fatal accidents during the 1972 and 1973 races.

The race was revived in 2008 after an agreement for a 5-year deal was signed by Singapore GP Pte Ltd, the Singapore Tourism Board and Bernie Ecclestone. In 2012, Bernie Ecclestone and the Singapore Grand Prix agreed that the Grand Prix will remain on the F1 calendar through the year of 2017.

However, in September 2016, Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran said that no decision has been made on extending the hosting agreement for the Singapore Grand Prix, although talks are underway.

In an interview dated 20th November 2016 with German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport, Ecclestone claimed that Singapore was not going to extend its race deal.

“Look at what we have done for Singapore. Yes, the Grand Prix has cost Singapore a lot of money, but we’ve also given them a lot of money. Singapore was suddenly more than just an airport to fly to or from somewhere. Now they believe they have reached their goal and they do not want a grand prix anymore,” he was quoted as saying.

Enjoy great race views, explore food options, catch headlining acts for 3 days. #SingaporeGP Bay Grandstand special https://t.co/4hGlR9ZlDM pic.twitter.com/Qtyr4AI9LM

— SingaporeGP (@F1NightRace) November 8, 2016

Attendance for the 2016 edition of the race saw the poorest ticket sales since 2008. The event saw a 15% drop in attendance, with an average of 73,000 spectators per day over the 3-day race weekend. The poor ticketing performance could be attributed greatly to global economic uncertainty as well as the outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus in the city-state.

Sources: CNA (1), motorsport.com, CNA (2).

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