Kris Left. What’s Next For Him & EXO?

Earlier in May, today’s hottest K-Pop boy band, EXO released their latest mini album, “Overdose”, and even performed for their live comeback showcase together as 12 members. Following their comeback showcase, the group divided into EXO-K & EXO-M once again to promote their songs simultaneously in both Korea and China. It was all smooth sailing; everything had gone according to plan until fans noticed EXO-M returning to Korea without their leader, Kris. The next thing they knew, Kris filed a contract termination lawsuit against his record label, SM Entertainment, and left fans puzzled and disappointed.

Earlier, we wrote about this incident and shared some thoughts as we’ve seen similar happenings in the K-Pop industry. So the leader left, what’s next for Kris, the remaining 11 members and the fandom?

For nearly two decades, SM Entertainment has been known for producing some of the world’s top K-Pop groups and EXO is definitely one of the most successful groups they’ve produced. Within 2 years, EXO has won countless awards and achieved stellar album sales in large part due to their huge fan base from all over the world. Thus, it came as no surprise when SM Entertainment decided that it was time for their debut concert tour “EXO FROM EXOPLANET #1 – THE LOST PLANET” in April 2014. The tickets were reportedly sold out in less than two seconds, once again showing the incredible support from the fans. SM Entertainment then added another date to EXO’s first solo concert due to high demand from fans.

So, what does that mean? The sold-out shows has shown the huge amount of dedicated fans that will go to great lengths to support their favourite group. The fan culture rooted from SM Entertainment’s genuine marketing skills has helped EXO in becoming a successful K-Pop group today. The company caters to the fans’ needs by selling albums and merchandises as well as having them appear on variety shows or reality shows to display the members’ unique personalities.

The effort of “collecting fans” for EXO was made even before their debut as the members displayed their individual skills in their teaser videos. Fan culture is the key to success in most idol groups today. However, this controversy brought out the worst of fan culture but also united more fans to support the remaining 11 members of EXO as “one”. Some fans were prompted to leave the fandom along with Kris’s departure from EXO while the rest of the fans decided to show more love and support, especially during their first solo concert. Various slogans were given out before the concert for fans to hold up during some of the performances while the stadium became a beautiful silver ocean with fans holding up light sticks and chanting for them.

With the amazing fan support, the 11 members were more than grateful and expressed their gratitude to everyone including the company’s founder, Lee Soo Man, their label mates, families and friends. Throughout their first solo concert, EXO proved that they can perform well enough without Kris even though they had to work harder with the rearrangements which had to be done within a week.

At the end of the show, some members were seen holding back their tears while they emphasised that “the beginning of EXO is now”. 2 years after their debut – and it is indeed a new beginning for EXO with Kris’s absence. EXO remained united as 11 members and will continue their Lost Planet Tour in other parts of the world including Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and Philippines.  Some members attended to their solo activities and they will be recording HunanTV’s Happy Camp on 11th June without Kris for the first time since their appearance on the show a year ago.

As for Kris, he has yet to release any official statements to the media regarding the lawsuit but it seems like he has got everything covered after he left the group. Earlier, it was rumoured that a famous Chinese writer and film director has offered a movie role to Kris for “Tiny Times 3” but later rejected by SM Entertainment. On June 4th, EXO’s Kris updated his Weibo account and posted three sun emoticons on a post tagged by Guo Jing Ming. The post further accumulated speculations that Guo could be offering him another role and wanted him to be part of the production.

Recently, Sina News reported that the former EXO-M leader have accepted a role in a romance film “Somewhere Only We Know” with Chinese actress and film director, Xu Jinglei. The film production recently began in Prague, Czech Republic. A Weibo user named “VioletDream” recently posted a photo of Kris at Moscow Airport travelling to Prague together with Calvin Chen, a member of Taiwanese boy band Fahrenheit.

According to the clues given by netizens, Sina reported that the main casts of the film are Wu Yi Fan (Kris’s Chinese name) Wang Li Kun,  Juck Zhang, and Reyizha Alimjan. A foreign cast and Xu Jinglei herself will also be starring in the film. An insider revealed that Kris was wearing a black suit holding a cello, with his hair slicked back in a photo for the new film. The famous Chinese author and director, Wang Shuo, was commissioned to write the script for the film, whereas Xu Jinglei and two other editors will participate in the production as well.

Regardless of how things will turn out, Kris’s departure left an impact in EXO’s career but also strengthened them to remain united. EXO-K’s leader Suho now bears the biggest responsibility to lead the group without Kris while the group deals with the shock of the loss. While the members feel betrayed by Kris’ departure, Kris still has the right to file the lawsuit and leave the company to pursue a better career for himself as well.

Our honest opinion? EXO and Kris still have a long way to go in their future and we truly hope that they are strong enough to face greater challenges in their career to achieve their goals.

Sources: Sina, NetizenBuzz, Billboard, KpopStarz.

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WINNERS: Win VIP Tix To The 2013 Super GT Series

Thank you for all your submissions! We truly enjoyed reading some, which were super creative – put smiles on our faces. So, FIVE of you will be hitting up Sepang International Circuit this weekend for the 2013 Autobacs Super GT Series with VIP tickets in hand. Which five? These:

Come pick up your tickets  from our office tomorrow, 14th June 2013 (Friday) onwards. Remember to bring your IC for verification purposes. Also, we need to stress that prizes are strictly 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.

B-13-5 Northpoint Office Suites, Mid Valley City,

Our office hours are 10am to 6pm (Monday to Friday only).

P/S: Don’t forget to check out the 411 on what’s going to go down this weekend at the 2013 Autobacs Super GT Series!


#JackÜ: New Collaboration With Big Sean Is Coming Soon

No stranger to dance music, Big Sean has previously teamed up with the likes Calvin Harris and RL Grime to create some incredible tunes. Now, it has been revealed that the “I Don’t F*** With You” rapper is working with two of the hottest names in music, Diplo and Skrillex.

Last night, July 19th, Diplo took to Instagram to share a picture of the tree with the caption “@Bigsean x jack ü coming soon”.

A photo posted by diplo (@diplo) on Jul 18, 2015 at 11:32pm PDT

In their usual style, they’ve not revealed much details regarding the upcoming track. The title and release date are unknown at this time, and no previews of the collaboration have been revealed just set. All we know for now is that the song is “coming soon.”

What do you think about Big Sean collaborating with Jack Ü? Do you think they’ll work on a brand new track or rework one of the existing tracks à la the Missy Elliott‘s remix of Take Ü There? Let us know in the comments box.


PM Tun Dr Mahathir To Have Raya Open House On 15th June

Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar won’t be hosting Raya open house during Aidilfitri this year, but Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is!

Our Prime Minister and the Cabinet members will be holding the open house on the first day of Aidilfitri at the Seri Perdana complex. Mark your calendars peeps, the date is this coming Friday (15th June), from 10am till 4pm.

“Members of the public are invited to the event and dressed appropriately. Over 50,000 people are expected to attend the open house,” reads the statement issued by the PM’s department. Bas Putrajaya will also be providing free bus services from 3 locations. As such, the public can park their vehicles at the allocated places for conveniency.

This event marks the first Aidilfitri open house that will be hosted by Pakatan Harapan since winning the 14th general election.

Feeling the Raya mood yet? We’ve compiled 10 Hari Raya commercials that will warm your heart. Watch it here.


Not Just Memory Loss After All For Sheryl

For years on end now, she has been experiencing memory loss. In fact, the symptoms went as far back as the 1990s when she forgot the lyrics to her hit, “A Change Would Do You Good” while singing in a show in Las Vegas.

In fact, while she was on stage in Florida just last month, she forgot the words to “Soak Up The Sun” and told the crowd casually, “I’m 50. What can I say! My brain has gone to sh*t!”:

[youtube id=”F9RZE9r46Uw” width=”600″ height=”350″]

All jokes aside, what Sheryl Crow didn’t expect was a problem that was more serious that what it seemed, having previously thought that her hectic schedule contributed to her ailments.

Today, however, she reveals that she was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year. And this is happening to her just a few years after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she overcame with minor surgery and radiation therapy.

On her current health predicament, Sheryl told the Las Vegas Review-Journal, “I haven’t really talked about it. In November, I found out I have a brain tumor. But it’s benign, so I don’t have to worry about it. But it gives me a fit.”

“I was worried about my memory so much that I went and got an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). And I found out that I have a brain tumor. And I was like, See? I knew there was something wrong”, she added.

Oh no. We wish you a speedy recovery, Sheryl. We’re pretty sure the entire music industry is rooting for you. Get well soon!

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#Estranged: Local Band Conned By Apple Music London Impersonator

In early December, we reported that local rock band Estranged was invited to perform at Apple Music Christmas Festival in UK, but unfortunately, that has been proven as a scam.

Yesterday (Thursday, 22nd December), we received an e-mail from the lawyers of the band, informing us that they have fallen prey to a fraud. They were conned by Ms Eziana Abd Aziz, who represented herself as the Publicity Manager for Apple Inc. (London Office).

In a statement, they explained that they were “misrepresented” by a con artist, and the said festival in London does not exist. Ms Eziana contacted the band via e-mail, and forged an e-mail from Apple Music Director Adam TL Wilson informing their manager of the gig. The band has since contacted Apple UK, who confirmed that it is indeed a fraud.

Although greatly traumatised by this ordeal, the members of Estranged have decided to step up and explain the matter to the public, as they are aware that this con artist has been approaching other musicians.

“We decided to make this information public in the interest of other innocent fellow musicians who are passionate about their music but are sometimes too gullible when it comes to business. It is in our nature as musicians sometimes to be too trusting of people. We have certainly paid a heavy price for this.

We are so affected by this event, that there were moments we were considered breaking up and cancel our upcoming tour starting in Kilang Bateri in Johor Bahru.

But we have decided to be strong for the sake of our fans and will continue with our musical journey with a stronger resolve to be best we can.”

Estranged was formed in 2001 and has released 4 full length albums, and their latest effort, titled “Sepenuhnya Vol. 1”, was made public in January this year.

For more info on their activities, visit their Facebook page.


(NSFW) #Indonesia: Crocodile Returns Dead Corpse A Day After Killing Him

Yesterday (Wednesday, 19th July), a crocodile was seen dragging a corpse of an Indonesian man along a river in Kalimantan.

In a rather strange revelation, locals claimed that the cold blooded reptile was returning the body a day after killing him. Many believed that supernatural forces were at work.

Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, a 41-year-old man named Syarifuddin and his friends were taking a bath in the Berau river with some friends when a 2-metre long crocodile attacked Syarifuddin and drag him away into the river. A search was carried out by the local police force but to no avail.

After finding themselves at the dead end, the locals and the police decided to turn to a village “pawang buaya” (known as someone with the ability to control crocodiles). The next day, a ritual was performed. What took place soon after was captured in a video (see below) that has since gone viral in Indonesia.

Warning: The video contains graphic imagery.

In the handphone recorded video, locals can be heard screaming for the crocodile to release the body. “The strange thing is, there were three crocodiles that emerged in the river, as if they were guarding the victim’s body. It’s like they were dropping off the victim,” Talisayan District Police Chief Faisal Hamid told Warta Kota.

Faisal later added, “Crocodiles live in that river, and locals also regularly bathe there. It’s just bad luck that (Syarifuddin) was snapped by a crocodile. The right side of the victim’s torso was torn open”.

Syarifuddin’s body was recovered shortly after and was given a proper burial.

Sources: Coconuts Jakarta, Lowyat Forum, Batam News/ Featured image: Tribun News.

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Girls’ Generation Pop-Up Café Opens In Seoul

Girls’ Generation EXPRESS will be operating at a café named “RABBIT in the MOON” located at Sinsadong Garosu-gil Road, Seoul for 11 days (from 7th to 17th of February). Just in time for Valentine’s day! A huge number of people have visited the café on its opening day (7th) despite the cold weather, causing the place to be a lot more crowded than initially expect.

The first floor of this awesome Girls’ Generation pop-up café has been decorated with many unique stools, sofas, lights, and other interior props, and it also has a bakery that sells yummylicious goodies such chocolates, cakes, and macarons. Patrons can either choose to buy yummies to go or stay, hang out, and soak in the Girls’ Generation-themed atmosphere.

The lower ground floor sells tableware like teaspoons and mugs, as well as fashion items like caps and t-shirts. In collaboration with famous brands from Korea and other countries including Casio, Mamonde, GiRL and more, “RABBIT in the MOON” also sells collectibles such as watches, cosmetics, perfumes, and other Girls’ Generation-related stuff.

This pop-up café combines shopping, food, and fashion into one place like a lifestyle café, fascinating Girls’ Generations’ fans and even Chinese tourists who happen to be in Korea for the Lunar New Year holiday.

On another note, Girls’ Generation is currently super busy with their “I Got A Boy” promotions and will be starting their Japan Arena Tour in Kobe as their first stop on the 9th February 2013 before continuing on to Saitama, Niigata, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Osaka, Nagoya, and other places in Japan. Our question is, will they be coming to Malaysia anytime soon?

[youtube id=”wq7ftOZBy0E” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Perhaps for the 2013 Asia Super Showcase? Yes?


(UPDATE) Hype’s Now Playing: Sam Smith – Writing’s On The Wall

Sam Smith‘s “Writing’s On The Wall” ought to be the “James Bond” theme song that you will be listening to for a long time (and then become obsessed with) until the release of “Spectre” next month.

The award-winning British singer premiered the song, which he collaborated with DJ/producer duo Disclosure, on 25th September on Spotify.

Swapping between his baritone and falsetto, the singer left us speechless with his lush, powerful vocals over an elegant orchestral backing.

It surely is one of the more emotional tracks for the new James Bond movie, as the lyrics include:

If I risk it all / Could you break my heart? / How do I live?/ How do I breathe? / When you’re not here, I’m suffocating

The song reunited Smtih with Jimmy Napes, the same songwriter who co-wrote his Grammy-winning song, “Stay With Me”. Disclosure, which consists of producers Guy and Howard Lawrence, was credited as official producer for the song.

After releasing the track, Smith tweeted:

I have been dreaming of this moment for a long long time.

— SAM SMITH (@samsmith) September 25, 2015

Smith told Radio 1 presenter Nick Grimshaw (via Telegraph):

I’m so relieved to actually talk about this, this has been top secret mission of my own. I got called into the office with Barbara Broccoli and Sam Mendes and they gave me the script, I read the script… they said, “Have a go at the song.”

“It’s the quickest I’ve ever written a song – it took 20 minutes – and they loved it! I love the song so much,” he added.

Welp, for a song that’s written in 20 minutes, we would say that it’s really, really impressive because “Writing’s On The Wall” is so good!

EON Productions, MGM, Sony Pictures, and Capitol Records have just dropped the official music video for Sam Smith’s “Writing’s On The Wall”.

It is the official theme song for the 24th James Bond film, “SPECTRE”. Featuring some clips from the film, the Bond-themed music video showed Smith in a classy black suit as he sings the emotional ballad.

Directed by Sam Mendes, “Spectre” stars Daniel Craig as Bond, Christoph Waltz as Oberhauser, Ralph Fiennes as M, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny, and Andrew Scott as Denbigh. It is due to be released in Malaysian cinemas on 6th November 2015.

For more information, visit the movie’s official website and stay tuned for more music updates from Sam Smith’s official Facebook page and Twitter.

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Exclusive: Shane Filan Reveals His Dream Duet, Fav Netflix Show & More

19 years ago, 20-year-old Shane Filan reigned in the hearts of girls all over the world with his coy smile, romantic eyes, and gentle and assuring voice.

19 years later and nothing has changed. The sound of his name still sends girls into hysteria, their hearts start racing and they burst into glass-shattering screams when he takes the stage.

Shane’s last stop in Kuala Lumpur was five years ago (2013), to promote his debut solo album, “You and Me”. He serenaded the screaming crowd at 1 Utama with hit singles like “About You” and “Everything To Me”, and we heard it was one hell of a party!

So this time around, Shane was in town for the Asian leg of his “Love Always” tour – there is no way we would have missed it. When Team HYPE was presented with the opportunity to interview the former Westlifer, we said yes without a blink.

“Love Always” is Shane’s third solo album, and it is packed with timeless love songs like “Heaven”, “Make You Feel My Love”, “Eternal Flame”, and more (just in time for Valentine’s Day!).

The album also has a very special song, Shane’s very own “Beautiful In White”, a romantic, wedding-song he wrote while he was still with Westlife. It didn’t make the album back then, but it is now on the “Love Always” album as his apprized brainchild and has garnered over 100 million views on YouTube.

We sat down with the humble Irishman before his showcase, and chatted with him about the story behind “Love Always”, his song selection process, his obsession with Bryan Adams, and what kind of dad he is with the kids.

HYPE: So Shane, first things first, what’s the story behind the “Love Always” album?

Shane: This album obviously, a lot of the songs are not written by me, they’re famous songs that are written by other amazing people. This is more about just recording an amazing love album, for me to get a chance to sing these great songs that I loved and I grew up listening to. Songs that I have a lot of memories with.

Every song on the album has a reason for being there, either a memory of me being younger, or because I like that singer that sung the original song. In the first album, “You and Me”, were all songs that were written or co-written by me, it was a lot more personal. This album is more about the music, and about what the songs mean to me. It’s also perfect timing for Valentine’s Day!

HYPE: What goes through your mind when you’re picking songs for your album? Do you pick songs that you think your fans will like, or songs that resonate with you?

Shane: It’s both. You have to like the songs you do, and you have to have a reason to do each song. For myself, I think the fans also have to like the music. I always listen to the fans and what they say and what they think, and you know what kind of songs they react to when you do a showcase or perform at a concert. So when you make the next album, you know to make a better version of that particular style of song.

I do a lot of ballads, mid-tempo songs – I don’t try and do something crazy – or the fans will go like “What the hell is that?” You know like if I do rap music or heavy metal music. I want to stick to the Shane that people know. I love to sing love songs.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

HYPE: And “Eternal Flame”, it was a song that your fans chose for the album!

Shane: So I spoke to my management and the label, and I suggested that we ask the fans what they would like to hear on this album, what would they like me to do. This is the perfect album for the fans to pick the song. So I asked them on social media, and “Eternal Flame” keep popping up on the feed a lot. I was like, “Eternal Flame, oh my god, I love that song!”

I have so many memories with that song from when I was really young, I was like 5 when it released. I remember seeing it on TV, and The Bangles were definitely a band that I was a big fan of. So I thought, you know what, that’s the perfect song for me to do! It’s very acoustic, and it turned out really nice.

HYPE: How do make sure to stay relevant in the music industry – with a lot of young singers sprouting up?

Shane: I try and always make music for my fan base, I don’t make music for people who are younger and don’t want listen to it. I don’t necessarily think about what age group might like my music. I approach it in a way that you make an album and you make it as good as you can, and whoever likes it, likes it.

And I think it’s safe to say that my fan base is a bit older, a lot of them were probably fans of Westlife as well, they could be 30, 40, or 50. But it’s important to just make good music. Everyone has a different fan base and different style, so the trick is to just make good songs.

HYPE: Is there any one of today’s singer that you’d like to collaborate with?

Shane: You know what, I think if I had to pick somebody that I’d like to sing with in my lifetime, I’d love to sing with Bryan Adams. I think he’s an amazing singer, one of the best voices in the world, I recorded “Heaven” because I’m a fan of Bryan Adams. And if I had to do a duet with somebody, it would be Bryan Adams.

HYPE: Let’s talk about your wife and kids. We’d really like to know, who’s the strict parent at home? You or Gillian?

Shane: I think Gillian is probably cooler than me, I’m stricter. I’m a lot more of a worrier. If one of the kids, let’s say slipped and fell, I’m like, “Ahhhhhhh ARE YOU OKAY ARE YOU OKAY??” But Gillian will be like, “It’s okay, relax, they just fell, they’re okay.”

But then again, I think we’re both strict and we’re both cool. We want our kids to have a normal upbringing, and the most important thing is that you gotta teach them to be good and have manners, and say sorry if they do something wrong, not to be rude to people. But we also want them to feel like they have a cool mom and dad.

HYPE: What do you guys do together, as a family?

Shane: There are three of them (kids), and my wife, and we all like sitting down and watching movies every weekend.

HYPE: Anyone showing any inclination towards music already?

Shane: I think they all love music. Everytime I get in the car, they grab my phone to go on to Apple Music and Spotify, they go over to the playlists, and Nicole will pick a song, then Patrick will pick a song, and then Shane will pick a song. I always hear a lot of Justin Timberlake, and that song by Charlie Puth, “Attention”, I hear that song all the time!

HYPE: What are you binge-watching on Netflix right now?

Shane: I just finished watching “The Sinner”, which is really good. It has Jessica Biel and a really good story. A bit of a messed up story actually, but very good show, very good twists.

HYPE: Is it true that Irish people only drink Guinness?

Shane: I love Guinness and I prefer Guinness if I were to go to a pub. But no, Irish people drink whiskey, vodka, gin, and pretty much everything. And I think gin is a very popular drink now with women. They like gin in big, massive glasses – gin and God knows what else in it (laughs).

HYPE: Okay looks like we’re running out of time. I think the one question that all your fans are dying to know is will you be back in KL for a full-fledged concert?

Shane: Well I hope so! We’re looking at it at the moment, we’re planning something for maybe a bit later in the year, but I definitely want to come back and do a concert here. There’s a very good chance of that happening.

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Japan’s Biggest Girl Group AKB48 To Perform In Malaysia For The 1st Time

The biggest female idol group in Japan, AKB48 (Akihabara 48) will be performing live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the first time ever on 27th July 2019!

The group which is the epitome of “kawaii” (meaning “cute” in Japanese) will be one of the main highlights at Japan Expo Malaysia 2019, presented by G-Yu Creative Co Ltd and Siam Connection Sdn Bhd.

Since their formation in 2005, the Tokyo born 48-member idol group have gone from being national favourites to global icon.

Though the group initially started with 48 members, they have now expanded to more than 130 members aged from early teens to mid-20s.

AKB48 is more than just a girl group, it is a culture. The idol group was founded based on the “idols you can meet” concept, which means that the members can rotate performances and perform simultaneously at several events.

The concept has been expanded to outside of Japan where spinoff groups like JKT48 (Jakarta), BNK48 (Bangkok), MNL48 (Manila), and SGO48 (Saigon) were created.

They even have several sister groups within Japan itself like SKE48 (Sakae), NMB48 (Namba), HKT48 (Hakata), NGT48 (Niigata), and more. There are currently 11 sister groups of AKB48.

AKB48 is one of the highest-earning musical performers in Japan with more than 56 million records sold.

“They have record selling singles surpassing 50 million like ‘Fortune Cookies’, ‘Sayonara Crawl’ and ‘UZA’. This concert will definitely be a huge treat for the fans!” says Yuphakaret, founder of G-Yu Creative Co.Ltd.

AKB48’s maiden show in Malaysia will take place at Pavilion KL on Saturday, 27th July 2019. Also, the showcase is free to the public!

More performers will be announced for Japan Expo Malaysia 2019. For more info, visit japanexpomalaysia.com.


#TheVoiceSGMY: Netizens Angry At Mandarin-Only Requirement; Producer Responds

The popular reality singing competition, which first originated in Holland, will finally have a local version catered to all Malaysians and Singaporean. For the first time ever, a reality show will be produced and broadcasted for 2 territories in one version.

While many aspiring singers are excited over the chance to showcase their talent, there’s a catch. Everyone is invited to audition – regardless of race, citizenship, or age (as long as you’re above 16). But if you are not a Chinese speaker, that’s the end of your dream.

Participants are not only encouraged to be fluent in Mandarin and to be able to sing Mandarin songs, but it is actually a requirement.

This has drew flak from netizens, with Singaporean Twitter user @thelocalrebel spearheading the objection. The show has been called out for “linguistic discrimination” and giving off a subtle “racist effect”. Other users are also up in arms as the issue, as a user puts it, “Isn’t Singapore’s main language, English? I shouldn’t feel this way, but, is it now MY fault not knowing Mandarin?????? Since it’s a big deal???”

The Voice for Singapore and Malaysia is open to all races BUT only allows singing in Mandarin. They should just call it The 声音。

why call it “The Voice” and only cater to chinese speakers when you are looking for talents from Singapore & our first language is English?

@_hnnhs so techniCALLY itshouldn’t be called “The Voice Singapore” bcos it doesn’t represent the whole of Spore.so much for “regardless of language”

The Voice Singapore is a joke, systemic racism at its best :’)

— nur azlifah ازليفه (@CheesecakeIfa) May 7, 2017

However, not everyone is angry over the issue. User @bartcheeks has defended the show in a long message, which can be read here:

@thelocalrebel Sorry, I just had to speak up.
With love, a fellow Singaporean. pic.twitter.com/OygEV820W2

— Christopher Li (@bartcheeks) May 7, 2017

Due to the massive outrage, co-producer mm2 Entertainment explained that they only acquired the license to produce the show in Mandarin, thus the requirement.

Although judges haven’t been decided, a spokesperson added that they will be predominantly Mandarin-speaking. To ease communication between the judges and contestants, especially during the coaching sessions, it would be ideal if both parties could speak in the same language.

They also explained that participants would be allowed to sing songs in other languages, although dialects such as Cantonese and Hokkien are not allowed.

Online auditions are open from now until 31st May, with those interested invited to send in a 90-second clip to the show. There are currently no plans for an open audition, but an announcement will be made on their official sites if there are any changes.

Malaysians can catch the show on Astro AEC channel while Singaporeans will be able to watch via Starhub’s Hub E City channel. “The Voice” will tentatively begin in the 3rd quarter of 2017.

For more info, visit The Voice’s official website and Facebook page.

Sources: The Voice, Twitter (1) (2), AsiaOne, Today Online.

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#AirAsia15: Martin Garrix & Jay Park Perform At The #AllStar Annual Dinner

Oh man, our social media feeds are on fire!

The unsuspecting attendees of AirAsia’s 15th anniversary annual dinner last night were in for 2 very big surprises. Held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the party first introduced a surprise appearance from Korean American singer-songwriter Jay Park (박재범). The rapper definitely turned up the temperature during the event as he dished out performance after performance of his hit songs.

Jay Park at The #AirAsia #AllStar Annual Dinner! 😍😍 We're totally over the moon! #AirAsia15 pic.twitter.com/OtZyG6ObJL

— airasia rewards (@airasiarewards) December 8, 2016

A post shared by Suzanne Ong 🥑 (@suzanneennazus)

A post shared by 🫧 ᗷᥱ𝗍һ • 시진 🫧 (@iamsonsijin)

Jay Park, who recently released his 4th solo studio album, “EVERYTHING YOU WANTED”, later shared a “#KL” selfie on Instagram, sending his Malaysian fans into a frenzy. As at time of writing, it is not known if he’s still in Kuala Lumpur.

Current world #1 DJ/producer Martin Garrix (real name Martijn Gerard Garritsen) took the stage after Jay Park’s gig to close the show. The boy wonder kept the crowd moving when he dropped his most popular tracks such as “Animals”, “Gold Skies”, and of course his recent collaboration with Bebe Rexha, “In The Name of Love”. Just to name a few.

A post shared by Martin Garrix Fanpage (@worldofmartingarrix)

AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes was even spotted busting a move next to Martin Garrix in the DJ console at some point during the night ;)

The EDM maestro was later spotted at Fuze Club KL where his fellow dance music comrade, Dutch DJ/producer Dyro, was playing. Martin Garrix is now enroute to Indonesia take over the decks at Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP) 2016 tonight alongside MaRLo, Zedd, Alan Walker, Christina Novelli, and more.

This is not the first time that AirAsia has thrown a party in such a big way. Back in 2014, K-Pop idol girl group SISTAR showed up on stage to perform at the company’s 13th anniversary party. Epic.

AirAsia sure knows how to throw a party ;)


Have You Tried Out This New Facebook Feature?

If you have been going crazy with polls on Instagram, you will love this new Facebook feature!

Facebook has launched a new polling feature for both mobile and desktop versions of the app, so you can now create polls and get your friends to give their feedback in a more interactive way. You can also add images and GIFs to your polls and decide when you want the poll to expire.

However, just like Instagram, you will be able to see who has responded to the poll – the responders will not be anonymous.

Creating the poll is really simple; all you have to do is go over to your profile, click on “write something” and choose the “poll” option. Simply write your question, fill up the 2 options, add photos or GIFs, set when you want your poll to expire – and voila – you’re good to go!

Go on, try it, and let us know what you think!

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Hype’s Now Playing: Ed Sheeran – Photograph

Ed Sheeran steals our hearts all over again.

In conjunction with Mother’s Day on May 10th (Sunday), the English singer-songwriter shared an early release of the video for “Photographer”, the next single of his 2014 album “x”.

The “Thinking Out Loud” singer shares a very, very personal peek into his childhood and teen years in the video directed by Emil Nava.

The video which was premiered on May 9th (Saturday) features a compilation of home videos of the “Bloodstream” singer. Footages of him as a baby, toddler, a kid growing up all the way up to his current life as a pop superstar performing at sold out shows can be seen in the video and it also shows that he’s been musically inclined from a young age as it also includes images of him as a little boy playing various instruments.

Watch the video below, and if it doesn’t melt you heart, we don’t know what will. Enjoy!

In case you missed it, we interviewed Ed Sheeran before he performed a one-night only show in Kuala Lumpur back in March. Check out our full concert coverage here.


#China: Female Student Uses Long Legs To Cheat In Accounts Exam

How many of y’all have cheated in exams before? Even if you haven’t, you’ve probably come across a number of cheating methods.

An accountant student in China recently took to social media to reveal how a classmate thought of a way to ace her papers. What’s her secret, you ask? The Chinese student relied on her long legs.

In the image above, the unidentified student can be seen lifting her skirt, revealing a bunch of scribbled notes on her right thigh. The handwriting on her leg is believed to be a cheat sheet for her accounting exam. One user commented that “it is just simple debits and credits bookkeeping”.

According to a caption translated by Daily Mail, the student who upload the photos said, “I burst out laughing, literally. This is how my classmate cheats on her exams! Exams is never an easy test, right? Hahaha, hope this post will make her famous!” True enough, the post soon went viral on social media.

Have you encountered any crazy cheating method before? Share them with us in the comments section below.

Sources: Next Shark, Daily Mail/ Featured image: 163.com.


Hype’s Now Playing: Andrew Rayel & Alexander Popov – Mimesis

What happens when you put heir-to-the-Armada-throne Andrew Rayel and underrated Russian producer Alexander Popov in the studio together?

With one of the most sought after IDs from their DJ sets, Andrew Rayel and Alexander Popov make their mark on the world in old fashion.

Their brand new record, “Mimesis” exhibits the perfectly balanced blend you’ve been searching for, consisting of majestic melodies, astounding atmospheres, and sheer power. It proves to all that they deserve their spot amongst top-tier artistes, and that keeping a keen eye on these exceptional individuals is more than worth your time.

In not so many words, it’s absolutely stunning. Whether it’s at a festival or in a club, you can be sure that “Mimesis” will instantly light up the faces of trance fans.

For more information, hit up Andrew Rayel’s Facebook page or Alexander Popov’s Facebook page.

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CONTEST: Win An Official LINE App Doll!

Show us how much you love your favourite artiste by sending them a message on LINE Official Accounts and stand a chance to win a limited edition LINE Doll. There are 10 units to be given away for the most creative, lovely, and heart-warming messages.


Good Vibes Festival 2020 Officially Cancelled

This year’s Good Vibes Festival, which was supposed to take place from 14th – 16th August, has been called off.

The announcement was made today (Tuesday, 21st April) on its social media platforms, saying, “We are sad to announce that Good Vibes Festival will no longer be taking place this year. Stay safe everyone and see you in 2021.”

As mentioned by Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, even when the movement control order (MCO) is lifted, the government will probably introduced a “soft landing” approach. This means that large gatherings will still be prohibited and people are encourage to continue practising social distancing.

“Even after we have lifted the MCO, we will continue advising the people to stay at home if you do not need to go out of the house. That is the principle. We are definitely looking at an exit strategy. Perhaps when we start (the removal of MCO), it must be a soft landing,” our Health DG noted. This may even carry on till the end of the year.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

While many of you might find this discouraging, the health and safety of everyone must take preference. Perhaps concert-goers can start saving up for next year’s concert tickets ;)


#UnitedAirlines: 69-Year-Old Passenger’s “Troubled Past” Revealed; Family Releases Statement

More details regarding the United Airlines Flight 3411 passenger have emerged.

The man, who was seen being violently booted from an airplane in a case of alleged overbooking, is in fact a 69-year-old Vietnamese-American named Dr. David Dao.

According to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, Dao pursued his medical degree from the University of Medicine in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and graduated in 1974. It also turns out that he has a pretty intriguing history, with 98 counts of illegally prescribing and trafficking painkillers, including hydrocodone, OxyContin, and Percocet. Dao was then convicted in 2004, and was placed under 5 years of supervised probation.

In TMZ‘s report, Dao is said to be an avid and successful poker player, having made USD243,644 in multiple World Series of Poker tournaments. In fact, his biggest win was in 2009 when he walked away with USD117,774.

That having said, it’s unlikely that Dao was ill-treated because of his background. Troubled past or not, it didn’t warrant a need for United Airlines to forcibly remove him in such a manner, which quite literally resulted in bloodshed.

Dao’s family, through his lawyer, released a statement to say that they are very appreciative over the outpouring of prayers, concern, and support they received. However, until Dao is released from the hospital following the necessary treatment, his family will not be making any statements to the media.

Meanwhile, the airlines’ CEO Oscar Munoz has released another statement following the social media flare up over the incident, calling it a “truly horrific event” and offering his “deepest apologies” for what happened. He also vowed to “take full responsibility” and “work to make it right”, adding that the airlines “will do better”.

United CEO Oscar Munoz: I’m sorry. We will fix this. https://t.co/v8EPGsiDCi pic.twitter.com/eOPiYcagvo

— United Airlines (@united) April 11, 2017

Sources: Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, Commonwealth of Kentucky Court of Appeals, TMZ, United Airlines, CNBC.

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#iPhoneSE: iprice Launches Limited Edition Cases Inspired By Local Asian Cuisine

Because they know that we love our food, to coincide with the much anticipated release of the Apple iPhone SE, iprice will be launching a series of limited edition, edible seafood-flavoured cases. Yes, you read right.

The flavours are inspired by the beloved local cuisine across each of the 7 markets iprice currently operates in – Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

The product is expected to satisfy cravings regionally, following the announcement of the Apple iPhone SE. Flavours include:

The casings are reinforced with all the protective features you would typically find in a run-of-the-mill phone case but is further enhanced with its use of materials that are completely edible; namely, patented brown rice from Korea that is as durable as it is long lasting.

Think of it as a savoury rice krispie treat that protects your phone and quells your appetite!

Upon the announcement, iprice group’s VP of Growth Sonny Truyen said, “We’re thrilled with the launch of this revolutionary product and we’re hoping for this to be a bigger food trend than salted egg yolks. With over a million Apple iPhone cases across seven countries listed on iprice, we’re confident that we can spice up the market with this product.”

These cases will be rolled out on 1st April 2016 (that’s today!) and is part of iprice’s movement towards going green and reducing plastic usage, a material usually found in most Apple iPhone cases. Completely free from preservatives, they are designed to decompose after roughly a year of use (if not consumed prior to that).

This is iprice’s first foray into launching a product under its own brand and while it is definitely an unconventional inaugural attempt, they are confident that the taste of the product paired with its noble intentions will garner a positive response from their audience.

For more pictures of iprice’s limited edition, edible seafood-flavoured Apple iPhone SE cases, check out the gallery below:

Oh, and one more thing. Happy April Fools’ Day :)


CNY 2021: Klang Valley Malls With CNY Decor To Check Out This Season

It’s the “Niu” (means Ox in Mandarin) year folks! Despite the current Movement Control Order (MCO), the Chinese zodiac Metal Ox represents strength and diligence – giving us encouragement to take the bull by its horn and charge into a healthy and prosperous 2021.

With travel restrictions in place (and possibly extending), it probably isn’t the wisest idea to balik kampung. Although many can’t return to their hometowns for the family reunion, you can still experience the amazing Chinese New Year decors at these malls – provided once MCO is relaxed and we’re allowed to go out.

A post shared by Pavilion KL (@pavilionkualalumpur)

Standing at 15ft (h) x 16ft (w), Pavilion KL has once again made its way into the Malaysian Book of Records. The Biggest Golden Bull is captivating with gold-plated sparkling eyes and it’ll be a missed opportunity not to snap an #OOTD in your new CNY outfit. The Golden Bull on the rotating stage at Pavilion KL’s Centre Court will hopefully bestow on us an abundance of blessings and prosperity. May the bull charge with great energy to stamp out Covid-19.

In sticking to the Blessings of Prosperity theme, visitors will also find opulent lanterns hanging over Centre Court and a lush of blooming cherry blossom trees for more photo opportunities. There, you can find booths selling traditional CNY hampers, cookies and sweets by Pavilion Hotel, Taimal Herbs & Medicine, Hong Kong Hang Heung, Grand Harbour, Dai Cha Dim, Maison, Tealicious, Cheaw Sifu Dragon Beard Candy and myEureka Snack.

A post shared by Sunway Pyramid (@sunway_pyramid)

Sunway Pyramid has set up bold and auspicious gold ancient towns this year for you to explore. Amidst the tangerine trees and glowing red lanterns, make a wish at the Oxpicious Wishing Well for blessings and good fortunes.

A post shared by Sunway Velocity Mall (@sunwayvelocitymall)

A Golden Ox awaits you in the middle of an array of booths with plenty of goodies. For the first 2000 redeemers, you can write your wish on a wishing ribbon to be tied to the Prosperity Gate. Who knows, your wish might just come true!

A post shared by Sunway Putra Mall (@sunwayputramall)

Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Chinese New Year? Take a walk through the bamboo gardens in Sunway Putra and spend some time at the 24 feet red pagoda inspired by Chinese architecture.

A post shared by Patrick (@heartpatrick)

Step into 1 Utama’s largest concourse LG Oval and be transported back in time to iconic structures and gardens from the Summer Palace that have been recreated and adorned with gold lanterns to reflect different symbolic meanings. There’s the magnificent 2-storey-tall Excessive Pavilion featuring paintings of China’s “Four Legendary Beauties” – 王昭君 Wang Zhao Jun (Han Dynasty), 杨贵妃 Yang Gui Fei (Tang Dynasty), 貂蝉 Diao Chan (Eastern Han Dynasty) and 西施 Xi Shi (Spring Autumn). Also, don’t miss out on the Mystical Moon Gate with a Bamboo Garden located at the second concourse Centre Court.

Inspired by ancient traditional Chinese art of calligraphy, Intermark Mall collaborates with award-winning artist Tee Ying Jie to create auspicious wishes that can be found on the lavish cherry blossom trees. Besides admiring Tee’s work at the Chinese Calligraphy Art Exhibition, shoppers can also take Chinese New Year pictures with a virtual life-sized Ox by scanning a QR code.

A 20-foot God of Prosperity awaits at the main entrance of Da Men. Enter the mall and be greeted with colourful ‘Whirls of Happiness’ where you can jot down wishes on pinwheel blessing papers and toss them at the Tree of Blessings.

A post shared by KL EAST MALL (@kleastmall)

KL East Mall has been transformed into a mesmerising Chinese oriental aquarium with two larger than life-sized Majestic Peacock Fish, measuring 27ft, greeting shoppers with blessings of good luck and fortune. The bold yet unique decorations represent the mall’s wish for 2021 to grant shoppers great strength, success, and good health.

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

Be rewarded when you welcome the Chinese New Year safely at home. From 1st till 16th February 2021, The Gardens Mall is inviting its followers on Instagram to repost its Chinese New Year Instagram Story templates to stand to win RM50 worth of shopping vouchers. 28 winners will be selected so don’t miss your chance to welcome the Chinese New Year with a win.

A post shared by Fahrenheit88 Shopping Mall (@fahrenheit88)

In celebration of “A Blessed Moo Year”, Fahrenheit88 welcomes visitors to check out the Moo Moo Market featuring local artisan products and beef-y deals (such as the Beef Shawarma Platter from Al-Amar Express or the delectable Roast Beef Sandwich from Connoisseur Café).

A post shared by Sungei Wang Plaza 金河广场 (@sungeiwangplaza)

Cute cows are in abundance in Sungei Wang mall! Visit the six oxen symbolising fortune (福), prosperity (禄), longevity (寿), abundance (满), healthy (康) and joy (乐) and take some Insta-worthy pics.

It may not be much, but we do appreciate the effort put into decorating these malls for us. So don’t forget to pay these places a visit when MCO is over and exercise your legs!

Which is your favourite CNY decor so far?

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Legend Fighting Championship Makes Malaysian debut

On 27th April 2013, Malaysia will play host to the eleventh installment of the hugely successful Legend Fighting Championship. The tournament will bring in national champion Mixed Martial Artists from throughout the region in the Asia-Pacific Championship of MMA. Featuring twelve action-packed fights including three Asia-Pacific title bouts, Legend 11 promises to be an unforgettable night of world-class martial arts.

With Legend Fighting Championship broadcast by AXN in Malaysia and the rest of Southeast Asia, and syndicated across a total of 152 countries via 22 broadcast partners, a global MMA audience of over 279 million homes will have their eyes on Malaysia at the end of April.

In the main event, Legend Lightweight Champion, Jadamba Narantungalag from Mongolia, will look to defend his title against Japan’s Koji “The Commander” Ando and his devastating grappling and ground-and-pound game.

Legend 11 will also feature two co-main events: the Legend Bantamweight Title will be on the line for China’s “The Execution” Ji Xian, and Filipino knock-out artist Agustin “Tamasak” Delarmino, Jr., while in the second co-main event, China’s top welterweight Li “The Leech” Jingliang, looks to claim the Welterweight Title against Luke Jumeau, the well-rounded fighter from New Zealand who is equally dangerous on his feet and on the ground.

Local hopes will be on the Malaysian contingent of Muhammad Hanif Bin Zainal and Sam Chan. Both fighters are seasoned Legend Fighting Championship fighters and will be looking to use their home advantage to further their rise as contenders in their respective weight classes.

Tickets are available via Airasia Redtix.

For more information, visit their website.


#PokémonGO: Handy Tips & Tricks To Help Malaysian Trainers Be The Very Best

It doesn’t matter if you’re playing Pokémon GO or not, the craze over the Niantic Inc. augmented reality game is at an all-time high. Much more so this week because the app made its long awaited debut in Malaysia just last weekend.

The good thing is Malaysians are finally feeling less #FOMO (fear of missing out) about it, the bad thing is that we’re a little late to the game so there could be some things about Pokémon GO that we’re unaware of. For the uninitiated, here are some quick tips and tricks to keep you informed and help you overcome challenges.

As it stands, there are currently 40 levels in Pokémon Go. Each level you gain will give you rewards and allow you to unlock new items. Rumour has it that Niantic Inc. may add more levels in the future, but some players have already figured out how many experience (XP) points is needed to reach level 40. Trust us when we say that it does require tens of thousands of points to level up at a certain stage!

The below chart will come in handy when you need to budget your stock of items if you’re not planning to purchase coins to buy them in the shop.

Also, to be the very best like no one ever was, you don’t only need to be at a higher level and to have enough items in stock, you also need an entourage of powerful Pokémons.

The problem here is that not everyone will be able to find high combat point (CP) Pokémons in the wild and even if you do, they could be hard to catch. And without a badass Pokémon, you may not be able take over Gyms that are dominated by Pokémons with over 1,000 CP. How do you deal with this predicament? By evolving your current ones.

But you can’t just be evolving any random Pokémon in your collection.

Reddit user Kyurun took the liberty to calculate the minimum CP a Pokémon must have to ensure that its final evolutionary form is over 1,000 CP. What you’re seeing in the chart above is a rough indication of what is needed for different types of Pokémons before evolving them.

For example, if you want to evolve your Pidgey to a Pidgeotto with a high CP of over 1,000, then your Pidgey will need to have at least 339 CP. The next progression for that Pokémon type would be from a Pidgeotto to a Pidgeot, and to ensure that your Pidgeot scores over 1,000 CP post-evolution, your Pidgeotto will need to have at least 579 CP.

There really are lots of Pidgeys to go around, aren’t there? We know that feels, guys. Which brings us to our next point – where to catch what Pokémons.

The good thing is that Pokémon GO is not a shared universe so everyone stands a chance at catching them all. Otherwise, there would be bloodshed, pretty much.

Your immediate surroundings and climate can affect the types of Pokémon you can catch so say for example, if you’re near water or a water PokéStop that has an activated lure, you’d likely be able to find psychic and water-type Pokémons like Psyduck, Magikarp, Staryu, Goldeen, Poliwag, etc.

If your current location has grassy plains, the game will recognise that and ensure that the area spawns grass, bug, and flying types like Oddish, Spearrow, Caterpie, Weedle, etc. And for fire and rock types e.g. Geodude, Sandshrew, Growlithe, they can generally be found in areas with hot conditions so yay for Malaysians!

Parking lots, shopping malls, university/college campuses, parks, and city centres are also good places to hunt. We know for a fact that Sunway Pyramid and Pavilion KL have started activating lures at their 29362145178 (an exaggeration, of course, but you get the picture) PokéStops. Also, we hear that Pikachu can be found at Sunway Pyramid!

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

As for the rare ones, such as Snorlax, Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, Magnemite, Porygon, and Electrabuzz, just to name a few, they’re harder to find and catch. You would probably have more luck hatching eggs to get them.

Last but not least, the blasted Pidgeys and Rattatas!

The reason why you’re seeing a lot of Pidgeys and Rattatas is because it’s one of the most commonly spawned ones and also, you could be in a residential area. You see, the whole point of the Pokémon GO is for you to lug your butt out of your comfort zone and explore. So do that, but please be mindful and do not trespass people’s compounds or places of worship, or climb high places and jump off elevated grounds.

And above all, have fun becoming the very best :)

Other handy tips for good Pokémon GO gameplay include:

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WandaVision Finale: What Book Was Scarlet Witch Reading At The End?

During an interview with Jimmy Fallon this week, Elizabeth Olsen assured fans that Marvel’s “WandaVision” finale would be “a complete tee-up” for her character arc in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”. Now it makes sense.

The 9th episode of “WandaVision” not only dropped some Easter eggs for fans to analyse, but it also teased on what to expect in future Marvel films. The mid credits scene teased that big things are in store for Monica Rambeau after she gets a visit from a Skrull.

However, it’s the post credits scene that people can’t get enough of. Following the events of Westview, we see Wanda Maximoff now living secluded in a remote cabin home. Although the scene was filmed in Ireland, fans suspect that it’s probably Wundagore Mountain – the location where Wanda and Pietro grew up in the comics.

The camera zooms into the backroom of the cabin and we find Scarlet Witch in astral projection form. It’s safe to assume that she’s currently learning about her powers from the “book of the damned”, known as Darkhold, after getting hold of it from sorceress Agatha Harkness.

So what is the Darkhold and how is it connected to next year’s Doctor Strange sequel?

The Darkhold is a tome that essentially contains dark magic spells. Made from substance found in the Hell Dimension, comic book fans will be familiar with the terrifying villains attached to it – namely the Elder God Chthon, who wrote the Darkhold, and Mephisto, who uses the book for evil.

Many assumed that Mephisto was going to be the main villain in “WandaVision”, but he could appear in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” instead. Agatha already pointed out to Wanda that “your power exceeds that of the Sorcerer Supreme”.

Since Doctor Strange has never used the Darkhold nor practiced dark magic, seeing Wanda go down this path suggests that this powerful Avenger isn’t going to have a happy future. Also, is this the last we’ve seen of Billy and Tommy?

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” will only hit the big screen in March 2022.

Sources: Independent UK, Den of Geek, The Wrap.


Hype’s Now Playing: Britney Spears & Iggy Azalea – Pretty Girls

Britney Spears and Iggy Azalea‘s “Pretty Girls” music video sure is out of this world. Of course, we only say that because the video starts off with Iggy Iggs as an alien hooked on having a good time, with Britney as her tour guide who takes her out for a wild time.

Rather hilarious, the video sees Iggy crash-landing in an unfamiliar location and decade while Britney remains undaunted by the invasion. Upon Iggy’s invasion, Britney gives the newcomer a makeover before they both recklessly drive around in a yellow jeep.

The duo end up at a car wash, where Iggy rigs an ATM while Britney performs her classic music video dance choreography.

Though the video is a little fast paced and messy at some parts, an extended comedy bit allows the “Fancy” rapper to show off her Valley Girl accent before the “Pretty Girls” move to the club, where Britney performs even more dance moves before her girl, Iggy’s mothership arrives in time for the finale.

We must say though, there’s a lot of dancing by Britney in the video, which is great for diehard fans. ;)

Check out the video for “Pretty Girls” below:

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#GuinnessAmplify: Getting To Know Local Songbird Froya

Froya, the star of Guinness’ Amplify Curates.

Michelle Lee, also known as Froya, entered the local indie music scene in late December 2011. Possessing a unique style of music which encompasses and blends a variety of genres ranging from folk to electronica, Froya’s music can best be described as eclectic with a tinge of bittersweet quirky folk and a hint of indie pop.

In 2012, she released her first single “Fries in Cream” which topped the charts at #1 for 14 weeks on Hitz.FM. The single also gained airplay on Women of Substance, a radio based in Los Angeles, USA and other local radio stations. Throughout her musical career so far, Froya has a number of international collaborations under her belt.

These collaborations include “Loan You My Eyes” with Lithuania DJ/Producer, Part Of Me. The single was signed by Love Harder Records based in Germany and a remix package was then released. She also collaborated on “The Heartbreak Song” with Australian DJ, Smile On Impact. The track quickly became #1 on Australia’s biggest radio station – Triple J Unearthed.

Apart from collaborating with international acts, Froya has also opened for various international artistes including US-based indie duo Wye Oak, UK singer-songwriter Jo Hamilton, and Melbourne-based soul singers Charlie Lim and Gabriel Lynch. She’s also played at numerous music festivals including Good Vibes Festival 2014, Festival Belia Putrajaya 2014, Yayasan Sime Darby Art Festival 2014, Singapore Baybeats Music Festival 2013, Urbanscapes Music Festival 2012, and Penang Island Jazz Festival 2012.

In 2014, Guinness Amplify selected Froya to be a featured artiste on their “Made of More Campaign” 2014, which saw her tour in Johor Bahru and Penang, gaining a stronger fan base around the country. This year, Froya will be launching her debut album “Panic Bird” during the “Guinness Amplify: Curates” show, which she is of course, headlining.

In conjunction with Guinness Amplify: Curates – an extension of the highly successful Guinness Amplify Music Made of More, we recently sat down with Froya for a quick chat.

Hi Froya, how are you? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi! I’m good, thanks. Well, my real name is Michelle Lee and I’ve been writing songs since I was 19. I’ve always been interested in songwriting, way much into production and arrangement back then before I got into singing. Given my passion for music, I decided to study music for a bit, got my degree, then I started working as full time music composer so I write music for TV commercials. By day, I’m a composer for TV commercials and by night, I’m Froya.

That’s interesting. What would you say are some of the biggest challenges you face as a local artiste?

Oh hmm…wow, this is new. I would say funding is one of the biggest challenges I face. From travelling to perform, to paying my musicians, for my own photoshoots – makeup, styling and all that, it’s not cheap so funding is a problem. Also, I think local artistes need a better platform. But I must say, it’s been really encouraging because it’s growing here and the platforms are getting bigger and bigger like Guinness Amplify, Urbanscapes, and a lot more.

And if you could change ONE thing about the local music scene, what would it be?

One thing… I don’t even know if there’s anything I would change. This is a really good question. Personally, I would like the audience to be a little more engaging when us musicians are performing. It’s very encouraging when we have the audience dance or sing along with us.

Speaking of musical platforms, how does it feel to be selected as the headliner for “Guinness Amplify: Curates”?

I can’t thank them enough, honestly. I’m incredibly honoured and I feel so lucky to have been selected to headline the show and to also showcase my album during the show. It’s surreal and I really, can’t thank them enough.

You mentioned your album. We understand that it will be your debut album and it’s entitled “Panic Bird”. Could you tell us a little more about it – what inspired the whole album?

“Panic Bird” tells a story of the struggle a small town girl faces in a big city. It’s about me, moving to Kuala Lumpur from KK and often I feel, a little lost in this big city. Like a “Panic Bird”, I try to look for directions, look for a safety net so yeah, I think I’ll never be happy if I can never find a place to call my own and that’s what the album is all about.

The album features 11 tracks – which one is your favourite and why?

“Dawn” is my favourite. It’s happier and more cheerful than the rest. “Dawn” is also the last track I wrote on the album and it shows what I am going to do in the next album, which diverts away from folk – not so much electronic but I am open to and will be experimenting a lot more.

Last but not least, what is your advice to aspiring musicians?

To never give up. It’s not an easy journey, it’s easier said than done, but you must never give up.

Thank you Froya! It was really lovely talking to you.

Froya will be headlining Guinness Amplify Curates on April 11th and she will be supported by other local acts including Jumero, 2DB and Rozella Marie.

Admissions: Free. RSVP at Amplify. First 50 guests gets a copy of Froya’s debut album “Panic Bird.

For more information, visit the Guinness Amplify microsite.

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#JamesOseland: Famous Food Writer Chooses #Penang As World’s Best Food Destination

Once again, Penang is recognised as the country’s food hub.

The city was not only ranked by Lonely Planet as the world’s 4th most charismatic city to visit in 2016, but was also endorsed by internationally renowned American food writer James Oseland as the world’s top food destination.

“If I have to choose the top 3 places in the world as a food destination, Penang would definitely be the first, followed by Mexico City and London,” said the former editor of Saveur Magazine, an award-winning gourmet food and travel magazine that specialises in world cuisines.

He is currently in Penang until 20th July to scout for the best food in the city to be featured in his upcoming book. It is said that his new book, which he expects to be published in the next 2 years, will focus on traditional home-cooked food as it is the best way to understand one’s culture.

His favourite local dishes are Penang-style nasi campur, nasi kandar, and other hawker food such as chee cheong fun. After Malaysia, he will be visiting Indonesia and Timor Leste.

Just in case you didn’t know, 53-year-old James Oseland is an influential figure in the food industry and he is no stranger to South East Asian cooking.

In 2006, his cookbook, titled “Cradle of Flavour: Home Cooking from the Spice Islands of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore”, was named as one of the best books of the year by Time Asia, The New York Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle.

He is also the judge of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef Masters”.

So, who’s up for a food trip to Penang? ;)


BLACKPINK’s Kuala Lumpur Concert Details Will Be Announced This Friday

BLACKPINK “In Your Area”? If you’re living in Klang Valley, then it’s a resounding yes!

We’ve received many enquiries from all you Blinks eager to know the details to BLACKPINK’s 2019 Asia tour in Malaysia. We know how you feel Blinks cause we’re equally excited as well!

Here’s what has been been announced so far: Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa, and Rosé will be on our local shores on 23rd February 2019 (Saturday). The K-pop quartet is scheduled to hold their concert Malawati Indoor Stadium, Shah Alam – the very same venue where iKon and WINNER held their tour this year.

This Friday (30th November), the concert organiser is expected to unveil ticket pricing (and maybe seating plan) for BLACKPINK’s “In Your Area” Live in Kuala Lumpur. We hope you’ve been saving up, if not, you still have some time left. Psst, you could also request it as a Christmas gift from your parents.


MTV VMA 2012 Red Carpet Arrivals!

Excitement is building up this morning at the Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles at the world’s favourite shiny, shiny MTV stars and invited celebrities flock the red carpet. From as early as 6am, a slew of #VMARedCarpet pictures have been invading our Twitter timeline.

We’re just hours away from stellar performances and the official announcements of this year’s 2012 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) winners! Gosh, this is so exciting. Must remember to breathe. Meanwhile, check out some of the red carpet pictures that have been tweeted so far by MTV themselves:

The cast of American reality TV series, Jersey Shoe, are present at the VMAs, minus Snookie who recently became a Mama. Oh, you guys cleaned up well!

R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo is in the house at the VMAs too, peeps. Check out his getup. Man can sing, groove, write songs, and dress well. So much swag!

They’re coming to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the first time ever in about 10 days but first things first, it’s the VMAs for The Wanted. Chasing the sun halfway across the world much, boys?

Wiz Khalifa is obviously not at a payphone trying to call home with Maroon 5’s Adam Levine today because he’s walking the VMAs red carpet. With a proudly pregnant Amber Rose. Are you wearing socks, Wiz?

Look who else is there! It’s our favourite female rebel, the “punkstress” singer-songwriter, Pink. How is it that she always looks so cool? It must be the hair.

We just interviewed these guys a few days ago – didn’t know they were going to the VMAs! Tonight, they are young. Hello, Andrew! Hello Fun.!

Darling RiRi is strutting the red carpet looking fierce. She’s about a few minutes away from coming face-to-face with Drake with five nominations each, including vying for MTV’s “Video of the Year” award. We’re rooting for you, Rihanna!

It’s American actor, RuPaul! We haven’t seen him, uh, her..since “To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything!”. Gosh. Nice sandals, RuPaul. Body beautiful, baby, work that body.

Country/pop sweetheart Taylor Swift makes her red carpet appearance in a sharp white suit. A little different this year at the VMAs huh, Taylor? We were expecting a “princess dress” getup! Still gorgeous, nonetheless.

Here’s Gotye as one of the VMAs early birds with a lady friend in tow. Looking smart, Gotye! Love the shades. Also, we can’t stop staring at his lady friend’s tattoo.

The crowd just went wild and we’re pretty sure we can hear the screams from halfway across the world. You know why, though? Because British-Irish boy band aka little heartthrobs have arrived at the VMAs! The young stars are looking handsome, huh?

Magic on the loose, magic on the loose. Emma Watson has arrived! Look at her, all grown up and strutting the red carpet. We can’t wait for her new movie (a film adaptation of the “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” novel) to be released!

Why so serious? Quirky artiste Katy Perry (who has four VMAs nominations this year) gives photographers a (we hope, playful?) glare as she arrived at the VMAs red carpet. How is it that she always looks so gorgeous, glare..or not? Wait, hang on. Where’s Mayer?

Oh my goodness, run for your lives! Psy has arrived – with a chockful of Gangnam Style in tow. What a pose! Or, wait, was he just about to break into that dance that has gone viral?

More arrivals to follow. If you want more timely updates. hit up (ahem, follow) MTV’s Twitter account and be prepared to be flooded with twitpics! We’ve got our eyes glued on their timeline. Also, check out which of your favourite celebrities are in the running to take home a “spaceman” trophy.

The 2012 MTV Video Music Awards will be happening LIVE on MTV Asia, Astro (CH 713) at 8am!

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#YUZU: Japanese Folk/Pop Duo Set To Perform In Singapore

In celebration of their 20th anniversary in the music industry and their new album “TOWA”, Japanese folk/pop duo YUZU (ゆず) are embarking on their very first Asia tour titled “YUZU Asia Tour 2016 Summer NATSUIRO”.

And guess what? Singapore is getting another dose of J-pop goodness as band members Yūjin Kitagawa (北川悠仁) and Kōji Iwasawa (岩沢厚治) will be making a pitstop at *Scape The Ground Theatre later this year.

Since their debut in October 1997, 38 out of 43 of the band’s singles have charted on the top 5 spots on the Oricon charts for sales. Among their greatest hits, 2004’s “Eiko no Kakehashi” was chosen as the theme song for NHK’s Athens Olympics broadcast, which became a huge hit across the country.

“This dream will finally be realised this year, on our 20th anniversary. The name of the tour, NATSUIRO, is our debut song and one that captures what we are about. We are hoping that these shows will be an introduction to all our fans seeing us for the first time. We are taking ourselves back to the beginning, viewing this as a new starting line in hopes that we will be able to deliver a worthy performance to all of you in Asia,” YUZU said in a statement.

The Japanese duo also recently unveiled their new artwork and tour emblem. Designed by Japanese artist Eri Okamoto, the tour emblem shows 2 furry monkeys holding sensu, which is a depiction of YUZU jumping out of Japan. The artwork on the other hand, was shot at the Shichirigahama Beach in Kamakura, Kanagawa, the same beach the duo shot their very first music video “NATSUIRO”.

Brought to you by Live Nation Japan and Avex Asia, the details for “YUZU Asia Tour 2016 Summer NATSUIRO” are as follows:

Tickets are available via SISTIC. You can also check out YUZU’s official homepage and their Facebook page for more information.


Interrogating The Visionaries Behind FMFA 2013

Across all media channels and social media platforms, the ”A State of Trance 600” (ASOT600) and “Future Music Festival Asia 2013” (FMFA 2013) word is still buzzing. With so many exciting surprises yet to come and acts yet to be revealed, we thought we’d take you away from the suspense for a bit and introduce you to the organizers (read: visionaries) behind all this madness.

During the FMFA 2013 press conference last week, we sat down with Jason Ayoubi (Director of Future Entertainment Australia) and Iqbal Ameer (Director of Livescape Asia) for a friendly little interrogation.

They were of course, only too happy to oblige with their answers:

Hi Jason, Iqbal. So, on a scale of one to ten, how excited are you about FMFA 2013?

Jason: “Oh man. It’s off the charts, I tell you.”

Iqbal: “Yeah you should check Twitter right now. It’s crazy. We’re trending!”

Iqbal: “ASOT600 and FMFA 2013 is going to make this cross-genre music fesitval the biggest ever in Southeast Asia, if not Asia. It’s everything we’ve ever hoped for – we had a goal, we had a vision, this is what we wanted to do. And this is it.”

We gotta say that when the lineup for Future Music Festival Australia was announced, we got really excited guessing which one of the acts were going to come to FMFA 2013..

Jason: “You know, there has always been this thing about..if the whole lineup is going to come to Malaysia. But here’s the thing, Australia is not going to get ASOT600! And that has captured so much attention from the Australian fans – and we know that because of that, a lot of them are going to come to Malaysia for FMFA 2013, for the two-day extravaganza.”

Iqbal: “Not only that, Singaporean partygoers will come. The Indonesians are also probably already making plans and booking flights. Basically everyone in the region!”

Tell us a little bit more about next year’s theme though.

Jason: “It’s going to be a Mexican theme. We do a different theme every year. Two years ago, it was a Vegas theme. Last year, we had a futuristic sorta like a ‘Jetsons’ theme. For 2013, there are so many things we can do with the Mexican theme. The Australian one is called, ‘Day of The Dead-Set Awesome’ but we changed it a little bit to suit the Asian marketplace.”

Iqbal: “Even the F&B will be Mexican-themed. So expect huge piñatas, surprises, maybe some margaritas..”

Sounds awesome! Wait, we just got word that Sepang International Circuit might not be the venue..

Jason: “Well, what we’re trying to do is..we’re trying to announce things as we go along. The same way we waited to announce the lineup, we’re now waiting to announce the next set of things namely the remaining acts and artistes, and of course the venue. Keep checking back via the Facebook page for updates!”

Iqbal: “Yeah! We will definitely release more information as we go along.”

Alright! We’ll hold you to it. Last question, what can we expect from FMFA 2013?

Jason: “We took up a production a notch last year and in terms of, everything. Not just the sound. If you came last year and thought that was great well, the next FMFA is going to be bigger and better, with four stages and the works. Just you wait and see.”

We’re reeling with suspense and excitement. Thank you Jason and Iqbal for the chat. And thank you Future Entertainment Australia for bringing Future Music Festival to Asia once again! Now, will 2013 please come sooner?

Oh, and by the way, tickets go on sale this Friday, 16th November 2012! Race you there.

For more information or to obtain updates on the festival, hit up their website or their Facebook page. Also, keep a close watch on Future Music Festival Asia’s Twitter account for more surprises.

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#Travel: 8 Caves In Malaysia That Will Quench Your Thirst For Adventure

Malaysia is a land of many natural wonders. From breathtaking waterfalls to hot springs, our country has something for every nature lover. But if you have a thirst for adventure, then caving might be your new favourite hobby.

Caves are large hollow spaces inside a rocky mass. In Malaysia, some caves are found in limestone hills while others are located above ground. Malaysian caves are also home to millions of bats and insects, so caving here is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Here are 8 must-visit caves for the adventurous souls:

Located inside the Perlis State Park, Gua Wang Burma is full of beautiful limestone formations like stalactites (icicle-like structures hanging from the roof of a cave) and stalagmites (columns that rise from the cave floor). The cave, which actually links to Thailand, is divided into 2 main parts: Wang Burma Satu (the easier path surrounded by scenic settings) and Wang Burma Dua (the more challenging route filled with dark hooks, narrow passages, and muddy tunnels).

Furthermore, visitors are advised to get a qualified guide and permission from the Perlis Forestry Department before going for the cave exploration.

Gua Kelam, which literally means “Cave of Darkness”, is another extraordinary sight to see in Perlis. Famed for its “cave walk”, the 370m-long cave features a suspension bridge and shares the Malaysia-Thailand border with Nakawan Range, the longest continuous limestone hill in our country.

Gua Musang, which literally means “Fox Cave”, is Kelantan’s largest district and is one of Malaysia’s most popular rock-climbing and caving destinations as it’s surrounded by limestone hills and caves. The caves here are steep, so a proper guide should be hired prior to your trip. Gua Musang is also home to well-known archaeological sites such as Gua Cha, Gua Chawan, and Gua Jaya.

Aside from the caves, adrenaline seekers can also try water rafting at Sungai Nenggiri.

Gua Niah consists of several voluminous chambers with high ceilings and is located in Niah Caves National Park. The main cave, Niah Great Cave, is an important pre-historical site as archeologists found evidence of human occupation dating back to 40,000 years. Moreover, historical wall-paintings and “death ships” can be found at the nearby Painted Cave. The popular tourist spot is also one of the bird nest industry’s main nesting ground.

Situated in Gunung Mulu National Park, Mulu Caves has a series of caves and caverns with the biggest one being the Sarawak Chamber (it can fit 8 Boeing-747 planes!). Mulu Caves also houses several other caves such as Deer Cave (the world’s largest cave passage), Lang Cave, Clearwater Cave, and Wind Cave.

Other attractions at the Unesco World Heritage site include Long Iman Ba’Desai Waterfall, Mulu Botanical Heritage Trail, Paku Valley Loop, and Kenyalang Loop.

Gua Tempurung is one of the largest limestone caves in Peninsular Malaysia. While it is not as big as the ones in East Malaysia, the cave is great for beginners as it is easy to explore. Believed to have existed since 8000 B.C. (that’s about 10,000 years ago!), the cave has 3 large chambers, 5 huge domes, and coconut shell-like ceilings.

Note: Torch lights and safety helmets are recommend when exploring the cave.

Dubbed by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) as “the best-managed edible birds’ nest cave in the world”, Gua Gomantong has 2 parts: Simud Hitam (Black Cave) and Simud Putih (White Cave). While the former is easily accessible from the entrance building, going to the latter, which is also a swiftlet nesting ground, requires a 45-minute uphill trek, proper caving equipments, and a lot of determination.

Note: Due to dwindling swiftlet populations, the caves are closed over certain periods. So be sure to check with a local guide before planning your trip!

Batu Maloi Cave is probably one of the hardest caves to explore in the country. Formed beneath the masses of large rocks, the cave is situated in Mount Tampin Forest Reserve. According to a TripAdvisor user, headlights and waterproof bags are needed as the granite cave is wet and dark. Also, be sure to wear proper clothing to prevent yourself from getting scratches and bumps because there are many narrow and winding passageways.

Like Gua Wang Burma, an experienced guide is needed for the cave tour.

Sources: Attractions in Malaysia, Wiki Voyage, Go Outdoor Asia, Ipoh City, Lonely Planet / Featured image: MySabah.com

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Hype’s Now Playing: T.O.P – Hi Hakura (“Secret Message” OST)

Well, who knew that he could dish it out when it matters most?

Aside from his good looks, BIGBANG member T.O.P (real name Choi Seung Hyun) is also known to be a rapper with mad skillz, an actor, and now it seems even an impressive singer. You see, he has taken the liberty to both star as well as sing in “Secret Message”, an upcoming web drama.

You’ve heard him singing a little in BIGBANG’s “If You” off their “MADE series” release, but have you heard him singing an entire song all on his own?

“Secret Message” stars T.O.P in the leading male role (Woo Hyun) and Japanese actress Juri Ueno as the female lead (Haruka). The Korean-Japanese production centres on Woo Hyun, a hopeless romantic who clings to the idea of romance despite the painful memories he harbors of his first love and Haruka, a woman with a painful past who hopes to someday fall in love.

Titled “Hi Haruka”, the theme song feature T.O.P in a sweet serenade with his soothing voals. The ballad is quite a refreshing change from his usual fast-paced BIGBANG tracks and hip hop beats, and is bound to melt your heart.

The official music video for “Hi Haruka” also gives fans a glimpse at the upcoming “Secret Message” web drama.

“Secret Message” also stars Korean actor Lee Jae Yoon (“Queen of Ambition”, “Golden Rainbow”, “Heart to Heart”) and Korean actress Yoo In Ah (“Secret Garden”, “You’re the Best Lee Soon Shin”, “My Love From Another Star”), who takes on the role of Haruka’s roommate.

Co-produced by Korea’s CJ E&M and Japan’s Amuse Inc. and Line Corp., it is slated to premiere on 1st November 2015.


5 Fun Facts About The LEGO Monkie Kid Mini Movie

Introducing LEGO Monkie Kid – the first ever Chinese legend inspired LEGO theme. If you think it’s related to the legendary Monkey King (from “Journey to the West”, you’re absolutely right.

The story follows an ordinary boy named Monkie Kid, who becomes the chosen one to Monkey King’s legendary staff. The modern Chinese twist celebrates bravery and friendship, as Monkie Kid attempts to stop the Demon Bull King and his army of Bull Clones from destroying his city.

“I have been touched and inspired by China’s rich history and culture, the passion and pride of the people and the incredible creativity of China. It has been an honour and privilege to be able to immerse myself in China’s culture of storytelling, in particular – Journey to the West and the Monkey King,” said Simon Lucas.

The Senior Design Director at the LEGO Group continued, “The epic stories and incredible characters have been a huge inspiration to the LEGO design team and me. It is with deepest respect for Chinese culture and the 500-year-old legend that we have created the next chapter in the story of the Monkey King – The Monkie Kid.”

Here are some fun facts about LEGO Monkie Kid:

1. LEGO Monkie Kid is the first ever LEGO theme that is inspired by Chinese culture and values.

2. 12 brand new never-before-seen LEGO elements including:

3. With 119 drum lacquered (metallic gold) elements (in 14 different shapes and not including the foil elements), the Monkey King Warrior Mech (80012) is the LEGO model that has the most drum lacquered elements.

4. It took 2 years from initial ideation to final products.

5. LEGO Monkie Kid has been developed in very close collaboration between colleagues in China and Denmark and with children and parents in China.

The 8 action-packed LEGO Monkie Kid sets include:

The mini movie will premiere on TV3 this Saturday (13th June) at 10:30.

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Zack Snyder Wants To Make A Movie Of This Female Marvel Character

Zack Snyder is very well-known for directing several DCEU movies in the past decade. Even though being heavily invested with the DC Universe, the filmmaker has always wanted to work on a Marvel movie. He certainly has ideas for one, which involves characters like Daredevil and Elektra.

This all started when Snyder recently appeared on Comic Book Debate. He was talking about his work on DCEU movies like “Batman V Superman” and “Justice League” until the discussion led to Marvel. Snyder started presenting an elevator pitch for a Marvel movie and chose an unexpected character.

Snyder stated in the interview, “I would choose ‘Elektra Lives Again’. Do you know that Frank Miller comic book? It’s a graphic novel about Elektra. Daredevil is having these dreams about Elektra coming back to life, and it’s really cool and weird…It’s just cool, and beautiful. That’s what I would do. No one cares, but that’s what I would do“.

For any non-comic book readers, “Elektra Lives Again” is a spinoff of the Daredevil comics which was released in 1990. In the comic, Elektra was resurrected after being murdered by the villain Bullseye. This story is one of the most influential stories about Elektra. Seeing Snyder pitching a story like this for the MCU does inflict some curiosity among fans.

The comic does seem to align with Snyder’s aesthetic appeal. Trippy dream sequences, murder, sex, and religious imagery, “Elektra Lives Again” has a load of these. Snyder adapting the comic would be fitting as he loves attempting darker themes in his movies.

Dreaming of making an Elektra movie begs the question… Will Snyder ever get the chance to direct a Marvel movie?

Spawning different projects of DC films, he managed to obtain a dedicated fan base. Moreover, these fans were the ones campaigning online for years to release the Snyder Cut. However, the 54-year old star started the DCEU’s earlier films, only to encounter underwhelming responses. Snyder was made fun online for producing darker themed yet subpar films. He was even blamed for damaging the DCEU’s image.

Whether people love or hate Snyder, that does not take away his credibility of being an inspired modern filmmaker. He is still not done and plans on taking more comic book projects in the future. Plus, the chances of him tackling Marvel films are possibly high.

During an interview with Comic Book Debate, Snyder stated he has no plans of directing another DCEU movie.

“Look, I never thought I’d be here doing this. I didn’t think I’d be finishing ‘Justice League’ … The truth is, and it’s been widely reported, and I have no issue, this is an old movie. This is a years-old movie I’m working on. The DC universe has gone and branched off and done its own thing and that’s fine…

As far as what I did and as far as what my vision for what I wanted to do with these characters and the journey I wanted them to go on, it’s well known that I planned on more movies — five movies or something — but I’m busy. I’ve got a lot going on. Is it cool that the fans have so much faith in the trajectory? Yes, it’s amazing, and I couldn’t be happier and I’m excited for them to see ‘Justice League’ so they can really drink the entire elixir of Justice League. But would I continue? I have no plans to. But like I said, I didn’t think I’d be here, so who knows?”

Could this lead to a possibility of Snyder joining the Marvel filmmaking crew?

Snyder will leave DCEU to start making other comic book movies. In that case, “Elektra Lives Again” is definitely something he would work on. As a send-off for his last DCEU directed film, the Snyder Cut will officially release sometime this March.


#Witness: Katy Perry’s Album Cover Is An Eyeful

Shut up and put your eyeball where your mouth is?

Katy Perry’s new album cover is unlike any of previous LPs. The artwork sees the seemingly naked blond pop star covering her eyes with both hands, but there’s another eye popping out of her mouth.

Spooky is an understatement when describing her album cover for “Witness”. We don’t know how receptive Katycats will be of this image, but you have to tip your hat off to Perry for taking a risk and trying something new yet controversial.

During her recent appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”, the hitmaker gave an insight into her first 2 singles, “Chained To The Rhythm” and “Bon Appetit”. “Right now, I think you’re just seeing parts of the body of work and that part is kind of like the sexually empowered and liberated part,” she said.

“So ‘Chained To The Rhythm’ was kind of like the mental, political liberation and (‘Bon Appetit’) is kind of like that sexual liberation because I’m now embracing my 30s, which I think is so bomb dot com, I love it so much,” she continued, before adding, “I love being a woman and I love a consensual interaction. There is nothing wrong with that. We’re all animals.”

In addition to the aforementioned songs, the 32-year-old singer revealed that she had recorded approximately 40 tracks before cutting it down to 15 for the album. It’s been confirmed that “Swish Swish” (featuring Nicki Minaj) is a fun dance song while “Bigger Than Me” references Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential loss.

So will Perry be responding to Taylor Swift‘s “Bad Blood” in “Witness”? “Well that’s not my question to answer — if it’s about me. I think (the album is) a very empowered record. There is no one thing that’s calling out any one person,” she previously told Entertainment Weekly.

The entertainer continued, “1 thing to note is: You can’t mistake kindness for weakness and don’t come for me. Anyone. Anyone. Anyone. Anyone. And that’s not to any one person and don’t quote me that it is, because it’s not. It’s not about that.”

“Honestly, when women come together and they decide to unite, this world is going to be a better place. Period end of story. But, let me say this: Everything has a reaction or a consequence so don’t forget about that, okay, honey,” she added.

Listen to the teaser and the full track for “Swish Swish” below:

A post shared by KATY PERRY (@katyperry) on May 14, 2017 at 12:39pm PDT

Mark your calendars, “Witness” drops on 9th June.

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#OceansEleven: Sandra Bullock To Lead All-Female Reboot; Gary Ross To Direct

For almost over a decade, tonnes of movies and TV series have been remade or rebooted by Hollywood. A reboot may seem like an awful attempt to milk money out of a franchise that’s running dry, but it could be a way to re-introduce the outdated franchise to a whole new generation.

Now, according to Indiewire’s The Playlist, an “Ocean’s Eleven” reboot is currently in the works. But this time around, it will feature an all-female cast.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, “Ocean’s Eleven” is a 2001 remake of the 1960 Rat Pack film of the same name. The American comedy heist film features a star-studded cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Andy García, and Julia Roberts.

The remake, which was very well-received by critics, was a box office success and became the 5th highest-grossing movie of 2001. It even spawned 2 sequels, “Ocean’s Twelve” in 2004 and “Ocean’s Thirteen” in 2007.

Little did Clooney and Soderbergh know, they’d find themselves collaborating with late producing giant Jerry Weintraub again for a new female-centric “Ocean’s Eleven” film, which has apparently been “quietly gestating” for at least a year. Sources close to the project told The Playlist that Olivia Milch (of “Queen & Country” and “Little Women” fame) has been working on its screenplay for months and just “handed in a draft”.

A longtime Soderberg friend and ally, “The Hunger Games” director Gary Ross is reportedly attached to direct the all-female reboot. Plot details are kept under wraps, but The Playlist noted that “everyone is keen” on this remake/reboot/sequel/spinoff and that Clooney may even make a cameo as Danny Ocean.

Former Sony Pictures head Amy Pascal apparently knew about the project’s existence for a long time. The leaked emails from last year’s Sony hack showed that Pascal urged her team to put the gender-swapping “Ghostbusters” reboot to development when she got wind of the competing all-female “Ocean’s Eleven” reboot in the works.

Starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, the Paul Feig-directed “Ghostbusters” reboot is due to be released next summer.

There’s no release date for the new female “Ocean’s Eleven” project yet, but Clooney’s “Gravity” co-star Sandra Bullock is reportedly going to lead it.

It certainly won’t be the first time that the Oscar-winning actress stepped into Clooney’s shoes as her latest role in “Our Brand in Crisis” was originally written for Clooney. In fact, news of Bullock leading the film has certainly opened the gates for speculation and dream casting.

So, do you think should join the cast? Do you think it’ll be a great film? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.


MTV World Stage Returns To Rock Surf Beach!

Remember that big annual party that takes place at the Surf Beach, Sunway Lagoon? It’s coming back this year, bigger than ever, with big acts!

Yes, we’re talking about MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2012!

Slated to take place on the 14th July 2012 (Saturday), the next installment of MTV World Stage will feature a stellar line-up such as global teenage superstar Justin Bieber, multiple-award winning Korean pop sensation Jay Park (squeal!) and Kara, and Malaysian’s very own Mizz Nina.

During the announcement, Indra Suharjono (Executive VP and MD of Viacom International Media Networks Asia) said, “With three successful MTV World Stage productions under our belt, we have established it as the premier live music event in Malaysia and are very excited to return to Sunway Lagoon to make 2012 the biggest and most interactive one yet.”

“The fans and artists will undoubtedly take the social media chatter to an all-time high, bringing MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia come to life for not only 15,000 fans at Surf Beach, but also for millions of viewers, followers and friends of MTV, Justin Bieber, Jay Park, Kara and Mizz Nina”, Suharjono added.

MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2012 will be produced into a 2-hour TV show premiering on MTV SEA channel on the 28th July 2012 (Saturday), 12:30pm (WIB), 1:30pm (SG/HK/PHIL) and 2:30pm (MAL). An hour-long version will also be broadcast later in the year via MTV’s global network of more than 60 channels in over 150 territories reaching over 600 million households.

You read right, and no, you’re not dreaming – MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2012 will be witnessed by a live audience of 15,000!

Vying to be a part of that crazy stampede of MTV fans? You can! Stand a chance to win the coveted MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2012 passes here!

Go on, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. You can either win passes as instant wins through the multiple game sessions every day or, in the event that you don’t score instant wins, you can still submit a 250 characters or less write-up via the website. So don’t give up, okay?

For more information, visit MTV Asia’s Facebook page & keep stalking their Twitter account for more timely updates!

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H-Artistry 2013: An Elevated Super-Clubbing Experience

H-Artistry returns this year with the first Global Art of Mixing party slated for Penang, promising an elevated experience revolving around H-Artistry’s trademark offering: an unmatched, super-clubbing experience featuring a sensational mix of sight, sound and taste. The first of two H-Artistry events planned for 2013 will be taking over the Penang Island this 25th May 2013 (Saturday), at the newly refurbished SPICE (Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre) formerly known as PISA (Penang International Sports Arena).

The event will feature a never-before-seen set up, unlike any previous H-Artistry events, with the party starting as soon as revelers step into the enclave.

This year’s no-frills super-club experience will be bolstered by the staple Hennessy Mixing Bars, which will serve the four trailblazers of all H-Artistry events – the signature Hennessy V.S.O.P long drinks: Hennessy Apple, Hennessy Berry, Hennessy Ginger, and Hennessy Soda.

The H-Artistry stage will see a line-up of exciting local, regional, and international acts, which will treat Penang revelers to a stellar mix of music styles and genres all through the night. They are:

Access to H-Artistry is by invite only. Party goers will be able to obtain passes from the H-Artistry Ambassadors stationed at selected entertainment outlets by participating in the ongoing Hennessy V.S.O.P bottle promotions:

Every bottle of Hennessy V.S.O.P purchased will come with two (2) invites to H-Artistry, while a purchase of two (2) bottles will come with five (5) tickets.

Invites can only be obtained from the H-Artistry Ambassadors stationed at participating outlets at specific times, so be sure to check out the full scheduling details, as well as updates on the upcoming H-Artistry event by visiting their website.


BIGBANG To Make Grand Comeback At Coachella 2020

V.I.Ps rejoice! K-pop legends BIGBANG (빅뱅) is set to make their grand comeback on one of the biggest music festivals in the world, Coachella.

The good news was recently announced via home label YG Entertainment’s Twitter today (3rd January, Friday). The “Fantastic Baby” jam makers are scheduled to perform for 2 days on 10th and 17th April.

The interesting part is, this will be their first ever group activity since their long-term hiatus back in 2017 where they had to make room for the members’ military enlistment. All 4 members of the band – T.O.P, G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung – are expected to delight their fans with live renditions of their biggest hits.

A number of K-fans have taken to Twitter to express their excitement upon hearing the reports. As a result, BIGBANG has managed to top the trending spot on the social media. It is clear that all of them have been missing the group and can’t wait to see the quartet perform together on stage.

Damn Coachella is gonna be at a BigBang concert this year #BIGBANGCoachella2020 pic.twitter.com/iU2z5MUMpv

WHAT IF BIGBANG PERFORNS FLOWER ROAD AT COACHELLA pic.twitter.com/AJPeY6OAPM

— exhaust ed🍵 (@HeechulSweater) January 3, 2020

BIGBANG IS COMING BACK!!! I REPEAT BIGBANG IS COMING BACK!!!! 👑

— NAKITA KO NA SI BAEKHYUN ULIT 🐶❤ (@baekkriz) January 3, 2020

PAVE THE WAY" STANS: pic.twitter.com/riQAs2ciBr

Are y’all excited for BIGBANG’s return? Because we are! ?

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