Zip Into Breathtaking Jeongseon County, The Land Of “Jeongseon Arirang”

When it comes to South Korea, the possibilities of finding places to go and things to do beyond Seoul are endless. It’s no wonder that Koreans enjoy travelling within their country’s breathtaking mountainous regions and beautiful beach destinations, and be one with nature.

Characterised by high mountains that surround the village’s valley floor, Jeongseon (정선군) is a county in central Gangwon-do (Gangwon Province), South Korea. The famous hometown of traditional Korean folksong “Jeongseon Arirang”, many of the area’s mountains are as high as 1,000 meters. As such, the region provides unpolluted mountain air and has weaving streams – and twisty roads alongside – scattered throughout the province, creating a picturesque and romantic landscape.

In January 2015, Korail’s launched the Jeongseon Arirang A-Train (Seoul to Jeongseon) which has made the county much more accessible, allowing day-trippers to come up from the capital. A popular travel destination in the recent years, it is also the hometown of famous actor Won Bin (of “Autumn in My Heart” fame) and footballer Seol Ki-hyeon.

Planning to pay the beautiful county a visit the next time you’re in South Korea? Here are some must-see Jeongseon attractions:

Auraji is the name of a lake where “Jeongseon Arirang” originated. Famous for its beautiful, clean mountains, and rivers, its name is derives from the Korean word “어우러지다” (pronounced as “eoureojida”), which means “to meet” as the waters of Pyeongchang and Samcheok unite in this area. Part of the upper stream of Namhangang River, Auraji was a famous starting point of log rafts transporting timber to Hanyang, the original name of Seoul. In fact, the lyrics of “Jeongseon Arirang” tells the story the of sadness and longing of a woman awaiting her husband who left for business to a far-away place or left to transport timber. Today, numerous tourists visit Auraji to enjoy its great scenic views or to see the symbol of a maid who, gazing into the river, seems to be waiting for her lover to return.

Location: 69, Auraji-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do (강원도 정선군 여량면 아우라지길 69 (여량면))

Jeongseon 5-Day Market is one of the major local markets in Korea which opens every 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd, 27th. In the market, visitors can experience the lively bustling atmosphere of a Korean folk market and purchase agricultural produce at low prices. Its specially featured product is the Goraengji, a vegetable that grows in mountainous regions or on plateaus at 500-700m above sea level. Also on the market day, visitors will be able to watch a musical performance in Arirang center, a 3-part show that explains Arirang’s story, together with rhythmical and enjoyable music!

Location: 58-1, Bibong-ro, Jeongseon-eup, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do.

Arii Hills: Byeongbangchi Sky Walk and Zip Wire

Located in the between Gyuram-ri and Buksil-ri in Jeongseon-eup, the Byeongbangchi Observatory boasts breathtaking views surrounding Bamseom Island. Bamseom Island is shaped like the Korean peninsula and features the streams of Donggang River. The Byeongbangchi Skywalk experience offers a thrilling experience as it gives a feeling of walking in the sky thanks to the tempered glass on the “U”-shaped structure (11m) projected from the cliff at altitude of 583m. From this observatory, tourists will be able to experience the beauty of Bamseom Island and Donggang River.

Location: 225, Byeongbangchi-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do. (강원도 정선군 정선읍 병방치길 225)

Admission: Adults (ages 19-64) 2,000 won / Teenagers & Children (ages 7-18) 1,000 won / Zip wire Fees 40,000 won

Combining biking along a railway and scenic views, the rail bike in Jeongseon Auraji is a new type of leisure sport that makes use of an abandoned railway track that runs fro m Jeongseon Auraji to Gujeol-ri. The total track is 7.2 kilometres long and a continuous descent that is easy to ride along clean valley waters and crimson red foliage. At the boarding area in Gujeol-ri Station, there is a café named “A Grasshopper’s Dream” which is housed in a train and shaped like a grasshopper. The rail bike starts in Gujeol-ri station and ends in Auraji Station. The trick is to ride at a slow speed of 15kph to enjoy the surrounding scenery. On the way back, riders will return to Gujeol-ri on a free train ride with a view.

Location: 745, Nochusan-ro, Yeoryang-myeon, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do. (강원도 정선군 여량면 노추산로 745 (여량면))

Admission: (2-seater bike) Individual 25,000 won / Group 22,500 won (4-seater bike) Individual 35,000 won / Group 31,500 won Operating Hours * March to October 09:00 – 18:00, 5 times a day * November to February 09:00 – 15:00, 4 times a day

Remember that episode in 2016’s hit Korean drama, “Descendants of the Sun“, where Argus kidnapped Dr. Kang to his hideout and blackmailed her to break up with Captain Yoo Shi Jin? That was filmed at the Samtan Art Mine. The Samtan Art Mine is a cultural art complex, transformed from an abandoned mine at the foot of Hambaeksan Mountain, the main production area of stone coal in Korea. Opened in 1964 as a industrial establishment, the mine operated until October 2001. The name “Samtan” refers to Samcheok Tanjwa, one of the major coal mines in Korea, and “Art Mine” plays on the history of the coal mine. There are many cultural art spaces throughout the nation, but Samtan Art Mine attracts visitors for being located inside an actual mine site. The Samtan Art Mine draws even deeper artistic meaning due to this poignant history.

Location: 1445-44, Hambaeksan-ro, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do.

Last but not least, Jeongseon is also 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics ready with its Jeongseon Alpine Centre facilities! The Jeongseon Alpine Centre is an alpine skiing area located on the site of Gariwang mountain, in the township of Bukpyeong in the county of Jeongseon. With the capacity to accommodate 6,000 spectators, it will host the alpine speed events of Downhill, Super-G, and Combined. The men’s downhill starts at an elevation of 1,370 m (4,495 ft), with a course length of 2.857 km (1.775 mi), to a finish area at 545 m (1,788 ft). The vertical drop of 825 m (2,707 ft) surpasses the minimum drop of 800 m (2,625 ft) required by the International Ski Federation (FIS). The venue Gariwang mountain is one of the most remote areas in South Korea. The centre officially opened in January 2016 two weeks prior to its first event, the men’s World Cup speed.

Special thanks to our friends from Korea Tourism Organisation (Malaysia) for the opportunity!

Hype Malaysia is also an official “Wow! PyeongChang!” supporter in conjunction with the upcoming 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea. So keep a look out for our future posts as we’ll be gushing over places to go, things to do, and food to eat in Gangwon ?

For more information, hit up the Korea Tourism Organisation (Malaysia) website or Facebook page. Alternatively, you can follow them on Instagram.

Big shoutout to our friends from Travel Recommends for keeping us connected with unlimited data on our trip to South Korea, enabling us to update real-time for the entire duration without a hitch ?

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Tony Fernandes Spends Spare Time Reading About Prophet Muhammad

Anthony Francis Fernandes, or better known among the public as Tony Fernandes often posts daily updates on Instagram during the nationwide partial lockdown.

Most recently, the AirAsia boss caught everyone’s attention when he posted about using his free time to read up on Prophet Muhammad and understand Islam.

Using some of my spare time to understand my brothers , sisters and their religion. Time for all of us to understand and learn and be tolerate. Amazing book. Use your time to improve yourself and learn more.

A post shared by  Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) on Apr 21, 2020 at 8:28pm PDT

In the photo, the 55-year-old entrepreneur wrote, “Using some of my spare time to understand my brothers, sisters and their religion. Time for all of us to understand and learn and be tolerate. Amazing book. Use your time to improve yourself and learn more.”

The post has received tons of reactions amongst his followers and netizens online. A lot of them left uplifting remarks, showering him with words of respect and praise. In addition, others prayed that he will be granted with God’s guidance in life.

Hopefully Tony’s action will inspire others to do the same as well, regardless of religion or cultural differences.


#SoulfestAsia: Hip Hop Festival Postponed Tentatively To December 2015

We gotta say, we’re a little bummed and this is definitely not the kind of news that we’re expecting on a Friday – or ever :(

Due to Soulfest International Australia’s inability to fulfill its commitments to Soulfest Asia, Malaysia’s headliners, Mary J Blige, Jhene Aiko, De La Soul and Talib Kweli will not be making their way to Soulfest Asia.

As such, Soulfest Asia 2015 will have to be postponed, tentatively to December 2015.

A spokesperson for Soulfest International Australia said:

We are very saddened by the inability of our company to secure the headline artists for Soulfest Asia as originally planned and have deprived fans of the festival line up that was promised – we apologise for this chain of events.

We have fulfilled all obligations and commitments to the acts, including obtaining the proper licensing and permits. This decision was not made lightly, as we understand the disappointment this will cause. However, we believe it is imperative that we deliver a world-class festival and an exceptional experience to festival goers. More details will be announced in the coming weeks. We would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.

For those who would like a refund for their purchased tickets, information will be available on www.soulfestasia.com from Tuesday, 13th October 2015.

For more information, visit its official website or its Facebook page.


#ZoukKL: Get Them Feels Prepped & Dancing Shoes On For #TranceSylvania

TranceSylvania is Zouk KL’s inaugural trance genre indoor music festival and one of a number of indoor Zouk KL music festivals to be held in 2017.

For TranceSylvania, Mainroom, and Ace will be transformed into Zouk KL’s very own rave stages, showcasing LED displays, concept lasers, light shows, and additional live performances! The event will feature headlining acts Cosmic Gate, Orjan Nilsen, Ruben de Ronde, and other world renowned DJs whilst giving a platform for local, up and coming trance acts to gain exposure.

The theme for the event will include a full-scale sensory invasion on the potential revellers of TranceSylvania. Trance fans can expect to see:

The festival will also aim to unify to unify trance fans from all around Malaysia and the region. #trancefamily, ain’t this right up your alley? :D

Book early to avoid disappointment, guys! See you on the dance floor ;)

For more information, hit up Zouk KL’s Facebook page.

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Beware! 530k Zoom Accounts Are Being Sold On The Dark Web

Yesterday (Tuesday, 14th April), it was reported that approximately 530,000 Zoom accounts had been compromised. Cybersecurity firm Cyble had purchased the Zoom credentials from a hacker on the dark web.

In speaking to website BleepingComputer, Cyble bought these accounts for only US$0.20 (RM0.80) each, with the intention to warn the users of the potential breach.

As per Cyble, the info obtained from the purchased accounts include:

The firm first discovered that these accounts were up for sale for ill-natured activities like “Zoom-bombing”, which is a way for an uninvited guest to hack into a Zoom meeting. There has since been evidence of leaked recordings of meetings being posted on Youtube and Vimeo.

Cyble explained that the hacked accounts were probably obtained from details leaked  via data breaches known as “credential stuffing attacks”. These logins were then compiled into a list and sold on the dark web.

Here’s how you can protect your Zoom account from recent data breaches:


Urbanscapes 2013 Second Lineup Revealed

For more information visit Urbanscapes on Facebook.

Discover the stars of Urbanscapes and win All-Access Passes

Urbanscapes presents Explosions in the Sky and Mew via Satellite Shows


Hype’s Now Playing: Andrew Rayel & Jwaydan – Until The End (MaRLo Remix)

We’re totally agreeing with MaRLo’s take on “Until The End”, one of the many exclusive remixes from Andrew Rayel’s upcoming “Find Your Harmony (Deluxe)” compilation!

MaRLo has been taking the world by storm with his unprecedented anthemic masterpieces, and it doesn’t stop there. With an album-exclusive remix of “Until The End”, by Andrew Rayel and Jwaydan, the Dutch born, Australian-based DJ and producer earned himself a spot on the deluxe version of Andrew Rayel’s “Find Your Harmony” and has another slamming tune to add to his discography. Simply amazing is the term best used to describe this beauty of a record.

Don’t forget! Andrew Rayel’s “Find Your Harmony (Deluxe) will be released on 22nd May. Wanna pre-order? You can do so via iTunes here.

For more information, hit up Armada Music’s Facebook page.


#Fuel: RON95 Down By 10 Sen; RON97 Down By 20 Sen; Diesel Down By 30 Sen

The year 2016 has arrived with a piece of good news for Malaysian motorists because the fuel prices have gone down.

Following a drop in global crude oil prices, the prices of RON95, RON97, and diesel have been dropped by 10 sen, 20 sen, and 30 sen respectively effective today (1st January 2016).

Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia president Datuk Hashim Othman confirmed the news about the reduction in fuel prices yesterday.

RON95 petrol is now priced at RM1.85 per litre while RON97 is priced at RM2.25 per litre. The prices of diesel have reduced by 30 sen as the price of regular diesel is RM1.60 per litre and the price of Euro 5 diesel is RM1.70 per litre.

According to a report by The Rakyat Post, the RON95 petrol was priced at RM1.80 per litre when it was first introduced in 2009. The price went up to RM1.85 in the following year before being raised again the next year to RM1.90. The price remain unchanged until 5th September 2013 where the price went up to RM2.10. The price of the RON95 petrol peaked at RM2.30 per litre in 2014.

The price of the RON97 fuel peaked at RM3 per litre in 2012 while the price of diesel jumped suddenly to a peak price of RM2.58 per litre in 2006.

Back in December 2014, the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry set the prices of petrol and diesel on a managed float following a removal of all fuel subsidies. Under the managed float, retail prices would be based on the monthly average world price of crude oil.

Sources: The Star Online, The Rakyat Post.

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Tinder Date? This Local Hangout Is Match-making Singletons The “Organic” Way

Online dating is hard, especially since you don’t really know what you’re getting yourself into. Is the person being honest about who they say they are? Is he/she using their real picture? How do I know they aren’t a catfish or if this isn’t a scam? Sigh, the struggles of being single is real y’all…

Enter MAI Love 脱单便利店, a newly-opened art cafe in Johor Bahru that wants to match-make single people the organic method – by getting potential couples to meet in person. Think of it as a physical tinder date.

So how does this work, you asked? Hopefuls are encouraged to fill in their personal details (including their social media), their preferred type, as well as horoscope sign. Once they’ve rolled it up and placed it in the bottle provided, the person will get to choose a bottle of their preferred sign at the wall. It is then up to the hopeful to reach out and make the first move.

We reached out to one of the founders of MAI Love 脱单便利店 and learned that this dating concept is actually not new. It is believed to be originated from China before the pandemic took place. Now that physical activities in the country are resuming, people are also eager to go out on dates again. Even if you don’t develop romantic feelings for one another, maybe a friendship could form.

The details to MAI Love 脱单便利店 are as follows:


Korea’s Prince of Ballads, Tim Hwang, Comes To KL!

A household name in his native Korea, Hwang Young-Min aka Tim Hwang will be coming to Malaysia for his first Asia fan-meeting plus promotional tour! Named, “Into Asia Comes Tim’s World”, the tour will have the fresh-faced Korean-American finally meeting his scores of beloved fans face to face. And believe us, he is well loved.

After all, he is Korea’s legendary “Prince of Ballads”.

Represented by Sony Music Entertainment Korea, Tim arrives riding on the success of his recent mini album release (“A Long Day”) in November last year. This follows the remarkable sales of his previous five albums, the debut being “First TIM” in 2003, which sold over 100,000 copies, garnered numerous awards including “Rookie of the Year” at the Korean Music Awards and launched him into international fame.

[youtube id=”eMwMtXRVO6E” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Tim is a rare commodity in the Korean music world as he is comfortably bi-lingual and sings in both English and Korean. His childhood was a time of great musical exploration as Tim spent it honing his vocal skills in the choir and mastered the saxophone  drums, piano and guitar. Tim has landed plum hosting roles such as MTV Korea’s “Tim’s World”, which followed the lives and struggles of musicians striving for their big break.

So, who wants to meet the “Prince of Ballads” and at the same time, grab a copy of his new album, “Saranghae”, that was especially tailor-made for both Malaysia and Singapore?

Venue: Hard Rock Café, Ground Floor, Wisma Concorde, Kuala Lumpur

Ticketing: RM103 (Normal), RM203 (VIP). To purchase tickets, click!

For more information, visit Tim Hwang’s “Into Asia Comes Tim’s World”‘s Facebook page.


2017 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs): Full List Of Winners

This year’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), which was held at The Forum in Inglewood, California on Sunday (27th August), is finally over! From Taylor’s long-awaited music video for “Look What You Made Me Do”, to Kesha’s powerful speech on suicide prevention, the prestigious annual event was one hell of a celebration.

The night’s biggest winner Kendrick Lamar, who opened the VMAs with a fiery performance (literally) of “DNA” and “Humble.”, won 6 Moonmen – “Video of the Year”, “Best Hip-Hop Video”, “Best Cinematography”, “Best Direction”, “Best Art Direction”, as well as “Best Visual Effects”. Upon receiving the “Video of the Year” award, the rapper said, “Thank you for allowing us to take our thoughts and our wild imagination to the next level.”

Furthermore, the night saw performances from host Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj, Fifth Harmony and rapper Gucci Mance, Ed Sheeran and Lil Uzi Vert, Rob Stewart and DNCE, Demi Lovato, Lorde, as well as Miley Cyrus. Also, Thirty Seconds To Mars frontman Jared Leto honoured Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell and Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington before playing his group’s new single, “Walk On Water”.

And last but not least, Pink (otherwise known as P!nk) took home the “Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award”. In her inspiring speech dedicated to her 6-year-old daughter Willow, the star talked about self-acceptance and social expectations.

“We take the gravel in the shell and we make a pearl. And we help other people to change so that they can see more kinds of beauty,” the “What About Us” singer told the crowd. “And you, my darling girl, are beautiful. I love you.”

The full list of winners are as follows:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Kendrick Lamar – “Humble.”

SONG OF THE SUMMER
Lil Uzi Vert – “XO Tour Llif3”

BEST COLLABORATION
Taylor Swift & Zayn Malik – “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever”

BEST POP VIDEO
Fifth Harmony ft. Gucci Mane – “Down”

BEST HIP-HOP VIDEO
Kendrick Lamar – “Humble.”

BEST DANCE VIDEO
Zedd and Alessia Cara – “Stay”

BEST ROCK VIDEO
Twenty One Pilots – “Heavydirtysoul”

BEST FIGHT AGAINST THE SYSTEM (all winners)
Logic ft. Damian Lemar HudsoN – “Black SpiderMan”
The Hamilton Mixtape – “Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)”
Big Sean – “Light”
Alessia Cara – “Scars to Your Beautiful”
Taboo ft. Shailene Woodley – “Stand Up / Stand N Rock #NoDAPL”
John Legend – “Surefire”

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Kendrick Lamar – “Humble.”

BEST DIRECTION
Kendrick Lamar – “Humble.”

BEST ART DIRECTION
Kendrick Lamar -“Humble.”

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Kendrick Lamar – “Humble.”

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Kanye West – “Fade” (Def Jam) (Teyana Taylor, Guapo, Jae Blaze, and Derek “Bentley” Watkins)

MICHAEL JACKSON VIDEO VANGUARD AWARD
Pink

For more information, visit MTV Asia’s website or the MTV VMAs’ website.

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Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial: A Luscious & Rich New Expression

Moët & Chandon proudly introduces Moët Nectar Impérial – an adventurous statement of the House’s style, to champagne lovers in Malaysia.

Created for enjoyment during an exceptional celebratory night out, this luscious champagne is set to make a debut at the most exclusive night clubs venues nationwide from May 2015 onwards.

Moët Nectar Impérial is the boldest and most unexpected expression of Moët & Chandon style, exemplifying the House’s elegance and innovation. Malaysians are now able to enjoy Moët & Chandon in a unique way, a taste experience unlike any other – that is by enjoying Moët Nectar Impérial with ice cubes.

With an appeal and taste that pleases the senses, Moët Nectar Impérial’s colour is yellow, sustained and nuanced with gold. Its aromas are generous and rich with tropical fruits such as pineapples and mangoes. Hints of stone fruits, such as maribelle plums and apricots are also present with the nuances of malt grain.

In addition, the aromas of sweet spices such as cinnamon and vanilla further accentuates the luscious champagne.

Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial is available in 75cl across Malaysia.

For further enquiries, please email to info@mhdm.com.my or call (603) 2053 8688.


#Christmas: 10 Perfect Presents For Music Lovers

Oh Christmas, we’ve waited all year for you!

Only 3 weeks left to the most wonderful time of the year and with a dizzying number of weird gadgets, deluxe edition LPs, as well as fancy headphones in the market, it’s undeniable that nailing down a killer gift for that music fan in your life can be quite a challenging task. We totally understand how you feel so in the spirit of Christmas, we’ve decided to do the heavy lifting for you by narrowing down the 10 best items you’ll want to surprise a loved one with − or hey, you know, add to your own wish list ;)

1. Biographies – A biography makes the perfect gift for any music lover who also enjoys reading. Find out who your loved one’s idol is and hit up your nearest bookstore to make your purchase.

2. A Vinyl Record – Okay, so we’re not denying the fact that we live in an MP3-driven culture but despite that, record players and vinyls are still surviving and are bound to make a return to the mainstream. Some may consider the technology old-fashioned but record players are quite honestly one of the best ways to listen to music for it highlights the rawness of the sounds being emitted. Personally, we would love this for a Christmas gift. *wink!*

3. Headphones – One thing every music lover needs is a good pair of headphones. The perfect pair of headphones can change the way one listens to and enjoys music. Now if you can’t decide on which one to get, head on over to our buddies at Lowyat.net for reviews.

4. Event Tickets – Okay seriously, event tickets might be an obvious option but it is probably one of the best gifts you can get a music lover. Buying tickets to every show and festival may burn a hole in your music lover’s wallet so help him/her out by gifting that someone with a pair of tickets. Plus, event tickets would make the most sense considering the fact that Michael Bublé, Avenged Sevenfold, Slash, Ed Sheeran, The Script. and Bastille are making their way to Malaysia while Future Music Festival Asia is set to take place in Singapore next year. So take your pick.

5. Album Collections – From deluxe reissues to deluxe live album compilations to box sets, album collections are also something to consider getting the music lover in your life. Sure, one can stream albums online nowadays, but there really is nothing like receiving an album collection as a gift.

6. Limited Edition Zippo Lighters – Smoker or not, a limited edition Zippo lighter with artwork of a band or artiste printed on it makes for a pretty cool gift. One – it’s music related and two – it’s limited edition so not a lot of people will have it.

7. Gag Gifts – Gag gifts make prefect presents because joking around with loved ones never fails to lead to a good laugh and bonding session. Try to find a gift that will be sure to make the music fan you had in mind laugh endlessly because of how relatable or (in)appropriate the gift actually is.

8. Official Merchandise – Okay so every music fan undeniably has a favourite artiste, festival, or record label so purchasing merchandise for them does not only give them a way to support their favourite artistes or festivals, but it will also up their current wardrobe and style.

9. Speakers – It goes without saying that music plays a big role in a music lover’s life, so why not provide your music lover with an amplified way to listen to it? Speakers make a good alternative to headphones because it allows your music lover to share their favourite tracks and artistes with everyone during house parties or social gatherings. Yes, we know there are so many to choose from and it’s rather difficult to pick sometimes but with a little research, you’ll find the right one.

10. Vinyl Rack – Both a storage solution and a neat way to display one’s favourite record, these frames are perfect gifts because it provides easy access and allows your music lover to show off their impeccable taste while keeping things neat and tidy.

So, there you have it – our top 10 gifts to get the music lover in your life. Let us know if you have any other ideas or suggestions by sounding off in the comments section. Happy shopping everyone!

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Giveaway: Want To Watch Kavin Jay’s Stand-Up Comedy For Free?

You’ve seen him on his Netflix special, “Everybody Calm Down!”, now get ready to laugh out loud by experiencing Kavin Jay’s stand-up comedy in person.

That’s right peeps, the 38-year-old home grown funny man was recently in Kuala Lumpur to promote his upcoming “Anger Management” live tour. His Malaysian show officially kicks off 3rd August. Guess what? We’re giving away tickets to watch him live!

“Has been voted the grumpiest comedian in Malaysia today for his love/hate relationship with his life, love and country. Born with a severe disability (being Indian) he was always destined to be angry and easily irritated, putting that negative energy on the stage to positive effects. He complains about everything, so that you don’t have to.”

So what can fans expect from the comedian’s Malaysian shows? “I tell stories about my life and my family, so that is a gold mine of material for me. A family function is a joke writing exercise for me. Conversations with fellow comedians and friends also reminds me of stories left dormant in my memories that prove to be great on stage,” he told Malaysia Tatler.

We’d like to invite a few lucky readers from Hype to join us during the premiere night of Kavin’s “Anger Management Live Stand-Up Comedy”. Details are as follows:

For more information on Kavin’s comedy tour, go here.


9 Christmas Albums To Liven Up Your Holiday Season This Year

Yes, we know, October is only just coming to an end, but be that as it may, the merry jingle of Christmas will soon fall upon us. So it’s never to early to prepare for the most wonderful time of the year.

Some of the biggest artist are giving it their all to bring the Christmas cheers to your home. So without further ado, here are 8 Christmas albums to help you light up your atmosphere this Christmas.

The former Take That singer has describe the album as a passion project and he’s been working hard on it for the past 3 years. The album will feature notable singers such as Rod Stewards, Bryan Adams and Jamie Cullum, all of whom will be performing a duet with the 45-year-old Brit.

Read more about the album creation here.

Singer-actress Lea Michele certainly knows how to fill your holiday with glee with her third album release, “Christmas In The City”. The holiday album will also be a first for the “Glee” actress as she has never done a festive record before. The artist hopes to capture the spirit of Christmas in New York City in the album, which is also the reason for the album’s name.

This will be the second album from the “Frozen” star. The album will feature 18 tracks with duets performances with Billy Porter, Joshua Ilan Gad, and an original song with fame pop star Ariana Grande in “A Hand for Mrs. Claus”. Another original song in the album includes “At This Table” which Idina Menzel cowrote with Jonas Myrin.

A Christmas album but with a hip hop twist? Christian hip-hop artist Toby McKeehan, better known as TobyMac, is certainly bringing something different to the table. The album will feature 10 songs with notable collaboration with artist Owl City. If you’re not sure how you would take his songs, then checked out one of his songs below.

Pentatonix – the Grammy-winning a cappella group – is back! The group have announced their new Christmas collection which will feature all of their fan-favourite holidays tunes and collaborations into 1 album. But that’s not all, as the album will contain 4 new songs. So head right over and save it on Spotify and Apple Music today.

“The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Collection” is the newest album from acclaimed soul singer Danny Gokey. The album will be a mix of Christmas classical and original songs, which features mainstays such as “Come Let Us Adore Him,” and “Angels We Have Heard On High,”, along with 3 originals written by the “American Idol” alum himself.

The album will features songs from George Michael and Wham!, where Michael originally was a part of. Songs will included timeless classics such as “Faith” and “Fast Love” performed by the late British singer and, of course, “Last Christmas”. So if the album will sound as good as the trailer looks, then it is certainly in good hands.

John Barrowman may be known for his role in “Doctor Who” as Captain Jack Harkness, but he isn’t green on the mic either, with the 52-year-old having 5 top 40 albums since 2007. Featuring a host of Christmas classic “Sleigh Ride”, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Silent Night”, the album might be one to check out.

Yes, the album is a re-release. But this isn’t just any re-release, as this deluxe anniversary version contain rare remixes, an unreleased live concert track, and Mariah’s new festive rendition of “Sugar Plum Fairy”. All of these and more in an additional second disc. This is in addition of the other iconic tracks “Silent Night”, “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, and all the others songs from the original 1994 album. Whether you’re a fan of Mariah Carey (lamb) or not, this album is certainly one to look out for.

10. Jonas Brothers – “Like It’s Christmas”

“Now this is a Christmas song I would love to be played at my workplace,” Michaela Cates
commented.

11. Alessia Cara – “Make It To Christmas”

“Who else could make a good depressing Christmas song, but Alessia. The music is upbeat, for the most part, but the lyrics are sad,” wrote Jody Rye.

12. Little Mix – “One I’ve Been Missing”

“Jesy’s voice in this is flawless. Leigh wrote this masterpiece too? Honestly these girls continue to get better and better. They’re so underrated. Proud to be a fan!” BG shared.

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Eason Chan’s KL Concert Tickets & Seating Plan Unveiled

There’s a lot of anticipation for Eason Chan (陈奕迅)’s upcoming concert, titled “Fear & Dreams”. The Hong Kong singer-actor will be holding not 1, not 2, but 3 nights of concert performances.

Brought to you by Impact Entertainment, StarPlanet and Live Nation, “Fear & Dreams” – which took 3 years to plan and choreograph – delivered through 4
storytelling segments, each of which complemented with spectacular visual effects and Eason’s popular hits.

Details to Eason Chan “Fear & Dreams” world tour in Malaysia are as follows:

Concert tickets will go on sale on 6th March from 2pm onwards, via my.bookmyshow.com and www.starplanet.com.my.


Thailand’s Adorable Pikachu Popcorn Bucket Now Available In Malaysia

Singapore’s cinema chain Golden Village recently introduced a limited edition Hello Kitty combo set, and people have been rushing to the cinemas to get their hands on the merchandise!

Now, Thailand’s cinema chain Major Cineplex have decided to come up with something similar by releasing a Pikachu combo set that comes with a super adorable Pikachu popcorn bucket and collectible Pokemon cup.

ปีก้า ปีก้า! มาแล้ว Pikachu Bucket Set สุดน่ารัก น้องมีไฟ พร้อมปล่อยพลังที่แก้มด้วยนะ เริ่มจำหน่าย 15 มิถุนายนนี้ เป็นต้นไปหรือจนกว่าสินค้าจะหมด ที่เมเจอร์ ซีนีเพล็กซ์ เท่านั้น #Pokemon #Pikachu #MajorCineplex #MajorPopcorn

A post shared by  Major Cineplex (@majorgroup) on Jun 13, 2019 at 2:24am PDT

Similar to the Hello Kitty popcorn bucket, the Pikachu bucket comes with an adjustable logo strap you can carry over your body. Also, the bucket looks moderately large enough to hold your other essentials such as phone or purse so you can use it as an everyday crossbody bag!

Furthermore, you may not need to travel all the way to Thailand to get the merchandise, because MIX Convenient Store has announced that they will be selling the combo set in limited quantity, so get your hands on them before it runs out of stock!

Back in May, MIX have also introduced an adorable Detective Pikachu water tumbler and lunch box. So if you’re a high fan of Pikachu, collect them all!


#UnderArmour: High Performance Sports Label Launches “Star Wars” Swag

Under Armour honours the iconic “Star Wars” films with the launch of the “Star Wars: The Imperial Collection” apparel series.

Join in the excitement leading up to the premiere of the return of Star Wars to the big screen after a decade, the upcoming “Star Wars: The Force Awakens“, before the release of the film in mid-December.

The new collection is an extension of the ongoing collaboration with Star Wars for the label’s Alter Ego line.

This collection, in collaboration with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, features current designs of iconic characters’ armour on the Compression baselayers, which offer an ultra-tight, second-skin fit, delivering a locked-in feel to keep muscles fresh and recovery time quick.

The full armour of one of film history’s most emblematic villains, Darth Vader, is imprinted in one such design, and another features a play on the instantly recognisable phrase, “the dark side”.

In the Darth Vader baselayer, the sleek black armour is replicated in the Compression shirt, representing the character’s relentless resilience, in line with Under Armour’s I WILLTM mantra to never give up. Other designs feature the signature pristine white armour of the Storm Trooper character, elite soldiers of the Galactic Empire.

Graphic T-shirts are also available for those who prefer a fit that is less snug.

Armed with the mission to make all athletes better, Under Armour’s Alter Ego line taps into the transformative power of film characters to create a collection of high-performance sportswear that inspires everyone to soar to new heights.

The Under Armour “Star Wars: The Imperial Collection” apparels are priced from RM119 to RM279 and will be available at all Under Armour Brand Houses from 21st November 2015 and online at www.underarmour.com.my from 23rd November 2015 onwards.

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MAMAMOO & EVERGLOW Are Coming To Malaysia! More Concert Details Soon!

The next few months will definitely be exciting for K-pop fans. In case you missed out on buying tickets for BLACKPINK’s concert next year in March, then don’t worry dear friends, as more K-pop groups are coming to our shores sooner than you think!

We’re calling all MooMoos and Forevers! We’re happy to share the news that EVERGLOW and MAMAMOO are heading to Malaysia this December and next February respectively! Where are they performing? How much do tickets cost? Here’s everything we know so far:

A post shared by 마마무 (MAMAMOO) (@mamamoo_official)

MAMAMOO WORLD TOUR [MY CON] ASIA Live in Kuala Lumpur:

Venue: Malawati Indoor Stadium, Shah Alam

As of right now, there is currently no information on the seating arrangements or dates for the concert ticket sales. However, fans can expect those details to be announced soon, either on EXCITIX or on the organiser’s Instagram page.

Other than the date, there is currently no other information on EVERGLOW’s concert in Malaysia. The “DUN DUN DUN” singers will kick off their tour in Manila, Philippines on 15th December and make their way to our shores on the 19th. More details are to be announced soon by Yue Hua Entertainment and MagicSound.

Which concert are you looking most forward to? MAMAMOO or EVERGLOW? Or both?

Sources: Twitter (1)(2)(3), Instagram (1)(2), EXCITIX


#2NE1: Sandara Park & CL Write Open Letters To Blackjacks On Social Media

Blackjacks, we think it’s time to face the facts.

On 25th November, YG Entertainment announced the disbandment of 2NE1 (투애니원). In an official statement, the South Korean entertainment powerhouse also confirmed that Sandara Park and CL have signed solo contracts.

Known for their eccentric concepts and addictive tunes, 2NE1 made their debut in 2009 with “Fire” and the group quickly became one of the most popular K-Pop idol girl groups in the industry.

Just moments ago, Dara and CL broke their silence on social media with heartfelt open letters to their fans.

I never knew I would be writing such a letter. Firstly, I’m sorry to break your hearts, I’m sorry I couldn’t keep us together, and I’m very sorry that I cause you pain. The past 7 years were really like a dream because of you guys, and it’ll be remembered fondly with happiness. CL, Bom, Minzy, and I .. Us four will always be grateful and will forever treasure those times as good memories. The existence of Blackjacks always give us love, support, and protection. I wanted to give you guys good music in return, but I’m so upset and sorry that we can’t… It hurts so much now, but let’s cheer up. I hope you guys strengthen up and do well in all you do. My heart towards you guys will never change, and I’ll work hard to always show a good side of myself. I can’t express everything with just the words ‘thank you,’ but thank you so much for your excessive love.

November of 2016 will be remembered as the most lonely winter of all..

A post shared by Sandara Park (@daraxxi)

Thank you 2NE1, for all the great music you gave us. We look forward to your ventures as solo artistes <3

Sources: All Kpop, Dara’s Instagram, CL’s Twitter / Featured image: Asian Junkie.

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#AbsentWithoutLeave: Local Film Banned In Malaysia Will Screen Online For Free

Seeing as how the award-winning film “Absent Without Leave (不即不离)” has been banned in Malaysia because of its communist overtones, the producers have decided to release it online for free – exclusively for Malaysian audiences.

Directed by Sitiawan-born Lau Kek Huat, “Absent Without Leave” is an intense heartfelt story that follows the filmmaker as he navigates the murky waters of his grandfather’s experiences during the Communist insurgency.

The controversial documentary, which took 5 years to complete and cost over RM80,000, has been shown in various film festivals across the world including South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore. The movie took home the Singapore International Film Festival’s Audience Award last December.

“35 years ago, I was born and then grew up in this old wooden house. Here is not only where the memories of 3 generations of my family are preserved, this is only the last memory I have of my grandma. Only when I became an adult I finally understood that the portrait hanging on the wall of her living room was the grandfather I had never met. After 60 years, this had become a taboo in my family, nobody would mention this man, his name, or his past. This documentary is a way for us to reconnect to him and to deal with the love and the grudge that we all silently felt towards him,” said Lau in a statement.

Although “Absent Without Leave” failed to secure the green light from local authorities to screen it in cinemas, there has been an outpouring of support from the local community. “We have received many requests regarding donations for this film. We have considered this but have decided to keep this event completely free as a gift to Malaysian audiences. Shall you wish to support this film in particular, we will share with you other ways you can support us at the end of this event,” said HummingBird Production.

For those who are interested to watch the full movie, the link will be provided to those who click on the “going” button via HummingBird Production’s Facebook event here.

Do note that “Absent Without Leave” is available for a limited time only, between 28th February to 3rd March.

Sources: MMO, HummingBird Production’s Facebook.


Syed Saddiq Clarifies Story About Viral Clubbing Photo

The Minister of Youth & Sports, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was recently caught in yet another controversy.

For those who don’t know, the internet community went nuts over a viral photo of the 26-year-old dancing in a club with his friends. The tweet was posted by an account using the Tweethandle @NaratifRakyat.

Tissue tak terkoyak ke masa buat joget style gerudi? pic.twitter.com/5mka8CKD23

— Naratif Rakyat 🇲🇾 (@NaratifRakyat) November 7, 2019

In the caption, the admin made fun of Syed Saddiq by writing, “Did your muscle tissue tear with all the vigorous dancing?” – referring to his past injuries following an alleged altercation case with one of the Youth members of the opposition party, as reported by Channel News Asia.

As a response, Syed Saddiq took to Twitter to clarify the whole situation. He came up with a statement that reads:

“#OkBoomer, everybody has a history, including myself. I cannot change my past, but I can change my future. I owned up to it. I admitted it and I don’t want to lie. This was in 2013. It’s an outdated issue. Let’s talk about issues of policy and the nation. The focus should be on the people.”

#OkBoomer Semua orang ada sejarah, termasuk saya.

I cannot change my past, but i can change my future.

I owned up to it. Saya mengaku dan tidak mahu menipu.

Jom bincang isu dasar, isu negara. Focus should be on the rakyat. https://t.co/O7MVYRUZO6

— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) November 11, 2019

For those who are curious on the phrase #OkBoomer, the term refers to a popular slang online that is used as a dismissive term for the traditional-minded new generations – also known as baby boomers – that often look down at millennials’ struggles and opinions.

Despite the issue, local netizens have came forward to defend the young politician, with some of them slamming the admin for bringing up Syed Saddiq’s past prior to his current position as a public figure.

Not only that, some Twitter users also came up with words of encouragement for Syed Saddiq by advising him to just focus on his present responsibilities and ignore the haters. Check out some of their replies here:

lol that's his past, look at him now dia paling function. bukamnya mcm hg tweet cri pasai mcm xda kerja.

Why do berani gila bukak aib org yg dh lepas, admin ni lupa kot camana kalau tuhan balas pulak bukak kisah silam dia n family dia , camana kalau tuhan ambik nyawa tak sempat nk mintak maaf kat sadiq sebarkan aib dia 🤧

— teh peng (@teh_penggggg) November 9, 2019

We applaud Syed Saddiq for owning up to his mistake. We hope that he will let go of the past and be more optimistic in carrying out his duties for the sake of our country.

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Fun Facts: 7 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Matt Damon’s “Jason Bourne”

It has been almost a decade since we last saw Jason Bourne on the big screen and we’re more than ready to welcome Matt Damon back in his iconic role when “Jason Bourne” hits theatres this week.

The 5th instalment of the Bourne franchise and the sequel to “The Bourne Ultimatum” will see the titular character coming out of the shadows and ready to kick some serious butt. For those wanting to see some gun-slinging and face-smashing fighting routines, you’re in for a treat.

Directed by Paul Greengrass, who also previously directed “The Bourne Supremacy” and “The Bourne Ultimatum”, Bourne – or should we say David Webb – is struggling to come to terms with his current predicament during his pursue in Greece and Las Vegas.

“It’s been almost 10 years since Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) walked away from the agency that trained him to become a deadly weapon. Hoping to draw him out of the shadows, CIA director Robert Dewey assigns hacker and counterinsurgency expert Heather Lee to find him. Lee suspects that former operative Nicky Parsons is also looking for him. As she begins tracking the duo, Bourne finds himself back in action battling a sinister network that utilizes terror and technology to maintain unchecked power.”

In order to prep you up for the movie, here are some fun facts about Matt Damon’s “Jason Bourne”:

1. Damon wasn’t the first choice to play Bourne

Fresh off from starring in “Good Will Hunting” and “The Legend of Bagger Vance” in the early 2000s, the actor’s physic didn’t actually scream “ripped killing machine”. In fact, the part was first offered to Brad Pitt, Russell Crowe, and Sylvester Stallone, before it fell into Damon’s hands. IFC reported that it was the actor’s enthusiasm for Doug Liman’s more frenetic vision that essentially landed him the role.

2. Where has the super spy been for the past 9 years?

That is precisely the burning question on fans’ lips: “Where the heck has Bourne been?” Damon himself revealed that “Jason Bourne” is set to take place in the “post-Snowden world”, referring to the former NSA analyst Edward Snowden, the person responsible for leaking classified information that disclose how the government was spying on the American public.

The sequel will further explore the nature of spy agencies and civil liberties. In discussing Bourne’s whereabouts for past few years, the returning director said, “He’s been in the shadows of Europe. He’s been active and he’s been doing hard physical work. Definitely not sunning himself on the beach.” In addition, Bourne has also been living a difficult lifestyle. Being on the run from the US and European government is no easy feat.

3. How “Jason Bourne” got its movie title

Initially, the studio was planning on sticking to the same formula by opting for “The Bourne Something” for the title, but Bourne’s complexity at this stage convinced them to rethink their decision.

“The idea was to separate this film from the others, because so much time has passed since we did one. Ours are really about identity, and the guy’s search for identity, and at the end of the 3rd one, he says “I’m no longer Jason Bourne“,” Damon told Empire.

“So without giving too much away, the new one starts with the implications of that: okay, then who is he? What is this identity that’s just sitting out there unclaimed? What does it mean? I think the title will make more sense when you see the movie, but it felt right because it felt pertinent to the story we were telling and also different from the others-in the right way,” he added.

4. Damon’s physical prep to get back in shape

To help transform the 46-year-old actor’s body back to Bourne readiness, the muscular man took part in tremendous weight lifting exercises, squats, and circuit training exercises to multiply the number of muscles in his body, while sticking to a strict diet.

This dedication further illustrates Damon’s commitment in making another worthwhile addition for the “Bourne” franchise. “You don’t make a movie unless you’re 1000 percent committed to make the best movie we can, and you don’t make this kind of movie unless you think it can be a worthy successor to the other movies we made. That phenomenal Jason Bourne shape was a segment of intent,” Greengrass noted.

The director himself was taken by surprise when Damon showed up to work on the 1st day totally ripped. “It gave all of us the most immense shock, because you think Oh my god. This is weird. This is Jason Bourne, and he’s back. That’s sort of exciting,” he shared.

5. The actor only has about 25 lines in the entire film

Don’t expect Damon to talk much in “Jason Bourne”. The focus on all the “Bourne” movies has always been centred on the action scenes. Having said that, is that a valid reason for the lack of dialogue this time around? Damon seems to think so.

“I’ve done it 3 times. In the 1st movie, the Marie Kreutz character (Bourne’s girlfriend, played by Franka Potente) is still alive, so Bourne has a sounding board and he’s more confused about who he is and a lot more chatty. Once she dies in the 1st act of the 2nd movie, it’s really a very lonely character. And we talked about that mostly on the 2nd one. I remember Tony writing me an e-mail saying, “You do realise what this means? You do realise you’re not going to talk in this movie”. I said, “No, I love that,”” the A-lister told The Guardian.

In his defense, there’s much less pressure when he’s learning a complicated fight scene and don’t have many lines to remember. And even if he forgets his dialogue, he could throw a punch at someone and that would probably have been a-okay.

6. A younger Jason Bourne to replace Damon

Franchise reboots are very common in Hollywood, and Damon has already made peace with that inevitable fate. “I’m definitely gonna be replaced someday by some new, young Jason Bourne, that happens to everybody and they reboot these things, and that’s totally fine,” said the actor at a recent press conference.

“It’s difficult when you’re 45 compared to when you’re 29, but you still have to run as fast as you can. That part was a challenge but to get to revisit the people was wonderful. But I said, let’s smell the roses as we say and appreciate that we get to be here together and make sure we have fun,” he said before adding that “Jason Bourne” was designed to complete his run playing the amnesiac spy.

7. Having trouble remembering what happened before? Damon recaps the “Bourne” trilogy in 90 seconds

And there you have it folks, you’re now up to speed on the entire story so far. Obviously, watching Damon again is the main draw, but “Jason Bourne” also has a talented assemble of supporting cast comprising of “The Danish Girl” actress Alicia Vikander as a technology-savvy CIA analyst, Tommy Lee Jones as a CIA honcho, and of course, Julia Stiles returning as Bourne’s partner-in-crime, the former CIA employee Nicky Parsons..

Sources: Enstars, Movie Web, Cinema Blend, IFC, Screen Rant (1)(2), /Film.

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(UPDATE) #BLACKPINK: Idol Group Announces Comeback Single, “As If It’s Your Last”

YG Entertainment’s widely-popular idol girl group has finally announced the title of their upcoming single! On Monday (19th June), the company released a group teaser photo with the caption, “As If It’s Your Last” (마지막처럼).

This is the entertainment powerhouse’s 2nd artiste comeback in June, with G-Dragon releasing his mini-album “Kwon Ji Yong” on 8th June. Furthermore, Taeyang is also slated to make his comeback sometime after BLACKPINK, although no official word has been given.

While the title of the 2nd single has yet to be revealed, the new announcement is enough to send fans into frenzy. Prior to this, YG released several gorgeous individual teasers on social media. In the series of photos, the girls are seen clad in swagger outfits.

BLACKPINK made their debut in August 2016 after years of teasing by their label. The group’s debut title tracks – “Boombayah” and “Whistle” – hit it right with fans, as the former has already amassed more than 150 millions views on YouTube with the latter at around 107 million views. “Playing With Fire”, their follow-up track, has also reached 111 million views, further proving their popularity with K-Pop fans.

In anticipation of BLACKPINK’s comeback, YG Entertainment has dropped a teaser for the girls’ music video.

The 20-second clip shows viewers a glimpse of the group’s choreography. At the first scene, the members are seen wearing school uniform-inspired outfits.

BLACKPINK is getting ready to meet their fans again when their comeback drops tomorrow. But before that, YG Entertainment is keeping Blinks (as BLACKPINK’s fans are lovingly known) excited with lots of teasers.

Just a couple of hours ago, the entertainment powerhouse dropped a behind the scenes clip for the girls’ upcoming music video, “As If It’s Your Last” (마지막처럼). From what little we gather, the new track is both dance-y as well as uplifting, and the girls can be seen donning various styles to suit the mood.

We can’t wait! Watch the behind the scenes clip for “As If It’s Your Last” (마지막처럼) below:

“As If It’s Your Last” (마지막처럼) is set to be released at 6pm KST on 22nd June.

For more details on BLACKPINK, remember to check out their website and Facebook page.


Mesmerized By TVXQ!’s “Catch Me” Live World Tour 2013 In Malaysia

Alternative K-Pop artist, TVXQ!, delighted thousands of Malaysian fans in a spectacular comeback show at Stadium Malawati last Saturday – an event that Cassiopeia throughout the country awaited for six years! The K-Pop phenomenon was greeted by an overwhelming cheer from the crowd as Max (Changmin) and U-Know (Yunho) took to the stage with their opening performance of “Rising Sun”.

Fans went wild with excitement as each of the boys serenaded the audience with a solo. Max’s heartfelt performance of “Confession” – a track written by him for TVXQ’s “Keep Your Head Down” album was immediately followed by U-Know’s enchanting performance of “Honey Funny Bunny”. TVXQ! then went on to dazzle the audience with their dynamic hits – “Humanoids”, “Catch Me”, and “Mirotic”, among other much loved tracks.

Last Saturday night’s performance was part of their comeback TVXQ! “Catch Me” Live World Tour, which has sold out stadiums and arenas across Asia. It also marked TVXQ!’s third appearance in Malaysia since the band was formed in 2003 and is their first time performing in Malaysia since briefly stepping out of the limelight six years ago.

TVXQ!’s fan following in Malaysia has continued to grow in spite of their hiatus from the music scene, a fact made clear during the concert with many new fans joining thousands of long-time Cassiopeia as they sang and danced along to their favourite TVXQ! hits.

As the end to a spectacular evening neared and the boys left the stage, fans called for an encore – singing TVXQ’s ballad “I Swear” and waving banners in unison. Thanking fans for patiently awaiting their return, Max and U-Know were met by a great cheer from fans as they promised their next tour would not leave Malaysians waiting for long.

JPM Music collaborated with Korean companies SM Entertainment and Dream Maker Entertainment whilst also teaming up with joint presenter Magnum Live to make the concert in Malaysia possible. Authentic Korean restaurant chain DaoRae, provided specialized meals for the band’s entourage and is also offering concert ticket holders a 10% discount when they dine at the Solaris, Mont Kiara outlet anytime in May.

Check out what happened at the TVXQ! “Catch Me” Live World Tour 2013 in Malaysia press conference here.

For more pictures from TVXQ!’s “Catch Me” Live World Tour 2013 in Malaysia, check out the gallery of pics:

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#StarWars: “Hail, Caesar!” Actor Alden Ehrenreich To Play Young Han Solo

You guys, meet your new (and young) Han Solo – Alden Ehrenreich.

After holding more than 2,500 auditions in search for the new Han Solo, directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord have finally found the perfect actor to play one of “Star Wars” most iconic characters.

26-year-old Ehrenreich starred in various feature films such as “Blue Jasmine” (2013), “Stoker” (2013), “Beautiful Creatures” (2013), and more recently, “Hail, Caesar!” (2016). Although he made his debut in 2009 through “Tetro”, he is somehow relatively unknown to many movie goers.

According to Screen Rant, the actor beat out competition from many up-and-coming young stars such as Taron Egerton (from “Kingsman: The Secret Service”), Miles Teller (from “Whiplash“), and Ansel Elgort (from “The Fault in Our Stars”).

Apparently, the executives from Disney and Lucasfilm were so impressed with Ehrenreich’s performance for his screen tests that the deal was “basically done”. The actor is currently in final negotiations with the filmmakers for the “Star Wars” franchise.

Han Solo was first made famous by Harrison Ford in 1977 and though there isn’t any information on the Han Solo movie yet, the film will focus on the origin story of Han Solo and his best friend, Chewbacca, before he met Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia.

We hope that Alden Ehrenreich is as good as filmmakers say he is because this role may be a major turning point for his career.

The film is set to release in 2018. The first stand-alone spin-off film “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is slated for release on 16th December 2016.


Taiwanese-Korean Singer Bii To Hold Concert In KL This November

Good news, music fans – Bii is coming back to our shores very, very soon!

The Taiwanese-Korean singer, who last visited Malaysia 2 years ago, will be holding his “My Best Moment” concert at Mega Star Arena, Kuala Lumpur on 10th November (Saturday). Brought to you by KKBOX Malaysia, the concert will see Bii share his decade-long journey with his fans.

Born and raised in South Korea, Bii has churned out multiple hit songs such as “After Turning Away (轉身之後)”, “I’m Still Missing You (我还想念你)”, and “Come Back To Me”. Thanks to his dual heritage, the 29-year-old singer-songwriter is also known for using both Mandarin and Korean lyrics in his music.

On top of that, his multilingual ability also allows him to freely converse with fans of different cultures and races. Since his last fan meeting in 2016, he has caught the hearts of many Malaysian fans.

Details for Bii’s concert are as follows:

Note: For this event, a one-off Handling Fee fee of RM10.00 per transaction applies on all purchases. All ticket/item prices include GST, if applicable, and are quoted in RM. Ticket orders purchased by credit/debit card are subject to credit/debit card approval and customer account verification.

Tickets are available for purchase on TicketCharge’s website or phone line (03-92228811).


SDMC Holy Panels Moved

Last week, a miracle drew a crowd of thousands to Sime Darby Medical Centre (SDMC) in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, all eager to catch a glimpse of it. The “miracle” is believed to be the first reported sighting of an image of the Virgin Mary in Malaysia. Those who didn’t manage to see it with their own eyes saw pictures that were shared over a hundred times across social media platforms, including Facebook. Needless to say, the phenomenon went viral.

To the believers, Virgin Mary, whom Catholics revere as the Mother of God, has come. And as ironic as it may be, she chose to appear on the window pane of a hospital. Some witnesses have also said they could make out a second image forming on another glass pane below the vertical row housing the apparition of Mary.

According to them, the second image resembled Jesus Christ on the crucifix.

A few days after, SDMC agreed to give the Catholic Church the glass panels on which the image were. It has since been moved to the Marian Church of Our Lady Lourdes in Klang.

In an official statement, Sime Darby Group said, “Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya has removed and handed over two window panes from the North Tower of the hospital complex to the Catholic Church. One of the panes has on it marks that some claim resemble artistic depictions of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The removal of the window panes was carried out by professionals with due care, safety, and caution exercise throughout the process, which started at 10am and ended without incident at 11:35am”. (Source)

The leaders and parishioners of the Subang Jaya Catholic church were also present at the hospital during the removal of the panes. Later, a hospital official confirmed that the glass panels have already been safely delivered to the Marian Church of Our Lady Lourdes in Klang.

The Klang church’s parish priest Rev Fr Michael Chua said the window panels will be open for public viewing daily from 11am to 10pm, pending further instructions from the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur.

Until then, the Catholic Church said it will withhold comment until the image has been tested and verified by theologians and church authorities, a process that will take time.

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Ticketing Deets For Taeyang’s 2017 World Tour “White Night” In Kuala Lumpur Released

As y’all may have heard, BIGBANG member Taeyang’s 2017 WORLD TOUR “WHITE NIGHT” in KUALA LUMPUR will held on 15th October (Sunday), 7pm at Stadium Negara. And now, concert promoter IME Asia has finally released the ticketing details!

Taeyang’s 2017 WORLD TOUR “WHITE NIGHT” in KUALA LUMPUR ticket launch will be held on 3rd September (Sunday) at PJ Atria Shopping Gallery, the concourse area from 11am till 3pm. We’ve been told that 1 person can purchase a maximum of 6 tickets.

** All ticket prices inclusive of 6% GST but exclusive of RM4 processing fee.

A limited giant concert poster will be given away to the ticket purchaser on the spot (1 ticket = 1 poster, first come first serve). Online purchase will open on same day from 4pm onwards through TicketCharge website.

Fans who have purchased VIP and Rock Zone tickets will stand a chance to win sound check passes (500 pax) and send off passes (300 pax) by lucky draw based on the ticket barcode.

Ticket outlet sales will begin on 4th September (Monday), fans can purchase the ticket at selected outlets for Speedy video, Rock Corner, Chambers Music, PJ Live Arts, information counter at The Mines shopping mall and 1 Shamelin. Outstation outlets such as Eden Ultimate (Kuantan) and Blonde Brunette (Penang) and TicketCharge KL and Penang office.

Fans also can dial TicketCharge hotline purchase +603-92228811 for ticket purchase.

For more information, hit up IME Asia’s Facebook page.


Chili’s Malaysia Says Goodbye To Flagship Store After 27 Years

After 27 long years, Chili’s Malaysia is closing down its first flagship outlet in Bangsar Shopping Centre for good by the end of the month.

The eatery first opened its doors back in June 1994. Sadly, Malaysian foodies will only have slightly over 2 weeks to enjoy the beloved Tex-Mex franchise in Bangsar.

The statement from Chili’s Malaysia reads:

“It’s been an awesome 27 years for Chili’s at Bangsar Shopping Centre. We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our guests in Chili’s Bangsar Shopping Centre for your support over the years.

We’re sadly saying goodbye to our very first flagship store. Drop by for one last time before 31st March to say goodbye as we will be permanently closing Chili’s Bangsar Shopping Centre outlet soon.”

A post shared by Chili's Malaysia (@chilismy)

No reason was given about the closure but it’s understood that the F&B industry has also been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Fret not though, you can still visit other Chili’s outlets in Klang Valley. They include Mid Valley Megamall, 1 Utama, Empire Shopping Gallery and Suria KLCC.


#HorrorStories: 8 Freaky & Supernatural Incidents That Occurred In Malaysia

Did you ever come across any out of the ordinary instances that sent chills down your spine? You want to make sense of it with logic but things just don’t add up?

Like any other country, Malaysia has had its fair share of scary episodes. We have it: alien invasion, mermaids, animal hybrids, ghosts, haunted, paranormal activities, and many more. While we can’t confirm if all of the following stories are indeed 100% accurate, it’s still fascinating to read about them.

Back in 2006, a huge strange skeleton resemblind a mermaid-like creature was washed ashore on a beach in Teluk Bahang. Some even alleged that the alien creature is of extraterrestrial origin. Unsurprisingly, Hoax Slayer reported that the dead mermaid in Penang was not real but instead a sculpture by talented artist, Juan Cabana. According to the site, Cabana tends to create fictional stories for his aquatic sculptures before auctioning them off eBay.

We’ve heard of multiple stories of UFO sightings during night time, but did you know that there has also been evidence of them in broad daylight? A number of eyewitnesses near KLCC spotted a weird object (approximately the size of a hot air balloon) silently hovering above the Petronas twin towers. It stayed stagnant for awhile before suddenly accelerating upward with a rapid speed, disappearing into the sky. Does this mean we’re not alone?

Legend has it that when a dragon enters your home, it’s supposed to bring luck. A Chinese durian orchard owner previously claimed that he shot dead a “white dragon with fur like a rabbit” when it entered his property. As it turned out, it was merely a hoax; what people believed to be a white dragon was actually a sculpture.

At first glance, it seemed like a normal selfie. But take a closer look and you’ll feel the hairs on your arms stand on its ends. Do you notice the woman’s creepy reflection in the mirror? The reflected figure looked nothing like the woman in the picture, plus the head was turned the other way, which made the snapshot all the more scary!

It’s not everyday one would come across a “half-goat, half-human” creature. A goat belonging to oil palm settler Ibrahim Basir gave birth to a deformed kid that bore a resemblance to a human baby. Unfortunately, the baby goat was already dead when it was born without an umbilical cord. Several netizens suggested that the phenomenon may have been caused by a genetic defect while some others suggested that it was a product of bestiality (cross-species sexual activity between human and animals). Ew!

6. Paranormal activity at a village mosque

There is apparently a haunted village mosque located in Malacca. A video recording of a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage at the Masjid Baru Kampung Tedong showed 2 wooden partitions, normally used as barriers for prayers, moving frantically without any human manipulation. The 2-minute clip was reportedly captured a week before the fasting month of Ramadan. The mosque’s chairman, Akhbar Ali, told Sinar Harian that the video was uploaded not with the intention to scare worshippers from entering the mosque but rather to “reflect the greatness of the Almighty as it happened in God’s house”.

7. Mass hysteria caused by school spirits

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pengkalan Chepa 2 was forced to close down for 3 days when more than 50 pupils and teachers were affected by hysteria attacks. The school had to be evacuated after many students started screaming and yelling for no apparent reasons. Some even claimed to have seen horrific black figures (ghosts) as well as other paranormal beings such as pontianaks and hantu pocongs at various locations in the school. “Our students were possessed and disturbed (by these spirits). We are not sure why it happened. We don’t know what it is that affected us. But the place is a bit old, and these children can be disobedient and sometimes throw their rubbish around the school grounds. Perhaps they hit some ‘djinns’ (ghosts) and offended the spirits,” a senior staff member told BBC.

It’s fairly common to experience nightmares after watching a horror movie, but have you experienced a spooky encounter right after? Singaporean Damian Ng Yih Leong had just watched a late night screening of “The Conjuring 2” and was returning to his room with his beau at the Imperial Hotel in Miri, Sarawak. At 2:45am, Damian’s girlfriend, Lorde, woke up to brush her teeth when she spotted a ‘t’ or a cross symbol drawn on the bathroom mirror. She initially thought her boyfriend was pranking her, but Damien in turn thought she was the prankster. Totally frightened, the couple quickly requested for a room change. “After our room change, we did not encounter anymore weird incidents. This is my firsthand encounter with paranormal activity and it was certainly hair raising for us,” Damian wrote on his Facebook post.

9. Urban legend: Supernatural death at Karak Highway

It was another festive season, and like many other Malaysians, a young couple was travelling back to their hometown with their baby. While passing through Karak Highway, their car broke down. The husband got out and tried fixing the vehicle but to no avail. Seeing that it was getting late, he decided to walk to the nearest phone booth to call for help. After a few hours of waiting, a police patrol car approach the couple’s vehicle. 2 policeman got out and cautioned the wife to quietly walk towards them without turning back. Holding her infant close to her, she followed suit. When she was at a safe distance, she turned around out of curiosity and felt the blood drained from her body. Her husband’s bodiless head was on top of the car. It had apparently banged on the car roof and she didn’t hear it.

What are your thoughts on the supernatural incidents above? Have you experienced any similar scary episodes yourself? Share them with us in the comments below.

Sources: Hoax Slayer, Damian Ng’s Facebook, BBC, Says, Coconuts, Berita Up 2 Date.

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#AnimaxCarnivalMY: Animax’s Annual Flagship Event Is Back

Animax, Asia’s first channel specialising in Japanese animation will be bringing its annual flagship event, the Animax Carnival, back to Malaysia!

Viewers and fans will be treated to 2 days of fun-filled anime-themed activities at Sunway Convention Centre on 28th and 29th March 2015, 10am to 8pm. And the best part of it all is that the admission to the carnival is free!

Anime lovers can look forward to a bigger event this year with more exciting activities such as the sale of exclusive OO-Kun (the official channel mascot) merchandise and the inaugural Animax LIVE Concert that will feature three popular Japanese ani-song artistes – May’n, Mami Kawada and ELISA, performing in an engaging 2-hour concert.

The concert will feature a spectacular performance from all three artistes. Fans can look forward to them singing to familiar tunes from popular Animax titles such as “The irregular magic highschool”, “VALVRAVE The Liberator”, “Tokyo Ravens”, “Accel World”, “Inari, Kon Kon, Koi Iroha”, and “Hayate The Combat Butler”.

Deets of the Animax LIVE Concert are as follows:

Note: Tickets to the concert will be at a special launch price of only RM20, and can be purchased via Ticketpro starting 5th March 2015.

Animax Carnival Malaysia 2015 will see the return of the acclaimed Animax Cosplay Competition for cosplay lovers! Cosplayers can once again showcase their costume-making talents and emulation of their favourite anime characters with a range of realistic costumes and gravity-defying anime hairstyles to thrill visitors.

This year, the competition will feature 2 categories, a solo category on 28th March, and a group category on 29th March, both happening at 10:30am to 12pm.

Participants will stand a chance to win cash and exciting prizes such as a Sony PlayStation 4, a Sony Compact Camera and Sony Hi-res Stereo Headphones worth more than US$1,000.

Exciting activities, exclusive OO-Kun, and anime merchandise

This year, Animax Carnival Malaysia will officially launch a series of merchandise of the cute and cuddly channel mascot OO-Kun, such as the official plush toy, luggage tag, and water tumbler. Fans will also be able to purchase a wide variety of exclusive and original anime merchandise from Animax favorites such as Fairy Tail and Hunter x Hunter at the carnival.

Another highlight of the event is the Carnival Game Zone, where visitors will get to try their hands on traditional Japanese-themed games and win prizes. Fans will also witness their favourite anime scenes being brought to life through the Experience Zone and Anime Art Gallery.

For more details, visit the official Animax Carnival Malaysia website or their Facebook page. Animax Asia is also on Twitter and fans can join in the conversation via the official hashtag, #AnimaxCarnivalMY.


#WorldRecycleWeek: Donate Your Unwanted Clothes & Receive 2 H&M Vouchers

In celebration of World Recycle Week, H&M Malaysia is partnering with Southeast Asia’s ride-hailing platform, Grab, to encourage you to donate all your unwanted clothes.

Upon collection of your unwanted garments, you’ll be rewarded with 2 H&M vouchers that entitles you to a 15% discount on 1 item. And guess what the best part is? You won’t even need to drop off your clothes at the store. Grab will do it for you, free of charge.

Provided that you’re in the Klang Valley, of course :)

The World Recycle Week campaign kicked off today (18th April 2016), so Grab users can start booking a pick up for all the unwanted garments and textiles. To book, just click on the special H&M icon on the Grab app. Key in your pick up location and select H&M Lot 10 as your destination.

All garments and textiles are accepted: worn out socks, torn shirts, old towels, that dress that you can no longer fit into, and whatever else you can’t wear anymore. So for all you part-time hoarders, this is a super convenient way for you to get rid of your unwanted clothing and be rewarded for it. It’s a win-win, no?

In case you’re wondering, no, you can’t hitch a ride with the garments when the Grab driver arrives to collect your bag of clothes.

The details to H&M’s World Recycle Week campaign are as follows:

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Hype’s Now Playing: Sam Smith – Lay Me Down

Grammy nominee Sam Smith has unveiled the video for “Lay Me Down,” the latest track off his platinum-selling debut album “In The Lonely Hour.” Much like most of his songs, the video directed by Ryan Hope starts off with some dark vibes.

Set in a church in southeast London, the video opens with Smith standing at the altar of what looks like his husband’s funeral, while mourning family and friends sit behind him holding candles. However, halfway through, the video flashes to their joyous wedding in the very same church, with everyone smiling and clapping happily before returning to a gloomy Smith sitting alone on a pew.

No doubt a beautiful tribute to marriage equality, the video is some what controversial given the Church’s stand on same-sex marriage. However, the singer who is responsible for “Stay With Me” and “I’m Not The Only One” took to his Instagram to share a message about “Lay Me Down” following its video release.

A photo posted by Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) on Feb 5, 2015 at 3:58am PST

Sam Smith is set to perform this Sunday, February 8th at the Grammys and is up for six awards including “Song of the Year,” “Album of the Year” and “Record of the Year.”

Watch the video for Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down” below and let us know what you think about it by sounding off in the comments section.


Hype Eats: Exciting Cafes & Restaurants In The Klang Valley You Have To Try! (11th July – 17th July)

First week of July is done and we’re moving into the second week already, whew! How was it for you guys? We’re assuming it went well but can it really go well if you don’t get to eat at only the best restaurants and cafes? See this is where we come in.

As usual, we’re back with even more new recommendations of amazing places for you to try out and even a special bonus at the end, so be sure to read all the way through. This week we’re bringing you fancy restaurants of all cultures and even fusions, the most creative themed cafes and much more:

Time: 5:30pm – 11:00pm (Tuesday – Sunday)

Location: 38, Lorong Rahim Kajai 14, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Aposto is a modern Italian restaurant located in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, serving classic Italian fare with a modern twist. Aposto is derived from the Italian saying “Tutto Posto”, which means “everything’s good”.

Driven by a devotion to flavours and detail, Chef Patron Chu Wei Sin uses carefully curated fresh, premium, and imported ingredients in his artisanal cooking that infuses tradition with modern culinary techniques.

A post shared by Sushi Mastro Nikkei (@sushimastronikkei)

Time: 12pm – 3pm & 6pm – 10pm (Tuesday – Sunday)

Location: Unit 1-1 Fortune Centra, No. 2, Jalan Metro Perdana 6, Taman Usahawan Kepong, 52100 Kepong, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Nikkei cuisine with Peruvian origins is given a delectable Malaysian twist by Sushi Mastro Nikkei. The creators of Seafood Maestro, who built their name as seafood wholesalers for almost ten years before starting an internet retail business, are the driving force behind Sushi Mastro Nikkei.

They have now opened their first eating establishment, which is run by a crew with extensive knowledge of Malaysian and international eateries.

A post shared by Spaceage inspired cafe in KL (@homesickalienmy)

Time: 12pm – 10am (Tuesday – Thursday) , 12pm – 12am (Friday – Sunday)

Location: Level LG1, Unit A-G-05, Dataran Cascades, Jalan PJU 5/1, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Celebrate this week the Stranger Things way with a close encounter with Homesick Alien, serving novelties with an alien theme, such as prawn patty burgers on UFO-branded buns, that are inspired by 1960s space-age aesthetics.

A colourful room full of furniture in a variety of sizes and shapes that evoke the 1980s will greet you. You can expect to enjoy UFO burgers, handcrafted beverages, and coffee on the menu.

Time: 8am – 8pm (Monday – Thursday) , 8am – 10pm (Thursday – Sunday)

Location: 34-1, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur

The concrete works of art double as stylish, utilitarian furniture, in this new cafe with a name that sounds Nordic. The cafe is stunningly elegant, with contoured seats that appear more Tate Modern than Telawi.

The assortment is based on the patisseries of Paris, and includes anything from buckwheat sourdough loaves to macarons that were flown in from France in flavours like framboise, pistachio, and more.

You can purchase curly fries for only RM1 with every receipt (limited to 1 curly fries per receipt). But this only offer is valid for ONE DAY: 13th July 2022, so be sure to go enjoy some curly fries for only 1 ringgit!

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#Malaysia: Kelantan Is The First State That Approves Public Caning

Yesterday (Wednesday, 12th July), it was announced that criminals in Kelantan can now be caned in public following an amendment to the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002.

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)-led state is the first in Malaysia to introduce public caning for Muslims by Islamic courts.

Although canings under the Syariah law usually takes place in enclosed areas such as prisons, PAS has been pushing for a more severe Islamic criminal code, known as hudud. It includes punishments such as amputations for theft and stoning to death for adultery.

“However, with the amendment, the sentencing can be carried out in public or prison depending on the court’s decision. This is in accordance with the religion, as in Islam the sentencing must be done in public,” Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah was quoted as saying.

These amendments will allow religious enforcement officers to use thicker canes and the acceptance of videos and other electronic equipment as evidence in court trials.

Although this ruling doesn’t apply to non-Muslims, other parties have spoken out against PAS. “PAS is setting a very dangerous trend of riding rough over the laws of the land by disregarding the federal constitution as the supreme law of the land,” said Malaysian Chinese Association chairman Ti Lian Ker in a statement.

What do y’all think about the implementation of public caning? Is it justified?

Sources: Channel News Asia, The Star/ Featured image: AFP.


#Heatwave: 2 Girls In Kedah Collapse In Searing Equinox Weather

Not only is the heatwave expected to last until June, the ongoing dry spell and scorching heat have started “taking out” people.

Over the past week, the heatwave claimed its first victim, a police trainee, who succumbed to heatstroke in Johor last Friday (18th March). More recently, the equinox “knocked out” 2 girls, one in Form Three and another, a 19-year-old undergraduate, in Kulim. The 15-year-old girl fainted after school and was rushed to a clinic on Sunday (20th March), the day of the equinox phenomenon.

AsiaOne quoted state Health director Datuk Dr Norhizan Ismail as saying, “She went to the playground near her home and fainted while playing with friends. The undergraduate collapsed at home.” adding that both cases were diagnosed as heat exhaustion.

“The older girl’s kampung house has zinc roof sheets and that could have caused the heat to build up inside her house. By late afternoon, it was too much for her and family members rushed her the Kulim hospital,” Dr Norhizan explained.

He advised Kedahans to stay out of the sun and drink lots of water.

Meanwhile, some parents here have already stopped sending their children to school, ahead of the government order to close schools in Kedah and Perlis. State Education Committee chairman Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain said many schools reported a slight decline in attendance.

“The Education Ministry made the right move in closing all schools and urging parents to keep their children indoors. It’s sports season for most local schools but they have been told to postpone all their sporting events. The schools have also been advised to stop all their other outdoor activities,” he said.

Malaysian Meteorological Department’s weather stations in Alor Setar recorded a temperature of 36ºC at 4pm yesterday while Chuping in Perlis was still sweltering at 37ºC. By 6pm, however, Alor Setar’s temperature reading had dropped to 33ºC and Chuping 36ºC.

Stay indoors as much as possible, peeps. Keep yourself in check with our precautionary guideline on what warning signs to look out for as well as advice on how to cope during this dry spell.

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“Ask The Million Girls Who Follows Me,” As’ad Motawh’s Savage Reply To Hater

Malaysia’s rising singer As’ad Motawh is no stranger to hateful comments and criticisms. Since his debut last year, the 17-year-old heartthrob has become one of the local artists to watch in 2018.

Thanks to his good look and soulful voice, As’ad has gained more than a million followers in less than a year, and at the same time, he also gotten plenty of haters.

A post shared by As’ad Motawh (@asad.motawh)

In one of his latest posts, As’ad posted a funny video of him dancing along with his brother and friend to Estelle’s “American Boy”. The video is meant to be something fun and silly, though the singer also promoted his latest single “Percaya” in the caption.

While many of his fans find the video to be cute, not everyone feels the same way, especially his haters. One particular netizen commented “Who would want to marry you?” which got more than 80 likes.

Though most of his fans chimed in to offer themselves to As’ad, the handsome crooner came up with the most savage (and probably a little cocky) comeback to the netizen, “I don’t know, maybe you could start by asking the other million girls who follows me.” (Burn!)

As’ad came to fame via his debut single “Senyum” which has collected more than 17 million views on YouTube. The song reached number #1 on TV3’s “Muzik Muzik” chart. He is often referred to as Malaysian Justin Bieber, and he himself admitted that he is inspired by the “Love Yourself” singer as well.

Apart from As’ad, Ismail Izzani and Haqiem Rusli have also been called  as Malaysian Justin Bieber, probably due to their similar music styles.


Hollywood Shockwaved With Tony Scott’s Suicide

All is fine and well until a man decides to jump off a bridge and leave the world reeling with shock. Case at hand, Tony Scott.

Early yesterday, the 68-year-old director and younger brother of filmmaker Ridley Scott killed himself by jumping off a bridge in Los Angeles. Witnesses told police that they saw Tony park his Toyota Prius on the Vincent Thomas bridge before getting out to scale a barrier fence (said to be eight to ten foot tall). He then jumped off without any hesitation, plunging 185 feet to his death.

Officials later found a note in his Toyota Prius which listed contact information. A suicide note was later found in his office. Its contents were not revealed.

It was reported that the Los Angeles police and Coast Guard used sonar equipment to find Tony Scott’s body in the murky waters. A dive team with the Los Angeles Port Police pulled his body from the water several hours after his death plunge.

British-born Tony Scott was a respected director and producer who was most well-known for “Top Gun” (which starred Tom Cruise), amongst other hit movies such as “Man on Fire” and “Enemy of the State”.

Tony and his brother also co-produced the hit CBS drama, “NUMB3RS”.

He is survived by his third wife, actress Donna Scott, the mother of his two young sons. (Source)


Alex Goot & Against The Current After Party + Meet & Greet in KL

The New-Yorker singer-songwriter, Alexander George Gut, or better known as Alex Goot started his musical journey with one goal – to enhance people’s lives through music. At the tender age of 16, he began recording music in his home studio, a place where he mostly spends his time self-producing all audio and videos to be released on various social network sites.

This self-driven and self-promoting musician rose to fame by releasing his hit cover songs on his YouTube channel, attracting over 1.8 million YouTube subscribers. From hits such as Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer and Cyndi Lauper’s Time after Time, to more recent hits such as Lady Gaga’s “Born this Way” and Rihanna’s “Diamonds”, Goot managed to rake in over 200 million views altogether, for his videos.

Known for their soulful guitar-piano acoustic covers, Against the Current is a 5-piece young pop-rock band that comprises of Chrissy Constanza on lead vocals, Dan Gow on vocals and guitar, Jeremy Rompala on guitar, Joe Simmons on Bass and Will Ferri on drums.

The band began gaining popularity when they joined YouTube in 2011 by following a similar path as Alex Goot; covering hit songs such as Paramore’s “Ain’t it Fun” and Taylor Swift’s “Red”. Gaining over half a million of loyal followers on YouTube, Against the Current took it up a notch with their music through a powerful collaboration with Alex Goot – covering Justin Bieber’s hit song, “Beauty and the Beat”.

They’re slated to perform at Bentley Music Auditorium on 24th August. After which, they’ll be heading to The Curve, Mutiara Damansara for an after party and a Meet and Greet session. Deets are as follows:

For more information, visit Laundry’s Facebook page.

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Skip KL Sentral! New Bridge Linking LRT & KTM At Pasar Seni Is Open

Life in the big city can be tough, so any extra convenience is certainly a welcome. That being said, we bring some good news to public commuters passing trough LRT Pasar Seni. This is because the new link bridge connecting the LRT and KTM stations is finally open.

The bridge will link the LRT Pasar Seni station together with KTM Kuala Lumpur together. Effectively, saving citizens some time and money in skipping out the need to go to KL Sentral.

In addition, this will also bring benefits to MRT users whose previous option in switching to KTM line is at KL Sentral (Muzium Negara). That is if we disregard the distant Terminal stations of Sungai Buloh and Kajang, which is situated at each end of the MRT line.

Users worrying about the distance have nothing to fear, as the bridge is only be 102 meters long and is equipped with fans and travelators. Thus, making the journey easier for all, especially users of MRT to KTM and vice versa.

The bridge was built by Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), under the Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) line scope of works. This is part of their work to ensure increase accessibility to MRT line with more planned for the future.

The project which started construction in April 2016, was actually due to open in December but manage to finish up 1 month early. This is thanks to the good folks at MMC-Gamuda KVMRT (PDP) Sdn Bhd and Trans Resources Corp Sdn Bhd, who are the main contractors of the bridge.

Hopefully this will ease the amount of congestion at KL Sentral as we are all too familiar with. Plans are underway to make the interchange between the various lines more seamless.

We here are certainly delighted with the news. Now, if only they find a way to open up the pedestrian bridge at Abdullah Hukum (it was supposed to open in October), then we’re all set.


Hype’s Movie Review: James McAvoy Delivers 23 Shades Of Creepiness In #Split

Meet Dennis. He’s a shaved head man with a pair of glasses and has OCD. He lives together with a 9-year-old kid named Hedwig, who happens to love Kanye West.

Both Dennis and Hedwig are kept in check by prim matriarch Patricia, who has a fondness for sweaters, brooches, and carving knives. Wannabe gay fashion designer Barry also lives with them. Then again, Barry might be Dennis. Or Romeo, or Jade, or Samuel, or any of the other persona that lives inside Kevin.

Kevin (played by James McAvoy) is a troubled young man who suffers from dissociative identity disorder (DID), more commonly known as split-personality disorder. That means he has multiple personalities – 23 to be exact – fighting for control over his body.

Set in Philadelphia, “Split” kicks off at a seemingly typical teenager’s birthday celebration. As the party starts to wrap, Casey (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) finds herself without a ride home after a pity invite so she ends up catching a ride with birthday girl Claire (played by Haley Lu Richardson) and her friend Marcia (played by Jessica Sula).

Just when the 2 giggly girl pals are busy browsing their phones, a mysterious man enters the parked vehicle, after presumably killing Claire’s dad, rendering all 3 teenage girls unconscious with aerosol chloroform.

When Casey, Claire, and Marcia awaken to their senses in a rough-hewn cell with a mysteriously pristine bathroom, they are both confused and terrified. Not only are the trio in the dark on why they’ve been kidnapped, they also don’t know by whom, or rather, by which personality.

The girls’ first encounter one of Kevin’s multiple personalities is with someone who introduces herself as Patricia during a cross-dressing scene. McAvoy effortlessly bounces from one accent and demeanour to another. It is only when he later shows up as a naive 9-year-old boy named Hedwig that Casey realise that there are vastly different personalities residing within Kevin’s body.

Seeing as how there may be an advantage with Kevin’s condition, Casey befriends the child in hopes that she will gain his trust and hopefully her freedom from the windowless confinement. What happens next is a cat-and-mouse tale in which Casey uses her past trauma as well as abuse to try and outsmart the multi-faceted villain.

While Casey’s cellmates are hasty to flee and opt for ill-planned tactics that result in failure, we see her taking a more cautious approach. As John DeFore of Hollywood Reporter points out, the flashback scenes to her childhood when she went deer hunting with her dad and uncle, suggests that life has provided her with experiences the sheltered girls don’t know. There’s a reason why Casey has developed her steely demeanour.

When Kevin or his other personalities aren’t occupied with the captives, we see him (usually as Barry, sometimes Dennis) attending his therapy sessions with psychiatrist, Dr Fletcher (played by Betty Buckley). One of the more fascinating scenes happen when the pair are interacting on Dr Fletcher’s couch.

After deducing that each of Kevin’s personalities were created to help him cope with his childhood and adult traumas, Dr Fletcher is on a mission to prove that individuals with mental illness may hold the key in unlocking the brain’s potential supernatural abilities.

However, the DID specialist is not aware that several personalities have gone rogue after kidnapping the girls, meant for “sacred food”, in preparation for the 24th personality, known as “The Beast”.

Although Taylor-Joy is impressive as Casey and proves that she is the newcomer to watch out in Hollywood, “Split” is a James McAvoy movie through and through. Most actors can only dream of taking on a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde role, but the “X-Men” actor has got the acting chops to sell it.

McAvoy is dazzling in his portrayal. Although not all 23 personalities are shown on the cinematic screen equally, they are all distinct and believable. With just a few minor costume changes, the 37-year-old actor is convincingly funny and silly one moment, then creepy and malevolent in the next.

As his various selves come out to play, his transformations are conveyed through body language, facial expression, and mannerisms. Our favourite scene was towards the end when McAvoy cycles between different personalities all in one go. There are no special effects to be found, just good acting.

Having said that, “Split” wouldn’t be a M. Night Shyamalan film without a surprise twist at the end. Luckily, the movie doesn’t rest on that plot twist. Despite this thriller faltering on storytelling, this is still one of Shyamalan’s better films thanks in large to his leading man.

“Split” is currently showing in local cinemas.

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

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Aaron Kwok’s Heartbroken Ex-GF Spills On Break Up

Chinese model-actress Lynn Xiong broke her silence over the end of her relationship with one of Hong Kong’s “Heavenly Kings”, superstar Aaron Kwok in an interview with Shanghai Morning Post published on Monday.

When asked if she had moved on from their seven- year relationship which ended mid-April, the 32-year-old hottie said:

It would seem so. Over the past few years, I’ve been living in others’ world. I think from now on I won’t force myself to do things I don’t want, so that I’ll be happy. It’s a new start for me now.

I don’t dare dream of marriage anymore. With dreams come disappointments.

In a recent interview, Aaron also opened up about his views on relationships and shared the insights that helped him find peace through this difficult time. According to Aaron Kwok, dating the wrong woman is like wearing a pair of poorly-fitted shoes.

Currently promoting his new film, “Christmas Rose”, Aaron revealed that the movie drastically shifted his life perspective. Aaron was deeply affected by the moral struggles portrayed in the film and concluded that people should strive to remove themselves from unfavourable situations.

Aaron provided an analogy to further illustrate his point, describing an unsuitable relationship as a pair of poorly-fitted shoes:

For example, when you are wearing a pair of poorly-fitted shoes, your feet would hurt all day. You would want to get a more comfortable pair since we have to walk everyday. This is similar to choosing your life partner. You should only wear suitable shoes so you wouldn’t hurt yourself. If you continue to force yourself into bad shoes, it will only cause your feet to bleed and the wounds will be difficult to heal. It may be better to look for another pair.


Délifrance Makes Comeback In Malaysia After Vanishing In 2016

Hailing all the way from France, Délifrance is back and ready to cater to your cravings for fresh and delicious pastries.

Little did we know that Délifrance had re-opened its first Malaysian outlet on 12th December 2020. The soft launch of the new flagship store was held at Publika Kuala Lumpur.

The French bakery and cafe chain made its debut in Malaysia back in 1990 and went on to expand approximately 20 outlets nationwide. The franchise suddenly ceased operations in 2016 and just vanished into thin air.

Thankfully, Délifrance Malaysia is now back in action and ready to #LiveEverydayDelicious. The eatery is currently offering a few combo meals on its menu for Butter Me Up (breakfast), the Taste of France Combo (lunch), and Sweet Treats (a pastry + a cup of tea).

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Délifrance Publika is situated at block C5, floor G3, and is open for business from 8am to 10pm (daily). More information here.