#NationalSportsDay: The Malaysian Debut Of The Reebok Spartan Race A Success!

The Malaysian debut of the Reebok Spartan Race saw over 10,000 participants take part in the two-day event that was one of the marquee attractions of the inaugural National Sports Day.

The world’s leading obstacle race took place place on 10th and 11th October and even saw Minister of Youth and Sports Khairy Jamaluddin get in the fray when he competed with the race organisers on the second day.

Malaysians got their first taste of the Reebok Spartan Race by tackling the Spartan Sprint, which for this race was a 6.5km course with 25 obstacles along the way. The Sprint was an excellent starting point to becoming a Spartan as it was fun for beginners while the course had plenty of challenges for seasoned racers.

Khairy arrived on the morning of the second day and took part in the race along with Marcus Luer, Founder and Group CEO of Total Sports Asia (TSA).

“This was an altogether different and more demanding type of race from what I have done previously. It was a challenging course but ultimately quite exhilarating after I completed it,” said Khairy.

“Congratulations to the oprganisers of Malaysia’s first Reebok Spartan Race and it’s obvious from the number of participants over these two days that the interest in these types of ultra-active events is growing and I look forward to more of these events being held in Malaysia,” he added.

Malaysians can certainly expect more Spartan Races in future as the organisers have been encouraged by the turnout over the two days, even despite the slightly hazy conditions. “I think it’s been a huge success. Malaysia was the most logical choice for South East Asia… it’s developed, forward-thinking and sports-oriented. It made perfect sense to plant our flag here and we’ll definitely be back,” said Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan Race Inc.

According to Marcus that will be as soon as 20th March 2016 as TSA and Spartan Race have already set the date to hold the Spartan Super then, which will be over a distance of 12km+ and 25+ obstacles. “I think we can see that Malaysians are more than ready for the Reebok Spartan Race,” he said.

In fact, registration is now open for the Spartan Super on 20th March 2016 and they will be announcing a different secret location soon!

A total of RM30,000 in cash and sponsor prizes were awarded to the winners in the first Reebok Spartan Race in South East Asia. The winner in the Elite Men’s category was Rushad Nanavatty, 37, an independent consultant from the U.S. in his first Spartan Race.

Rushad took home RM1,000 cash and other sponsor prizes while second and third place went to Cheang Cheng Tan from Malaysia and Ian Deeth from the UK, respectively.

Student Colleen R. Augustin, 17, won the Elite Women’s category, bagging RM1,000 along with other sponsor prizes. A regular run participant, Colleen took part in her first Spartan Race together with her brother and mother.

Second place went to Pasree Lee while third place was won by Lim Soo Ee. All three winners are from Malaysia. Pasree Lee also bagged the winner’s trophy in the Women’s Masters category while Andrew Philips won the Men’s Masters category, for men and women above 40.

The Spartan Junior Race for children between the ages of 4-13 was won by Matthew Trott in the Boy’s category and Siobhain Doyle in the Girl’s category.

For more pictures of the event, check out the gallery below:

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

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#Spectre: New Trailer Sees James Bond At His Most Dangerous

Explosions and dark, moody silhouettes highlighted the first teaser for “Spectre“, but the James Bond flick’s official trailer fills in more of the plot. The two minute thirty-three second clip follows James Bond (played by Daniel Craig) as he journeys across the globe, uncovering the existence of the titular nefarious criminal organisation.

The trailer opens with Bond in Mexico City during the Day of the Dead Festival, roaming the streets wearing a skull mask before sniping an enemy from a rooftop. Then in Rome, he strikes up a romance with Lucia Sciarra (played by Monica Bellucci), the widow of a criminal Bond wiped out. Despite intense questioning from M (played by Ralph Fiennes, who will be debuting in the role), the agent uses the trademark gadgetry of Q (played by Ben Whishaw) and resources of Moneypenny (played by Naomie Harris) to track down Madeleine Swanne (played by Léa Seydoux), the daughter of his former nemesis Mr. White − and a key figure in solving the Spectre riddle.

The trailer also sees a chilling connection between Bond and Franz Oberhauser (played by Christoph Waltz). “Spectre” makes for the 24th instalment in the franchise and Craig’s fourth stint as 007. It also marks the title organisation’s first appearance in a Bond film since 1971’s “Diamonds Are Forever”.

Directed by Sam Mendes (of “Skyfall” fame) and co-written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan, “Spectre” will hit worldwide theatres on November 6th.

Watch the stunning official trailer below.

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


(Video) Indonesian Woman Surprised That Motorcycles Are Allowed On Highways In Malaysia

When exploring a new country, there is always something new to explore. Although Indonesia is similar to Malaysia in many aspects – food, language, culture – there are still some things that bring out the culture shock in us. From sedan cars to airport malls, Indonesia is sometimes still a mystery to us.

When an Indonesian TikTok lady by the name of Giannisa Ovie posted a video on TikTok, it immediately went viral. Her simple video is just of her comparing motorcycles on highways in Malaysia versus in Indonesia. The video garnered almost 246k views!

Masih kaget kalau terjumpa motorcycles di highways 😂 #indonesianinmalaysia #orangindonesiadimalaysia #cultureshock #tiktokmalaysiaviral #fypdong #tiktokindonesia #tiktokindo

In the video, the TikToker said that whenever she is in Kuala Lumpur, she is still always surprised to see motorcycles riding freely on the highway. The 11-second video comes with captions explaining that back in her home country, motorcycles are not allowed to travel on the highways.

Scrolling through the comments section, many Indonesian fans shared that the reason why motorcycles are not allowed on highways is to avoid any unnecessary traffic jams. This is because, in Indonesia, the amount of motorcycles exceeds the number of cars, therefore if allowed, highways would create huge traffic.

Replying to @awie johor bahru benar! 👍🏼 macam ni lah motor di Jakarta. Banyak kan? 😂 #indonesianinmalaysia #indonesiadimalaysia #orangindonesiadimalaysia

♬ Dreamers [Music from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack] – Jung Kook & BTS

The Muslim traveller then uploaded another video to share more about the predicament. In this said video, she posted actual footage of the capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta. The video was titled “Ocean of Motorcycles in Jakarta” – which shows the reality of what they have to face on a daily basis.

However, it’s not much different from Malaysia where we face traffic jams due to the high number of cars. Even finding parking is such a hassle. But you know what they say, the grass is greener on the other side!

Puteri Teja contributed to this article.

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#BreakTheBias: Celebrating 6 Incredible Heroines Who Defy The Odds!

This year on International Women’s Day, come together with your friends and family as we #BreaktheBias and celebrate all the different women in our lives who inspire us to be bold, both in real life and on our screens.

From regular girl-next-door to tough-as-nails assassins, whether they have magical powers or get things done through a combination of determination, wits and bravery, check out these incredible heroines of all ages on Disney+ Hotstar as they continue to reach for their goals and dare to defy the odds.

Many of us are all too familiar with the struggles of having to meet our parents’ expectations and sometimes all-too-strict rules while growing up. For 13-year-old Mei Lee, things are that much more complicated when she has to juggle all that, plus having to keep the secret of a family curse – whenever she gets excited or emotional (which is nearly all the time for a teenager!), she ‘poofs’ into a giant red panda!

Growing up in a large family of gifted people can have its perks, but not so much when you’re the only one without a special talent. Despite being the odd one out, Mirabel’s optimistic spirit and empathetic nature has never faltered, as she continues to do her best to make her family proud – and eventually becomes the only one who can keep them together through their toughest times.

Nominated for Best Animated Feature Film, Best Original Score and Best Original Song for the 94th Oscars, Disney’s “Encanto” weaves a charming tale about an ordinary girl in an extraordinary family… all with a little musical flair.

A love-struck girl who follows her crush to join the Police Academy, Go Eun-gang proves that having a soft nature doesn’t mean you’re an easy target. Over the course of this exciting series, we see her evolve from a feisty troublemaker into a strong and mature woman who isn’t afraid to stand up against injustice. Despite wrongful accusations and uncertainties, we see this young woman finally take charge of her life without giving in.

Catch the series on Disney+ Hotstar as Chae Soo-Bin’s Go Eun-gang stars alongside Kang Daniel’s Wi Seung-hyeon in this coming-of-age story spiced with crime and romance.

An imaginative young girl turned hotshot detective, Jung Sae-Byeok faces an unprecedented case when a mysterious presence from the past abets a murder case. Despite having her own agenda, Jung Sae-Byeok joins forces with Kim Sae-ha to hunt down this mystical ‘ghost’ that was once the reason the world was saved from catastrophic solar winds.

Starring powerhouse actresses Kim A-Joong and Lee Si-Young, this female-studded cast is a great watch to boost your confidence this International Women’s Day. Be sure to catch new episodes every Wednesday exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar as the mystery unfolds!

Highly skilled and ruthless, Fennec Shand redefines strong female characters. As a bounty hunter and elite mercenary, Fennec worked her way up to become a notable presence in the galaxy’s criminal underworld, building a reputation for herself as an expert fighter and manipulator, able to stand her ground against the Mandalorian alongside the renowned bounty hunter Boba Fett as they attempt to navigate through the criminal underworld unscathed.

Playing the strong and capable role of Fennec Shand is none other than Ming-Na Wen, who earned her reputation as a Disney legend by being the only person to earn the Disney trifecta for voicing Fa Mulan in the 1998 animated film, playing a leading role in the “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” and now stars as the master assassin in the “Star Wars” series.

A skilled diver and spearfisher turned conservationist, Valerie Taylor is a living legend and pioneer in the world of underwater filmmaking and shark research, having dedicated her career towards educating the world on the nature of sharks. As a young woman, she was a trailblazer in spearfishing in a sport dominated by men, but one encounter with a shark shifted her perspective forever. Now in her 80s, Valerie proclaims she will continue to dive till she’s stuck in a wheelchair.

“Playing With Sharks” is a jaw-dropping documentary about the woman who continues to conquer life and age to live out her passion and dreams in the water.

Bring your friends and family together this International Women’s Day to get motivated by these amazing women on Disney+ Hotstar!


5 Times Dwayne Johnson Saved The World Coz He Da Man

Hardy, bad ass, dependable, and in possession of a strong moral compass, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is definitely someone you’ll want by your side (or to hide behind) when the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Whether it’s trekking through the treacherous terrain of a jungle with a life of its own or thwarting the world’s most wanted art thief in a cat-and-mouse chase around the globe, you can always count on him to see the world-saving mission through ‘til the very end in these action-packed movies:

Getting sucked into a video game while in detention, well, sucks, but ending up in the imposing muscular figure and smouldery face of Dr. Xander Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson) is probably the best thing to happen to the nerdy Spencer Gilpin (Alex Wolff).

With no other way out other than to embark on a perilous quest that will free Jumanji from an evil curse, Spencer reluctantly teams up with three of his fellow schoolmates to return a magical, sacred jewel — the Jaguar’s Eye — to its shrine in the heart of the jungle and restore the world of Jumanji to its former glory.

They might not be friends, but they sure make an effective team!

In yet another reluctant on-screen team-up, Johnson’s Agent Luke Hobbs finds himself forming an unlikely alliance with his nemesis Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) to stop a cyber-genetically enhanced villain from launching a deadly biological attack that could potentially eradicate half of the world’s population.

World-saving shenanigans aside, expect loads of explosions, dramatically enhanced vehicles, and of course, Hobbs and Shaw throwing juvenile insults at each other.

Can The Rock’s muscles save his family as the world around them is literally falling apart?

In a twist of fate, rescue-helicopter pilot Ray (played by Johnson) found himself rescuing his soon-to-be ex-wife Emma (Carla Gugino) from a skyscraper in Los Angeles when a massive earthquake hits California.

As more earthquakes sweep across the state from LA to San Francisco, the estranged couple must race against time (and hope Ray did not skip leg day) in a dangerous journey across the West Coast to rescue the only thing keeping their world together – their daughter.

To the close-knit elite team of lifeguards on Emerald Bay, Florida, the beach they protect day in and day out is pretty much their home away from home.

Though the duo butt heads since the first time they met each other, Lieutenant Mitch Buchannon (Johnson) and former Olympian Matt Brody (Zac Efron) will have to set aside their differences to uncover an underground drug ring that threatens the future of the bay… while running stylishly and in slow-mo along the beach.

An irreplaceable historical artifact has disappeared from a museum in Italy, and Special Agent John Hartley, FBI (Johnson) is on the case.

In pursuit of The Bishop (Gal Gadot) a.k.a. world’s most wanted art thief, Agent Hartley embarks on a globe-trotting adventure with the world’s second most wanted art thief Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds) to secure a set of priceless historical treasures — Cleopatra’s Eggs — before she gets her hands on them.

Will he break open the case and save these priceless historical artifacts before they disappear from public view forever? To find out, catch Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot in “Red Notice” when it premieres on 12th November, only on Netflix!

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Indonesian Girl Forces BF To Buy Her An iPhone; Rejects Vivo Phone Gift

A video went viral on social media recently, showing a teenage couple (believed to be lovers) arguing at a shop selling mobile phones in Indonesia.

As reported by news portal Suara, it’s understood that the girl wanted an iPhone as a gift, but the boyfriend purchased a Vivo phone for her instead.

The clip was first uploaded by Tiktok user known as @tio_saputra1812, before it went viral all over various social media platforms. He revealed that the woman was whining and insisting for him to buy an iPhone-branded mobile phone for her. However, the guy unfortunately could only afford to buy an Android mobile phone for his partner.

In the viral video, the woman was seen wearing a brown scarf and a cream-coloured shirt. She came to the premise with her boyfriend, who was donning a T-shirt and a pair of short pants as well as sandals. Both of them stood in front of the counter at the mobile phone shop.

Shortly afterwards, the girl could be seen complaining and slapping her boyfriend’s arms several times in front of the store workers. Meanwhile, the two employees at the mobile phone store could only observe the young couple arguing. Not only that, a young man sitting behind them also appeared to be amused by the quarrel taking place.

At the time of writing (Tuesday, 8th June), the TikTok post has gained over 370k likes and received tons of comments from the public. To quote a few commentators, “I would dump the girlfriend if I was the guy. She should be grateful.”


Above Ordinary Malaysia: Ticketing Details To Watch Jay Park, Dean, Simon Dominic & Rad Museum Unveiled

A few weeks ago, Hype Malaysia exclusively broke the news that 4 of the hottest South Korean Hip-hop male acts are slated to perform in Kuala Lumpur.

Titled “Above Ordinary Malaysia”, the K-pop stars include Simon Dominic (정기석), Jay Park (박재범), Dean (권혁) and Rad Museum (Soh Jaehoon). After much anticipation, we finally have the ticketing details to their concert.

Dean ,who is no stranger to Malaysia, was the first Asian artiste to perform in Spotify House. Since releasing his first EP “130 mood : TRBL” in 2016, the talented artist has been working to establishing himself in the US.

Another K-pop star who has been making waves in America is Jay Park. Despite his venture into the English music industry, the former 2PM boybander has continuously won the award of “The Artist of the Year” on Korean Hip-Hop awards as well as “Musician of the Year” in 2017’s Korean Music Awards.

Simon Dominic’s latest single was “Me No Jay Park”  but fret not, it wasn’t a diss to Jay Park. Besides the trio, fans should also look out for Rad Museum (or Camper), who has a deep interest in different types of artwork and exhibitions.

Brought to you by Alive Asia, the details to “Above Ordinary Malaysia” are as follows:

The official launch will be held at Sunway Lagoon Main Entrance (Information Counter) on Saturday and Sunday (6th October and 7th October) from 12pm until 9pm. Online tickets will go on sale via Ticket Hub on 8th October at 12pm onwards.

Good luck in securing your tickets K-pop fans ;)


Trax On Track 2012 Comes To KL

Motorsports fans, car lovers and music aficionados in the Southeast Asian region look set to be thrilled by the lethal combination of speed and music beats at the inaugural edition of “Trax on Track 2012“, an exciting event proudly presented by Glamorous Entertainment. The event aims to shake fans to the core, by bringing out the best drifting techniques and dazzling drift shows by elite drivers from Asia region.

Set to be held at the iconic venue of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) on 17th November 2012 (Saturday), Trax on Track 2012 promises to be more than just an exhilarating motoring extravaganza, with the inclusion of music entertainment provided by a repertoire of international and local DJs.

This is the first time an event of such caliber that combines both motorsports and music, is held in Malaysia.

Expect top-notch drift action amidst roaring engines and shrieking tires as professional drift drivers from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand pit against each other in the drift competition event, in the bid to clinch the champion title and top prize of up to RM100,000! Watch as sleek, modified cars spin through turns, while coolly maintaining vehicle control at a very high speed!

And what top-notched event goes without music? A repertoire of international and local DJs and music acts will be gracing the event including our local hero DJ Messic, DJ Charlene and DJ Lisa from Taiwan, DJ Kyau & Albert, and DJ John O’Callaghan:

[youtube id=”t2lav8rqK4Y” width=”600″ height=”350″]

The action at Sepang International Circuit will commence at 10am till late and the event is strictly for patrons aged 18 years and above only.

Ticketing: Early bird (RM68, for a limited time only), Presale (RM98, inclusive of one Red Bull drink), General admission (RM128, also available at the door), VIP (RM168)

Tickets are available online at AirAsia RedTix and Sistic and authorized counters Rock Corner and Victoria Music Station (Malaysia) and Sistic (Singapore).

For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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New K-Pop MV Releases From BTOB’s Ilhoon, Jisook, VICTON, & More

Time to brighten up your day with these new music videos that was released earlier today by some of your favourite South Korean artistes:

Formerly known as Pledis Girlz, PRISTIN has released a new music video for their latest single, “We Like”. The track is an upbeat dance track while the cutesy clip features the 10-member girl group showing off their girlish charm and dancing at a closed shopping mall.

And we must say, “We Like” PRISTIN’s new song very much ;)

The boys of VICTON are back with “Unbelievable”! Taken off their newest album “Identity”, “Unbelievable”is bright track that sings about a guy who cannot believe that his crush likes him too. Meanwhile, the colourful music video shows VICTON dancing energetically at various settings.

“I think about it again but it’s still unbelievable/ The fact that you came to see me/ It’s seriously unbelievable, baby,” sings the group.

3. BTOB’s Ilhoon (일훈) and Jisook (지숙) – “Baesisi” (배시시)

Rainbow fans, rejoice! Jisook has a sweet gift for you.

On Thursday (24th August), the former member has released a new song, titled “Baesisi”, with BTOB rapper Ilhoon. The sweet and romantic number, which is abouts the beginning feelings of love, highlights Jisook’s angelic voice and it also features Ilhoon’s smooth rap verses.

Dublekick Company has released a carnival-themed music video for MOMOLAND’s (or MMLD) summer track, titled “Freeze!” Starring Wanna One’s Kim Jae Hwan, the clip sees the members swooning over the handsome idol. Be sure to watch till the end because it also features some cute behind-the-scenes clips.

Which is your favourite music video? Let us know in the comments box below!

Sources: Soompi, All Kpop / Featured image: Plan A Entertainment.


Incubus To Bring Their “Haunting Mass Appeal” Back To Kuala Lumpur In February 2018

Alternative Rock Icons, Incubus is set to perform for a one-night only headlining show in Kuala Lumpur on 13th February 2018, 8pm at KL Live.

The multi-platinum selling band gained international recognition following the release of their 3rd album in 1999, ‘Make Yourself’ which spawned several hits, including the band’s highest charting song “Drive”.

Having produced 8 studio albums that sold more than 13 million copies worldwide, the band is known for its rock anthems like “Wish You Were Here”, “Megalomaniac”, “Anna Molly”, “Drive”, “Pardon Me”, “Are You In? ”, and “Nice To Know You”, among others.

The quintet rock outfit, featuring vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, drummer Jose Pasillas, bassist Ben Kenney and DJ Chris Kilmore last performed in Malaysia in 2011. Having played for over millions of people across the world, Incubus has performed alongside some of the world’s alternative rock heroes such as Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, the Flaming Lips and Deftones to name a few.

In February 2018, the band is expected to play songs from their eighth album, aptly titled “8” that debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Re-produced and mixed by Skrillex, the album released in April 2017 is the band’s first full-length release since 2011, album “If Not Now, When?”.

Ticket prices for Incubus Live in Kuala Lumpur 2018 Malaysia starts at RM238 (Early Bird)
and RM268 (Normal). Tickets go on sale starting 1st December at 10am on www.ticketcharge.com.my and at the following outlets:

*ALL tickets price including 6% GST but excluding RM4 processing fee.

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Hype’s Movie Review: Be Prepared To Drown In The Sea Of Laughter With #Spy

If Paul Feig’s “Spy” has proved anything, it’s that spy movies are making a real comeback in 2015. It showed that a spy movie can still be taken seriously if the plot doesn’t stray too far from what it wants to deliver. Though action scenes are the prominent parts of the spy genre, most spy movies rely heavily on plots that come with unexpected twists to become a box office success. Without a decent plot, a spy movie may just fall flat even if the character is an incredibly attractive secret agent equipped with high-tech gadgets and expensive suits.

Take Matthew Vaughn’s “Kingsman: The Secret Service“, for example. The movie is said to have turned every fanboy’s wet dream come true by featuring an enticing plot, ridiculous amounts of gore, and an array of impressive spy gadgets. It left people yearning for more movies that could result in the same amount of satisfaction, and we believe Feig has just created that satisfaction with “Spy”.

Having previously worked together on “Bridesmaid” and “The Heat”, Feig teamed up with Melissa McCarthy again for “Spy”. The movie follows the story of McCarthy’s Susan Cooper, who is stuck behind the desk at CIA headquarters as an analyst, despite years of successful field training. English actor Jude Law stars in the movie as Bradley Fine, a suave and charming secret agent who relies on Cooper to get him past sticky situations in his missions. And according to Fine, he couldn’t do any of his actions without Cooper’s clear-headed satellite guidance.

For almost a decade, they worked great as a team. However, Fine didn’t realise that Cooper wouldn’t even work as a CIA analyst if she didn’t have an unrequited crush on him. As compared to her usual brass behaviour onscreen, McCarthy embraced her feminine side through her role in “Spy”. This is, of course, before we found out that her character still has a feisty side later in the movie.

Unfortunately, Law doesn’t have much screen time in the first half of the movie because it focuses on McCarthy’s character development more. An unexpected twist of fate forces Cooper to volunteer herself to go into the field as a spy, despite the protest from a slightly lunatic secret agent named Richard Ford (played by Jason Statham). The CIA chief (played by Allison Janney) reluctantly sends Cooper to a deep undercover mission, but warns her to only “track and report”.

It’s such an exciting moment for Cooper, but it’s also a moment when she realises that her unglamorous appearance caused the Agency to treat her like a hopeless loser. While the other secret agents were given cool aliases, she only gets to play an old-fashioned European tourist or a “cat mom” who is equipped with high-tech gadgets that are sadly disguised as items that a woman like her would carry. Some may find it offensive for Feig to write her off as such character, but his intention is obvious. The comedy here acts as a double-edged sword as Feig aims to let people notice the sort of mentality that would crush McCarthy’s character’s level of confidence.

Cooper’s mission begins in Paris, where she is assigned to track down a Bulgarian arms dealer, Rayna Boyanov (played by Rose Byrne), and a terrorist named Sergio De Luca (played by Bobby Cannavale). The action scenes in the movie weren’t too over-the-top, but they are surprisingly violent and well-shot. McCarthy definitely showed us what her character is capable of and created a lot of priceless moments, including the one that made us go “wow” as she crushes a knife-wielding assassin (played by Bollywood actress Nargis Fakhri). It became obvious that everyone was rooting for Cooper to succeed as we all cheered when she successfully took down her enemies.

This is one thing that Feig has definitely done right in the movie as he is able to make McCarthy’s character feel much more important than the rest. McCarthy delivered a grounded, brilliant performance as Cooper who had to lie her way through a number of ridiculous situations to get closer to her enemies without raising a single suspicion. After working together on “Bridesmaid”, she reunited with Bryne and transformed into a foul-mouthed character while pretending to be a personal bodyguard to Bryne’s character.

Let’s not forget to talk about all the supporting actors, who also created a lot of memorable funny moments in the movie. For once, Statham stayed away of the action spotlight, but still emerged one of the best characters in “Spy”. His tough character is extremely silly, but his comedic chops are surprisingly delightful, especially when he goes on and on talking about the list of outlandish dangerous stunts that he has done in the past. However, he only pops up at very important moments, which almost ruined Cooper’s undercover mission.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” star Peter Serafinowicz, who portrays an Italian secret agent named Aldo, is no less hilarious as he goes all out for a character that is driven by sexual attractions. He’s probably the only one who appreciates Cooper’s figure, but he simply can’t take his hands off her even until the closing credits. Fortunately, Cooper is able to stick to her mission with guidance from her best friend, played by Miranda Hart, who is equally as delightful as the rest of the cast. Hart’s role is the one who supports Cooper the most and she shared a hilarious scene with rapper 50 Cent, who had a cameo appearance.

From high-speed car-chases to gun fights to negotiations at gunpoint, “Spy” has got all the typical scenes that we see in a spy movie. However, Feig managed to punch up these action scenes by featuring a number of ridiculous jokes.

I must say, the movie caught me off guard with its violent scenes and grounded performance from the cast. If this film doesn’t spawn a sequel, I will be fairly disappointed, especially if it doesn’t bring back Statham’s character.

“Spy” is scheduled for release on 21st May 2015.

For more information about the movie, visit its official website and Facebook page.


Fashion Retail Shop Criticised Over Unusual Punishments Imposed On Staffs

A fashion retail outlet in Singapore came under fire this week due to their strange rules enforced on the staffs working at the boutique.

This came after several former employees working for the clothing brand, Southaven, came forth to highlight the unusual punishments imposed on them.

According to an ex-staff at the boutique, Lin, she had to do up to 200 to 300 frog squats as a punishment after she failed to achieve target sales during the recent Chinese New Year season. Another former employee named Liu also claimed that she was forced to do the exercise between May and September last year. Additionally, others shared that they had to record a clip of themselves carrying out the punishment and send it to the company’s group chat.

Speaking of group chat, the boutique also allegedly created a group called “Fatty Club” online. The employees were forced to update their weight every week in the chatroom. It was also revealed that the company would often fine its workers every time they gain weight. Word has it that the retail company has been setting high beauty standards for its workers.

Several other allegations soon surfaced on social media following that. In this case, some claimed that they would be punished for applying too little perfume or make-up on themselves. Others revealed that they were only given a break of 20 minutes, instead of the usual one-hour long timeout.

That’s not all! A few individuals further claimed that they had to work 12 hours a day with only 4 days off in a month. The company has also been accused of fining S$1 (RM3.05) to the retail employees if the customer leaves the outlet without buying anything.

In response, a Southaven spokesman named Zheng Jin Ta has denied the allegations. According to the fashion outlet’s rep, the team was not aware of such incidents happening at his premises. When asked about the 200 squats punishment, Zheng clarified that all of the rules and punishments were employee-led initiatives.

As for the “Fatty Club” group chat, Zheng explained that it was created to promote a healthy lifestyle among staffs. “None of the above rules were enforced. If they refused to do it, it will not affect their work,” Zheng told Shin Min Daily News.

Seemingly impacted by the massive backlash, the company ended up suspending its Facebook business account.

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Duke Dumont Releases New Single “Won’t Look Back”

A little soulful house  to kickstart your week.

British DJ and music producer Duke Dumont who is best known for his single “Need U” recently dropped his latest single that is guaranteed to get you addicted to it. Dumont gained massive recognition for his track “Need U” featuring A*M*E that was released in February 2013, and now after a successful string of brilliant tracks, Dumont is definitely a name to keep a lookout for.

Dumont dropped his latest single “Won’t Look Back” a couple of days back, his first for the year. Proving to be the prefect representation for his hard work, “Won’t Look Back” opens with glorious piano licks and explosive vocals before house synths pulses throughout the three-minute long track.

The perfectly smooth infusion between the house synths and piano as well as explosive vocals on “Won’t Look Back” shows Dumont’s craft and will easily get just about anyone hooked on it.


Utusan Melayu Ceases Operation Following Deal With Media Prima

Staffs of local newspapers Utusan Malaysia and Kosmo! have reportedly might found a new place to work.

Word has it that Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, owner of Aurora Mulia Sdn Bhd – one of Media Prima’s largest shareholders – is interested in owning the publishing company.

According to Berita Harian, Utusan Melayu will relinquish 70% of its stake in its subsidiary Dilof Sdn Bhd to Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar’s Aurora Mulia Sdn Bhd.

The move was made in order to keep track of both Utusan and Kosmo!’s continuation, after sudden reports of them ceasing their publications made several headlines recently. In this case, the investment is seen as one of Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar’s support to ensure the publication’s relevance.

As mentioned earlier, Aurora Mulia Sdn Bhd is one of mega media company Media Prima’s biggest stakeholders. Media Prima is home to big titles such as Harian Metro, Berita Harian and New Straits Time. In addition, the company also operates TV and radio stations like TV3, 8tv, ntv7, Hot fm and Fly fm.

Sadly, we’ve just received the news that Utusan Melayu will cease operations for all their publications effective today (Wednesday 9th October).

According to a memorandum sent to all Utusan Melayu staffs, the decisions were made after failing to maintain a secure position since last year. In addition, FMT reported that the staffs were informed about the closure of the company on Tuesday (8th October) evening.

The memo further added that all of Utusan and Kosmo! workers should clear their desks and take all their personal belongings. They were also urged to return back company’s property including access cards and office keys by 1pm.

However, a special briefing will be held on 30th October (Wednesday) to give further updates on any enquiries as well as to discuss the company’s status and also its current position. Notification letters will be sent to all employees later today.

People might have to wait and see for the upcoming news soon.


Anne Hathaway In Talks To Star In Live-Action Barbie Movie

Academy Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway might be Sony’s new Barbie doll.

According to Variety, the “Colossal” star is in talks with the studio to headline their upcoming live-action Barbie movie. If she accepts the role, she’ll be replacing “Snatched” actress Amy Schumer who left the project due to scheduling conflicts.

Penned by Hilary Winston (from “The LEGO Ninjago Movie”) with Schumer and her sister Kim Caramele having done a rewrite, the film will be produced by Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, and Amy Pascal, with Richard Dickson, president and COO of Mattel as executive producer.

The live-action Barbie movie will follow the titular character as she gets kicked out of Barbieland for not being perfect enough and lands in a real-world adventure. We don’t know about you, but the plot sounds awfully similar to Disney’s “Enchanted”.

Created by the American toy company Mattel Inc. in 1959, Barbie is one of the world’s most popular dolls. As the comapny’s largest and most profitable product, Barbie brings in USD2 billion dollars annually. The franchise extends a wide range of spin-offs including video games, storybooks, and animated films.

Meanwhile, Anne Hathaway is lauded for her diversity in acting – be it a nerd-turned-princess in “The Princess Diaries”, Catwoman in “The Dark Knight Rises”, Fantine in “Les Misérables”, or the White Queen in “Alice In Wonderland”. Her upcoming projects include “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” remake “Nasty Women” with Rebel Wilson and “Ocean’s Eleven” spin-off “Ocean’s Eight.”

Plus, we think she’ll look amazing as Barbie (see photo below for proof).

Do you think Anne Hathaway is suitable for the role? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Sources: Variety, Coming Soon / Featured image: The Wrap, Disney.

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Jennifer Lawrence Talks About Her Naked Scene In Red Sparrow

Jennifer Lawrence’s latest entry in the R-rated thriller drama, “Red Sparrow”, is one of her most mature roles to date.

In a recent interview with “60 Minutes”, the 27-year-old Oscar-winning actress shared that filming those nude scenes in “Red Sparrow” were terrifying and a nightmare. But it was her chance to reclaim her sexual empowerment after the 2014 phone hack. According to Lawrence, the stolen naked pictures that leaked online was an act of “sex crime”.

“I realised there’s a difference between consent and not. I showed up for the first day and I did it and I felt empowered. I feel like something that was taken from me, I got back. It’s my body, it’s my art, and it’s my choice. And if you don’t like boobs, you should not go see ‘Red Sparrow’,” the American beauty was quoted as saying.

In “Red Sparrow”, Lawrence plays Russian prima ballerina-turned-spy Dominika Egorova. After undergoing a sadistic training process in Sparrow School, Dominika Egorova emerges as the most dangerous Sparrow. Although she was initially hesitant to play a sexually-driven role, she eventually agreed to star in the Francis Lawrence-directed film.

“It was really scary to say yes to the movie because I knew the only way to tell the story is if I agreed to really do the scenes and go full Monty. It took a while to say ‘yes’. And the night before I didn’t sleep at all and I was obviously really nervous because it is the actual nightmare of standing in front of a classroom naked. But then after I finished the scene I felt empowered,” the A-lister told Australia’s “Today Show”.

Lawrence also recalled another scene of torture, where freezing water was poured on her body. “I was terrified. I don’t think I have ever been so scared of doing a movie before in my life. It was a lot of firsts for me. I was getting water poured on myself. I kept asking for it to be heated up. They said ‘no, because then it will steam’. ‘Cool, so I’m really naked getting freezing cold water poured on me’,” she said.

Are you excited for the Black Widow-esque film? “Red Sparrow” arrives in Malaysian cinemas 15th March 2018.


Contest: Win Premiere Passes To Watch Thriller Film, MA

“Everybody’s welcome at Ma’s. But good luck getting home safe.”

In conjunction with the Malaysian debut of “MA”, Hype will be giving out 10 pairs of movie passes to watch the American psychological horror film directed by Tate Taylor and written by Scotty Landes.

“Oscar winner Octavia Spencer stars as Sue Ann, a loner who keeps to herself in her quiet Ohio town. One day, she is asked by Maggie, a new teenager in town (played by Diana Silvers), to buy some booze for her and her friends, and Sue Ann sees the chance to make some unsuspecting, if younger, friends of her own.

She offers the kids the chance to avoid drinking and driving by hanging out in the basement of her home. But there are some house rules: One of the kids has to stay sober. Don’t curse. Never go upstairs. And call her “Ma”.

But as Ma’s hospitality starts to curdle into obsession, what began as a teenage dream turns into a terrorising nightmare, and Ma’s place goes from the best place in town to the worst place on earth.”

“MA” will debut in local cinemas on 25th July 2019.


Hype’s Exclusive: Yannick Bovy Sweeps Us Off Our Feet

Yannick Bovy returns to Malaysia once again!

The singer most often compared to Michael Buble for his soulful voice that takes back to the time of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole will be melting everyone hearts when he makes his way to Malaysia in conjunction with the Starhill Gallery’s A Journey Through Time event this November.

One of Belgium’s biggest new musical talents, the Theoretical Love singer has the looks, flair and charisma for Jazz. Yannick first gained international recognition for his undeniable talent when his single She’s Even More Beautiful was played by radio stations in Belgium, Holland, Poland, Brazil and across Asia.

His debut album Better Man features fifteen tracks and is described as a classy tribute to the maestros of Jazz especially with Yannick’s cover of Frank Sinatra’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin. Now joining Australian tenor Mark Vincent at the Starhill Gallery’s A Journey Through Time event, Yannick will be performing from November 22nd, 2013 to November 24th, 2013.

Hi Yannick! This will be your third visit to Malaysia, are you excited to be back?

Yes, of course I am excited to be back. It’s been two months since my last visit but I’ve really kept in touch with everybody that I’ve met and gotten to know here. I meet a lot of great people here, a lot of them from Starhill Gallery so I am very excited to be back.

What can fans expect from your visit this time round?

I’ll be performing small sets, three days in a row with two of my musicians. I’ll be bringing my piano player and my guitar player so I am hoping to just have a good time and to share my music with everybody there. I hope to have some great chemistry like I did with everybody the last time.

The people and the food! I have only been to Kuala Lumpur and I haven’t seen much of the true country side but so far speaking just for Kuala Lumpur, I really like the people because everybody has always been so sweet and kind to me, they’ve been willing to show me around. The food, I love. Because I love Asian so that’s great for me.

Everything really. I like spicy food. I love rice and curry, all sorts of curry, I also love spring rolls and dumplings, sushi and well everything! Haha!

If you weren’t singing and performing, what would you be doing as a career?

I think I would still be in some kind of artistic profession as well. Maybe like an artist or a painter, drawing pictures.

What is your favourite song from the past five years?

Oh I don’t have one particular favourite song. I have too many to name, it really depends on my mood. If I’m happy, I like something upbeat, if I’m sad I’d prefer something more mellow so I can’t name one song. Haha…

What is the one thing that not a lot of people know about you?

This is the tough one. I don’t know if the people in Malaysia know about this but in fact I do have a creative profession besides performing and singing. It’s more of a managing profession that I have the ownership together with my father over five hair dressing salons around Belgium so I don’t know if a lot of people already know that but that’s the thing I like to do as well.

Will you be extending your stay after your performance?

No, unfortunately not. I would sure like to do that but I have some obligations back here as well and also I have a big concert coming up so I have to be back for rehearsals that has been scheduled way ahead of time so it’s just to perform in Malaysia and unfortunately I will have to head back right after. It’s a shame really. But I hope to come back in the beginning of next year.

That will be all. Thank you so much for your time Yannick!

It’s been a pleasure, thank you so much and see you soon!

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#IntoTheWoods: Johnny Depp’s Big Bad Wolf Look Revealed!

Oh, Johnny Depp, what big ears you have! All the better to hear us, huh?

The last we saw Johnny Depp as the evil big bad wolf, it was in the trailer and the movie stills of “Into the Woods” where we only caught a glimpse of his hands. But now, we’ve finally gotten our first look at Depp in the guise of the wolf and one thing we’ve noticed is how the actor is already showing the mischievous side of his character!

Featuring the cast of Disney’s upcoming musical film “Into the Woods”, the latest Entertainment Weekly covers have given us the first look at Johnny Depp as the hungry wolf in the Brother Grimm’s classic fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood”:

Based on the Broadway musical play of the same name, the film puts a twist of fate on all the major characters from 4 classic fairy tales including “Cinderella”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Rapunzel”, and “Jack and the Beanstalk”. However, the story mainly focuses on a childless baker (played by James Corden) and his wife (played by Emily Blunt) who encountered these fairy tales’ characters during their quest to end the curse placed on them by a vengeful witch (played by Meryl Streep).

With Depp’s previous musical experience in the Tim Burton’s musical film “Sweeney Todd”, the actor will once again showing off his talent in singing through this new Disney film. In fact, the cast of the film is expected to sing the songs that were featured in the musical, including “Agony”, “Children Will Listen”, “Giants in the Sky”, and so on. With some twisted elements that comes with shocking deaths, the film could be Disney’s first-ever film with such dark elements.

Curious to find out how it will look like? Just stay tuned for more updates!

The film is slated for a release on 25th December, just in time for Christmas.

For more information, visit their official Facebook page!


OKU Driver Struggles With Forgiveness After Accidently Killing Another

Forgiving the other person can be difficult. Forgiving yourself? Even harder.

On 23rd February, a 54-year-old disabled man crashed his car into a restaurant while trying to park it. The incident, which happened at Taman Bandar Baru, Kampar, caused the death of Wong Kwai Yung (59) who was a cook in the restaurant and injured another worker, Sek Loow See (50).

The disabled driver had lost his leg two years ago due to a car accident. Now that he was the perpetrator of another car crash, he has been struggling with a lot of self-blame. Chong Zhemin, a local politician, initially planned to help the deceased’s family by contributing to their pension and visiting their home. However, the son of the victim had a request. “(He) said that he hoped that the driver in the accident would attend his mother’s funeral and apologise to her so that she could rest in peace,” Chong said in his Facebook post.

So Chong reached out to the driver. He found a man racked with guilt and plagued with sleepless nights. “The horrible scenes kept lingering in his mind. Without sleep at night, not only was there grief in his heart, but also extreme self-blame,” Chong explained. “Although he felt very guilty, he did not dare to take the first step and to offer incense in front of the funeral hall. He did not have the courage to face the accusations of the deceased’s family and the eyes of others.”

Chong offered to accompany him to the funeral, and the man agreed, stepping out of the house for the first time since the accident. Everyone was relieved that the family members did not blame the driver when he showed up at the funeral hall. Chong found the eldest son’s attitude “especially admirable” as he was calm and collected.

The driver’s persistent guilt was still evident to all at the service. “He was silent in front of the funeral hall,” Chong recalled. The man had knelt onto the ground, supported by his remaining leg before knocking his head suddenly on the ground. The action shocked them and Chong quickly stepped in to prevent him from being injured.

“We are not the parties who can understand their pain. Only the family can decide whether to forgive and only they can decide whether to let go,” Chong wrote. “There is still a long way to go, but an apology is always the first step to untying the knot.” He concluded his post saying, “We wish them strength through the suffering, to heal their wounds quickly.”

Some netizens sent their sympathies to the driver, understanding the guilt he would be facing for taking a life, even unintentionally. Others could not understand why he was driving that day. One comment stated people should be cautious before it becomes too late and the only thing to do is regret.

We hope both the driver and family of the victim will be able to find peace. We also pray that the driver will, one day, be able to forgive himself.

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Hong Kong Singer Leon Lai To Perform In Malaysia This May

Leon Lai (黎明) is dropping by Malaysia soon.

Not long after iMe Malaysia uploaded a photo of Batman on their Facebook page, with a caption asking concert-goers to stay tuned, netizens only had 1 person in mind.

All eyes point to the 52-year-old Hong Kong superstar. It was a few years ago but a number of fans still remember back in 2016 when Lai put on a Batman mask and answered questions while dressed as the DC superhero.

Just moments ago, the concert organiser finally confirmed that the artist coming to perform in Malaysia is indeed Lai. The singer, who reportedly tied the knot with Wing Chan recently after welcoming their daughter last year, is set to bring his “Metro Live” tour here.

The details to Leon Lai’s “Metro” concert Live in Malaysia are as follows:

Ticket sales will go live on 15th March 2019 (Friday) from 12pm onwards. For more information, call +603 2718 1118 or check out www.rwgenting.com.


Our Picks Of Dope Things To Do In The Klang Valley This Week! (20th-26th Feb)

Let’s fill up your upcoming week with exciting events, shall we? From pop-up markets to Japanese-inspired concerts, here are 12 exciting things to do in the Klang Valley this week:

Rumah Tangsi is hosting yet another fascinating pop-up market to make your weekend unforgettable. “Akhir Pekan,” is a multi-cultural weekend market aimed at promoting Malaysian culture, traditions, and nostalgic vibes. You’ll find a wide range of merchants, as well as fantastic entertainment planned specifically for you. If you want to have an awesome adventure, show some love and show up.

Find everything you never knew you wanted at KEDAI KL’s Me, Myself, and I Bazaar. Splurge to your heart’s content while supporting local businesses that sell everything from food to clothing, accessories, and even coffee!

Do you want to give your house a fresh look? The head on to Rex Home Expo, the ideal shopping spot for inspirations and bargains. You’re likely to discover something you like with the newest designs and trends on show at low prices!

RylDesigns is back and better than ever! I Love Bazaar is an all-inclusive community market located at Centrepoint Bandar Utama that features an interesting selection of hand-picked crafts and items from our local homegrown companies.

Jrock Tamashii is a concert for music lovers and the ACG (Anime, Comics, Games) community to get together and enjoy all things Anisong, video game music, and J-rock/pop, performed by a roster of Malaysian ACG and music talents! The lineup will blow your mind! This weekend at Rex KL, sing your heart out along to BRIGHTBURN and Grand Endeavour! Purchase your tickets HERE.

Location: Central Piazza, KL Gateway Mall

At Creators’ Indulgence pop up market, you’ll get delectable foods, artistic drawings, visually-pleasing items, on-trend fashionwear and more, offered by vendors from across the Klang Valley!

Save your stomach for this weekend, as PGMall Karnival will have a wide range of food and beverage vendors ready to fill you up with amazing cuisine. Not only that, they’ll offer a plethora of merchandise that’ll make you want to shop till you drop!

Golden Screen Cinemas has opened Malaysia’s first IMAX with a Laser Hall! The IMAX with Laser Hall provides a truly immersive experience, taking moviegoers to their favourite multiverse on the big screen. Moviegoers will be treated to an exhilarating and thrilling voyage with GSC’s latest offering, which has a heightened multi-sensory experience with a total capacity of 220 seats.

Sacoor Blue has opened its second Malaysian store at Putrajaya’s IOI City Mall. The new location features the brand’s idea of living a more balanced lifestyle, and provides great everyday apparel that is both adaptable and comfortable. Sacoor Blue celebrated the season of love in conjunction with the launch by encouraging IOI City Mall guests to capture memorable moments at the Sacoor Blue Valentine’s Day pop in. From now until March 12th, the Sacoor Blue pop-up will be present on the ground level of IOI City Mall.

MEDICOS Launches 1st Natural EcoFiber Surgical Face Mask in Malaysia

We are in the endemic phase but masking up still highly encourage, especially when you’re out in public or in a crowded space. That said, it’s not always easy to find comfortable and breathable mask. That’s why MEDICOS has recently launched the XÙ HydroCharge Surgical Face Mask. It’s the first-ever Natural EcoFiber surgical face mask in Malaysia and it provides 55% better breathability plus 99% filtration efficiency against viruses and bacteria.

MEDICOS XÙ Natural EcoFiber Surgical Face Mask is priced at RM21 for 30 pcs. You can purchase it at the Shopee, Lazada, and Watsons online store, or at its official website.

Location: LG2, Orange Avenue, Sunway Pyramid

ShopBack, in collaboration with Sunway Pyramid, is bringing a limited-time event, the ShopFiesta by ShopBack, to Sunway Pyramid to reward consumers with fun-filled activities and giveaways. ShopBack will be giving an exceptional RM25 discount on all ShopBack PayLater purchases, applicable at all mall retailers accepting ShopBack PayLater, including JD Sports, Christy Ng, Love Bonito, Sulwhasoo, Marks & Spencer, and more!

Below is a list of participating merchant partners at Sunway Pyramid:

Download the ShopBack App today from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or the Huawei App Gallery to take advantage of the greatest bargains from the event.

A post shared by Places Malaysia (@placesmalaysia)

Looking for the greatest in tranquility at a hotel? Genting Highlands is home to Southeast Asia’s first hot-spring themed hotel. With their therapeutic onsen experience, you may cleanse your mind, body, and spirit. Discover the ultimate Japanese relaxation, where you may escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

PARKROYAL Langkawi Resort has finally opened the doors to its newest beachfront property, which is located along scenic Pantai Tengah, Langkawi. For visitors looking for exciting activities, the resort has a variety of options, including culinary lessons and interactive beach activities. Guests may also recover and refresh at indoor and outdoor pools, or treat themselves to a full-body pampering session at SUASANA Spa.

PARKROYAL Langkawi Resort’s accommodations should not be missed. There are six room varieties, eight suite types, and seven special villas with different features and services, all designed to give optimum comfort and relaxation for families of all sizes. Visit PARKROYAL’s website to book your next vacation.

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4 Potentially Biggest K-Pop Debuts Fans Should Keep An Eye On In 2021

Every year in South Korea, new talents and idol groups make their presence known to the K-Pop world. Most of these debuted rookie groups often generate waves of attention with their high-profile debuts. This year, we have already seen the revelation of talents such as T1419 (티일사일구) and there are still more to come as labels are launching new groups in the earlier part of the year.

Among these groups are acts assisted by the largest companies in the Korean music industry, such as Big Hit Entertainment (BTS, TXT), SM Entertainment (NCT, Red Velvet), and JYP Entertainment (TWICE, Stray Kids). Fans will see them aiming to take control of the global pop scene.

Let’s see some of the four groups making their debut this year in 2021:

A post shared by 퍼플키스 (PURPLE KISS) (@purplekiss_official)

Company RBW is set to include another female act on its list, and that group is Purple Kiss. For people who don’t know, RBW is responsible for creating one of the biggest vocal pop groups in South Korea, which is Mamamoo (마마무).

Even with having their formal debut in 2021, the female idol group have already shared their energetic performance style via a video of their pop-rock song “My Heart Skips a Beat”, which was released last November. Purple Kiss just recently showcased another pre-debut single, “Can We Talk Again”, on 3rd February, Wednesday.

Tri.be is a new female septet who has been gaining a lot of attention after their first release, with help of the collaboration between Universal Music and production team Shinsadong Tiger (이호양). The new female idol group has set their career in motion as a group with a single album, Tri.be Da Loca on 17th February. Moreover, the person working on the release is none other than Exid’s LE (엘이).

The rapper is famous for producing many hit songs of Exid alongside Shinsadong Tiger. At the same time, Tri.be member Songsun reportedly provided guide vocals for tracks that actually were used to become songs for Exid.

Also worth mentioning for newcomers, Tri.be’s group name is pronounced “try-bee”, just in case you have a hard time pronouncing the name.

Remember the days when MBLAQ (엠블랙) made its debut more than a decade ago? That group was produced by South Korea’s biggest and hottest K-pop idol and actor Rain (비), and now he has formed another group, Ciipher. It’s the first group from the singer’s company (Rain Company).

Out of the seven members, some will feel familiar to the audiences, as they were involved in South Korean music competition series. Such shows resulted in the formation of already famous K-pop groups like Monsta X (몬스타엑스), Treasure (트레저), and the recently disbanded and unfortunate group X1 (엑스원).

Last December, Rain revealed the members of the group he deemed as his “hidden sons” in a video that has garnered nearly 2 million views on YouTube.

If anyone is familiar with K-pop groups like Kara, Rainbow, Sechskies, and Fin K. L, you will know that their entertainment company DSP Media has produced and pushed these groups to become big K-pop groups. The company is recently home to talents like Kard and April.

Now, another seven-member boy group will soon make their presence known worldwide in the K-pop scene. Not to mention, seven is known to be a magic number in K-pop. That boy band is Mirae, DSP Company’s first produced boy band in years. Unfortunately, not all the members have been revealed yet to the public at the time of writing.

But we already have two introduced. One is former X1 member Son Dong-Pyo (손동표), after facing such a harsh decision of shutting down the group due to the vote manipulation controversies, he is finally making a comeback for the new group. There is also Park Si-Young (박시영), and both are officially members of Mirae.


Fan Bingbing Gets Body Double For Hollywood Movie, 355

Things hasn’t been easy for Fan Bingbing (范冰冰) after her tax evasion scandal made worldwide headlines last year.

The Chinese beauty, who just turned 38 on Monday (16th September), is set to make her comeback with the anticipated Hollywood spy thriller, “355”.

January 15, 2021. Save that date! Though it feels so far away, I am still excited and can’t wait for this magnificent film. @dianekruger #DianeKruger #355Movie #LupitaNyongo #FanBingbing #JessicaChastain #Penelopecruz

A post shared by  Daily DK (@dianekrugerdaily) on Aug 20, 2019 at 2:23pm PDT

She’ll be starring alongside a bunch of A-list actresses including Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Lupita Nyong’o, and Diane Kruger (who replaced French actress Marion Cotillard in June). The problem is, Bingbing may still be barred from leaving China.

Although Bingbing had done some photoshoots and promotional work for “355”, a body double for her showed up on set in France recently. Reports claim that Chinese actress Lu Ning (鹿寧) has been standing in for Bingbing since July.

The CGI dots (or green spots) on Lu Ning’s face will probably be replaced with  Bingbing in post-production. In addition to Paris, “355” will also be shot in London and Morocco.

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#PitchPerfect3: Aca-Awesome! Elizabeth Banks Will Return To Direct Again

The success of the “Pitch Perfect” franchise has once again proved that the Barden Bellas can’t be “aca-stopped”.

Most of you already know that the threequel to the musical comedy will move forward at Universal Pictures, with Anna Kendrink and Rebel Wilson returning to reprise their respective roles.

Besides Kendrink and Wilson, Brittany Snow has also closed her deal to reprise her role of Chloe. Screenwriter Kay Cannon, who wrote the first 2 “Pitch Perfect” films, is also back on board to pen the script for the 3rd film.

However, the biggest question is: “Who will helm the 3rd “Pitch Perfect” movie?” Well, that’s no longer a mystery.

More aca-awesomeness will be coming our way as sources told Variety that Elizabeth Banks will return to the franchise to direct “Pitch Perfect 3”!

Banks made her feature film directorial debut earlier this year through “Pitch Perfect 2“. In this film, she also served as producer and co-starred in it as Gail Abernathy-McKadden, a commentator for the ICCAs.

The sequel, which garnered critical acclaim, set a record for a first-time director as it grossed over USD285 million worldwide on a USD29 million budget. That’s more than double the worldwide box office for the 2012 original, which was adapted from Mickey Rapkin’s book “Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory”.

Banks’ husband and producing partner, Max Handelman of Brownstone Productions, will return to produce the threequel alongside Paul Brooks of Gold Circle Entertainment. It is unclear whether Hailee Steinfield and Chrissie Fitt, who joined the 2nd film as newcomers, will reprise their respective roles.

As for Banks, she will be seen next in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2”. The actress will also host “Saturday Night Live” on 14th November. As a director, she is currently working on Uni’s “Red Queen” adaptation and Sony’s “Charlie’s Angels” reboot, though both films are still in development.

So, are you excited about the new “Pitch Perfect” movie? Who do you think should join the cast? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.

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


#WonderWoman: Nicole Kidman In Talks To Play An Amazonian Warrior

It seems like Warner Bros. is luring every famous person we can think of to its DC Cinematic Universe.

You already know that Gal Gadot and “Star Trek” actor Chris Pine are going to star in the upcoming “Wonder Woman” solo movie, but what you didn’t know that is that Hollywood A-lister Nicole Kidman has been eyed to star in it too.

An individual close to the project told TheWrap that Kidman is in negotiations to join the comic book movie for an unspecified role.

Details regarding her character have yet to be confirmed, but the source said that she will be playing a pretty significant role, standing alongside Gadot as a “high-ranking Amazonian warrior”.

It is assumed that she will portray Wonder Woman aka Diana Prince’s biological mother, Queen Hippolyta.

Kidman is no stranger to the DC Cinematic Universe as she has previously played Chase Meridian, the love interest to Bruce Wayne, in 1995’s “Batman Forever”. However, at the time, the long-legged beauty wasn’t as well-known as she is right now.

If her deal with Warner Bros. is closed, she will star alongside Gadot and Chris Pine, who will play Wonder Woman’s love interest Steve Trevor. Gadot will make her first appearance as the Amazon princess next year through “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice“.

Director Michelle MacLaren was originally set to direct the “Wonder Woman” solo movie, but she departed from the project due to creative differences. “Monster” director Patty Jenkins stepped in as Maclaren’s replacement and will be directing based on a script written by Jason Fuchs.

Slated for release on 23rd June 2017, the solo film will be produced by Zack Snyder and executive produced by Charles Roven for Atlas Entertainment.

As for Kidman, she has recently wrapped Garth Davis‘ drama “Lion”, which co-stars Rooney Mara and Dev Patel. The award-winning Australian actress is also attached to star in Adrian Lyne’s thriller “The Silent Wife” and Jean-Marc Vallee‘s “Big Little Lies”. She will be seen next in “The Secret In Their Eyes” alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor and Julia Roberts.

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Johnny Lewis Found Dead

Recognize this guy? He once starred in “The O.C.” and more recently, “Sons of Anarchy”. He also dated Katy Perry way back in 2006. In fact, it was said that Katy’s song, “The One That Got Away” was partially about him. (Source)

Soon after the relationship between Johnny and Katy ended, the actor kept getting into trouble with the law. Earlier in January this year, he attacked two men and hit them in the head with a bottle. But by then, he had already been arrested three times for trying to break into an occupied home in California to resisting arrest.

Following which, Johnny was sent to treatment programs that specialized in drug and alcohol addiction as well as, get this, mental illness.

It’s safe to say that the star was troubled. Very troubled.

And now, news is rampantly reporting that 28-year-old Johnny Lewis was found dead in the driveway of a Los Angeles home. He had killed his 81-year-old landlady, Catherine Davis, before dismembering her cat. According to Coroner’s investigative division Lt. Fred Corral, Catherine died from blunt head trauma and manual strangulation. (Source)

Johnny then got into an altercation with two other neighbours with a plank, climbed onto a roof, and fell/jumped to his death.  How tragic. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.


#FantasticBeasts: Colin Farrell Joins Harry Potter Spin-Off Film

Colin Farrell‘s impressive performance in the 2nd season of HBO‘s “True Detective” has landed him a magical role in Warner Bros‘ upcoming “Harry Potter” spin-off film.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Irish heartthrob has signed on to star opposite Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterson in the upcoming fantasy film titled “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them“.

Set in New York City during the 1920s, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is a trilogy series centres on Newt Scamander, a preeminent “magiczoologist” and the author of the Hogwarts textbook of the same name. The story follows the adventures of Scamander and the magical community in the Big Apple.

J.K. Rowling, who completed the script for the film adaptation last November, said:

Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for 17 years, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the “Harry Potter” series but an extension of the wizarding world.

Both Eddie Redmayne (of “Theory of Everything” fame) and Nicholas Hoult (of “Mad Max: Fury Road” fame) were previously eyed to star in the spin-off as Scamander. But after much deliberation, Redmayne emerged as the top choice as the studio confirmed that he will be taking on the role.

Farrell, will, however, play Graves, a wizard that Scamander meets in New York.

The studio has been looking to cast “more established faces” for this upcoming spin-off movie.

Earlier in June, it was reported that Ezra Miller has signed on for the role of Kredan, “a person with magical powers” who encounters Scamander “when he stops in New York City on his travels to find and document magical creatures”. Alison Sudol, who is perhaps best known for her musical moniker “The Fine Frenzy”, is making the leap from singing to acting by joining the cast as Queenie, the younger sister of Tina (played by Katherine Waterson) and “a witch who operates in the US”.

Dan Fogler, who briefly appeared in Bryan Fuller’s “Hannibal“, was also recently cast as Jacob, Scamander’s rival in the film.

Farrell, whose previous film credits include “Saving Mr. Banks” and “Seven Psychopath”, will be seen next on the big screen opposite Anthony Hopkins in “Solace”, an upcoming supernatural thriller film.

David Yates, who directed the last 4 “Harry Potter” movies, is helming “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”. David Heyman, who produced all 8 of the blockbuster “Harry Potter” features, will serve as the producer of the spin-off movie alongside Rowlings, Steve Kloves, and Lionel Wigram, who served as an executive producer on the last 4 installments of the franchise.

The film, which is intended to be the first of a trilogy, will see its release in cinemas on 18th November 2016.

Source: THR / Image source: Socialite Life

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Contest: Snag Passes To Go Watch “The Boy Next Door”

If you haven’t heard, Jennifer Lopez aka J.Lo will be seen next in upcoming movie, “The Boy Next Door“. The movie will be released in a cinema near you on 22nd Jan 2015 but, the good news is, we’ve got a premiere screening coming up for this one! Of course, this was only made possible by our awesome friends at United International Pictures Malaysia.

“The Boy Next Door” is an upcoming American film directed by Rob Cohen and written by Barbara Curry. The film stars Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman, Kristen Chenoweth, and John Corbett, amongst others. The story centres on a divorced woman falls in love with the young man who moves in to the street and finds he has a dark secret.

Shortly after her divorce, high school teacher Claire (played Jennifer Lopez) has a one-night stand with a young neighbour (played by Ryan Guzman), who quickly develops a dangerous obsession with her.

Deets of the premiere screening are as follows:

To win tickets, all you gotta do is tell us:

E-mail your answers with your details (Name, IC, Contact number) to submit@hype.my. Each winner walks away with 4 tickets per person! There are limited tickets and this will be based on a first-come-first-serve basis so go on and start sending in those e-mails. The faster your are, the higher your chances will be.

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


Malaysians Are Shocked That This Local Film Gets A Cinema Release

Local action film “Mahaguru” has released its first teaser trailer to the public yesterday, and the audience are shocked by it.

Though most of them are appalled by the horrible video and audio quality, most people couldn’t believe that this film will actually be released in cinemas.

The teaser was first released on Twitter by FilemKita. After seeing the 43-second video, netizens were dumbfounded by the bad quality questioning if it is an old movie made in the 90s or a bad movie parody.

Some commenters even said that the movie seems like an old Malaysian advertisement about Aedes mosquito.

Directed by veteran filmmaker Z. Lokman, “Mahaguru” aims to raise the prestige of Malay films and restore the glory of local film industry as told by veteran actor Datuk Mokhtaruddin Mohd Said.

The 64-year-old who is the lead actor of the movie told Harian Metro earlier this year that he is disappointed with the current Malay films and drama series that do not reflect the reality and fail to provide meaningful message to the audience.

“70 percent of the movie focuses on silat (Southeast Asian martial art) while the other 30 percent discusses about Islam. The story tells the struggle to fight for the throne and the everyday life of Malay community,” he told the daily.


Yahoo To Purchase Tumblr – In Cash!

Yahoo Inc‘s board has approved a deal to buy blogging and social networking site Tumblr for $1.1 billion in cash, the Wall Street Journal cited people familiar with the matter as saying on Sunday.

Such an acquisition would be Marissa Mayer’s largest deal since taking the helm of the once-iconic Internet company in July 2012. Yahoo is keen on fast-growing Tumblr because its younger user base would bolster the older website’s “cool factor,” the technology blog AllThingsD cited the sources as saying.

Mayer, who spent 13 years at Google Inc, is trying to revitalize a former Internet powerhouse that in recent years has struggled with declining business. On its home page, Tumblr says it hosts 108 million blogs, with 50.7 billion posts between them.

The deal comes after a recent failed attempt to buy a controlling stake in French video site Dailymotion, owned by France Télécom SA. Tumblr, one of the more successful Internet start-ups out of New York, has only just begun earning revenue through advertising. On its home page, Tumblr says it hosts 108 million blogs, with 50.7 billion posts between them.

Yahoo declined to comment, while Tumblr did not respond to requests for comment.

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“Crazy, Stupid, Love” Filmmakers To Write & Direct Movie Starring The Joker & Harley Quinn

Following the announcement of The Joker’s origin movie, it was reported that Warner Bros. are working on a another film starring The Clown Prince of Crime and Harley Quinn!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Crazy, Stupid, Love” filmmaking duo Glenn Ficarra and John Requa are in final negotiations to direct and write the film. Described as a “criminal love story”, the film is reportedly slated to hit cinemas after the release of the “Suicide Squad” sequel.

Jared Leto and Margot Robbie are set to reprise their roles as the villainous couple. The 2 actors will also be seen in the “Suicide Squad” sequel and “Gotham City Sirens”, an all-female DC movie.

Unlike The Joker’s origin movie, which will star a different (and possibly younger) actor as the titular character, /FILM noted that this twisted romance movie will take place within the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

In case you’ve forgotten, Harley Quinn falls in love with The Joker in the prison when she was still a doctor in last year’s “Suicide Squad”. She even voluntarily dives into the acid to prove her love for him. However, their relationship is abusive and Mr. J often uses her as a pawn in his schemes.

But as The Joker and Harley Quinn movie is expected to come after the “Suicide Squad” sequel, we don’t really what to expect.

Sources: /FILM, The Hollywood Reporter / Featured image: Nick’s YouTube channel.


OMNI Waves Music Festival Cancelled Due To Unforeseen Circumstances

Malaysia’s first-ever and largest indoor live music festival, OMNI Waves 2019 which is slated to take place 23rd March 2019 at Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC), has been cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

The organisers has released an official statement on social media, citing that the cancellation is not “caused by our host venue, Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) and/or other participated media partners/sponsors.”

A post shared by OMNI Waves Music Festival (@omniwavesmusic)

“We extend our heartiest gratitude to all fans who had supported this Event and apologies for any inconvenience caused. Please note that we have adhered to all necessary terms and conditions as well as rules and regulations imposed,” the statement read.

However, the organisers said that it will be hosting “a more powerful event” in the near future, in which they shall announce the details soon.

“To all who had purchased your ticket(s), you may proceed with an option for refund and the procedures will be announced via our official website, TicketCharge and AirAsia RedTix websites as well as social media by next week.

“Once again, please accept our sincere apology and stay tuned for something bigger!
Thank you,” the statement concluded.


Hype’s Must Watch: Self/Less

Ben Kingsley and Ryan Reynolds rarely have anything in common, but both of them starred as the antagonists for 2 different Marvel‘s superheroes movies. Kingsley starred as the Mandarin in Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” while Reynolds starred as Wade Wilson/Deadpool in Fox’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine“.

The 2 never met up in the Marvel cinematic universe, but they will be starring in Tarsem Singh’s upcoming movie “Self/Less”.

Directed by Tarsem Singh, “Self/Less” is a science fiction thriller film written by David Pastor and Àlex Pastor. The film centres on a dying old man who transfers his consciousness into a body of a healthy young man for the sake of immortality. All seems to go well, but when he starts to uncover his body’s origin, things start to go awry.

In this provocative psychological science fiction thriller, an extremely wealthy man (Academy Award® Winner Ben Kingsley) dying from cancer undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness into the body of a healthy young man (Ryan Reynolds). But all is not as it seems when he starts to uncover the mystery of the body’s origin and the organisation that will kill to protect its cause.

In a way, it is similar to ‘The Lazarus Effect“, a supernatural horror film about a team of ambitious medical professionals attempting to bring dead patients back to life with a serum code-named “Lazarus”. Both movies share the similar message about immortality, especially on its side effects. However, “Self/Less” transfers a man’s consciousness into the body of a dead patient instead of bringing the soul back to the dead patient’s body.

“Downton Abbey” actor Matthew Goode will star in the movie as Albright, a scientist who helps Kingsley’s character transfer his consciousness into Reynolds’ character’s body. The movie also stars Michelle Dockery, Natalie Martinez, Victor Garber, and Derek Luke.

Check out the official trailer for Tarsem Singh’s “Self/Less” below:

“Self/Less” is slated for release on 31st July 2015.

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

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(UPDATE) #Despacito: Wanita Amanah Wants “Obscene” Song Banned From Malaysian Radio Stations

Puerto Rican artistes Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee may still be conquering the charts with their 2017 Spanish hit song, “Despacito”, but one Malaysian women’s force is asking for radio stations to stop playing it.

Angkatan Wanita Amanah Nasional (AWAN) released an official statement on their Facebook page urging Malaysian radio stations to pull the song because of its “sexually explicit” lyrics.

For those of you who are unaware, “Despacito”, which means “slowly”, is a reggaeton-pop song composed with lyrics about having a sexual relationship, performed in a smooth and romantic way. A brief translation of its lyrics goes:

“Slowly
I wanna breathe your neck slowly
Let me whisper things into your ear
So that you remember if you’re not with me
Slowly
I wanna strip you off with kisses slowly
Sign the walls of your laberinth
And make your whole body a manuscript
Turn it up”

In the statement, titled, “HENTIKAN SEGERA PENYIARAN LAGU LUCAH DESPACITO” (translations: “STOP BROADCASTING THE OBSCENE DESPACITO SONG IMMEDIATELY”), AWAN Arts and Culture chairperson Atriza Umar expressed her concern over the young children who were singing the song without actually understanding the Spanish lyrics.

“However, as a representative the Angkatan Wanita Amanah Nasional (AWAN), I’m calling for the song and other songs containing vulgar, violent, etc. that are not in accordance with Eastern and Muslim cultures to be stopped from being played immediately. It also worries me that such troubled songs have not been censored by the responsible ministry,” Atriza Umar wrote.

“The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) needs to play a role in the urgency of such issues that can spoil the morale and entertainment of society in this country,” she added.

“Despacito”, which features the vocals of Justin Bieber, topped the charts of 45 countries and reached the top 10 of 9 others, making it both Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s most successful single to date. It became the first song primarily in Spanish to top the Billboard Hot 100 since “Macarena” (Bayside Boys Mix) in 1996.

The official video for “Despacito”, which features Miss Universe 2008 Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico, received its two billionth view on 16th June after 154 days, making it the fastest video on the site to reach the milestone.

With its 3.3 million certified sales plus track-equivalent streams, “Despacito” is one of the best-selling Latin singles in the United States.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has banned “Despacito” from the government-owned Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) TV and radio channels with immediate effect after a public complaint was review by RTM’s panel.

FMT quoted minister Salleh Said Keruak as saying, “RTM has stopped the song on all RTM radio stations and over RTM TV with immediate effect,” adding that RTM’s panel has decided to withdraw the approval of the song.

Salleh went on to explain, “Radio airwaves are but one of the many channels through which the public, especially the younger generation, hear those songs. As such, we ask the radio stations to be sensitive to local norms and apply self-censorship of the song, be it by stopping the airplay or audio deleting part of the song.”

However, Salleh is aware that the song can still be accessed through other means i.e. online.

Will other radio stations in Malaysia follow suit? Your guess is as good as ours.

Source: AWAN Nasional, capitalfm.com, Despacito Wiki, FMT / Featured image: YouTube screenshot.

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Think You Can Beat Celebs To Being Fit?

Can you imagine yourself with Megan Tan, Amran Ismail, Azura Zainal, and Christopher Lay for a period of two months, undergoing a series of fitness routines and a specialized diet? With Kenny Rogers ROASTERS (KRR), this could be a reality as a health campaign entitled ROASTERS Health Watch (RHW) returns for its eighth consecutive year.

Themed “Celebs vs. Fans”, the challenge is proudly organized by KRR in partnership with Sports Toto Fitness Centre. Members of the public stand a chance to challenge their favorite celebrities in an eight-week long health challenge.

Throughout the eight-week challenge, KRR will be providing participants with meals up to three times a week. To ensure participants enjoy the fullest benefits from the diet program, they will be equipped with a diet plan carefully designed by a consultant dietician. It will consist of practical food intake recommendations for an average Malaysian, incorporating KRR meals in the plan.

On the other hand, the workout routine is personalized by Sports Toto Fitness Centre. Participants are expected to attend a customized personal training program at Sports Toto Fitness Centre once a week. They must also attend a minimum of two group exercise classes a week in their own time.

RHW 2013 will commence on 1st May 2013 and the final event will be held on 3rd July 2013. Winners will be judged according to the final results of their Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat Percentage, and Waist-to-hip ratio in comparison to their numbers at the start of the programme. They will also be monitored on their attendance and discipline through the period of the challenge.

Any contestant caught cheating in their diet or training programme will “Head for the Roast”, which involves additional exercises in addition to their individual exercise programme. In addition, their performance will be assessed in a mini-fitness challenge during the finals.

This year, participants stand a chance to win great prizes from Kenny Rogers ROASTERS, Sports Toto Fitness Centre, Brooks, and Takasima worth more than RM31,000 in total. Entry forms are available at Kenny Rogers ROASTERS Berjaya Times Square. The form can also be downloaded via their website. The closing date for all entries is on 23rd April 2013.

For more information on Kenny Rogers ROASTERS, visit their Facebook page.


#LangLeav: Modern Day Poet & Bestselling Author To Meet Fans In Malaysia

International exhibiting artist, modern day poet, and bestselling contemporary author Lang Leav is coming to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as part of her tour! Yes, you read right.

Famous for her enchanting work, Lang Leav swings between the whimsical and woeful, expressing a complexity beneath its child-like facade. Her imagination stretches across a variety of disciplines encompassing art, poetry and books.

Frequently invited to exhibit at high profile exhibitions locally and overseas, she has since built up a loyal following of international fans. Her handcrafted book, “Charlie’s Widow”, was presented to iconic film director Tim Burton at the opening of his Wonderland exhibition at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Lang is also a recipient of The Qantas Spirit of Youth Award and was later granted a coveted Churchill Fellowship.

Her fashion label Akina has achieved critical and commercial success, stocked in key boutiques around Australia and later in cutting edge Harajuku, Japan.

She has completed shows in several cities including Santa Monica for the renowned Copro gallery; who have worked with artists such as Mark Ryden and Audrey Kawasaki. She was hand-picked to exhibit in the landmark “Playboy Redux” curated by The Warhol Museum and Playboy Enterprises; alongside contemporary greats such as Gary Baseman and Tara McPherson.

In 2013, Lang launched “Love & Misadventure”, published in the US by Andrews McMeel. The Amazon #1 Bestseller is available from major bookstores worldwide including Barnes & Noble, Kinokuniya, Fully Booked, Waterstones, Periplus, and Chapters/Indigo. More recently, she launched “Lullabies”, which has since gone on to the finals of the Goodreads Choice Awards.

Which brings us back to the point of this announcement! As mentioned earlier, Lang Leav is coming to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Kinokuniya and MPH Mid Valley) as part of her tour. She officially made the announcement on her website here:

Exciting news! I will be visiting Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines this month. Here are the dates and details. Hope to see you there! xo Lang

So, do you want to meet her and perhaps get your copies of “Love & Misadventure” as well as “Lullabies” signed or what?

One thing’s for sure, we are definitely going!

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

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#PublikaJazz2016: Malaysia’s Largest Free Jazz Festival Is Back On 26th & 27th August

Don’t know what to do this weekend? Well, if you are a big music junkie, then you should visit Publika for some awesome jazz performances.

The Publika Jazz 2016 will be held over 2 days at 4 different venues – The Bee, The Square, Black Box, and The Social – from 8pm to 12 am on 26th and 27th August. The music festival is an annual event held to celebrate Publika’s 5th anniversary. Also, admission is free for all performances.

This year, the line-up is amazing. Not only will the jazz festival include well-known local acts such as The Groove Messengers, Kirana Kay and Her Associates, Hazel Leong, and Aina and The Ground Passengers, it also features popular international jazz musicians like Keithen Carter, Frank Hergott, and Abdul and The Coffee Theory.

For more information, visit Publika Jazz 2016’s event page and Publika’s Facebook page.


#BebasPlastik: Tips On How To Survive & Thrive Under The New Plastic Bag Ban

This is it, Malaysians! Instead of the previous plastic-free Saturdays, the ban on plastic bags and polystyrene food containers is currently in full effect.

In an effort to curb rampant littering and to tackle environmental issues like global warming, the Selangor government believes that change can only occur when “every level of society gets involved in the effort”. But as you may already be experiencing now, old habits die hard.

Despite the plastic bags ban, shoppers can still purchase single-use plastic bags for a minimum charge of 20 cents each. State Green Technology, Environment, Tourism and Consumer Affairs committee chairman Elizabeth Wong also announced that charges will be waived for certain goods such as raw meat, and plants or roots covered in sand or soil, flowers, unwrapped loose seeds, and live fish or aquatic products.

Note: Penang was the first to get the ball rolling by introducing the no-plastic ban, followed by Malacca, Johor, and Shah Alam.

According to state surveys, 71% of Selangor residents believe that plastic-free Saturdays are not enough and over 90% are aware that plastic bags are harmful to the environment. To solidify this new rule, Wong stated that “local council by-laws have been revised to support this policy and retailers must agree to go plastic-free when applying for or renewing their licences.”

There has been an ongoing debate to the plastic bag ban but one thing remains clear when you compare the advantages and disadvantages of this implementation: there really isn’t a solid reason to oppose this ban. Let’s look at the pros and cons of plastic usage.

As Green Living Guide points out, plastics aren’t entirely evil as they were created with good intentions to help us in our daily lives. However, it is our irresponsible disposal of plastic bags that causes harm to Mother Earth. Paper, if disposed improperly, will eventually decompose by itself. Plastic, on the other hand, will not.

Whether we like to admit it or not, plastic bags have become an essential part of our everyday lives, including our visits to the supermarket or during our travel trips. Now that the ban is in place, it’s time for the public to consider a few eco-friendly alternatives moving forward.

As expected, many of the common folks are still wondering how to cope with the new ban. The most common concern is having to remember to bring your re-usable bags when you walk out the house. The good news: there are plenty of options to help you adjust to the change. It’ll just require a little effort on your part.

Here are some helpful tips to assist you in view of the plastic bag ban:

Hopefully these 10 tips will lessen your burden and make your experience a simpler process!

Sources: Times of India, Green Living Guide, Patch, Sacrement Press.

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Award Winning Director Chen Juhui Arrested For Filming Pornographic Videos

How desperate do you have to be to resort to desperate measures? A 38-year-old Chinese director found himself at rock-bottom during the pandemic. As he was struggling to make ends meet, he decided to ditch the moral high ground for the sake of making some quick cash.

Chen Juhui (沈居辉) was a director who graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy (上海戏剧学院). His works include “Tonglin Bird (同林鸟)”, “The Heavenly Dream Of The Hibiscus (天梦之木槿花开)” and “The Vanished Murderer (消失的凶手)”. He was arrested on 23rd June this year for filming pornographic videos.

Chen initially ran a media company. However, thanks to the pandemic, his company’s revenue took a sharp decline. When his friend heard about his troubles, he proposed an idea; filming pornography. They decided one would be in charge of filming and editing, the other would be responsible for finding actors and scripts. In October 2020, they officially began their operation.

Their first actress was a 30-year-old woman surnamed Mei (美). According to Mei, Chen had told her the films would be recorded by a legal company. He added that the films would be released overseas and it was not illegal. Mei believed him, at least until a friend reposted a video of her on WeChat. “I panicked and (went) to Director Chen to (ask about it),” she said. Chen voided her worries by saying the films had been sent overseas but must have made its way back to China. With her concerns soothed, Mei continued filming more pornographic videos.

Chen supposedly made 30,000 yuan (roughly RM19,000) per video. Since his business took off in October, he has made a profit of nearly 1 million yuan. However, he didn’t predict his downfall on 23rd June. Apparently, Chen’s activities were only noticed because a 12-year-old boy was watching the pornographic videos. The boy’s mother noticed her son spending money on a certain app and thought she was being scammed. She reported the issue to the police and when they investigated, it was discovered that Chen’s operation is in Shanghai.

Chen was arrested at his home in Shanghai with Mei and another actress. The police reported the incident on their Weibo. Netizens later realised it was Chen as his Weibo stopped being updated around the same time news of the arrest went out. It’s a pity as his last Weibo post in May reports that his film “Riding the Wind, Riding the Moon and Traveling with Worries (乘風乘月乘憂去)” won three awards, including best director and best film.

The esteemed director isn’t the only one who’s scandal was revealed by the police. International pianist Li Yundi (李云迪)’s prostitution issue was divulged just last week in almost the same manner.

Sources: Weibo, China Press (1)(2), Sound of Hope, Epoch Times


#Vape: “No Plans On Banning Vaping At The Moment,” Says Deputy Health Minister

The vaping community in Malaysia was up in arms yesterday when news of a ban on vaping surfaced. Malaysian Health Minister Datuk Seri S Subramaniam had told reporters at the Parliament that vaping will be banned once they have settled the legalities.

He was quoted as saying that “the ministry has been wanting to ban vaping before it affects public’s health”, adding that they’re looking into choosing an Act that will give them the most “power” which will enable them to ban it.

Needless to say, the news wasn’t very well received by the vaping community Malaysia.

The vape debate is nothing new as doctors, professionals, as well as “vapers” have been locked in arguing the pros and cons for years on end now. But the “vape culture” only begun to pick up in Malaysia in the recent years, especially this year. Many vapers argue that it’s safer than smoking cigarettes while doctors have time and time again reiterated that the vape juice (e-juice) “could be unhealthy”.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t been around for long enough and with insufficient studies to prove that it is indeed healthy/unhealthy, the true health consequences of vaping are unknown.

For now, what we do know is the ingredients of vape juice – a mixture of propylene glycol, glycerin, flavours, and sometimes varying amounts of nicotine or none at all. Hence the response from the horde of angry Malaysian vapers when the first “ban of vape” news first surfaced.

Many took to social media to express their disbelief, adding that if vaping/the vape was going to be banned, then a ban on (chemical-laden) cigarettes should follow suit.

But hold your horses, vapers. Because in a newer report from The Star Online dated 29th October (Thursday), Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya confirmed that there are no plans to ban or regulate vaping at the moment. This is because there was still a lot of consideration to be taken into account including holding meetings with stakeholders from the tobacco, vaping and shisha industries.

He added that they are looking at new laws to cover vaping and shisha smoking since at present, there are only laws governing tobacco. The move to implement new laws is also largely due to the fact that there’s a growing trend of vaping among Malaysians, especially those below 18.

As for when the Health Ministry is looking at proposing the new laws, Dr Hilmi said that there would be insufficient time to table any proposed Bill during the current Parliament sitting or even when the next session convenes in March 2016.

Sources: The Star Online (1), BBC, NST, The Star Online (2) / Featured image from Newsweek.

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