Taiwan President Apologises For The Murder Of Malaysian Student

A Malaysian student was gruesomely murdered in Taiwan after she was reported missing on Thursday (29th November). The victim, Irene Chung, was a 24-year-old female student at the Chang Jung Christian University in Tainan, Southern Taiwan.

This tragic incident took place when the young student was abducted from an area near her campus. The body was later found in the Alian District after a suspect arrested by the Taiwanese police confessed to abducting, sexually assaulting and murdering Chung.

Following this brutal attack, Taiwan’s reputation of being a safe and friendly nation has severely deteriorated amongst Malaysians. During a national security meeting in Taipei, the President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-Wen stated that their country’s image has been tarnished due to this incident.

The President also stated that these crimes must be thoroughly reviewed in order to avoid such problems from occurring again. According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, the President released a public apology towards Chung’s family and to all Malaysians.

The statement issued by Taiwan’s Presidential Office spokesman reads, “The president expressed her deepest apologies to the family of the student and the people of Malaysia.”

Additionally, Taiwan’s Premier Su Tseng-chang also apologised to the victim’s family and the Malaysian citizens. He noted that the relevant agencies have been asked to assist the victim’s family in dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy.

Chung’s parents had recently flown into Taipei to make the funeral arrangements for their late daughter. The victim’s mother, Ting Ching Ching, lodged a report at the Sibu Central Police Station on Thursday after she had received a call from her daughter’s university informing her of Chung’s murder.

According to the police in Taiwan, this is not the only reported case similar to this terrible incident; At least one other female student from Chung’s university itself had reported that a man attempted to abduct her in the same location on 30th September.

Officials have not yet confirmed if this attempt was also conducted by the same individual who is now in custody. Furthermore, the Ministry of Education in Taiwan is investigating why the University did not warn its students of such an issue, since it was already reported previously by another student.


#BountyHunters: Korean Superstar Lee Min Ho To Film New Movie In Malaysia

Luck acts in strange ways. Malaysian Minoz (as fans of Lee Min Ho are lovingly known) are one lucky bunch as an upcoming action movie is pulling South Korean heartthrob Lee Min Ho back to Malaysia again.

Tha actor will be making his 5th visit to our country next month (October) to film “Bounty Hunters”, an upcoming action movie helmed by Shin Tae Ra (of “My Girlfriend is an Agent” and “Runway Cop” fame).

Min Ho first came to Malaysia as a singer for his global tour in 2013. Last year, he held 2 different fan meetings as the ambassador of OSIM uDiva ambassador and innisfree respectively. He met his fans again earlier in April this year for the grand launch of 11street Malaysia.

This time around, he will be making his way back to Malaysia as a professional actor. According to Malaysian Digest, the film, a joint-production between South Korea, China, and Hong Kong, is expected to begin filming next month.

After playing the leading man in South Korean noir film “Gangnam Blues”, Min Ho will once again play the lead role in this new movie. He will play Yi-San, a man well-trained in martial arts. He will also star alongside Tiffany Tang, a Chinese actress who is best known for her work in drama series. She will play the sexy, charismatic female lead named Wonder Woman Cat.

“Bounty Hunters” has a production budget of USD41.5 million (approximately RM175.4 million). According to Yonhap News, the movie’s filming locations also include South Korea, China, and Thailand.

“Bounty Hunters” is slated to be released on an unspecified date in 2016.

The report did not specifically state its filming location in Malaysia, but we will keep you guys posted as soon as we receive more information!

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


What Chris & Drake Did

True to her song, Rihanna is probably the “only girl in the world” who can get ex-boyfriends Chris Brown and Drake in an altercation. But the boys weren’t the only ones injured because  it also left other revelers injured, with wounds and blood gushing out of its gashes.

Following up to Chris and Drake’s personal “Fight Club” moment, the biggest victim would be 21-year-old model Ingrid Gutierrez who was at Chris Brown’s table the night of the brawl.

She reportedly suffered a bottle blow to the head and suffered bruises, stitches, and trauma to her face. According to her attorney, the model was just having a good time before a bottle came from the direction of Drake’s table. Tsk.

Luckily, all is well as Ingrid is now out of the hospital and resting at home – but there’s word that she’s likely to undergo plastic surgery.

We also hear that while everyone who were involuntarily involved in the Chris and Drake brawl are still suffering the post-fight, New York City club W.I.P (place of incident) has been shut down after coming under heavy scrutiny by the NYPD.

Oh, also, Chris himself also needed eight stitches to close up the wound on his chin (after RiRi tended to him and “baby”-ed him), on top of a tetanus shot. His personal bodyguard, Big Pat, apparently needed 20 stitches to close up the wound on his head.

But neither needed to go for plastic surgery, that’s for sure.


GVF2019: Dizkopolis On Bringing The French Touch Wave To Malaysia

Thanks to music streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music, we now have access to more music than we could ever consume at any time of the day from anywhere we’d like.

With more music becoming so accessible at our fingertips, we will admit that sometimes it’s hard to keep up with what’s new in the music scene.

Yet, one such artist that has not gone under our radar is Dizkopolis, who recently made their comeback to the local music scene with “Work It Out”, their latest single featuring fellow Malaysian act, Froya.

Composed of Ahmad Taufiq & Adi Ridhwan, Dizkopolis was formed back in 2010 and got their first break in 2012, when they emerged as the winner of Astro Hitz – The Music Video Grant with their first original single “Class of ’91”.

The music production & DJ duo continued making remixes for fellow Malaysian acts in the purpose of discovering their signature sound – taking major influences from a plethora of music (Disco, Funk, Jazz, Neo-Soul, House, Techno, Rock & Roll).

After almost a four-year hiatus from music, the duo returned in 2017 by competing in the “Remix Competition: Hollywood by Pat Lok”, a global remix competition held by French electronic music record label and fashion label Kitsuné.

With over 180 entries submitted worldwide, Dizkopolis emerged as the winner of the competition and the remix was released digitally on Kitsuné Musique in the compilation “Hold On Let Go (Remixes)” alongside international acts Pat Lok, JNTHN STEIN, DIZKOPOLIS BIOGRAPHY Crackazat, Potatohead People, Fabich and more.

Re-contextualising the golden age of house music, it is clear that the duo is at the forefront of the latest French Touch wave in Malaysia.

After their electrifying set at Good Vibes Festival 2019 last week, we sat down with the duo to talk about their music, the French touch wave in Malaysia, and their upcoming plans.

First of all, congratulations on the launch of your debut single with Froya on Kitsune Musique! ‘Work It Out’ is such a great song! How did the collaboration come about?

Taufiq: Basically, it all started 4 of 5 years ago when we first discovered Froya from her first album “Panic Bird”. We really like her voice and her songwriting in the song “Uncomprehended Child” so we decided to approach her and sent her our instrumental. She liked it, so that’s basically how our collaboration started.

Adi: I can tell you that there were a lot of different versions of the song but it was only after 4 years that we finalised the product and we were satisfied with the outcome. There were maybe 10 different mixes of it before we finalised on this one.

Taufiq: The best part is that after we released the song, Kitsune approached us. That’s huge for us.

Adi: That was huge, we were basically crying after that.

What did you hope to achieve out of the collaboration?

Taufiq: At first, we didn’t expect anything because it was just us in the studio and there were a lot of self-doubts going on, especially on whether or not it would be good. But at the end of the day, we wanted to just show our craft.

Adi: So when Kitsune approached us, that’s like a stepping stone for us.

Any plans on collaborating with anyone next?

Adi: We are planning to collaborate with more international artists because, in a way, our music is more acceptable overseas. When we look at our stats on Spotify or Soundcloud, our listeners are basically not from Malaysia; a majority of them are from Korea and France.

Taufiq: But of course, we would still like to collaborate with local artists, especially Yuna.

Now, let’s go back to your musical roots. How did both of you discover the music that you’re doing right now?

Adi: We got hooked when we listened to the first album of Justice, Cross and Daft Punk. You can tell that our music is heavily influenced by them. It’s the French touch sound that really got to us.

You’ve also mentioned that Kitsune plays a big role in your musical influences. Tell us a little more about that.

Adi: We have been looking up to this label for many years, even before we even started Dizkopolis. So to be a part of that label, it’s just a huge achievement for us.

With over 180 entries submitted worldwide, Dizkopolis was the winner of the Remix Competition for Pat Lok’s “Hollywood”. How did you feel?

Adi: We were quite surprised that we won too because like you said, there were over 180 entries submitted for this competition. So to be chosen as the winner, we were quite shocked.

Being in the scene for a while, and you’ve seen other scenes in other cities, how is Malaysia’s French Touch scene comparable?

Adi: It’s still niche over here in Malaysia because when you go to Korea or other countries, they are more receptive towards this kind of music.

Taufiq: Even in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia, they have their own French Touch movement.

What is the biggest challenge in introducing the French Touch scene to the crowd in Malaysia?

Adi: Because we are the only ones who are pushing this kind of genre, to be honest.

Taufiq: I think it’s because of the timing as well because back then, kids listen to Justice, Phoenix and Daft Punk. But right now, it’s the new millennials and it’s a bit hard for us to push this kind of music.

What have you found inspiring from other scenes in other cities and hope to introduce to the crowd here?

Adi: Basically in Paris, when you go to their cafes, they will play this kind of music. So people are naturally more exposed to this kind of music. So in Malaysia, perhaps they should put music that is quite similar to ours as well?

A post shared by Dizkopolis (@dizkopolis)

That said, it seems like things are working out so well for both of you and I see that there’s even a new merch line coming out soon! What is the design inspiration behind these merchandises?

Taufiq: It’s a funny story because we got approached by a fan who is a designer. He emailed us and he gave all the blueprints and said like, “Hey, I hope you guys like this because I designed it for you guys for Good Vibes Festival.” I’m like, “Wow, this is dope!” But to answer your question, we can’t really tell you what was the design inspiration behind these merchandises because he was the one who made it.

With the launch of the new merch line, any plans to do a tour in other parts of the world? Say Singapore?

Adi: Right now, we are focusing more on production and probably after that, we will focus more on shows.

Adi: We are going to come up with new sounds that are a bit more dark and distorted, which is what we wanted to do in the very beginning. But then we decided to start out with something a bit more pop-ish, friendly. Now, I think it’s almost time for us to go back to what we really wanted to do.

Do check out Good Vibes Festival 2019 review and coverage of the Stranger Things exhibition.

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


#PhilippineAirlines: Enjoy Cheap Flights From KL To United States For Less Than RM2200

Heads up wanderlusters, you might want to get your US Visa application done ASAP!

After announcing that Philippine Airlines (PAL) will resume flying from Kuala Lumpur to Manila and the rest of the world, we’ve just found out that their latest promotion includes cheap flights from KL to the United States for less than RM2200.

The round trip includes base fare, taxes and fees, in-flight meals, as well as 2 pieces of 23kg per piece baggage allowances. Booking period starts today (Friday, 3rd March) until 19th March, with a travelling period from 8th June until 15th December 2017.

In case you didn’t know, Philippine Airlines flies to Hawaii 5 times every week, 7 times to San Francisco weekly, and 14 times to Los Angeles. Upon entering SkyScanner‘s travel search engine, these are the promotional PAL flight tickets flying from KL to US, namely LA and San Francisco.

The best travelling period for the cheapest tickets, we reckon, is during the month of September. Of course, there are still many dates still available from KL to United States.

The flight tickets are probably selling like hot cakes right now, so get your hands on them before it’s too late!

For more information, visit Philippine Airlines’s official website here.

Source: Places & Foods/ Featured image: Expedia.


#TheRowKL: Celebrate The Slate Weekend With Art, Food, Music & Culture

If the word “weekend” excites you, you’re not alone. From school kids to working adults to senior citizens, everyone loves weekends. Within these 48 hours, we get to unwind and temporarily escape from the mundane reality.

Before the month of January comes to an end, get the most out of your break by checking out a new 2-day event called Slate Weekend at The Row, Kuala Lumpur.

The Row is hosting the Slate Weekend launch party with workshops and family-friendly activities to celebrate the opening of the newly completed North Block on 30th and 31st January at The Row, Jalan Doraisamy.

Wheel Love Skateshop is a new tenant at the Row and it will be hosting a skate jam on Saturday (30th January) as a treat to all 2 and 4 wheeled lovers. Skaters are also welcomed to drop by the skate clinic at during the Slate Weekend as the folks at Wheel Love will spruce up your skateboards and rollerblades. The team will also show some love by teaching you a thing or two about rolling through life on wheels.

A terrarium workshop will be conducted by Ohsum Mossum for RM150 per person and a mother-daughter bouquet handling CLASS will be conducted by BudsbyIllyana for RM100 per person. All materials are included and participants can walk with their own products.

League of Captains, the popular Phase One tenant, will spice things up a little by hosting a BBQ in conjunction with the Slate Weekend. Of course, music, food, and drinks will be provided. But if you’re not a fan of BBQ, the team at LoC will also be hosting a latte art throwdown on Sunday.

Some other activities that will be happening at the 2-day event include a market to showcase products by local entrepreneurs, a pet adoption drive by SPCA, films and documentaries screenings by EcoKnights, and a book donation drive to help L45 Community library stock up on some much-needed books.

Visit the event’s official Facebook page for more updates.

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


Penang Second Bridge Collapse: 3 Injured, 1 Dead

Three people were injured while at least one person died after a 30-metre wide ramp of the under-construction Second Penang Bridge in Batu Maung collapsed at about 7:15pm last night.

Penang deputy police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar, could not confirm the exact number of fatalities as there were conflicting claims on the number of vehicles buried under the debris. Abdul Rahim said three people were injured.

Two of them were an Indonesian worker identified only as Slamat, 36, and a Myanmar national, Tin Maung Iwin, 39.They were sent to the Penang Hospital for treatment and were in stable condition. The third person injured was a local woman, Thilasheni Rajendran, 24, who was injured by flying debris while driving through the affected area.

At about 12:40am, a four-man team from the Special Team Operation and Response Mechanism (STORM) reportedly found the body of an occupant of a car believed to be a Kelisa.

Abdul Rahim said more than 300 Fire and Rescue, police, Civil Defence, St Johns and Malaysian Red Crescent personnel were involved in the search and rescue operation. Efforts by the contractors to lift the collapsed concrete beams were futile, forcing the team to engage a bigger crane.

Abdul Rahim said construction works have been temporarily halted while a road in the vicinity has been closed to traffic.

The three-tiered exit ramp near the Mini Circuits Technologies factory, linked to the Tun Lim Chong Eu Expressway, that collapsed was meant for traffic heading towards towards Bayan Lepas. There is another exit ramp being built for  traffic heading towards George Town.

Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) public relations and communications department deputy manager Azizi Azizan said the collapsed portion is part of Package 3A of the Second Penang Bridge project. He said the incident occurred while concrete pouring works were ongoing. “It collapsed when the scaffolding supporting the area gave way”, he said.

Azizi said JKSB would issue a detailed statement today, as they were investigating the incident.

The bridge is being constructed by UEM Builders Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the UEM Group Malaysia, as well as China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), a subsidiary of the China Construction & Communications Group (CCCG).

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who visited the site, said the parties responsible must be taken to task. “I understand that the concrete had not set and yet, motorists were allowed to pass through. This shouldn’t be the case”, he said.


Hype Picks: Best Things To Do In The Klang Valley This Week (25th July – 31st July)

Have you ever imagined yourself screaming your lungs out at a rock concert? Or maybe you want to dress up as one of your favourite anime characters? Then don’t worry because if you’re looking for fun, you’ll definitely find it!

This week’s Hype Picks features social events such as Shake Party KL and Single Mingle Night, ACG and cultural events, performances, and workshops such as tufting and ring-making. So get down to this list this instant for more, and make sure to keep an eye out for these upcoming events.

1. B.I.G. (Ben’s Independent Grocer) Japan Natsu Matsuri Fair 2022

Japan Fair is back again at Ben’s Independent Grocer (B.I.G.)! Discover premium fresh delicacies such as fruits, poultry, snacks, and even essential sauce dressing imported all the way from the country of the rising sun. Click here for more information.

Location: Sunway Putra Mall, Kuala Lumpur

Join the excitement at Saranghae Korean Fair with various activities and workshops you cannot miss, such as arts and crafts for all ages and a kimchi making workshop. Head to Sunway Putra Mall now until 31st of July and have fun! For details of the event, you can head here.

3. AniManGaki x Tokyo Street Anniversary Celebration

Warm up, get into your favourite costume and be ready for a week of happening at the ACG event you will never forget! ANIMANGAKI collaborates with Pavilion KL to bring you the best in conjunction with the Tokyo Street anniversary. Cosplay parade & competition, live stages performances, meet & greets are among the highlights to be expected at the event, so don’t wait and click here for more information and to register for the cosplay competition.

Singles who are ready to mingle, we have your back. Rock Bottom Bangsar is bringing the fun back in speed dating, and all eligible bachelors and bachelorettes are welcomed. The event is free to register and comes with a RM50 door charge that gets you a glass of complimentary wine, beer, or cocktail. Visit the event’s Facebook page for more details.

Location: 140 Jalan Limau Manis, Taman Bangsar, 59000 KL

Find tranquility and inner peace with the Japanese art of flower arranging, Ikebana. Participants can also enjoy the after-class vegan high tea, which they will be served with organic vegan savoury bites and desserts, and immerse in each others’ company. Click here for registration and for details.

6. FBI (Fabulous Billionaire Inventor) Career Fest 2022

Location: MBSA Convention Center, Shah Alam

If you’re looking for a career or a career enhancement, then you have come to the right place. Bring along your resume and certificate and head to one of the biggest career fest in Malaysia this 30th July, and stand a chance to receive limited edition Hausboom drinks or Rizman Ruzaini’s merchandise if you register early.

A post shared by SelangorFruitValley (@selangorfruitvalley)

Location: KM7, Jalan Batang Berjuntai, Batu Arang, Rawang, 45600 Berjuntai Bestari, Selangor

Some people are desperate to get away from the bustling city sometimes, so a trip to Selangor Fruits Valley would be perfect! The 646-hectare fruit farm not only offers an all-you-can-eat fruit buffet and fruit-picking activity, but you can venture around the farm on a tram and visit various attractions such as the petting zoo and herbal garden! Visit here to find out more!

Location: Regency Tower, 8 Jalan Ceylon, Kuala Lumpur

The weekend is your only chance to get away from work and have fun. So, go ahead and socialise your heart out at Shake Party KL. Because the party is in the evening, you’ll have plenty of time for a second round of happening! Go here to register for free now and for more details about the party.

Location: Ground Floor Da Men Mall, USJ Subang

The ACG community may rejoice as another event is making its way! Season4Otaku brings together creative artists and organises unique activities for fans and the public to enjoy. Visit their Facebook page for more details.

Come along and explore fashion, music, and culture at Serba Serbi Magical Market. Various booths from the vendors offer the best selection of vintage goods, sustainable clothing, home decors, books, and so much more! Go to the event’s Instagram page or Facebook profile to find out more.

Malaysia’s pop-punk band Bunkface is celebrating their 15th anniversary with an exclusive live concert this weekend. Initially a one-day show, the performance was extended to the 31st of July due to overwhelming support. So don’t wait and purchase the tickets here now!

12. Social Sunday featuring Victor G, Roshan, Irama, Kaiza, Mister Rodrigo, Rimka & Calvin Clarke

Location: WET Deck at W Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Relax by the pool and spend your Sunday afternoon in the heart of Kuala Lumpur with spectacular views of the Twin Towers. Chill alongside your companies with music featuring Victor G, Roshan, Irama, and many more. Reserve a table at W Hotel KL’s WET Deck here.

Location: Encorp Strand Mall Kota Damansara

Shop responsibly and have a blast at Encorp Strand Mall Car Boot Market. Happening this upcoming 31st July, invite your friends and family to tag along and help yourself to a variety of food and preloved items at bargain prices! You can visit Encorp Strand Mall’s Facebook and Instagram pages for more details.

Coffee shop BOX KL is organising its first event to celebrate its 1st anniversary. With epic performance line-ups such as GUCCIMITH & Zhe Kamil, ChronicalZ, Citybois Worldwide, and more, Arif Safuan and Aqram Razali will perform bicycle tricks, and there will be a lucky draw as well! Go here for more information about the event and here to buy the tickets.

15. Hide & Seek Presents “Breathe Easy” Solo Art Exhibition

Location: Hide & Seek, 33-A, Jalan 20/16, Taman Paramount, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
HIDE AND SEEK presents BREATHE EASY, a solo exhibition by Fay Ulrica. To ‘breathe easy’ is to be relaxed or relieved from anxiety, stress and tension. This exhibition explores the catharsis of art and its capacity to untangle the complexities of human experience and individual introspection.

Location: Unit A2-23, Sentul Point Suite Apartment, 51100 Sentul, KL

Rings are more than just an accessory; they can represent a variety of things to those who own and wear them. Zo.craft organises ring-making workshops for those seeking unique experiences, as well as for ring enthusiasts alike. Visit their website for more information and to book workshop time slots.

Where can you learn to tuft, chill with your pet and enjoy delicious coffee and snacks at the same place and time? Tufting Society offers you just that! Head to their Instagram or Facebook page for more details and register for their tufting workshop.

Designed for trendsetters that prioritise the jogger sneaker trend and advanced cushioning benefits, ASICS Jogger X81 features details from the 1980s reinvented classic jogging shoes. The Caldera sole refers to the shape formed by Hawaiian volcanoes after they erupt and collapse – a unique design intended to help prevent soil from getting stuck in the tread when running off-road. Grab a pair of Jogger X81 at the nearest ASICS outlet now, or shop online here.

Anis Sharina contributed to this article.

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


Hype Streams: New Releases Coming To You This Week (20th June – 26th June)

We all have that one week when everything seems grey, and you cannot seem to find anything to do except slothing in front of the laptop or television when you get home from work. Even getting up to reheat your dinner is pointless if you cannot find joy in it.

But with this week’s new series and movie releases, you can be productive and find joy in life again! So get down on this list with big titles that will sure catch your attention such as “The Umbrella Academy” Season 3, “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area”, and more!

Coming back with a third season, The Umbrella Academy will answer many of the mysterious questions that have been weighing on the Hargreeves siblings’ minds. They return to the present after the events of the second season, certain that they have finally fixed the timeline and prevented the initial apocalypse.

Fun fact: This new season will also see Elliot Page’s transfromation from his old character Vanya Hargreeves to Viktor Hargreeves.

The young captain of Haigang Police, Lu Xiao (Qin Jun Jie), is stumped by a bizarre case of a floating corpse and the “Water Ghost” killer. While investigating to catch the perpetrator, he loses his wife and is almost on the brink of losing himself as well. With his teammates by his side, Lu Xiao picks himself up to bring justice to the victims.

Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), a young chef who worked at some of the world’s best fine dining establishments, returns to take over the family’s sandwich shop following a family tragedy. The series also stars Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Chris Witaske.

This upcoming 4-episode Polish series is about Sylwester (Andrzej Seweryn), a respected and renowned Parisian tailor. He was a famous drag queen in Paris thirty years ago but left it all behind to make a career out of it. However, after receiving news of his daughter, Wioletta, and her medical emergency, he returns to his hometown, where he vowed never to step foot again.

Maya Rudolph’s Molly Novak must figure out what to do with her $87 billion settlement after divorcing her cheating husband, played by Adam Scott. She decides to reconnect with her charitable foundation and the real world, discovering herself along the way.

5. “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area”

A Korean adaptation of the Spanish heist crime drama sensation “Money Heist”, it sets in the same fictional universe as the original series. The Professor (Yoo Ji-tae) is preparing a heist in the Korean Peninsula inspired by the events in Spain. Park Hae-soo (“Prison Playbook,” “Squid Game”), Kim Ji-hoon (“Flower of Evil”), and Lee Hyun-woo (“Secretly, Greatly,” “To The Beautiful You”) also appear in the series.

“Man VS Bee” is a comedy series about Trevor, a homeless man mistaken as a house sitter by a businesswoman. Created and written by Rowan Atkinson (also stars as Trevor) and William Davies, it ensues Trevor’s ongoing battle with a bee while staying in the businesswoman’s elegant mansion.

Becky Green (Erin Doherty), a twentysomething social-media obsessed working as a tempt frequently compares herself to picture-perfect lives on Instagram, primarily to Chloe Fairbourne, the wife of a councillor. Following Chloe’s death, Becky adopts a new identity, Sasha, and infiltrates Chloe’s group of close-knit friends to discover why Chloe suddenly died.

“Hantu Raya Pergi Perang” is a horror comedy starring Hun Haqeem as Kadir Osman, whose village is in a brink of a fight. He takes in a “hantu raya” to prove the villagers he can be useful as well. This upcoming series is also an original production from sooka.

Jackie Li (“Count Your Lucky Stars”) and Li Hong Yi (“Parallel Love”, “My Wonderful Roommate”) star as newlyweds in this upcoming historical romance. Liu Jin Feng (Jackie Li) is unlike any woman in the inner court of the palace, but she is married into the imperial family. Her husband, the King (Li Hong Yi), is always trying to test her loyalties while he has been manipulating the government affairs to suit his ideals for the future of his kingdom.

Oh Soo-jae was once one of South Korea’s best lawyers until one of her cases took an unexpected turn and forced her to take a position as a professor at a local law school. She then encounters Gong Chan, a university student whose presence will help her to win back her glory days as a decorated lawyer. It stars Seo Hyun-jin (“Dr. Romantic”, “The Beauty Inside”) and Hwang In-youp (“True Beauty”, “The Sound of Magic”).

Season 5 of “The Chi” follows right after the events of Season 4. Tiff (Hannaha Hall) and Emmett (Jacob Latimore) have to learn how to be parents after trying and failing at an open marriage. Tiff also gets closer to Rob (Iman Shumpert), and Jada (Yolondo Ross) revaluates her priorities after beating cancer.

An upcoming biographical sports-drama film, “Rise” is based on the true story of three Nigerian-Greek brothers who emigrate to the United States and rise to fame and success as professional basketball athletes. Newcomers Uche Agada, Ral Agada, and Jaden Osimuwa star as the trio – Giannis, Athanasios and Kostantinos Antetokounmpo in this Disney+ original film.

“The Man from Toronto” follows a case of mistaken identity starring Kevin Hart (“Central Intelligence”) and Woody Harrelson (“The Hunger Games”, “True Detective”). Teddy, an entrepreneur (played by Hart), is mistaken for the assassin, Randy (played by Harrelson), while staying at an Airbnb and they team up to clear the air.

“Glamour Girls,” an adaptation of the original 1994 classic film of the same name, is a Nollywood film about five independent and strong women – Donna, Emma, Louise, Helion, and Jemma. They cause quite a turmoil with their jobs as high-end escorts. However, when murder and theft occur, their career is jeopardised. Nse Ikpe Etim, Sharon Ooja, Toke Makinwa, Segigolaa Ogidan, and Joselym Dumas star in this crime drama.

When the county used force and threatened them with the death penalty, five of the six suspects confessed to a crime they didn’t commit and had no involvement in. The latest documentary series by HBO will revisit the wrongful convictions of the “Beatrice Six”.

Writer, actor, and comedian Joel Kim Booster debuts in this Netflix comedy special where he will give sex advice and discuss topics like his preference for threesomes, the cultural nuances of being Asian, the best masturbation techniques and more. Kim Booster also stars in “Fire Island”, available on FX Hulu.

“The Future Of” is a documentary series that explores how technology will impact the fundamental aspects of our lives in the future. Each episode of the series will cover a different topic such as from dogs and dating to space vacations and life after death.

Anis Sharina contributed to this article.

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


AirAsia Free Seats Promo For 2018 – 2019 Starts 13th November

Feeling the Monday blues again? Cheer up, because AirAsia is giving away free seats as part of its Free Seats campaign once again.

If you weren’t quick enough to purchase those cheap flight tickets during the last Free Seats campaign back in September 2017, here’s your chance! According to Malaysia Freebies, the highly-anticipated promotional seats from the low-cost carrier are available for booking starting next Monday (13th November) onwards.

As per usual, AirAsia BIG members will be given first priority for online booking on 12th November (Sunday). Starting from a base fare of RM0, excluding taxes and fees, travellers can fly to domestic and international destinations such as Bangkok, Krabi, Yogyakarta, Langkawi, Balikpapan, Singapore, Penang, and many more.

From what we know, the travelling period for the latest promo is between May 2018 to early 2019. To recap, here are the deets for AirAsia’s 2018 – 2019 Free Seats promo:

Mark your calendars cause AirAsia’s free seats promos are known to sell like hot cakes!

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


(UPDATE) #Moonshot: Tablo Composes Track For YG Entertainment’s New Cosmetic Brand

All thanks to YG Entertainment, we are now ready to fork out our money for them as the agency has taken one step further in their business by launching a new cosmetic brand “Moonshot” this October!

After launching their clothing line “NONA9ON”, the talent agency has decided to venture into the cosmetic industry to launch “Moonshot”. On October 2nd, a launching party called the “Moon Tanning Party” was held for the new cosmetic brand at the Plantoon Kunsthalle in Gangnam district of Seoul, South Korea.

Cha Seungwon, Choi Yeojin, Kahi, Lee Yongwoo, and Lee Sungkyung were some of the Korean celebrities and models who attended the event. YG artistes Epik High also performed at the party, in which Tablo from Epik High revealed that he has composed a special track of the same name for the brand.

From skincare products to make-up, the agency is planning to launch a total of 208 products for “Moonshot”.

The brand name took its inspiration from the American spaceship Apollo No. 11 that landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969 and the brand is set to break away from the stereotype of cosmetics brands. Together with CosOn and cosmetics experts, the companies finally established a separate corporation for the business after one year of preparation.

According to YG, the brand is set to be launched for young men in their twenties and thirties as well as those who have a keen interest in the trend.

It is not known when will the new track will be released yet but the cosmetics brand is set to begin its business with both online and offline flagship stores from mid-October. Ooh, we can’t wait to see what they might have in store for us!

So groovy, so much fun! We are digging this new track from Epik High’s Tablo, which he has composed for YG’s new cosmetics brand, “Moonshot”!

On November 3rd, Moonshot released a new colourful ad that has featured a snippet of Tablo’s new song. The title of the song has not been announced yet but we must say, it is a special song indeed!

Oooh. K-beauty junkies, you’ve got a new brand to be excited about because moonshot is finally launching in Malaysia. In fact, you’ll get a complimentary Moonshot makeover at Sephora, Sunway Pyramid today!

For more information about Moonshot Korea, just visit their official Facebook page or Sephora Malaysia’s official Facebook page ;)

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


Hype Streams: New Releases You Can’t Wait To Watch This Week (4th July – 10th July)

The first week of July is here and you know what that means! Tons of shows for you to immerse yourself in as you get isekai-ed into the world of crime, romance, comedy and fantasy. Experience suspense, laughter, cringe-worthy moments and most of all, escape the reality of life with weird ghosts, insane criminals and incredible psychics.

So, grab your popcorns and blankets and snuggle up with your family, friends or partner. And don’t forget to have fun! Here’s Hype’s must-watch picks of the week that will have your eyes glued to the TV for hours.

Starring the “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” actress Lana Condor, this live-action comedy limited series tells the story of a high school senior who plays it safe throughout the year finally decides to turn her life around only to find out the next day that she’s a ghost!

Fun fact: Lana Condor’s character in this limited series will be completely different from her famous role as Lara Jean Covey. “My character becomes the worst person ever,” she explains to Seventeen. “She’s crappy and mean”.

Tarot cards, horoscopes, crystal balls…these things that look into your future might seem cool but are they really that accurate? In this psychic’s case, not so much. Maggie (Rebecca Rittenhouse) has real psychic abilities and regularly sees the future for her friends, parents, clients and random strangers on the streets. But when she glimpses her own destiny in the future of a guy she just met, her life gets a little complicated.

Inspired by true events, Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) is given two choices—either he serves his 10-year sentence in a minimum-security prison without parole or enter a maximum-security prison and befriend a suspected serial killer Larry Hall—he realises the only way out is by gaining a confession and discovering the bodies of the young girls that were killed before Larry’s appeal goes through.

Vicky Mclure (“Line of Duty”) and Adrian Lester (“Life”) plays Lana Washington and Joel Nutkins in this crime fiction drama series as frontline officers who risk their lives during a terrorist campaign that threatens London.

When Takafumi’s uncle wakes up from a 17-year coma out of the blue, he starts speaking in an unrecognizable language, declaring that he has returned from another world called “Granbahamal”. Watch as the comedic duo work together to become video content creators in this new and exciting isekai-comedy anime series.

This thriller drama series follows a group of people who locked in a psychiatric prison as armed men surround the building to abduct a serial killer named Simón Lago (Callejo). It stars Alberto Amman (“Narcos”, “Narcos: Mexico”) and Luis Callejo (“Below Zero”).

In this prequel of the hit 2014 movie “Flowers in the Attic”, Olivia—the mistress of Foxworth Hall—discovers her fairy tale life she expected turns into a nightmare. Maz Irons and Jemima Cooper plays the younger version of Olivia and Malcom Foxworth, the grandparents of the Dollanganger children.

Desperate for a startup stardom, an ambitious financial mastermind does whatever it takes to make his business a success. He lies, schemes and scams his way to the top but could he manage to stay afloat for a long time? He needs to pull off more and more schemes if he wants to survive.

Follow the suspenseful journey of budding nurses and pilots flying in air ambulances as they experience triumphs, heartbreak and tribulations. The cast includes Natasha Calis (“Nurses”), Ace (Aason) Nadjiwon (“Batwoman”) and Morgan Holmstrom (“Siberia”).

Based on Tad Hill’s well-loved picture book, the series follows the feathered friends, Duck and Goose, on their adventures. In this children’s show, they learn how to be the best of pals and bring out the best in one another.

When pilot Bella Sway gets sucked into a conspiracy to gain control of Moonhaven,—a utopian colony on the Moon 100 years in the future—she must work together with a local detective to stop forces from destroying Earth before they are destroyed themselves. The series stars Emma McDonald (“The Picture of Dorian Gray”), Dominic Monaghan (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy) and Joe Manganiello (“True Blood”).

1. “Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between”

Clare and Aidan played by Talia Ryder and Jordan Fisher spend their last evening as a couple on an epic final date after they made a pact to break up before college. Should they stay together or go their separate ways? This charming romantic comedy is based on the best-selling novel with the same name by Jennifer E. Smith.

Six years ago, Li Ronan had recklessly broken a religious taboo while running a ghost hunter Youtube channel, cursing her and her family. Now, she must save her daughter from the consequences of her own actions. The found-footage film was inspired by a true story about a family of cult worshippers in Taiwan.

There’s a terrifying sea monster on the loose, but never fear, Jacob Holland, the legendary sea monster hunter is here. But what happens when the young stowaway he found in his ship befriends the sea monster? The film stars the voices of Karl Urban (“Star Trek Into Darkness”), Dan Stevens (“Beauty and the Beast”) and Jared Harris (“Mad Men”).

Cecilia and her son Martín have a car accident. On the third day after the crash, she wanders by herself on a lonely route, unable to remember what happened, and there is no clue of her son. On her search, she finds herself in the midst of a brutal hunt and will soon face a religious man, who is responsible for her son’s disappearance.

This French romantic-comedy film follows book smart Célène (Paola Locatelli) who moves away from her fiancé in Paris and attends a Biarritz high school. She falls in love with popular surfer Tristan (Simon Rérolle) unaware that she’s the object of a cruel and twisted bet between Tristan and social media queen Vanessa (Ella Pellegrini).

Mysteries unfold following the story of a young mother’s death, her son’s subsequent kidnapping and a man who is claiming to be her husband. The true crime documentary directed by Skye Borgman (“Abducted in Plain Sight”, “Dead Asleep”) involves the search to solve a 30-year old mystery about Shannon Marshall’s real identity and the murderous federal fugitive in the centre of it all.

The three-part limited docuseries tells the real story of the notorious Queens, New York crime syndicate known as the Supreme Team, as told from the mouths of its two leaders  Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff and Gerald “Prince” Miller. The series gives an in-depth look into the cultural dynamics and the impact this group had on hip hop and society.

The Grammy nominated singer and global pop superstar, Kesha is venturing deep into the unknown with her new paranormal, ghost-hunting show. Along with celebrity guests and experts in the supernatural, she goes in search for the unexplainable mysteries of the universe.

4. “#LiveUplifted With ASICS’s Athletes & Ambassadors”

ASICS’ latest global brand campaign “#LiveUplifted” showcases the transcending impact of movement for both the body and mind and ASICS Asia just launched new 30-seconds short films featuring 5 of Southeast Asia’s most promising sporting personalities and celebrities, to unleash the power of movement in uplifting mind and body.

Neetashini Kanendran contributed to this article

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


No More Party Till Dawn! Entertainment Outlets In KL To Close At 1am Starting 2019

Bad news for partygoers in Kuala Lumpur. Starting next year, all entertainment establishments can no longer operate past 1am.

So this mean that you can no longer use the sayings, “party like there’s no tomorrow”, “party till the break of dawn”, “party till the sun comes up”, “party all night long” or “the night is still young” – because the lights will go out at 1am starting January 2019!

The idea is proposed by Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad at a press conference in the Parliament lobby today. However, exceptions will be given to entertainment outlets  cater to foreign tourists. These outlets with special permissions will be allowed to stay open until 5am.

“We will have to check again on these special permission outlets. We don’t want it to be abused, especially complaints from the public,” he said as reported by NST.

Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan also said, “Most of these entertainment premises that operate after hours are frequented by locals, not foreigners. Therefore only a select few entertainment outlets that are frequented by tourists would be allowed to operate until 5am.”


The Spice Girls Looking For 5th Member To Replace Victoria Beckham?

The Spice Girls reunion has been a long time coming. The iconic UK girl group announced that they will be embarking on a reunion tour later this year.

Sadly, Victoria Beckham opted out. The fashion mogul cited work commitments as one of her reasons. She told the Guardian, “I’m sure when they are on stage, a part of me will feel a bit left out. Because a part of me will always be a Spice Girl.”

However, rather then proceeding as a foursome, the remaining Spice Girls members apparently are on the lookout for a 5th member. It’s presumedly to take on Beckham’s part for vocals and choreography. So who could be the one to join Mel “Scary” Brown, Emma “Baby” Bunton, Geri “Ginger” Halliwell, and Mel “Sporty” Chisholm?

According to reports, Mel C had extended an invitation to Saara Aalto. For those that don’t know, Aalto is a Finnish pop star and former Eurovision contestant, as well as former “X Factor” star. It may have started out as a joke, but British tabloids believe that it could actually turn out to be a possibility.

If you ask Mel C, she also has a wish list of pop stars that she’d like to invite as guests during the Spice Girls reunion tour. Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Adele are just some of the singers she has in mind.


Japan To Stage Robot Olympics In 2020

When it comes to Japan and technology, trust us when we say that they spare almost nothing to remain outstanding. A few weeks ago, we posted up news about the country’s new ultra luxe train. You didn’t think we’d stop there, did you?

According to SlashGear, Japan has plans to stage a Robot Olympics in 2020 alongside the summer games which will be hosted in Tokyo. Of course, this isn’t the first of robot sports for Japan as they were the first to hold the annual international robotics competition, RoboCup. The name “RoboCup” is a contraction of the competition’s full name, “Robot Soccer World Cup” and this year, the world competition is in Brazil. Ironically.

In line with Japan’s ongoing success with cutting-edge technology, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said that he wants to use such an event to showcase the latest global robotics technology, an industry in which Japan has long been famed as a pioneer. He has also outlined plans to create a special task force to develop a “robotic revolution” and treble the size of Japan’s robotics industry to a value of 2.4 trillion yen (£13.8 billion).

Jiji Press agency quoted Shinzo Abe as saying:

In 2020, I would like to gather all of the world’s robots and aim to hold an Olympics where they compete in technical skills. We want to make robots a major pillar of our economic growth strategy. We would like to set up a council on making a robotic revolution a reality in order to aid Japan’s growth.

We know you’re thinking, “Sure or not? 2020 is still quite a long way to go. Let’s just see if this really happens.”

Well, to put this into perspective, 2020 is only 6 years away.

On top of that, earlier in June, a humanoid robot named “Pepper” was unveiled amid much fanfare by major mobile phone company SoftBank. The makers claim that the white robot, which stretches 4ft in height, can understand people’s emotions. Not only that, it is apparently capable of understanding 70% – 80% of spontaneous conversation too.

Plus, with Switzerland planning to host the world’s first Cyborg Olympics in 2016 – where athletes with robotic enhancements will compete against one another – the idea of a Robot Olympics doesn’t seem so far-fetched.

So, wouldn’t a Robot Olympics in 2020 be totally cool if not friggin’ awesome? Exactly.

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


#ViralVideo: “Headmaster & Teacher” Kissing In School Office Not Real Teachers

A video of a man and a woman getting intimate, rumoured to be a headmaster and a teacher, has gone viral on social media.

The pixelated 8-minute long video, which showed a man and a tudung-clad woman kissing and hugging in what is believed to be a school office, was uploaded by Facebook user Jones Jangkat. In his caption, Jones Jangkat described the duo to be a headmaster and a teacher, but the claim wasn’t verified.

It is also not known if the “headmaster and teacher” were, in fact, Malaysians, but Facebook users were quick to jump into the conclusion that they were.

As seen in the screenshot of the original Facebook post above, the video has since garnered over 1.6 million views and more than 30,000 shares.

The news was picked up by various local news outlets, including Berita Harian, The Star, Astro Awani, FMT, and others. Berita Harian quoted National Union of the Teaching Profession president Kamarozaman Abd Razak as saying that investigations into the authenticity of the video were underway.

However, according to Malaysia’s Minister of Education Dato’ Seri Mahdzir Khalid, the claim that duo is a headmaster and a teacher is untrue.

He confirmed this via a post on his official Facebook page and said that the man and woman in the viral video are in no way associated with any institutions under KPM (Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia, otherwise known as the Ministry of Education Malaysia). Dato’ Seri Mahdzir Khalid added that the video was, in fact, made 8 years ago in the office of a plantation in Segamat, Johor.

Our take? The viral video seemed questionable from the very beginning. If you zoomed in to the video and gave it a proper scrutiny, you’d notice that there’s a watermark on the bottom right corner which says, “MYSCANDALCOLLECTION.NET”.

A quick Google search will then draw up a list of “MYSCANDALCOLLECTION.NET”-related results. The same search can also be conducted on Facebook, by the way. As expected, the results all led to one common topic.

Meanwhile, several netizens have since commented on his post, asking for the minister to take action against the culprit for “spreading slander” and tarnishing the reputation and the careers of teachers in Malaysia.

Sources: Jones Jangkat, Dato’ Seri Mahdzir Khalid.


#Malaysia: Robbers Steal RM70,000 By Blowing Up An ATM Machine In Sabah

Banks better beware because homemade bombs are being used in ATM robberies.

It was reported that a group of thieves (believed to have more than 2 suspects) managed to take away RM70,000 worth of cash by blowing up an automated teller machine (ATM) in the small town of Membakut (about 100km away from Kota Kinabalu), Sabah at 2:10am on Wednesday (11th May).

According to The Star and NST, the robbers used homemade explosive devices and crowbars to forcefully open the ATM before escaping in a 4-wheel drive with the money.

The bank’s security guard shift is only till 5pm, and they did not hire security guard services for overnight shifts.

District police chief Deputy Superintendent Azmir Abdul Razak confirmed the incident and said the police are currently conducting a thorough investigation and are looking through the CCTV to identify the suspects.

“Only one machine was blown up and we are looking at the closed circuit television footage,” said the police chief.

In other recent reports, a similar case happened in Karak, Pahang where another group of robbers made a failed attempt to use homemade bombs to blast open an ATM last Wednesday (4th May).

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


TMNT 2: “Arrow” Star Stephen Amell Joins Cast As Casey Jones

Stephen Amell has gotten himself another masked vigilante role, but this time around, he’s going to be featured on the big screen.

The “Arrow” star is set to appear in the upcoming sequel of the rebooted “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT)” film as Casey Jones, a character played by Elias Koteas in the original film series.

According to Variety, he was among the 6 actors to be shortlisted for the role as Casey Jones, who is the love interest of Megan Fox’s April O’Neil. Variety further reported that the studio was convinced that Amell is suitable for the role due to his chemistry with Fox.

Jones is a long-haired hockey-masked crime fighter and an ally of the titular characters of the film. He is a fan favourite of the series and Koteas received vastly positive response for his portrayal of Jones in the 1990 New Line pic.

Somebody find me a hockey mask!!! #TMNT2 pic.twitter.com/V9bw4ok3VB

— Stephen Amell (@StephenAmell) April 1, 2015

Before Amell was cast as Casey Jones, it was announced that Alessandra Ambrosio is joining the film for a role as well. She said to be playing the love interest of cameraman Vernon Fenwick (played by Will Arnett). However, it is unclear how she will fit into the storyline as the plot remains a mystery.

So far, it is confirmed that Megan Fox and Will Arnett will return to reprise their respective roles. Jonathan Liebesman will not return to helm the project and it was announced that Dave Green would be the director of the sequel.

“Transformers” director Michael Bay will continue to serve as a producer of the film alongside his Platinum Dunes partners Brad Fuller and Andrew Form. Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec are penning the script.

The TMNT sequel is tentatively titled “Half Shell” and it is slated for release on 3rd June 2016.

What do you think about the casting news? Who do you think join the cast of the film? Let us know your dream casting in the comments box below.


#GST: School Bus Fares Expected To Rise In 2016

Parents are most likely going to face another financial burden in 2016 because school bus operators are looking to raise school bus fares to cope with the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

In a report by New Straits Times, Federation of Malaysian School Bus Operators Association president Amali Munif Rahmat said that the operational and maintenance costs had increased due to the consumption tax.

In an interview with the English daily, Amali said:

Even something as small as a screw, which a bus needs a lot of, is not being spared by GST, what more the entire operation cost.

Amali did not state how much the bus fares will increase. However, he explained that individual operators or companies would set the price.

The operators need to discuss and negotiate with the students’ parents, and the negotiations could differ from one group to another.

“School bus fares differ, just like your telecommunications packages. If you want bigger and better services, you have to pay more,” he added.

According to Amali, parents are currently paying about RM100 monthly and the fares would be higher if the bus is air-conditioned. “That is where our customers’ income plays a role. Those who can afford more will demand more comfort for their children,” he said.

He also noted that school bus fares would take several other factors into consideration, including the area in which the bus operated as well as the financial status of the people in each neighbourhood.

With 35 bus associations under the federation, Amali noted that the government is no longer controlling school bus fees since January this year. “The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) made the announcement in October last year,” he said. “They have left it up to the federation to negotiate and determine school bus fares.”

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


#MH128: PAS Urges Malaysia Airlines To Ban Alcohol On Flights Completely

The Youth wing of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) has urged Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) to stop serving alcohol completely, following a bomb scare on flight MH128.

Malaysia Airlines’ flight MH128, which was bound for Kuala Lumpur from Melbourne, made an emergency landing on Wednesday (31st May 2017) night when a 25-year-old Sri Lankan national tried to enter the cockpit while claiming to have a bomb.

The passenger was overpowered by the plane’s crew and later arrested at Melbourne’s airport.

PAS released an official statement claiming that alcohol is a threat against flight safety, stressing that the Malaysian government should emulate the actions of Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, and Bahrain. “Even a small country like Brunei has banned alcohol on Royal Brunei Airlines’ flights,” the wing’s vice-chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said.

This is not the first time that PAS has called for a ban on alcohol on Malaysia Airlines’ flights. In fact, Malaysia Airlines has stopped serving alcohol on flights under 3 hours since last year to accommodate the majority of their passengers. According to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, it was a move that was “praised by many”.

“As a country that is headed by a Muslim prime minister, now would be a good time to make changes if we really change,” Ahmad Fadhli Shaari added.

Source: PAS / Featured image: Top This Place.


(Video) Fans Are Loving Siti Nurhaliza’s Lip-Syncing To Sajat’s Voice

In case you don’t know, apart from sharing her daily activities on her Instagram, Dato’ Seri Siti Nurhaliza is also relatively active in posting several content on her official TikTok. Interestingly, fans are able to see a more cheeky side of the Malaysian icon. Just like this video that became the talk of the town online.

Recently, the well-known celeb sparked a frenzy online after she shared a video of her promoting her BeauNest drink. In this case, many were left amused when she was spotted lip-syncing to queer entrepreneur Nur Sajat’s voice!

Jangan lupa minum beaunest setiap hari dan dapatkan manafaat terbaik untuk kecantikan dan kesihatan anda ye..Jangan risau suara tak tukar punya !!#fypツ

♬ original sound – sajjadzaman – sajjadlegacy

“Don’t forget to drink BeauNest everyday, and get the best benefits for your beauty and your health. Don’t worry, your voice will not change,” the “Lebih Indah” singer wrote in the caption. In the video, fans could also see Siti miming to Sajat’s rendition of the song “Anggapanmu”, a song by the powerhouse vocalist Ziana Zain. At the time of writing (Friday, 29th July), the video has garnered over 600k views on TikTok.  The replies space has since been flooded with numerous amusing remarks from the netizens.

Most of them were left entertained after watching the video shared by the award-winning songstress. One commentator also said on how Sajat would be thrilled after seeing her idol lip-syncing to her “Anggapanmu” cover. Celebrity entrepreneur Iqbal Zulkefli was also spotted leaving his reaction to Siti’s TikTok post. He requested for the legendary singer to post a video of her lip-syncing to his cover song “Biarlah Bulan Berbicara” next.

Siti’s lip-syncing clip has amassed plenty of attention online, and eventually caught the attention of Sajat herself! The 37-year-old reposted the video on her Instagram Story, and thanked the local singer for the lovely rendition.


BIGBANG’s Taeyang To Bring “White Night” World Tour To Malaysia!

IME Asia has announced that BIGBANG’s Taeyang (태양) will be bringing his “2017 World Tour White Night” to Kuala Lumpur. According to the company, the idol singer’s Malaysian concert will be held on 15th October 2017.

Known for his smooth vocals and amazing dance skills, Taeyang (real name Dong Young Bae, 동영배) debuted in 2006 as a member of BIGBANG. In 2008, he released his solo debut mini-album, titled “Hot”. The mini-album was very well-received and it even earned him the award for Best R&B & Soul Album at the 6th Korean Music Awards.

To date, he has dropped 2 full length albums: “Solar” (2010) and “Rise” (2014), which holds the chart-topping lead single, “Eyes, Nose, Lips” (눈,코,입).

The 29-year-old artiste, who is the honorary ambassador for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, is set to release his long-awaited solo album, titled “White Night”, on 16th August (Wednesday). Besides that, Taeyang will be kicking off his solo world tour in Seoul on 26th August.

For more information, visit the K-Pop star’s Facebook page and IME Asia’s Facebook page.

Source: IME Asia Facebook page / Featured image: YG Entertainment.

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


#Alcohol: Legal Drinking Age Raised To 21; Health Warning Labels To Be Imprinted On Beverages

Wanna drink? You now have to be at least 21 years old.

A new law increasing the minimum drinking age from 18 to 21 will be imposed on the public starting 1st December next year. Labels explaining the hazardous effects of alcoholic beverages to health must also be displayed on the bottle.

The new regulation comes from The Health Ministry, and it also imposes a new penalty of imprisonment not more than 2 years or a fine not exceeding RM10,000 against those who fail to obey the ruling.

According to the Food (Amendment) Regulations 2016 gazetted on 17th May by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, the following sentence has to be imprinted on all alcoholic beverages:

MEMINUM ARAK BOLEH MEMBAHAYAKAN KESIHATAN (Consuming alcohol can be hazardous to health).

The sentence on the label should be of a non-serif character and the font size should be larger than 12 points.

The ruling is filed under subregulation 2A under Regulation 361 of the Food Regulations 1985 on the “General standard for alcoholic beverage”.

The new law also affects shops which sell alcohol, as they have to put up a notice warning consumers of the dangers of drinking, followed by a sign at the counter displaying the legal drinking age.


#KelanaJaya: Photo Of Rodent In Food Warmer Goes Viral; 7-Eleven Apologises

Imagine entering a convenience store and the first thing you notice is a rat near the fresh food section. Not a sight you want to see, right?

7-Eleven is currently under fire for the lack of hygiene in their stores, as a photo of a rodent in one of their food warmers has gone viral. The incident happened on 2nd January at their Kelana Centre Point branch.

The photo showed a rat crawling on a tray of food, which comprised of hot dogs, fish balls, and other fresh food. We are not sure where the post originated from, but various Facebook pages have re-uploaded the photos along with messages of caution to the public.

We’re sure the question on everyone’s mind is, “How did the rat manage to get into the enclosed space?” We don’t have an answer to that, but it seems like 7-Eleven is aware of the issue and is conducting an internal investigation.

In a statement released on their official Facebook page, the convenience store chain assured customers that their safety and well-being are of utmost importance, and also sincerely apologised for the unfortunate incident.

“7-Eleven Malaysia takes note of the pest incident which occurred at 7-Eleven Kelana Centre Point on 2nd January 2017 and we would like to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers. We have immediately conducted our own internal investigations as well as cooperated with the Health Ministry office for the district of Petaling on the matter and please be assured, this is an isolated incident as we have certified quality assurance audits and regular pest control steps in place to prevent such occurrences.

The safety and well-being of our customers are of the utmost importance to us and we would like to reiterate that 7-Eleven Malaysia ensures that all of our food products are of the highest quality and produced hygienically in an approved and audited facility(s).

Once again, we would like to apologise and sincerely thank our customers for your patience and understanding whilst we take further corrective actions to prevent such an incident from occurring again.”

7-Eleven also urged the public to contact them at marketing@7eleven.com.my if they have any questions.

This is not the first incident highlighting the poor level of hygiene in food places in Malaysia. In October 2016, Komugi, a Japanese pastry franchise, came under fire as a rat was found crawling on a tray of freshly-baked breads in their Mid Valley outlet.

Sources: 7-Eleven’s Facebook Page, Arun Ponan’s Facebook Page.

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


Malaysian Actor Aeril Goes To Hollywood!

Best known for his roles in films such as “Budak Pailang”, “Hanya Aku Cinta Kau Seorang”, and TV3 sitcom “Kisah Kaisara”, Aeril Zafrel has taken his career international.

The 26-year-old Batu Pahat-born Aeril, whose real name is Suhairil Sunari, recently landed a lead role in Hollywood which will see him star opposite Sharon Stone and one of our all-time favourite actresses, Christina Ricci!

According to reports from Harian Metro, Aeril is now allowed to reveal details of the film as he is bound by a contract from the film’s production team. What has been confirmed though, is that it will be a love story. Upon being asked about the picture that taken with Christina Ricci, Aeril said:

It is true that I am the male actor beside Christina in the video. It is a video for the theme song of the movie that has yet to have an official title. Filming is going on in London but that is all I can tell you at the moment. I feel like I’m in a dream working in a Hollywood production alongside big stars such as Christina Ricci and Sharon Stone.

Nevermind you, even we feel like it’s a dream to have our very own fellow Malaysian star alongside the big league talents! Congratulations, Aeril. We’re looking forward to the film already!


#TousLesJours: All Malaysian Outlets Officially Closing Down Effective Today

Say it isn’t so! Tous Les Jours Malaysia has officially ceased operation.

Just hours ago, the company took to their Facebook to announce that all 4 outlets in Klang Valley – Bangsar, Empire Damansara, WOLO Bukit Bintang, and Subang’s Empire Shopping Gallery – will be closing down for good starting today (Thursday, 25th May).

“Unfortunately Tous Les Jours Malaysia will be closing down for good on Thursday May 25th 2017. We would like to thank you for your on going support over the last few years. Together we have created some good memories. Thank you and Good Bye!”

For those unfamiliar, Tous Les Jours (pronounced as Too-Leh-Joo, which means “Everyday”) is a French bakery that first started in Korea. Even since the franchise debuted in Malaysia back in 2013, customers have been dropping by their stores to buy freshly-baked loaves, pastries, and cakes.

Netizens are shocked at the sudden announcement as no prior notice or explanation were given. It’s most unfortunate and we will definitely miss Tous Les Jours :(

Having said that, here is a list of other bakeries in town that you can still visit.

Source: Tous Les Jours Malaysia’s Facebook.


Hype’s Exclusive: Alesso Spills The Beans On Debut Album & Future Plans

Beginning his career 5 years ago as a self-taught 18-year-old bedroom producer in Stockholm, Sweden, Alesso’s trajectory to the forefront of the global dance floor has been truly amazing. Starting off by tinkering with other people’s songs, creating his own edits, and uploading his versions to Beatport, Alesso’s efforts reached Sebastian Ingrosso, who quickly took the teen under his wing.

Apart from just having Ingrosso as a mentor, Alesso was also signed to his management and label which led to Alesso making an impressive entrance with his “Taking It Back” remix of Avicii’s “Alcoholic”. However, it was his addition of classic house drop to Nadia Ali’s “Pressure” that helped the single become one of the most played dance tracks of 2011.

In 2012, Alesso teamed up with One Republic’s “Ryan Tedder” for “Calling (Lose My Mind)”, which peaked at #1 on the Billboard Dance Chart and has since been streamed over 33.5 million times on Spotify. That same year, Alesso opened for Madonna on her MDMA tour, before releasing a string of commercially and critically celebrated remixes including David Guetta’s “Titanium”, Keane’s “Silenced By The Night”, and One Republic’s “If I Lose Myself”.

Since then, Alesso’s career has been on a rise as he’s played to sold-out crowds all over the world, landed a Las Vegas residency, and became a favourite at festivals such as Coachella, Electric Daisy Carnival, and Ultra. During his first headline tour in 2013, Alesso released “Under Control” featuring Calvin Harris and Theo Hurts. The track topped Hypemachine charts, was named Pete Tong’s “Essential New Tune” and hit 1 million YouTube views in just 24 hours.

The very same year also saw Alesso produce Example’s “Queen Of Your Dreams” and alongside Swedish House Mafia’s “Numb” for R&B superstar Usher. He wrapped up the year with a Grammy “Best Dance Remix” nomination for “If I Lose Myself” and another #1 on the Billboard Dance chart.

In 2014, Alesso released the single “Heroes” featuring Swedish singer Tove Lo. The radio-friendly track’s popularity continues to grow, much like his other single “Cool” featuring Roy English. Currently working on releasing his debut album “Forever”, Alesso has also teamed up with fashion designer Carolina Herrera on his 212 Limited Edition Club fragrances. The partnership saw the 24-year-old DJ reveal his latest single “If It Wasn’t For You” which will also be featured on his upcoming album.

Slated for a release on May 26th, we caught with Alesso via telephone earlier this morning for a quick chat on deets about what we can expect from his upcoming album “Forever”.

I’m good, thanks. How did growing up in Sweden shape your interest in dance music and your career?

Oh that’s a good question. I think it just kinda shaped me into being very focus and I was putting all my free time into making music really. Even when I was in school, I would make music on my free time so I guess that’s how it shaped me.

How would you say, your sound evolved since you first started?

I think it’s been going a little up and down. Obviously, it used to be a lot harder and big room-ish but now it’s more laid back and chilled. Then again, it’s always changing.

Cool. One of your recent tracks, “Heroes” is probably the most radio friendly songs you’ve produced. What was it like working with Tove Lo?

It was great, it was fun. She’s super talented and we had a great time.

Your debut album “Forever” will be out next week. Can you tell us a little about it – what inspired the album?

I wanted to make an album that I was happy with and that you know, had different kind of parts in it so when you listen to it, you’ll get a little bit of everything but it’s still me.

Do you have a favourite track on the album?

I can’t pick. I like all of them differently, each track is different and served a different purpose so it’s too hard to pick one.

Okay. Last one, what else is in the pipeline for you this 2015?

I’ve got a lot of shows in Europe this summer. I’m also going Asia for Ultra then a tour in the States. I’ll also be working on new music but yeah, big summer tour.

Alesso’s debut album “Forever” is now available for pre-order here. Big thanks to our friends at Universal Music Malaysia for arranging this interview for us!

For more on Alesso, stalk him via these portals: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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


AirAsia To Lay Off 111 Cabin Crew, 172 Pilots & 50 Engineers

Low-cost carrier AirAsia Group Bhd has been forced to cut cost by laying off over 300 of its staff and personnel.

According to Astro Awani, the company will be retrenching 111 cabin crew members out of 1,900 existing ones, 172 pilots, and 50 engineers.

The publication reported that AirAsia’s chief executive officer Riad Asmat made the bleak announcement earlier this afternoon (Thursday, 4th June). The retrenchment scheme is expected to reach all affected staffs via e-mail within 24 hours, with details of their compensation.

Besides adjusting organisational restructuring and downsizing operations, AirAsia Berhad has found itself against a brick wall. Other subsidiaries under the group have not been spared as well. Even those who aren’t being retrenched now may be forced to take a pay cut.

In other news, it is also understood that long-haul carrier AirAsia X will be reducing its aircrafts for international flights by 50% (from 32 to 15 or 16).

Many who were working in travel and tourism have resigned to find better stability in other industries.


#B2ST: Jang Hyun Seung AKA Hyunseung To Make Solo Debut In May 2015

BEAST aka B2ST has surprised fans with the news of an upcoming solo debut for member Jang Hyun Seung, more commonly known as Hyunseung.

Just today, the group announced the good news through their official Facebook page with a simply black and white image. The image, of Hyunseung, contained uhm, nothing much really except for a caption which reads, “Jang Hyun Seung 2015. 05 Coming Soon #장현승 #Jang_hyun_seung of #BEAST”.

This will make him the third BEAST member to make a solo debut, following members Yang Yoseob in 2012 and Yong Junhyung in 2013. Of course, he’s not entirely new to promoting without his members as Hyunseung is also one half of the duo Trouble Maker with CUBE Entertainment labelmate as well as 4Minute member HyunA.

Their last known release was, “내일은 없어 (Now)”, which was released on in November 2013.

Can’t wait to see what he has in store for us! We wonder what his solo debut concept would be like. Any guesses? ;)


Ohrwurm Presents Osunlade Live At Nagaba KL

After kicking off 2015 with Dosem last month, Ohrwurm is now back with more music for partygoers. This February, the party fall on the eve of Valentine’s Day with Osunlade – an artiste whose music as well as his being creates unified melodies manifested with balance, life and wisdom.

Choosing to seek spiritual solace and honour his soul, Osunlade was led to Ifa, an ancestral based culture/religion based on nature, deriving from the Yoruba tribes of Africa and practiced by the slaves during the Diaspora to America. In 1999, Osunlade embarked on what is now his dream come true – the founding of Yoruba Records.

As the success of Yoruba Records grew, the demand for Osunlade to expand did too. In 2001, he released his debut album “Paradigm” on the respected Soul Jazz Records label. “Paradigm” quickly became one of the biggest house albums that year and Osunlade was dubbed the messiah of ancestral house music.

With the support of DJs worldwide, Osunlade’s music had reached a wider spectrum and is now also known for his legendary live sets, remixes and originals. Osunlade will be making his way to Malaysia this February 13th (Friday) to give partygoers a fun night out.

Admission: RM50 (incl. 1 drink) before 12am and RM60 (incl. 1 drink) after 12am.

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


#HondaUS: Carmaker Declares Support For LGBT Community; Condemned By Malaysian & Indonesia Netizens

Malaysians are in the headlines once again for all the wrong reasons.

On 18th June, Honda America posted a photo of various cars painted in the colours of the rainbow, declaring their support for the LGBT community in conjunction with LGBT Pride Month. Sure, it was a nice gesture, but that didn’t stop several Malaysian and Indonesian netizens from “hijacking” the post with debates about sexual orientation.

Various netizens left comments denouncing Honda America for their actions, stating that they won’t be buying any Honda vehicles, but would instead support rivals such as Nissan, Hyundai, Mazda, Toyota, and other car makers that do not “support gays”.

A Facebook user by the name of “Penulis Tanpa Nama (Writer Without A Name)” explained that he was a potential buyer who was interested in the new Honda Civic, but changed his mind since “Honda supports LGBT”. The top comment has garnered 721 likes as of time of writing.

Honda America must have been puzzled by the comment, as they replied by directing the said commenter to a page in order to look for the contact of the Honda corporate office in their country.

The comment wasn’t the only one condemning Honda America. Others left spiteful comments, saying:

“Thanks God, I am driving Nissan. Nissan straight but Honda is gay!”

“I trade CR-V in for a Hyundai. I will never buy another Honda!”

“What the hell, how they can produce some baby if they are married same gender.. Our legacy of human will be extinct..”

“I have Honda. Now I sell my Honda. Than I go buy Proton. Sorry Honda. You gay kunyit I dont like ????“

“Ohhhhh please… I had to chose between Honda or Madza (Mazda).. Now my decision is clear! Madza (Mazda). Wait? Not in Malaysia? Dont be so narrow minded. Eventually it will come to here… And last thing u know they will fund LGBT here.”

The comments section were filled with mixed responses, with half supporting Honda America’s declaration and another half opposing it. However, the good side of netizens shined through, with many being the voice of reason and applauding Honda America for “standing in support” of the LGBT community.

Our take? Well, we don’t know how so many Malaysians and Indonesians managed to land themselves on Honda America’s Facebook page and complained about something which does not concern them, but we hope that netizens would be more accepting and considerate before leaving insulting and insensitive comments on the interwebs.


JT Launches Home Decor Line (What?)

So, Justin Timberlake aka JT tweeted this:

And left us wondering, “Is there anything that this guy can’t do?”

We already know that he’s aced everything that he has ever done – from music, to movies, to even fashion. We’re pretty sure that he does quite well in his favourite sport, golfing, too. Who could’ve guessed that this was going to be his next big project?

It appears that JT is venturing into designing a home line now! That’s the closest you can get to Justin being “in your home”, right? Brandishing more talent that he already has shown to the world, he’s collaborating with stylist and designer Estee Stanley (who also happens to be his longtime interior designer) on the “HomeMint” collection.

In an exclusive interview ELLE DECOR, Justin said, “I like very clean, almost modern architecture, and the obstacle with something like that is making it extremely warm, because it doesn’t naturally lend itself to that.”

“I like a lot of different things and the challenge is taking all the pieces you love and finding the common thread between them so it doesn’t look like it’s all just thrown into the same room.”

“You don’t have to spend your whole bank account to make your home look amazing but also be comfortable and reliable”, he added.

Wow. He means business. He’s not just goofing off. Judging from the pictures we’re seeing, it’s feeling a little country out there, JT! We’re already loving it. And if we know Justin, he has probably put as much effort into curating this home line as he has into his music and movies.

Can’t wait to get some of him into your homes?

The “HomeMint” collection will be made available online here.

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


#Penang: More International Flights Coming To The Penang International Airport

The number of international flights landing at Penang International Airport continues to climb because according to The Malay Mail Online, a total of 2 airlines are introducing additional routes from Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City to Penang.

The airlines that are introducing the additional routes are Dragonair and AirAsia.

Dragonair, a member of the Cathay Pacific Group, is an award-winning airline that offers 10 flights between Penang and Hong Kong on weekly basis. It was recently named “Best Regional Airline” at the 26th Annual TTG Travel Awards Ceremony in Bangkok.

Now, the airline is adding 2 more flights to Penang and they will operate for a 4-month seasonal period from 30th November (Monday) onwards. In addition, the flights will be ran by Dragonair’s fleet of Airbuses with a business and economy class configuration.

Passengers are guaranteed to experience the airline’s improved seating and personal storage space, and a new in-flight entertainment system.

Regarding the additional flights, a Dragonair spokesman said:

The additional flights will offer customers more choices and flexibility when planning their travel.

In conjunction with the addition of the flights, Dragonair launched a promotion for travellers who are seeking for value airfares during this year-end holiday season. The promotion, which began from 30th October, includes flights to Hong Kong, Taiwan, China and Europe. The airfares begin from as low as RM590 and will last until 31st December.

As for AirAsia, direct flights from Penang to Vietnam capital, Ho Chi Minh City, will be introduced next month. The flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

In a press statement, AirAsia Berhad commercial head Spencer Lee said:

Penang is one of our important hubs and we recognise its great tourism potential.

As the world’s best low-cost airline for 7 consecutive years, AirAsia will also add direct flights from Langkawi to Guangzhou, the 3rd largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. The flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays starting from 24th January 2016.

Penang Tourism Malaysia director Harun Pilus said that the introduction of the additional routes by the 2 airlines are positive contributions to the tourism industry in Penang.

With easy access via direct flights to the island, foreign tourists will have the convenience of reaching their destination here without changing flights and avoid loss of time.

“More tourists arrivals will boost the state’s economy,” he added.

Meanwhile, The Malay Mail Online also reported that AirAsia has plans to raise the tourism bar for Langkawi as the AirAsia CEO Aireen Omar said that the airline was working closely with Langkawi Development Authority for the “Discover Kedah 2016″ campaign.

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip because we will have a total of 8 long weekends in 2016 ;)

Sources: The Malay Mail Online, Dragonair, Vietnam Breaking News.

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


10 Pairs Of Passes To X-Men: Days Of Future Past

The moment all you X-Men fans have been waiting is finally here!

X-Men: Days Of Future Past makes its way to cinemas this May and we have passes for you! Pssst, we don’t just have passes for you. We have premiere screening passes, which means 10 lucky winners will get to take a friend or loved one to watch the movie before anyone else.

Now, how can you get your hands on this passes? Here’s how:

2. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Email your answers to the questions above, along with your personal details (Full name, IC number, phone number) to bryna@hype.my.

This contest ends at 3pm on May 18th 2014 (Sunday).

-The decision by our judges is final, and winners will be announced via email at 10.00am on May 19th 2014 (Monday).
-Winners will have to collect the tickets from our office at Northpoint Office Suites, Mid Valley. We will not be posting out the tickets.


Fun Facts: Let Your Curiosity Gnaw On These 10 Little Known #JurassicWorld Facts

On 12th June, the world’s most popular dinosaur theme park will return for a 4th time with “Jurassic World”, a new feature film starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D’Onofrio, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, and Irrfan Khan. But wait, aside from that, how much do you really know about this installment of the popular film franchise?

Here’s what we know, for now: Built out of the ruins of the original dinosaur safari park on Isla Nublar, “Jurassic World” will take place 22 whole years after the events of “Jurassic Park”. It will feature a fully functioning theme park, as originally envisioned by John Hammond (played by the late Richard Attenborough). But because the park’s attendance rate are declining, a new attraction is created to re-spark visitor interest.

Unfortunately, as the sheer “Jurassic Park” luck would have it, the new attraction will gravely backfire. Dun dun dun!

All-new characters alonside new dinosaurs aside, check out 10 more little known “Jurassic World” fun facts below to best prepare you for the movie when it comes out:

1. Truth: “Jurassic World” spent more than 10 years in development hell

Executive producer (and the director of the first 2 “Jurassic Park” films) Steven Spielberg confirmed that a 4th “Jurassic Park” movie was in the works during a 2002 interview. But in the intervening years, he wasn’t satisfied by any of the scripts that were created for the sequel. The death of “Jurassic Park” novelist Michael Crichton in 2008 was also a setback for the project, according to producer Kathleen Kennedy. Later, Spielberg announced that the sequel was back on in 2011 at Comic-Con International and that Colin Trevorrow was signed to direct it in 2013. Alas, “Jurassic World” was pushed back once more from its original June 2014 release date, but it will finally hit theatres in a few weeks. Yay!

2. Steven Spielberg was responsible for delaying “Jurassic World”

Trust Steven Spielberg to let his perfectionist side push a movie so far back that it almost didn’t see the light of day, eh? As mentioned, Spielberg was personally responsible for the final delay of “Jurassic World”. This was because he wanted the final film to be good. A script was written in 3 weeks and Universal Pictures was reportedly pushing for a fast turnaround on the film with production to start in June 2013. Fortunately, Spielberg had the clout to shut down production until the script met his approval. Jurassic World finally began filming in April 2014.

3. Super fans were initially unhappy with the name “Jurassic World”

We wouldn’t have known any better but apparently, super fans are initially unhappy with the name “Jurassic World”. You see, dinosaurs lived during the Mesozoic era (approximately 252 to 66 million years ago), which was divided into the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. The park is called “Jurassic World” but, as with the earlier films, several of its dinosaurs, including T-Rex (aka Tyrannosaurus Rex) and Triceratops, are in fact from the Cretaceous period. Oops?

4. Only one “Jurassic Park” actor is returning – B.D. Wong

There won’t be cameo appearances by Sam Neill, Laura Dern and/or Jeff Goldblum because Colin Trevorrow has publicly said that he didn’t want to shoehorn their characters into the movie and that their return would have been contrived if it was simply forced to happen within the script. But there is at least one human character coming back: Dr. Henry Wu (played by B.D. Wong). Dr. Wu appeared in the first “Jurassic Park” movie as the head of the scientific team that brought the dinosaurs back to life. Presumably, Dr. Wu is now employed by Masrani Global Corporation, the new owners of “Jurassic World”.

5. Chris Pratt wasn’t the first choice actor to take on the lead role

They really, really thought hard and long before picking their leads. In fact, several actors were considered to play Owen Grady, the new lead character of “Jurassic World”. Garrett Hedlund, Jason Statham, John Krasinski, Jason Sudeikis, Josh Brolin, Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, and Glenn Howerton were reportedly among the top contenders before “Guardians of the Galaxy” star Chris Pratt was cast in the role. Keira Knightley and Kristen Stewart were also rumored to be up for the role of Claire Dearing, but Bryce Dallas Howard was ultimately chosen for the part.

6. Director Colin Trevorrow is kinda new, having done only one other feature film previously

The job of director went to the relatively unknown Colin Trevorrow, who has only one feature film to his name – a 2012 indie comedy “Safety Not Guaranteed” which received critical acclaim. He wrote and directed his first short film, “Home Base” in 2002, which has received over 20 million hits online. For now, it seems that he could be quite the visionary as he previously explained one of the most spectacular special effects in “Jurassic World” called the “Gyrosphere“, a ride at the park that allows you to get into a gyroscopic sphere and be out in the wild with dinosaurs and travel beneath them.

7. Film includes tribute to John Hammond (played by the late Richard Attenborough)

The late Richard Attenborough expressed his desire to return for the 4th “Jurassic Park” movie, but he passed away during the film’s long development. Attenborough’s character from the first 2 films, John Hammond, will also be deceased in “Jurassic World”, but his vision lives on thanks to the fully-functioning dinosaur theme park that exists in the movie. As a tribute to Attenborough, a statue of John Hammond will be seen in “Jurassic World” and he will be identified as the founder of both “Jurassic Park” and InGen, the company that brought the dinosaurs back from extinction.

8. Keep a look out for the star dinosaurs of the show, Indominus Rex and Mosasaurus

The main attraction is a new dinosaur called Indominus Rex – a highly intelligent animal that will kill anything that moves. At first glance, Indominus most closely resembles a T-Rex. But its distinctive head ornamentation and ultra-tough bony osteoderms can be traced from Theropods known as Abeliosaurs. Indominus’ horns have been placed above the eye orbit through genetic material hybridised from Carnotaurus, Majungasaurus, Rugops, and Gigantosaurus. Indominus’ roar is estimated to reach 140-160db – the same as a 747 taking off and landing, and it can reach speeds of 30 mph while confined to its enclosure. But a character who could well steal the show is a water-dwelling, shark-eating creature called Mosasaurus. It is a carnivorous, aquatic lizard, resembling flippered crocodiles, with elongated heavy jaws. The genus existed during the Maastrichtian age of the Cretaceous period (Mesozoic era), around 70 – 66 million years ago.

9. Skeptical paleontologists everywhere raised eyebrows at the “Jurassic World” trailer

When the first trailer was released, it excited people as much as it failed to impress the real pros i.e. paleontologists. According to Hans-Dieter Sues, National Museum of Natural History Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology in the SeaWorld-like scene in the trailer, where the Mosasaurus jumped out of the water to devour a great white is somewhat inaccurate because the creature was way too big. Sues said, “The Mosasaur in the pool is twice the size as the largest actually known species.” On top of that, it should have a forked tongue but in the movie, it doesn’t. As such, Sues thinks “Jurassic World” audiences are in store for a Godzilla-like monster move, but not a “realistic portrayal of actual extinct animals”.

10. Believe it or not, possible sequels are already in talks/planning

Long before “Jurassic World” even wrapped production, news leaked about this new film setting up a larger story arc that could continue in sequels. Obviously, Universal will wait to see if audiences turn out for “Jurassic World” when it’s released in a couple of weeks, but let’s not forget that director Colin Trevorrow hinted to Empire more than a year ago about the coming dino-sequel and crossed his fingers that he would be invited back, to continue an exploration into the dinosaur world. He said:

We definitely talked about (sequels) a lot. We wanted to create something that would be a little bit less arbitrary and episodic, and something that could potentially arc into a series that would feel like a complete story.

Hmm. Looks like “Jurassic Park” fans are definitely getting a whole lot more than they bargained for. Not that we’re complaining or anything like that ;)

Last but not least, here’s a quick look inside “Jurassic World”, narrated by yours truly aka Steven Spielberg himself:

Steven Spielberg returns to executive produce the long-awaited next installment of his groundbreaking “Jurassic Park” series, “Jurassic World.” Colin Trevorrow directs the epic action-adventure based on the novel “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton, while Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley join the team as producers.

“Jurassic World” will be released in 3D by Universal Pictures on 12th June 2015.

For more information, visit the movie’s official (super cool) website or Facebook page.

Sources: IB Times, Washington Post, comingsoon, Cinema Blend.

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