#1989: Taylor Swift’s New Album Released In Malaysia Today!

“1989” – the highly anticipated and critically acclaimed fifth studio album of global superstar and 7-time GRAMMY award winner, Taylor Swift – is available now on iTunes and major stores nationwide*.

The album is a touchstone – her songwriting and sonic evolution surprises us more than ever before. Heavily keyboard and beat driven, the pop sensibilities that have always been the hallmark of Taylor’s music now move front and centre on “1989”.

On the making of the album, the singer-songwriter said:

I spent two years making “1989”. 2 years gives you enough time to grow and change and let things inspire you. I was listening to a lot of late 80s pop music and how bold those songs were and how that time period was a time of limitless possibilities. In thinking about that, this album is a rebirth for me. This is my very first pop album. “1989” is the most sonically cohesive album I have ever made and my favourite album I have ever made.

1989 (Big Machine/ Virgin EMI) is executively produced by Taylor Swift and Max Martin, and sees Taylor work with collaborators Max Martin and Shellback, Jack Antonoff (Bleachers, Fun), Ryan Tedder (One Republic) and Imogen Heap.

The first single, “Shake It Off“, (written by Taylor Swift and Max Martin, and produced Max Martin and Shellback for MXM Productions), peaked at No. 1 in 64 countries on iTunes and remains atop the charts across the globe. The single has topped Billboard’s Hot 100 charts and has earned double Platinum-status by the RIAA for exceeding sales of two million downloads in US alone.

Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Taylor Swift, is undoubtedly a global superstar. She is the first artiste since the Beatles (and the only female artiste in history) to log 6 or more weeks at #1 in the U.S. with 3 consecutive studio albums. Taylor has an album on Rolling Stone’s prestigious “The 50 Greatest Albums of All Time” (by women) list, TIME magazine has named her one of the “100 Most Influential People” in the world, and she is Billboard’s youngest-ever “Woman of the Year”.

And the only artiste to have been awarded this honour twice.

Taylor Swift has career record sales in excess of 30 million albums and almost 80 million song downloads, and is one of the top 5 selling digital music artistes worldwide. Taylor’s forth studio album “RED”, released almost 2 years ago by Big Machine, peaked at no. 1 on iTunes in over 50 countries, and has sold more than 6 million copies to date, and more than 1.2 million copies in US, where it scored the highest first-week sales debut of any album in over a decade.

*Availability of the album in stores might be delayed dependent on the transportations the company enlist.

For more information, hit up her website or follow her on Facebook, Google +, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter

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Hype’s Now Playing: Paperplane Pursuit — Feel Good

Local pop band Paperplane Pursuit comprised of vocalist and guitarist John O, drummer and percussionist Andrew and guitarist Issac, recently released the latest music video to their single “Feel Good”.  Directed by Joni Lynne and produced by John O, the music video features friends and fans of the band who danced and clowned around on in front of the camera.

Sticking to their signature style and sound, Feel Good by Paperplane Pursuit is upbeat and lively, making it an instant pick-me-up! Check out the video below and have a happy Tuesday everyone!

Keep updated with Paperplane Pursuit via their Facebook page.


Contest: Win Screening Passes Of Action Thriller “Cold Pursuit”

Loosely based on director Hans Petter Moland’s very own Norwegian action film “In Order of Disappearance”, “Cold Pursuit” follows a twisted revenge story filled with vengeance, violence, and pitch-black humour.

Starring Oscar-nominated actor Liam Neeson who described his character as “a whole can of worms”, “Cold Pursuit” is guaranteed to be blisteringly violent yet bitingly hilarious at the same time. “My character goes out on a path of vengeance, but doesn’t realise what he’s getting himself into,” says Neeson.

The movie also stars Laura Dern, Emmy Rossum, and Tom Bateman in supporting roles and is set to hit cinemas on 21st February 2019.

Here’s the official synopsis of the movie:-

Welcome to Kehoe, it’s -10 degrees and counting at this glitzy ski resort in the Rocky
Mountains. The local police aren’t used to much action until the son of unassuming town
snowplough driver, Nels Coxman (Liam Neeson), is murdered at the order of Viking (Tom
Bateman), a flamboyant drug lord. Fueled by rage and armed with heavy machinery, Nels
sets out to dismantle the cartel one man at a time, but his understanding of murder comes
mainly from what he read in a crime novel. As the bodies pile up, his actions ignite a turf war between Viking and his long-standing rival White Bull (Tom Jackson), a soulful Native-American mafia boss, that will quickly escalate and turn the small town’s bright white slopes blood-red.


#BadBlood: Did Tay Tay Just Take A Jab At Katy Perry With The #LeftShark Cameo?

Okay, we gotta say that although we love Taylor Swift (Tay Tay) and all, it’s really beginning to look like the singing starlet is getting a little out of hand. Sure, Spotify and Apple Music may have bowed down to her “requests”, but not everyone can take anymore of her jabs.

Tay Tay was in Foxborough, Massachusetts, over the weekend for 2 stops on her “1989 World Tour”. During her performance of “Bad Blood” on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium, a very familiar-looking shark made a quick appearance.

@TSwiftOnTour @TSwiftNZ @taylorswift13 THERE WAS A SHARK DURING #BADBLOOD TODAY #BADBLOODSHARK pic.twitter.com/VXWetafdj6

If you don’t already know, Katy Perry featured 2 blue sharks during her 2015 Super Bowl halftime show back in February. And “Bad Blood” is presumably about Tay Tay’s feud with her former friend and fellow pop star, although she has never actually confirmed the speculation. But is this Tay Tay’s attempt at trying to make it perfectly clear (as if it wasn’t clear enough with the release of “Bad Blood”) that she still has beef with Katy Perry?

While Tay Tay has displayed that she ain’t ready to let it go, Katy’s fans too have taken to Twitter to slam the petty “indirect diss”, calling the move childish.

@taylorswift13 you fight like a 2 year old with ur left shark dig, she's not in high school she doesn't give a fuck about your childish digs

I still can't believe Taylor Swift did the left shark thing at her gig. Can you be anymore childish?

— Katy P & John M (@KatyLoveJohn) July 26, 2015

Hmm. What do you guys think though? Has Tay Tay taken it a little too far this time around? Should both Tay Tay and Katy Perry finally kiss and make up, and perhaps work on a killer collaboration together instead of trying to “kill” each other?

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Foreigner Caught Sexually Harassing Female Joggers At Cyberjaya Park

A video went viral this week, showing a foreign man who was caught committing sexual offence at a park in Cyberjaya.

In the post shared by @Twt_Cyberjaya, the culprit could be seen lying down on the ground while being surrounded by members of the public.

Berhati-hati warga Cyberjaya. Lelaki warga asing ini meraba-raba perempuan yang jogging & memeluk kanak-kanak perempuan di Taman Tasik Cyberjaya pada jam 6.30 petang tadi.

📸: Hani Elborei pic.twitter.com/ZEKpK3iu5o

— Cyberjaya Info (@Twt_Cyberjaya) February 3, 2021

“Be careful, people of Cyberjaya. This foreign man groped female joggers and hugged little girls at the Cyberjaya Lake Garden. The incident took place at 6:30pm (yesterday) evening,” the caption reads. At the time of writing (Thursday, 4th February), the post has gained up to 1k retweets from members of Twitterverse.

It is understood that the sexual offender had been caught red-handed by a woman at the scene. She was soon assisted by a group of joggers in the area. In another thread, the admin of the account confirmed that the man, believed to be from Myanmar, had been taken to the police station.

Scrolling through the replies, many netizens revealed that they had similar terrible encounters with the man. Others also recalled that they were chased by the guy while they were jogging, in addition to witnessing him praying by the lake.

The Sepang IPD has opened an investigation paper on this case. In the meantime, stay safe Cyberjaya peeps!


#IKilledThePromQueen: Australian Metalcore Band Detained In KL For Performing Without Permit

Australian metalcore band I Killed The Prom Queen has recently been detained by Malaysian Immigration.

Guitarist Jona Weinhofen tweeted that his band was nabbed by immigration officials right after they completed their performance last night (14th November) at KL Venue in Bukit Bintang. According to Weinhofen, the show’s organiser failed to obtain working visas for them before they performed.

For those who are not in the know, I Killed The Prom Queen is a 5-member metalcore band from Adelaide, Australia.

Formed in 2000, the band was featured prominently on the Australian live music scene and toured the US, Japan and parts of Europe several times. However, following vocalist Ed Butcher’s departure from the band, I Killed The Prom Queen broke up due to their inability to find a new vocalist.

In May 2011, the Adelaide-based band reformed for the “Destroy Music Tour” with new vocalist Jamie Hope and spent the next 2 years working on a 3rd studio album, which was released in early 2014.

Having performed at countless major gigs, they’ve finally embarked on their first Southeast Asian tour and arrived in KL yesterday for their first Malaysian gig. Their show was supported by a slew of local musicians including Massacre Conspiracy Official, Sekumpulan Orang Gila (SOG), As Our Throne, and Dead Eyes Glow.

Though they’ve delivered some high-intensity performances, they were unfortunately detained by Malaysian Immigration. Weinhofen tweeted they’re apparently “going to be detained for 4 to 14 days in a Malaysian immigration detention centre”.

When contacted by The Rakyat Post, the organiser was unable to confirm the details of case, further stating that they would resolve the matter as soon as they can.

Weinhofen has yet to update his Twitter about their current condition at the immigration centre, but he tweted that they “are in good health” as food and water are provided.

He also shared that several immigration officers, one of them wearing “I Killed The Prom Queen” shirt, even requested for autographs from the band.

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Hype’s Now Playing: Goldfish & Blink – Pursuit

For a decade or so now, DJ/producer duo Goldfish & Blink aka #GBTagTeam have been the major names in the dance music industry. Anyone who has had any experience with Malaysian parties or clubs would have at least heard of them in passing even if he/she has never seen them play.

In June 2012, the duo released their debut album. We spoke to the boys briefly right before the album launch and asked what was next for Goldfish and Blink. To which the Malaysian powerhouse simply replied that they were going to play at some international festivals. What they didn’t tell us, however, was that they were about to get signed with Hardwell Publishing!

With that much exposure, it’s no wonder how the boys’ music suddenly gained so much traction in such a short time.

And while we’re on the topic of music, they’ve recently released a teaser for their new track, “Pursuit”. The track first premiered on Hardwell’s “Hardwell On Air” episode 175 and already, it has received praises from local as well as international fans. These boys, they sure have a series of surprises up their sleeves!

Love it? Then you’re going to love what’s coming up next because the biggest surprise of all is the fact that they’ll be giving away “Pursuit” absolutely free! In celebration of hitting 15,000 likes, the “Pursuit” banger is now available for free download via Goldfish & Blink’s Facebook page. We know, right? Go on and download away.

For more information, hit up Goldfish & Blink’s Facebook page.


Does The Kelana Jaya LRT Line Pass Below A Well Known Graveyard?

Malaysians know that the LRT (light rapid transit) Kelana Jaya line is one of the busiest public transportation in the Klang Valley. It is the only transit platform for users to exchange their route to the Ampang Line or the MRT (mass rapid transit) and connects directly to KL Sentral. Recently, a netizen invoked the public’s curiosity regarding the LRT Kelana Jaya line with a clip shared on his TikTok page.

On Monday (8th August), a TikTok user @radinfikri shared a 22-second video clip on his profile and it immediately went viral. He posted the video with a caption that reads, “Is it true that the Kelana Jaya LRT passes below the graveyard in Jalan Ampang?”.

betul ke, cer komen. #tiktok #seram #paranormal #malaysiatiktok #malaysia #anker #kl

♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs – Skittlegirl Sound

The male questioned the exact location of the LRT underground tunnel, which crosses beneath the Jalan Ampang Islamic Cemetery in Kuala Lumpur. The post has brought out netizens to question the posting themselves. Another netizen, also a TikTok user, did his own research using Google Maps to verify the initial posting.

According to @jagan8040, he found that the matter turned out to be true. The LRT Kelana Jaya line does in fact passes beneath the Jalan Ampang Islamic Cemetery, which the exact route connects the Kampung Baru and KLCC stations.

Netizens also took the time to add remarks of their own on the video that started the topic. They wrote “The Earth is an old grave itself,” “This (Jalan Ampang Islamic Cemetery) is where P. Ramlee and Saloma were laid to rest,” and “I thought it is just an ordinary underground tunnel.”

For your information, the LRT Kelana Jaya line stretches from Gombak to Putra Heights for 46.4km. It carries an estimation of 250 thousand users daily.

Anis Sharina contributed to this article.


What Happened At The “Abang Long Fadil 3” Gala Night Premiere In Suria KLCC

Action-comedy fans, get ready to be blown away as “Abang Long Fadil 3” is coming to the big screens very soon! The third instalment of the franchise is bigger, funnier and brimming with action! Be sure to mark your calendars as the movie is set to hit cinemas in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei on 8th September.

As we can see from the teasers and trailers, the third chapter of the franchise includes one of the biggest ever sets made in Malaysia and features heightened production quality, as expected from renowned Malaysian producers Skop Productions and Astro Shaw. Some very lucky fans as well as members of the media were one of the firsts to watch the movie at the star-studded Gala Night Premiere.

The Gala Night for “Abang Long Fadil 3” was held very recently on Friday (26th August) at the Esplanade, Suria KLCC where the all the cast members, Zizan Razak, Johan, Elizabeth Tan, Maya Karin, Dato AC Mizal, Shuib, Kazar, Ozlyn Wati, Tania Hudson, Joey Daud, Jay Iswazir, Daniella Sha, Khir Rahman, Wak Doyok, and Siraj were present to watch the movie together with the fans. Suria KLCC was the main location sponsor for the night which was put together in collaboration with TGV Cinemas.

While waiting for the stars to come on stage at the Esplanade, members of the audience got the chance to win some tickets to be one of the firsts in Malaysia to watch “Abang Long Fadil 3”! One of the main highlights of the evening was a special live performance by none other than the two leads, Elizabeth Tan and Zizan Razak where they performed the movie’s official soundtrack “Payung”.

“The producer, director, cast, crew and everyone involved in making this film a success have done their best for the fans and viewers. We hope that Abang Long Fadil 3 will be well received and be able to entertain everyone,” said Datuk Yusof Haslam, Director of Skop Productions.

A post shared by Astro Shaw Sdn Bhd (@astroshaw)

Originally created and produced by talented young filmmaker Syafiq Yusof, the previous films “Abang Long Fadil 1 and 2” sparked a new phenomenon among moviegoers, with the second chapter breaking records by being the first local movie to breach RM18 million in box office collections.

In line with the release, there will also be a roadshow for “Abang Long Fadil 3” together with some of the main cast members happening in Johor (10th September) and Melaka (11th September) and in Kedah (16th September), Penang (17th September) and Perak (18th September).

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Malique Sends Congratulatory Message To Joe Flizzow For His MTV Win

Malaysia’s king of hip hop music Joe Flizzow recently won himself an award for Best Southeast Asia Act at the prestigious MTV European Music Awards (MTV EMA) in Bilbao, Spain.

Being the 1st Malaysian to receive the honour, Joe said he is very thankful to everyone from Malaysia from every race who have given him non-stop support from the moment he was nominated until after he won the award.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

“A lot of my celebrity friends from rappers to athletes, doctors and also my neighbours have been sending me kind words and well wishes. I’m really grateful for all of that and I would like to dedicate this award to all of them,” he said during a recent interview session with the media.

When asked whose wish left a huge impact to him the most, Joe briefly mentioned his former Too Phat partner Malique before moving to say that his mother’s wish meant the most to him.

“Malique texted me. He congratulated me when I won…but for me, it would be my mom’s. It’s not easy being a mother that needed to constantly explain to people what he’s son is doing for a living,” he said.

A post shared by Ishak Nengah (@ishaknengah)

“It is okay now, but imagine when I was 17. I started rapping since back then and a lot of people are worried about my career choice. But my parents were always very supportive of me, they taught me to be humble and work for your dream. So that’s why I want to dedicate this to my mom,” he added.

Going back to Malique, Joe mentioned that a lot of producers have been attempting to reunite the 2 of them together in one concert numerous times, but alas, all of them turned out fruitless. Some things are just not meant to be?

“A lot of people have been approaching me for that, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. Though I’m okay with the idea, I don’t think Malique is up for it,” Joe commented while assuring that there is no bad blood between them. “I still speak to him…It’s a friendship that will never die. He’s like a brother to me,” Joe added.

Moving forward, Joe said that he will be releasing a new single soon, titled “Kuasa” featuring Azlan from The Typewriter. The song is currently in mixing process.

Joe also mentioned about possible collaborations with some of the artists he met at MTV EMA, especially from the ones from France and UK who are also winners of MTV EMA 2018, but nothing is finalised yet.

Most of the international artists he met at MTV EMA include Dua Lipa, Lindsay Lohan, and Terry Crews have expressed their wish of coming to Malaysia. “Terry Crews said he wants to come to Malaysia. Lindsay Lohan too and she said that she has friends from Malaysia.”

Who from the aforementioned would y’all like to see collaborate with our homegrown talent?


Milo Sayang Bumi Encourages Malaysians To Protect Our Environment

Milo is going green with the launch of Milo Sayang Bumi. The company pledges to embrace sustainable practices to improve its products and processes beneficial for our planet. Milo Sayang Bumi highlights the actions Milo will take on its sustainability journey with the support of Malaysians this year. This will contribute to Nestlé’s global goal to aim for zero environmental impact in its operations by 2030.

Nestlé has started speeding up its actions both locally and globally after recognising plastic pollution and climate change as hazards to environmental sustainability. The company’s main goal is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and ensure all packaging is recyclable or reusable by 2025.

Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad, Juan Aranols, stated, “In Malaysia, we have made headways with our sustainability efforts and we want to continue leading the way of the industry into this greener future. We are proud that one of our biggest brands, Milo, is now at the forefront of our battle. We want Milo to be the loudest voice of Nestlé in Malaysia to champion, inspire, and influence what each and every one of us can do to go further for the environment. Milo Sayang Bumi is the platform for it”.

Business Executive Officer of Milo Business Unit, Ng Su Yen, added, “Millions of Malaysians are energised by Milo every day – which means every day, we can inspire millions of Malaysians to take action for our planet. What our planet needs now are champions who can take a stand for a bigger cause: Creating a healthier, more sustainable planet, together. As a brand that is close to the heart of citizens, we want to play a role in bringing together champions on a pledge for the sustainability of our planet through Milo Sayang Bumi”.

Milo Sayang Bumi has set three impact goals for the safety of our environment:

In addition, Milo has also revealed the following six initiatives:

Efforts to teach and encourage consumers to adopt proper habits will complement each initiative to help our environment.

Ready-To-Drink’s Business Executive, April Wong clarified, “We understand some of these changes will bring new experiences to our consumers and that it takes time for our consumers to adapt to and fully appreciate the changes”.

She also expressed, “What we are doing today will have a lasting impact tomorrow, which is why now is the time for all of us to come together to protect the environment. Even if we start small, by combining our efforts and channeling our energy for good, we can all make a difference”.

Want to assist Milo Sayang Bumi and contribute to the good of our planet Earth? Visit Milo’s website here.

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“The King: Eternal Monarch” Film Locations To Explore In Real Life

As we approach the end of “The King: Eternal Monarch” (더 킹: 영원의 군주), some of us may find it hard to move on.

Just like many other K-dramas, we’re often impressed with the scenic locations in the series. So if you find yourselves missing Emperor Lee Gon (Lee Min Ho) and detective Jung Tae Eul (Kim Go Eun), here are the attractions to relive your favourite moments:


Hype’s Now Playing: F.T. ISLAND – Pray

Primadonnas (as F.T. ISLAND‘s fans are lovingly called), the song you’ve been waiting for is finally here.

F.T. ISLAND finally made their triumphant return to the music scene with their 5th studio album, “I Will”.

Prior to their comeback, the 5-member boy band pre-released an emotional music video for “To The Light” on 17th March. It is the title of their 14th Japanese single, which won first place on various music charts in Japan and China. But now, they have created a Korean version of the song and the music video showed the moments that they have shared with their international fans during their Latin America tour.

On 23rd March, the band made their comeback and released the music video for their album’s title track, “Pray”. This marks the band’s 1st Korean comeback since the release of their 5th mini album “The Mood” on 18th November 2013. Seunghyun previously teased his fans with a snippet of the group’s new song through a short video on Instagram.

“Pray” is a song composed by Jonghun and written by Hongki, Jaejin, and Seunghyun. As compared to their previous hit singles, the title track is a step outside the band’s typical pop-rock tracks. It is heavier and darker than some of their previous work, especially with the maddening, heavy riffs in the beginning of “Pray”.

Check out the official music video below:

What do you think of the song? Do you like it? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.

For more information about F.T. ISLAND, visit their official website and Facebook page.


Hype’s Now Playing: Magic! – Rude (Zedd Remix)

Magic!’s “Rude” receives magical touches from Zedd.

Friday’s here and we’ve got just what you need − a gorgeous remix from the one and only Zedd. If you’ve not heard this version of Canadian band Magic!‘s hit single “Rude” then it’s time we share the magic with you. Remixed by Zedd, the track is accompanied by a video which focuses on a footage of Absolut Night’s by Absolut initiative, which held its first event in New York City last month.

Absolut collaborated with leading artists to bring a new breed of creativity to nightlife through a series of audiovisual experiences that set a new level of expectation from nights out. One of the artists is no other than superstar DJ/producer Zedd.

The Grammy winning producer and electronic powerhouse has cleverly layered in an infectiously progressive house build and live piano elements into the mix. With the overly catchy vocal intact, we can’t decide which version of “Rude” we love more – the original or the remix.

Listen to the remix below and let us know what you think of it by sounding off in the comments.


#Forbes: Calvin Harris & Skrillex Top The Electronic Cash Kings List

Calvin Harris is once again the world’s highest paid DJ.

Today’s news about Scottish DJ/producer Calvin Harris has nothing to do with his girlfriend Taylor Swift but instead with how much money he has made in the past year. The 31-year-old DJ has once again topped Forbes‘ Electronic Cash Kings list.

A photo posted by Calvin Harris (@calvinharris) on Jul 31, 2015 at 6:16pm PDT

Thanks to higher performance fees and very profitable endorsement deals with Armani and Sol Republic, Calvin made a total of $66 million over the past 12 months, matching his record-setting totals for 2014’s list.

Coming second, and way behind Calvin on the EDM list is Frenchman David Guetta, who made $37 million after a hectic year of shows in Las Vegas, Ibiza, and some major headliner gigs at festivals such as Coachella. Right behind him is Dutchman Tiësto while American DJ/producers Skrillex and Steve Aoki are tied at 4th place with $24 million each.

The rest of the list includes Avicii, Kaskade, Martin Garrix, deadmau5 and Diplo. Check out the full list below:

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AMA 2017: BTS Sang Along To Shawn Mendes & The Internet Is Losing It

The boys of chart-topping K-pop band BTS garnered a lot of attention when they made an appearance at the recent 2017 American Music Awards.

The group, made up of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook stood up when Shawn Mendes took the stage and they rocked out to “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back”, singing every word and dancing to the beat.

Fans of both BTS and Shawn Mendes are going crazy on the Internet, a lot of them called the reaction “cute” and “best thing I’ve seen all day”.

BTS is one of the biggest names in K-pop right now – and they are known worldwide for their good looks, vibrant live shows, and killer dance moves.

Watch BTS reacting to Shawn Mendes’ live performance here:

bts bopping to shawn mendes' performance #AMAs #BTSxAMAs https://t.co/bzqQAbEdKc

— michelle #JJK1 (@jeonglows) November 20, 2017


HaHa (Running Man) + Skull To Visit Singapore

Korean music duo HaHa and Skull will be visiting Singapore shores for the first time from July 19 to 21, 2013 and will be taking the opportunity to meet local fans on July 20, 2013 at Zouk at 7pm.

The German-born South Korean, HaHa (also known as Haroro) is a multi-talent, wearing the hats of reggae recording artist, actor, presenter and stand-up comedian. In 2007, he released his single album “You’re My Destiny”. Since 2010, HaHa also has been starring in the immensely popular variety show “Running Man” and was lauded with the “Best Entertainer Award” at the 2011 SBS Entertainment Awards for his outstanding performance.

[youtube id=”2H1EM6uVvaY” width=”600″ height=”350″]

HaHa’s musical partner, Skull, is a culture-fusing phenomenon. The South Korean has been making waves in the US market, especially among Urban and Caribbean audiences, by singing in his own unique interpretation of a Jamaican patois. His first single, “Boom Di Boom Di” and accompanying 3D animated video were well-received in the US. Skull is signed under Morgan Carey, Mariah Carey’s brother, and has a new single to be released on August 14 where renowned DJ and honorary Beastie Boys member, Mix Master Mike, is lending a hand in its production.

Tickets to the fan meet in Singapore are priced at S$88 (General admission), S$128 (Includes meet and greet, autograph session, and photo taking) and are available for purchase at EventClique.


Beyoncé Drops New Album On iTunes!

Mrs. Carter has just surprised fans by dropping her latest album on iTunes! Unlike other artists who spend months promoting their upcoming releases, Queen B goes rogue and dropped her fifth studio album exclusively on iTunes without anyone having the slightest clue that it was coming!

The self titled album consists of 31 tracks, 14 of which are new songs and 17 videos. The works on her album features collaborations with hubby Jay Z, Destiny’s Child girl friends Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, Drake, Frank Ocean, Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake and baby girl Blue Ivy.

Beyoncé makes this moment an even more memorable one by adding a corresponding music video to each track. Bey recorded all over the world for a year and a half but the initial recording started after the writers and producers got together under one roof in The Hamptons, New York’s beach enclave in the summer of 2012 to live and work together. A more carefree approach was used on some of the videos that were directed by Beyoncé as they were shot primarily during her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour.

“I just want to give my album to the people I love and respect and hope that they feel the same thing I felt when I made the music,” said Beyoncé.

We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again, ALL HAIL QUEEN B! Bow down now!

Oh and by the way, this self titled album is only Part 1! Queen B is promising more and we say, she can drop it on us anytime she wants!

Check out Beyoncé and Jay Z’s Drunk In Love preview to get a hint of what’s in stores for you!

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Hype’s Now Playing: Beyoncé – 7/11

Sorry “pitches”, but Queen Bey is back and you might wanna step aside a little.

We really excited when we first heard news that “Pitch Perfect 2” was on its way with more ‘aca-awesomeness” but, Beyoncé dropped the new music video for “7/11” on Friday and we just lost it. I mean, why wouldn’t we? The video was nothing but the BOMB!

You’d know what we mean if you’ve seen the video by now Although it may look like a homemade music video, we have a good hunch that the crazy things Bey does in the video is part of her daily routine − be it in her own home or in a luxurious hotel room. In fact, she did it perfectly without putting any makeup on her face, presenting her truest form to the viewers. If you watch the video carefully, her daughter Blue Ivy also made a cameo appearance in the video as she was seen laying down on a bed while Queen Bey was dancing away to the song.

“7/11” is one of Beyoncé s latest singles that has been included in the expanded boxed-set of her multimillion-selling self-titled album. Set to be released on November 24th, the box set will be known as the “Beyoncé Platinum Edition Box Set” with 2 CDs and 2 DVDs, that would feature 2 new songs, 4 new remixes with star collaborators and a concert video. Another song that has been included in the album is called “Ring Off” and the remixes feature artistes like her hubby Jay Z, Kanye West, and Nicki Minaj.

Once again, this is a surprise music video that saw coming and it was definitely a pleasant surprise. Her previous surprise was when she dropped her whole album via iTunes! What’s next? A free album to be downloaded via iTunes?

Also, why are you still reading this? Watch the video now! :D

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


#SCKLM2017: 36,000 Runners Converge On Dataran Merdeka To Take On SCKLM

If you haven’t heard, the 9th edition of the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon happening yesterday (Sunday, 21st May 2017) at Dataran Merdeka.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

Owned and organised by Dirigo Events, the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon (SCKLM) has grown to become the premier running event in Malaysia, drawing thousands of local and international runners to the country whilst firmly establishing Malaysia in the global running calendar.

The 2017 edition of the race once again saw Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia returning as title sponsor, along with a host of returning and new sponsors, including Honda, Seiko, Brooks, Lucozade, and Pacific Regency.

SCKLM 2017 Race Day was preceded by the Race Entry Pack Collection from 18th – 20th May which was a bigger affair this year with the inclusion of the Prudential Healthy Life Expo, as well as the Friendship Run and Pasta breakfast on 20th May which saw Full Marathoners from Malaysia and around the world gather for a warm-up run and mingle in a more social setting.

Apart from the Full and Half Marathons, the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2017 also featured a 10km distance and a 5km Fun Run for social runners, along with Kids’ Dash categories for children under 12 years of age.

There were also several categories like the Corporate Challenge, Media Challenge (that’s us!), Universities Challenge, and Ministries Challenge to either raise money for charity as well as provide friendly competition and bragging rights for the eventual winners.

And in the wee hours of 21st May 2017, close to 36,000 excited runners converged on Dataran Merdeka to take part in SCKLM 2017.

Cosmas Matolo Muteti,from Kenya won the Full Marathon Men’s Open category in a time of 2:18:43 to take home USD17,500 while the Full Marathon Women’s Open category was won by Elizabeth Chepkanan from Kenya in a time of 2:36:14 also earning USD17,500 in the process.

Delighted that he not only won the title but recorded a personal best while fighting off multiple winner Kennedy, Cosmas said, “I was running against strong opponents but I kept to my game plan and really enjoyed the run through some great scenery.”

The Full Marathon Malaysian Men’s category saw a close battle between defending champion Muhaizar Mohamad and Leo Tan Huong Leong. These 2 vastly improved runners were neck to neck until close to the finish when Muhaizar eventually repeated his triumph in last year’s SCKLM with an improved time and personal best of 2:35:55. Leo narrowly finished second in a time of 2:38:06 and Ow Yong Jin Kuan came in third in 2:43:45.

The Full Marathon Malaysian Women’s category was clinched by Yuan Yufang in a time of 3:23:00, while Loh Chooi Fern clocked 3:25:55 to come in 2nd and Chua Khit Yeng got 3rd place in a time of 3:33:46.

Efforts to make the Marathon more competitive, like having a seven-hour cut-off time and route checkpoints appear to be paying dividends as more than 8,000 runners signed up for the Full Marathon category this year. It is without a doubt that SCKLM has contributed greatly to motivating runners to continue to push their boundaries – as we did :)

Special thanks to our friends from Nike Malaysia for their unwavering support and constant motivation to be stronger, go faster, and do better.

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

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Hype’s Now Playing: GOT7 – If You Do

Forget about GOT7‘s bright and cheerful image. It’s time to get used to their darker, edgier image for their latest comeback.

The 7-member multinational idol boy group finally made their highly anticipated comeback today (29th September) and they displayed a more mature side in the music video for “If You Do”, the title track off their latest album, “Mad”.

GOT7’s talent agency JYP Entertainment dropped the official music video for “If You Do” today after teasing fans with tonnes of teaser images and videos last week. Before revealing the track, the group interacted with fans by holding a live countdown event last night through Naver’s V App.

As shown in the music video, the boys decided to adopt a different comeback concept to match the tone of “If You Do”, a song about the slow burn at the end of a relationship. Black Eyed Pilseung, a production team consisting of Choi Kyu Sung and Rado, created the song. They are perhaps best known for their work on hit tracks such as SISTAR‘s “Touch My Body”, Jang Hyunseung‘s “Ma First”, 4Minute’s “Volume Up”, Apink’s “HUSH”, and more.

JYP’s CEO Park Jin Young was not involved in making the title track, but it is a 80s-inspired song as it brought back the mellow synths and a chugging bass line. The pre-chorus part is strangely electrifying because right before the chorus, BamBam sings:

Every day / Every night / Feel like a fool / You gotta know

Yugyeom and Junior chimed in with their respective parts by singing:

Neon naege waewaewae tto hwaman naenaenae (Why why why are you always mad mad mad at me)

Uri dasi doragal su iseulkka (Can we go back to the way we were)

Listen to “If You Do” and watch its music video below:

“Mad”, which is the group’s 4th mini album, is a 6-track album. It came 2 months after they made their comeback with “Just Right”.

GOT7 will be holding their comeback showcase in Gangnam tonight at 8pm KST. The physical copies of their latest album will be released on 30th September.

For more information, visit GOT7’s official website and Facebook page.


#TheLeaker: Viral Video Of Police Chase In Penang Is Actually Part Of A Hong Kong Movie Shoot

A video of a wild police chase along Lebuh Campbell, Penang has gone viral.

The short clip, which was shared on a Facebook page called Penang Kini Press yesterday (Sunday, 2nd July), shows a white van being pursued by 3 police cars. Pedestrians can also be seen running for their lives as the van speeds through the narrow road.

But don’t worry, folks! There are no serious crimes in Penang and nobody was hurt because the dangerous car chase is actually part of a Hong Kong film shoot. According to a report by NST, the chase scene will be used in “Shock Wave” helmer Herman Yau’s (邱禮濤) upcoming action movie “The Leaker” (洩密行者).

It was also reported that Penang’s traffic police closed off the road from Saturday afternoon (1st July) until evening to make way for the movie’s filming. NST added that the production crew had already received permission from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to film the movie at various locations on the island.

Upon hearing the news, many netizen expressed their excitement for the movie and praised the stuntmen for their mad “jumping” skills. One Facebook user jokingly wrote, “The last guy in black tee should become Penang’s new goal keeper.”

“The Leaker” is a crime film that stars Hong Kong A-listers Julian Cheung (張智霖) aka Chilam, Francis Ng (吳鎮宇), and Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼).

Sources: NST, Wikipedia, Guangming Daily, Penang Kini Press / Featured image: Penang Kini Press.

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#Ted2: New Trailer Parodies “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”

“This year, the saga continues.” *Cues heavy Darth Vader breathing sound*

Bet you thought we were talking about “Star Wars“, eh? Well, it’s actually “Ted 2” that we’re talking about.

The comedy film, which will centre around the foul-mouth and crude teddy bear, has released a new trailer that acknowledges the highly anticipated sci-fi adventure film, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens“.

While the 1st official trailer revolved around Ted’s plight to be legalised as a human, the latest trailer portrays more of their misadventures, this time with his lawyer, Samantha Leslie Jackson, thrown into the mix. More laughs are sure to ensue as the pair of “thunder buddies for life”, made up of John Bennett and Ted, tries their best to help each other but ends up messing things up.

“Ted 2” finally sees Ted tying the knot with his human girlfriend, Tami-Lynn McCafferty, and living a blissful married life. The newlywed couple are trying for a baby but there’s a problem – the court does not see Ted as a human being who is capable of being a father. Faced with no other way, Ted prepares to go to court in order to be recognised as a human.

Seth MacFarlane, who wrote and directed the movie, will be returning to voice Ted. The movie will also see Mark Wahlberg and Jessica Barth reprising their respective roles as Bennett and McCafferty, while Amanda Seyfried will be appearing for the 1st time in the series as Samantha Leslie Jackson. The movie, a sequel to the popular 2012 film, “Ted“, is a joint venture between Universal Studios and Media Rights Capital.

“Ted 2” will reach Malaysian cinemas on 25th June 2015.


The Flash: Will Ezra Miller Be Replaced In The DCEU Film?

Looks like Will Smith’s not the only one to have a major meltdown. Recently, Ezra Miller, who plays the Flash in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and Aurelius Dumbledore in “Secrets of Dumbledore”, has been arrested in Hawaii. They (a gender neutral pronoun) have been charged with second-degree assault after throwing a chair at a private function. The chair had struck a young lady, leaving her with a nasty scar. This isn’t the first time they’ve had a run in with the law. Two months ago, they had been arrested for harassing a woman at a karaoke bar. Now that’s not very heroic, is it Miller?

With all this controversy swirling around the actor and “The Flash” film being pushed back to 2023, we can’t help but wonder: Will Ezra Miller still reprise their role as the Scarlet Speedster in DC’s upcoming film? What’s going on with Warner Bros. right now? There’s a lot to break down so sit tight as we run through all the facts and decipher what the future holds for the Flash?

So to better understand how Warner Bros. will handle this situation, it’s important to see how the company handled another controversy: the Johnny Depp Accusations. After “Fantastic Beasts” actor Johnny Depp had lost his libel suit against a UK tabloid newsite, The Sun, who described him as a wife-beater in one of their articles, Warner Bros had asked Depp to step down from his role as Gellert Grindelwald. There was an uproar from fans who felt that the verdict of the libel case and Warner Bros’ decision was unfair to Depp. Take into account that there wasn’t even a proper trial yet to prove Depp’s supposed spousal abuse. Warner Bros. was willing to drop an actor playing a major role in one of their biggest franchises simply because of allegations of abuse.

Now here we are, in 2022, and we have an actor who has had been arrested twice for unruly behaviour! Based on the way Warner Bros handled the Depp situation, it’s safe to say that they would certainly drop Miller right? After all, it would be highly hypocritical to drop one actor from their franchise due to allegations and to keep one with two confirmed arrests. As of now, Warner Bros. has been keeping awfully quiet on this matter. However, there was a rumour circulating around that apparently Warner Bros. isn’t too concerned with Ezra Miller’s legal issues.

Currently, “The Flash” film is in post-production and no changes have been mentioned regarding its release date for June 2023. If the film is essentially finished, and there aren’t any mentions of reshoots, perhaps Warner Bros. will stay the course. When Depp resigned from the role of Grindelwald, the production was still in its early stages. That being said, major amendments have been made to films in the past, despite it being in the post-production state. One need only compare the differences between Joss Whedon’s “Justice League” with Zack Snyder’s original cut of the film. Hopefully, we’ll get some answers from Warner Bros. regarding Ezra Miller’s role in the film.

The chances of Warner Bros. scrapping every scene with Ezra Miller’s Flash and reshooting it with another actor at the helm seems pretty unlikely. They’ve already released a teaser during DC’s FanDome event with Miller being the face of the film. Perhaps, though, Warner Bros. may find a way to sidestep the actor within the film by having another version of the character take up the mantle.

While not exactly a beat-for-beat remake of the “Flashpoint” storyline, “The Flash” is meant to act as a sort of reset for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). One that would give the franchise a chance to start fresh with a new status quo, wiping away all the messy canon of the previous films. We discussed in the past when talking about how Warner Bros. could use the film solve their 3-Batmen-Problem. It’s possible that during the events of “The Flash”, Miller’s Barry Allen dies heroically while trying to save the timeline and his universe. Opening the way for a new Flash from a different universe to replace Miller.

We know that the main DCEU exists within a wider multiverse full of alternate versions of our favourite heroes. Oddly enough, that concept wasn’t established in one of Warner Bros’ big budget DCEU films. Rather, it was CW’s “Crisis on Infinite Earth” TV event that connected the DCEU to the Arrowverse. While Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen is traveling across the multiverse, he somehow ends up meeting Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen.

In a conversation between these two versions of Barry, Gustin’s Barry mentions his superhero moniker, the Flash, to Miller’s version only to be met with confusion. It seems that Gustin’s Flash appeared to Miller’s way before he entered into the Justice League and perhaps even inspired the DCEU’s version of the character to take up the name. Grant Gustin’s Flash is far more established than Miller’s. He’s been playing the character for almost an entire decade and has met a whole slew of DC superheroes across the multiverse. If Warner Bros. is looking to replace Miller with anyone, it would most likely be Grant Gustin.

Furthermore, Gustin’s entry into the DCEU could open the door for Warner Bros. to finally solve its Superman crisis. In case you haven’t noticed, actor Henry Cavill hasn’t exactly been present in recent DCEU films. It’s been implied that Cavill’s version of Superman was in the ending of “Shazam” and in a cameo of “Peacemaker” but we can’t know for sure seeing that his face was hidden in both instances. With Netflix’s “The Witcher” series and a string of other projects, it seems Cavill is a little too preoccupied to take up the cape. Grant Gustin’s Flash appearing in the DCEU could come with the arrival of a new Superman as well, one played by Tyler Hoechlin from CW’s “Superman & Lois”.

The future of the DCEU’s Flash seems uncertain for now but be sure to stay tuned for more updates on Warner Bros. and Ezra Miller!

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Miss Universe Malaysia’s Judges, Announced

Last month, the “BeautyCamp” kicked off for 17 young Malaysian women who are all vying to be the next Miss Universe Malaysia. The girls were required to live together in a beautiful bungalow in Bandar Setia Alam while a crew follows them around, filming for the reality TV series.

The five-episode reality series, part of the Miss Universe Malaysia pageant will air its pilot episode on 11th November 2012 on 8TV, leading up to the Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 gala finale on 10th December 2012. Sure, it sounds easy but really, it’s not! Especially not when they have to face the panel of judges that were just announced!

Ben Ibrahim – He who has had an illustrious career in both in the media and the corporate world. A chance encounter with a TV shoe producer in 2005 put him into the limelight as a much sought-after personality to host TV shoes and as a professional MC. He has also been a regular columnist in some prominent print publication titles.

Kavita Sidhu – She who has been a successful model and actress since the 1980s. She was the first Malaysian to ever win an international beauty pageant and has since gone on to produce TV shoes, and in more recent times, has launched her own clothing line and swimsuit line as well.

Andrea Fonseka – She who is both a former Miss Universe Malaysia and current National Director of the Miss Universe Malaysia Organization (MUMO). They say that if Tyra Banks had an Asian counterpart, it would be Andrea Fonseka. Sure, she has won the hearts of Malaysians since she donned the prized Miss Malaysia Universe tiara in 2004, but will any of the finalists be able to win her heart?

Benjamin Tong – He who is all out to be the girls’ mentor, catwalk guru, trainer, and is in no way emotionally supportive. Ben has had more than 10 years under his belt of runway training, fashion styling, and runway choreography. It’s safe to say that he expects a lot from the Miss Universe Malaysia finalists!

Nadine Ann Thomas – She is, of course, Miss Universe Malaysia 2010, and she has always exhibited a flair and passion for fashion and art. Her role as a judge also includes acting as special mentors to counsel and guide the finalists throughout the duration of the pageant.

The final six contestants who survived the elimination from the reality series will vie for the title of Miss Universe Malaysia 2012 at the gala finale event. Additionally, two previously eliminated finalists will be given the opportunity to get back into the competition and compete in the gala night, as a result of two wildcards:

Talk about a nail-biting experience. Don’t forget to tune in to 8TV on 11th November (Sunday) for the pilot episode of The Next Miss Universe Malaysia!

For more information on Miss Universe Malaysia, visit its official website or Facebook page.


#ABAcoustic: Above & Beyond Announces “Acoustic II”; New Tour & Album

Above & Beyond‘s fans are still reeling from their Above & Beyond Group Therapy 150 (ABGT150) show in Sydney, and it looks like they’re going to be completely bowled over by their latest major announcement.

The London-based trance trio Paavo Siljamäki, Tony McGuinness, and Jono Grant announced “Acoustic II”, which will include a new acoustic album and acoustic tour at “the world’s most iconic venues”. And it’s happening in 2016.

You heard right, #ABAcoustic is coming back in 2016. Sign-up for more news soon:http://t.co/g2SNW27Adi pic.twitter.com/ZpFotWmLfJ

— Above & Beyond (@aboveandbeyond) September 26, 2015

The new album and tour is a follow up to the successful predecessor #ABAcoustic album, which was released last year. That album came with acoustic performances at the Porchester Hall in London and The Greek Theater in Los Angeles, which showcased the trio reworking their music in an intimate live setting with the help of a 15-piece orchestra.

The Los Angeles show also featured a surprise appearance by Skrillex.

They have since updated their site upon the above announcement, which now opens to a new microsite.

We are pleased to announce the return of Above & Beyond “Acoustic” in 2016. Sign-up for more details on a new album and a tour of the world’s most iconic venues.

Excited? Whether or not the new acoustic tour will bring them here or anywhere in the Southeast Asian region, for that matter, is still a big question waiting to be answered. But like you, we’re hoping that they’ll come back to Malaysia next year :)

Meanwhile, watch the full concert film from their Porchester Hall acoustic show in London:

Sources: Above & Beyond’s website, Beatport.

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#RadlerMoments: The Lunar New Year Celebration At Tiger Radler’s Open House

Tiger Radler has done it again. After throwing a house party at Pullman, Bangsar on 20th December, Tiger Radler hosted an open house for a belated Lunar New Year celebration. That’s right, everyone! Chinese New Year may be over, but the celebration continued.

Guests and members of media were invited to the pop-up party that was held on 10th March (Tuesday) at SOULed OUT, Sri Hartamas. The event served as a platform for guests to toast to a prosperous new year ahead as they were treated to a couple of refreshing Tiger Radlers with friends and loved ones.

Tiger Radler’s Instagram contest titled #radlermoments made a refreshing return to the event as guests were encouraged to upload their Radler moment photos on Instagram.

Tai See Wai, Marketing Manager of Tiger Beer said, “Refreshing beers, great company, good times are all elements that make an unforgettable party. And it’s even better when everything is provided for you. Therefore, Tiger Radler has decided to throw two loyal fans a house party worth RM5,000 each. Whenever you have a celebration, you can count on Tiger Radler to make it memorable.”

The social media contest which started last year found another lucky winner during Tiger Radler’s Chinese New Year Open House. Miss Yeow Yin Yin was the guest who uploaded the most “huat” (prosperous) photo and walked away with an RM5,000 house party package.

Another contest titled “Translate Your Creativity” was held at the event as well but unlike the Instagram contest, it required guests to use their imagination to transform a lemon provided. The evening saw guests flaunting their creativity and a total of 6 lucky winners with the best-looking lemons walked away with Tiger Radler goodie bags.

The celebration didn’t stop there, of course. Before the dinner was served, everyone chimed in the fun for a “yee sang” tossing session. The guests were later served with Japanese, Western, Thai, and local cuisine, enabling them to pair different types of food with the refreshing Tiger Radler and experience how Tiger Radler stimulate their taste buds and complement each cuisine perfectly.

The night’s highlights went to a LED lion dance performance and a delightful magic show performed by a man who was in disguise as God of Prosperity. Guests were also treated to a palmistry reading by Master Chin

With great ambience and great food, it was indeed a night well spent with our friends and loved ones at the Tiger Radler CNY Open House. Stay tuned for the next refreshing experience with Tiger Radler!

For more information, log on to their website.


#Karex: Malaysian Condom Maker Says Nasi Lemak-Flavoured Condoms Are Coming Soon

After dropping durian-flavoured condoms last year, Karex, the world’s largest condom manufacturer, said that they are trying to create nasi lemak-flavoured condoms.

Yup, you heard that right. The Malaysian company’s next product aims to spice up your sex life.

In a recent interview with Channel NewsAsia, Karex CEO Goh Miah Kiat said, “The next thing I am trying to work out is a nasi lemak-flavoured condom.”

He continued, “In Malaysia, the first thing we wake up in the morning, we talk about our nasi lemak. So I suppose it is something that will unite us all.”

Goh also shared that the company has spent a lot of money on innovation. Karex’s other quirky designs include glow-in-the-dark condoms, tattoo-inspired textured condoms, and studded condoms (which is said to be a best-seller).

Karex started off as a rubber-processing factory run by Goh’s family. However, the company was forced to diversify after the global commodities crash of the 80s. In order to sustain the business, the family decided to make condoms.

After a rocky first few years, Karex’s business turned around and was listed in 2013 – the same year Goh took over the family company. Now, it is known as a contract manufacturer for well-known condom brands such as Durex and One.

While we love the fragrant smell of coconut rice and the spiciness of sambal, we’re not sure if we want to take it to bed with us.

What do y’all think about Karex’s newest condom idea? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below!

Sources: KL Coconuts, Free Malaysia Today, Channel NewsAsia / Featured image: sweetsaltyandalittlenutty.com/NetDoctor.

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LEGO Super Mario: 8 Fun Facts About The Cool LEGO x Nintendo Collab

Recently, The LEGO Group announced its biggest launch on 1st August with Nintendo. Grown-up fans now have the opportunity to rekindle the nostalgic memories of their Super Mario Bros. childhood experiences.

The Super Mario LEGO lineup consists of 16 individual sets and 10 blind bag characters in total ￼￼￼￼￼￼￼￼￼from a whole new range of Expansion Sets, collectible Character Packs, and Power Up Packs.

“16 LEGO Super Mario sets have been introduced and I am really looking forward to seeing how people’s play expands with these and the unique Power Up Packs,” said Takashi Tezuka, Executive Officer at Nintendo and a Senior Officer at Nintendo EPD. “By adding already owned LEGO bricks onto the Starter Course, and different LEGO Super Mario Expansion Sets, we hope people can create different Mario worlds and continue enjoying them indefinitely.”

“The reaction to LEGO Super Mario has been incredible,” said Jonathan Bennink, the lead designer on LEGO Super Mario. “Super Mario is such an icon. Our entire range has been built to bring Super Mario, his friends – and his enemies – to life. We love how creative LEGO fans are, and can’t wait for them to unleash their imaginations in how they interact with Super Mario in the real world.”

Here are things to know about LEGO Super Mario:

The Starter Course holds the key to unlocking the entire play – as it is the only set that features the interactive LEGO Mario figure that collects coins in game levels created with LEGO bricks. From there, players can enhance their interactivity and gameplay to the traditional LEGO sets.

Each set comes with its own unique challenges and characters. The full line-up consists of the Piranha Plant Power Slide Expansion Set, Bowser’s Castle Boss Battle Expansion Set, the Guarded Fortress Expansion Set, the Mario’s House & Yoshi Expansion Set, the Toad’s Treasure Hunt Expansion Set, the Desert Pokey Expansion Set, the Whomp’s Lava Trouble Expansion Set and the Boomer Bill Barrage Expansion Set.

There is a total of 10 collectible enemy characters that are available in blind bag Character Packs to level up your playing experience. Each pack will contain a buildable character and action tag to play with – it could be a Paragoomba, Fuzzy, Spiny, Buzzy Beetle, Bullet Bill, Bob-omb, Eep Cheep, Blooper, Urchin or Peepa!

The aforementioned Expansion Sets and collectible Characters are meant to enhance the Mario Starter Course. The LEGO Mario figure comes with a LCD screen in its eyes, mouth and belly to display instant reactions to movement, colour and action bricks. There are a total of 7 action bricks for different interaction that will trigger Mario’s reactions.

In addition, the Power-Up Packs – including Cat Mario and Builder Mario – can also be used to boost one’s gameplay with a variety of suits for LEGO Mario that each reveal new features and powers.

“The brief that we got from our higher management was to make a product that only Lego and Nintendo could do together. That doesn’t mean just licensing the IP, it also means utilising Nintendo’s qualities in terms of digital interactivity. And by doing a traditional plaything, they couldn’t really add their magic sauce to it, so to speak. The Minifigure stayed on the table because we wanted an interactive figure that could also be a Minifigure, but the technology that we needed to bring the play we have here to life was just too big to put into a Minifigure. So maybe in the far future,” explained Jonathan Bennink.

In order to prove its commitment to releasing quality hardware, Jonathan Bennink revealed that Nintendo made sure to drop every Mario figure prototype 6,000 times in a bid to ensure its quality.

One of LEGO’s latest brick set also includes a buildable Nintendo Entertainment System! The new NES Building Kit comes with a controller with a connecting cable and plug, as well as an opening slot for the Game Pak with a locking feature. The console also comes with a buildable retro TV, featuring a flat 8-bit Mario figure on the scrolling screen. Just like the the LEGO Super Mario Starter Course, players can scan an action-included brick with LEGO Mario.

For those keen on the LEGO Super Mario sets, find out more here.


#JimmyKimmelLive: Celebrities Read #MeanTweets Music Edition #2

And it’s back! Once again, Jimmy Kimmel has invited a bunch of celebrities to read mean tweets about themselves. This time, he got hold of some of the world’s most popular artistes, less than a week before the Grammys no less.

Fresh off her stellar Super Bowl show which earned her enough buzz on social media and around the world (with thanks to #LeftShark, of course), and even a Super Bowl-inspired tattoo, Katy Perry participated in Jimmy Kimmel Live’s “Mean Tweets” video.

Katy Perry has a voice that reminds me of balls covered in glass sliding down my throat. Nice gal.

Viewers were also treated to the priceless look on Drake’s face while he read a mean, Harry Potter-themed tweet about himself while Britney Spears burst into giggles upon reading a Twitterer’s take on her younger self.

Let’s not forget poor Josh Groban’s “Would you rather listen to Josh Groban or have diarrhoea ladled into your ear?” as well as Ariana Grande’s reaction to “I’d rather listen to an auto-tuned queef played on a continuous loop than Ariana Grande’s new album.” It’s safe to say that she herself couldn’t even get past that one without laughing.

Oh, and we can’t go without saying that South Korean pop star and rapper Psy totally won it hands down.

We must say that it mustn’t have been easy for them to read the Internet’s cruelest comments about them. So, kudos to Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, so on and so forth (as seen in the video above)!

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#iKON: YG Ent’s New K-Pop Idol Boy Group To Debut In January 2015

It has been a busy later half of 2014 for YG Entertainment and it sure is going to be a busy next half a year or so for the company!

In fact, most of the artistes and groups under the company have got their hands full with projects e.g. AKMU with their “Time & Fallen Leaves” comeback, Epik High’s long awaited album release, BIGBANG’s upcoming album, WINNER’s debut, upcoming new K-Pop idol girl group codenamed “Pink Punk” debut, the “MIX & MATCH” reality talent survival program, NONA9ON clothing line, YG Family Concert tour, Moonshot cosmetics, 2NE1 leader CL’s US solo debut..

..Phew, did we miss anything/anyone out?

And now, YG Entertainment has confirmed that their next K-Pop idol boy group, iKON, will be formally introduced to us via their official debut come January 2015!

CEO Yang Hyun Suk reportedly told Star News on 22nd Oct:

After working on the album a bit more as soon as “MIX & MATCH” ends, iKON will make their official debut this coming January. In the case of WINNER, they prepared a debut album instead of a single, so it took them 10 months after their survival program “WIN” ended last year to make their debut in August.

Like how 2NE1 first came out in the past, iKON will make their debut with a single followed by continuous releases of new singles so the time it takes them to prepare for their debut will be less than WINNER‘s. Another reason that iKON can make their debut soon after “MIX & MATCH” is because they have B.I, who has already been confirmed as an iKON member and has made a lot of songs up until now. Even after their debut in January, iKON will release as many singles as possible and will have a lot of domestic activities throughout the year.

The 3 members who are currently confirmed to be in iKON are B.I, Bobby, and Kim Jin Hwan. “MIX & MATCH” will also be holding their final match at Korea University, Seoul today at 8pm KST.

We can’t wait :D We wonder what their concept will be like this time around!


#RoBoHon: The Super Cute Phone (Yes, It’s A Phone) You Never Knew You Needed

A smartphone that doubles up as a robot has been unveiled, named “RoBoHon”. The 19.5cm (7.7in) droid can make and take calls, dance, respond to its owner’s voice, and beam videos out of its face.

Sure, the iPhone 6S/iPhone 6S Plus is godlike to some, but you can treat it like your little robot BFF.

It comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 SoC, has 3G, LTE, and Wi-Fi. For when voice commands can’t get the job done, the Sharp RoBoHoN has a tiny 2-inch display with a resolution of 240 by 320 pixels.

Apparently, RoBoHon can also send e-mails, take photos (like a normal smartphone), recognise your face, and even act as your personal assistant. The big plus is that it knows how to dress up ;)

While it’s really cute and innovative and all that jazz, we can’t say for sure if it’s really practical. Watch the video below:

RoBoHon is being built by Sharp, but there’s no price tag on it yet. What we do know is that you can expect to see it go on sale in early 2016.

Sources: Sharp (Japan), phoneArena, BBC.

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First Ever Gay Royal Wedding To Take Place In England This Year

Princess Eugenie (Prince Andrew’s daughter) will be walking down the aisle with Jack Brooksbank in October, but people are already talking about another royal wedding. It’s the first ever gay royal wedding!

Lord Ivar Mountbatten (pictured left), cousin to Queen Elizabeth, is set to tie the knot with his longtime partner James Coyle (on the right) in Devon.

Ivar came out in 2016 to announce that he was dating James, making him the first member of the royal family to do so. He was previously married to Lady Penelope Thompson (they were married for 16 years) and have 3 daughters – Ella, Alix and Luli – together. Initially, he wasn’t keen on getting married again “because I’ve been there, done that, and have my wonderful children” but he “really wanted to do it for James”.

In an extra modern-twist, it was revealed that ex-wife Penny will be the one to walk him down the aisle. “It was the girls’ idea. It makes me feel quite emotional. I’m really very touched,” Penny was quoted as saying. The intimate ceremony will take place in the private chapel on Ivar’s estate with approximately 120 guests.

“I was driven into the closet by not wanting to come to terms with who I was and facing friends and family in the early years. I buried it. I even had girlfriends as I tried to work out what I wanted to be. It was not an easy time in my teens or twenties. I’m just so pleased now to have found someone who I am happy to call my partner,” said Ivar.


Djimon Hounsou To Star In DC’s Shazam! & Captain Marvel Next Year

If you ever need someone to play a classic comic character, the go-to person in Hollywood is Djimon Hounsou.

2019 is going to be a monumental year for the Oscar-nominated actor. As a member of both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Extended Universe, he is set to reprise his role as Korath the Pursuer in “Captain Marvel” and his newly-revealed role as The Wizard in “Shazam!“.

You may remember the 54-year-old star in the first “Guardians of the Galaxy” movie back in 2014. In case you’re wondering, Hounsou isn’t a last minute addition for “Shazam!” during reshoots or in post-production. In fact, he’s been cast to portray a 3,000-year old sorcerer from Ancient Egypt.

The Wizard uses his powers to fight evil and has been looking for a successor to carry on his legacy. He finally chooses Billy Baston as his successor, thus enabling him with Superman-esque powers when he shouts out his name (“Shazam!”).

This news may come as a surprise to fans who have been following the progress of “Shazam!”. “This Is Us” and “Luke Cage” actor Ron Cephas Jones was originally the frontrunner to play The Wizard, but had to passed on the role due to scheduling conflict.

Hounsou isn’t a stranger to the DC Universe though. He previously took on the role of Papa Midnite in 2005’s “Constantine”. Interestingly enough, Captain Marvel was the original comic book name of “Shazam!” before DC Comics changed the title.

“Captain Marvel” is slated for release on 8th March 2019, while “Shazam!” will debut in cinemas on 5th April 2019.


Kangin Officially Exits From Super Junior Following Fans’ Boycott

Kim Young-woon or better known by his stage name Kangin has officially announced his departure from popular K-pop group Super Junior who he had been with for 14 long years.

After staying silent for almost 8 months, the 34-year-old announced the news in a long post where he apologised to fans and the rest of Super Junior’s members.

“Hello. This is Kangin. It’s really been a long time since I’ve delivered news to you all. My heart is heavy as the news I have is not good news, but after a long debate, I am writing to you.

As of this moment, I plan to let go of the name ‘Super Junior’, a name I had for a very long time.

I’ve always felt nothing but feelings of apology toward my members.

I’ve always felt that I needed to come to this decision as soon as possible, but due to the kind hearts of those who cheer me on unchangingly as well as my label’s staff despite my faults, I was not able to summon the courage, and I also felt that I was not in a situation where I could decide anything blindly on my own.

However, due to my own problems, I had to watch my members suffer misfortunes that they should not have had to face, and I’ve come to the decision that I cannot delay it any longer. More than anything, I am full of apology toward E.L.F for the excessive love that you always sent me for the past 14 years.

This may be too late, but even as I let go of the name ‘Super Junior’ and begin walking on my own, I will always remember these feelings of gratitude and apology.

I want to sincerely say thank you to my members and my label’s staff for respecting me until the end. I will cheer for the success of Super Junior forever. Thank you.”

A post shared by 우린 슈퍼주니 어! 예요💙 (@superjunior)

Earlier last month, some Korean members of Super Junior’s official fan club E.L.F, have called out for a boycott against Super Junior who was making a comeback without Kangin and Sungmin.

But fans have announced that they will be boycotting everything related to Super Junior until Kangin and Sungmin are officially removed from the group.

“We demand Kangin and Sungmin’s departure… Kangin and Sungmin damage Super Junior’s image as a whole. Kangin and Sungmin’s departure should no longer be delayed and we agreed there needs to be stronger action taken,” Super Junior’s fandom released an official statement.

“We announce to indefinitely boycott Super Junior and all members’ activities until the agency release a clear statement,” read the statement.

KELF are planning another boycott tomorrow this time to permanently remove Kangin and Sungmin from the group. They are threatening to stop all fan support/attendance (Rough trans)

Pls report twitter acct @/naminiout pic.twitter.com/NRzD3LczSb

— All About Kangin ☀🍉 DEMEBETA GROUP ORDER (@KanginArchive) June 2, 2019

The protest happened due to Kangin and Sungmin’s previous controversies where Kangin was found guilty of multiple hit and runs under the influence of alcohol as well as getting arrested for physically assaulting his girlfriend, while Sungmin was criticised for controversial marriage.

Super Junior’s management Label SJ has also confirmed Kangin’s departure news. “We have decided to respect Kangin’s decision to leave the group voluntarily. This does not affect his exclusive contract with the company; however, nothing has been decided regarding his future promotions.”

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(UPDATE) #BIGBANG10: 10th Anniversary Movie To Premiere In Malaysia On 28th July

Malaysian VIPs, here’s something to brighten up your Monday!

“BIGBANG10 The Movie – BIGBANG MADE“, a movie to celebrate BIGBANG’s 10th anniversary since their debut, will be premiering in Malaysia soon! Slated for release on 28th July, the Malaysian trailer was released by United International Pictures Malaysia last Friday (8th July).

The Malaysian trailer and the Korean trailer are largely the same, with only 1 minor difference – the sentence “DI PAWAGAM 28 JULAI (In cinemas 28th July)” plastered on the top right corner in the former. The otherwise similar trailers show the members of BIGBANG giving impromptu interviews, practicing their dance moves, showing off their singing prowess, and purely just having fun in the presence of the other members.

Oh, and this time, you’ll be able to watch the trailer with English subtitles ;)

It is unsure which cinema will be showing the movie, but apparently, TGV Cinemas has replied to the inquiries of fans via Facebook Messenger, stating that they will be screening the concert. In 2013, the “BIGBANG ALIVE GALAXY WORLD TOUR” movie was also played exclusively in TGV Cinemas, with limited screenings in selected cinemas for a period of 2 weeks.

Just moments ago, TGV Cinemas officially announced that they will be screening “BIGBANG10 THE MOVIE – BIGBANG MADE”! United International Pictures also confirmed the news in a Facebook post.

However, they did not release ticketing details and we still don’t know which cinemas will be playing the movie.

Get your money ready because TGV Cinemas has released the ticketing details for “BIGBANG10 THE MOVIE – BIGBANG MADE”!

According to their website, a total of 5 cinemas will be screening the movie, more specifically, 1 Utama, Encorp Strand Mall, Sunway Pyramid, 1st Avenue Penang, and Tebrau. The movie will play from Thursday (28th July) to Sunday (31st July), with at least 2 showtimes per day at each cinema. The price for each ticket is RM25.

Be quick, ‘cos we know how quick VIPs can be, seeing as how 80% of the tickets for their “BIGBANG 2015 World Tour [MADE] in Malaysia” concert were sold out in less than half a day.

That’s all we have for now, but remember to stalk us on Facebook and Instagram as we bring you more updates ;)

For more information, visit United International Pictures Malaysia’s Facebook page and TGV Cinemas’s Facebook page.


Hasihin Bags Paralympic Games Silver

He brought cheers to the country and to those who were rooting for him back home when he made the semi-final of the men’s individual recurve W1/W2 (wheelchair) for the Paralympic Games.

But towards the end, he was edged by Italy’s Oscar de Pellegrin in a toe-to-toe shoot-off after they were tied 5 – 5 in the men’s individual recurve W1/W2 final at the Royal Artillery Barrack in London.

However, buoyed by the spirit of the late Mohd Salam Sidik (who was ranked second in the world during his lifetime), our 27-year-old national elite archer, Hasihin Sanawi powered his way to bag a silver medal. It was a significant jumped compared to four years ago when Malaysia won a bronze.

Wearing the silver medal proud and with his chin held up high, Hasihin said, “Thank God. This is my best achievement so far this year. I’ve never met him (Oscar), so I just focused on the competition and gave my best!”.

You did more than just giving your best, Hasihin. You have made your country and its nation proud. Congratulations, Hasihin! “Malaysia Boleh”!

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Malaysia: 4 Weird & Ridiculous Methods To Chase Away The Haze

The haze situation in Malaysia seems to be going from bad to worse lately.

In our previous post, we have discussed about the ongoing issue involving the current condition in our country, which grows to be more concerning as each day passes.

The government, among other citizens nationwide have come out with methods on how to handle the ongoing haze – including the usual tips on wearing mask, drink a lot of water etc.

Apart from that, there are also a few locals out there who suggested extreme measures in order to “chase” the haze go away. Take a look at these 4 weird and funny suggestions that we can’t help but shake our heads:

The ritual was popularised by Datuk Ibrahim Mat Zain – known among locals as “Raja Bomoh”. His way of uttering the word “jelebu” instead of the word “jerebu” (Malay word for haze) has also became a meme among netizens. The ritual is done by putting a block of ice onto a pan so that the air particles that contain the haze can melt.

Also made famous by the “Raja Bomoh” himself. In this case, he claimed that his ‘special’ vase has the ability to suck all haze so that Malaysians will be able to breathe a cleaner air.

My daughter and I doing our part to blow the haze back to Indonesia pic.twitter.com/ZvN1BrbNPp

— Faizal Rosly (@ijaicool) September 16, 2019

Known among local Twitter users as a resident prankster, Faizal Rosly (username @ijaicool) recently shared with his followers one of his brilliant method to blow the haze out from Malaysia. By using what? – A toy fan!

Ritual halau jerebu katanya https://t.co/dGtFy7WhZ8

— luffy (@luffyramadan) September 20, 2019

Another hilarious method that we’ve came across online is a weird ritual that involves dancing. Some netizens have even asked if the “dancers” were possessed during filming.

Do you have any more to add in the list? Share with us in the comments.?


The Wanted To Have Their Own Reality Show!

Fans of “The Wanted”, especially those of you who saw them when they were in town last year and simply can’t get enough of the boys, your celebrations start at this very moment because they are all set to be featured in a new, Ryan Seacrest produced reality show!

According to E!, Max George, Nathan Skyes, Tom Parker, Jay McGuinness, and Siva Kaneswaran are headed to California to record their third album and prepare for their upcoming US and England tour later this year. They’ll be living together in the Hollywood Hills for the duration of time that they’ll be in Los Angeles and that’s where they’ll be filming!

We know what you’re going to ask next – “What is it going to be called, what is it going to be called?”

Tentatively titled, “The Wanted Life”, it’s a half-hour series that will eventually air on E! in June 2013. Upon the official announcement, Suzanne Kolb (President of E!) said:

The rock star lifestyle is something that everyone has fantasized about and The Wanted are giving viewers total access into their world as they live out this dream. This series is a perfect blend of music, bromance and superstardom chronicling the lives of one of music’s biggest groups as they continue to make their mark on the global stage

Dude, if it’s produced by the same man (read: Ryan Seacrest) who worked on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and “Married to Jonas”, we have no doubt that The Wanted’s show is going to do just as well. If not better! Here, check out a clip from their #WantedWednesday:

[youtube id=”OuUxcHY6o2I” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Maybe this is what “The Wanted Life” is going to sort of look/sound like? You think?

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#Travel: 12 Quick Getaways For The Long Weekends In Malaysia

With so many long weekends this year, there can only be one more thing left to do – to plan quick getaways. The weekends are probably not long enough for anyone to go far, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a mini holiday to unwind and just catch up with yourself. Or, you know, with a loved one, or friends, or family. You get the drills. As such, we’ve found a few places that are optimum for you to do just that, ranging from the secluded resorts surrounded by greenery to the quaint little gems within civilisation. Best of all, these places are mostly within reach as you can get to them by car!

You ready for some R&R? Here are our “totally zen” picks:

One of Kuala Lumpur’s best kept secrets! Hidden within an upscale neighbourhood and discreet from street view, Villa Samadhi feels more like one big private villa rather than a boutique hotel. The entire residence is designed to look and oriented to evoke, in all essence, your own private villa in the city. Its modern-Asian design and ambiance makes it a unique boutique residence. Hence, be it a holiday retreat for those from afar or just a special weekend getaway, a long-term or temporary stay for those on business, Villa Samadhi is the holiday home away from home, located only 10 minutes from the vivacious parts of KL city centre, like KLCC and Bukit Bintang.

For more information, visit their website.

A natural home concept for “home away from home”, the Calanthe Artisan Loft in is a place where tourists are just as comfortable and contented as if they were at home. The loft is fully furnished and self contained, with self-service comfort and privacy with one mezzanine bedroom plus beans beds at ground floor of AV room. Best of all, it is located right in the heart of the Historical City of Malacca, at Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Heeren Street) and within a walking distance to the UNESCO Historical Sites. In fact, the highly talked about Chinatown with night market of Jonker Walk, shopping, and entertainment districts are right at its doorstep!

The Shorea is an architect’s family retreat, built within a tropical forest reserve. Its secluded villas are set on natural terrains, with meandering paths leading down to a jungle stream, a waterfall within the Berembun Forest Reserve; it is the ultimate forest getaway. The name “Shorea” is a genus of about 196 species of rainforest trees which include Balau, Chengal, Merangti, Keruing, etc. The resort is constructed by using mainly the shorea timber species which is sourced locally. Most of the resort is also constructed using recycled shorea timber, including main roof beams, timber pillars, staircases, balustrades, and timber bridge.

45 Lekiu puts a modern spin to the concept of guesthouses by offering a luxurious accommodation with a distinctive design sensibility dedicated to you alone. The guesthouse draws its inspiration from the rich tapestry of Malacca and captures everything Malacca stands for – heritage, culture and history. Located in the heart of Malacca’s UNESCO World Heritage site, the 1941 pre-war art deco building has been painstakingly restored into a stylish abode epitomising a “new luxury”. Generous in size and stylish in every detail, the breathtaking environment offers an inspired fusion of beauty, luxury and comfort with a haphazard combinations of contemporary pieces and centuries-old furnishing, subtly textured brick walls, luxurious bathroom, and a soothing lap pool.

Got dough to splurge and ultimate relaxation in mind? Head on over to The Banjaran Hotsprings retreat in Ipoh. Set against limestone hills, The Banjaran provides a peaceful wellness retreat with its geothermal hot springs and a naturally heated swimming pool. A steam cave and ice baths are also available. As for the accommodation, well, the spacious villas come with a private pool and outdoor hot tub. The spacious living rooms are also equipped with a 40-inch LCD TV and free Wi-Fi (not sure why you’d be needing Wi-Fi here though). Butler services and in-villa spa treatments can be arranged. Believe it or not, the retreat is only a 15-minute drive from Ipoh city.

Ren I Tang is the result of a 2 year long restoration project on a 19th century Early Straits Eclectic Styled Building located within the core zone of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Penang Island: Malaysia. Located at the junction of China Street and Penang Street, the building now hosts a variety of activities as well as its beautiful heritage inns. Its prime location also means that many of Penang’s attractions are just around the corner such as the Kwan Yin Temple, Mariamman Kuil, Tua Pek Kong Temple, China St Art Gallery, Penang Peranakan Museum, and Penang Heritage Trust. And of course, in true Penang epicurean culture, food is an abundance and just a stone’s throw away from Ren I Tang. Also, while you’re there, you may want to check out these other Penang hidden gems ;)

A 12-acre orchard resort on the edge of the undisturbed Malaysian tropical rainforest, The Dusun is an hour from Kuala Lumpur and its airports, but it sure does feel like a world away. It’s located 800 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Titiwangsa Main Range, so you can expect cool and quiet nights. Next door is the Berembun Forest Reserve, which is 4,000 acres of protected virgin forest rising to 3,900 feet. From as low as only a few hundred ringgit a night, you can opt to stay at one of their beautiful “houses” e.g. Berembun, Perling, Tembusu, Emas, or Sora, and be one with nature for a long weekend.

The Bamboo-Village in Hulu Langat embodies resort-style made of bamboo somewhere in the jungle near the KL city centre. Whether you’re a traveler or on a business trip, or just on a little weekend getaway, the accommodation offers comfort and convenience in the arms of nature minus the long hours of travel. The Bamboo-Village has a selection of bungalow, cottage, dorms, and event tents complete with standard hotel amenities and facilities such as Wi-Fi (in public areas), refrigerator, shower, complimentary bottled water, and more. It’s the perfect quiet retreat to “disengage” from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Awanmulan is a collection of small homes in the hills located in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan which is an ideal getaway from the bustling Kuala Lumpur located only 2 – 3 hours’ drive away. A sanctuary in the hills, the houses on stilts sit on a hill slope overlooking a lush valley and surrounded by hills of green forests. There’s really nothing much to do at Awanmulan except to sit here upon the wooden deck and watch the rain come in over the hills and the mist that rises from the valley below, or lounge by the pool or go for a dip in the refreshing river pool, piped directly from the upstream river in the forests, or watch the beautiful sunsets over the Straits of Malacca light up the sky in hues of red and yellow. It’ll entertain you for hours in its therapeutic movements.

For city slickers, being in the city 24/7 can be horribly mundane and because of that, a quick getaway for a breath of fresh air can quickly change things up after a stressful week. Venture 45 minutes’ drive away from Kuala Lumpur and you’ll find yourself an oasis of calm at Taman Sari in Hulu Langat, with fresh air and greenery to recharge you, mind, body and soul. At Taman Sari, they offer a unique retreat experience with bed and breakfast for those who love open air, gardens, and a natural environment with a breathtaking view. The retreat is located close to a village where time has almost stood still, where you can sample local cuisine in the village or go exploring the rivers and waterfalls that are famous with city folk during the weekend.

The MaliHom Private Estate is a luxury private estate in the hills of Penang, offering the perfect blend of natural surroundings, intimate service, privacy and seclusion. Surrounded by greenery, it boasts an outdoor pool and private rooms with rustic décor, and the rooms eature private grounds or deck with beautiful views of the natural landscapes. Each room comes equipped with an electric teakettle and minibar, and private bathrooms come with essential oil toiletries and a hairdryer. MaliHom Private Estate guests can enjoy a relaxing massage or read a book at the library, while afternoons can be spent soaking up the sun by the pool while taking in the beautiful mountain views.

Sekeping Kong Heng, in the charming old town of Ipoh, is the latest addition to the Sekeping family of retreats. Testimony to Ipoh’s decadent past, Kong Heng was used as a hostel to house theatre performers who performed in the adjacent theatre building that was burnt down in the 50s. Now rejuvenated, it is hoped that Sekeping Kong Heng will be able to offer guests a slice of history within a real old town setting which is alive, working and real. It is located in a 3-storey neo-classical building which also houses a famous coffee shop of the same name on the ground floor that serves great coffee and the best local dishes in town. All effort has been made to preserve as much of the character of the existing building as possible in contrast to the surrounding new architectural interventions. In addition, an extension has been added at the back, tucked away to reveal an inner courtyard with a dramatic stairway to take guests up to their rooms.


Valentine’s Day Is At Your Door & You Ain’t Ready? We GOTCHU!

Can you believe the day of lurve is tomorrow? Yeah, already! Besides being the day when you can celebrate your love with your partner, best friends, or yourself, it’s the time when you wear your heart on your sleeve, whether it’s giving them a thoughtful present that shows them how much you appreciate them, taking them out on a romantic dinner, or surprising them with flowers they’ll love.

While it does seem pretty self-explanatory what you should do on Valentine’s day, it can be jarring to look at all the options you have out there. So, to make things easier for you, we’ve curated a list of things – from what to buy, what to wear, and where to go – that you can refer to for some last-minute V-Day planning inspo!

Loveshack Bundle By LVLY And Handmade Heroes

Bring your #sapotLokal spirit on Valentine’s Day by showing some love to your partner, as well as some local vendors! Local online flower and gift delivery service company, LVLY, and local beauty warriors, Handmaid Heroes, have partnered up to create a new self-love and self-care Valentine’s bundle, “Love Shack”. The bundle includes LVLY’s Pretty Pastel flower jar alongside Handmade Heroes’ iconic lip and body scrubs – a trio made perfect for pampering yourself or your loved ones.

Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain

Your partner would love this one, since she wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of reapplying her lipstick throughout the day! Meet Fenty Beauty’s first-ever lip stain – Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain. This baby just hits differently, giving you juicy, all-day hydration and an effortless, low-maintenance look. Available in 4 vibrant shades, it gives sheer-to-medium coverage and lightweight wear with a glossy finish upon application that leaves behind a soft stain.

Available at sephora.my and in-store at Sephora, unless specified.

Love is in the air! Catch a whiff of Maison Margiela’s REPLICA iconic scents, and choose one that best represents a memory with your loved one – be it REPLICA’s On A Date, Jazz Club, Beach Walk, or Autumn Vibes. With this gift, every time you smell the gorgeous scent, both of you will be instantly reminded of your love for one another. Head to Maison Margiela’s physical store located at Level 2, Pavilion KL!

Hair is like… makeup for men. Revitalise your menses hair to its glossiest, healthiest prime with ORIBE Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo. This rejuvenating cleanser combines centuries-old healing oils and extracts with ORIBE’s revolutionary Bio-Restorative Complex to balance the scalp and reinforce the inner strength of each strand.

*ORIBE products are available at selected KENS Apothecary outlets (The Gardens Mall, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Bangsar Village II) and online at https://kensapothecary.com.my/

Fenty Skin Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum

If you’re trying to get your man into skincare, this product is a GAME CHANGER. Since it’s technically a mix between toner and serum, it’s a great addition to a simple skincare routine. Featuring a light scent of sweet cherry and sun-kissed fig, this game-changing toner serum is a great pore-busting treatment! It tightens the look of pores, helps visibly fade dark spots, smooths and plumps skin, and checks shine – without stripping moisture.

Looking for a gift to last a lifetime? Tell your loved one how much they mean to you by gifting them a timeless timepiece that will always remind them of you – every second, minute, and hour of the day! Browse through Franck Muller to choose the perfect watch for your loved one. Locate Franck Muller’s store at level 2 of Pavilion KL!

On a day all about love, it’s important to dress the part too! SANDRO’s Valentine’s Day collection offers you the sweetest gift ideas with a stylish edit of wardrobe essentials. Whether you’re gonna spend the night with your SO at home, or enjoying a wonderful date with them, SANDRO has got a good selection for both men and women. Inspired by the purest love, the women’s collection elevates the timeless looks with whimsical pastel colours. As for the SANDRO man, the brand goes beyond the classic black and white to present textured denim in greyish blue that highlights his gentle and dignified character. The all-over prints give the look a refined twist while the matching ensembles are perfect for the special occasion with their effortless allure and the right dose of glamour.

Check out the full collection on their official site!

French fashion brand Maje is also celebrating the romantic season with a timeless edit of elegant designs. Be it a sweet surprise for your love or a modern twist to your style, Maje’s selection brings together girly tweed dresses, floral shirts, timeless pastel handbags, essential patchwork denim jackets and statement accessories to highlight the romantic femininity of the Maje girl and her fabulous French lifestyle.

Check out the full collection on their website.

We’re not one to gatekeep, certainly not this gem located in Langkawi! The Danna Langkawi Resort & Beach Villas has rolled out the red carpet at their luxe resort for guests to fall in love with. From gastronomic treats with a breathtaking backdrop perfect for capturing the moment, to a tête-à-tête couple’s spa treatment you can select from exclusive packages and decadent offerings to create everlasting memories this Valentine’s Day. Escape from all distractions and let love flourish at The Danna Langkawi Resort & Beach Villas this Valentine’s Day.

For reservations or enquiries, call +604 959 3288 or emailreservation@thedanna.com.

Celebrate Valentine’s with a different kind of rose this year. How about a 1664 Rosé? In celebration of V-Day, 1664 Rosé has partnered with DADI Cinema at Pavilion KL to create a first in market cinema experience running from now until the 28th of February. On top of your ticket admission to Le Cinema Lounge 1664 at DADI Cinema for two, enjoy the ideal VIP date-night outing which comprises two theatre movie tickets, complimentary 1664 Rosé and 1664 Blanc, a signature 1664 Rosé beer bouquet and a plush 1664 branded pillow. Customers will also be able to enjoy Instagrammable Valentine’s Day moments at the elegant Le Cinema Lounge 1664 before heading in for a cosy movie night. Those heading over for an evening movie will also be able to enjoy a complimentary serving of a 1664 Rosé bouquet to their loved ones nationwide – a gift du jour that is bound to flutter hearts whether given to a lover, friend or family member.

To find out more about what’s in store, be sure to like and follow @1664BlancMY on Facebook and Instagram for more details.

Everyone should go on an art gallery date at least once in their lifetime. Like love, art is about discovery and exploration, and there’s no better place to witness pieces from artists across the globe than at Art WeMe Contemporary Gallery. Featuring creatives such as Lei Lei and Lau Wai Leng, the gallery will transport you and your boo to a magical and enlightening place. You can even purchase an artistic masterpiece to spruce up your home! Art WeMe Contemporary Gallery is located at Level 2, Pavilion Elite, Pavilion KL.

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