#Climate: Asia Shivers, Slips, & Slides In Record Low Temperatures

Snow, sleet and icy winds across Asia caused deaths, flight cancellations and chaos over the weekend as areas used to basking in balmier climates struggled with record-low temperatures.

Weather-related deaths were reported in Japan and Taiwan, with hundreds of flights cancelled across the region, tens of thousands of holidaymakers stranded in South Korea, and freezing conditions in sub-tropical Hong Kong causing mayhem on its tallest peak.

While the cold snap is by no means on the scale of the weather now affecting the snow-bound eastern United States, such temperatures are a novelty for many residents of the region.

In Bangkok, a city that rarely sees the thermometer dip below 20-25 deg C, temperatures dropped to around 16 deg C on Sunday (24th January) and Monday (25th January). It left people in Bangkok, whose normal attire generally includes flip-flops and shorts, digging through their closets for jackets and jumpers.

In Japan, 5 people died and more than 100 were injured on Sunday, with record-breaking heavy snowfall and low temperatures in the country’s western and central regions and rare snow in subtropical areas, officials and local media said.

The small subtropical island of Amami observed snow for the first time since 1901, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

In China, 24 weather stations around the country recorded all-time low temperatures between Friday and Sunday. At Eergu’Na in Inner Mongolia, the temperature on Saturday hit a record low of minus 46.8 deg C. The southern city of Guangzhou saw rare sleet, the first in 60 years, in its downtown area, the provincial meteorological station announced on Sunday.

In Hong Kong, primary schools and kindergartens were closed on Monday after temperatures plunged to a 60-year low.

A 100-km ultra-marathon race was abandoned as competitors crossing the city’s tallest peak, Tai Mo Shan, slipped on icy slopes buffeted by freezing winds.

The peak became the scene of “carnage”, as one race official described it, as hundreds of curious “frost-chasing” citizens became stranded, with dozens stricken with hypothermia and hapless firemen called in to rescue them filmed slipping and sliding on the icy roads.

Close to 90,000 people were stranded on the South Korean resort island of Jeju on Monday after the biggest snowfall in three decades shut the airport for the third straight day.

Taipei registered a low of 4 deg C over the weekend, the coldest in 44 years, with the Taiwan media reporting 90 deaths due to the cold weather, and rare snowfall drawing enthusiastic crowds to Yangmingshan National Park.

In Vietnam, temperatures in Hanoi dropped to six deg Celsius at night over the weekend, which state-run media said was the coldest weather the country has experienced for some two decades.

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#KPop: SM Entertainment Denies Rumours Of Debuting A 24-Member Boy Group In 2016

“Why do K-Pop groups have so many members?”

Believe it or not, that’s one question fans of K-Pop often get asked about. Unlike boy bands and girl groups in the US, K-Pop idol groups will typically have 4 to 15 members. Some of the biggest idol groups in the K-Pop industry made their debut under SM Entertainment.

Recently, rumours began to spread in the Korean music industry that SM Entertainment could be debuting a bigger group with a whopping 24 members.

Soompi said that rumours regarding the 24-member boy group emerged online after the Korean entertainment powerhouse confirmed that they will be debuting a new multinational group next year. Further details regarding the group were not disclosed, but they’re most likely a boy group.

It’s unclear how SM Entertainment will round up 24 members, but fans believed that it won’t be hard for them to do so, especially since the talent agency is now managing SM Rookies.

For those who are not in the know, SM Rookies is a pre-debut team that consists of trainees who are ready to make their debut under SM Entertainment. Past members of the team include Red Velvet‘s Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, and Yeri.

The upcoming idol boy group will most likely consist of those from the team as the company has been actively promoting SM Rookies by starring them in Disney Channel Korea‘s “Mickey Mouse Club”. Some members even worked as MCs for MBC’s music show “Show Champion”. They even held their own pre-debut concerts titled “SM Rookies Show” earlier in August and September this year.

As such, these SM Rookie members have already garnered a certain amount of fans even before they make their debut.

Regarding the rumours about a 24-member boy group debuting, a rep from SM Entertainment said that it is untrue.

I think we’ve Already tried What we can with forming large groups. In other words, there is no interest anymore in the number of members. While it is true that the SMRookies are very active these days (with their show) and that there will be a group debuting next year, how many members and who, and what genre have not been decided yet.

“Unconfirmed rumours about the (upcoming) team members can be hurtful to the members of SMRookies who are working hard in order to debut,” the rep added.

So, how many members do you think that this new boy group is going to have? Will the boys from SM Rookies join the new group? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.


#China: Woman’s Death In Tragic Escalator Accident Could’ve Been Prevented

The world is still reeling from the shock of watching the China escalator mishap video, but new evidence has surfaced, proving that it could’ve been prevented.

The tragic escalator accident at the Anliang department store in Hubei’s Jingzhou city, which claimed the life of a mother who pushed her toddler to safety, could have been prevented by 2 shopping mall employees who witnessed the deadly problem themselves moments before the fatal plunge. The mall employees had experienced a close shave just minutes earlier, new surveillance footage has shown. They can be seen losing their balance in the same place the metal floor boards collapsed at the top of the escalator.

China’s state broadcaster CCTV released a 2-minute video that captures how a female mall employee had travelled down the escalator from the 7th to the 6th floor.

Officials said the 2 employees actually had 5 minutes to alert authorities and shut off the escalator after they discovered the loose panels.

Instead of turning the escalator off, they prodded the panels with their foot and gave the doomed mother a verbal warning, pointing at the danger. But the last-minute notice was not enough to save Xiang Liujuan. The mother is seen in her last moments alive lifting her 2-year-old son up and pushing him out of harm’s way as she plunged through a gaping hole. Rescue crews reportedly took 4 hours to remove the woman’s body from the escalator, which showed “no signs of life”. The incident made international headlines.

Her heartbroken husband Zhang Wei told local news channel, Wuhan Evening News, “It was too late. My wife fell even before the assistant spoke out her last word.”

The tragedy has cast an unfavourable spotlight on China’s safety standards, with criticism also levelled at a maintenance crew which forgot to screw down the panel after repairs. Netizens are also blaming the 2 female employees for not turning off the escalator’s mechanism or stationing themselves at the bottom to warn off shoppers.

Hubei has issued a province-wide ban on the use of elevators and escalators by the Shenlong Elevator Company, which made the escalator in the mall.

Sources: NY Daily News, Straits Times, BBC.

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Fun Facts: 8 Cool Things You Need To Know About “Now You See Me 2”

Are you prepared to witness the greatest magic trick you’ve ever seen in your life?

Bold words, but that is exactly what has been promised to us by the trailers from the upcoming magic-heist sequel film “Now You See Me 2”. Once again, the 4 horsemen and their secret head honcho are out on a global mission to ruin the plans of their nemesis Thaddeus Bradley, who is currently behind bars and thirsty for revenge.

“The Four Horsemen return for a second mind-bending adventure, elevating the limits of stage illusion to new heights and taking them around the globe. One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic spectacles, the illusionists resurface for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing the unethical practices of a tech magnate.

The man behind their vanishing act is none other than Walter Mabry, a tech prodigy who threatens the Horsemen into pulling off their most impossible heist yet. Their only hope is to perform one last unprecedented stunt to clear their names and reveal the mastermind behind it all.”

Besides more action sequences to wow us and the voice of god (Morgan Freeman) narrating in the background, there’s plenty to get excited about “Now You See Me 2”. Here are some fun facts you might not have known about the movie and its cast members:

In case you need some reminding, the Four Horsemen (not to be confused with Apocalypse’s Four Horsemen) is a group of illusionists/magicians who steal from the rich and corrupted, and hand the stolen money over to their adoring audience.

Noticeably missing from quartet is Isla Fisher’s Henley but Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco are back reprising their respective roles with newcomer Lizzy Caplan rounding out the foursome. Fisher was pregnant at the time of production and had to bow out.

In preparation for her role, Caplan decided to put on her investigative hat and track down female magicians. Unfortunately, the experience left her unimpressed. “There are so few of them: Not only are their numbers small, but the vast majority of them have to incorporate this overly sexualized thing, which is really strange,” she recalled.

“So they’re in particularly skimpy outfits and they have, like, sex-themed magic shows. I saw this one girl — she’s the snake babe and she just has snakes, and she’s kind of seductive with the snake. I was like, ‘Come on, girl!’ More power to her, but also there’s got to be something else. You don’t have to be this sex kitten to be a magician,” she told Refinery 29.

The actress then added, “Girls in general do a lot of magic tricks — what we wake up looking like and what we walk out the door looking like is a bit of a magic trick, one that I oftentimes resent.”

Well, actually that’s not true. Daniel Radcliffe plays a tech savvy magnate, Walter Mabry. Despite being the only one with wizard training from Hogwarts, Radcliffe’s Walter is the one with the worst magic skills. In fact, the actor even says his character is “anti-magic”!

Walter is the person responsible for assembling The Four Horsemen, or to be more precise, blackmails them into helping him steal an item that he claims is “the key to every computer system on the planet”.

As part of the promotions for “Now You See Me 2”, a #LookCloser campaign was launch where “The Eye (the movie’s magical secret society) has hidden riddles and clues throughout the film’s promotional materials”. Fans with an eye for detail were required to closely observe posters, trailers, and social media posts to spot clues.

According to A List Daily, “once a clue has been solved, the answer can be entered on the campaign’s website to unlock exclusive content like cast shout-outs and behind-the-scenes 360-degree videos. Perceptive and clever participants were also entered into a sweepstakes to win a BMW F800R motorcycle, just like the one in the movie.”

Aside from solving clues and winning a lucrative prize, the interactive website includes a magical funhouse mirror sequence. Upon scrolling the mouse wheel, the mirror will rotate, featuring different characters from the movie.

Remember the London rain scene from the trailer, where countless droplets are frozen in midair? The water droplets will start “falling upward” as viewers continue to scroll. The last pitstop will be a Chinese magic shop where vintage magic posters of the main cast are seen floating about.

6. A record collaboration for Morgan Freeman & Michael Caine

“Now You See Me 2” will be the 6th time Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine have appeared in the same movie. Their previous films together include Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogies, “A History Of Us”, and “Now You See Me”. The 2 respected actors are about to collaborate for the 7th time on their upcoming movie “Going In Style”.

7. Comic book & superhero movies connection of the actors

Most of the actors in the movie have starred in blockbusters films based on comic books. As aforementioned, both Freeman and Caine have appeared in “Batman Begins” (2005), “The Dark Knight” (2008), and “The Dark Knight Rises” (2012). Mark Ruffalo was last seen playing The Hulk aka Bruce Banner in Marvel’s “Avengers: Age Of Ultron”, while Jessie Eisenberg was recently seen as the villainous Lex Luthor in “Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice“.

A 3rd instalment for “Now You See Me ” is already in the works. The announcement was made last year by Jon Feltheimer, CEO of the production studio. Lionsgate Entertainment was so confident in their “Now You See Me” franchise that “we’ve already begun early planning for “Now You See Me 3″.″

9. Jay Chou premiered a fun music video for the movie

Not to be overshadowed by the Four Horsemen, Asian pop superstar, Jay Chou (周杰倫) also shows off some cool moves – whether it’s his slick dance moves, card tricks, or the fact he gets to channel his inner Aladdin with his magic lamp while on magic carpet. Wanna find the “key”? Just do as the singer says and follow his beat ;)

Get ready to fall for the same trick twice when “Now You See Me 2” hits local theatres on 16th June 2016.

Sources: Refinery 29, A List Daily, MDFT Biz, Screen Rant.

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Contest: Win Exclusive Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time Merchandise

Are you ready to “Be A Warrior”? That’s the tagline from Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time”.

In conjunction with the highly-anticipated film’s upcoming release (which is based on the classic 1962 novel), we’re giving away some exclusive goodies to some of our lucky readers. If you’ve enjoyed science fiction and fantasy growing up, this movie is going to be such a visual treat!

The official synopsis to Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time” is as follows:

“From visionary director Ava DuVernay comes Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time”, an epic adventure based on Madeleine L’Engle’s timeless classic which takes audiences across dimensions of time and space, examining the nature of darkness versus light and, ultimately, the triumph of love. Through one girl’s transformative journey led by three celestial guides, we discover that strength comes from embracing one’s individuality and that the best way to triumph over fear is to travel by one’s own light.”

Do note that the merchandise will be given out randomly and are subject to availability.

Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time” arrives in theatres on 8th March 2018.

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


Hugh Hefner x Crystal Harris, Again!

Legendary Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy is engaged to Crystal Harris. For the second time.

They were both engaged once but they cancelled their first wedding in June last year. Hugh Hefner, 86, and Crystal Harris, 26, will exchange their vows at the Playboy mansion on New Year’s Eve with close friends and family. Sources tell TMZ that the pair has patched things up and they’re better than ever. After being away with Hefner, it taught Crystal to stand on her own two feet and that is what she always needed. (Source)

Also, in terms of age, they’re about oh..only 60 whole years apart. Yes, wow! Our jaws dropped too. But age is just a number, right?

According to Crystal on KIIS-FM radio show she said, “For a while, I’d been having second thoughts about everything, so I haven’t really been at peace with myself lately. It was all just happening too fast for me. I just sat back and thought about it all. Is this what I wanted? And it wasn’t.” (Source)

But not to worry, she’s ready to walk down that aisle and rock that big puffy wedding gown – we think.


#Batgirl: 9 Casting Shortlist Actresses Who Could Play Barbara Gordon

Batgirl aka Barbara Gordon has always been a fan favourite in the DC Extended Universe. Not much is known about the female character’s first solo live-action film other than it’s currently in the works and will be directed by Joss Whedon.

Although the director had previously expressed his interest to cast a fresh face to bring the titular character to live on the big screen, a recently leaked shortlist might reveal who Warner Bros. wants.

According to Reddit sub-group DCEU Leaks, an acquaintance was approached to work on some concept art for the film project. The source claims that Warner Bros. is hoping to finalised details to reveal the actress as a special announcement at next month’s San Diego Comic-Con.

Apparently the 9 actresses in consideration are:

The leaker also went on to say that Langford is believed to be the frontrunner, followed by Fanning, Levy, and Qualley. Judging from the list, it appears that Warner Bros. is aiming to introduce a younger Batgirl to moviegoers.

It is unclear how this would fit into the current DCEU lineup. Fans will just have to wait and see if this latest piece of information is legit.

Sources: Screen Rant, Cinema Blend/ Feature image: Daily Superheroes.

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BlackBerry Z10 Launch In Malaysia + Trade Up

Late yesterday, BlackBerry launched the all new BlackBerry Z10 smartphone in Malaysia. The BlackBerry Z10 (all touch) is the first smartphone powered by the BlackBerry 10, the re-designed, re-engineered, and re-invented BlackBerry platform that creates a new and unique mobile computing experience.

Available in two colours, Black and White, the new BlackBerry Z10 smartphone is elegant and distinctive, and the fastest, most advanced BlackBerry smartphone yet. It features a 1.5 Ghz dual core processor with 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and an expendable memory card slot that supports up to 64GB cards.

And of course, most of these you would’ve already read in our post last month.

Alright, the important deets are that the BlackBerry Z10 will retail at RM2,188 and will be made available from authorized carrier, Maxis, on 9th March 2013. Meanwhile, BlackBerry fans may also pre-register/pre-order from 21st February 2013 (Thursday) onwards. Yes, that’s today! The BlackBerry Z10 will also be available from Celcom and DiGi on 8th April 2013. However, there has been no word on the respective carriers’ plans as of yet.

Here’s the best part: For BlackBerry fans who wants to be among the first to buy the new BlackBerry Z10, BrightPoint, Brightstar, and Sunstrike are running a trade up program which offers a cost-effective way of upgrading your BlackBerry smartphones by exchanging your existing smartphone. Rebates up to RM480? Hell yes!

Fans interested in benefiting from the program should first visit their Facebook page and provide the details required to obtain a voucher, which entitles you to participate in the program. With a printed copy of this voucher and your older BlackBerry smartphone, you can then attend any of the 21 roadshows being organized across Malaysia by Brightstar and Maxis.

Note: Word has it that the BlackBerry Q10 smartphone will be made available in Malaysia by mid 2013.

Check out our gallery for more exclusive pictures from the BlackBerry Z10 smartphone launch in Malaysia!

For more information, visit their website.


#PSA: Damansara Uptown’s Uncle David’s Story Touches Malaysians’ Hearts

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” – Ian Mclaren.

It’s time to spare some kindness, Malaysians.

A man, only identified as Uncle David, may have a hard life but he has recently caught the attention of thousands of Malaysians. In fact, his pictures are being shared rampantly across social media platforms – and for all the right reasons.

According to Malaysian Digest, it all started when Facebook user Sai Banu D mentioned Uncle David in her post.

She shared the incident where her daughter spotted Uncle David carrying a bunch of soft toys and walking under the scorching sun. Her daughter felt sorry for the man and urged her to buy something for him. Sai Banu D obliged and then struck up a conversation with Uncle David as she asked, “Uncle, you been doing this for long?”

To which he replied with his touching yet heartbreaking story:

Yes, I use this money to support my son’s education and also chemo treatment. My son scored 9 A’s in SPM and now he is doing A levels in HELP.

He added, “I’m earning money from a good way and that’s why God is sending people like your daughter to buy from me.”

We know, right? It brings tears to our eyes too.

This also prompted other Facebook users to post up everything they know about the smiley uncle. Like this one from a lady by the name of Shalin MN, who shed more light on Uncle David’s story:

The above post has also been shared by scores of Malaysian Facebook users. As seen in the comments, many have praised Uncle David while others are asking for more details on his whereabouts as they, too, want to contribute and help him.

It even garnered reactions from Facebook users from as far as Penang, who want to purchase soft toys in bulk from Uncle David to donate to orphanages, as well as positive comments from our fellow neighbours in Singapore.

According to Shalin MN, Uncle David sells soft toys at about RM10 – RM12 per piece.

Would you like to help Uncle David out too? He can usually be found sitting by HSBC Bank in Damansara Uptown in Petaling Jaya. Alternatively, you could also try searching for him near dal.komm Coffee, Starbucks, or Sate Kajang in the same area (Damansara Uptown).

Source: Malaysian Digest / Featured image from Shalin MN.

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#DescendantsOfTheSun: Popular K-Drama’s OST Concert To Be Held In Malaysia!

Representatives of the hit drama series, “Descendants Of The Sun” (태양의 후예), announced that their OST concert will be touring 4 different countries in Asia, including Malaysia. Though the concert date has yet to be set, the news itself is enough to get us all hyped up!

“The OST concert will be held in 7 locations in 4 countries, including Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and various cities in China such as Beijing and Hong Kong,” said drama officials yesterday (22nd May).

The drama representative added that although the drama has ended, the passion and excitement for it still remains. He said, “‘Descendants of the Sun’ established itself as a Hallyu drama. Because of this, we quickly received requests for the OST concerts”.

According to Naver, the management team of the first concert and event organisers from the 4 countries have either already completed signing a letter of understanding or are in the process of doing so.

The first “Descendants Of The Sun” OST concert was held on 14th May at the Hall of Peace in Kyung Hee University, Seoul. The auditorium was packed with 7,000 spectators and the concert featured beloved scenes from the drama, behind-the-scene reel moments, and unforgettable songs performed by their original singers.

Cast from the drama such as Jin Goo, Kim Ji Won, Lee Seung Jun, and Seo Jung Yeon also made special appearances.

Who knows, we might be able to see some of them in Malaysia too :)

“Descendants Of The Sun” will “Always” have a special place in our hearts, whenever, wherever we are. Perfect time to re-watch the series again, don’t you think? ;)


This Is How M’sians Started Trending #SiBodohKauDengarSini On Twitter

Never underestimate the power of keyboard warriors!

#SiBodohKauDengarSini (translated as Hey fool, you listen here) has been trending on Twitter since yesterday (Monday, 18th January). Although the hashtag might be in your face, one can’t deny that it’s attention-grabbing.

One of the iconic moments of 2021. So powerful. So Melayu. Hahaha #SiBodohKauDengarSini pic.twitter.com/0KRJpzXZAK

I stan with akak #SiBodohKauDengarSini pic.twitter.com/VYmfpXKvds

The hashtag went viral after the quote was taken from a post by a user known as @yarafaee_. The netizen responded to another social media user, @puterirajaawan, by slamming the MCO 2.0 business period system, which currently only allows operation from 11am to 8pm.

The hashtag column has since been flooded with numerous remarks left by fellow members of Twitterjaya. Interestingly, even Syed Saddiq jumped in on the bandwagon by expressing his resentment towards the government for not “listening to the Rakyat”.

Check out some of the interesting reactions that we got here:

#SiBodohKauDengarSini thread explains the nation being sick and tired of being pushed around all the time. Been having this energy since March 2020 lul

— Kamini Goh (@kaminigoh) January 18, 2021

Susah sangat ke nak bantu peniaga kecil, Riders & yang lapar di rumah?!

2) Bila nak bela nasib pelajar yang terpaksa balik sekolah walaupun dari kawasan MERAH & TIDAK KUARANTIN & TESTING?

Please listen to the RAKYAT. https://t.co/31NpCBMOeR

— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) January 18, 2021

She started with #SiBodohKauDengarSini and she ended with #SemogaMamposSis.

Beautiful. I stan. https://t.co/qMvyiHmbym

— Dina in VIP MODE (@adddinaaa) January 18, 2021

“#SiBodohDengarSini” is still trending on Twitter, with over 56k tweets by local cybernauts.

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#Quiksilver: Surfwear Retailer Files For Bankruptcy (In The US)

Remember when Quiksilver was cool, whether or not you were a surfer and needed surfwear? Because aside from surfwear, the brand sold wallets and backpacks as well.

Well, you’d be terribly disappointed to find out that the surfwear retailer has filed for bankruptcy.

Quiksilver Inc. put its US business into bankruptcy on Wednesday (9th September) after it lost 79% of its market value this year.

Founded in Australia in 1969 but now based in California, the company operates in 100 countries. It said in a statement, however, that its operations outside the US are not part of the Chapter 11 filing.

Investment firm Oaktree Capital Management will now oversee the surfwear company. Oaktree, along with Bank of America, included $1.75 million in the bankruptcy financing plan, which will allow Quiksilver to continue operating during the reconstruction, WSJ reports.

Quiksilver chief executive Pierre Agnes said in a statement that the firm had taken the “difficult but necessary step to secure a bright future for Quiksilver”.

With the protections afforded by the Bankruptcy Code and the financing provided by Oaktree, we will not only be able to satisfy our ongoing obligations to customers, vendors and employees, but we will also have the flexibility needed to complete the turnaround of our US operations and re-establish Quiksilver as the leader in the action sports industry.

Quiksilver’s board shorts pioneered the surf board fashion trend in 1970 and were regarded as somewhat revolutionary at the time. They were also the first to include a Velcro fastening and were made with hardwearing quick-drying cotton.

The company’s brands include Roxy clothing and DC shoes and boots.


#EXO: Tao Files Lawsuit To Nullify Contract; SM Entertainment Responds

For months, fans of EXO have been stuck in a long debate on whether or not Tao has officially left the group, especially after he returned to China for his solo debut.

And now, it is officially confirmed that the Chinese member is leaving EXO as he has started the official legal process to quit the group and his talent agency SM Entertainment.

According to Korean media outlet Kookmin Ilbo, Tao has pressed legal charges against SM Entertainment to contest his exclusive contract with the Korean entertainment powerhouse. He submitted the lawsuit to the Seoul Central District Court on 24th August through his legal rep.

He is said to be using the same legal team that is currently representing Luhan and Kris, who were also former members of EXO.

Chinese media outlet Sina provided the lawsuit evidences by disclosing exclusive photos of the lawsuit paperwork. Take a look at them in the gallery below:

In response to the report, SM Entertainment has released an official statement to TV Report, one of the most credible Korean new sources.

Our company plans to use everything in our power including both Korean and Chinese legal professionals and partners to respond legally both in Korea and China in a multi-faceted manner. We also plan to take legal steps to respond to Tao’s illegal promotions and actions.

That’s all the details that we have for now but we’ll keep updating this post with more information as soon as we have ’em. Hang in there, peeps!

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Hype’s Now Playing: Elizabeth Tan – The World Can Wait (Original Song)

Our local singer-songwriter Elizabeth Tan has done it again!

The YouTube sensation first swept us off our feet with her chock-full of charm and talent when we watched her sing “When I’m Gone (Cups)” ala Anna Kendrick style complete with actual cups and perfect coordination on her YouTube channel. Oh, you know, the one from the first “Pitch Perfect” movie.

Then, she swept us off our feet again when she flawlessly performed a cover of local artiste Joe Flizzow’s “Havoc“, which was she later got to sing alongside the man himself on Fly FM.

And now, she’s back to do that all over again with a brand new music video for her aptly named original song, “The World Can Wait”.

You see, the “The World Can Wait” music video was done in collaboration with our friends from GrimFilm as well as Nestle Malaysia for the new La Cremeria stick. The new ice cream believes in one thing and one thing only:

This is an experience you want to make time for. This defines indulgence and what it means to savour the moment. Are you ready?

For more information on Elizabeth Tan, visit her Facebook page.


Hype’s Now Playing: Selena Gomez – Fetish

Selena Gomez’s music video for “Fetish” featuring Gucci Mane is here and it’s a little weird.

Directed by Toronto-based artist and photographer Petra Collins, the music video stars the brunette bombshell and a lot of scenes focuses on her mouth. It starts pretty normal, with Selena in a long yellow dress walking down the street on a bright sunny day. She enters a house and starts eating broken glass found on the kitchen table (ouch!).

In another scene, the “Bad Liar” songstress curls her tongue with an eyelash curler in the bathroom. And for some reason, she ends up in a large, snowy freezer with Gucci Mane. If that’s not bizarre enough for you, she is also seen eating lipstick and a bar of soap (why Selena, why?).

“Take it or leave it, baby, take it or leave/ But I know you won’t leave it ’cause I know that you need it/ Look in the mirror, well, look in the mirror/ Baby, I see you clearer, why you want to be near her,” she sings.

The video then ends with Selena laughing in the freezer.

What does the music video mean, exactly?

Well, one Selenator took to Twitter to explain that Selena has a fetish for the things she put in her mouth. “She tries to push it out by trying to cut her tongue. But it didn’t work, it comes right back. She tries to get rid of it but it won’t work. So she’s so angry and mad because of that. She can’t help it,” wrote the fan.

What are your thoughts on Selena’s new video? let us know your thoughts in the comments below!


Charlie Puth Brings Voicenotes Tour To Kuala Lumpur In November

Any fans of Charlie Puth in Malaysia? The singer wants your “Attention”.

Later this year, the 26-year-old musician will be bringing his 2018 “Voicenotes Asia Tour” to Malaysia. The upcoming concert is scheduled to take place in Malawati Indoor Stadium, Shah Alam, on 14th November.

Since breaking out with 2015’s smash single, “See You Again”, and subsequently his debut album, “Nine Track Mind”, Puth has proven himself as a respected artist, with hits like “One Call Away”, “Marvin Gaye”, and “We Don’t Talk Anymore”.

Named after his trusty iPhone app, his sophomore album, “Voicenotes”, was released last month. Puth’s latest record, co-wrote every song and recorded and produced, largely centres on his struggles in relationship and anxiety under the spotlight.

“I wanted it to be a story of my travels from the East Coast to the West Coast and how my growing fame has affected my mind in good and bad ways. I thought I was supposed to go to all these parties and be this type of person so I’ve always shoved my anxiety under the carpet because I didn’t think anyone cared to hear about it,” he was quoted as saying.

The New Jersey-born musician added, “This album touches on that, but I also wanted to make sure that these songs, at the end of the day, are fun because some people choose not to listen to the lyrics. They just want to go to the club, listen to the beat, and have a great time. And that’s totally fine, too.”

Brought to you by PR Worldwide and Live Nation, the details to Charlie Puth’s “Voicenotes Asia Tour” Live in Malaysia are as follows:

Concert tickets will officially go on sale 5th July at 10am onwards. There will be an exclusive Fan Pre-sale starting 10am on 4th July. To be eligible for the pre-sale, register at the PR Worldwide website. All tickets will be available online there and at MyTicket.

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Interview: Conan Gray On Being Someone’s Second Choice, Heartbreaks & “Telepath”

TikTok has brought countless of artists’ works forward with just a 15-seconds snippet. Be it old or new, indie or pop. One of the artists that blew up with Gen Z through TikTok is Conan Gray with his heart-wrenching bops like “Heather”, and “Maniac”.

In October, he debuted another masterpiece – titled “Telepath” – for us to sing along in the car and dance to in the shower. Fortunately, we were given the chance to have a little chat with him and here’s all that went down with this curly haired sweetheart:

1) Will there be a music video for “Telepath”? Do you plan to have such concepts that ties around the name of the song itself? And if there’s no music video, is there a particular reason why?

“There’s no music video planned right now, but that’s not to say there won’t be anything in the future. I’m not sure yet. But I would say, when we’re making the kind of artwork for “Telepath” we just really wanted to focus on that a lot. We had a ton of fun shooting, the photoshoot and doing all the kind of theming and stuff so I think we got a little carried away. But I also think people can expect some music videos in the future, beginning of, hopefully some stuff next year. And it’ll be a ton of fun I have a lot of little sneaky things up my sleeve.”

2) We recently saw on your Instagram that “Telepath” was written together with amazing female producers like Julia Michaels, Ilya and Caroline Ailin. Would you say you’re pretty particular with how you want your music to sound? Or are you more adventurous when it comes to trying out different sounds and experimenting in that sense?

“I would say generally, I kind of just have fun with it. I think I usually know exactly how I want a song to sound. It’s just usually that vision is not always a normal vision. I’m like, “I wanted to sound exactly like this” and they’re like, “why?” and I’m like, “I don’t know. I just do.” So that’s probably a bit odd.

But when it comes to making the songs, I think it’s just about working with people that I think understand me and that I just get along with. Otherwise I don’t really feel like telling all of my deepest darkest secrets to these people. And it’s just a lot of fun. I think it’s important to just kind of have a bit of fun with it and be as genuine as possible, else people feel that you’re not being honest. And I think that’s the most important part of songwriting is honesty.”

3) “Telepath” sounds like a massive 80s banger. It sounds like something straight out of “Blade Runner” or you know, those early 80s movies, with a very small hint of The Weeknd and Ed Sheeran here and there. We just want to know what’s the creative process when you created the sound for “Telepath”?

“I remember distinctly writing the chorus verse. And with that note, “I got a feeling”, and it just needed to kind of have that 80s vibe or else, it just wouldn’t feel right, you know? I think oftentimes, my music, a lot of it just doesn’t really sound like it belongs together. The only thing that can tie all the others (together) is the lyrics because that’s just kind of it. Because when it comes to production and sound, I just like to make each individual song what I think it should sound like. I don’t really care too much about (the) bigger picture because I’m not the kind of person who only listens to one certain sound of music or one style of music genre.

So, that process is very much just like, “this chorus is ridiculously 80s”, “the song is very obviously not supposed to be a super serious song. It’s supposed to be a bit sarcastic.” So, we wanted to just kind of purposely let the song be a bit ridiculous. Like the bridge is ridiculous, there’s a chord change and there’s a key change. There’s all these silly things and it’s like that’s what the song is supposed to be. (It’s) supposed to be fun, because the song is me, making fun of someone the entire time. So that’s kind of what we were going for.”

4) What direction will you take next, in terms of your aesthetic in music? Will we see more of 80s and 90s inspiration?

“I’m not sure. I wouldn’t say it’s an 80s inspired album in the slightest. I think sometimes it’s just fun to put a little 80s in a pop song. But I would say, I wouldn’t say it’s a generally 80s or 90s inspired album. I would say it’s just an album that is very me and it’s hard to explain. It does feel like I’ve just grown past “Kid Krow”. I think “Kid Krow” had no genre whatsoever; it’s kind of hard to explain. And I would say that this album kind of feels the same way. (It) has a lot of different themes and a lot of different genres and it’s just you won’t really know until it’s playin’ in your ears and you’ll be like “ah, okay, yeah okay, that’s what it sounds like.” That’s how it sounds.”

I would say the message of “Telepath”, for one, is just to be a bit lighthearted about heartbreak. It’s also me poking fun at the way people always act like they’re going to leave but then they always come back over and over and over. It’s like people love to treat people badly. And then the second that they realise you’ve treated someone too badly, then they want them back. You know, it’s the classic “you always want the one which you can’t have” and so that’s mainly the message I was in the mood; where a bunch of people that I talked to in the past decided to pop back into my life and I was like, “I don’t really feel like talking to you people. I’m going to write a mean song about you instead.”

6) “Telepath” is all about having an indecisive lover. How would you cope with someone with this kind of character? Will you help lay out their options for them or just let them figure it out themselves?

“It’s a really good question. Speaking from experience, the person that I wrote this song about; the issue is not you, it’s definitely them. And I don’t think that you deserve to be (some) kind of split decision, like a second choice type of thing. So just leave, just move on. Find someone else. Someone else (who) will have absolutely no trouble deciding whether they love you or not. And I think that is much more important and in the end they’ll be a lot happier. Take it from me, I spent four years chasing after one person, it was stupid. A waste of time.”

7) We know that you have a very wonderful friendship with Olivia Rodrigo. Do the two of you discuss about music and would there be a collaboration in the future by any chance?

“No, we never talked about music. It’s strictly off topic. We’re not allowed to talk about it. Nah… we talk about music all day long. We both are just huge music nerds. And I love songwriting and she’s a wonderful songwriter. So, we always have tons of fun talking about music. I’m not gonna make any false promises here, so, nothing (is) in the works right now. I think it’s just fun to be friends (with her), we love talking about music. I think that’s just any normal friendship though. You love talking about music, you know when that album comes out, you text them, “oh, have you listened (to it) yet?” and they’re like, “oh, I haven’t listened (to it) yet.” Yeah, just it’s very much my favourite thing to do with all of my friends.”

8) Who would you like to collaborate with the most at the moment?

“I personally don’t like to answer this question because I get super superstitious about it. I get super spooked about it. I just feel like if I say a name, then it will never come true. And I also feel like I’ve answered this question before, and so it’s already in the universe. So, everyone in this zoom call right now you probably know who I’m going to say. Nobody say it out loud. Just go ahead and assume what you think I’m going to say. And that is my answer, but I’m not going to say it out loud. And I don’t want any of y’all to say it out loud. Okay, deal? Cool.”

9) How did you feel when you found out that Elton John is a big fan of yours?

“That was super, super surreal. Obviously, Elton is a songwriting legend and a performing legend, and just to hear anything positive coming out of his mouth about me sounds very, very fake and silly. Because I just don’t know how to process that. But it was just a big honor. I think anyone would be honored to get a phone call from Elton John. And so I will take it as it is.”

10) As a “Swiftie”, what’s your opinion on Taylor Swift’s “RED” album (Taylor’s version) and the 10 minutes version of “All Too Well”?

“I really enjoyed listening to all the kind of new sides of ‘RED’. Obviously, that album was so formative to my childhood and to my life. I’m sure as it was to all of our lives. So, it’s super fun to kind of hear them be reimagined. And obviously, “All Too Well” is a beautiful song I’ve always loved my whole life. So, it was very fun to hear what else there was to say (in the song). I think it’s fun for fans to dip into the past a bit and hear a little bit more.”

11) We’ve basically adopted music into every aspect of our lives; from drives after a long day, to tipsy hang outs with friends, even singing in the shower first thing in the morning. So when you are making your music, what kind of scenario do you see people enjoying it in?

“I usually imagine it as either in the car, because I love to listen to music in the car and genuinely it’s one of my favourite activities; or in their bedrooms. I usually spend most of my time either in my bedroom or in my car. So that’s usually where I imagined it, but it depends on what songs. Obviously, “Telepath” is the kind of song I want to see people listening and dancing to in the car. But there’s other songs like “Astronomy”, where you’re just supposed to like lay in bed and stare at the ceiling while reflecting about your life.”

A post shared by Conan Gray (@conangray)

12) In an interview you said you do not try to make music that’s necessarily catchy and cool. It’s more to “I felt this way. Have you felt it too?” So, has it been more effortless for you expressing your feelings into songwriting?

“To be completely honest it has gotten more difficult. I think, I feel a bit shy now with so many more people looking that sometimes I don’t really want to say things the way they really are. But, I always get over it in the end. Every once in a while, (it’s) like, “I don’t know if I really want to say that.” You know, like in “People Watching”, where I admit to cutting people out of my life. Stuffs that I’m just like, I really don’t want to say that in front of millions of people, but I just think it’s so important to be honest. People just aren’t going to relate if you’re not honest. And so I try to just get over it and just deal with it. And I always send songs to my friends before I put them out and they’ll tell me if it is crazy or not.”

13) You are epitomised as the creator of “sad boy anthems” and people vibe with them. So will this continue to stay? Or are you going to explore more themes ahead?

“There’s a lot of new themes that I talked about on the album. I think everyone’s lives are constantly changing. And there’s been new problems and issues that have arrived in my life that I didn’t think I’d ever have to talk about, but they show up and yeah, there’s a lot of different things. I think it’s always fun for me to kind of put the sadder topics and kind of wrapped (it) in bubble gum because it’s more fun to have a song like that, but it just really depends on what I’m saying.

But yeah, there are a bunch of new things that I talk about on this next album that I’m excited for people to hear about, because I also think they’re just relatable things. I think these days I am looking for someone to listen to my troubles and say, “oh, yeah, I felt that too.” Because there are things that are new that have happened to me since my old album, so I never got any consolation.”

14) Regarding your artistic journey, what has been the most pivotal moment or experience so far in your journey as an artist?

“The most pivotal moment has definitely been releasing my album with ‘Kid Krow’. It was my first real large body of work and I had no idea what people were gonna think or how they were going to react. And I think it taught me a lot about the type of music that I love; it really just does to come down to songs that I think people can relate to. There were so many times I went, ‘oh, I don’t think people are gonna relate to this, or maybe this is just a me thing. Maybe this is too weird for me to say, maybe I just shouldn’t say. Maybe I should find a more normal way to talk about this or something’.”

After the album came out, and ‘Heather’ connected with so many people, I think it was a huge realisation that people all go through the same things. And music is just a way for me to be able to talk about it. So, that’s how I’ve handled music ever since then. It’s just been very interesting and weirdly humbling. We’re all exactly the same. All of us. We’re not that different at all.”

15) Making music is a form of escapism for many artists; how does it serve you?

“I do find myself very often romanticising things that really weren’t that great or romantic in the time that it was happening. So, when it comes to love, I try so hard to make it a little bit better than it actually was, or a little bit more fun. But there’s nothing fun about having your heart broken and there’s nothing fun about being the second choice. I just chose to put it in very beautiful nice words. So, I definitely do romanticise my past a lot. And that’s just something that I’m good with. I’m happy with it. I like to romanticise my past. I would not have it any other way. I like it.”

16) Do you have any plans for an Asian tour?

“There are definitely plans for that. Obviously, with Covid, it’s still uncertain. That’s why we haven’t been able to solidify anything yet. But we had an entire tour planned previously before Covid hit and I just can’t wait to visit. It’s been so long since I’ve been to Asia at all and I’m just excited to be surrounded by people who look like me again. That would be really nice. I’m just excited to see a bit more and be around new people and new cultures.”

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#Malaysia: Johor Princess Tunku Tun Aminah To Marry Former Football Club Marketing Manager

We hear wedding bells of the royal kind! :)

The only daughter of Sultan of Johor, Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Ibrahim, 31, reportedly will tie the knot with Dennis Muhammad Abdullah, 28, at Istana Bukit Serene in Johor Bahru on 14th August.

Yang Dipertua Majlis Jumaah Diraja Johor Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli confirmed the news, saying that Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and Permaisuri Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah have consented and given their blessings to the wedding. The betrothal ceremony will be held at Bilik Singahsana Istana Besar Johor Bahru on the same day, followed by the solemnisation ceremony.

Born on 8th April 1986, Tunku Aminah is the 2nd of 6 siblings and the only daughter to Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith. Her soon-to-be husband, Dennis Verbaas, was born on 1st May 1989, in Lisse, a town near Amsterdam, Holland.

Dennis was a semi-professional footballer and served as the JDT Concept Store and Cafe manager before becoming the marketing manager of Tampines Rovers Football Club in Singapore.

“His Royal Highness has consented for the state Mufti Datuk Muhammad Tahrir Shamsudin to conduct the ceremony as his official representative,” Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli told reporters during a press conference, adding that the bersanding ceremony will be held at 8pm on the same day at the throne room of the Istana Besar.

Source: Hangat / Featured image: Singapore Tatler.


8 Things You May Have Missed In Taylor Swift’s Delicate Music Video

The old Taylor Swift can come to the phone right now, cause she’s back!

2018’s iHeartRadio Music Awards was special for various reasons. Awards were given out to your favourite artists and music lovers got to enjoy stunning performances. But for Swifties, only one thing mattered and that was Tay Tay’s brand new music video, “Delicate”.

Taken from Swift’s latest album, “Reputation“, the world-premiere of “Delicate” debut at the perfect. It was released shortly after the 28-year-old superstar won the award for Female Artist of the Year. The clip starts off with her doing interviews on a red carpet and taking photos with fans.

In the midst of all the chaos, Swift realises that she has become invisible. Taking advantage of her newfound freedom, she throws away her shoes and dance to her heart’s content – around the hotel, in a futuristic subway station, and in the rain. Finally, when she walks into the Golden Gopher bar, she turns visible again.

In true Tay Tay fashion, the “Delicate” visual is filled with a couple of hidden references. The single is believed to be about the beginning stages of her relationship with actor Joe Alwyn. Here are 8 hidden references thanks to Pop Sugar:

Remember the “Wildest Dreams” music video when Swift played an actress attending her movie premiere? The scene in “Delicate” where the singer flashes a fake smile at the cameras gave us  some major déjà vu.

The snake rings have taken a life of its own ever since Swift debuted it in her “Look What You Made Me Do” video. In one of the earlier scenes, the pop star is seen wearing the snake ring on her ring finger. Is she hinting at somebody?

When the singer-songwriter realises that no one can see her, she rips off the bottom half of her outfit and starts dancing. The lobby dance number shows Swift serving “Shake It Off” realness with that ballerina pose.

Things start to look less dull when Swift is seen channeling her inner sassy self. Writer Kelsie Gibson points out that not only does the chic outfit bear a resemblance to her 1989 tour costume, but it could connect to her song, “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things”. On the track, Swift sings about “feeling so Gatsby for that whole year” while she was still friends with Kanye West.

Notice the graffiti word “Track 5” against the red colour behind Swift? “Delicate” is the fifth track on “Reputation“.

Here’s another thing to look for in Swift’s music video: hidden lyrics. You can also spot the lyrics “echoes of your footsteps” as the singer is dancing in the rain.

In addition to “echoes of your footsteps”, fans also claim that the dancing in the rain scene is Swift bringing the lyrics to “Fearless” to life. Remember the part where she sings, “I don’t know why, but with you I’d dance in a storm in my best dress fearless“?

Don’t be distracted by Tay Tay’s impressive split. Zone in on the white signboard to your left – it reads “Joe’s Deli”. Some may think that it’s a shout out to the director for “Delicate”, Joseph Kahn. However, we reckon it’s most likely a nod to her handsome boyfriend, Joe Alwyn.

Do re-watch the music video again and if see you can spot more hidden references.

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Westlife Returning To Kuala Lumpur For 2-Day Concert

Ask and you shall receive: We were a tad jealous when Westlife confirmed that they will be holding a full concert in Singapore after having just headlined at the recent F1 Singapore Grand Prix concert.

Thankfully the quartet didn’t forget about us as we’ve just gotten the thumbs up that Westlife is set to return to Kuala Lumpur for their “The Wild Dreams Tour”. That’s not all y’all, Westlife will be performing not just for a day but 2 days!

Concert organiser Trumpet International announced that Westlife is set to entertain fans on 23rd and 24th February – a week after their Singapore tour. “We are always excited to return to Asia to see our many fans. After all that has happened in the world over the last few years, this tour means more to us than any that we have ever done before,” said the band in a press statement.

They added, “It will be a massive celebration and will bring us closer to our fans than before. We are planning some spectacular shows which will include all our greatest hits and some special surprises.”

Get ready to scream out loud for Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Shane Filan and Mark Feehily as they take us down memory lane with their biggest hits including “Swear It Again”, “Flying Without Wings”, “If I Let You Go”, “Uptown Girl” and “Hello My Love”.

The details of “Westlife The Wild Dreams Tour in Malaysia” are as follows:


Who’s Next: YG Answers 01.04.2015 Teasers Puzzle, Confirms It’s #BIGBANG2015

After teasing fans to no end, YG Entertainment has finally revealed which artiste will be making a comeback.

In case you haven’t been following them closely enough, the “Who’s Next” series first started in 2013, where they teased fans prior to their artistes’ comebacks or debuts.

The first artiste who was revealed in the “Who’s Next” series is 2NE1‘s CL who made her solo debut, “The Baddest Female“. The “Who’s Next” series was then followed by other YG artistes’ comeback including Akdong Musician,Epik High, and BIGBANG‘s Taeyang. They’ve also debuted a new sub-unit duo Hi Suhyun, made up of Lee Hi and Suhyun from Akdong Musician, as well as BIGBANG leader G-Dragon and Taeyang with their “Good Boy” collaboration.

VIPs (as BIGBANG fans are lovingly called) quickly speculated that the teasers were indicative of BIGBANG’s comeback. When so many dynamites go off at once, it’ll produce a big..bang?

The speculation is also due to the fact that in February 2015, YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun Suk himself revealed that all 3 of their idol boy groups e.g. BIGBANG, WINNER, and iKON, will be making their comebacks and debut consecutively one after another in the first half of this year.

So really, who’s behind the dynamite-filled “Who’s Next” teasers which were released over the course of the past week? ;)

Yes, it is indeed BIGBANG. We need to note, however, that aside from revealing that BIGBANG will be releasing new music for their long-awaited comeback, YG Entertainment also revealed several more dates to look forward to, as seen in the artwork above. Perhaps this could be an indication that BIGBANG will be releasing singles on the 1st of every month through August?

Just in case you think it’s not possible, that concept is not entirely new because it was more or less the same thing that YG’s K-Pop idol girl group 2NE1 did prior to the release of “Crush” last year.

YG Entertainment just released another teaser image possibly related to the impending, long-awaited BIGBANG comeback/comeback tour.

The poster doesn’t say much, except “BIGBANG PRESENTS MADE” and that it’s “STARTING THIS APRIL”. BIGBANG member Taeyang also posted up a similar announcement via his Instagram account.

If that’s not enough, the South Korean entertainment powerhouse also released an official trailer via BIGBANG’s YouTube channel.

It’s past mid-April now so we’re guessing that we should be expecting more comeback materials in the next few days if not the next 2 weeks or so?

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


Coachella 2020 May Be Postponed To October; BIGBANG’s Comeback Delayed

Apparently, fans of K-pop group BIGBANG (빅뱅) might have to wait a little longer for the their long-awaited comeback at Coachella 2020. The 4 members of the group – G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang and Daesung – were scheduled to perform for 2 days on 10th and 17th April.

As reported by Billboard, the large-scaled music festival may be facing postponement due to the increasing Covid-19 outbreak cases. Earlier on Monday (9th March) 3 more cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Riverside County where the festival takes place every year.

Knowing that a number of fans as well as sponsors are considering pulling out from the show, Coachella is reportedly thinking of putting the show to a temporary halt. In this case, the event may be delayed until fall season.

Word has it that officials of the large-scaled music festival are currently in talks to postpone the event to the weekends on 9th and 16th October. However, if the final verdict is still not released after 48 hours, the whole event may be ultimately called off.

As at time of writing, BIGBANG’s label YG Entertainment has yet to confirm the reports.

Soompi reports that G-Dragon, Taeyang, T.O.P, and Daesung have all renewed their contracts with YG Entertainment. This is BIGBANG’s third renewal with the music label.


People Are Offering Ticketing Service To Buy Coldplay’s KL Concert Tickets

Malaysians were rejoicing in unison when Live Nation Malaysia officially announced that Coldplay will be bringing their “Music Of The Spheres” world tour to Malaysia. This is a huge deal as this will mark the British rock band performing in our country for the first time.

Needless to say, fans aren’t the only ones desperate to get their hands on the concert tickets – even our local A-list celebrities have made it known that they want to be in Bukit Jalil on 22nd November to watch Coldplay live.

There’s no doubt that concert tickets for Coldplay are going to be snapped up like hot cakes – likely even faster. Besides Malaysian concert-goers, fans in Singapore are also eyeing Coldplay’s KL concert. On top of that, we have to worry about scalpers. In lieu of this, people have already started to offer their ticketing services.

In case you didn’t know, general sales will go live on 17th May (Wednesday). However, CIMB cardholders will have the advantage of purchasing concert tickets a day earlier, on 16th May (Tuesday) from 10am onwards. Looking at the comments online, netizens are offering to purchase the Coldplay concert tickets for a fee. Many are charging between RM50-RM60 (exclude tax).

As aforementioned, Live Nation is warning concert-goers against buying tickets from resellers or 3rd party websites such as Viagogo, Carousel, or other similar platforms. If caught, the ticket(s) may be cancelled without a refund while the purchaser might get blacklisted.

It’s going chaotic come next week – and we don’t even know the ticket prices yet! Good luck everyone ;)


(Video) From Dabbling With HABIB Diamonds To Checking In @ L’OCCITANE Hotel: Epic Events We Hit Up This Past Week!

Another week, another whirlwind of totally EXTRA events!

From grading gems with La Habib himself, to lounging around the lyrical L’OCCITANE Hotel – we were THERE, and we were vibing! Check out our social diary for this week (don’t be jelly!):

Gemstones and diamonds are well loved for their beauty and quality. In honour of the GemFest campaign, HABIB recently held a masterclass at The Majestic Hotel where members of the media, influencers, and local celebs were schooled by the HABIB Chairman himself, Dato’ Sri Meer Habib. As a certified GIA Graduate Gemlogist, Mr Habib provided an eye-opening experience, teaching us the different categories of gemstones and how to determine the quality of a diamond. During the session, we also got to take part in the exciting activity of pearl extraction.

Throughout the HABIB GemFest campaign from 1st June – 2nd July, visit any HABIB showroom to check out various jewellery collections and stylish statement pieces. The established jewellery company also hopes to spread awareness and education – so don’t hesitate to ask for some 101 lessons whenever you visit a HABIB outlet.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

As an international beauty pageant dedicated to celebrating true womanhood and empowering women from around the world, Miss UniWorld will be elevating their pageant experience with the breathtaking “Queen of Kilimanjaro” crown. A masterpiece valued at US$400,000, this crown represents the pinnacle of elegance and signifies a renewed vision for this year’s pageant. The unveiling of this stunning crown was truly spectacular! We witnessed the moment when the crafter, Amee Philips, handed over the crown to the CEO of Miss UniWorld, as he shouted proudly, “This is mine now!”

The Miss UniWorld pageant’s grand finale will be held on 11th June at JW Marriott. Among the highlights of this year’s event is the Talent Competition, set to take place at the iconic KL Tower on 8th June.

Want to treat your skin to a nice, reviving, and informative getaway? We had a magical time at the L’OCCITANE Hotel pop-up event at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, recently! With more than 13,000 square feet of space, we got to witness the wonders of nature through stunning exhibitions like the ALMOND FOREST in Valensole and the endless IMMORTELLE FLOWER FIELD in Corsica Island.

Not only that, but we also got to try some samples of the many, many L’OCCITANE products – with the help of their specialists giving us information and tips on how to better care for our skin. Even if you don’t end up buying anything, the pop-up event has a lot of Instagrammable displays for you to post on your feed! Be sure to make time to drop by, as the L’OCCITANE Hotel is open only until 11th June!

Calling all die-hard rock fans! Legendary bands XPDC, Rusty Blade, May and Babylon are ready to set the stage on fire with their string of hit songs during a special concert called “Konsert Lagenda Rock Vol. 1”. As far as we heard, the concert will be 3 hours long, with each band set to perform up to five of their smash hits.

The full concert details are as follows:

We Malaysians are huge fans of durians. The only problem is, getting rid of that smell takes forever. So, Listerine collaborated with Watsons Malaysia to let everyone enjoy fresh breath and comprehensive oral care, even while enjoying the King of Fruits. With the launch of their roving truck, Listerine® brings Durian and Listerine® Mouthwash to locations near you!

We enjoyed a fun day of feasting on durians at the famous spot D’King SS2 while experiencing Listerine’s roving truck. We also got to put the new Listerine Pocketmist Cool Mint to test and boy, it worked wonders! But that’s not all. In the roving truck, you get to try out some fun games and win awesome prizes. Some of the prizes include a box of XO durian, durian mochi, durian popsicles, and a RM50 durian discount Coupon and 100ml Listerine® Mouthwash. All you have to do is visit any Listerine roving truck at selected locations, scan the QR code and stand a chance to spin and win.

Visit the Listerine® mobile truck and experience the efficacy and fresh breath of Listerine® for yourself!

We attended the unveiling of a chic yet practical timepiece collection. We learned how national athletes have come to incorporate Suunto Vertical watches into their daily lives, and how they have aided them in their sporting fields. Suunto Vertical helps users reach the highest peaks, and accompanies them on the most exciting expeditions, thanks to the timepieces’ durability and battery life.

Equipped with an intuitive map that can tell landscapes and navigation features that work even offline, this collection is the best companion for adventurers and sports enthusiasts alike. Your adventure starts with Suunto Vertical!

We got to join the launch of Sigi Skin, the award-winning Singaporean skincare brand, @Wizards at Tribeca this week. Featuring a colourful collection of carefully-formulated products lovingly made in Korea, Sigi Skin delivers superfood-infused, clinically-proven actives in its powerful formulations that are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and pregnancy safe! Their star products include the Kaleanser Face Wash, Morning Glow Physical Sunscreen, Tea-Tox 20% Probiotics Sheet Mask, Youth Beam Anti-ageing Night Serum, and the Daylight Oasis Vitamin C Serum.

Head over to Sigi Skin’s website to learn more about the stress-free skincare brand!

Melinda Looi opened her first-ever Melinda Looi Concept Store at Eslite Spectrum, The Starhill KL on 31st May, 2023. The concept store brands itself as a uniquely upscale shopping experience that is poised to be a memorable lifestyle destination. In a dynamic showcase of the label’s vision, the Melinda Looi Concept Store will also be launching a selection of new releases – a reimagined version of the Melinda Looi Couture 2023 Collection – which features playfully transgressive designs and gender-positive silhouettes.

Discover the Melinda Looi Concept Store at L123, Level 1 @Eslite Spectrum, The Starhill KL. Opens 10am – 10pm daily.

We enjoyed some smooth jazz and a rustic vibe when we swung by Jao Tim to celebrate the release of Leica’s new camera model, the Leica Q3. We had hands-on experience with the new device, and thanks to its fixed lens and auto-focus, we snapped some professional-level photos without breaking a sweat or spending too much time fiddling with the controls.

As we appreciated the camera, we also got to appreciate the images taken by Malaysia’s best photographers. All in all, we had a blast.

We went to 1664’s much-anticipated event: Bon Appétit-lah! This year, they’ve taken over the incredibly Instagrammable Sentul Depot! When it comes to one-of-a-kind drinking experiences, 1664 goes above and beyond. This remarkable hot spot is prepared to turn any ordinary evening into the extraordinary by combining creativity, cuisine, and beer and standing tall as a fashionable and trendy pop-up club. From now through June 17th, 2023, enjoy the refreshing 1664 BLANC and 1664 ROSÉ, an array of canapés with a twist, fascinating live music, workshops, and wonderful shared experiences at Sentul Depot.

Register for the event here https://bit.ly/1664BonAppetit-lah2023 for a complimentary pint of 1664. T&Cs apply. While stocks last.

In collaboration with the French Festival 2023, L’Oréal Paris invited us to experience Cannes in Kuala Lumpur, as they launched their new Color Riche Matte lipstick line. We had a glamorous experience at Aurum Theatre at The Gardens Mall, with a red carpet, fabulous cocktails and appetizers, and a makeover station courtesy of the beauty brand.

Along with the launch, we also had the opportunity to enjoy the French film, “All Your Faces”, while indulging in some specially-curated French-inspired snacks. Talk about très chic! To know about this collaboration, you can visit their official website here.

A post shared by Sony Pictures Malaysia (@sonypicturesmy)

On 3rd June, Sony Pictures Malaysia and AEON Mall Bukit Tinggi set a new Guinness World Records with 685 Spider-Man fans making the Largest Gathering In Spider-Man Costume. The previous record holder was in December 2021 where Sony Pictures Entertainment (India) gathered 601 people in Spider-Man Costume.

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Driver Splashes Milo At Toll Operator Cause He Couldn’t Reload His Card

Earlier on Monday (5th October), a Malaysian e-hailing driver was caught on camera splashing his drink at a toll booth operator in an incident which occurred at the KESAS Highway in Shah Alam.

The Info Roadblock JPJ/POLIS Facebook Page was first to report on the case, posting a CCTV footage of the Perodua BEZZA driver, who reportedly got frustrated after he couldn’t reload his Touch ‘n Go card at the toll booth. The video, which was uploaded by the aforementioned account, has since garnered over 500k views online.

The girl in question, only known as Faten, later took to her Instagram Story to clarify the whole situation. According to Faten, the guy entered her toll lane, saying he wanted to reload his Touch ‘n Go card. However, Faten’s lane is only for drivers with enough amount of Touch ‘n Go balance. So she informed him that the top-up service was only available at the next lane.

“He said he knows about it because he read the signboard. I asked him to pay RM2 instead, but he refused,” Faten recalled the incident, before adding, “(After that) I told him to park his car at my lane, get down and go to the top-up lane. But he got upset and got out of the car and looked into the toll booth and argued that the top-up lane is usually placed at the last booth.”

“He finished reloading up his card and drove away after that, so I thought that everything was settled. However at 9:20am, the man appeared at my lane again. He got out of his mobile, bringing a packet of iced Milo with him. He took a few sips and told me, ‘Next time, don’t mess with people’, as he splashed his drink at me,” the young lady added in her statement.

The comments section soon received various remarks from netizens, who bashed the guy for his rude behaviour. Some of them even called for the authorities to take stern action against him.

Harian Metro confirmed that the aforementioned driver has since been arrested after the victim filed for a report. Subang Jaya District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Risikin Satiman stated that the man, who is in his 30s, was detained after the female toll operator came forth to make the report at 4:25pm on 5th October.

Source: Info Roadblock JPJ/POLIS Facebook.


(Video) Man Shares His Experience Staying In Prison-Themed Hotel Room In Johor

Why do people enjoy staying in hotels so much? Of course, it’s for the experience! Regardless, not everyone has a pleasant time; some encounter ghosts, while others encounter rodents in their hotel room. However, there are a few who are able to get the best experience unexpectedly, such as these two men who stayed in a one-of-a-kind hotel whose owner has a limitless imagination.

Recently, @amirulfirdaus96 uploaded a TikTok video in which he shared his experience staying in a prison-themed hotel room in Johor. Having caught the netizen’s attention, the video had since garnered over a million views on his account. Take a look:

In the 30-second video, two men were checking into the Impi Yan Hotel. The men were then greeted at the door by iron bars and barbed wires as soon as they walked in and were surprised to discover the room was decorated in the style of a prison.

The men can be seen in the video laughing at the unexpected surprise. The hotel even provided an orange-colored prison uniform, which one of the visitors had donned and stood behind the bars. Despite this, the room was fully equipped with air conditioning, a television, a bunk bed, and other furnishings.

Netizens were also amused by the theme and praised the hotel owner’s creativity in the comments section. “The hotel owner’s imagination is really different from the rest,” one netizen remarked. According to some netizens, the hotel offers other themed rooms for visitors to choose from. “This hotel has lots of themes. Each room (has a) different theme (like) prison-themed, forest-themed, and many others,” a netizen wrote.

It’s admirable to see hotel owners who are committed to giving their guests a unique and memorable experience. Do you want to give it a shot and live as a prisoner for a day?

Neetashini Kanendran contributed to this article


Ohrwurm Presents Blond:ish Live At Nagaba

Comprising of Anstascia D’elene and Vivie Ann Bakos, Blond:ish got their kickstart into the music world after claiming the World Air Guitar Championship title in Montreal in 2008. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of gigs, music releases and a never ending goal to spread love and expand consciousness through  music.

As members of the notorious Kompakt and Get Physical families along with a number of releases on other labels, Blond:ish have carved out a niche thanks to their dark, sensual club music, sultry DJ sets and fun-loving attitude.

Throughout their musical career, Blond:ish have performed across the globe and release remixes for several high-profile artistes. Known for sending positive vibes with their music, Blond:ish makes for Ohrwurm’s third international act this 2015.

Blond:ish is set to take over Nagaba, Kuala Lumpur this April to give partygoers a night to remember. Event details are as follows:

Venue: Nagaba, 31, Jalan Mesui, 50200 Kuala Lumpur

Admission: RM50 before 12am / RM60 after 12am

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#Avengers: New “Age Of Ultron” Trailer Has Tonnes Of Never-Before-Seen Sequences

After expanding its cinematic universe with Sony Pictures’ “Spider-Man” film franchise, Marvel once again drew in a significant amount of fans with the new “Avengers: Age of Ultron” trailer. Prior to the trailer debut, Marvel asked fans to unite to “unlock an epic new #Avengers #AgeOfUltron trailer” by tweeting with the hashtag #AvengersAssemble.

Having released various teaser trailers in the past, this was indeed a smart way to create hype because the studio engaged its huge fan base’s participation in their promotions.

It’s go time, Marvelites: Tweet using #AvengersAssemble to unite & unlock an epic new #Avengers #AgeOfUltron Trailer! http://t.co/01G5TtzsLF

Alas, teamwork was truly the path to success as the trailer made its debut online before its TV broadcast on ABC. That’s the strength of Marvel fans, which is not surprising because it is, after all, the most highly anticipated movie of the year.

Robert Downey Jr. returns to the film as Iron Man, along with Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk. After his short stint as Richmond Valentine in “Kingsman: The Secret Service”, Samuel L. Jackson returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Nick Fury, alongside Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill.

The official synopsis of the film is as follows:

Marvel Studios presents “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

There are tonnes of never-before-seen sequences from “Avengers: Age of Ultron”, including a glimpse at Paul Bettany’s Vision at the very end of the trailer.

The Vision is an old friend in a new form as Bettany voices Tony Stark’s artificial intelligence J.A.R.V.I.S in the “Iron Man” films. His duty in the movie remains a mystery because he may or may not help the Avengers fight against James Spader’s Ultron, a terrifying technological villain hell-bent on human extinction. The team will also meet the Maximoff twins, played by Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

If we have to choose our favourite scene, it has to be this:

Captain America is seen getting hit by Quicksilver, who runs at a supersonic speed to deliver a punch. It reminds us of “Avengers vs. X-Men #2” because Quicksilver was running 347 miles in 3.7 seconds to “meet” his father at mach-5 and deliver a punch at him.

In the Marvel comic universe, Quiksilver a.k.a Pietro Maximoff has been both hero and villain with his twin sister, Scarlet Witch. He can be as arrogant and manipulative as his father, but due to Scarlet Witch’s wildly unpredictable powers, Pietro has to protect her and try to be in the best interests of his family.

Speaking of Scarlet Witch, the new trailer revealed a first look at her mind control power. It can be seen at the 1:39 mark, where she mind controls Black Widow. It’s safe to assume that she had also controlled The Hulk’s mind as his eyes also turned red in the previous teaser trailer

Perhaps this is how Ultron plans to take away humans’ hopes as he plans to “tear them apart, from the inside”.

Teasing fans with just the right amount of what to expect, it is without a doubt that Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is set to be a box-office hit.

Check out the hauntingly beautiful trailer below:

Written and directed by Joss Whedon and produced by Kevin Feige, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is scheduled for worldwide release on 1st May 2015.

It will be released a week earlier in Malaysia.

What do you think of the new trailer? On a scale from 1 – 10, how excited are you to watch the new “Avengers” movie? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.

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#RoyalBaby: It’s A Girl For Prince William & Kate Middleton!

Young Prince George is officially a big brother as the Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a girl, as announced by the Kensington Palace.

The princess – who is 4th in line to the throne – was “safely delivered” at 08:34 BST, the palace said in a statement. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth of the baby, who weighed 8lbs 3oz (3.7kg). Both Catherine and her daughter are “doing well”, the statement added.

The name of the baby will be announced in due course.

The Prince of Wales, who had earlier said he was hoping for a grand daughter, and the Duchess of Cornwall said they were “absolutely delighted”. The duchess had been admitted to the private Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London, at 06:00 BST and the birth announcement came just after 11:00 BST.

The statement from Kensington Palace added:

The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news.

The latest royal joins the line of succession behind her grandfather Prince Charles, father Prince William and brother Prince George.

The baby is the Queen’s 5th great-grandchild.

Over the course of the past few months, speculation about the princess’ name includes Alice being the favourite with several bookmakers. Charlotte, Elizabeth, and Diana have also been popular with punters.

The new royal will not be overtaken in the line of succession by any future younger brothers. Under new rules which came into force in March, male bias was removed from the succession rules.

All the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title and attribute of royal highness with the titular dignity of prince or princess prefixed to their Christian names or with such other titles of honour.

She will also be known as the Princess of Cambridge after a Letter Patent was issued by the Queen, and the princess will also be able to marry a Roman Catholic without losing her place in line to the throne.

Congratulations to the beautiful Royal couple! We wonder what her name is going to be :)


#MATTAFair2015: LeeSsang’s Kang Gary To Make A Special Appearance

The world’s biggest travel fair is making its way back to Kuala Lumpur next month!

The annual MATTA fair will be happening at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur from 4th to 6th September. It will also be filled with a sea of screaming fans as a certain Korean artiste will be making a special appearance.

According to Korea Plaza KL, South Korean rapper and TV personality Kang Gary is set to meet fans at this year’s MATTA Fair.

Kang Gary (real name: Kang Hee-gun 강희건) is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, entertainer, and TV personality. He is the founder and one half of the respected hip-hop duo, LeeSsang. The rapper is best known for his prominent presence on Korea’s hit reality game show, “Running Man“.

Having previously performed in Malaysia as part of LeeSsang, the rapper will be making his way back to KL as he has been invited by the Korean Tourism Organisation to meet his fans at the MATTA Fair Korea booth.

The event is exclusively designed for fans who purchase the travel package through selected agent.

The general public, on the other hand, will be able to catch a glimpse of the rapper from afar, from a special barricaded area reserved for fans who have purchased the travel package. However, all details are subject to change.

For now, the details of the event are as follows:

Fans who purchase the travel package might stand a chance to take a group photo with Gary too.

Details of the photo session by MATTA’s official media partner:

Take a look at Gary’s greeting to Malaysian fans in the video below:

It is unclear whether Gary will perform at the fan meeting, but stay tuned to our site for more updates.

For more information about the event, visit Korea Plaza KL’s official website and Facebook page.

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#TM: International Link Issue Causes Internet Slowdown For Streamyx/Unifi Users

If you’ve been experiencing slow Internet connection or loading time in the past few days when trying to access US-hosted sites i.e. Facebook, you’re not alone. Apparently, there’s a problem with the international data link that connects us to the US.

Telekom Malaysia, via their Twitter account, has warned users about the predicament on Monday (29th February).

#TMAlerts 1/2 We've detected less than ideal network performance on International data links to and from Malaysia to the US and North Asia

— help me unifi (@helpmeunifi) February 29, 2016

#TMAlerts 2/2 this may cause some delays when accessing sites hosted in the US. The team is investigating the cause.

@khajoe Hi. Fyi, there is service maintenance towards international link and the restoration is still in progress. Sorry for inconvenience

— help me unifi (@helpmeunifi) March 1, 2016

TM hasn’t revealed further information about the problem, but they did say that maintenance is being conducted on the international link and that restoration is currently in progress.

As for the time frame for the problem to be fixed, TM said that it expects the work on the cables to be completed on 31st March. The information was revealed by a pre-recorded message that plays for anyone who calls the TM helpline.

This isn’t the first time that the international data cables have been damaged. In September 2014, a fault on the Asia America Gateway (AAG) submarine cable system caused data degradation, affecting Internet users in the Southeast Asian region accessing sites based in the US. It was an issue that took almost a month to resolve.

A similar problem happened in November 2014 but it only involved the connection to Europe.


#TonyFernandes: AirAsia To Reward Asean Paralympic Gold Medalists With Free Flights For Life

Our Paralympians who made Malaysia proud with their wins can now soar even higher thanks to AirAsia.

The airline’s CEO Tony Fernandes announced yesterday (Monday, 12th September) that all Asean Paralympians who scored gold medals at the ongoing games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will be receiving free flights for life from AirAsia.

A photo posted by Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) on Sep 10, 2016 at 7:28pm PDT

In his Instagram post, Fernandes shared that the 3 Malaysian Paralympians – Abdul Latif Romly, Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli, and Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi – inspired him and made him “super proud”.

“Thought the summer olympics was amazing. But the Paralympics has showed me what determination is all about. Once again this time led by Malaysia Asean is doing something special. Airasia will be giving Free flights for life for all Gold medals winners, 5 years for silver, and 3 years for bronze. Airasia was all about democracy. Thanks guys and girls for giving all of us the spirit to never give up despite all the obstacles in front of us.”

A photo posted by Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) on Sep 12, 2016 at 4:20am PDT

According to New Straits Times, homegrown car company Naza Corporation Holdings will also be rewarding Abdul Latif Romly, Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli, and Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi with a Kia Sportage 2016 car each as well as a residential suite at Trion 888, Equine Park Selangor.

Malaysia currently has 3 gold medals at the Paralympics.

Sources: Tony Fernandes’s Instagram, MMO/ Featured Image: The Star.

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#RWGenting: World-Class Lion Dance Troupes Ready For Battle At The Championships

The best lion dance troupes in the world will perform at Resorts World Genting in July in vying for the title of world champion and the presence of 39 teams from so many countries makes the event a highly international affair.

Organised by Resorts World Genting, with the Federation of Selangor & Federal Territory Dragon & Lion Dance Association as the event consultant, the 12th Genting World Lion Dance Championship will be even more competitive than previous years.

This year’s total of 38 teams from 15 countries are challenging the defending champion for the title of The World Lion Dance Champion.

The participating teams will first compete in the Preliminary round and the 10 teams with the highest points will qualify for the Grand Final to challenge the defending champion of the 11th Genting World Lion Dance Championship, Kun Seng Keng Lion Dance Association from Muar, Johor.

Representing Malaysia are the top 3 winning teams from the 17th Malaysia National Lion Dance Championship 2015, namely the champion, Pertubuhan Tarian Singa Dan Naga Hong Teik from Alor Star, Kedah; 1st runner-up, Kwong Ngai Lion Dance Kuala Lumpur, and 2nd runner-up, Pertubuhan Kebudayaan Kesenian Dan Kesukanan Tawau Sabah.

Fans of the lion dance can expect truly spectacular world-class action when the teams go all out to outdo one another. The stunning acrobatic moves amid the din of drums and clashing cymbals are breathtaking to behold – and in the hands of these accomplished performers, the “wow” factor will surely be delivered.

The champion team will receive a cash prize of USD10,000, a trophy, and medals while the 1st runner-up will receive USD6,000 in cash, a trophy and medals.

The 2nd runner-up will bag USD3,000 in cash prize, trophy and medals, while the remaining 8 finalist teams will take home the consolation prize of USD1,000 each.

There are also the East and West Lion King special trophies to be given to the best team from the east and the best team from the west, respectively.

Fans of lion dance would not want to miss the 12th Genting World Lion Dance Championship 2016. The Preliminary round at the Arena of Stars on 15th and 16th July (Friday and Saturday) begins at 10am. Tickets are priced at RM30 each and it is free seating.

The Final will be held at the same venue on 17th July (Sunday), from 3pm onwards. Ticket prices are RM130 (PS1) and RM100 (PS2).

There is a 30% standard discount for Genting Rewards Card members via cash or credit card, and Genting Points or Rewards Point Redemption.

For more information, visit www.rwgenting.com or call 03 – 2718 1118.


#HelloKittyRun: “Hello Kitty Run – Fruity Rush” Comes To Kuala Lumpur!

Missed the Hello Kitty Run in Singapore?

Fret not because Malaysians are just about to get their very own Hello Kitty Run!

Organised by pinkapple, the same team behind the Hello Kitty Run in Singapore, the Malaysian extension of the Hello Kitty Run will introduced a new and exciting concept themed, “Hello Kitty Run – Fruity Rush”.

In line with the theme, the 5km fun run is designed with 4 different checkpoints bearing its own décor and costumed cheerleaders. Each of the checkpoint features a mist tent emitting fruity Mango, Durian, Strawberry, and Lemon scents to complement the tropical mood.

It also promises to be a fun-filled extravaganza with activities for the whole family including carnival games zones, photobooths, and a fruity craft corner. More importantly, the run is also open to kids :)

Every registered “Hello Kitty Run – Fruit Rush” runner will be entitled to some super cute exclusive merchandise such as the runner’s T-shirt, finisher medal, 4″ plus ball chain, drawstring bag, and a race ID tag. There are also some other Hello Kitty collectibles e.g. T-shirt, towel, shoe bag on sale via the official website.

To register, go here. See you guys there :)

For more information, visit its official website.

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Hype’s Now Playing: Katy Perry — Dark Horse

Katy Perry’s Dark Horse music video has received a lot of criticism since it was first released on February 20th. Set in Memphis, Egypt a crazy long time ago, the pre-edited video saw a man wearing a necklace with an Allah pendant being burned when he courts Katy who appears to be representing an opposition of God.

A petition started by Shazad Iqbal on Change.Org, demanded that Katy removed the word Allah as he claimed that the usage of the word was highly controversial.

“Such goes to show, that blasphemy is clearly conveyed in the video, since Katy Perry (who appears to be representing an opposition of God) engulfs the believe and the word God in flames. This is the reason for lodging the petition, so that people from different walks of life, different religions and from different parts of the world, agree that the video promotes blasphemy, using the name of God in an irrelevant and distasteful manner would be considered inappropriate by any religion,” the petition read.

The petition obtained over 65,000 signatures and Iqbal announced yesterday that the image has been edited out.

“Guys I’m thrilled to let you all know the name of Allah has been removed from the ‘Dark Horse’ video,” he said. “We couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support, so I thank each and every one of you deeply.”

What are your thoughts of Katy’s video? Sound off in the comments.


#MeterOn: Did You Know That SPAD Has An App To Track Your Taxi Journey?

Could this be Land Public Transport Commission’s (SPAD) way of dealing with competition e.g. Uber, GrabCar?

There’s a SPAD mobile app called MeterOn, which promises to “keep taxi journeys safe”. It allows riders to verify the driver, track the journey, estimate the taxi fare, and send SOS alerts.

The SOS alert feature allows users to send pre-determined messages with full ride details (information of the taxi and driver, current location and destination) to their primary contacts. The feature also permits users to make emergency calls to their primary contact, PDRM, or SPAD Hotline.

Another key feature worth highlighting is a driver verification system that enables potential passengers to perform a check on a driver’s background by entering the taxi’s registration number.

Note: MeterOn covers all licensed taxis throughout Peninsular Malaysia including airport taxis and hired cars.

If the taxi is regstered, users can view the detailed information about the driver and current offences commited by the driver under Land Public Transport Act 2010 (LPTA 2010), and other passengers’ reviews/feedbacks/complaints about the driver.

It also comes with a rating system that allows passengers a more efficient and quicker platform to lodge complaints against errant taxi drivers.

On top of that, MeterOn keeps a record of taxi drivers that you’ve rode with before so if you ever come across a “familiar” not-so-courteous or dishonest driver, you can easily blacklist that driver in your own personal capacity.

MeterOn is available for both Android and iOS smartphones and is adaptable to your phone language; English or Bahasa Malaysia.

We gotta give props to the SPAD for the effort because this integrated and comprehensive database will help you make an informed decision before riding a taxi.

But whether or not this will encourage SPAD to nab errant taxi drivers and solve the common problems that Malaysians often face with rude or dishonest taxi drivers is another question altogether.

For more information, hit up this website.

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Margot Robbie & Michael B. Jordan Compare Harley Quinn & Killmonger

Comic book fans are always comparing between Marvel and DC characters, so why don’t get the actors to do it for a change. And who better than Margot Robbie and Michael B. Jordan?

Robbie, who played Harley Quinn in DC’s “Suicide Squad”, and Jordan, who played Kilmonger in Marvel’s “Black Panther”, recently sat down for a joint interview for W magazine.

During their session, both A-listers were asked on how they turned morally questionable villains into magnetic antiheroes. “I like that. I mean, those are the most interesting characters to me sometimes, like when I’m watching films that, on screen, are the ones that you can empathise with. Like, they want you to root against ’em. They want you to not like them. But somehow you can still understand where they’re coming from and that’s important,” the 32-year-old actor shared.

The Aussie beauty, who is gearing up to reprise her DC character for the “Birds of Prey” movie, talked about the process of getting dolled up. “Honestly, for me, as Harley at least, the more skin showing the longer it takes in hair and makeup ’cause she’s got, you know, white skin and a million tattoos. So if anything outside, god, the scenes where I don’t even have the jacket on, that’s an extra 20 minutes in the makeup trailer,” Robbie said.

The “Black Panther” star could also relate to Robbie’s situation since Kilmonger would also often appear shirtless and there were tons of scars and makeup that was involved.

In a previous interview, Robbie revealed that the challenge that came with playing Harley Quinn was the wig and having to do her fight scenes in her skimpy outfits. However, she shared, “the worst thing were the gold bangles. They had spikes on them, and I’d always stab myself. I hated them.”

In survey poll conducted by Comic Vine, fans were asked if Eric Killmonger and Harley Quinn would make a good couple. 50% said no, while 48% concur by voting that the 2 antiheroes would just end up trying to kill each other.

You can watch more from Robbie and Jordan’s interview below:


Here’s What MONSTA X, SEVENTEEN & TWICE Think About Being A Leader Or A Maknae

Ever wanted to know what it’s like being the leader or the maknae (youngest) of a K-pop group? Sport Seoul has you covered!

Every K-Pop fan knows the roles of a leader and maknae have significant roles, so Sport Seoul interviewed the leaders and maknaes of currently promoting K-Pop groups. Members from MONSTA X, SEVENTEEN and TWICE revealed their thoughts on these titles and positions.

Q: What is the best thing about being the leader/maknae?

Shownu: Fans always tell me, “You’re the best leader”.

I.M: I am loved by a lot more people than I expected.

Q: What is the hardest thing about being the leader/maknae?

Shownu: When I hear the fans say that (I’m the best leader), I do feel pressured and a will to do better.

Q: When are you most envious of the leader/maknae, or when are you surprised by them?

Shownu: He is young, but there are times he acts more maturely than I do. I like our maknae because he is loved by everyone.

I.M: He is always so cool. I’m always proud. But is there anything I envy…? Nah.

Q: If you were born again, do you want to be the leader or the maknae?

Q: A word of encouragement to your maknae for the new year.

Shownu: You worked really hard last year, and I hope that we can have a good, healthy relationship this year as well.

I.M: Let’s make 10 billion won. Let’s enjoy what we do and stay healthy.

S.Coups:  I don’t think being a leader earns me any special privileges. I am just another member.

Dino: I have 12 strong hyungs I can rely on.

S.Coups:  There aren’t any special struggles either. I am just another member.

Dino: There are 12 very strong hyungs near me all the time.

S.Coups:  I don’t have any times like that. The maknae is also just another member of the group.

S.Coups:  I would be thankful just to become a member.

Dino: I think I will be happy as long as I can be a member of our group again.

S.Coups & Dino:  I hope your new year is filled with good fortune.

Jihyo:  I learned to organise my thoughts a little better.

Chaeyoung: Because I’m the maknae, the unnies always think I’m cute and they take extra care of me.

Jihyo: Sometimes when the members all have different opinions, it can be difficult to come to an agreement, but the members help me a lot.

Chaeyoung: Because I’m the maknae, when the filming goes in age order I am always last.

Jihyo: Everyone has their own respective role so I don’t think I envy my members.

Chaeyoung: When she takes all of our opinions, organises them, and presents our thoughts to the higher-ups even though it must be intimidating.

Jihyo: I am the oldest of my siblings and the leader of my team so I’ve never had a chance to be the maknae TT. But still, I think I am personally more fit to be the leader than a maknae.

Chaeyoung: I want to stay as the maknae. The leader does not suit me. I am a very quiet person. I think it’s best to do my best in my given role.

Jihyo: Please stay as our cute and lovable maknae this year and forever!

Chaeyoung: Thank you for being our supportive pillar, and I love you.

What about you guys? Would you rather be the leader or the maknae in a K-pop group?

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