Hype’s Exclusive: Riding The “All Time High” With The Sam Willows

Over the weekend, talented Singaporean quartet The Sam Willows (sibling Narelle and Benjamin Kheng, Sandra Riley Tang, and Jonathan Chua) were in town for an intimate gig at The Bee, Publika. The special show, organised by The Livescape Group, saw 1,000 attendees jamming along to the band’s most popular songs.

Before The Sam Willows took the stage and wowed their Malaysian fans with their talents, we got to speak to them real quick at the Sony Music Malaysia HQ in Kuala Lumpur.

How was it like working with the Swedish composer Harry Sommerdahl?

Narelle: It was a really interesting experience because the people that you work with in different countries represent who they are. In Singapore when we work, it’s always really rushed, you know? Everything is always very on time and everything is always very planned out. When we were there, we only had a limited amount of hours per day. So we go in and we expect to like get down to the grind, right? He’s like, “Oh hey, come have some coffee!” and they won’t stress at all. They take their time. But somehow they always end by 6pm, which is the time that you’re supposed to stop working in Sweden. And you’re done! We managed to finish all the tracks and everything went really smoothly so it was a really enjoyable experience.

Jon: But Harry is a really good producer. One thing about the Swedes is that their methods of recording are very different as compared to say how we do it back home or in Malaysia. You know, you record vocals and you record instruments..it’s just very different. You feel like you don’t have a good take but they produce it in such a way that you will definitely have a good take somewhere.

Narelle: They’re also very decisive, you know. So sometimes for us even, when we think of a few different melodies and we’re like, “Oh, should we do this?” or “Should we do that?” but for them it’s like, “This one, let’s go with this” and that’s it. We just go straight into it.

Do you guys have nicknames for each other since you spend so much time with each other?

Sandra: Actually we don’t. That’s very strange.

Jon: This is the first time that we’ve ever been asked this question!

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What are some of the quirks that you each have and do before going on stage?

Jon: It’s very important! So, like, when we first started, there were a lot of shows where my guitar string would just snap. And then one day I decided to talk to my guitar and I said, “Hey, we’re going to do a show, I’ve only got one guitar so don’t fail me” and then it didn’t snap. Because it happened during a very important show, I remember it was Music Matters in Singapore 2 years ago when my string snapped at like the 2nd song. I played the entire set with 5 strings.

Narelle: And now you’re married (to the guitar).

Jon: (laughs) Yeah it’s very progressive.

Ben: Because in Singapore you have to serve at the army, it’s mandatory for 2 years. But once you do the 2 years you can just about sleep anywhere.

So where do you plan to nap before this show?

Sandra: Yeah we’ll be going down the stairs and then be like, “Oh, oh! Sorry Ben!”

Narelle: Sandra and I will usually just start screaming at each other.

Narelle: You know, like energise yourself.

Being musicians and social influencers at the same time, is there any point in time where your followers praise your music just to please you?

Sandra: You mean like when they say things that they don’t mean? Yup sure! They’ll be like, “Oh I love your music!” but they haven’t heard our album.

Ben: My dad is so hard on us in terms of music. I think the more you spend your years in this industry, the more you become attuned to who’s real and who’s not. And you can’t be angry..you’d be thankful for the people who are real to you. We do like constructive criticism. It’s good when people tell you how you’re doing. We appreciate honesty.

Have you guys already had a crazy fan experience that you can share?

Sandra: We had a fan who gave all of us guitar picks with Narelle’s face on it.

Jon: You would expect to get to, you know, maybe your own face on it but..

Sandra: Nope! They’re all Narelle’s face!

Jon: In general, Singaporean fans are quite reserved. They don’t lose their minds as much as you see in videos of other countries. They’re all very respectful people.

Narelle: Plus we don’t really like our fans to be like, “Oh my God!”, you know? So we’d be like, “What are you doing? Can you just talk to me?” and after awhile they’ll really come up to you and start talking to you like friends and it’s nicer that way.

Jon: I gotta say though that there were times in the past 2 days, we bumped into a lot of Malaysian fans and they were really, really very nice and respectful. We were at dinner and they came, and they were waiting at another table. So they waited for us, until when we were about to leave, to come and talk to us.

Ben: Yeah, they waited for us to finish dinner and then they came over.

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Narelle: There are a lot of musicians that are also writers that we really admire. People like Ryan Tedder from One Republic. I love Coldplay. Sandra loves..

Sandra: A lot of people. Oh, Justin Timberlake!

Ben: Do you guys know Bon Iver? Bon Iver is amazing.

Ben: He has a G-Dragon tattoo on his thigh.

Narelle: I think people don’t notice how much work it really needs to be a good musician. They think that their lives are easy but the more we learnt about the industry, the more we realised how hard it really is on them and then you really start to look up and admire them more.

What do you think are some of the greatest and craziest misconceptions that you’ve ever heard about you?

Jon: Someone once thought that we were a band of 3 girls and 1 guy.

Jon: Oh, oh! Someone said that we were a Singapore government conspiracy. That The Sam Willows was created by the government.

Ben: I think it’s because we did one or two government shows. It’s really taboo to talk about it..I don’t know how these guys do it but I get some sort of a social anxiety. Mostly in Singapore because we’re a bit more synonymous there, a bit more well-known. But I do get a bit of a panic attack whenever I’m in a public space.

So at which point did you realise that your lives aren’t very normal anymore?

Jon: We still try to do normal people things. We still go out and eat wherever we used to eat. That hasn’t changed.

Jon: I guess we just gotta be a little bit more well behaved.

Narelle: But it’s true, you do start to feel a bit uncomfortable in public when you start getting recognised more. Then you feel like you need to watch yourself all the time.

Ben: There was once I was so tired so I was like, “Okay I’m going to take this bus and sleep” and then I went to the top of the bus at the back and then I knocked out amazingly. And then I woke up and there was a Twitter picture of me.

What has been the hardest parts to make it this far?

How about musically, the direction and all..

Jon: From the very beginning until now, we’ve been very open with our musical ideas and our musical direction. We’ve never ever said that, “Okay this is our music style”. We like listening to the latest trends and latest music, and we try to create what we feel represents us at that point in time.

Narelle: I think that’s the biggest blessing.

Jon: So our music always changes from 2 years ago to like, last week. We’re actually open to..you know..we practise Malay songs and Korean songs, and Chinese songs. We’re actually open to any kind of music or any genre for that matter.

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If you could perform anywhere in the world, what would be your ultimate performance venue?

Sandra: Oh my God we’re on a parade! That’d be cool.

On your rise to fame, what have been the best moments or the highlights?

Sandra: I think, personally for me is having that platform for people to hear you. Like you post songs or post original stuff or sometimes you can share a shitty day that you’re having or telling people, “Hey, you know, it’s okay” and stuff like that, and having all these other people see it and have it affect them or touch their lives as well. And feel like, “Hey I can actually make a change” and people say, “Your music has helped me through tough times” or “Your post has made my day” and that’s just..yeah..

Jon: Mine is more superficial. Last year, we got to open for The Script in Singapore and Danny, he came by our dressing room just before we went up to play and he took photos with us and had a chat with us. And that was like, “Holy..”

Narelle: He’s actually very respectful and you never have that. I mean, like, you can open for acts but usually they don’t come back and talk to you. But he actually walked out of his room to do that.

Jon: Our dressing room was all the way on the other end of the arena. And I’ve been the biggest The Script fan since the first album so..

Your favourite song off “Take Heart” and why?

Narelle: I think..personally it has a great story behind it. I love listening to it, I never get sick of it. I even have it in my playlist.

Sandra: I guess it’s a very visual song.

Jon: We do listen to our own songs. Let’s just get that out of the way, you know?

Ben: I like “Riverdance”. It’s a..fun like sort of um, it was written because the idea of “Riverdance” was just really enticing to write a song about.

Jon: Because the beat is like, really really dope.

How do you do more challenging things to set the bar higher despite being feeling so comfortable with where you are now?

Jon: For us, we try to keep each other in check and try not to be complacent in any aspect of wherever we are in our journey right now. We’re always telling each other ways that we can improve. That’s the good thing about our band – we’ve come so far that we can be absolutely honest with each other and say things in each other’s faces. In a nice way, not in a mean way. That really helps..to help us know that we shouldn’t be comfortable.

Ben: In this day of social media, it’s so easy to get quick fame. But when that becomes the central focus of your career..it’s exciting but it’s highly unstable. I mean, I know people who are like that, I’m not trying to knock them or throw shade at them, but for us..we don’t take this platform for granted. We don’t take this job for granted. We’re incredibly thankful that we have this platform and this voice, and we’re going to keep pushing ourselves. It’s just a great opportunity and you have to keep yourself in check, and constantly improve. Once you get complacent, your career is over.

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Do you guys argue over petty, ridiculous stuff?

Narelle: Which road to take, where to park..

Sandra: When to leave, where to go, when to meet..

Jon: She used to deny it in interviews but now she’s like, yah..

Narelle: Okay that’s because Jon used to be very angsty and suddenly he had this like..zen found.

Narelle: Suddenly he’s like so nice and cheerful.

Jon: And Sandra found yoga. Narelle, you need to find something too.

Narelle: To be fair, I’m only cranky when I’m tired.

Narelle: If they allow me to have enough sleep, I’m an angel. You know, just sayin’.

Last question, how do you guys deal with long haul flights?

Jon: To be fair, I don’t know about them but personally, I really enjoy long flights. When I have no Internet connection and it’s just me. Depending on how long the flight is, you kind of have that time to really sit down and..

Narelle: Yeah the sound doesn’t actually come from the plane, it comes from Jon.

Ben: I will say that whenever I have the chance to come to Malaysia, I always try to take the bus. I just took a 10-hour bus ride to Penang and then back again just because I can sleep and watch shows.

Narelle: Movies are better on the plane, music is also better on the plane.

Sandra: I love plane food. That’s one of my favourite parts. But it’s just sad that I’m so uncomfortable in plane seats. Yoga is about being more comfortable in small spaces but Narelle just cuddles in a ball and she’s just like..

Narelle: I can sleep anywhere! One trick is to put the blanket over your head and tuck it under your butt, then you’re in this cocoon..

Sandra: I tried that, it doesn’t work. Narelle can sleep like that forever.

Jon: We flew to the US and she was just there and we thought that she was dead. We poked her then she got angry at us!

Thanks for the chat, guys :) And special thanks to our friends from Sony Music Malaysia for making this interview happen!

We’ll leave you now with The Sam Willows’ Kuala Lumpur tour diary. Enjoy:

For more information on The Sam Willows, visit their website or Facebook page. They’re also on Twitter and Instagram so follow them for more updates :)

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#Malaysia: 100kg Female Python Captured While Hatching 90 Eggs

A 4-metre long female reticulated python was caught in an oil palm plantation at Kampung Sungai Kerang, Teluk Intan yesterday.

According to the New Straits Times, 90 eggs were found inside its nest when the Malaysian Civil Defence Department (JPAM) personnel successfully captured the female reptile.

Bernama reported that a villager had discovered the snake while cleaning his oil palm smallholding. “4 JPAM officers and personnel rushed to the scene. It took us about 20 minutes to lure the reptile out of the nest before catching it,” said Hilir Perak district JPAM officer, Mohd Fadzly Mohamad Zawawi.

Mohd Fadzly also told reporters that 7 or 8 of the eggs had already been eaten by monitor lizards based on residual evidence. The officer later added that the female reticulated python and her eggs would be delivered to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), Teluk Intan Office.

Check out the video below where members of JPAM used snake tongs and a hook as tools to capture the reptile.

On another note, remember what happened when the “world’s longest python” was captured in Penang last month? Let’s hope history won’t repeat itself.


Fun Facts: Explore The Mysterious Wormhole With #Interstellar

Sometimes, we look up to the sky and wonder what’s behind the gigantic universe we live in. There’s no denying that the outer space holds some of the deepest secrets, especially with “black hole” being one of the strangest yet most fascinating worm hole ever discovered by humans. Various explanations and theories regarding the black hole were presented to us but truth about the black hole formation is lost.

Thus, critically-acclaimed director Christopher Nolan (of “Inception” and “The Dark Knight” fame) is set to take us back to the basic idea behind the universe through his upcoming sci-fi film, “Interstellar”. He might not have a hand in the upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” flick but there are always things to look forward to when it comes to Christopher Nolan’s films, especially when his brother Jonathan Nolan is working on it too.

With their combined talents, “Interstellar” will take us deeper into a new mysterious wormhole and give us a good look at what appears to be another beautiful planet, amongst its otherworldly shots. It is a film that revolves around the limitations of human space travel and other things that we have yet to discover in the outer space.

The reason why we say there’s a sky full of “stars” in the film is mainly because of these fun facts that sheds some light on the film:

1. Iceland, a perfect filming location for sci-fi films

Every epic sci-fi or fantasy film we’ve ever watched takes place at one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Iceland. From Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus” to Bryan Singer’s “Star Trek: Into the Darkness” to Joseph Kosinski’s “Oblivion”, Iceland has inevitably become the perfect filming location as filmmakers are free to create a fictional scene, be it a deserted planet with volcanic terrain and black sand or the hardcore training location for a superhero film (read: Nolan’s “Batman Begins”).

For “Interstellar”, Nolan also shot a great portion in the nordic country after filming the rest of the scenes in Fort Macleod, Alberta. It was reported that the whole production team were in Iceland for a 4-month shoot while “Goodwill Hunting Star” star Matt Damon was there for 2 weeks for his scenes.

You already have a basic idea that the film is about traveling into the wormhole but just how much do you know about it? Sci-fi film fans and heck, even Marvel fans would have a gist of how it works because the space wormhole aka the Einstein–Rosen Bridge, is a hypothetical space portal that connects 2 distant locations.

But of course, Nolan wanted to make “Interstellar” an original film as it is about a group of scientists who are sent on a space mission to explore a newly discovered wormhole. With their exploration into the new worm hole, will it surpass the limitations on human space travel? On top of that, will the wormhole become a solution for humans to save themselves from the barren Earth? Is it just wishful thinking? That’s for us to find out!

3. A film inspired by the work of theoretical physicist, Kip Thorne

It is safe to say that “Interstellar” is going to be a great film with its interpretation about the wormhole and time-travel theories. Why, you ask? Because the film is inspired by the work of theoretical physicist, Kip Thorne and he’s executive producing the film too.

A longtime friend and colleague of Stephen Hawking, Thorne is particularly known for his contributions in gravitational physics and astrophysics. He is one of the leading experts on astrophysical implications of Einstein’s general theory of relativity. Contrary to popular belief, he thinks that time travel is not associated with parallel dimensions at all, as it is almost impossible under the laws of physics.

However, he did mention that the wormhole could be a potential portal to time travel, which is how Nolan noticed that his theory is going to fit in just fine for the film.

4. Steven Spielberg was originally attached to direct the film that was first started in 2006

It took almost 8 years to produce “Interstellar” as the film began development in June 2006 with world renowned director, Steven Spielberg attached to direct the film. Spielberg was working with Paramount Pictures, Lynda Obst and Kip Thorne to produce the film while Jonathan Nolan was hired to write the screenplay. At that time, Nolan was working on the award-winning film, “Inception” and the Batman trilogy.

However, Spielberg later moved his production company DreamWorks to The Walt Disney Company, causing Paramount to look for a new director of the film. This is where Jonathan Nolan stepped in as he recommended his brother to join the project. Christopher Nolan was initially attached to executive produce the film, until the announcement of his negotiations with Paramount and Warner Bros. to direct “Interstellar”. On March 2013, it was confirmed that Nolan will be directing the film under his label Syncopy and Lynda Obst Productions and it will be based on his ideas that were merged with his brother’s screenplay.

5. Hand-sculpted 46-foot-long spaceship for the film, influenced by Stabley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”

Believe it or not, the 46-foot-long spaceship was entirely built by the crew members! Yup, you heard that right, the production team designed the full-on practical spaceship sets after hours of watching IMAX documentaries on the International Space Station and looked at the Space Shuttle Endeavour! One of the biggest challenges they faced was having to transport the 10,000-pound spaceships to Iceland.

The Torus-shaped spacecraft is said to be inspired by the space station as seen in Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi movie “2001: A Space Odyssey”. The spacecraft is a practical design as it can simulate Earth-like gravity with the help of circular motion. In fact, Nolan mentioned that the spaceship interior and exterior were all built on a large-scale practical set instead of being all computer generated. He even visited NASA and the private space program SpaceX as part of his research.

6. Nolan cast Matthew McConaughey based on his performance in “Mud”

Due to Matthew’s extraordinary performance in the coming-of-age drama-thriller film “Mud”, Nolan perhaps already had him in mind after meeting up with him in Los Angeles. The actor described they did not discuss about “Interstellar” at all; Nolan instead talked to him about some other films instead of the film they’re about to work on together. McConaughey said:

We go in his office and we talk for 3 hours. Not one word about the film, not what it was about. I came away knowing nothing else about the film. We talked about who we are as 43-year-old men, talked about who we are as (fathers), talked about our kids. We talked about some other films and work and just got really a sense of each other. And so when I walked out, I had a little bit of, OK, what was that?” I think he wanted to see who I was.

Nolan described that the actor is exactly what he wanted to be featured in his upcoming sci-fi film. He described to Variety that the actor “approaches a character from a deep human understanding” and “never lose sight of the demands of the overall narrative.”

“Interstellar” is set to offer a major visual feast to the audience as more than an hour of the film was shot with 70mm IMAX, 35mm, digital IMAX, 4K digital, and digital. Not only will the film take us back to the basic idea behind the wormhole, audience will be able to get the world’s most immersive movie experience at selected IMAX theatres around the world.

But what makes “Interstellar” different from the rest of the films, you ask? As most films shot with IMAX cameras usually consists of large and loud noises, Nolan was able to shoot “Interstellar” perfectly as the space helmets worn by the actors helped with insulating their microphones. Thus, the IMAX format is just perfect for “Interstellar” as the loud noises can fit into the action scenes too. The display images were recorded with better size and resolution as well.

8. Costume malfunction that nearly resulted in Hathaway getting hypothermia

Costume malfunction is the worst, but nothing is worse than suffering the costume malfunction in an extreme condition. “Interstellar” star Anne Hathaway experienced such incident as she nearly got hypothermia while the shooting for a scene in cold water.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hathaway described that at that time, she wasn’t sure if she could feel her toes after spending hours submerged in cold water.

I was feeling all sorts of weird flashes and things were getting a little hazy around the edges, and that’s when I turned to our first (assistant director), and I said, “Hey, I don’t know that much about hypothermia, but what are the symptoms?” And I explained what was going on, and he said, “Oh! Like, right now?” And I’m like, “Yeah!” And so then he went over to Chris (Nolan), and Chris was like, “OK — let’s roll, let’s roll, let’s roll right now!” And we were done shortly thereafter.

She revealed that the production team already tested her space suit a few months prior and it was not waterproofed the first time. When she went under and submerged, the water filled up her outer suit and she was stuck in the suit for hours. It even got to the point that the water was filled up to her shoulder! She revealed that she “didn’t want to hold up shooting” and only explained her situation when she can no longer feel her toes.

“Interstellar” is expected to hit cinemas on 7th November.

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

(Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 / Featured image)

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#Penang: Dead Dolphin Believed To Have Choked On Rubbish Found On Beach

Yesterday (7th August, Sunday), pictures of a dead dolphin found along the beach off Pulau Jerejak in Penang were heavily circulated on the interwebs.

The dolphin is believed to have choked on rubbish, as its carcass was filled with trash.

First shared by Facebook page Penang Kini, the pictures caused an uproar among netizens.

“Society needs to change. Such sadists who like to litter everywhere,” one person commented while another said, “So sad. Maybe this dolphin died because it ate plastic floating on the surface thinking that it was food.”

“Why are people so mean. I can’t bear to look at this,” one more Facebook user added.

Penang Kini’s post has since been shared almost 700 times (as at time of writing), garnering hundreds of Facebook reactions, including over 500 sad ones.

Meanwhile, The Star quoted marine biologist Associate Professor Dr Aileen Tan of Universiti Sains Malaysia as saying that it was common for turtles to choke on plastic rubbish thinking that they were jellyfish. Dolphins also make the same mistake.

“Now, the beaches are more severely polluted compared to the beaches 4 years ago. The stretch along Pantai Acheh is probably the dirtiest due to the presence of old fishing nets, plastic items and other types of rubbish,” she said yesterday, adding that the dolphin should be dissected to confirm the cause of death.

This is not the first time that dolphins have been spotted in Penang. In 2011, one netizen uploaded a YouTube video of dolphins swimming near Queensbay and a year later, a fisherman captured footage of a few dolphins frolicking in the sea near Penang Bridge.


No Fish Net At Super Junior D&E Concert In KL? The Prohibited Item Baffled Fans

Yesterday, the organiser of the upcoming Super Junior D&E’s concert in Malaysia has unveiled a list of prohibited items that are not allowed to bring into the concert venue.

Most of the items make sense and are commonly prohibited in many concerts or live shows, but one particular item has caught fans’ attention and that item is – a fish net!

That’s right, a freaking fish net! Many fans including us have been thinking – why would someone bring a fish net to a concert? For what?

Fans have been leaving comments on the post questioning why the item is on the prohibited item list. Some even joked that if it has anything to do with Donghae whose nickname is Fishy.

Apparently, the organiser did not mistakenly or list down the item, nor is it a joke. There is in fact a valid reason.

According to one fan, there has been cases where fans bring fish net to K-pop concerts and use it to pass their camera devices to idols on stage.

(but…how did that person even managed to bring the long af fishnet into the venue LOL) pic.twitter.com/RRckZ1stTI

— hallo yixing 😭 | 🍋 ⓩⓗⓔⓝ (@youngstars710) August 5, 2017

One of the famous examples was during EXO’s concert in Taiwan back in 2017, one fan used a fish net to hand her polaroid camera to one of the members.

According to Koreaboo, the same case also happened at TWICE and INFINITE’s concerts.

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Netizens Obsessed With Miss Hong Kong Louisa Mak’s Boobs As She Floats In The Dead Sea

Former artist and Miss Hong Kong 2015 Louisa Mak (麥明詩) may be off-screen for now, but she hasn’t lost her touch with the fans! In fact, the 31-year-old recently got her followers in a tizzy after she uploaded a bikini photo of herself enjoying some nice sun and waves.

Louisa Mak ended her contract with TVB last year before switching to an office job. Still, she’s been keeping herself in shape, despite fans claiming otherwise, and was not afraid to flaunt it with a bikini pic! Needless to say, fans had plenty to say about her recent photo, especially about her chest.

The 31-year-old has been living a fulfilling life since leaving her acting career behind. And as it turns out, she recently went swimming in the Dead Sea a few days ago. The photo, uploaded to her socials, showed her floating in the renown sea in a red bikini, clearing enjoying herself. “Sunday!” she chirped in the caption. “Just wanted to share.”

Fans were quick to praise Louisa’s figure, admiring her shapely legs and figure. Several also claimed that the photographer, believed to be Louisa’s boyfriend, “made her look good” on camera. Others praised his photography skills, saying it was “awesome“.

A few however were more preoccupied with her chest. “The two (breasts) are so buoyant,” one commented with another saying: “Strange towering peaks.” A netizen also asked what the “red round (things)” were while a comment quipped, “The two buoys in the front are very buoyant.” Another even asked, “What are those red double round thingy?”

Well, we certainly can’t deny that Louisa Mak still looks good despite stepping out of the entertainment circle. Hopefully she continues enjoying life while taking care of herself and her body!


Robin Thicke’s New Album Sells Less Than 54 Copies in Australia

Oh dear what’s happening to poor Robin Thicke?

After the international success of “Blurred Lines”, news about his new album, “Paula”, doesn’t sound very enticing. At all. Not only has “Paula” only managed to sell 530 copies in its first week of release in the UK, the poor sales figures have continued with the news that it only sold less than 54 copies in Australia.

“Paula” has also failed to make the ARIA Top 500 in Australia and while there are no official sales figures for the album, the Blondie compilation at Number 500 in the chart sold 54 copies to achieve its position. This means Thicke’s album must have sold less than that figure to fall short of the chart placing.

If you didn’t know, “Paula” is named after Robin Thicke’s estranged wife, actress Paula Patton. The album includes the song, “Get Her Back”, which was debuted at the Billboard Music Awards in May and is thought to be about Patton. Other tracks on the album include not-so-subtle references to the break-up, including “Still Madly Crazy”, “Love Can Grow Back”, and “Too Little Too Late”.

The singer announced that he and Patton would be separating at the end of February, following 9 years of marriage. It was speculated that the breakdown of the relationship was the result of him being pictured in “compromising situations” with other women, though neither party has commented on the reasons for the split.

And all this is coming from the same person who bombed the charts with his breakthrough single, “Blurred Lines”. We feel sorry for him, really. Does he need a..hug?


The Robots In “Transformers: Age of Extinction” Are Dangerous

This week, new posters for “Transformers: Age of Extinction” started appearing everywhere. But instead of selling the robotic adventure film, the posters appeared as if they were anti-Transformer propaganda. It makes sense since it presents the film initial premise – that after the cataclysmic battle in 2011’s “Transformers: Dark of the Moon”, all Transformers were seen as an existential menace to the planet. In fact, Michael Bay did state that “Transformers: Age of Extinction” will be in a very different world. The world where the inhabitants of Earth are united against any and all Transformers.

They even went as far as creating a separate microsite altogether to push the idea. Have you seen TransformersAreDangerous.com?

The “campaign”, in full effect, as seen in the series of posters and news clippings, evokes the kind of imagery and language that historically has been used in propaganda designed to intimidate undesirables or public service announcements (PSAs) meant to raise awareness of terrorist attack.

Brr. We’re shaking in our lil space boots!

Check out our gallery for the full propaganda campaign’s series of visuals:

Don’t forget to check out our compilation of Transformers facts that you probably never knew about i.e. did you know that 532 cars were destroyed in “Transformers: Dark of the Moon”? Go here for more!

“Transformers: Age of Extinction” opens in cinemas nationwide on 26th June (Thursday)!

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

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#CHPremier: First Restaurant With Robot Waiters Opens In Malaysia

In recent years, many restaurants around the world has opted to replace human employees with robot waiters.

Just yesterday (Wednesday, 21st December), a Chinese restaurant known as CH Premier Restaurant (马来西亚第一锅) opened in Kuching and is believed to be the first in Malaysia to serve food to customers using robot waiters.

Located at Premier 101 Commercial Centrel Tun Jugah, the eatery’s initiative has also earned them a spot in Malaysia Book of Records. As per sources online, the automated waiters are able to serve food to any tables within the restaurant as magnetic lines are installed on the floor to allow the robots to manoeuvre in an orderly fashion.

As of now, there are currently 4 robot waiters operating at CH Premier Restaurant – namely Goddess 1, 2, and 3, as well as a smaller size robot called Loli. In case you’re wondering, Goddess stands at 156cm tall and weighs 40kg, while Loli is 110cm tall and weighs 35kg. These robot servants can even greet customers in Mandarin.

Check out the photo gallery and video below:

The details to CH Premier Restaurant (马来西亚第一锅) are as follows:

For more information, check out CH Premier Restaurant (马来西亚第一锅)’s Facebook page.


Hype’s Now Playing: Years & Years – Foundation

Formed in 2010, British electronica trio Years & Years consists of lead singer and keyboardist Olly Alexander, bassist Mikey Goldsworthy and synth player Emre Turkmen. Goldsworthy met Turkmen online and Olly joined as the lead singer after Goldsworthy heard him singing in the shower. The band was originally a group of five, however, they became three once Noel Leeman and Olivier Subria left the in 2013.

Just last year, the trio signed to Polydor Records a.k.a Universal Music Group and released a new single “Take Shelter” which reached #1 spot on the iTunes UK Singles Electronic Chart. Early this year, they released one of their best singles “King” which won them the prestigious BBC Sound of 2015 prize.

Years & Years recently dropped a new single, titled “Foundation”, which is taken from their upcoming debut album “Communion”. Directed by Fred Rowson, the new music video was rather different as compared to their past music videos. Taking on a darker path, the video for “Foundation” gives out an eerie, bloody and creepy feel.

we did a video for our song foundation and its premiering right now on @pitchfork directed by Mr Fred Rowson watch it now: http://po.st/YYFoundation You can get the track instantly when you preorder our album Communion on iTunes too http://po.st/cD3IsS ok bye x

A photo posted by Years & Years (@yearsandyears) on Jun 22, 2015 at 7:04am PDT

Of the clip, Olly explains the reason behind the music video:

“We wanted to revisit some earlier themes and imagery from our videos. We expanded on the eerie and hypnotic feel of the song and played with the drama of ritualistic practise, audience and voyeurism. Our director, Fred Rowson, was really good at seeing into our minds and bringing our ideas to life.”

Let’s just say it’s quite an “amusing funeral” as the video sees a crowd while Olly lies on a bed of flowers in the midst of what appears to be his own funeral. There were mourners holding dripping wax with bare hands, one with pupiless eyes and a girl with bleeding nose as Olly belts out the soulful track.

Here’s the music video for “Foundation”, enjoy!

“Communion” is set to arrive on 10th July but you can get the track instantly when you pre-order the album on iTunes.

For more on Years & Years, stalk them via these platforms: Official site, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

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Contest: Win Tickets To Ronan Keating’s Concert At Resorts World Genting

Step up your dating game this Valentine’s Day by celebrating it with Ronan Keating.

The Boyzone frontman will be returning to Malaysia to serenade local fans while up in the skies. Titled “Love at 6118 – A Valentine’s Special with Ronan Keating”, things are about to get a whole lot more romantic this February.

It was only last year (14th June, to be exact) when the 42-year-old Irish singer-songwriter and his Boyzone bandmates (Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch, and Keith Duffy) were in Kuala Lumpur for their Encore “Thank You and Goodnight” Farewell tour.

The details to Ronan Keating’s upcoming tour in Malaysia are as follows:

Thanks to our friends at Resorts World Genting, we’re selecting 3 lucky winners and their loved ones to enjoy “Love at 6118 – A Valentine’s Special with Ronan Keating” for free!


#TWICE: K-Pop Idol Girl Group Drops MV Teaser For “Knock Knock”

“Knock Knock”, who’s there? It’s TWICE (트와이스)!

In anticipation of the girl group’s highly anticipated comeback on 20th February, JYP Entertainment has blessed fans with a cute music video teaser for the title track, “Knock Knock”.

The upcoming album, “TWICEcoaster: LANE 2”, features many tracks from their previous album, “TWICEcoaster: LANE 1” (including the widely popular “TT”), with the addition of 2 new tracks.

To build hype (no pun intended) for TWICE’s return, JYP also dropped a series of gorgeous teaser photos. Almost all of the photos are taken against a bright yellow backdrop. So it’s safe to say that the girls are heading for a cute and colourful concept this time around.

Check out the teaser images in the gallery below:

In the brief video teaser, the girls, all dressed in adorable pyjamas, can be seen running down the stairs excitedly to answer the door.

It’s also obvious that the music video “Knock Knock” is the sequel to “TT”. Just in case you missed it, the tune featured in the teaser is the same one used in “TT”‘s ending.

TWICE consists of 9 members – Nayeon, Jungyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu – and they will be holding their first Singaporean concert in April.

For more info, hit up TWICE’s Facebook page.


#Malaysia: Photo Of Junior Contestants Receiving RM10 Prize Money In National Cycling Event Go Viral

If you were to win first place in a national event, how much prize money would you expect to get?

These kids who participated and won the opening round of the Junior Cycling Malaysia (JCM) series last Sunday (10th April), were offered an embarrassing amount of prize money, ranging between RM10 to RM30.

The now-viral photo (above) shows Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin giving out mock cheques to the winners of the junior category. According to the New Straits Times, the elite category winners received between RM250 and RM1000.

JCM received a lot of criticism after the photos were released on their Facebook page. A netizen commented, “The Under-9 and Under-11 kids who came in third place, held a mock cheque worth RM10. Wouldn’t the cost of making a cheque of that size cost much more than the prize?”

MGAG even created a meme that was widely shared on social media.

In response to the negative comments received by the JCM on social media, Jamaluddin replied, “We want them to grow up with the right values and attitude. Yes, money is important and if they do well in sports, they will be financially rewarded later on but let’s not spoil them from when they are young. Let them want to win for the sake of winning, to be the best not because of money but because of determination and honour.”

He also added that the JCM felt that it was more important for children to have the interest, the desire to win, and experience of participation.

The JCM was launched last month as the Youth and Sports Ministry’s effort to create a pathway for champions. It was reported that RM2 million had been allocated for the project by the Ministry.

What are your opinions about the prizes? Do you think that the winners deserve more or do you agree that prize money shouldn’t matter? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

For more information, visit JCM’s official website.

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#Horror: 10 Upcoming Movies That Will Scare The Living Daylights Outta You

2017 is going to be a great horror movie year for brave film junkies.

While last year saw a series of critically-acclaimed horror flicks such as “Don’t Breathe”, “The Eyes Of My Mother”, and “The Witch”, this year boasts a line-up of films that are bound to make your stomach turn. From highly-anticipated mainstream releases to video game/novel-turned-movies, here are 10 upcoming terrifying movies that will surely make your hair raise:

Ever wondered what happens in a hospital at night?

Metrowealth Pictures’ “Hospital” centres on Amira (played by Fatin Afeefa), a village girl who goes to the city to look for a job. She starts working as a nurse at a hospital but while there, she gets haunted by disembodied whispers. While looking for answers, she discovers that a mysterious woman (played by Shima Anuar) needs her help.

Judging from the spooky trailer, this local horror flick seems really promising. It has everything we’re afraid of: dark hallways, jump scares, and a pontianak-like ghost.

“Selfie From Hell” started off as a short film for German production student Meelah Adams’ bachelor thesis on the effects of viral videos. Thanks to IndustryWorks Pictures (who also made “American Mary”), Adams and her partner Erdal Ceylan received enough funds to turn it into a feature film.

The viral video, which has been viewed over 19 million times on YouTube, focuses on a woman who sees a creepy figure looming behind her when she takes selfies for her boyfriend. The figure turns out to be a zombie and she eventually gets “eaten” by it. Though it’s only under 2 minutes long, the clip is enough to give you nightmare for days (or weeks).

Yes! We finally get see “Get Out” in local cinemas :)

Helmed and written by Jordan Peele (of “Key and Peele” fame), the psychological horror film follows a young African-American man named Chris (played by Daniel Kaluuya) and his Caucasian girlfriend Rose (played by Allison Williams). During Chris’ first meeting with Rose’s parents, who are not aware that their daughter is dating a black man, he finds out a truth that he never could have imagined.

The critically acclaimed movie also marks Peele’s directorial debut. Although the filmmaker is known for his comedy skits, he admitted that he actually has a passion for writing horror films. When asked about “Get Out”, he explained, “The movie takes on the task of exploring race in America, something that hasn’t really been done within the genre since ’Night of the Living Dead’ 47 years ago. Its long overdue.”

Adapted from Risa Sraswati’s best-selling novel “Gerbang Dialog Danur”, “Danur: I Can See Ghost” is Indonesia’s 2nd film to reach 1 million viewers. The film, which first premiered in Indonesia in March, is also the country’s best-selling horror movie of all time.

Inspired by a true story, the film is about a girl named Risa who often laughs and plays with her “friends” at her grandmother’s house. With the help of a friend, her mother Elly managed to take her away. 9 years later, she returned to the house with her younger sister Riri. Surrounded by mysterious disturbances, Riri suddenly disappears. Risa must save her sister from the evil spirit who plans to bring her to the “other side”.

If you enjoy movies like “The Hunger Games”, “Battle Royale”, and “The Belko Experiment”, then “Keep Watching” might just be the perfect horror flick for you.

Originally titled “Home Invasion”, the story sees 2 deranged serial killers breaking into a home and imprisoning a family. The family is forced to play a terrifying game of “Kill, Or Be Killed” while it gets streamed live to riveted viewers all over the world, who are compelled to “keep watching”. As the night unfolds, the game’s mysterious rules start to become clear.

A broken family moves into a long-vacant house in desperate hope to seek new beginnings. However, the house lives, watches, and wants them to stay – forever.

While most haunted house movies place focus on human characters, “Behind The Walls” is told from the perspective of the house itself. Moreover, the movie is twin brothers James and Jon Kondelik’s (from “The Divine Tragedies”) first film under their Dual Visions banner. In speaking about the film, James said, “We aim to put a new spin on a familiar genre, bringing the audience into a new head space.”

Peter Dukes’ “Escape Room” is based on a popular physical strategy game. In case you didn’t know, the game, which originated from a video game called “Escape the Room”, requires players to solve a series of puzzles to complete the objectives at hand.

Set in a popular Los Angeles escape room, 4 friends find themselves stuck with a demonically possessed killer who is also the keeper of a box containing an evil demon. In order to escape the room alive, they have less than an hour to solve all the puzzles.

“Annabelle: Creation” aka “Annabelle 2” is a follow-up to John R. Leonetti’s “The Conjuring” spin-off, “Annabelle”, which grossed over USD257 million worldwide on a USD6.5 million budget. The 2014 film was the 14th highest-grossing horror/supernatural film in the US and Canada.

Written by Gary Dauberman, who also wrote the first film, the Annabelle origin story shows a dollmaker and his wife who, 20 years after the tragic death of their little girl, welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home. The dollmaker’s possessed porcelain creation sets her sights on a young girl named Janice.

Besides that, the film is directed by David F. Sandberg, who won “Best Director Award” for 2013’s “Who’s There Film Challenge” with his critically-acclaimed horror short, “Lights Out”.

The 1990 “IT” movie is perhaps the main reason why kids from the 80s and the 90s are afraid of clowns.

Based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel of the same name, the remake is set in the town of Derry, Maine. As children begin to disappear, a group of young kids (known as The Losers Club) are faced with their biggest fears when they square off against an evil villain named Pennywise the Dancing Clown, whose history of murder and violence date back for centuries.

Trust us when we say that Bill Skarsgård’s portrayal of the new Pennywise is going to make you stay away from McDonald’s for a while.

James Wan (from “The Conjuring”) and Leigh Whannell’s (from “Saw”) “Insidious” has been one of the most successful horror franchises in recent times. So it doesn’t come as a surprise when Universal Pictures announced its 4th movie last year.

Starring Lin Shaye as medium Elise Rainier, “Insidious: Chapter 4” is a prequel that focuses on Elise’s origin story. Following the footsteps of “Insidious: Chapter 3”, the upcoming movie will see how Elise, Tucker, and Specs form their ghost hunting team.

“It’s a fantastic story… You meet my family, my mother, my father—we go back to my hometown, which is in New Mexico. And so that’s where this takes place and her quest to find the bad guy that’s been haunting her… And it’s scary on levels they’re not going to expect,” said Shaye in an interview with Daily Dead.

Don’t forget to check out our other horror-themed lists below:

Sources: Rolling Stone Indonesia, IMDb, Dual Visions, The Hollywood Reporter, Coming Soon, Screen Rant, EW, Comic Book.

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Hype’s Now Playing: W&W – Rave After Rave

Dutch trance and house duo W&W have returned to their home base of “Mainstage Music” with a new club banger and it’s sure to please their fans. W&W (Williem and Wardt) last made “Waves” (no pun intended) in 2014 when they released a single with Tomorrowland residents Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. Although that track didn’t chart like their previous ones, it received great support from some of the world’s Top 100 DJs/producers.

After which, they made a little something with Hardwell titled, “Don’t Stop The Madness“, which was released on Hardwell’s debut album, “United We Are“. Indeed, the madness hasn’t stopped because W&W just released “Rave After Rave” under “Mainstage Music”!

Said to be one of the most requested IDs over the last couple of months, “Rave After Rave” now finally sees the light of day. It has already received early support from the likes of Tiesto, Hardwell, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, David Guetta, Nicky Romero, Sander van Doorn, Bingo Players, Andrew Rayel, R3hab, Ummet Ozcan, Jay Hardway, Blasterjaxx, Tritional, VINAI, Sick individuals, and Audien.

“Rave After Rave” is released just in time for “Miami Music Week” and right at the start of the festival season. Speaking of festivals, heck, even the official music video was shot during Ultra Music Festival in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

And really, what better way to really capture a high energy track than to have its music video based off a high energy festival? Ace!

Want a copy of W&W’s “Rave After Rave”? Get it from Beatport here.

For moe information, hit up W&W’s Facebook page.


Christina Ricci’s Comes Out About Her Eating Disorder

Christina Ricci admits having her eating disorder outed at the age of 14 was a devastating experience.

The “Bel Ami” actress, who shot to fame as a child after appearing in the “Addams Family” franchise, explained while it was a horrifying thing to have happen, it made her vow to be completely honest for the rest of her life so no one could ever uncover any more of her secrets.

In an exclusively interview, She told Britain’s Marie Claire magazine, “Somebody actually found out about it and outed me while I was recovering. It was a horrifying thing to do to a 14-year-old trying to cope with a devastating illness. Out of rage, I vowed that no one would ever be able to out me for a secret again. So I was going to be completely honest in the rest of my life. I don’t want to be hurt in that way again.”

The 32-year-old star admitted becoming famous at such a young age meant it took her awhile to be comfortable with who she is. Christina added, “It took a while for me to be comfortable with who I was. To realise everyone might not get my sense of humour; everyone might not like me.”

“You know what, I’m not going to change who I am. I’ve tried. It doesn’t work. I’ve never been very Hollywood.”

We’re just glad you’re all better now, Christina!


Hype’s Now Playing: Cosmic Gate & Eric Lumiere – Falling Back

Their last full-length studio album was “Wake Your Mind” in 2011. For more than a year after that release, they were still moving people on the dance floors all over the globe with the unforgettable single off that album, “Be Your Sound”, which features Australian vocalist Emma Hewitt.

We remember speaking to Cosmic Gate in our exclusive interview with them last year and we asked, “Why is everyone about the drop these days?” and they replied:

It was always already about the drop but..you’re right. It’s all about that now – the drop. It’s one siren after another and someone needs to put a stop to this. The quality of the music definitely isn’t as good these days. A lot of these EDM tracks are beginning to sound the same and now is the time to stop it. I don’t want to say that everything is bad – there are a lot of good productions around but there’s also a huge amount of crap. People should adopt certain things but still be true to themselves, and have a real song. Tell a real story!

And if that’s anything to go by, the boys have been telling real stories with music since “Be Your Sound”. But perhaps it’s time to retire that track.

On 27th May, Cosmic Gate’s new single, “Falling Back” charted at #1 on the Trance Beatport Charts. Only 10 days after its official release, might we add, and it’s still sitting at #1 as we speak. It looks like the German trance duo Nic and Bossi have decided to stick with the recipe that first made “Be Your Sound” work. Which is, to move away from hard trance but maintain their driving and energetic musical style, and also throw in super expressive vocals. In the case of “Falling Back”, it’s UK recording artiste Eric Lumiere. Who is he? Definitely not anyone new to the dance music industry.

Or to the music industry in general, even.

Jaw-dropping isn’t it? Can you say, “Yes! They’re back!”? Of course, the above awesomeness is just a little peek into what Cosmic Gate will have to offer in their new album, “Start To Feel“. But that’s a story for another day. To purchase “Falling Back”, hit up Beatport here or iTunes here. The duo are also expected to play at The Circus on 8th June! If you haven’t gotten your tickets, right this very moment would be a good time to.

Meanwhile, don’t forget to stalk Cosmic Gate via their social media accounts:

For more information, visit their website.

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#EXOluXionMY: Organiser Confirms EXO Will Perform In Kuala Lumpur With Full Lineup

EXO member Lay was in an accident on the set for Chinese web drama “Old Nine Gates,” where he sustained a back injury on 30th January. Although the injury was deemed noncritical, Lay has been taking time off to improve his health condition following doctor’s order.

The situation has led to speculations from Malaysian fans on whether he will be absent from the upcoming concert which set to take place on 12th March in Malaysia.

Today, concert organiser Star Planet issued a press statement to clarify that they have not received any notification about Lay’s absence from the upcoming event, which confirmed that EXO will arrive in Kuala Lumpur as planned, with all 9 members.

The stage setup kick-started last night with large containers flown in from abroad. As described by the organiser, production is “epic”, with elements such as gigantic high-definition screens, state-of-the-art audio and visual, pyro, hydraulic lifts, mini water pools, and stage extended well into the audience.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

The total production moved on more than 30 trucks with about 300 crew.

EXO debuted in 2012 and rose to fame with the release of their million seller regular album XOXO (2013). Ever since their debut, numerous hits were produced such as “Wolf”, “Growl”, “Overdose”, and “Call Me Baby”. Furthermore, EXO is setting new records in worldwide scale, receiving large number of awards in Korea and China, nominated as Top 1 in K-Pop by American Billboard in 2013, biggest influence in Korea by Forbes Korea Power Celebrity in 2014 and so on.

Over 85% tickets have been grabbed up and tickets are still moving fast! “Rock zone X, Cat 3, and Cat 5 tickets are sold out and we anticipate it to be a sell-out concert,” said the organiser.

Jointly presented by Spritzer Mineral Water and Robsonhill Residency, “EXO PLANET #2 The EXO’LuXion World Tour in Kuala Lumpur is scheduled on 12th 2016 at Stadium Merdeka at 8pm. The Malaysia concert will mark as the last gig of their current world tour. Tickets are priced at RM688, RM548, RM428, RM348, RM328 and RM208 (subject to RM4 processing fee).

For more information, contact Star Planet 0392233667 / TicketCharge 03-92228811 or visit www.starplanet.com.my / www.ticketcharge.com.my.


Concert Review: Gary Chaw Got Us Feeling Nostalgic During His “Crazy For Live” Tour

After a 5-year hiatus, Gary Chaw (曹格) held his long-awaited solo concert titled “Crazy for Live” at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting over the weekend. Despite the recent headlines surrounding him, fans were brought back to the golden age of Cantopop as Gary covered hit after hit from the 80s and 90s.

For his first act of Hakken Lee’s “月半小夜曲” (Half Moon Serenade), Gary ascended from the ground while fans cheered him on. The Malaysian Mandopop singer then performed Sammi Cheng’s “放不低” (Never Want To Give You Up), which in our opinion, was a much more emotional version of the original. “Only the 2nd song and he sings like he’s about to cry,” which is a sentiment we heard from the group seated next to us.

It is also worth mentioning that the tour production is 100% Malaysian design-and-build, which included an all-Malaysian musician line-up as well as a rich mash-up of instruments such as Sitar, Malay percussion, Chinese harp, and more. With this, Gary proudly shared he hoped this arrangement could showcase Malaysian musical talents and cultures to the world.

There were many nostalgic KTV moments throughout the night as Gary sang other memorable numbers including Pricilla Chan’s “傻女” (Silly Girl), Jacky Cheung’s “寂寞的男人” (A Lonely Man), and even a medley combining George Lam’s “分分钟需要你” (Need You Every Minute), Sam Hui’s “浪子心聲” (Drifter’s Song), Frances Yip’s “上海滩” (The Bund), and more.

He ended his Cantopop set with Beyond’s “海阔天空” (Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies), a song known to almost every Mandopop or Cantopop listener despite their age. Ironically, it’s also the song we hear some clubs or bars play when it’s closing time. Needless to say, everyone was singing their heart out to the familiar melody and unforgettable lyrics.

When it came time for the encore, we finally got to hear Gary belt his own songs like “Superman”, “寂寞先生” (Mr. Loneliness), and “背叛” (Betrayal). Don’t get us wrong, we liked the Cantopop set. But for those of us who spent our teenage years in the early 2000s, we grew up listening to the songs Gary composed. So it’s safe to say that emotions sprung especially high when he hit the high notes for “寂寞先生”. The atmosphere was incredible!

Last but not least, the Sabah-born serenaded his fans to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” – an English number no one expected it to happen. Our best guess is Gary Chaw simply wanted to end the night “his way” (pun intended).

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#MarionKelly: BBC Kid Is Now An Internet Sensation

If you don’t know who Marion Kelly is by now, you must be living under a rock.

The 4-year-old girl became an instant internet hit when she interrupted her dad, Robert E. Kelly, while he was giving an interview with BBC last Friday. Fast forward a week later, her legion of fans continue to grow, with many dubbing her as the latest fashionista.

In a follow-up interview with The Wall Street Journal, Robert explained that his daughter was in a “hippity-hoppity mood” when she nonchalantly walked into the room during the interview session. Marion, who celebrated her birthday the day before, is back at it again, and shows no sign of giving up the limelight.

On Wednesday, the adorable youngster’s family – including mother Jung-a Kim and younger brother James – attended a press conference at Pusan National University in Busan, South Korea to talked about their newfound fame.

Marion’s chic outfit consisted of a beige trench coat and fierce pink glasses! Naturally, the Internet fell in love with her all over again and can’t seem to get enough of this cute kiddo.

I love everything about Marion who interrupted her dad's BBC interview. Love her trench coat and I love her glasses. pic.twitter.com/U3KLF1LIvF

If I didn't know any better I'd swear she grew up to become Miss Winters in the #DoctorWho episode Robot! pic.twitter.com/xaJxKa7c99

— Cameron Yarde Jnr (@CameronYardeJnr) March 16, 2017

My goal is to approach life with the same amount of swag & confidence as Marion Kelly interrupting her Dad. pic.twitter.com/OT0ht75sRK

— Hera 👑 (@its_not_lupus) March 14, 2017

do not try to stop them pic.twitter.com/uKbsjjBdiP

— PAPERBEATSSCISSORS! (@paperbeatstweet) March 14, 2017

BBC interview kid has just been cast as Commissioner Gordon in the new Batman movie. pic.twitter.com/mM2aYgMOGM

— R. Eric Thomas (@oureric) March 15, 2017

Citizens of Earth. Bow to your new overlord. pic.twitter.com/ZGHbO2znvA

— Adam Johnson (@_papa_aj) March 15, 2017

Many netizens on social media have jokingly stated that Marion ought to run for president someday. At just aged 4, the toddler already has a commanding presence, thanks to her charm and natural swagger.

Keep doing your thing girl. We absolutely adore you ;)

Sources: Huffington Post, Telegraph (1)(2).

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Hype’s Movie Review: #Kingsman Ain’t That Kind Of Spy Movie

One word: Spy-tastic. “Kingsman: The Secret Service“, by far, is one of the best spy movies we’ve ever seen. Makes no bones about it. Think James Bond, or Jason Bourne and heck, even Jason Bauer. These international super spies have their own strengths and weaknesses but when you create a character based on the 3 J.B.s, you get Harry Hart a.k.a Galahad, a gentleman spy portrayed by Colin Firth. It’s an unexpected role for the 54-year-old actor but Firth managed to pull off some complicated stunts in the movie. Armed with a suave sense of style and uber-cool gadgets, Firth perfectly embodies the quintessential British gentleman manners with his particular set of skills.

But trust Samuel L. Jackson when he flat-out says, “This ain’t that kind of movie.”

In literal sense, it is a “Kick-Ass” reunion for the comic book creator Mark Millar as he reunited with director Matthew Vaughn and scriptwriter Jane Goldman to turn his comic into a movie. While paying homage to the classic spy films, director Matthew Vaughn isn’t afraid to poke fun at the traditional 007 formula of the Roger Moore or Sean Connery era.

One fine example of this is the sequence with one of Hart’s compatriots, Lancelot (played by Jack Davenport) attempting to rescue Professor James Arnold (played by Mark Hamill), a climate scientist who gets kidnapped by unknown assailants.

After Lancelot single-handedly wiped out his opponents, he strikes a classic pose of Sean Connery as James Bond holding a gun beside his face. It’s not entirely a parody yet it’s fun to watch this on screen. One may think Davenport would have a much bigger role in the movie but his appearance is rather short-lived. Gazelle (played by Sofia Boutella), an assassin with bladed prosthetic legs (which is really cool), literally “cuts” him out of the mission before he can even rescue Arnold.

This forces Kingsman, a secret intelligence agency overseen by Arthur (played by Michael Caine), to employ a new agent from a slew of young candidates. But first, these candidates must participate in “the most dangerous job interview in the world”, which Gary “Eggsy” Unwin was clearly unaware of.

Portrayed by Taron Egerton, Eggsy is a young candidate chosen by agent Galahad/Harry Hart to apply for a job interview in an underground network of spies and secret agents. Despite being a Hollywood newcomer, Egerton delivers a believable performance as an unemployed young adult who gets himself into troubles due to his aimless life.. He was initially given the opportunity to train for the Royal Marines but turns down the offer so that he can protect his mother and infant half-sister from his abusive stepfather. Although he is a capable young man with intelligence inherited from his father, one of Galahad’s former colleagues, he is later arrested for stealing a car.

However, one single phone call changes his life forever as Galahad arranges for his release and decides to take him under his wing. He joins other candidates in training to become the next Lancelot. Merlin (played by Mark Strong), a senior Kingsman oversees the training and candidates will be eliminated if they weren’t able to pass the tests given. The training mainly serves as an origin story for Eggsy as it shows how he rises from the bottom to the top. Thus, despite being a central character, Galahad is given more attention as he goes on a mission alone to investigate internet billionaire Richmond Valentine’s (played by Samuel L. Jackson) connection with the disappearances of politicians and celebrities (yes, including Iggy Azalea).

The director defies viewers’ expectations by having Samuel L. Jackson play a villain who can’t stand violence. With his ridiculous lisp and hip-hop attitude, Valentine looks nothing like any villain we’ve seen in typical Bond movies. Believe it or not, he would even puke at the sight of blood, which is why his henchwoman Gazelle does all the dirty work for him. He may lack the typical villain’s attitude, but he’s got a plan that would make him as menacing as the other villains.

After recovering from a bombing injury, Galahad poses as a billionaire to dine with Valentine. In order to solve the world’s global warming and populations, Valentine explains to Galahad that he is assembling a number of world’s influential figures (or the people he thinks worth saving) including Professor Arnold to “save” them from his plan to “solve” the overpopulation problem.

As boring as the plan sounds, what follows after is a series of ultra-violent events. Valentine conducts a test by broadcasting a signal in an obscure hate group church in Kentucky, the one that causes everyone including Galahad to become uncontrollably violent. Truth be told, the church fight scene is the most satisfying fight scene we’ve ever seen in recent years. It’s mostly because the scene doesn’t involve any shaky cam and it was creatively staged with impressive stunts.

Firth is given a few tongue-in-cheek lines before he finds himself in the mass church brawl. The consecutive sequences are taken in a single camera and the scene shows how Firth is able to deliver most of the stunt scenes perfectly. If all else fails, this scene alone could be the only reason why people need to watch this movie. As blood and guts are spurting everywhere, some may find it slightly uncomfortable. But then again, it’s a R-rated movie so that shouldn’t be a big deal for viewers.

After an unexpected twist of events, Eggsy teams up with Merlin and Roxy to overthrow Valentine’s plan. The time has come for Eggsy to prove himself as a trustworthy agent for Kingsman but will he succeed in his mission of saving the world? That’s for you to find out when you watch “Kingsman: The Secret Service”.

Now, clearly “spy-tastic” isn’t enough to describe how well shot this movie was so if we were to describe this movie in one complete sentence, it’ll probably sound like this:

“Kingsman: The Secret Service” is rated R and opens nationwide on 18th February 2015.

For more information, visit the movie’s official website or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

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Contest: Billionaire Boys Club Screening Passes Up For Grabs!

If you enjoyed Leonardo DiCaprio’s 2013 film “The Wolf of Wall Street”, then you’ll probably enjoy “Billionaire Boys Club”.

Starring Hollywood heartthrobs, Ansel Elgort and Taron Egerton, “Billionaire Boys Club” delves into the intricacies of financial schemes. If you’re interested, we have 10 pairs of “Billionaire Boys Club” movie tickets to give away.

The synopsis for “Billionaire Boys Club” is as follows:

“Led by their fellow preppie friends Joe Hunt (Ansel Elgort), a group of wealthy boys in 1980s Los Angeles come up with a plan to get-rich-quick with a Ponzi scheme. The plan ends badly for all involved when Hunt and Pittman end up murdering investor and con-man, Ron Levin (Kevin Spacey). A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investing scam promising high rates of return with little risk to investors. The Ponzi scheme generates returns for older investors by acquiring new investors.”

#NEW Another still of Taron and Ansel Elgort in Billionaire Boys Club (2018) pic.twitter.com/57ONZUVUn7

— Taron Egerton (@DailyTaronNews) June 24, 2018

“Billionaire Boys Club” opens in cinemas on 19th July 2018.


Hype Picks: Best Things To Do In The Klang Valley This Week (8th August – 14th August)

Too consumed by the burdens of life? Drained of energy? Need a change of pace? Then, stop what you’re doing and come over here! Hype is more than happy to help you get rid of your worries and give you what you need to get back on your feet.

This week’s Hype Picks is guaranteed to please all your senses as well as provide you with plenty of activities for a stress-free and fun-filled week. So, hang in there, we’ve got you covered!

Location: Publika, Solaris Dutamas 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Japanese are taking over once again! If you missed the previous Bon Odori festival, then you’re in luck because another one is set to happen this month and it’s staying for a longer time. Check out the fun fair games, live groundbreaking performances and many cultural activities for you to explore. Don’t forget to try out the Japanese food too! To register, head on over to Facebook.

2. BIG HOME Expo @ Bukit Jalil National Stadium

Location: Bukit Jalil Stadium, Carpark B

The craziest sale of the year has arrived! You can get everything you want all in one place such as bath and sanitary-ware, custom-built wardrobe, kitchen cabinets, flooring, furniture, home and electrical appliances and many more!

You can get to enjoy exclusiive discounts, promotions, amazing deals and cash vouchers. Skip the queue! Click here to pre-register!

A post shared by Urban Retreat Spa (@urbanretreatspamy)

Location: Lot 2F-02, 163 Retail Park, 07,8, Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

Unclench that jaw and loosen the tension in your shoulders. Drop your burdens at the entrance as you walk into this haven of relaxation. Pamper yourself with body scrubs and essential oils and calm your mind in your own private anxiety-free onsen. Experience the bliss of Japanese healing only available here at Urban Retreat Onsen Spa. So what are you waiting for? Your well-deserved rejuvenation session awaits!

4. Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk 2022

Location: Chinatown, Restoran Yusoof Dan Zakhir, Jalan Hang Kasturi 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

If you’re into visual arts, then you’d be delighted with this activity. The photo walk allows you to dive into the world of photography where beauty is captured through the eyes of your camera. You will follow the route all the way to the end—REX KL. Register at this site if you’re interested.

Location: REXKL @ 80, Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur

When jazz and drums come together, a whole new world of music is left to be discovered. The collaboration between The Angelika Niescier Trio and the Orang Orang Drum Theatre gives us a mind-blowing performance consisting of saxophones, trumpets and bass along with 24 Festive Drums. Get your tickets here!

Location: Concourse (Ground Floor), Great Eastern Mall

Join this family-friendly food market and indulge in the best meals, delicious food and treats and all kinds of comfort food that will have you craving for more. Check out the 30 food and beverage brands all from our local community. Visit their Facebook for more information!

Location: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Hall 4, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, 50088

Considered Malaysia’s best beauty trade show, you can discover the latest products, services, trends and tools and technology encompassing all things that beauty in this fast-growing trade platform. International beauty, hair, cosmetics, nail and spa business owners and professionals will have a chance to exhibit their expertise to visitors and expand their presence globally. Visit their Facebook for more info!

Location: Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Lot 5.85.00, Level 5, Orange Zone

For the first time, the dinosaurs are stomping their way into Malaysia and welcoming everyone to join in the interactive indoor playground. Travel back in time to the prehistoric ages and meet a variety of dinosaurs that you’ve only seen in books and movies.

Bring your kids and give them a chance to learn about the prehistoric animals as they engage in fun activities such as the Dino express train ride, the Primeval forest, the Volcanic slide and much more. You can buy your tickets here.

Location: Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, LEVEL 2, TOWER 2, PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn, it’s a bummer we can’t experience the ever-changing seasons throughout the year in Malaysia. But don’t be too bummed out because you can still feel all these seasons not with sight, but with sound.

Featuring MPO Concertmaster Peter Daniš as Soloist and Leader, witness the musical masterpiece of Grieg’s Baroque-inspired Holberg Suite and Mendelssohn’s String Symphony No. 10 that captures the essence of these epic Four Seasons. Purchase your tickets here!

Location: Lot G316, Level G, 1 Utama Shopping Centre (New Wing)

Cycle and Carriage introduces new ways to create a unique and sustainable journey for their customers with a lifestyle concept store called neu by Cycle and Carriage with the theme “Electrifying the Future” this August. And if you’re a fan of Mercedes-Benz, you can check out the newly launched vehices on display. For more info, visit the website or follow them on Facebook for the latest updates.

Hada Labo introduces its brand-new revolutionary sheet mask—the Platinum Kotojyun Mask—which contains high penetrating serum, infused with premium platinum nanoparticles. Try it out if you’re interested in reviving your dull skin and keeping it hydrated for a long time—only for RM14.90!

Polylab Biotech, known as the leading Malaysian brand in the consumer health sector, has launched their latest collection of clean, 100% natural, plant-based health supplements called Seaforest. Some of the products include:

Neetashini Kanendran contributed to this article.

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The Devil All The Time Review: A Southern Thriller That Gives Us Tom Holland’s Best Performance Thus Far

When we first saw the trailer for Netflix’s “The Devil All the Time”, we were intrigued. A psychological thriller with a grim, Southern Gothic tone. Set around the mid-60s in the heartland of the midwest, it looked like it’d be a right, ole dark time. It had all the makings of a creepy, little whodunnit with plenty of thrills. What really caught our attention, though, was the appearance of one Tom Holland in the film’s trailer.

Tom Holland, the kid who plays the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) Spider-Man? In a southern thriller akin to something out of a Stephen King novel? Now that really gave us a moment for pause. When we saw Robert Pattinson’s preacher screaming “Delusions!” in the trailer, we were sold!

Well, it’s finally out on Netflix and we’re excited to see how Holland measures up in a serious psychological thriller. Let’s get into it. The film is based on a novel of the same name by writer Donald Roy Pollock. The film is a densely layered drama that sees multiple story arcs and characters converging on our protagonist, Tom Holland’s Arvin Russell. In the sleepy town of Knockemstiff, Ohio, something evil is brewing.

Growing up in a deeply religious household, Arvin was exposed to all the evils of religious tricksters and conmen. So when a slick, seductive preacher named Preston Teagardin comes shuffling into town, things get turned upside down. His story eventually converges with a Bonnie-and-Clyde pair of serial killers and a crooked sheriff as well. Against all odds, Arvin will stop at nothing to protect his family from the snakes and vultures circling them.

Right from the get-go, it’s clear that the film is based off a novel. There are multiple characters, subplots and character arcs set up before we even get to the beginning of the mystery. The film is a little over 2 hours long and is an expansive intergenerational story. A terrifying tapestry of how religious fundamentalism poisons the minds of its believers into doing terrible things. How it allows for rampant abuses and how it must be confronted.

This is where “The Devil All the Time” is a bit of a mixed bag for us. Some of the setups made in the earlier parts of the film do come to a satisfying conclusion. Particularly, Arvin’s arc as an angry man scarred by his father’s blind devotion to a cruel God. Then, there are other elements that come to play later on in the film that falls completely flat. Subplots and payoffs that are spread far too thin.

So while we love how “The Devil All the Time” goes the distance to bring Pollock’s world to vivid life, we can’t help but consider the film’s length to be a weakness. The film’s length is far too short to flesh out every subplot. And yet it feels far too long in trying to tell us everything we need to know. Nonetheless, the film is still a competent and fascinating thriller with plenty of bump-in-the-night chills. It might have been better if it was adapted as a limited miniseries, though. Perhaps along the vein of HBO’s “True Detective” for example.

For those coming into “The Devil All the Time” expecting it to be a light affair, it’s not. The film opens with a pretty brutal scene of a makeshift crucifixion. From then on, it only gets more graphic and brutal. One of the most gut wrenching scenes in the entire film is when a father sacrifices the family dog in an attempt to get God to cure his wife of cancer. So if you’re someone whose particularly squeamish about violence and blood, the film may present itself to be self-indulgent at times. Most of the instances in our opinion, we feel are justified.

The real meat of the film lies in its riveting performance by its talented cast of actors. We had our doubts about Holland playing such a heavy role in a serious psychological thriller. It can be hard to separate the young man from his prominent part in the MCU and the other family-friendly films he’s in. His most notable performance away from his usual upbeat self was in Tom Howard’s “In the Heart of the Sea”. He did fine but nothing that indicated real potential.

Here, however, we get to see him at his most emotionally charged and raw. He plays a young man who inherited his father’s rage and frustration. A rough-and-tumble teenager having to bear the burden of protecting his family. The character archetype isn’t terribly original but somehow, Holland manages to sell it. One bloody montage following his rampage on a group of high school bullies was a real treat to watch. It seems like our boy Holland’s all grown up! Who knows? Maybe, he’ll even star in a David Fincher film one day.

Tom Holland is only second to Robert Pattinson in the film. The “Tenet” actor’s performance as the skeezy Southern preacher Preston Teagardin was nothing short of delightful. The man steals every damn scene he’s in. He musters all the cheap charm and charisma of a snake-oil salesman from a bygone era so effortlessly. Honestly, there were moments in which we felt like clapping while Teagardin was going off on one of his sermons. For some odd reason, Pattinson seems to play morally reprehensible characters very well.

A post shared by Netflix Film (@netflixfilm)

Netflix’s “The Devil All the Time” is a grand cautionary tale on the dangers of religious fundamentalism and the cycle of trauma passed down from it. Even if the film doesn’t exactly nail all of its plot beats perfectly, it’s captivating performances and grim subject matter will invariably catch your attention.

Again, we do feel that the film’s length may be a bit of a turn-off to those looking for a simple good time. That being said, if you’re willing to invest a weekend night to scratch that macabre itch, then “The Devil All the Time” is right up your alley. If you came in looking to see if Holland could deliver the dramatic goods, you will not be disappointed.

You can now catch “The Devil All the Time” today on Netflix!


Concert Review: It Was Boyband Heaven At Westlife’s Comeback Tour

The last time we saw Westlife in Malaysia, it was during their 2011 “Gravity” tour at Bukit Jalil. Fast forward 8 years later, the Irish lads proved that they are still number 1.

Around 7000 fans gathered at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam last night (Thursday, 8th August) to witness Westlife’s sold-out “The Twenty Tour” Live in Kuala Lumpur.

Despite being on a hiatus since splitting up in 2012, it was evident from the sold-out concerts that the quartet’s popularity had barely simmered down. We’re going to assume that Westlife loves us slightly more than Singapore since they are only performing in our neighbouring country for 1 night.

With 14 number 1 hits and an upcoming new album “Spectrum” on the horizon, there was a lot to go through Westlife’s music portfolio. Following a short intro, Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan dan Mark Feehily ascended unto the stage to open with “Hello, My Love” – the Ed Sheeran penned comeback before taking us back to where it all began with their debut single, the first of many chart-toppers to come, “Swear It Again”.

Concert-goers were invited to go on a retrospective journey as the UK boyband belted out hit song after hit song from their accomplished pop careers. “What About Now”, “My Love”, “When You’re Looking Like That”, “Uptown Girl” and “If I Let You Go” brought us back to the good ol’ times in the 90s.

Before their outfit change (there were 5 in total), Byrne took the opportunity to shine the spotlight on the case of 15-year-old Nora Anne Quoirin. The Irish girl was reported missing after she and her family stayed at a resort in Seremban last week. The singer shared that they’ve been in contact with her parents and urged everyone to do whatever they can to help.

Much to our surprise, Westlife also performed a medley tribute to Queen. Some were a bit confused by the inclusion of “Another One Bites the Dust” / “Radio Gaga” / “I Want to Break Free” / “Somebody to Love” / “Don’t Stop Me Now” / “We Will Rock You” / “We Are the Champions”.

But for those who have watched last year’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and are a fan of Queen, this section was probably a welcome to the list. Still, it took some adjustment to see the foursome in leather, fringing and rhinestones ensemble pulling off their best dad dancing.

Before the men returned to the stage with their denim on denim outfits, a video was shown across the screens. In the interview, each of the members recalled their childhood days and the first time they got on stage to sing. They also shared a little on what they’ve been doing during the long hiatus.

Filan has released 3 studio albums and an EP. He was even in Kuala Lumpur to promote “Love Always” and performed for a Malaysian couple during their wedding. Feehily too pursued a solo career and recently shared that he’s expecting his first child with fiancé Cailean O’Neill. Meanwhile, Egan went into television and Byrne (who hasn’t aged much) was hosting his own radio show before the reunion.

During the acoustic set, Feehily explained there was just too little time to sing every hit song. So they compensated by singing snippets of a few favourites and had a fun interaction with the audience. Byrne even got (most of) us to put away our phones when they sang “Queen of My Heart”.

Throughout the night, Westlife also performed 2 more songs – “Better Man” and their newly-released single “Dynamite” (both of which were written by Sheeran). “You Raise Me Up” was another beautiful moment when the whole concert venue was bathed in the torchlights of people’s mobile phones.

The night ended on a perfect encore note with “Flying Without Wings” and “World of Our Own”. It was truly eargasmic to hear Feehily’s vocals sore during those high notes. This wasn’t just magical night of music, it was boyband heaven.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy) on Aug 9, 2019 at 12:56am PDT

Westlife’s “The Twenty Tour” setlist in Malaysia:

A post shared by  Shane Filan (@shanefilanofficial) on Aug 8, 2019 at 7:51am PDT

Fans can now look forward to the debut of “Spectrum” and their upcoming music documentary.

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9 Kickass Korean Cafes We Love

Way before the Korean Wave reached our shores, there were barely any coffee shops operated by Koreans that was known to public. Although some Koreans have stayed in our country for years, their community was considered small and relatively unknown to the locals. As such, some of them have taken the opportunity to build up their own business and introduce their culture to the locals.

Due to the growing coffee culture in Malaysia, Korean cafes are currently on steady rise. We finally got our first-hand experience of the Korean cafe scene that is already miles ahead of us. From the famous coffee franchise to a Parisian-themed bakery cafe, here are some of the Korean cafes we love in Malaysia:

1. Namoo On The Park (Publika Shopping Gallery)

Namoo on the Park is one of the first Korean dessert cafe-cum-bistro that opened in KL city. They first opened its store on 18th July 2012 and became well-known through their signature potato cake. In fact, the cafe introduced other iconic Korean desserts such as Bingsu (shaved ice), Hotteok, (sweet pancakes), Mat Tang (caramel sweet potato bites), and so on.

Although it was opened as a Korean dessert cafe, Namoo is also a perfect place for brunch or dinner as they serve a Korean fusion cuisine such as Bulgogi Taco, Bibi Rice Burger, and Cheese Dokbukki. The cafe has a special photo zone at its entrance for patrons to take photos with their cute mascot (the tree-like character on the wall) and vintage decor in the cafe as well. We especially love the ambience of the cafe as it occasionally plays the soothing Korean indie songs that makes us want to stay in the cafe whole day.

For more information, check out their official Facebook page.

2. Caffe Bene (Sunway Pyramid & Solaris Mont Kira)

If traditional ice kacang isn’t your thing, perhaps you should try the Korean version of shaved ice, Bingsu! Caffe Bene is an iconic coffee franchise that has opened more than 600 outlets in Asian countries. Caffe Bene in Sunway Pyramid is their first store here in Malaysia and the store’s ambassador, Lee Kwang-soo (of “Running Man fame”), was even invited to the grand launch of the store in March.

Despite being a relatively new coffee shop, Caffe Bene gained its popularity through their signature Belgian Liege Waffles and Bingsu. Both offer many different flavours to choose from but our favourites are Matcha Bingsu and Tiramisu waffles. Usually it is best to choose a small bingsu as the serving is big enough for 2 or 3 people to share. As for coffee and gelato, the coffees are slightly sweeter than the usual coffees but nonetheless they’re claimed to be made from the best seasonally harvested fresh coffee beans in the world. Italian gelato, natural fruit smoothies, cocktails, and honey breads are some of the things that are featured in their menu as well. It is best to visit the cafe during weekdays or to go earlier to avoid disappointment in securing your seats.

For more information, check out their official website.

3. Coffea Coffee (Sunway Pyramid, Bangsar & SS15 Subang Jaya, The Curve)

Similar to Caffe Bene, Coffea Coffee is a coffee franchise from Korea that has opened its first outlet in Bangsar at the end of 2012. The cafe serves up to 13 standard coffee types including espresso, americano, cafe latte, cafe mocha, cappucino, flat white, latte macchiato, and so on. Perhaps what makes the cafe stand out among the rest is that it serves speciality coffees from top plantations in Brazil, Guateala, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sumatra, Columbia, and Costa Rica. The house blend coffees are available in 2 varieties: maestro, a strong full-bodied American-style coffee with dark chocolate undertones; and madonna, a sweet European-style roasted blend with a fruity aroma and a dash of acidity. However, we frequently visit the coffee shop for their signature peanut butter latte and tiramisu cake.

4. Tous Les Jours (Bangsar Telawi, WOLO Bukit Bintang)

Its vast selection of fresh baked loaves, pastries, and cakes are the reasons why we go back to Tous Les Jours over and over again to buy their baked goods. Tous Les Jours is one of Korea’s coffee franchises that opened its first outlet in Telawi, Bangsar, followed by their second outlet in WOLO Hotel Bukit Bintang last year. As compared to the outlet in Bangsar, we prefer the outlet in WOLO Bukit Bintang as it is spacious for patrons to enjoy a Sunday brunch or just watch life pass by on the busy streets of KL. On top of that, the bakery cafe mimics the french cottage style that makes us imagine that we’re spending time in a comfy European cottage in the warm afternoon light.

So far, Tous Les Jours only serves their exclusive breakfast set at WOLO Bukit Bintang including WOLO Egg Benedicts, Egg & Soldier, TLJ Breakfast, Cheese Mushroom Omelette and Banana Ricotta Cheese & French Toast. The food there still has room of improvement but overall it’s an enjoyable experience to dine in such a lovely French-Asian bakery-cafe.

For more information, check out Tous Les Jours’ official website.

5. Bros. Korean Dessert Cafe (Seremban Uptown Avenue S2)

Bored of the cafe scene in KL? Fret not! The coffee culture has been introduced to our nearby cities as more and more cafes are opening in places such as Ipoh and Seremban. While European-style cafes were introduced in the main cities, Bros. Cafe is a stand-alone Korean dessert cafe located in Uptown Avenue S2, Seremban.

While we haven’t been able to personally visit the cafe, we heard a lot of great reviews about the cafe and many had suggested for us to visit the cafe if we are in the town! Plus, the rustic and minimalistic decor in the cafe simply make us feel like this could be a great way to spend our afternoons. Some of the recommended food or beverages to try are the iced latte and strawberry cup bingsu.

For more information, check out their Facebook page.

Most of the Korean coffee franchises can be found easily in KL city but Cafe Olle is a hidden gem tucked away in Sri Hartamas. While Sri Hartamas is crowded with authentic Korean marts and BBQ restaurants, Cafe Olle is the latest addition to the neighbourhood for being one of the first Korean cafes to be opened in the area.

Together with his barista, the cafe owner Gilbert Kim has paid full attention in roasting the best coffee for patrons. They have even imported the specialty coffee from Terarosa, a coffee factory that roasts, brews, and sells coffees beans directly imported from the most famous coffee plantations around the world. The interior of the cafe is nothing to shout about but we love the simplicity of the cafe and the baristas’ attentiveness in the shop. In fact, the cafe serves a variety of cakes and lattes that make for perfect combinations!

SeoulScape is particular well known among the K-Pop fans as the cafe sells some exclusive K-Pop merchandise and decorates their wall with K-Pop posters as well. In fact, the cafe often plays some of the latest K-Pop hits for patrons who visit the cafe as well. Calling it a cafe doesn’t seem fitting in this context as they don’t primarily serve coffee for the patrons here. However, the cafe has incorporated their distinct style by serving more than just coffee and cakes as they serve some traditional Korean cuisines as well.

We must add that although the food is nothing to shout about, their friendly service is a big plus for patrons who want to visit the cafe.

8. Nabe Bakery Cafe (Ampang, Solaris Mont Kiara)

Tous Les Jours faces one of its toughest competition, Nabe Bakery Cafe, as Nabe was said to be a Korean version of the infamous RT Pastry House.

The cafe first opened its first outlet in Ampang as a family-run business. Recently, the cafe owner has opened a 2nd outlet at Solaris Mont Kiara to accommodate more patrons who want to enjoy their brunch at the cafe. Just like Tous Les Jours, Nabe boasts a vast selection of baked goods including cakes, breads, and biscuits made from ingredients imported from Korea. Patrons can enjoy a fulfilling bread brunch which goes well with Nabe’s ice drip Dutch coffee or a refreshing Kiwi juice. And of course, the patbingsu is a must try dessert at the cafe as it is a perfect treat for the warm weather here.

B. Station once had 4 outlets but they are now focusing on their one and only outlet at Ampang Korean Village. Thus, it took us quite some time to locate the cafe as various addresses often led us back to its old location.

B Station is considered a hidden gem in Ampang Korean Village as most people would come here to enjoy dinner at the Korean BBQ restaurants nearby. However, patrons should be able to recognise the cafe from its minimalistic, seamless exterior design. It almost doesn’t feel real but stepping into the cafe is like stepping into a quant little house which is cosy rather than confined. The cafe owner put a lot of effort in decorating the cafe to ensure that the homey vibe is comfortable for patrons. In fact, the cafe can accommodate up to 40 people on the second floor but the floor is only open for private functions.

It is worth to note that the cafe owner has taken everything into consideration as they hired a Muslim chef to cook their homemade food which is pork-free and MSG-free. In fact, some of the drinks here are usually mixed with homemade enzyme, including Lemon Enzyme and Mojito Apple Enzyme. Plus, we had the chance to try their bestsellers including the chicken teriyaki hotdog and belgium but it was only average for us. We definitely will come back here just to spend and afternoon in its cosy ambience.

So, what do you think of the list? If you’ve recently discovered a new Korean cafe in town, do let us know in the comment box below!

As more and more Korean cafes are opening up in Malaysia, we’ve updated the list of Korean cafes you can visit here! Check it out! :)

This is definitely an exciting cafe scene and we can’t wait to see more Korean cafes to open their outlets here in Malaysia!

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#Aeon: Mahkota Cheras Outlet To Close Down

Uh oh, looks like another one is about to bite the dust.

Reports have confirmed that Aeon Co (M) Bhd will be selling off the Aeon Mahkota Cheras shopping mall due to its underwhelming performance. It is believed that earnings contribution has been one of the lowest to the company.

The Japanese retail giant has struck an agreement with Foremost Wealth Management Sdn Bhd to sell the 2-storey 304,920 square feet retail mall for RM87.8 million. For those that didn’t know, Aeon Mahkota Cheras shopping centre is 7 years old and is among the company’s smallest malls.

“While details of the Aeon Mahkota Cheras mall were not disclosed (i.e. revenue, operating profit), we understand that the mall has been underperforming over the years and contribution to Aeon’s retailing segment was minimal,” Maybank was quoted as saying.

Do you think that Aeon Co (M) Bhd is making the right decision by closing down the Mahkota Cheras outlet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.


3 Eclectic Brands You Can Find At Sift & Pick’s First Physical Malaysian Store!

Calling all fashionistas – have you been wanting to see your favourite cult fashion names in the flesh? Well, make your way to Mid Valley Megamall now, because Singapore fashion bag destination Sift & Pick officially announced their grand opening in February of its first ever physical store in Kuala Lumpur! With only the most fresh and unique pieces, you’ll definitely be at the forefront of any and every trend at Sift & Pick.

For those who are new to the brand, Sift & Pick is a cult fashion destination for under-the-radar designer bags from all over the world. With trend-spotting at its core, every brand and product is curated by working directly with an extensive network of fashion brands, including these 3 that you HAVE to check out ASAP:

RAINS is an outerwear lifestyle brand from Denmark. Its collections combine a conceptual, utilitarian design strategy with a significant urban influence and a distinctive fabric identity. With a colour scheme for coated waterproof fabric that was inspired by RAINS’ original concept, they provide a modern take on the traditional rubber raincoat.

With their stunning, fashionable creations, the fashion company FIND KAPOOR strives to make life wonderful. Their popular “Marty” series, which has an iconic flap and a minimalist box design, is a cult favourite among Sift & Pick’s clients, as well as on the streets of Seoul. It comes in a wide variety of sizes, colours, and shapes.

Thailand’s TATHATA brand creates practical, ecological bags for daily use. TATHATA first made bags by manually sewing them, but they have since evolved into everyday multipurpose bags that most people choose while purchasing at Sift & Pick. Their RELIFE backpacks, which can be transformed into totes and slings, are the most well-liked models. And fun fact: they use recycled plastic bottles to make them!

Experience Sift & Pick physically and touch and feel their unique collections, in the flesh! They’re located on the first floor of Mid Valley Megamall and are open from 10am to 10pm daily.


#CollateralBeauty: Hugh Jackman & Rooney Mara To Star

Known for directing small-scale indie films such as “The Town That Dreaded Sundown” and “Me & Earl & the Dying Girl”, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon’s next directorial outing may be the one that would catapult him to mainstream fame.

According to Variety, Gomez-Rejon’s next project, “Collateral Beauty“, will star Hugh Jackman and Rooney Mara.

Set in a New York-based ad agency, the movie tells the story of a man whose life is spiralling downward after facing multiple setbacks in life that sends him down a path of deep depression. Michael Sugar and Bard Dorros are attached to produce it based on the original screenplay written by Allan Loeb.

Jackman is a Hollywood A-lister who is known for his portrayal as Wolverine in the “X-Men” franchise. He also starred in other box-office hits such as “Real Steel” and “Les Misérables“. As for Mara, she debuted in 2005 and starred in films such as “The Winning Season” and “Youth in Revolt”. She had her big break as Lisbeth Salander in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo“.

Gomez-Rejon is a hot commodity in Hollywood as his forthcoming film “Me & Earl & the Dying Girl” recently won the “U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic” and the “Audience Award for U.S. Drama” at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. He is also known for directing several episodes of “Glee” and “American Horror Story”. Last year, he was nominated for an Emmy for “Outstanding Directing For a Miniseries” for “American Horror Story: Coven”.

“Collateral Beauty” is currently in its infant steps of production, as no distributor or financier is attached to the project yet.

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