#Staycation: Retreat To These Quiet Places Within Klang Valley To Catch A Break

Can’t get away from school, work, or home for an extended period of time but desperately need to catch a break? Want to get away from it all but want to do more than just going to the nearest cinema to catch the latest flick or hang out at a cafe? Fret not. There are some pretty quiet retreats for you to make a quick dash to if you want a peace of mind – all located within the Klang Valley area! And the best part is that most of these getaways are surrounded by lush nature or built with nature in mind.

We’ve found 5 pretty awesome retreats that you can totally hide out at over a weekend. Heck, you can even do it for 5 weekends (since there are 5 to choose from and all) if you’d like.

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

Taman Sari is located at: Pekan Batu 18, 43100, Malaysia

For more information, visit their website.

This pristine rainforest retreat is easily accessible, since it’s located only about 30 minutes’ drive from Kuala Lumpur city centre. Surrounded by an ideal natural environment, the Templer Park Rainforest Retreat sits on a 3-acre elevated land overlooking Bukit Tanun and lakes, allows guests to chill, relax, de-stress, and recharge. There’s even a fishing pond, a viewing deck, and also BBQ sets for your cooking needs.

The Templer Park Rainforest Retreat is located at: No 23, Jalan 3/2, Templer Heights, Templer Park, Rawang

For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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

The Bamboo Village is located at: Lorong Serai 4/3, 43100 Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia

For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.

4. Aman Dusun Orchard & Farm Retreat, Hulu Langat

The Aman Dusun Orchard & Farm Retreat sits on a sprawling and undulating 4-acre property (part of a bigger and separate 12-acre farm) and a a unique retreat conceptualised by 2 very passionate people who are deep into environmental issues and conservation. Choose from the very much loved Riverview Bungalow with an infinity pool facing the pristine Hulu Langat river bank or the Blue House, an additional guest house which can accommodate up to maximum 11 guests. Aman Dusun also has abundant of seasonal fruit trees; these include the durian, mangosteen, pulasan, rambutan, cempedak, dukung and petai. A stay in the orchard gives an inside view, experience and an opportunity to impart good values, care and devotion to the environment.

Aman Dusun Orchard & Farm Retreat is located at: Lot 1173, Batu 16 Dusun Tua, 43100, Hulu Langat Selangor

From the people who brought you the Sekeping Serendah Retreat, Sekeping Tenggiri is probably closer to home. It’s an intimate and relaxing getaway guesthouse accommodation in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. Sure, it looks like an unfinished house at the final stage of its construction complete with unpainted walls, but perhaps it’s its rawness that truly exudes charm. By utilising a lot of glass and windows, the space inside Sekeping Tenggiri is perpetually flooded with natural light during the day. You might find it refreshing to bask in for a weekend, just to get your mind off mundane work stress.

Sekeping Tenggiri is located at: 48 Jalan Tenggiri, Taman Weng Lock, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur 59100

Be right back, packing our bags to go away for the weekend ;)

Feature image from Templer Park Rainforest Retreat.

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#Disney: It’s A Trap…Not! It’s The New Official #StarWarsApp

So, we’ve just downloaded Disney‘s official “Star Wars” app and there’s only one thing we can say: It’s a trap!

All right, not really. But almost no work has been done ever since we downloaded this new interactive app.

In case you didn’t know, Lucasfilm and Disney Interactive have launched the official Star Wars app, a new free app that allows fans to put the Star Wars universe in their pockets.

This app was announced earlier in July during this year’s San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). It provides breaking news, rich media, social updates, special events, and interactive features for the countdown to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and beyond.

The force is rather strong with this app as it connects fans to a galaxy far, far away anytime, anywhere. All they need to do is tap buttons on their phones to experience the world of Star Wars in a native mobile experience.

The “Star Wars” app brings together a set of fun, innovative features that are completely customisable. In addition, it also pulls in exclusive content and news from Star Wars’ expansive network of digital channels, including StarWars.com as well as the official Star Wars channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Tumblr, and Google+.

Users can also theme the app with light side, dark side, or droid interfaces, each containing different designs, sounds, and animations.

“Star Wars” news are updated daily and in real-time in this app. Fans can get instant notifications on big announcements from across the franchise, including trailer releases, movie updates and game news.

The news feed is fully customisable, so users can filter which platforms their updates are coming from, and which aspects of the Star Wars franchise they’re hearing about.

This is by far the coolest feature in the “Star Wars” app.

By using an exclusive augmented reality camera feature, it brings the Star Wars universe to life when we unlock 3D characters from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”.

The trigger for this feature will change over time, introducing new characters and objects.

Fans can watch their latest and official “Star Wars” videos, including movie trailers, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and more.

“Force Trainer” is an interactive activity where users can duel a training remote, as seen in “Star Wars: A New Hope”. It allows app users to wield a lightsaber and hone their skills by playing with the Force Trainer.

We foresee this feature becoming the most popular feature as fans can take and share a Star Wars “selfie” in various iconic costumes and settings, including Jedi, Princess Leia, Han Solo’s carbon-freeze, and more.

Fans can share animated GIFs with friends and family of memorable scenes and characters from the Star Wars movies and TV shows, including “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Star Wars Rebels”.

Fans can share their emojis via their social media accounts too, or download them to share with their friends as attachments.

For a fun interactive experience, the app allows fans to play classic sound clips and sound effects from their favorite “Star Wars” characters, creatures, weapons, vehicles, and scenes. It also featureds the franchise’s iconic quotes, such as , the infamous “I am your father” soundbite and Luke Skywalker’s responding: “Noooooooooo!”

Fans can transform into a “walking encyclopedia” as they discover behind-the-scenes fun facts with “This Day In Star Wars History” feature in the app.

Featuring original art and parallax effects of in-universe planets and locales, the “Star Wars” app features “Star Wars”-themed weather and 5-day forecasts.

Created especially with fans in mind, the app is equipped with Star Wars ID which lets users join the growing Star Wars fan community by choosing an avatar, creating a handle, and building a connected profile.

The app will continue to evolve along with the franchise, and users can look forward to regular updates and new features. The app also helps fans discover the latest Star Wars digital apps, products, and experiences.

The “Star Wars” app is now available for both iOS and Android devices. You can download them for free via Apple’s iTunes store, Google Play, and Amazon.

Directed by J.J. Abrams and written by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is set to be released on 18th Dec 2015.

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

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#WWIC2015: WINNER Announces Fan-Meeting Tour

WINNER’s fans/Inner Circle, time to make a prayer circle (pun intended) now because South Korean boy band WINNER has announced that they will be going on a worldwide fan-meeting tour soon!

Having pulled through YG Entertainment’s reality-survival program, “WIN: WHO IS NEXT”, the 5-member boy band made their debut in August and have been actively promoting themselves through their performances in music shows. Just a month after their debut, WINNER joined the rest of the YG artistes to perform at “YG Family 2014 GALAXY Tour: Power in Singapore”.

As their popularity is on steady rise, the band is set to meet overseas fans through an upcoming fan-meeting tour, “Worldwide Inner Circle Conference 2015” (WWIC 2015).

The group has previously teased fans about the fan-meeting tour through 2 mysterious teasers that were being posted up on WINNER’s Facebook page.

The mysterious teasers were then revealed by WINNER themselves through a new teaser image on their official Facebook page. A video clip was posted at the same time, detailing the fan-meeting tour.

The fan-meeting tour will allow WINNER to interact with fans more as well as provide answers to questions that the fans have been wanting to ask. The group will also talk about the journey they have taken with their fans and present their sincerity through a special stage.

According to AKP, YG Entertainment explained in a press statement that the event will be able to establish a fandom culture for WINNER and their fans:

This project won’t be just an ordinary fan-meeting, but one through which Winner and Inner Circle can progress together and establish a fandom culture. It will be a good present for fans.

Just as the poster suggested, the list of cities that they will be visiting will be announced soon so do check back with us for more updates!

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


PLUS Malaysia On How To Avoid Long Traffic Jams During Hari Raya

Hari Raya is just around the corner and we know everyone is worried about how traffic is going to be like on the days they choose to ‘balik kampung’. The thing about going back to your hometown during the holidays is that you can never predict if other people have the same idea as you.

One has to consider various options and come up with some alternative solutions on how to avoid traffic. Maybe PLUS can give a little insight so you can properly plan your journey later.

As reported by Bernama, PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) has advised Malaysians who are going back to their home towns this Raya to plan an early trip before 10am. It is expected there will be over 2 million vehicles using the highways everyday during the whole week of Raya.

“As this is the first time after two years of Movement Control Order (MCO) that Malaysians are allowed to return to their home villages to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri, we expect about two million vehicles, which is an increase of 25% compared to 1.6 million vehicles a day using our highways currently,” said PLUS CEO Datuk Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi.

The highway operator has issued a “Balik Kampung dan Pulang Ke Bandar” travel time advisory which they posted on their Facebook page as well as their Twitter account. The advisory is posted so that motorist will be able to avoid traffic from 29th April to 2nd May.

Zakaria also mentioned that some journeys might take Malaysians up to 10 hours if they do not follow the travel time advisories. It is advised to those who are returning to the Klang Valley after the Hari Raya celebrations from 5th May – 9th May that they should hit the road by 9am or earlier.

If you want to know more on the exact time or what day you should be travelling to ‘balik kampung’, visit PLUS’s social media platforms for more information so that your journey will go smoothly with little to no problem.

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68 Individuals Compounded RM1k For Disobeying SOPs At Bangsar Bar

Another day, another premise failed to adhere to the government’s SOPs during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) period.

This time, a total of 68 people at a bar in Jalan Telawi, Bangsar, have been compounded RM1,000 each for violating the RMCO rule over the weekend.

According to Brickfields OCPD, Asst. Comm. Zairulnizam Mohd Zainuddin @ Hilmi, the compounds were issued at 10:24pm on Saturday (3rd October). In a statement released to the press, all 68 individuals were caught for not complying to the physical distancing rule. 65 visitors of the pub were compounded during the raid. The other 3 individuals were the outlet manager and its employees.

That’s not all! It was also reported that the premise didn’t have a valid business license and even failed to register their patrons. Asst. Comm. Zairulnizam then proceeded to urge owners of pubs and bars to adhere to the RMCO. To quote the police official, “Failure to do so will result in stern action.”

With the massive increase of Covid-19 cases in our country over the past few days, we believe it is best for everyone to play their role by social distancing and also avoiding large crowds.


(UPDATE) #EXO: K-Pop Idol Boy Group To Make A Comeback In March

This year is set to be another amazing year for K-Pop lovers because some of the biggest and hottest idol groups are gearing up to make their long-awaited comeback. Just recently, it was revealed that BIGBANG will be making a triumphant return with a new album in April while JYJ‘s Junsu just released a bunch of teaser images for his upcoming comeback in March.

Despite all the hardships (members’ departures and dating rumours) they had gone through in the past, it has finally been confirmed that SM Entertainment’s EXO will make their comeback next month.

The group was previously rumoured to make a comeback on 25th Oct but the plan eventually fell apart due to Luhan‘s lawsuit against the company. Korean media outlet Sports Donga later exclusively reported that the group will make their comeback in January 2015. In December 2014, the group officially announced their comeback through their performances at 2014 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA). However, no details regarding the comeback were announced.

After touring around the world for their 1st solo concert tour “The Lost Planet” in 2014, SM Entertainment announced that EXO will hold their 2nd solo concert in Seoul next month. Now it seems like the group will be performing some new songs at the concert because the group is set to make a comeback in March as well.

The comeback was announced by Lay of EXO-M during an interview with CCTV‘s Spring Festival earlier this week. He was one of the MCs of CCTV’s Spring Festival web gala. The network updated their official Weibo account and revealed Lay has confirmed that the group will be making their comeback this coming March.

It would mark EXO’s first comeback in 10 months after the release of their 2nd mini album “Overdose”. It is also the group’s first comeback without the 2 of its original members so fans are curious to find out what the group has prepared for them.

The wait is over, EXO-Ls. EXO’s comeback date has finally been confirmed!

According to Korean media outlet Sports Donga, EXO is expected to make a comeback on 30th March. SM Entertainment has yet to respond to the report, but Sports Donga reported that various idol groups have already started moving their comeback to a much later date. A former idol singer is said to have pushed back his comeback date from  the end of March to May. Another experienced singer is also thinking to delay his April comeback.

Meanwhile, the group has revealed several new songs from their upcoming album at their recent solo concert. Suho of EXO-K also announced that the group will be making a comeback with a title track named “Call Me Baby”.

So, who’s ready for EXO’s comeback? What do you think their new album will look like? Share your thoughts in the comments box below :D


#FlightLogTurbulence: The GOT7 Boys Are As Lovable As Ever On Their Return To Malaysia

It was the day Malaysian IGOT7s (as fans of GOT7 are lovingly known as) have all been waiting for. After more than a year and a half, the idol group finally came back to Malaysia on Sunday (4th December) for “Flight Log: Turbulence in Malaysia 2016” to put on a heck of a show.

Hours before the Malaysian leg of the tour started, fans crowded the venue. Banners of the members were set up in front of the concert hall and IGOT7s took the opportunity to take photos with the members of their choice. Well, if you can’t snap a photo with them in person, the next best thing would be a full-sized banner, right? ;)

At around 6pm, the lights dimmed and fans screamed their hearts out as silhouettes could be seen on stage. Alas, it wasn’t the boys who appeared on stage, but the emcee and the translator of the night. It elicited nervous laughter from fans as they’ve been patiently waiting for the appearance of their beloved idols.

However, GOT7 did not make fans wait, as they emerged on stage moments later to perform 2 slow numbers off their latest album, “Flight Log: Turbulence”, which were “Let Me” and “Prove It”. Understandably, it melted the hearts of IGOT7s, who were used to the group performing faster and more upbeat songs like their previous title tracks “A”, “Stop Stop It”, and “Just Right”.

GOT7 just exploded on stage with “Let Me”! Their vocals are killing us ?

A video posted by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy) on Dec 4, 2016 at 2:17am PST

After the performance, they went backstage for a short break, but appeared once again for the interaction session.

A board filled with questions and requests from fans were brought up to stage and the members had to choose a post-it note and fulfil the request of said fan. It seemed like Youngjae was the most popular member as most of the requests were directed to him, and the members also had a field day making him do things.

The main vocalist was made to deliver ridiculous demands such as breaking out into a sexy dance (with the accompaniment of dance machine Yugyeom), rap Bambam’s part in “Hard Carry”, and showed his love to fans by using his body. However, the highlight of the evening was when the singer sang his solo track “Trauma” live. It was a surprise as the song wasn’t an official release and the singer never got to serenade fans in official events.

#Youngjae just sang his solo track, “Trauma”, and we’re swooning ? #GOT7 #GOTinKL #GOT7inMY #FlightLog #FlightLogTurbulence #Concert #Youngjae

A video posted by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy) on Dec 4, 2016 at 2:33am PST

The boys then performed 2 more numbers – “Boom X3” and “No Jam” – before coming back for the game sessions. They were asked to play a few games and the loser(s) had to pose for a ugly photo. For a game called “Guess The Item”, the members were split into 2 teams and separated by their age. The hyung team was made up of Mark, JB, Jinyoung, and Jackson, while the maknae team was comprised of Youngjae, Bambam, and Yugyeom.

Both teams had to put their hands into a box and guess the item that was inside by just touching it. This ensued in some hilarious moments as the members tried their best to guess the item but were afraid of whatever that was inside. However, Bambam, being a Thai himself, guessed his item correctly (a Dragonfruit, a well-known fruit in Southeast Asia) while Jackson guessed his team’s item (a Starfruit) correctly based on the shape.

As it was a draw, the both teams played rock, paper, scissors to determine the loser. Lo and behold, it was the maknae team that lost and they were required to make ugly faces for a Polaroid photo.

Jackson, Jinyoung, and JB were fairly quiet at the beginning, but while it was typical for Jinyoung and JB to not talk much – they’re men of few words, after all. We were surprised that Jackson (the most talkative member of the team) kept up the silent front. However, it might be because the Hong Kong national was seated at the far left, which was at the opposite end of the emcee, or needed some time to warm up.

Our worries were for naught, as the former fencer soon resumed his talkative self and chattered away. He was also the most active one during the games, aside from Bambam, making mischievous jokes and hyping up the crowd. Jackson also spoke in Cantonese, which delighted fans to no end!

#GOT7 just ended their show with #HardCarry ? It’s really time to say goodbye. #GOT7 #GOTinKL #GOT7inMY #FlightLog #FlightLogTurbulence #Concert

A video posted by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy) on Dec 4, 2016 at 4:01am PST

He told fans to protect themselves and while he understood that the weather was extremely hot in the country, he advised female IGOT7s to not wear shorts and to protect themselves well in a very protective and possessive manner ?  That incited rapturous laughter from fans who couldn’t contain their glee.

During the ending talk session, the boys said their goodbyes and thanked fans for attending the show. They expressed their gratitude to Malaysian fans profusely, as when they came to the country in 2014 to shoot the music video for “A”, they were surprised by the warm welcome and the amount of fans who greeted them at the airport.

A short VCR made by fans to GOT7 was then shown on screen, before the boys burst onstage for the last time to perform their latest title track, “Hard Carry“.

The last time the boys were here, the group was only 1 year old and their inexperience showed on stage. They admitted that they were nervous and their conversations were filled with awkward silences. This time around, thought, they were more comfortable with the crowd and they put on a good show while entertaining the crowd as best as they could.

Our only gripe was that they didn’t perform more songs but it’s understandable, considering that it was a fan meeting instead of a full-fledged concert. We’ll be waiting for a concert, for sure ;)

The track list for “Flight Log: Turbulence in Malaysia 2016” is as follows:

If you’d like to relive the night or didn’t get a chance to attend the fan meet, fret not, our Instagram is filled with videos and photos from the day. Don’t say we didn’t share ;)

Special thanks to our friends from IME Asia for extending the invite. Till next time, GOT7!

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#MissionImpossible5: Tom Cruise Goes Rogue As Ethan Hunt In New Official Trailer

It’s a “go rogue or go home” situation for Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise, who is reprising his role as IMF Agent Ethan Hunt in the 5th installment of the “Mission Impossible” series.

After debuting a slew of characters’ posters, Paramount Pictures has released a brand new trailer for “Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation”.

Based on a script written by Drew Pearce and Will Stapleshe, the film is helmed by director Christopher McQuarrie. It is a reunion for Cruise and McQuarrie as both of them worked together on 2012’s “Jack Reacher”. Cruise co-produced the film alongside “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” director J.J. Abrams and David Ellison of Skydance Productions.

Jeremy Renner (of Marvel’s”The Avengers” fame), Ving Rhames (of “Pulp Fiction” fame), and Simon Pegg (of “Star Trek” fame) are reprising their respective roles in the American action spy film. Newcomer Rebecca Ferguson is joining the cast to portray the female lead named Ilsa Faust while “30 Rock” actor Alec Baldwin will be playing the head of the CIA who will presumably supervise Hunt’s operations.

Ethan and team take on their most impossible mission yet, eradicating the Syndicate – an International rogue organization as highly skilled as they are, committed to destroying the IMF.

Paramount Pictures pushed up its release date to avoid competition with the James Bond movie “Spectre” (November release) and the new Star Wars film, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (December release).

Slated for release on 31st July 2015 (US), “Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation” is a Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot production.

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


#Muji: Japanese Retail Company To Open First Muji Cafe (Cafe&Meal) In Singapore

Fans of Japanese retail company, Muji, you’d be glad to know that Muji Singapore will open a cafe (Cafe&Meal) in a couple of months!

This is in line with what MyPaper reported a year ago, shortly after Muji opened its flagship outlet at VivoCity and a concept store at Changi Airport Terminal 2. Back then, it was said that more Muji product lines were expected to make their way to Singapore, including services like a cafe and renovation services.

According to The Straits Times, the Muji Cafe&Meal will open its doors at Paragon mall along Orchard Road in Singapore on 5th September. The 122 sq m premises will be adjacent to its current Muji outlet in the shopping mall and the store will undergo a revamp in line with the cafe’s opening.

As it stands, there are 23 Cafe&Meal outlets in Japan and 4 outlets overseas (2 in Hong Kong, and 1 each in Chengdu and Taiwan). The design of the cafes is synonymous with the Japanese lifestyle brand of minimalist chic, with simple wood furnishing.

Menu items served at Muji Singapore’s Cafe&Meal outlet will be based on the deli offerings and recipes from Japan, but using ingredients from Singapore or Malaysia. There will also be an emphasis on desserts, such as baked pudding, a popular item in Japan.

For more information, hit up Muji Singapore’s Facebook page.

Sources: The Straits Times, MyPaper / Featured image from ameblo.jp.


Is It Worth Trading In Your Older iPhones For The New iPhone 14 Series?

YES! The iPhone 14 series was recently released, and everyone is crazy about it. That being said, the most frequently asked question among Apple users is, “Should I upgrade my mobile to the iPhone 14 series?” It all depends on the phone you’re currently using.

If you own a slightly older model, such as the iPhone 12 or 13 then you should hold off trading. If you own a much older phone, such as the iPhone X, it’s preferable if you can trade it in for the new one, but only if you get a good deal. Why is this so? Are the old ones bad? Not necessarily. But if you are thinking of trading your older generation iPhones, then here is all you need to know before doing so:

The iPhone X is still a good phone on its own and it’s still quite useful today as it’s compatible with the new iOS 16. However, the phone is a bit behind when it comes to more advanced functions. How is it compared to the iPhone 14 or the 14 Plus? The iPhone X variants were first launched back in 2017 so if you’ve been using this phone since the year it was released, then it may be time to upgrade to the iPhone 14 lineup. Here’s why:

Moving on to the slightly newer models, the successors to the iPhone X, the iPhone 11 lineup. The 11 and the 11 Pro Max give better performance than the X variants obviously but they still don’t necessarily hold up to the new standard of the iPhone 14 series. A lot has been added and improved since the 2019 releases.

In conclusion, the iPhone 14 lineup is a good bargain to trade in, especially if you’ve been using older models such as the iPhone X, or iPhone 11 for a long time now. Overall, the new releases definitely offer better camera quality, battery life, and performance.

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Experience Malaysia’s Biggest Culture & Lifestyle Expo This July

Get ready to participate in a motivational and powerful festival known as The Culture, one of the largest cultural event that inspires the millennials in Malaysia!

Set to take place from 5th to 7th July 2019 at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, the festival’s objective is to inspire the younger generations to transform their passions into entrepreneurial businesses.

The Culture also aims to provide a platform for all these hidden talents in Malaysia to rise. From every niche of the younger generations that’s trending in Malaysia, from fashion to music, arts, sports, designing, hobbies, etc.

There are plenty of programmes and activities that the youths can look forward to at the festival including a live concert, street wear and fashion show, graffiti art show, skate competition, B Boy battle, beatbox battle, basketball game, workshops, food truck market and a lot more!

Proudly to announce live concert daily at @theculture.official #theculture2019 #wearetheculture

A post shared by  theculture_official (@theculture.official) on Jun 2, 2019 at 1:57am PDT

What’s a festival without performers? Well, get ready to welcome some of the most influential Malaysian artists in town who redefine the local culture. They are; Bunkface, K-Clique, Gerhana Ska Cinta, Caprice, Lunadira, Zamaera, Airliftz, Pele L, Zynakal, Hullera, B-Heart, RabbitMac, A-Kid, Loca B, Dato Maw, Loko Band, IAmNeeta, Touche, and more to be announced.

The 3-day pass for The Culture priced at:-

The tickets are accessible to all convention and activities. Free entry for those 12 years old and below.


Hype’s Now Playing: Wonder Girls – I Feel You

After releasing tonnes of individual teasers and the music video teaser, JYP Entertainment has finally released the official music video for “I Feel You”, the title track off Wonder Girls‘ newly-released studio album “Reboot”.

Clearly, no song produced by Park Jin Young is complete without the “JYP” narration as the song sees the return of the signature intro.

Composed by Park Jin Young, the song opens with the 4-member band introducing themselves before officially announcing that they’re back.

While providing a throwback to the 80s synth and new wave hits through the song, the girls brought back their signature retro style by rocking 80s-style one pieces and some revealing outfits in the music video. Though they no longer promote themselves as a dance group, there is some well choreographed shimmying involved. As expected, the Wonder Girls are equipped with their respective music instruments, with Sunmi as the bass guitarist while rapper Yubin is now a drummer. Hyerim strums the guitar while Yeeun plays the keyboard.

The “Reboot” album will feature songs heavily contributed by the members, who also act as lyricists and composers. The group will hold their comeback showcase today at 8pm (KST).

“I Feel You” is their first comeback song came after Sunye and Sohee announced their departure from the group.

For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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Travel: 5 Most Beautiful Road Trip Routes In Türkiye

Whatever the destination, it is often said that getting there is the best part of the trip. Türkiye certainly offers the finest of both experiences. Bordered by the Mediterranean, Aegean and the Black Sea, this majestic paradise presents stunning vistas and lush landscapes, historical treasures, local delicacies, and an unhurried approach that brings joy to the journey.

Whether you’re travelling in a car or a caravan – with friends or with family – these five outstanding road trip routes will make your summer that much more spectacular.

With panoramic views of the North Aegean, the Çanakkale-Ayvalık route is a unique experience highlighting the region’s vast cultural heritage, amazing nature, and pristine beaches. Beautiful landscapes of vivid blues and greens, ancient cities dotting the countryside, and fresh local products are just a few reasons the region is a favourite for road trippers travelling via bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, or caravans.

Çanakkale, the route’s starting point, is a fascinating locale of chronicles from the past, especially if you reach the city by crossing the historical forest-covered Gallipoli Peninsula. In ancient Çanakkale, where traces of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey epics linger, visitors can observe the millennia of history in the region. Just outside the ancient city of Troy is the outstanding Troy Museum, winner of the ‘2020 European Museum of the Year Special Appreciation Award’ and the ‘2020/2021 European Museum Academy Special Award’.

The ancient city of Troy is also the first stop on the Aeneas Route, the first and only cultural route registered by the Council of Europe that starts from Türkiye. The legendary Aeneas – the ancestor of Remus and Romulus, the founder of Rome – was said to have fled the burning city of Troy with his father and son, crossing Greece, Albania, and Tunisia, and arriving finally in Italy on ships he built with timbers from Mount Ida, in the region of the ancient city of Antandros in Edremit. Thus Antandros, the Turkish leg of the Aeneas Route, is particularly evocative. The area brings together natural and archaeological sites and rural landscapes, some of which are included in the Unesco World Heritage list.

South of Çanakkale, in Ayvacık, is the ancient city of Assos. After basking along the deserted bays and beaches in Assos, visit some of the larger and small villages of the area, with their quaint stone houses. Then stop in Sivrice, the famous bay of Assos, for an unforgettable glamping experience. Surrounded by olive trees, the iconic Mount Ida of Homer’s epics is the perfect location for an evening alone with nature. Along the way to Ayvalık, the final stop, is the lovely seaside town of Altınoluk in the Edremit district. These fertile lands enriched by so many natural wonders, including Mount Ida National Park, Sütüven Waterfall, Hasanboğdu Pond and Şahinderesi Canyon, also host important spa centres. The Güre region, connected to Edremit, welcomes tourists worldwide each year to its spa centres.

After Ayvalık, you can follow the foothills of the Madra Mountains and the Bergama route and discover the ancient city of Pergamon. In İzmir, the heart of the Aegean, your following route may be the historic seafaring town of Foça. The town of Foça, with a historical area called Eski Foça, has scenic winding roads and breathtaking views. The Foça region, also mentioned in Homer’s epics, is named for the Mediterranean monk seal, now an endangered species. As in the past, Foça has fishing ports and a reputation for delicious seafood dishes.

Other delightful stops on this route are Urla, long renowned for its artichokes and recently famous due to its gourmet restaurants; Seferihisar, the ‘slow city’; Kuşadası, a centre of sea-sand-sun tourism; and Şirince, a charming town with outstanding local wines. And of course, the ancient cities of Miletos, Priene and Ephesus draw attention, as do the churches of the Seven Sleepers and the Virgin Mary. This magnificent geography offers rich beauty, history and cuisine.

The last stop on this route is Çeşme, a popular seafront holiday destination near İzmir, and Alaçatı, a picturesque resort with windsurfing schools and stone houses.

An intriguing journey under the Mediterranean sun, where each curve on the road presents yet another stunning view of clear waters, deserted bays and lush mountains. This unforgettable route of unique landscapes and the traces of ancient civilizations is a Mediterranean dream on extraordinary roads… Can a trip be complete without experiencing the breathtaking beauty of Patara, Kalkan and Kaş, Olympos, Çıralı and Antalya?

With its ancient city and 12-kilometre-long beach, Patara is undoubtedly one of the region’s most spectacular locales. Considered among the most important cities of ancient Lycia, Patara retains its antique splendour with structures such as a theatre, parliament building, lighthouse, city arch, collonaded street, temples and churches. As well, Patara is the birthplace of St. Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus.

Demre, where Nicholas served as a bishop for many years and attained sainthood, is a historical stop on this famous route. The tomb of Saint Nicholas is in Demre, as is the historical church – a pilgrimage site particularly illustrious during the Middle Ages. If you are travelling in Antalya, the pearl of the Mediterranean, even more extraordinary sights await the easy-going Mediterranean town of Kaş; the tiny canyon mouth beach on the Kaş-Kalkan road, Kaputaş, the bohemian Olympos and Çıralı seaside villages and other magical places that you can encounter on this route…

You can explore the blue depths in Kaş, one of Türkiye’s and the world’s preeminent diving tourism centres, or you can observe traces of ancient Mediterranean civilizations under the waters on a daily boat tour in Kekova. When you bid farewell to the crystal-clear waters of Kaş and hit the road again, your next stop may be Çıralı. A habitat for the Caretta sea turtles, quiet and calm Çıralı is also near the ruins of the Olympos Ancient City, an important Lycian port.

You should certainly spend a few days in Antalya, the route’s last stop. This city, where sea-sand-sun are in perfect harmony with nature and history, is worth seeing – even if only for the Antalya Archaeology Museum, where the magnificent works of different Mediterranean civilizations are beautifully exhibited.

This route stretches from Eskişehir, a star shining ever more brightly each day with its vibrant urban life, to Isparta, the city of roses, offering the natural and modern beauties of Anatolia under your feet. In Eskişehir, the route’s starting point, visit the Odunpazarı Historical City Center, which is included in the Tentative List of Unesco World Heritage Sites, and the Atlıhan Handicraft Bazaar, where you can see examples of the traditional handicrafts of the region. In addition, the Sepiolite (Meerschaum) Museum is the only one of its kind in the world.

The striking OMM Modern Museum opened in Odunpazarı in 2019 and is an unmissable stop for contemporary art enthusiasts visiting Eskişehir. When you leave Eskişehir and turn towards Isparta, you will encounter unique nature. Among these natural beauties are Yalvaç and Eğirdir, the calm Cittaslow cities of Isparta; the Kovada Lake National Park, a habitat for hundreds of bird species; Gölcük Natural Park, which hosts one of the rare crater lakes of Türkiye; Lake Eğirdir, a natural wonder with mesmerizing sunset views; and Kuyucak Village, dazzling with its lavender gardens.

The area is also home to Saint Paul’s Route; this route is among those that Saint Paul, the first missionary in the history of Christianity, took during his missionary travels. Saint Paul’s route, a pilgrimage journey for more than two thousand years, is quite challenging. Along with the Lycian Way, Saint Paul’s Route is one of the best-known hiking routes in Anatolia.

This lush route begins in Bolu, famous for its gorgeous lakes, to Çamlıhemşin, the highland paradise of Rize. The beautiful Black Sea coastline comprises majestic landscapes – splendid green forests and azure waters. If you wish, you can start the route from Yedigöller National Park, the backdrop to Bolu’s picture-postcard beauty, and head towards Safranbolu, featuring narrow streets lined with wooden houses with bay windows. Verdant Kastamonu and the historical port cities of Sinop and Samsun, which amaze with their natural beauty, are among the other stops on this lovely route. If time permits, climb the steep slopes of these cities to observe the radiant landscapes that are also the source of life.

The next stop on this famous route is Ordu, home to the rough and cool waters of the Black Sea and lush forests. The Perşembe and Çambaşı plateaus, the Çiseli and Uzundere waterfalls, and Geçilmez Canyon are just a few of the sights of Ordu, as is Yeşilce Village, where modern life blends beautifully with simplicity. If you can tear yourself away from these reflections of heaven on earth, the Sümela Monastery in Trabzon awaits. This Orthodox monastery is on the Tentative List of Unesco World Heritage Sites with its dramatic cliffside setting.

If your final stop is in Çamlıhemşin, the Ayder, Pokut, Gito and Sal plateaus offer an atmosphere redolent of fairy tales. In addition, the Black Sea cuisine, enhanced by numerous local and regional herbs and organic products, makes your trip even more extraordinary.

Images courtesy of Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency.

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#AttackonTitan: Trailer + Posters Released, Offers Glimpse At Kiko Mizuhara

The official website for the two-part “Attack on Titan” (進撃の巨人) film adaptations just launched the first trailer as well as a couple of posters. The website also revealed that the first film is titled “Shingeki No Kyojin” which roughly translates to “Attack on Titan”.

The second film is titled “Attack on Titan: End of the World”.

As cited by Screen Rant, the trailer does not show off a lot of the main characters utilising the anti-gravity 3D Maneuver Gear (3DMG). Just in case you’re wondering what this “3DMG” thing is, it’s gear that allows the characters to quickly navigate around ravenous giants called the Titans and attack their one weak spot: the nape of their neck.

What it does show off is, however, the film’s special effects on the monsters and the explosive nature of the film’s action sequences. Also, most of the film’s action sequences were shot on Hashima Island aka an abandoned island off southern Japan. Hashima Island is the same deserted island used for James Bond’s “Skyfall”. With no human settlement around and no legal obstacles, the production team was allowed to conduct large-scale stunts and explosions.

Oh, also, we thought you’d like to know that Kiko Mizuhara (G-Dragon’s rumoured girlfriend) is starring in the movie as Mikasa Ackerman. Spot her in the poster above!

Both films are based on the manga written and created by Hajime Isayama. The screenplay for both films was penned by Yusuke Watanabe, who previously worked on “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods” and the live-action adaptation of “Gantz”, another popular manga/anime series. Shinji Higuchi, director of “The Sinking of Japan”, helms the films.

The first of the 2 feature films, “Attack on Titan”, will be released in Japanese theatres on 1st August, while “Attack on Titan: End of the World” is scheduled for a Japanese release on 19th September.

No official word has yet been given concerning a Western release, but given the worldwide popularity of the franchise, it is very likely that the films will see a limited Western theatrical run within the year.

Sources: crunchyroll, Screen Rant, Christian Today.


#Malaysia: Kosmo & Berita Harian Anger Netizens For Criticising Badminton Mixed Doubles’ Silver Win

What a time to be alive! Not only did our badminton mixed doubles team, Goh Liu Ying and Chan Peng Soon, make history when they made it through to Malaysia’s first Olympics mixed doubles badminton finals last night, they secured a mixed doubles silver as well, also a first for Malaysia.

This morning, while scores of news outlets praised the duo for their hard work, local tabloids Kosmo and Berita Harian put out “disrespectful” headlines in their respective reports about the historical event, angering many Malaysian netizens.

Kosmo wrote, “Peng Soon-Liu Ying hampakan jutaan rakyat Malaysia” (Translation: Peng Soon-Liu Ying disappointed milllons of Malaysians) while Berita Harian penned, “Beregu campuran sekadar raih perak” (Translation: Mixed doubles ‘only’ won silver).

One netizen known as DeeJay ZaiNey took to Facebook to share his thoughts about the headlines. In his caption, he wrote, “I would like to request Kosmo or the reporter who wrote this article to apologise to all Malaysians. We as Malaysians are proud with Peng Soon and Liu Ying’s achievements in the mixed doubles finals. (This article is) Not ethical at all!! Let’s make this viral. Thank you.”

As at time of writing, his post has been shared over 3,300 times.

Upon reading the headlines, netizens jumped to Goh Liu Ying and Chan Peng Soon’s defense, saying that the badminton duo did their best and Kosmo as well as Berita Harian should be proud of their incredible feat.

“Many congratulations to our silver heroes Peng Soon and Liu Ying! They have made all Malaysians proud – well, all except those would print disgraceful headlines such as those in Kosmo and Berita Harian today. Shame on you, whoever the editors are.”

“If Berita Harian and Kosmo writers thinks the Olympics are so easy to win the Gold medal, ask your writer to win it!!! If can’t…don’t simply write & publish!!!”

“Kosmo, berita harian have serious problem if this is true. 4th class mentality.”

“Shame on you Kosmo! and Berita Harian. They have done their best and yet your editor and writer’s unprofessional choice of words made the nation angry.”

Our take? Well, we don’t know what the true intentions of the journalists who wrote the headlines/articles were, but heck, it could just be bad choice of words.

What do you think about Kosmo and Berita Harian’s headlines? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Sources: Zairil Khir Johari’s Facebook page, DeeJay ZaiNey’s Facebook page.

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Tamil Movie Banned In Malaysia For Portraying Local Cop In Bad Light

Newly released Tamil thriller “Kadaram Kondan” has been officially banned in Malaysia due to the negative portrayal of the Malaysian police in the movie.

The movie’s distributor, Lotus Five Star (LFS), made a last-minute announcement on its social media, quoting that it is “as per the order of the Film Censorship Board (LPF) of Malaysia.”

A post shared by Lotus Fivestar AV (@lotusfivestarav)

Previously, it was speculated that the movie was banned due to its title which translates as “Kedah’s Conqueror” but LPF later denied the claims.

According to LPF’s chairman Mohd Zamberi Abdul Aziz, the movie was banned because the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) in the story have been portrayed in bad light.

“No. It is not because of the title, but the film has damaged the image of Malaysian police,” the chairman told Malaysia Kini.

“If it’s just a scene then we can just remove it, and approve the film. But the entire plot put our Malaysian police in bad light. If we cut all the scenes, then no one will be able to understand the story,” he added.

It’s official – Kadaram Kondan is banned in Malaysia. According to sources, it’s because Vikram would be playing as a dirty Malaysian cop and it’s against our law to show the police in a negative way.

Life is sad for a movie-buff in Malaysia 😭

90 percent of the movie was shot in Malaysia, but it is also revealed that the filmmakers failed to get necessary permits to shoot some of the movie scenes in the country, which is considered as illegal.

The announcement has disappointed many Malaysian Tamil movie buffs who have mostly bombarded LFS’s social media account and taken to Twitter to call out the ban.

— sweet creature 🏴 (@rehvathy98) July 19, 2019

Earlier this year, another Tamil movie titled “Super Deluxe” was also banned in Malaysia due to religious content, causing dissatisfaction among Malaysians.

Directed by Rajesh M Selva, “Kadaram Kondan” is a remake of French film “Point Blank”, starring Vikram and Akshara Haasan as leading stars as well as Sarawak-born actress Jasmine Kaar, who made her Kollywood debut via this movie, playing the main antagonist.


Benny Benassi Satisfy Fans With An Epic Comeback!

Kick start your week with Benny Benassi!

Kicking a** since 2003, Benny Benassi, the man who brought you summer club hit Satisfaction returns with his latest and hardest hitting track Back To The Pump. Catering to Benny’s omnious side, Back To The Pump is surprisingly dynamic and jarring in all the right way. Electro perfection at it’s best, it’s no wonder why Benny is deemed a legend amongst the eyes of EDM enthusiasts.

Filled with captivating build ups, unbelievable drops and the perfect amount of melody, this track lives up to its name, not only in its character as a fist-pumping banger but also through its power to create a hype like no other!

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#XMen: Director Bryan Singer Reveals Possibility Of A Deadpool Crossover

Earlier this year, Ryan Reynolds impressed us with his performance as the vulgar but hilarious and extremely violent Wade Wilson aka Deadpool. There were also 2 unforgettable X-Men characters in the movie that caught our eye – Colossus (played by Stefan Kapicic) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (played by Brianna Hildebrand).

Since then, fans and movie-goers started asking, “Will Deadpool ever join the X-Men?”

X-Men director Bryan Singer recently revealed that “there is plenty of room” for a X-Men/Deadpool crossover. Isn’t that great? :D

Singer explained that to make sure this crossover doesn’t screw up the franchise, a lot has to be taken into consideration and careful planning will be needed.

“If you take a character as irreverent and meta as Deadpool and connect him to something as grounded and serious as X-Men, you have to do it carefully and gently. When you drop them all in together it can be a disaster. That has to be done delicately, but there’s plenty of room to do it,” said the filmmaker in an interview with Variety.

The X-Men director added that one of the ways that the “Merc with a Mouth” can be included into the franchise is through an “X-Force” movie.

Just in case you didn’t know, “X-Force” is the paramilitary superhero spin-off group that Deadpool has called home over the years in the Marvel comics.

Then again, though the X-Men cinematic universe is a huge franchise with 9 movies are accounted so far, it may not be easy for the filmmakers in Fox to see eye-to-eye as Deadpool is going to have a franchise of his own.

If you asked us, we think that it’s a cool idea to include Deadpool in the X-Men universe like when he appeared in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”. But the anti-hero we know now is no longer mouthless and boring.

So to really incorporate him into the X-Men universe, the franchise have to match up with his dark humour and snarky attitude. If not, Deadpool will only serve as comic relief in the possible crossover film.

Let us know what you think about a X-Men/Deadpool crossover in the comments below :)


#Hyunseung: Former B2ST Member To Make Solo Comeback

It’s finally Jang Hyunseung’s (장현승) turn to make a comeback!

On Monday (5th June), an industry insider revealed that the former B2ST (otherwise known as BEAST, 비스트) member will return to the K-Pop scene as a solo artiste in early July.

The insider also added, “Hyunseung’s musical talent is not lacking compared to his hyungs (Highlight members). This will be an album to let his abilities bloom. He has his own musical colour, so this album will be completely his own.”

While the idol singer made his debut as a member of B2ST in 2009, he first gained media attention when he appeared in BIGBANG’s pre-debut documentary along with members G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, Daesung, and Seungri. Hyunseung, who auditioned for YG Entertainment at 15, was cut from the group in the final elimination round. He’s also one half of the duo Trouble Maker with CUBE Entertainment labelmate HyunA (former 4Minute member).

Last year, Hyunseung, who released his first solo album in 2015, was heavily criticised for his apparent lack of manners and bad behaviour. Apparently, he was seen ignoring lyrics, dancing without passion, and singing in the wrong tone during performances. The 27-year-old singer even missed several fan events.

CUBE confirmed his departure in August 2016. They said, “Jang Hyunseung and the 5 members have differing opinions in terms of music, which had resulted in changes in the team after much consultation and discussion.”

After Hyunseung left the group, the remaining members of B2ST, whose contracts with CUBE ended on 15th October 2016, re-debuted as Highlight under their own label, Around Us Entertainment.

What are your thoughts on Hyunseung solo return? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.

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Marwan Kenzari: 10 Things About The Actor Playing Hot Jafar In Aladdin

When Disney released the first looks to live-action “Aladdin” movie, many people had some strong feelings about it. Despite the complains, the majority were left thirsting for Marwan Kenzari.

The 35-year-old Dutch actor will portray the iconic villain Jafar, or rather Hot Jafar, as he’s become known. Forget Aladdin, Princess Jasmine should totally consider pairing up with the hot baddie. Not only is Kenzari easy on the eye, but his resume is also pretty impressive. Get to know him better with these fun facts:

1. Born on 16th January 1983, Kenzari is of Dutch and Tunisian descent and holds dual citizenship in both countries.

2. Initially he had no interest in becoming an actor. It was through his girlfriend that he discovered his passion of acting.

3. Variety reported that his beau at the time signed them up to audition for a local stage production of “Chicago”.

4. He won a Golden Calf award for best actor at the Netherlands Film Festival in 2013. His breakthrough film was titled “Wolf”.

Heavy.com wrote: “As Majid, a talented kickboxer who succumbs to the world of gambling and organised crime, Kenzari earned international praise from critics.”

5. He speaks Arabic, Dutch, French and English. Pretty impressive huh?

6. “Aladdin” isn’t his first Hollywood project. You may have seen him in “Ben-Hur”, “The Promise”, “The Mummy”, and “Murder on the Orient Express”. The handsome actor is also in Netflix’s Egyptian spy drama “The Angel”.

7. According to Alba Theatre director Saskia Mees, Kenzari previously proclaim that “I want to be the new Al Pacino”.

8. Having said that, he has a hard time watching himself onscreen. “I find it quite difficult to watch the film once it is done, because in your head or imagination it is totally different,” Kenzari told the Quietus.

9. He has a love-hate relationship with the entertainment industry. “I dislike the fact that being an actor can make you a bit selfish sometimes,” he says. “During a shoot, (that’s) the only thing you live for. Explaining (to friends and family) why you’re away and not responding to calls and messages can be difficult.”

10. You can watch him working out for 3 minutes in this YouTube video – shirtless.

11. Also, have y’all seen these thirst tweets?

Ain't no way Jasmine is in her right mind if she is picking Aladdin over Jafar. AINT. NO. WAY. https://t.co/rzFaUvj29A

— April (@ReignOfApril) December 19, 2018

So you mean to tell me that in this movie, Jasmine is supposed to want to WILLINGLY choose Aladdin, (a broke liar) over a rich Jafar lookin like THIS?! ch… pic.twitter.com/ufTjBvypdx

— The Lemon Pepper Sunflower (@ImaniOrWhatever) December 19, 2018

This is the year that gave us hot Dumbledore and now hot Jafar. #2018Winning pic.twitter.com/2DQlTlDZFl

Hot Jafar could show me a quarter of a nipple and I'd kick Aladdin off that magic carpet so hard by the time he hit the ground I'd be in another time zone.

— alexis nedd supports the WGA 🎮 💚 (@alexisthenedd) December 19, 2018

hot jafar … we WILL be rooting for evil pic.twitter.com/Z1RTGK4pkX

— feral (@ncrmalpeople) December 19, 2018

To quote the Twitter user above, we will be rooting for evil when “Aladdin” hits cinemas. Lol!

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What Lee Jing Lei Stands To Gain From Her Messy Divorce With Wang Leehom? US$10 Mil?

After a year and a half of constant fighting and throwing accusations, the divorce lawsuit between Taiwanese celebrity couple Lee Jing Lei (李靓蕾) and Wang Leehom (王力宏) has finally come to a conclusion. At long last, the two have settled their messy divorce!

Just last month, Jing Lei was sharing with her fans how this lawsuit have affected her life severely. Now, she is able to catch a breather when the New York court ruled that her divorce with Leehom have been approved. Moving forward, their court battle will be moved to the Taipei District Court.

Although the court has reached a final decision, both party’s respective lawyers have given opposing statements. The only certain fact is that Leehom is going to be the one to bear the litigation lawyer fee of the other party, and that fee was estimated to exceed one million Taiwan dollars (almost RM150k).

According to Jing Lei’s lawyer, Leehom was ruled as the party at fault, that is why he must compensate for his ex-wife’s litigation attorney fees. Whereas, Leehom’s lawyer made the following contradicting statement, “The court did not find Mr. Wang Leehom to be the one at fault in this divorce, both parties based their judgment on the legal divorce agreement.” He also mentioned that Jing Lei requested for a huge sum of 10 million US dollars but was rejected.

In respond to the earlier statement, Jing Lei’s lawyer responded again emphasising on the following 4 points:

1. Wang Leehom and Lee Jing Lei agreed to divorce and they were recently granted the permission to divorce by the United States court.

2. The court, without a doubt, ruled Wang Leehom as the party at fault, and he must compensate for the legal fees incurred by Lee Jing Lei. It is write in ‘black and white’.

3. Lee Jing Lei has voluntarily given up fighting for any of the properties that belongs to her ex-husband. She has not obtained any properties under Wang Leehom’s name for the divorce, even the house mentioned in his apology letter in December is still under Leehom’s name.

4. Lee Jing Lei did not ask for 10 million US dollars. The real reason why the lawsuit was prolonged is because Wang Leehom lost the lawsuit in July last year and appealed to the court early August. Apparently the singer has refused to pay the family maintenance like stated in the agreement late August.

“If even judicial facts can be fabricated, then there will be no justice in the world,” the lawyer added. Like how this divorce lawsuit started out to be really messy, looks like its conclusion is not any different.

Source: China Press, Mirror Media (1)(2)(3)


CONTEST: “Take Me Home”! Please?

Alright, alright, we admit it – we secretly love pop. It’s our guilty pleasure but we don’t try to hide it! Last month, we reviewed One Direction’s “Take Me Home” and we raved about how much we..enjoyed listening to it. And if we could share it, well, why not? Thanks to our friends from Sony Music Malaysia, we have a couple of ’em One Direction goodies that you could be taking home!

Yup. We’re talking, FIVE copies of One Direction’s “Take Me Home” album and FIVE official One Direction posters. That’s ONE album and ONE poster per winner!

The question is, would you like them? Do you think you could be one of our FIVE lucky winners? Then here’s what you gotta do to stand a chance at winning it:


Hype’s Now Playing: Simon Lee & Alvin – The Other Side (I Need You)

Local favourites Simon Lee & Alvin is proof that good music from the Malaysian front is not impossible to find.

Having diligently put records in the recent years, the DJ/producer team has proven time and time again that they’re an innovative duo that shouldn’t be overlooked. In the past, their tracks have been supported by international heavyweights such as Markus Schulz, Dash Berlin, Gareth Emery, MaRLo, JES, and Tritonal.

At heart, individually, they’re true fans and friends of trance but as Simon Lee & Alvin, they represent a multitude of genres.

And their latest single, “The Other Side (I Need You)” is an emotional progressive house record that is bound to pull at your heartstrings.

Released exclusively under Los Angeles-based record label Straight Up! Music’s Amsterdam 2015 compilation to kickstart the annual Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) 2015, “The Other Side (I Need You)” tells a dramatic tale of undying love.

The emotional track features singer-songwriter Lokka Vox‘s beautiful voice, a gem that complements the vocal record, making it perhaps one of the most entralling tracks in Simon Lee & Alvin’s catalogue.

On how they stumbled upon Lokka Vox, Simon Lee & Alvin said, “We’ve came across Lokka’s music several times, and she has always been on our wishlist of artistes to work with. We reached out to her, shared the instrumental and our ideas for the track. Lokka is always on-the-go, so we had to work around her busy schedule. Several weeks later she sent back the first demo with her vocals and lyrics that she wrote.”

Time goes by and all I can do is think about you. How did you know that I, would give us another try? Say goodbye to your love cause I need you on the other side.

“We love what we heard, and it’s great that everything fell into place and her vocals completed the record,” they added.

“The Other Side (I Need You)” also marks their first collaborative track, put together with the help of rising Argentinian talent Franco Capraro, who has a distinct style to his music. “The track was originally built with Franco as an instrumental collab, but we thought it’d be nice to add a vocal layer to it,” Simon Lee & Alvin revealed.

Complete with a haunting breakdown and a heavy progressive drop, this record has all the makings of a club and festival favourite which can transcend to radio airplay. There’s reason enough to play Simon Lee & Alvin’s “The Other Side (I Need You)” over and over again.

The single is the 7th release for the Malaysian DJ/producer duo.

Like it? Grab it off iTunes here or Beatport here.

For more information on Simon Lee & Alvin, hit up their website or Facebook page. Alternatively, you could also stalk them via Twitter and Instagram ;)

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X-Men: Dark Phoenix Had A Different Ending Before Reshoots

“X-Men: Dark Phoenix” hasn’t received a warm welcome at the box office and critics alike. Variety called it “the worst performance in the X-Man franchise’s 20-year history”.

Now that the majority has already seen “Dark Phoenix” on the big screen, there’s been a few “what if” or “what could’ve been” scenarios involving the movie’s ending.

According to Deadline, writer-director Simon Kinberg originally had plans for “Dark Phoenix”  to be split into 2 parts during pre-production. When 20th Century Fox ordered only 1 movie, Kinberg had to re-write the script to accommodate the change.

In 1 of the cut versions, Sophie Turner’s Jean Grey had reportedly died. Needless to say, that cut wasn’t well-received by test audiences. They also didn’t like that the final battle initially only saw Jessica Chastain’s villainous Vuk facing off against Jean, Cyclops and Charles Xavier. Kinberg adjusted the climax to include all of the X-Men characters in theatrical cut.

During an interview with ReelBlend podcast (via SlashFilm), Cyclops actor Tye Sheridan also expound on another ending that was initially planned for “Dark Phoenix”. The X-Men team was supposed dissolved in a similar fashion to the Avengers in “Captain America: Civil War”. That’s not all, the shape-shifting D’Bari race was meant to be Skrulls.

“It’s really hard for me to remember what the ending of this movie is. (laughs) Originally, it was scripted that Charles and Scott go to the U.N. because — man, I’m totally going to mess this up — they go to the U.N. because they’re going to try to tell the President that, ‘Hey, we’re under attack by aliens and, they’ve now captured Jean Grey.’ Or, you know, whatever it is that we’re going to tell him,” Sheridan recalled.

The 22-year-old actor continued, “And then Jean comes down in the front of the U.N., and causes… there is this huge battle between the guards at the U.N. and Jean Grey, and all the guards turn out to be Skrulls. And then Jean and Scott are — Scott is fighting Skrulls in the fountain. He gets thrown into the fountain in front of the U.N. And then Jean comes down and basically fights all of the Skrulls off, and then blasts back off into space. (She) basically says goodbye to Scott and Charles. And then it’s all over, I guess.”

The inclusion of Skrulls makes sense since the X-Men have often clashed with them in the Marvel comics. However, since they were featured in “Captain Marvel” earlier this year, naming this alien species as Skrulls in “Dark Phoenix” might caused confusion to movie audiences. As such, changing it to D’Bari was probably for the best.

A post shared by X-Men Movies (@xmenmovies) on May 5, 2019 at 9:00am PDT

“Dark Phoenix” ended up in a tricky spot since production started way before Disney bought the rights from Fox. The X-Men franchise will probably take a back seat for the time being while Marvel Studios maps out its movie slate for Phase 4.

Sources: Cinema Blend, Indie Wire, /Film.


Chargers Outfitters Heads “F.Y.I On Stage with Lunafly”

Leading fashion brand Chargers Outfitters joins “F.Y.I On Stage” as the title presenter for Korean acoustic band Lunafly’s show in Malaysia. The event, dubbed “F.Y.I On Stage with Lunafly in Kuala Lumpur” will be held at Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus on 30th March 2013 (Saturday), making Lunafly the first Korean act to be part of this series of events which introduce and highlight talented undiscovered artists in new media.

Lunafly debuted in the second half of 2012 and gained attention after climbing music charts with their self-composed track “How Nice It Would Be”. The band gained attention for their musical abilities and outstanding live performances as they often took on various street performances and music covers on YouTube, acquainting themselves with music lovers and their fans on a more personal level. This marks their first visit to Malaysia.

The intimate mini-concert will showcase the full potential of Lunafly’s musical capabilities as they will be performing their hit tracks together with new arrangements and acoustic version of various songs. Limited VIP passes to the event are still available at RM 180.00. Premium Passes for Malaysia sold out within 24 hours when they went on sale in February.

As prelude to the show, Lunafly will also hold a public fan meeting for their fans on 29th March 2013 (Friday) at 8pm at The Square, Publika Shopping Gallery.

For more information, hit up their Facebook page.

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Contest: Win Official #Gotham Merchandise!

Yoohoo, Gotham fans! Have we got a surprise for you ;)

Thanks to our friends from Warner TV Asia, we’ve got exclusive goodie bags to giveaway to some really hardcore Gotham fans. We say “hardcore” because you need to have watched at least the pilot episode to answer some questions in order to be in the running to win ’em.

What “goodie bags”, you ask? We’ve got a couple of limited edition Gotham Penguin umbrellas, Gotham notebooks, Gotham cast stickers, and Gotham detachable magnets to giveaway. Each bag will come with one of each item and we’ve got a total of 10 Gotham goodie bags up for grabs!

Oh, and while we’re at it, we’ll even throw in the Gotham Penguin plush toy for 2 lucky grand prize winners. How about that? :)

Here’s what you gotta do to win ’em – read this post carefully and tell us:

E-mail your answers to submit@hype.my and we’ll notify you via e-mail if you’re the winner. Also, remember to get really creative with your answer to question #3 as it will help decide if you should walk away with the Gotham Penguin plush toy on top of the goodie bag!

Don’t forget to tune in to WarnerTV HD (HyppTV Channel 613) for Gotham every Thursday at 9pm with repeats on Thursdays at 11:30pm; Fridays at 12noon, and Sundays at 10pm.

For more information, visit the TV series’ official website.


Hype’s Exclusive: Rock Band Reach For The Skies Gives Us The Inside Scoop

Consisting of four members from different performing backgrounds, Reach For The Skies (RFTS) is a local rock band that is based in beautiful Kuala Lumpur. With the rise of the entertainment scene here in Malaysia, Jeffery Wong, Nehe Ting, Danny New and Kevin Tan have been performing together for over a year now and have performed at Malaysia Day Band Fest 2013 and C3 Church Subang for the Alpha Youth Course.

How was Reach For The Skies (RFTS) formed?
Danny and Kevin shared similar tastes and interests in music and wanted to write more songs that were different from what their previous band, An Honest Mistake was then playing. So it started off with just Danny and Kevin and over the year the band expanded to Nehe on drums and Jeff as the second guitarist for RFTS, as he came in for a listening session to watch the band jam at the studio, and later joined as a permanent band member.

Why did you pick the name Reach For The Skies?
The name came as a positive and relatable representation of the band, and for our listeners to relate to. Of us freeing ourselves from burdens that weighs us down in pursuit of that something great that is destined and meant for us. t’s also a line that Woody says in Toy Story. One of our favourite animation films.

How long have you been performing together as a band?
The full line up band has been together for over a year now, and we have busy with the recording and production of our upcoming EP release Aviaries. We went public with RFTS towards the end of August and we played our very first show in September at the Malaysia Day Band Fest 2013 by 2Crank.

What inspires your songs?
For what we have written so far, our inspiration comes from things that occur in our lives from our challenges in life to the moments in life that includes epiphanies and relationships.

Who usually writes the songs in the band?
It varies. We get inspired by many things that sparks off lyrics or melodies, so any of us that has that spark will share it with the band members and from there we will all work on the music and lyrics arrangements . For the upcoming EP, the lyrics were written by Kevin and Nehe.

Favourite songwriter and why?
Danny: Akira Yamaoka, his music compositions for the whole Silent Hill soundtrack was very well and intelligently crafted. Lyric wise, Joel Birch from The Amity Affliction and Ben Haggerty (Macklemore) for they both write lyrics that are inspiring, honest and positive based on experiences in life.

Kevin: Anthony Green, is such an interesting character. Aside from being creative and talented as a composer, singer and lyricist, he has this mysterious air about him and the things he create, which makes his music really cool and hard to define. I would really want to discover what it is, and learn from this guy.

Nehe: Aaron Gillespie (The Almost and formerly from Underoath), there isn’t a why, he is just…

If your band can collaborate with a local artist who would it be?

Danny: Seven Collar T-Shirt
Nehe: Clement Kee from (The Star Rage Open Mic series)
Jeff: Jin Hackman

What about an international artist?
Danny: Does It Offend You, Yeah? (Yup it’s a band name :P )
Kevin: Anthony Green
Nehe: Jay Chow
Jeff: Dance Gavin Dance

What’s next for Reach For The Skies?
We will be releasing our debut EP Aviaries which will tentatively be released during the end of October or early November so look out for it! Apart from that, we will continue to do what we love doing as a band and is to share our music and play more shows.

Where can our readers listen to and get updates from you?
You can reach us and follow our journey on our Facebook page and and follow us on Twitter for updates.

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(Videos) From Vibing With Siti Nurhaliza To Cruising With Mercedes: Epic Events We Hit Up This Past Week!

Another week, another whirlwind of totally EXTRA events!

From harmonising with Siti Nurhaliza to hitching a ride on Mercedes-Benz’s new all-electric cars – we were THERE, and we were vibing! Check out our social diary for this past week (don’t be jelly!):

Malaysia’s favourite songstress, Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza, is all set to share the stage with renowned music producer and composer, David Foster, in the “Hitman: David Foster & Friends Asia Tour 2023” concert to be held at the Mega Star Arena, Sungei Wang Plaza, on 7th August. Organised by Yayasan Prihatin Nasional, the concert will also feature international powerhouses Michael Bolton, Peabo Bryson, Loren Allred and Katharine McPhee.

As for Siti, she will be performing a song written by the prolific producer, in addition to one of her ballad numbers – but the details will only be revealed on the day of the show. “I am grateful and feel lucky and believe that this is the best platform to show my talent, especially with the emergence of many good and talented young singers, David’s management team still chose me,” TokTi said during the press conference recently.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

Celebrating the fan-favourite Moisture Surge™ 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, Clinique recently launched its unique hydration outpost at the East Atrium Ground Floor of Mid Valley Megamall. Running from the 5th to the 11th of June 2023, the outpost reflected the life-proof 100 hours of hydration the product offers. It also featured expert skincare consultations, product sampling, photo moments, exclusive giveaways and more! Visitors also got a chance to spin their Gashapon machine to redeem a gift. Additionally, the outpost featured a La Juiceria hydration bar offering consumers a specially-crafted drink to enjoy and get hydrated with during their visit.

For more information on Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H, head over to their official website.

Stationery lovers and art nerds, prepare to be blown away! We were recently invited to the launch of the reinvented CzipLee Plus store in Bangsar. The moment we walked in, we already felt like buying every piece of stationery there. Not only did the store feel warm, cozy, and welcoming, but you’ll get to see all the premium, limited-edition items that you simply can’t get anywhere else (unless you’re lucky).

After enduring many hardships like the flash floods and the fire back in 2016, the family-owned business, which has been up and running for over 50 years, is now back with a new concept for its newly renovated CzipPlus outlet. From pencils to paint brushes, to colourful papers, to notebooks – the rejuvenated store will have you going back for more! Not only that, but CzipLee is also bringing back its events and workshops, amidst a more intimate setting.

We got the fantastic privilege to watch the latest Transformers film, Rise Of The Beasts, in the classy Aurum Theatre at The Gardens Mall, this week. We received first-class treatment as we indulged in sweet mocktails and savoury light bites at the JIN Gastrobar. Then, we indulged in the action-packed film in absolute comfort in the theatre hall, with seats made for royalty. We might have dozed off if not for the gripping and adrenaline-pumping film.

On the topic of sleeping, not only did Gethá provide us with comfortable pillows and blankets, but they also shared some amazing essential oils with us. Designed to grant a more relaxing sleep, their special oil is now part of our nightly routine to help us unwind after a long day of work or watching an amazing movie.

We had a berry fun time at the Wardah Perfect Bright Berry Launch event, held at the beautifully-decorated Glasshouse at Seputeh. All the guests got to check out the new range of Wardah skincare and listen in on a quick sharing session by Wardah Beauty and beauty influencers. We also spotted the Wardah Sunglow Roving Truck at the venue – so it’s safe to say it was a Wardah-ful event!

“100 percent emotions, zero percent emissions.” We visited ZEPP KL to witness the unveiling of Mercedes-Benz’s latest all-electric cars, the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ and Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+. The spectacular event not only welcomed the two new powerhouse machines to their roster but also to the country, as they are now available for purchase in Malaysia.

With sustainability in both production and materials in mind, these sleek cars are also shaping up to become the baseline for all their all-electric cars for the next ten years! However, aesthetics aren’t the only thing that the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ and Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ have; both performance-oriented drives can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just under four seconds. After the unveiling, we managed to take a seat behind the wheel and see all the technological advancements that make these two cars one of a kind.

When it comes to eye skincare, we all know how hard it is to find a good eye serum or cream in the beauty market. However, L’Oreal Paris is introducing a game-changer. This week, they announced their latest addition to their skincare offering with REVITALIFT 2.5% HYALURONIC ACID EYE SERUM and we were so glad to be a part of the launch. It was hosted at the Michelin-starred Dominic restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, where we were treated to an immersive experience, including in-depth discussions with skin experts, and putting the product to the test with a live demo.

Following the success of L’Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum – now the No. 1 serum in the world – L’Oréal Paris is applying the same level of expertise, backed by pioneering science, to revitalize the eyes with Serum for Eyes – NEW L’Oréal Paris Revitalift 2.5% Hyaluronic Acid Eye Serum. From fine lines to puffiness – any tiredness or dehydration is immediately visible in the eyes, but thanks to L’Oreal Paris Revitalift 2.5% Hyaluronic Acid Eye Serum with a potent blend of 2.5% hyaluronic acid and caffeine, this product will carefully address the specific needs of the delicate eye area.

During the launch, we got to test out the serum and were even given a proper tutorial on how to add it to our skincare regimen. The best part of this serum is definitely the applicator, that’s inspired by traditional Japanese Shiatsu massage. Comprising a trio of pure stainless-steel beads that refresh upon contact, it instantly creates a cooling effect on the skin. The bendable flex angle applies light pressure around the eyes, stimulating six acupressure points to gently drain and stimulate this delicate area. Eyes feel instantly more open and the gaze more awake.

This week, we were honoured to be invited to Watsons Malaysia’s ‘Stay Healthy Get Active’ launch! Along with Taiwanese titbits and snacks, we were greeted by the cutest mascots ever! A cultural Taiwanese performance took our breath away, and we vibed to a snippet of their upcoming Get Active Carnival 2023. Hearing about the recent adventures of Watsons’ ambassador in Taiwan was a real delight as well. Now, we have a teeny urge to want to visit Taiwan and see the beautiful country for ourselves.

Famous cosmetics line shu uemura and candy company Peko released their latest spring 2023 collaboration recently, and we got the opportunity to visit their pop-up at Mid Valley Megamall! We definitely got an instant sugar rush over how sweet the collection is, thanks to their eye-popping colours and candy-scented fragrances. The pop-up itself also had plenty to offer, from their very own cotton-candy-making machine to a giant gacha toy. If you’re in the area, we definitely recommend dropping by to check it out!

Wanna win a golden ticket worth RM5,000? Suria KLCC is now offering its shoppers a chance to participate in its annual lucky draw, The Golden Ticket. From the 2nd to 25th June, 2023, shoppers who spend a minimum of RM500 in two receipts at any specialty store can draw from 100 mysterious boxes containing either a coveted Golden Ticket (worth RM5,000) or a Purple Ticket (worth RM50).

On weekdays, the lucky draw session is from 12pm to 8pm. On weekends, shoppers can either join the 1st session (10am to 2pm) or the 2nd session (5pm to 9pm). The top 50 highest spenders during The Golden Ticket Redemption period will be invited to attend the exclusive Shoppers Appreciation Event on 25th June. On this exciting day, 1 fortunate shopper will have a bonus chance to win the prestigious Super Golden Ticket, worth a whopping RM10,000 in eVouchers! Good luck!

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Hype’s Now Playing: Daughtry — Waiting For Superman

Super hero Chris Daughtry saves us all with his latest song!

The American Idol Season 5 contestant and his band Daughtry‘s new music video Waiting For Superman expresses the tale of a regular average Joe who ends up saving the lives of people in dangerous situations. The video which just made its debut, features Chris’ instantly recognisable voice and the band’s classic rock sounds.

With his flair in storytelling, Waiting For Superman is beautifully written by Chris and is the first single of the band’s forth upcoming album Baptized which set for released on November 19th, 2013 (Tuesday).


#Transformers: “Daredevil” Showrunner Steven DeKnight Joins Writing Team

The “Transformers” Cinematic Universe writing team is expanding day by day.

After announcing that several high-profile writers would be penning the script for the upcoming “Transformers” movie, Paramount Pictures has finally added the final member to the writing team, and it is none other then Steven DeKnight, creator, head writer, and executive producer of “Spartacus”.

DeKnight has previously worked on “Smallville”, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, and “Angel“, and he was credited as the writer for each of the TV series. He served as a consulting producer on the science fiction TV series “Dollhouse”, which ran from 13th February 2009 to 29th January 2010. DeKnight is currently involved in the production of the Netflix web television series, “Daredevil“. He took up the position of executive producer and has written and directed a few episodes of the series.

Last Friday (5th June), Slash Film reported that new writers Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Ken Nolan will join the current writers including Akiva Goldsman, Michael Bay, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Robert Kirkman, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway, Jeff Pinkner, Zak Penn, Andrew Barrer, and Gabriel Ferrari in conceptualising the “Transformers” universe.

The head honcho of the writers, Goldsman, also revealed some plans for the cinematic universe.

We’ve got a work space that is beautifully production designed to be immersive with a strong sense of the franchise history. We will look at the toys, the TV shows, the merchandise, everything that has been generated by Hasbro, from popular to forgotten iterations, and establish a mythological time line. It has been designed with a lot of visual help, toys, robots, sketches and writers and artists. After that super saturation, the writers will figure out not one, but numerous films that will extend the universe.

Basically, what he means is that the writers and production crew will be incorporating all the merchandises and spin-offs to create a more “immersive” and comprehensive franchise. Each and every item of the franchise will play a part in the cinematic universe, as opposed to being solely merchandise that exist for fans’ enjoyment.

So, do you think the “Transformers” cinematic universe will be as comprehensive as the Marvel cinematic universe? When do you think the next “Transformers” instalment will be released? Leave your thoughts in the comments box below!


#IMSAsiaPacific: The World’s Premier Electronic Music Summit Returns To Singapore

The International Music Summit (IMS) is the premier platform of thought leadership in electronic music, fronted by music icon and industry leader Pete Tong.

After hosting international and local leaders in discussion last year, IMS Asia-Pacific is setting the stage for an even further expansion, as well as a deeper connection to unearthing the unique and valuable aspects of this region.

That’s right! IMS Asia-Pacific is returning to Sentosa Cove, Singapore. Last year’s edition saw an entourage of some of the world’s most influential people in the music business and esteemed dance music talents such as Steve Angello, Pete Tong, NERVO, Paul Oakenfold, Richie Hawtin, and more.

Now in its second year, Asia-Pacific is gearing up for a welcomed homecoming. After building momentum from its first year and the recent IMS China, IMS is bringing the Eastern industry into worldwide spotlight. IMS Asia-Pacific serves as the perfect platform to unite, discuss and collaborate as electronic music continues about the entire region.

It is also the final edition of IMS of the calendar year.

IMS co-founder Ben Turner comments, “The feedback from IMS Asia-Pacific year one was incredibly positive so we’re delighted to be returning to W Singapore – Sentosa Cove in December. After the success of the inaugural IMS China recently in Shanghai, we’re really putting a huge focus and emphasis on this region. However, IMS Asia- Pacific is about the whole AP market so a broader discussion will take place. High- level networking, inspiring content, and the chance to keep learning about this great landscape for the music we live and love.”

IMS has also announced that Pioneer DJ will continue the long-term partnership with IMS for the Asia-Pacific event. IMS is an essential part of how Pioneer DJ plugs in to the pulse of the industry, and is a powerful body in the IMS platform eco-system and a leading force both in the electronic music and technology industries.

W Hotels continues to be a partner of IMS after serving as the home of the first IMS Asia-Pacific last year. Additionally, W Hotels has also supported the summits in Ibiza and Los Angeles, continually supporting the electronic music industry with creative initiatives to inspire its guests.

Badges include access to all panels, a buffet lunch and the cocktail party. Early bird badges will be available at 110€ until 30th October, and regular badges will be available for 130€ until 20th November. Late badges will be available for 160€.

Purchase your IMS Asia-Pacific badge(s) here.

IMS and Beatport have also teamed up to offer a 50% Beatport Label Discount. One badge per label is valid. Email imslabel@beatport.com for a discount code.

Through IMS, W Singapore – Sentosa Cove is offering delegates special rates of SGD345 per night from the 9th-11th of December. For questions about extra nights and other information, please contact whotels.singapore@whotels.com.

After IMS, celebrate and welcome the weekend with ZoukOut 2015, featuring artistes like Tiësto, Axwell Ingrosso, Nervo, Jamie Jones, Dixon, Deep Dish, Paul Oakenfold and many more. For delegates only, the festival is offering 20% off ZoukOut tickets, maximum one ticket per delegate, all purchases will be checked against your name.

We’ll leave you now with the official IMS Asia-Pacific 2014 recap video. Enjoy:

IMS Asia-Pacific is slated to happen in Singapore on 11th December. More information on this year’s speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on IMS Asia-Pacific, visit its official website.

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Album Review: Miley Cyrus Steps Confidently Into Her Rock Era With “Plastic Hearts”

When it comes to longevity in popular music, there is no denying that several factors come into play. In fact, more often than not, an artist requires much more than talent to stay relevant in the music scene. One crucial component to the successful formula is the ability to constantly reinvent your public persona. And no one knows how to do this better than Miley Cyrus.

From a sweet teen idol to a scandalous and controversial pop star, Miley Cyrus has constantly redefined what it means to be a pop star throughout her singing career. Now, after a personal whirlwind of a year, she is back to once again redefine what it means with her seventh studio album, “Plastic Hearts”.

The full-length record consists of 12 original songs that discuss the aftermath of her public divorce with Australian actor, Liam Hemsworth last year. The album starts with the energising banger “WTF Do I Know”. Written with famous producers like Ryan Tedder and Louis Bell, the rock tune does an excellent job as an introduction to the album. With lyrics like “You want an apology? Not from me. Had to leave you in your own misery,” Cyrus is clearly discussing her stand on the aftermath of her divorce.

However, unlike the tracks in “Bangerz” (2013), “WTF Do I Know” interpolates heavy guitar strumming for a lively and energetic sound. With this song, “Bad Karma” and “Angels Like You” in particular, the influence of Metallica can be heard with the choice of the guitar strumming and production of the songs.

Having said that, the standout of the record was definitely her duet with Billy Idol. Charged with a heavy 80s synth-rock beat, “Night Crawling” will forever be remembered as one of the best songs from her catalogue. Its catchy chorus and fun lyrics just begged for it to be played on radios, clubs and live concerts over and over again. In fact, we can even see this being a soundtrack to an upcoming sci-fi TV series.

Apart from this, the tune also showcases a different side of Cyrus – one that we have not particularly seen before. From the vocals to the production, the track surely added an interesting flair to her persona. While the lead and second singles were entertaining, it is worth highlighting the ballads in the record. More specifically “Hate Me” and “High” which reminded us of her earlier works.

The choruses and emotions to the tunes will remind you of certain songs in her sophomore album, “Breakout”. This was very nice and comforting to hear considering how Cyrus has now been more comfortable with her Disney days and earlier works rather than being ashamed of it.

Though most of the tracks were very pleasing to our ears, the final track to the standard edition “Golden G String” wasn’t particularly our favourite. Although we understand the importance of the message behind it, the slow beat was a bit draggy. Hence, it sounded more like an interlude to the album, especially when compared to the upbeat songs.

But overall, “Plastic Hearts” was a good piece of work. With the killer tracks on the album, “Plastic Hearts” definitely did a good job of delivering the goods to us. Although it took a while for us to get here, Cyrus’s smooth transition to “Plastic Hearts” was definitely worth the wait.


#LRT: 4 New Stations In Puchong To Open On 31st March

Last October, the 1st phase of the Ampang LRT Line Extension Project (LEP) involving 4 stations – Awan Besar, Kampung Muhibbah, Alam Sutera and Bandar Kinrara 5 (BK5) – was completed. It changed the way thousands of residents living in Puchong and surrounding areas commute.

Good news guys, another 4 LRT stations will open for service next Thursday (31st March).

The new stations that are included in the Ampang LEP are:

Starting from next week onwards, the Ampang LRT Line will have 33 stations up and running. This should come as a relief especially for those living and working in Puchong, considering the heavy traffic on the Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) during peak hours.

Unfortunately, the final 3 stations – Puchong Perdana, Puchong Prima, and Putra Heights – have been delayed and will most probably only start operations in June. The 14 additional stations of Kelana Jaya LRT Line’s extension is also expected to open in June.

When all the aforementioned stations are completed and ready to open for service, it will mark the completion of the LRT extension project that was first announced in 2006.

For more information, visit MyRapid’s official website or call MyRapid’s helpline at 03-78852585.

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Hype’s Now Playing: Beyoncé — Partition [Explicit Video]

Mrs. Carter has released the official video for the 6th track of her self-titled visual album. If you’ve not watch the video for Partition, get ready for some explicit action from Bey herself!

The video follows Queen Bey through a series of strip teases, burlesque scenes and impressive dance moves while Jay Z watches her through a cloud of cigar smoke. The video for Partition definitely gives the already steamy Hype Williams directed video Drunk in Love a run for it’s money.


A “Halal” Facebook, The New Frontier?

Apparently, come Ramadhan month this year, Muslims will have more to look forward to than just fasting, new clothes, Ramadhan food markets, and reunions with family and friends. What are we on about? Well, this.

The “halal” Facebook, also known as “Salamworld” is slated to open its doors to netizens in July. Its main purpose? To become an Islamic alternative to the hugely popular social networking giant, Facebook. Salamworld brands itself to be a safe site that is free of everything that is:

Launched in Istanbul, Turkey, at the Salamworld Inaugural Global Summit, the grand event was witnessed by a gathering of Islamic leaders and intellectuals, and it aims to garner 50 million users in three years.

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By the way, as of January 2012, Facebook has more than 800 million active users. If it were a country it would be the third-largest in the world after China (population: 1.34 billion) and India (population: 1.17 billion).

When asked, one of the owners of Salamworld, Siberian Muslim businessmen Abdulvahed Nizavov said, “At Salamworld, our aim is to overcome all political, language, and cultural barrier, to open the world to Muslims, and open Muslims to the world. Muslims in the world are not well-represented on the Internet; we want to change this situation.”

“However, we’re not constructing an Internet mosque; we are just creating a halal environment for Muslims.”

This should be interesting.  But wait, hang on, are they forgetting that there are also platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, MySpace, any given blog, and (let’s not leave out the giant) Google?

What are your thoughts on this? Do leave us a comment below. We’d love to hear it.


#Twitter: Introducing #Stickers, Twitter’s New Feature With A Unique Twist

It has finally arrived, after much buzz and trial runs.

Popular microblogging service Twitter has upped the fun factor on their platform with the addition of stickers. Or as they would call it, #Stickers.

!!!!! @Twitter now has #Stickers 💕 pic.twitter.com/ljHsUMvoEk

— Adam Groffman (@travelsofadam) June 27, 2016

The new feature allows you to add virtual stickers to the photos you post, ranging from the standard Unicode emoji to some original and Twitter exclusive ones. This include Twitter’s collection of stickers that are pegged to time and year/events i.e. graduation stickers or season-themed stickers.

How does it work? Much like the Snapchat stickers, you can resize, rotate, and add multiple #Stickers to your Twitter photo posts before uploading them.

But that’s not all! Twitter’s #Stickers function come with a unique twist: you can search them like hashtags. Yup, not only will you be able to add stickers from the Twitter apps for Andoid and iOS (you can’t add #Stickers from web, unfortunately), you will also be able to view and search them from the web! Just tap on a sticker inside a tweet and you’ll be taken to a new timeline that shows you how it’s being used around the world.

Coming soon! Unleash your creativity by adding fun #Stickers to your photos on Twitter: https://t.co/Ph92Oivyhy pic.twitter.com/NZoM6nHenD

According to Twitter, the feature is rolling out now and will be available to everyone using Twitter for iOS and Android within a couple weeks. Ace ;)

#Stickers joins the suite of photo editing features on Twitter, including filters, tags, cropping, and accessibility options. Now, we just need to wait for the character limit adjustments to be made and #beyond140 to be implemented, and we’re all set!

Source: Twitter / Featured image: @travelsofadam.

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