https://www.scmp.com/rss/32995/feed Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, is an annual festival that takes place around the world on October 31, the eve of the Christian feast of All Hallows. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In recent times the festival is celebrated with activities including dressing up in spooky costumes, trick-or-treating, apple bobbing, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns and... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The Korea Times The Korea Times South Korea’s long-awaited public inquiry into the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush opened on Thursday with tearful testimony from survivors and heated exchanges between police officials accused of mishandling emergency calls on the night of the disaster. The hearing came more than three years after the tragedy, following prolonged political gridlock, disputes over accountability and repeated delays in forming an independent investigative body. The National Commission for the Investigation of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3346336/south-korea-witnesses-describe-chain-failures-itaewon-crowd-crush-inquiry-begins?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3346336/south-korea-witnesses-describe-chain-failures-itaewon-crowd-crush-inquiry-begins?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 07:43:42 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Multiple people who had allegedly been plotting a violent attack over the Halloween weekend were arrested Friday in Michigan, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a social media post. The law enforcement effort was focused on suburban Detroit. Patel said more information would be released later. Investigators believe the plot was inspired by Islamic State extremism and are investigating whether those in custody were potentially radicalised online, according to two people briefed on the investigation... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331137/fbi-foils-halloween-weekend-attack-plot-michigan-director-kash-patel-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331137/fbi-foils-halloween-weekend-attack-plot-michigan-director-kash-patel-says?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 19:32:53 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Halloween, much like China’s Hungry Ghost Festival, has its roots in tales of spirits and the supernatural. But unlike the more solemn tone of the Hungry Ghost Festival, Halloween in Hong Kong has evolved into a lively, playful celebration, fuelled by the city’s creativity and curiosity, and inspired by both Western and local traditions. Although there’s no clear record of when the city began embracing Halloween, photographs from the 1980s show small-scale school parties with children dressing... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3330900/pictures-how-hong-kong-made-halloween-its-own?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3330900/pictures-how-hong-kong-made-halloween-its-own?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 08:00:26 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words Halloween is surely one of the most fun and frivolous of all the annual festivities in Hong Kong. On October 31 every year, Lan Kwai Fong is thronged with party-goers in their spooky get-ups, while children run around, wide-eyed and delighted, trick-or-treating with their... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3330836/did-you-know-halloween-has-irish-origins?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3330836/did-you-know-halloween-has-irish-origins?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 03:30:09 +0000 Reuters Reuters In some neighbourhoods of heavily Democratic Washington, Halloween displays with a decidedly political tone have long been a tradition. Nine months into Republican US President Donald Trump’s second term, some residents are staging anti-Trump yard displays prompted in part by his administration’s budget cuts, job lay-offs and norm-breaking policies. This Halloween also coincides with one of the longest government shutdowns in US history. In a front yard close to the US Capitol, Donna Breslin,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3330976/washington-halloween-displays-show-scariest-thing-democrats-trump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3330976/washington-halloween-displays-show-scariest-thing-democrats-trump?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:28:37 +0000 Luisa Tam Luisa Tam Halloween has become a significant revenue generator in Hong Kong, thanks in part to the widespread, family-friendly celebrations held in the city. It also serves as a prelude to the Christmas holiday season. The spooky celebration was not widely observed in Hong Kong until around three decades ago, when prominent Hong Kong businessman Allan Zeman established a small Halloween gathering in Lan Kwai Fong, in the city’s Central neighbourhood. This initiative helped transform the area into the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3330627/hong-kong-used-be-halloween-hub-asia-what-city-can-do-reclaim-its-crown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3330627/hong-kong-used-be-halloween-hub-asia-what-city-can-do-reclaim-its-crown?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:15:08 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer As Halloween descends on Hong Kong just in time for the weekend, the city comes alive with spooky revelry and seasonal flair. This weekend’s guide serves up a playful mix of dining experiences – from late-night street eats and karaoke in Central, to Mediterranean family feasts by the Gold Coast and pumpkin-spiced treats along Stanley’s seaside. Whether you’re embracing the Halloween spirit or simply in it for the treats, there’s plenty to indulge in this weekend. For dining recommendations... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3330616/your-hong-kong-food-guide-halloween-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3330616/your-hong-kong-food-guide-halloween-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:15:11 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng Halloween is coming, and plenty of festivities are in store this weekend. The Aubrey will host a special edition of Aubrey After Dark – a costume party with the theme of secrecy. Meanwhile, tequila brand Don Julio will host guest shifts and serve signature cocktails across DarkSide, Dragonfly and The Opposites to celebrate Día de los Muertos. Before that though, Madara’s Rayven Leung is taking over Urban Coffee Roasters in Central with meticulously crafted cocktails using Perfume Trees... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3330594/your-hong-kong-drinks-guide-halloween-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3330594/your-hong-kong-drinks-guide-halloween-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:15:08 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu The witch hat can be seen everywhere, from Halloween costumes to Hollywood films. But what many may not know is that a particular group of “witches” in northwestern China have, for decades, haunted historians and anthropologists with questions relating to the origins of the headgear and early human migration. The discovery of well-preserved mummies in the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang shook the archaeological world in the early 20th century, and significant investigations since the 1990s have... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3330142/secrets-chinas-ancient-tarim-mummies-witch-hats-early-human-migration?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3330142/secrets-chinas-ancient-tarim-mummies-witch-hats-early-human-migration?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Oct 2025 11:15:08 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Eat this Shop B Leaning into founder Natalie Ngan’s background, this understated eatery recently changed tack from elevated dai pai dong to American-inflected Chinese. Big flavours abound in dishes such as Sichuan pepper beef tartare, “Dao C Lang Yu” Caesar salad, and possibly the best fried squab in all of Hong Kong Island. Shop B, 10-14 Fuk Sau Lane, Sai Ying Pun Don’t miss Hotel Revelateur On October 31, Pier 1929 will transform into Hotel Revelateur, inviting Hong Kong’s ghosts and ghouls... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3330189/our-cheat-sheet-what-do-hong-kong-october-26-november-1?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3330189/our-cheat-sheet-what-do-hong-kong-october-26-november-1?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Oct 2025 22:15:13 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso With Halloween just around the corner, we’ve compiled the trendiest costumes to keep an eye on this season, as inspired by the biggest shows, celebrities and pop culture moments this year. From K-pop girl group-inspired costumes for you and your best friends (Huntrix from KPop Demon Hunters, obviously!) to pink and green ensembles inspired by the Land of Oz in Wicked, we’ve got you covered. Think like a showgirl When it comes to putting together a Halloween-worthy costume that still looks cool,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3330076/halloween-costume-ideas-2025-taylor-swifts-showgirl-vibe-kpop-demon-hunters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3330076/halloween-costume-ideas-2025-taylor-swifts-showgirl-vibe-kpop-demon-hunters?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:00:14 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Hong Kong is fully embracing the Halloween spirit this year with a range of spooktacular events. A highlight is Spooky Halloween, a music carnival at the Wan Chai Harbourfront featuring big names such as US DJ Steve Aoki and Cantopop star Hins Cheung. Bars and restaurants across the city will serve up spooky cocktails, while tens of thousands of costumed revellers are expected to gather in the heart of the entertainment district of Lan Kwai Fong for a street party on October 31. A host of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3329744/what-do-hong-kong-halloween-2025-parties-face-painting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3329744/what-do-hong-kong-halloween-2025-parties-face-painting?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:15:08 +0000 dpa dpa You probably haven’t started thinking about your Halloween look, or you may already be defaulting to the easy options of cat or vampire, which require no more than a liquid liner or a little fake blood. This year, however, there are some viral looks from cinematic references to snatched skeletons that are perfect – and just as easy – for your 2025 Halloween make-up. Below, celebrity make-up artists share their top picks of the trending looks to try this Halloween, from Wicked witches to coquette... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/trends/article/3329657/4-trending-make-looks-recreate-halloween-2025-tiktoks-coquette-clown-wednesday-inspired-goth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/trends/article/3329657/4-trending-make-looks-recreate-halloween-2025-tiktoks-coquette-clown-wednesday-inspired-goth?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Oct 2025 06:00:09 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng As Hong Kong recovers from the raucous party that was World’s 50 Best Bars and the enormous number of guest shifts by visiting bars, the city’s beverage scene is deservedly having a quieter weekend. If you’re looking for more of Hong Kong’s world-class mixology this weekend though, you could do worse than visiting some of the award nominees – who are still delivering the same first-rate beverages, but now without the crowds. Separately, in Central, Yume takes over the former address of Quality... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3329089/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-october-16-18?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3329089/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-october-16-18?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 10:15:13 +0000 Cheesy horror fixtures are a dime a dozen: the chainsaw-wielding psychopath, the murderous mutant resulting from a lab experiment gone wrong and, perhaps most recognisable, the anaemic face of a damsel in distress, mouth agape in anticipation of an award-worthy scream. A “scream queen” is an actress known for her appearances in horror films, often as a central character. She is not to be confused with a “final girl” – another horror trope, where a woman, after having dealt with the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3291167/who-are-6-scream-queens-2024-euphoria-star-sydney-sweeney-beetlejuice-beetlejuice-actress-jenna?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3291167/who-are-6-scream-queens-2024-euphoria-star-sydney-sweeney-beetlejuice-beetlejuice-actress-jenna?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Dec 2024 10:00:09 +0000 If supermodel Heidi Klum is the “Queen of Halloween”, then English TV personality Vas J. Morgan might just be the prince. For three years in a row, the spooky bashes Morgan throws with Michael Braun have made Vogue’s list of the Very Best Halloween Parties, with this year’s event no exception. The Western-themed celebration in West Hollywood was attended by A-listers including Anna Kendrick, Hailey Bieber, Robert Pattinson, Paris Hilton, Demi Lovato, Lewis Capaldi, Cara Delevingne, Rita Ora,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3285611/who-vas-j-morgan-only-way-essex-star-fashionista-and-philanthropist-just-threw-star-studded?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3285611/who-vas-j-morgan-only-way-essex-star-fashionista-and-philanthropist-just-threw-star-studded?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Nov 2024 22:00:11 +0000 Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification News that snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan has taken up Hong Kong residency under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme has sparked renewed conversations around the city’s efforts to attract... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3285077/just-low-taxes-and-good-food-wont-make-hong-kong-talent-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3285077/just-low-taxes-and-good-food-wont-make-hong-kong-talent-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Nov 2024 03:30:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial If local retail and food and beverage businesses have reason to be concerned about losing custom across the border to Shenzhen, there was little evidence of it in the crowds that jam-packed the entertainment area of Lan Kwai Fong for Halloween celebrations on Thursday. It may have been a week night and many of the revellers had to be at work or study the next morning, but far from reflecting restraint, the scenes prompted one bar owner to proclaim “the vibe is back to the old Hong Kong”. Whether... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3284967/halloween-crowds-show-old-hk-spirit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3284967/halloween-crowds-show-old-hk-spirit?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Nov 2024 21:00:14 +0000 1. Heidi Klum and Tom Kaulitz stun as E.T. in out-of-this-world costumes at her iconic Halloween party Supermodel Klum dazzles once again after keeping everybody guessing over her 2024 Halloween costume, transforming into Steven Spielberg’s loveable movie alien alongside husband Kaulitz. Discover how the queen of Halloween continues to inspire with her elaborate creations. 2. Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco and Lizzo among Hollywood’s costumed stars stepping out for Halloween 2024 Gomez and Blanco... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/article/3284749/heidi-klum-pulls-out-all-stops-halloween-party-stars-selena-gomez-sophie-turner-lizzo-and-more-also?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/article/3284749/heidi-klum-pulls-out-all-stops-halloween-party-stars-selena-gomez-sophie-turner-lizzo-and-more-also?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Nov 2024 10:00:29 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Tens of thousands of costumed revellers headed to bars and pubs in the popular Hong Kong entertainment district of Lan Kwai Fong on Thursday night to celebrate Halloween, but business was less than satisfactory for some owners. Revellers began filling the narrow lanes of Lan Kwai Fong in the early evening, with those possessing a flair for dressing up hitting the streets with quirky and sometimes scary outfits – and more than a little macabre make-up. Police estimated that about 25,000 people... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3284696/back-old-times-hong-kong-halloween-draws-tens-thousands-lan-kwai-fong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3284696/back-old-times-hong-kong-halloween-draws-tens-thousands-lan-kwai-fong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Oct 2024 15:22:56 +0000 This live blog has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Download our app to get faster notifications. Hong Kong is diving into a wave of activities to celebrate Halloween on Thursday, as revellers head to bars and pubs in the nightlife districts of Lan Kwai Fong and Tsim Sha Tsui as well as theme parks and even residential neighbourhoods. Those with a flair for dressing up have hit the streets in the evening... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3284599/hongkongers-revel-halloween-trick-or-treating-flash-mobs-night-owls-emerge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3284599/hongkongers-revel-halloween-trick-or-treating-flash-mobs-night-owls-emerge?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Oct 2024 10:05:22 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Diners and revellers in Hong Kong have weighed in on the new surveillance cameras in the city’s Lan Kwai Fong nightlife area for crowd control on Halloween, with some voicing concerns that the beefed-up security measures could intrude into their privacy and dampen the festive mood. Hongkonger Joyce Chan was surprised at several newly installed surveillance cameras in the entertainment hub near her workplace in Central, and said the devices could be an intrusion on residents’ privacy despite the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3284629/hong-kong-revellers-voice-privacy-concerns-over-added-cctvs-halloween-party-area?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3284629/hong-kong-revellers-voice-privacy-concerns-over-added-cctvs-halloween-party-area?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Oct 2024 09:12:40 +0000 US President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, who dressed as a giant panda, hosted trick-or-treaters on the White House South Lawn on Wednesday for the last time. The first lady had taken part in the National Zoo’s announcement earlier this year that pandas would be returning to Washington. They arrived in the nation’s capital in mid-October and Jill Biden donned the panda suit Wednesday as a “welcoming gesture”, the White House said. Jill Biden added an educational theme to the event and named it... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3284540/jill-biden-dresses-giant-panda-final-white-house-halloween?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3284540/jill-biden-dresses-giant-panda-final-white-house-halloween?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Oct 2024 00:41:30 +0000 A calendar clash of festivals in multi-racial Malaysia, with Diwali and Halloween falling on the same day, has spurred debate over the rise of imported culture at the expense of local customs and faiths as malls dedicate more space to pumpkins and ghouls than oil lamps and peacock feathers. Diwali is observed by Malaysia’s 2 million Hindus as well as its small Sikh population. Celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, the festival falls on October 31, the same day this year as Halloween, a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3284434/malaysians-decry-halloween-overshadowing-diwali-date-clash-festivals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3284434/malaysians-decry-halloween-overshadowing-diwali-date-clash-festivals?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Oct 2024 06:12:33 +0000 Police rounded up Halloween party-goers in Shanghai on October 26, 2024. Video posted on social media showed officers targeting people wearing Halloween costumes. Some of the revellers posted on social media that they were taken to a police station where they were forced to remove their make-up. Those rounded up were required to register their names, ID numbers and phone numbers with police before being released. In 2023, Halloween revellers thronged streets in the central part of the Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3284172/chinese-police-detain-halloween-party-goers-crackdown-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3284172/chinese-police-detain-halloween-party-goers-crackdown-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:17:26 +0000 As an adult who has seen Halloween on repeat for decades, it can be easy to forget how frightening and confusing a child might find it all. Halloween’s deathly origins are thousands of years old and can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It was believed that on one day of the year – November 1 – the souls of the deceased returned to roam among the living, who dressed up in costumes to scare the spirits off. Modern-day trick-or-treating has scary beginnings, too. It is... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3283613/if-your-child-scared-halloween-these-expert-tips-can-help-them-feel-safe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3283613/if-your-child-scared-halloween-these-expert-tips-can-help-them-feel-safe?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Oct 2024 21:45:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Every year in Hong Kong, partygoers get into the Halloween spirit with festive costumes and make-up. This year is no exception. Pumpkin-shaped ice-cream trucks are doing the rounds of several districts, and even the city’s trams and MTR stations are decorated for the season. The West Kowloon Cultural District, rebranded WestK, has a full programme of pet-friendly Halloween events from October 26 to October 31, while in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Hong Kong Space Museum 3D Celestial Projections runs... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3283316/7-halloween-2024-events-hong-kong-pet-friendly-bar-spooky-party-brunch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3283316/7-halloween-2024-events-hong-kong-pet-friendly-bar-spooky-party-brunch?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Oct 2024 04:45:07 +0000 Although typically thought of as orange in colour, pumpkin’s 200 edible varieties range in colour from yellow to green, blue, purple, black and even white. Beyond its tough skin, the flesh of this fruit – yes, botanically it is a fruit – contains nutrients including vitamins A and C that boost the immune system, potassium to lower blood pressure, and antioxidants to guard against disease. In addition, the versatility of pumpkin makes it easy to incorporate into all kinds of dishes, from salads... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/dining/article/3282893/not-just-pie-how-cook-pumpkin-different-cuisines-chefs-share-their-favourite-dishes-soups-curries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/dining/article/3282893/not-just-pie-how-cook-pumpkin-different-cuisines-chefs-share-their-favourite-dishes-soups-curries?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Oct 2024 23:00:09 +0000 A large fireworks festival in South Korea drawing a massive crowd on Saturday has snarled traffic through its busy capital, prompting police to deploy 2,400 officers and increases to the rates of some hotel rooms with a view above 10 million won (US$7,400). The popular annual event has taken on a serious public safety dimension as memory is still fresh of a Halloween night disaster two years ago that killed 159 mostly young people in a crowd crush in a dense entertainment district. Many of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3281223/huge-crowds-south-korea-fireworks-despite-deadly-2022-crush?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3281223/huge-crowds-south-korea-fireworks-despite-deadly-2022-crush?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Oct 2024 12:21:55 +0000 A South Korean court has handed down prison sentences to three police officers over their botched handling of a 2022 Halloween crush in a Seoul nightlife district that killed nearly 160 people. It was the first conviction of officials over the failure by authorities to prevent or adequately respond to the overcrowding that occurred in the popular Itaewon district. No top-level officials have been charged or held accountable, prompting criticism from bereaved families and opposition... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3280638/south-korea-jails-ex-police-chief-over-deadly-halloween-crush-killed-159?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3280638/south-korea-jails-ex-police-chief-over-deadly-halloween-crush-killed-159?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Oct 2024 03:13:05 +0000 South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol blocked on Tuesday a bill to launch a new probe into a Halloween crowd crush that killed 159 people in Seoul’s Itaewon district in 2022, in a move slammed by the opposition and relatives of the victims. Yoon’s office announced his veto of conducting an investigation with an independent panel hours after the prime minister described the opposition-backed bill as politicised and potentially in breach of the constitution. “The pain from the disaster cannot be... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3250305/new-probe-south-koreas-deadly-halloween-stampede-blocked-cold-blooded-yoon-suk-yeol?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3250305/new-probe-south-koreas-deadly-halloween-stampede-blocked-cold-blooded-yoon-suk-yeol?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Jan 2024 10:00:29 +0000 Hollywood’s stylish “It” couple Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum are officially engaged! According to People, the news was confirmed earlier this week amid Halloween celebrations. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Just Jared (@justjared) The Batman actress and the Magic Mike’s Last Dance actor, who have been romantically linked since the summer of 2021, were photographed leaving a party, with Kravitz seemingly donning an engagement ring on her... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3240073/6-zoe-kravitz-and-channing-tatums-best-couple-fashion-looks-their-rosemarys-baby-halloween-fit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3240073/6-zoe-kravitz-and-channing-tatums-best-couple-fashion-looks-their-rosemarys-baby-halloween-fit?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Nov 2023 17:00:20 +0000 The last two weeks have been filled with costume parties packed with celebrities trying out some of their most daring looks to date – all in the name of Halloween. Some famous couples went with matching costumes, while others chose to match with friends, like the cast of Selling Sunset. Here are 24 jaw-dropping looks we saw celebrities wearing this spooky season. 1. Kelsea Ballerini went as Barbie Ballerini dressed up as Margot Robbie’s version of Barbie from this year’s biggest box-office... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3239813/24-must-see-celebrity-halloween-costumes-2023-paris-hilton-recreating-britney-spears-toxic-look-demi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3239813/24-must-see-celebrity-halloween-costumes-2023-paris-hilton-recreating-britney-spears-toxic-look-demi?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Oct 2023 11:00:29 +0000 Cloaked in a black cape like the infamous count himself, 10-year-old Niklas Schuetz runs through the dark corridors of a hilltop castle in search of the truth about Dracula. “He was a Romanian prince, not a vampire,” says the boy, as he roams by torchlight through the nocturnal gloom of Forchtenstein Castle. The group being guided through the Austrian fortress are eager to sink their teeth into the gripping life of Vlad Tepes, the notorious “Vlad the Impaler”, whose descendants once held the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3239683/real-count-dracula-story-vlad-impaler-handsome-gruesome-prince-who-inspired-fictional-vampire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3239683/real-count-dracula-story-vlad-impaler-handsome-gruesome-prince-who-inspired-fictional-vampire?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Oct 2023 03:15:27 +0000 Bereaved relatives of victims of last year’s devastating Halloween crush in Seoul and their supporters demanded an independent investigation of the disaster as they marked the anniversary Sunday with a massive Memorial service. The crush, one of the biggest peacetime disasters in South Korea, killed 159 people, most of them in their 20s and 30s who had gathered in Itaewon, a popular nightlife district in Seoul, for Halloween celebrations. Commemorating the anniversary, the families, activists... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3239595/south-korea-deadly-halloween-crush-families-call-special-probe-apology-president-anniversary?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3239595/south-korea-deadly-halloween-crush-families-call-special-probe-apology-president-anniversary?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Oct 2023 12:32:49 +0000 Halloween celebrations in South Korea were subdued on the eve of the first anniversary of the harrowing party crush that killed 159 people. Many restaurants, bars, department stores and amusement parks are avoiding Halloween-themed events as a sign of respect for the victims. Few people clad in Halloween costumes were seen Saturday in Seoul’s popular Itaewon neighbourhood, the site of last year’s deadly surge when many revellers and others packed an alley, causing people to fall on each other... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3239538/south-koreans-hold-subdued-halloween-celebrations-year-after-party-crush-killed-159?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3239538/south-koreans-hold-subdued-halloween-celebrations-year-after-party-crush-killed-159?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Oct 2023 12:09:56 +0000 Halloween may have become a kitschy festival devoid of any real terror beyond the fear of rotten teeth after too much sugar, but there are places that can send a chill down the spine of even the most sceptical adult. Here are five of Asia’s most haunted destinations. 1. Doi Suthep (Chiang Mai, Thailand) Bloody entrails spill from a severed buffalo head being cradled by a drunk man trying to appease the devils that haunt the mountains of Chiang Mai. Inside a Buddhist temple, surrounded by... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3239093/halloween-5-asias-most-scary-and-haunted-destinations-ghosts-spirits-monsters-possession-and-giant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3239093/halloween-5-asias-most-scary-and-haunted-destinations-ghosts-spirits-monsters-possession-and-giant?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Oct 2023 23:15:12 +0000 A knot of people jostled and shoved each other in a narrow alleyway in Seoul, before filing patiently past a barricade of police officers in a crowd control drill held ahead of the one-year anniversary of a deadly Halloween crush. The exercise, showcasing an AI-backed network of nearly 1,000 closed-circuit TV cameras designed to detect and alert against dangerous crowding, was displayed on banks of large screens watched by officials ready to swing into action. The effort comes after a crowd... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3239180/ahead-itaewon-halloween-crush-anniversary-south-korea-tests-crowd-safety-plan-so-not-single-person?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3239180/ahead-itaewon-halloween-crush-anniversary-south-korea-tests-crowd-safety-plan-so-not-single-person?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Oct 2023 23:00:21 +0000 With temperatures finally dropping in Hong Kong and Halloween just around the corner, horror-themed events targeting keen cosplayers and runners are scheduled around the city. Since these activities are focused more on fun than who wins, there is no pressure to run fast or go long distances. Just put on the costume of your choice and enjoy the breezy weather – and perhaps make a few passers-by jump along the way. 1. Halloween Mini Marathon at HKU The University of Hong Kong’s Centre for Sports... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3239104/3-halloween-2023-running-events-hong-kong-exercise-and-spooky-fancy-dress-fun?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3239104/3-halloween-2023-running-events-hong-kong-exercise-and-spooky-fancy-dress-fun?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Oct 2023 09:24:26 +0000 As businesses around the world cash in on Halloween by promoting scary movies, costumes, decorations and other commodities designed to create an adrenaline rush through short-term fear, many around the world are suffering from real-life horror. The most recent examples are, of course, the abduction of hostages and killings by Hamas in Israel in a surprise attack on October 7 and the terror Palestinians in Gaza have experienced every day as a result of Israel’s retaliatory air strikes. Meanwhile,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3239037/gaza-and-ukraine-wars-cast-shadow-halloween-why-create-more-horror-world-already-full-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3239037/gaza-and-ukraine-wars-cast-shadow-halloween-why-create-more-horror-world-already-full-it?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Oct 2023 12:34:36 +0000 When October 31 rolls around, the stars don’t just celebrate – they transform. From whimsical family costumes to jaw-dropping solo get-ups and epic parties, Hollywood’s wealthiest love to pull out all the stops and spare no expense to have a little fun on All Hallow’s Eve. And we love to see it! After all, if you’ve got it – haunt it. Here are some of the celebrities who famously go all out for Halloween every year: Forget vampires or witches – get ready for a Barbiecore Halloween this... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3238574/meet-hollywoods-most-halloween-crazy-celebs-kardashian-jenners-and-cindy-crawford-and-rande-gerbers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3238574/meet-hollywoods-most-halloween-crazy-celebs-kardashian-jenners-and-cindy-crawford-and-rande-gerbers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Oct 2023 01:00:15 +0000 Almost a year since South Korea’s horrific Halloween crowd crush, families are still grappling with grief as they continue to call for justice following the disaster that killed 159 mostly young people in Seoul’s Itaewon nightlife district. The revellers, including 26 foreigners, were crushed to death in a narrow, hilly alleyway after huge throngs surged through the bottleneck with no police to control the crowds. A government investigation concluded in January that police and other government... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3238889/year-after-south-koreas-halloween-stampede-victims-families-still-seek-justice-law-wont-bring-our?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3238889/year-after-south-koreas-halloween-stampede-victims-families-still-seek-justice-law-wont-bring-our?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Oct 2023 23:30:19 +0000 Halloween, when Hong Kong is inundated with themed parties upon parties, is one of the city’s most lively occasions. Each Halloween sees new costume trends, some of which respond to current pop culture and trending films – take the Suicide Squad and Squid Game outfits of recent years – alongside the usual vampires, witches and zombies. But the devil is in the detail: when it comes to Halloween get-ups, your nail art, from simple, claw-shaped stilettos in black and red to complicated styles... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3238608/halloween-nail-art-trends-and-designs-2023-dont-be-afraid-get-weird?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3238608/halloween-nail-art-trends-and-designs-2023-dont-be-afraid-get-weird?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Oct 2023 10:15:13 +0000 With the spooky season just around the corner, many of us have been scouring the internet to find some Halloween-ready inspo to get into the spirit of the holiday. Chrissy Teigen’s Instagram is always a good place to start, as the American model – who hails from Thai, German and Norwegian descent – has always managed to serve incredible fancy dress outfits in time for October. View this post on Instagram A post shared by John Legend (@johnlegend) From... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3238569/10-times-asian-stars-won-halloween-iconic-costumes-blackpinks-lisa-squid-game-doll-and-sonam-kapoor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3238569/10-times-asian-stars-won-halloween-iconic-costumes-blackpinks-lisa-squid-game-doll-and-sonam-kapoor?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Oct 2023 02:00:08 +0000 Halloween 2023 promises to be extra special in Hong Kong now that mask-wearing and social distancing rules have been dropped with the waning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Lan Kwai Fong Association – a non-profit organisation that groups together and helps promote over 100 bars, restaurants and clubs – has launched a Monster Mash 2023 “Cirque du Freak” campaign to inject some immersive Halloween-themed fun into the nightlife area in Central district. Lan Kwai Fong venues taking part in the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3238508/halloween-2023-hong-kong-vampire-ball-and-other-spooky-themed-parties-best-dressed-dog-contest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3238508/halloween-2023-hong-kong-vampire-ball-and-other-spooky-themed-parties-best-dressed-dog-contest?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Oct 2023 10:15:16 +0000 What the hell has happened to Halloween? Apart from it becoming every self-respecting copywriter’s worst nightmare, of course! The commercialisation of Halloween has been a long and ever more heavily marketed process. The first mention in the pages of the South China Morning Post was on November 1, 1927: “Last night the Scots of the Colony celebrated Hallowe’en, at least those who are members of the Volunteers did, and they observed it right royally. “The celebration […] took the form of a... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/3238451/hallo-hong-kong-halloween-campaign-what-point-tourist-boards-tacky-2023-campaign-does-not-enhance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/3238451/hallo-hong-kong-halloween-campaign-what-point-tourist-boards-tacky-2023-campaign-does-not-enhance?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Oct 2023 09:45:07 +0000 The traditional black-and-orange Halloween palette is about to turn hot pink. And retailers are bracing themselves. Barbie is set to be the third-most-popular Halloween costume for adults after witches and vampires, and among the top 10 for kids, according to The National Retail Federation. It’s never ranked in the top 10 for either age group since the NRF began asking consumers about their holiday plans in 2004. Licensed costumes, off-brand duplicates and DIY interpretations will feature... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3237830/get-ready-barbiecore-flooded-halloween-october-greta-gerwigs-blockbuster-film-keeps-turning-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3237830/get-ready-barbiecore-flooded-halloween-october-greta-gerwigs-blockbuster-film-keeps-turning-world?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:21 +0000 South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday overturned the impeachment of the public safety minister ousted over a Halloween crowd surge that killed nearly 160 people last October at a nightlife district in the capital, Seoul. The court’s decision allows Lee Sang-min to return as the minister of the interior and safety. Vice Minister Han Chang-seob has served as acting minister since February when South Korea’s opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach Lee, saying he should be held... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3228874/south-korean-minister-ousted-over-horrific-halloween-tragedy-not-responsible-deadly-crowd-crush?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3228874/south-korean-minister-ousted-over-horrific-halloween-tragedy-not-responsible-deadly-crowd-crush?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Jul 2023 10:36:57 +0000 For weeks after 158 people were crushed to death in a Seoul alleyway, Song Hae-jin searched for the right psychological care for her teenage son. Lee Jae-hyun, 16, was with his two best friends in the trendy district of Itaewon when last year’s Halloween night out took a fatal turn. They were caught in the terrible crush of people in the warren of narrow streets that sits at the heart of the South Korean capital. “One was behind him so he couldn’t see his last moment, but the other friend was... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3221146/there-huge-pressure-developed-worlds-suicide-hot-spot-south-korea-battles-toxic-cocktail-issues?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3221146/there-huge-pressure-developed-worlds-suicide-hot-spot-south-korea-battles-toxic-cocktail-issues?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 May 2023 03:15:10 +0000 First, he lost his child in Seoul’s Halloween crowd crush. Then came a torrent of online abuse, upending his family’s once-private life and making him an internet-wide figure of mockery. In October, Lee Jong-chul’s 24-year-old son was among more than 150 people killed in the disaster in the city’s popular Itaewon district. Grief-stricken, he spoke to media, pleading with South Korean politicians to take action. Then, as has happened after incidents from the Sandy Hook mass shooting to the... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3216516/south-korea-families-itaewon-crowd-crush-victims-face-unspeakable-online-abuse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3216516/south-korea-families-itaewon-crowd-crush-victims-face-unspeakable-online-abuse?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Apr 2023 04:18:25 +0000