https://www.scmp.com/rss/505146/feed Haneesa is a Singapore-based freelance journalist who writes for the Post covering lifestyle and entertainment news. She is a graduate of the National University of Singapore with a degree in sociology. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com With scenes of feline superheroes flying past the famous Marina Bay Sands resort and a character modelled on the country’s symbolic mythical creature, the intergalactic comic-like graphic novel Starlight Cats presents Singapore in an altogether alternative universe. The brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Shane Davis and Yanzi Lin, the comic stars the city state’s population of street cats – a common sight in the alleyways and backstreets of Singapore. Three years in the making, Starlight Cats... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3113579/singapore-and-its-street-cats-youve-never-seen-them-dc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3113579/singapore-and-its-street-cats-youve-never-seen-them-dc?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Dec 2020 23:15:09 +0000 From a fighter robot that speaks in Singaporean slang to a Malaysian influencer who dons a head wrap, a variety of Southeast Asian characters have begun cropping up in video games – giving the region’s gamers a chance to play as someone they can relate to. Malaysian influencer and fashion lover Noor makes an appearance in Ubisoft’s new battle royale game, Hyper Scape. The character hails from Pekan, Malaysia, and goes by the name Noor Azimah Yusof. She is 23, and wears a head covering like a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3102507/variety-inclusion-and-diversity-buzzwords-video-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3102507/variety-inclusion-and-diversity-buzzwords-video-game?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2020 04:15:11 +0000 Becoming a YouTube star has been a long, strange journey for Malaysia’s Aisyah Razip, who uploaded her first video when she was 13 years old. Seven years on, Aisyah has defied the haters who harass her, and survived a hacking incident in 2019, to become one of the country’s top YouTube personalities. Along the way, Aisyah has learned that life as a full-time YouTuber isn’t always easy, but her motto hidup kena chill, with which she ends her videos, helps to remind her that life should be... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3101457/malaysian-youtuber-cupcake-aisyah-overcomes-harassment-hate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3101457/malaysian-youtuber-cupcake-aisyah-overcomes-harassment-hate?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Sep 2020 23:30:07 +0000 Singaporean YouTube personality Dee Kosh is facing a police investigation after being accused on social media of sexually harassing at least five teenage males aged 15 to 19. While he initially denied all of the allegations, which emerged late last week, the 32-year-old released a statement on Instagram and Facebook earlier this week admitting some of the claims involving a 15-year-old boy were true. “There are some screenshots circulating of me texting with a 15-year-old that I now accept is... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3097920/singaporean-youtube-star-dee-kosh-under-investigation-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3097920/singaporean-youtube-star-dee-kosh-under-investigation-after?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Aug 2020 04:45:14 +0000 Twenty-year-old Indonesian singer Stephanie Poetri has had quite a year. In the past 12 months, her original track I Love You 3000 went viral, she clinched an award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards, signed with powerhouse Asian label 88rising, performed at the Heads in the Clouds music festival in Los Angeles, and collaborated with a K-pop star. I Love You 3000, a love song about a movie-like romance, became an instant hit when it was released in June 2019 and got close to 70 million views on... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3095007/stephanie-poetri-indonesian-pop-star-her-breakout-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3095007/stephanie-poetri-indonesian-pop-star-her-breakout-year?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Jul 2020 10:30:06 +0000 Women of various races – in medieval gowns with fitted corsets and capes – sip drinks through curly straws, dab on make-up and snap group selfies, all in the comfort of a neon-lit bar. This is just one of the whimsical digital images, blending medieval and Renaissance themes with pop culture, created by Indonesian artist and illustrator Anindya Anugrah. Made up of an array of patterns, colourful characters and carefully chosen scenes, her work aims to elicit wonder and intrigue. Anindya’s online... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3092422/indonesian-artist-blends-medieval-and-modern-digital-art?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3092422/indonesian-artist-blends-medieval-and-modern-digital-art?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Jul 2020 00:15:15 +0000 Liam Nikuro uploaded an image of an “I can’t breathe” poster on his Instagram account in May, mobilising his followers to support the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States. “We need to stand together and take action in any way we can,” he wrote. One of his peers, imma gram, posted a list of black Americans killed at the hands of the authorities and demanded change, while her brother, plusticboy, encouraged his followers to learn more about the historical injustices faced by African-... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3091979/instagram-influencer-singer-and-model-and-computer-generated?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3091979/instagram-influencer-singer-and-model-and-computer-generated?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Jul 2020 21:15:13 +0000 K-pop girl group Blackpink have come under fire for using a statue of a Hindu deity as a prop in a recent record-breaking music video. The group’s highly anticipated comeback single, How You Like That, made YouTube history as the most-viewed music video premiere – taking over from BTS’ Boy With Luv. The Blackpink video, uploaded on June 26, hit 50 million views in just over 11 hours, and has so far received almost 230 million views. However, fans were quick to point out that a scene in the video... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3091957/elephant-room-blackpink-use-ganesha-statue-youtube-video?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3091957/elephant-room-blackpink-use-ganesha-statue-youtube-video?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Jul 2020 06:09:48 +0000 A Singaporean podcast tackles questions that would otherwise go unasked in Asian communities – from the best way to deal with menstruation cramps to whether women should take birth control pills. Something Private seeks to shed light on sexual health matters relevant to the Asian woman. “Women’s health has always been a topic that I’ve been very invested in personally,” says the podcast’s founder, Nicole Lim, 24, whose friends and relatives discuss a range of “taboo” subjects on Something... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3087523/singapore-sexual-health-podcast-host-feels-shes-meeting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3087523/singapore-sexual-health-podcast-host-feels-shes-meeting?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Jun 2020 04:30:05 +0000 A rising Chinese influencer has seen her profile boosted for all the wrong reasons after side-by-side photos that revealed she has been digitally transforming herself went viral throughout Asia. A Facebook post comparing before and after images of the influencer, who goes by the names Coeyyy and Coeyyyy, has so far received more than 18,000 shares and 11,000 comments. While the altered pictures depict her as a doll-like figure with porcelain skin, the original photos show what appears to be a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3087553/rising-chinese-influencer-fat-shamed-after-extreme-photo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3087553/rising-chinese-influencer-fat-shamed-after-extreme-photo?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jun 2020 06:45:07 +0000 Living in conservative Malaysia has not stopped the proudly queer Alex Bong from making waves in the music industry. Going by the stage name Alextbh, he writes songs that deal with relationships and heartbreak, and are mostly inspired by experiences in the modern-day dating world. The Sarawak native got his first taste of music production when he was only 14. After his mother gave him an iPad, he started experimenting with the music software Garage Band. The first song he posted to YouTube... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3086290/queer-malaysian-singer-alextbh-embracing-his-sexuality?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3086290/queer-malaysian-singer-alextbh-embracing-his-sexuality?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 May 2020 11:00:07 +0000 Singapore’s flagship newspaper The Straits Times has been feeling the wrath of K-pop fans this week after it published an article on South Korean idol Jaehyun’s apology for enjoying a night out in Seoul amid the coronavirus outbreak. Fans of Jaehyun – a member of boy band NCT – took to social media accusing the newspaper of damaging the reputation of the singer, and the hashtag #StraitsTimesIsOverParty has been trending on Twitter all week. The drama started on Monday when it was revealed that... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3085395/fans-nct-member-jaehyun-attack-straits-times-over-story?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3085395/fans-nct-member-jaehyun-attack-straits-times-over-story?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 May 2020 04:45:12 +0000 From tiny baby heads squashed into sardine cans to a slice of tart full of miniature human organs, the creations of Singaporean artist Qixuan Lim are not for the faint-hearted. The 28-year-old with the Instagram handle @Qimmyshimmy attracts a range of barbed comments. One internet user spams Bible verses on her social media posts in an attempt to “cleanse her soul”. Others slam her works as “disgusting”. With more than 187,000 followers, she says being hated is an everyday thing for her – and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3084207/singaporean-artists-shocking-tim-burton-inspired-sculptures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3084207/singaporean-artists-shocking-tim-burton-inspired-sculptures?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2020 23:15:19 +0000 Twelve-year-old singer Alyssa Dezek is the youngest social media star to enter Malaysia’s YouTube top 10, having notched up more than 2.5 million subscribers. The young singer entered the top 10 last week, coming in at ninth position ahead of Malaysian hip-hop artist Namewee. The feat comes less than a year after the Kuala Lumpur-based youngster received her YouTube Gold Play Button award, which is given to YouTubers with more than a million subscribers. “I’m so excited that I get to be [on the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3084205/how-malaysian-youtube-star-alyssa-dezek-became-countrys?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3084205/how-malaysian-youtube-star-alyssa-dezek-became-countrys?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2020 11:00:18 +0000 Taiwanese singer-actress Pai Bing-bing was recently forced to relive the brutal murder of her teenage daughter 23 years ago when an internet user posted on social media that she should “die in the water” like her late child. The callous comment came after Pai uploaded a video to Facebook to commemorate the anniversary this month of her daughter’s death. On April 12, Pai filed a police report against the internet user, who was found to have a history of mental illness, and is pursuing charges... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3081206/she-spent-15-years-wiping-away-memories-daughters-murder?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3081206/she-spent-15-years-wiping-away-memories-daughters-murder?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2020 23:15:11 +0000 A mixed-race contestant on a Chinese singing competition show has been targeted with racial abuse as the treatment of African people living in the country comes under increased scrutiny. Winnie Zhong Feifei, who was born in Liaoning province to a Chinese mother and Congolese father, was recently revealed as a contestant on the singing competition show Produce Camp 2020, a spin-off of the famed South Korean K-pop reality show Produce 101.  Since the announcement, Zhong has had to deal with a... https://www.scmp.com/society/african-chinese-tv-contestant-becomes-target-racial-abuse-china/article/3080223?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/society/african-chinese-tv-contestant-becomes-target-racial-abuse-china/article/3080223?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2020 10:29:56 +0000 A mixed-race contestant on a Chinese reality television show has found herself in the limelight as China’s treatment of African people living in the country comes under increasing scrutiny. Winnie Zhong Feifei, who was born in Liaoning province to a Chinese mother and Congolese father, was recently revealed as a contestant on the singing competition show Produce Camp 2020, a spin-off of the famed South Korean K-pop reality show Produce 101. But Zhong has had to deal with a storm of derogatory... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3079862/african-chinese-tv-show-contestant-target-racist-attacks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3079862/african-chinese-tv-show-contestant-target-racist-attacks?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2020 04:45:06 +0000 Hong Kong Canto-pop star Eason Chan Yick-shun and Taiwanese singer-songwriter Jolin Tsai have been accused of creating “Chinese propaganda” in a new song intended to pay tribute to medical workers fighting the coronavirus and provide encouragement to the public amid the pandemic. The duet, titled Fight as One, was performed in English and recorded in separate studios by the two singers in a collaboration with mainland Chinese media company the Yunnan Media Group. However, the tribute song... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3079602/jolin-tsai-and-eason-chans-coronavirus-tribute-video?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3079602/jolin-tsai-and-eason-chans-coronavirus-tribute-video?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2020 04:45:04 +0000 Hong Kong singer-actress Karen Mok has come under fire on Chinese social media after showing her support for the upcoming ban on the consumption of cats and dogs in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. Shenzhen’s move followed a resolution passed by the standing committee of the National People’s Congress in February to ban the trading and consumption of wild animals, a practice that has been blamed for helping to spread the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. Shenzhen’s ban also covers other... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3078933/chinese-social-media-attacks-karen-mok-supporting-ban?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3078933/chinese-social-media-attacks-karen-mok-supporting-ban?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2020 04:45:14 +0000 K-pop stars and other South Korean celebrities have taken to social media to voice their anger and urge the public to sign petitions aimed at revealing and punishing those involved in the “Nth Room” sex crimes scandal that has shaken the country. Nth Room refers to a group on encrypted messaging application Telegram where graphic videos of violent sex acts – many involving underage girls – were shared to more than 260,000 members, who had paid in cryptocurrency to join the group and access... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3077514/k-pop-stars-speak-out-nth-room-telegram-porn-scandal-urging?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3077514/k-pop-stars-speak-out-nth-room-telegram-porn-scandal-urging?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2020 14:00:13 +0000 Singapore is probably not the first place you’d expect to produce a dark romantic comedy series that explicitly discusses terrorism, sex shops and loan sharks. She’s A Terrorist And I Love Her is the brainchild of Singaporean YouTubers Haresh Tilani and Terence Chia, two of a new generation of content creators who are pushing the creative boundaries in Singapore’s entertainment scene. The web series was nominated for best original programme by a streamer/OTT at the 2019 Asian Academy Creative... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3076462/singaporean-dark-comedy-about-terrorism-sex-shops-and-loan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3076462/singaporean-dark-comedy-about-terrorism-sex-shops-and-loan?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2020 00:00:23 +0000 Malaysian singers and actors have come under fire on social media for posting photos of themselves travelling and enjoying themselves while the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise sharply worldwide. Malaysia became the first Southeast Asian country to implement a nationwide lockdown on March 18, heightening concern among citizens who fear contracting the virus. A few days before the lockdown began, Malaysian celebrities and influencers including Farah Nabilah, Aishah Azman, Alvin... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3076399/crazy-rich-malaysians-insensitive-celebrities-face-social?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3076399/crazy-rich-malaysians-insensitive-celebrities-face-social?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2020 09:30:12 +0000 Troubled Singaporean celebrity DJ Tenashar has been back in court on new charges this month. She is accused of failing to provide urine tests after serving time for drug offences and impersonating a social worker in an attempt to get her passport back. The DJ – whose real name is Debbie Valerie Tenashar Long – was first arrested in October 2015 after a two-week trip to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. She was found in possession of psilocin – a banned substance found in most psychedelic mushrooms –... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3075345/year-out-prison-and-singapore-dj-tenashar-back-court?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3075345/year-out-prison-and-singapore-dj-tenashar-back-court?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2020 00:00:07 +0000 Malaysian rock band Bunkface have defended their new song, Akhir Zaman (“The End of Times”), which has caused controversy over lyrics that urge the LGBT community to “go and die”. The song was released on February 26 at a time of political instability in Malaysia, following the resignation of Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister. Apart from one line that targeted the gay community – “LGBT boleh pergi mampus” (“LGBT can go and die”) – it also contains lyrics highlighting official corruption in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3074262/go-and-die-malaysian-rock-band-stand-anti-lgbt-lyrics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3074262/go-and-die-malaysian-rock-band-stand-anti-lgbt-lyrics?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2020 04:30:07 +0000