Entertainment

How to Start A Band

How to Start A Band

Ever wondered how Guns N’ Roses, blink-182, Fall Out Boy, and Royal Blood got together and become who they are today? It all started out with an idea to form a band out of the same passion in music. It might seem like an easy understanding, but it is actually the most frustrating part of being in a band; because if the start isn’t right, there is a high probability that the band will fall apart quickly. That is why there are certain stages that you need to know…

Are The Books Better Than The Movies?

Are The Books Better Than The Movies?

Once you’ve read a good story it will be etched in your memory for a long time. So it is no surprise that book lovers usually fall in love with the book versions versus any movie versions. Eventually they also end up debating between which one really fared better – the book or the movie? We may be able to give you some answers to that question so check out this list we’ve compiled of some best-sellers that have been turned into movies…

Halloween 2018: Celebs Dress Up As Other Famous Stars

Halloween 2018: Celebs Dress Up As Other Famous Stars

What's better than celebrities in costume? Celebs dressed up as other famous people Halloween 2018 has yet commence and is just around the corner, but the recent weekend saw most of the excitement. Celebs decked out in their season's best at some of the most exclusive parties in tinseltown. Casamigos, the tequila company founded in 2013 by George Clooney, Mike Meldman and Rande Gerber saw some of the hottest getups this…

The Biggest Revelation from The Final Trailer of ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’

The Biggest Revelation from The Final Trailer of ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’

The final trailer for the Fantastic Beasts sequel is here, bringing us that much closer to the release in November Watch it now, or jump to the text below for the big reveal: They certainly saved the best for last—the last trailer before the release unveiled some of the biggest surprises yet. While the previous trailer showed a quick glimpse of Jude Law's Dumbledore seeing Grindelwald in the Mirror of Erised, this trailer revealed a much more intimate look…

Biggest Music Festivals Around The World

Biggest Music Festivals Around The World

You are covered in sweat, panting in exhaustion, but you want to keep singing along to the lyrics that your favourite artist is singing out loud. No matter what happens, you are going to have a good time enjoying to music with thousands of others who share the same music taste as you. That is the experience of going to a massive music festival. Although biggest does not necessarily mean best, there are concerts with a capacity of hundreds…

RECAP: Make Me A ZALORA Model Cycle 3

RECAP: Make Me A ZALORA Model Cycle 3

Here’s what you missed from #MMAZMCycle3! What a week! Last October 5, after a grueling three days of challenges, fierce competitors, and extreme weather conditions, we witnessed the crowning of Make Me A ZALORA Model Cycle 3 winners. Make Me A ZALORA Model is the first-ever regional model-scouting contest pushed through social media. The first cycle was in 2016, and for the third cycle this year, over 4 weeks in August, participants…

Gigs in October: Reza Salleh, N.B.S. and The Shanghai Sisters

Gigs in October: Reza Salleh, N.B.S. and The Shanghai Sisters

Bruno Major's show may be sold out, but there are still plenty of gigs you can catch this month: 5 & 6 October (Fri & Sat), Reza Salleh @ Alexis Bistro, Ampang Kick off the first weekend of October on the right note with an intimate acoustic set by Reza Salleh. The singer-songwriter will be performing his originals, backed by some familiar faces in the local gig circuit, namely Irena Taib on electric guitar, Savy Ho on violin and Zalila Lee on percussion…

Famous Movie Locations You Can Visit

Famous Movie Locations You Can Visit

Remember the floating mountains scene in James Cameron’s “Avatar” and you were as amazed as Sam Worthington and Joel Moore’s characters? What if we told you that those fictional mountains existed on planet Earth and not on Pandora? Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China is where the movie shot that scene, and with a little added touch of movie magic, the mountains seem to be floating with waterfalls falling down the sky…

10 Cover Songs Worth Listening To

10 Cover Songs Worth Listening To

Cover versions of popular songs are done either because people want to revive its popularity or simply out of pure love for the song or artist. You can find numerous videos of these on YouTube done by artists themselves or wannabes with awesome voices and you'll be spoilt with choices. For some people it's like listening to the song for the first time. That's how good they are. We've shortlisted 10 cover…

Do's and Don'ts at Comic-Con

Do's and Don'ts at Comic-Con

The first ever Asia Comic-Con took place early this July in Malaysia with activities that cater to comic book enthusiasts alike. Taking some pointers from its American counterpart, Comic-Con International: San Diego, Asia Comic-Con showcased the best and latest that the convention has to offer that are comic book related be it in graphic novels, TV series, movies, or collectible items. However, this…

Krystal Jung and Her Concept of Time

Meandering my way with champagne in one hand around Chanel’s Code Coco launch party in Cheongdam, Seoul, time stopped when I bumped into Krystal Jung, member of Korean girl group, f(x). In the spirit of the new timepiece launch, we caught up with the 23-year old with her concept of time. If you have the ability to stop time, how would you use your power?  When I am on a vacation…

Woman Crush December Issue: Exclusive Interview with Celebrity, Nadia Brian

Woman Crush December Issue: Exclusive Interview with Celebrity, Nadia Brian

The talented 25 year old, Nadia Brian, is a well-known name in the entertainment industry. This raising new start definitely has what it takes in taking on different roles and giving her best in what she does. With her beautiful smile and great personality, it cannot be denied that she has her own following that supports ...

The Best Break-up Songs

Did you know that the best love songs out there are the sad ones? You don't necessarily have to be in a bad relationship to enjoy these kind of songs. It is written so well that there's just something about listening to heartbreaking ballads that can make you oddly happy. Wanna try listening to some? Here's a tribute to the most powerful sad songs (not in any order) that we think could make your day. Our selection comes mostly from R&B ballads from the 80s and 90s so some of you may be discovering the songs and even the fashion for the first time if you care to watch the music videos on You Tube.

1. On Bended Knee (Boyz II Men - 1994)

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These guys can belt out love songs with all their heart and with such sincerity so it's no surprise that this song makes the list as one of the most memorable break-up (and make up) songs that you'll enjoy singing to especially when you come to the bridge (sing your lungs out here). The song has not aged at all even after two decades. Another evergreen song of theirs worth crying to is End Of The Road (1991) - a classic sad love song you'll definitely enjoy.

 

2. Unbreak MyHeart (Toni Braxton -1996)

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The title says it all. And it's not just that, this woman is one of those amazing singers who just sings so passionately and tugs at your heart strings every time she delivers her songs. Another one of hers that you should listen to is How Could An Angel Break My Heart. What can I say, it's just so heart breakingly beautiful.

 

3. Have You Ever (Brandy- 1998)

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This is a song of unrequited love which also joins the list of amazing vocals, lyrics and tunes. Personally love the lyrics to this song and anyone who has been jilted or is just madly in love can relate to what she's saying.

 

4. Lately (Jodeci - 1993)

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Another personal favourite is this beautiful song made popular by Stevie Wonder in 1980 but later covered by two brothers K-Ci and Jojo with their band Jodeci who took the song to a whole new level with their strong vocals and more dramatic arrangement. It tells a tale of the beginning of distrust between two people and whether you've experienced something like this or not you'll definitely enjoy the song. Try listening to the unplugged version for more impact.

 

5. Separate Lives (Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin - 1985)

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This is a real oldie written when this writer had not even finished primary school yet. But see what it means to be an evergreen song? Classic, deep lyrics and real singing. Perfect on a rainy day and when you're feeling mellow.

 

6. One Last Cry (Brian McKnight - 1992)

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This had to be one of the most famous break up songs during that era.  It just had to be played if you were going to cry your heart out over that boy who left you. Brian of course was crying over a girl but that didn't matter. It was the official anthem for the broken-hearted so enough said.

 

7. Love Takes Times (Mariah Carey - 1990)

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Now this lady was the bomb during her heyday and her love songs are still being played on the airwaves. Personally loved her earliest albums for she sang with such intensity and passion it sounded effortless. This is just one of her many sad ballads that can accompany a break up together with I don't wanna cry, Just to hold you once again, Can't Let You Go and even Miss you most (at Christmas time). Clearly her song writers made the best break up songs.

 

8. Didn't We Almost Have It All (Whitney Houston - 1987)

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At par with Mariah or maybe even better, this woman made all songs worth listening to. An exceptional singer with over the top vocals and adored by everyone. This song is just one of the many ones about heartbreak and loss like Where Do Broken Hearts Go and Why Does It Hurt So Bad (1995). But it's worth mentioning that her great hits were also those of love.

 

9. How Am I Supposed To Live Without You (Michael Bolton - 1989)

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The title is already sad enough to make you want to listen to it when someone leaves you. Powerful vocals and again full of emotion, this guy made it real.

 

10. I Can't Make You Love Me (George Michael - 1997)

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This is another song cover done nicely and originally sung by Bonnie Raitt in 1991. But I think George did it better and pulled it off with such affect it breaks your heart just to listen to the song. With a title like that it's just perfect to accompany a session of tears and maybe lots of ice cream for comfort.

 

11. Love Will Lead You Back (Taylor Dayne - 1989)

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Why don't they make good sad songs like this anymore? The kind you can sing and scream out loud to. Another choice for your break-up playlist.

 

12. Can You Stop The Rain (Peabo Bryson - 1991)

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This song won a grammy award! Need I say more? Definitely a man with great vocals and a song that captures the essence of loss, pain and longing all rolled into one. Beautiful.

 

So were people in the 80s and 90s just a bunch of sappy emo human beings? I think not because it just shows that people back then went through heartbreaks and loss the same as people today which is why current sad songs are equally in abundance. 

So dry your tears and start living a brand new day! Or better, why not share your selection of sad songs with us down below. We'd love to hear your choice. It could help someone overcome a sad period in their life or simply give them some listening pleasure.

 

5 Apps for Nerdy Guys & Gals

Remember how our parents would always push us to study? As it turns out, education doesn’t just enrich our lives, it’s good for our health too! Recent studies have shown that education can help cut down the risk of dementia by a whopping near 10%.

That’s quite a number, isn’t it?

So all the more reason to continue learning even after throwing that graduation hat up in the air. If lack of time is an issue for you, then these nifty mobile apps will help slip in nuggets of wisdom during your break time.

Photo credit: Curiosity

Photo credit: Curiosity

1.      Curiosity

Get smarter everyday with Curiosity, an app that feeds you articles covering various topics on a daily basis. These subjects can range from environmental science to travel to plants and animals to astronomy. Pretty cool, huh? 

Now, before you groan aloud, rest assured that the creators of this app took our time -and coughtiny attention spanscough- into consideration. Therefore, the articles are delivered in bite-sized pieces, with laid-back, playful and most importantly, easy-to-understand writing. For those of us who aren’t as science savvy as some, huzzah!

It won’t be long until you have some interesting conversation starters to play around with. Go out wearing the perfect casual clothing on with your friends and talk about the amazing topics you obtained.

Photo credit: Self Control for Study

2.      Self Control for Study

There is nothing more distracting than the lure of social media and other programs in the form of apps. This is especially true when you have work to do or some studying to get to.

If you can’t afford to have your time whisked away by such time-wasters, then Self Control for Study is your to-go buddy to call. What this app does is place those distracting apps on lockdown until you’re done being a responsible adult.

Think of it as a strict parental figure, guarding a delicious jar of cookies until you’re done.

Photo credit: AnkiDroid

Photo credit: AnkiDroid

3.      AnkiDroid

Cursed with a horrendous memory? Have a huge exam coming up, but your memory is holding you back? Then look no further than AnkiDroid!

AnkiDroid is a flashcard system that employs the concept of “spaced repetition”. While this does not sound all that impressive, this app packs a punch. So much so that it enjoys popularity among those who are studying factually dense subjects, languages and for those who just love to learn, anything that catches their eye.

So what exactly is so special about this app? The secret lies in its sheer simplicity. While most would scoff at the idea of using a flashcard system, the thing that makes AnkiDroid so effective is the way the cards are displayed. After each card that is presented, the user is given the option of ranking the information displayed by order of difficulty to memorise it. The easier it is, the bigger the gap between each time the card is shown. For example, the card will gradually shift from appearing once every few days, to once a week, to once every few weeks, etc.

If it is difficult to memorise, however, said card will appear repeatedly –perhaps daily- until it is perfectly hammered into your brain.

And because of how easy it is to go through multiple cards in a day, you can mow through dozens without breaking a sweat. Before you know it, you’ve already memorised a bunch of facts you didn’t know you could.

Photo credit: Memrise

Photo credit: Memrise

4.      Memrise

With globalisation on the rise, it has become all the more important to pick up a new language or two to strive in an increasingly competitive job market. That being said, learning a new language is an investment. It takes a lot of time and patience, and certainly a lot of practice.

So what does one do when they’re low on time and need to squeeze some daily learnin’ into their day? Memrise is a darned good bet, because not only does it deliver its information in small, digestible pieces, it provides audio recordings as well. All the better for getting your pronunciation down pat.

That aside, it also offers revision exercises, both timed and untimed, and new words to learn every day.

Languages available on Memrise include and are not limited to Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Norwegian, German, Russian, Danish, Swedish and French.

Photo credit: HelloTalk

Photo credit: HelloTalk

5.      HelloTalk

Once you’re armed and ready to take your newfound language skills to the next level, why not consider partaking in a language exchange program?

In need of some clarification? Alright, sit back and pay attention.

For those of you who are struggling to find native speakers of the language you’re learning (and especially lack the funds to travel to their country), HelloTalk is right up your alley. What it does is essentially give you access to those much coveted native speakers, for the sheer purpose of practicing your language skills on them through conversation. This can be done via text, audio calls, video calls and audio messages. So long as you limit it to one language, the entire experience is completely free.

And who knows, you might just make a new friend out of it!

The only catch? You’d have to teach them a language in return. Hence the term “language exchange”.

Well, that’s about it. Are you interested in trying out any of these apps? Let me know in the Comments section below!

The Advantages of Playing Traditional Games

 

Traditional games are chart-topping activities among people who live in rural areas. It has been played by our society for a long time. Nowadays, most of the traditional games are being abandoned by the children of this modern era as the gadgets are more attractive for them. However, some of the children who live in rural areas are still interested to play the traditional games. There is no doubt that playing traditional games has its own advantages to the players.

 

The main advantage is it can enhance the players thinking skills. We must use our brain’s ability to play some of the traditional games which include memorizing and using our own knowledge. Playing bottle caps is an example that helps the children to improve their thinking skills. The players must create the strategies to hit the bottle caps to the other bottle cap and balancing it in order to win the games.

 

 

Playing these traditional games also can increase the players’ knowledge. They will be exposed to the new things that they may not learn in class. Thus, these games can be the interesting hobby to the children. An example of the game that can increase one’s knowledge is Wau game that are played by Malays since hundreds of years ago. The players can know more about Wau game such as the types of kites lifted as National Traditional Wau (Wau Bulan, Wau Kucing, Wau Jala Budi), types of bamboo to make the Wau and how to measure the size of the kite. Tips that would be obtained from the elders, but the actual ability is gained through experience.

 

Hence, most of the traditional games require dexterity and body movement such as swinging of the arms and jumping. This encourages players to exercise and improves their eye-hand coordination. The benefits of these traditional games outweigh the benefits of today’s technology. Therefore, we should have more opportunities to play these games in ample time rather than gadgets.

 

So what is your favourite traditional game? Share it with us in the comment section below.

The K-Drama Craze

It probably began with Winter Sonata and soon after that, another weather related drama. Regardless of when the dramas started, they certainly didn’t know when to stop. As we speak yet another Korean drama is in the making and surely many fans are waiting in anticipation.

So what makes young girls especially (and erm, young women and men) get all obsessed with these dramas? Here’s a rundown of the possible reasons:

1. The Storyline

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The screenwriters are good storytellers who weave beautiful tales of love and lost. This is obviously their main selling factor but lately some dramas have also gone in different directions and veered towards fantasy like genres yet still with compelling and engaging plots and not forgetting a twist somewhere in the middle to keep you glued to the screen. From modern day stories to historical series, they never fail to impress and make you weep.

 

2. The Unforgettable Soundtrack

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Fans may not understand the lyrics but that doesn’t get in the way of them appreciating the music. Every song fits every scene and with amazing vocals how can one not love it and keep it on repeat mode.

 

3. The Actors

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Without these amazing people the drama would certainly not exist. With good casting (plus good looks) and impeccable acting (though sometimes with quite similar facial expressions you’ve seen in other K-dramas) fans get really caught up in the characters portrayed. Eventually they always make sure they don’t miss to watch the actors in other dramas.

 

4. The Fashion Statements

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From the clothes they wear to the accessories and even the cars, these K-dramas sure know how to draw attention. Pretty faces are not just for the leading ladies or supporting roles, but the male actors get as much shine and glamour.

 

5. Location and Props

It doesn’t matter if it’s indoors or outdoors, their attention to detail is meticulous and they make everything seem alive and real. The amazing cinematography adds to the authenticity of the story. The result is some fans end up taking up Korean language, going to a Korean restaurant or even becoming a tourist in the country!

 

The list could go on but it is suffice to say that with those reasons one cannot avoid getting hooked on K-dramas. Trust me your week wouldn’t be complete without watching at least one episode!

 

So what’s your favourite Korean drama? Do share with us below.