Leader of the K-pop supergroup EXO, Kim Jun-myeon, aka Suho, has been enjoying an extravagant lifestyle for a decade — thanks to his global dominance in showbiz. Today, we take a close look at the South Korean celebrity’s net worth, career and life beyond the camera.

Be it releasing hit K-pop tracks or bagging lead roles in K-dramas like Missing Crown Prince, the EXO member has done it all. Standouts from his music portfolio include hits like “Monster”, “Love Shot”, “Let’s Love”, “Curtain” and “Forever”.

The singer-actor also has to his credit an array of hit Korean movies and TV shows like Saving Santa (2013), One Way Trip (2016), The Universe’s Star (2017), Rich Man (2018), Mozart! (2023), Behind Your Touch (2023) and Missing Crown Prince (2024).

Talking about his popularity as an artist, Suho said in an interview with Rolling Stones, “At first I really wanted to show a certain image of myself to get people to like me, but then more and more I’d try to express myself for who I truly am, and became more comfortable showing my true self to the audience.”

All details about EXO member Suho: Net worth, music career, filmography and more

Suho’s net worth

According to multiple K-media sources, EXO member Suho has an estimated net worth of USD 18 million, as of 2023.

While quoting an exact figure in 2024 seems difficult, it goes without saying that Suho, who has been in the Korean entertainment industry since 2012, earns quite handsomely from his singing endeavours. However, Suho’s wealth extends beyond music. A substantial portion of his fortune comes from diversified sources, including acting and theatre projects, tours, social media earnings and luxury brand endorsements.

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Career

From being discovered on the streets by a casting member of the music label SM Entertainment to becoming a prominent face of Korean pop, EXO Suho’s journey is nothing short of an inspiration.

It was in 2006 that a 16-year-old Suho became a K-pop trainee under SM Entertainment. A year later, Suho began his acting journey with a cameo role in Super Junior’s film Attack on the Pin-Up Boys. As for his musical career, Suho was introduced as a member and leader of the K-pop boy band EXO on 15 February 2012. Their first extended play (EP) Mama, which was released in April 2012, sold over 294,486 on South Korea’s Gaon Album Chart. It also topped at #8 on the Billboard World Albums Chart.

It is interesting to note that Suho’s acting career went hand in hand with his musical career. In 2013, he voiced Bernard for the Korean dub of the animated movie, Saving Santa, while also recording the movie’s title track with Jung Eun-ji of South Korean girl group Apink.

Suho played the character Hans in SM Entertainment’s 2015 musical School OZ alongside popular idols like Seulgi, Changmin, Key and Luna. The same year, he was also cast in the KBS variety show Fluttering India, which eventually gave Suho a chance to explore Mumbai, India.

The K-sensation made his big screen debut with the 2016 indie film One Way Trip, which enjoyed a special premiere at the 20th Busan International Film Festival. Suho also ended up winning the Most Popular Actor nomination at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards for his role in the romantic comedy. A coming-of-age drama film by Choi Jung-yeol, One Way Trip grossed over 1.3 million at the global box office, according to Box Office Mojo.

Meanwhile, his role in the dramas How Are U Bread (2016) and The Universe’s Star (2017), received great critical and commercial acclaim.

Following this, the South Korean actor appeared in a slew of hit TV shows and movies. These include Female Middle Schooler A (2017) and Rich Man (2018). The latter is an adaptation of the Japanese drama Rich Man, Poor Woman and saw Suho playing an IT company founder. Suho also has to his credit an array of hit musicals, including the popular The Man Who Laughs. This 2018 musical earned the singer-actor a standing ovation from the audience.

Suho’s popularity continued to soar with his solo music debut in 2020. While his EP, Self-Portrait, topped the Gaon Album Chart at #1, its lead single “Let’s Love”, earned global appreciation. The album sold nearly 290,338 copies in South Korea. After a hiatus of two years, Suho made a terrific comeback with his second mini album Grey Suit on 4 April 2022. The album earned #2 on the worldwide iTunes album chart and peaked on the iTunes Top Albums chart in around 33 countries.

In October of the same year, the EXO idol collaborated with Thai actor-singer Mew Suppasit for his hit single “Turn Off The Alarm”. Suho also released the K-drama OST “Call me a Freak”, which he recorded for the TV series Bad Prosecutor, starring fellow EXO idol D.O.

Over the years, EXO member Suho has not only entertained his fans with great music but also incredible musicals, movies and TV shows. These include Mozart! (2023), Behind Your Touch (2023) and Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun (2023).

One of the most popular K-dramas starring Suho, the 2023 investigative drama Behind Your Touch garnered a finale viewership rating of 9.299 per cent (via Nielsen Korea). Meanwhile, Suho also lent vocals for the popular OST “Forever” from the 2023 Netflix fantasy Korean drama Gyeongseong Creature starring Park Seo-joon.

Suho plays a crown prince in the 2024 MBN original Missing Crown Prince. A Kim Jin-man directorial, the show is a spin-off of Bossam: Steal the Fate, the highest-rated K-drama in MBN history. The K-drama star is also gearing up for his debut solo Asia concert tour SU:HOME, which kicks off on 25 May 2024 in Seoul. Suho will visit a total of six cities across Asia as a part of his upcoming tour, including Manila, Hong Kong, Taipei, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

Suho is also set to release his third album in 2024, according to his label SM Entertainment.

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Luxury brand endorsements

Besides the acting projects, EXO leader Suho has been a part of multiple brand endorsements, which make a significant contribution to his net worth. These include popular brands like Bottega Veneta, Bulgari, Montes Wines, Anua Skincare BOSS and Diageo.

The Korean celebrity was appointed the brand ambassador for the luxury jewellery brand Bulgari in 2019, alongside the likes of BLACKPINK’s Lisa. He also became the face of the German fashion house Hugo Boss, popular as BOSS, in 2023. As a representative of the brand, Suho was seen attending their Fall/Winter Fashion Show during the Milan Fashion Week in September 2023.

Additionally, the singer’s pictorials include prestigious magazines like WWD Korea, Vogue and Arena.

With over 11 million followers as of April 2024, Suho is also one of the most-followed K-pop idols on Instagram. He reportedly earns around USD 10,000 to USD 100,000 per post on the social media platform.

Personal life

Born on 22 May 1991 in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, Suho always wanted to be associated with the entertainment industry. After graduating from Gaepo High School, he went on to pursue a career in K-pop and eventually joined EXO.

Suho enlisted for his mandatory military services as a public service officer in May 2020 and was discharged on 13 February 2022.

In terms of his relationship, the K-celebrity is rumoured to have dated famous K-pop idols, including BLACKPINK’s Jisoo and TWICE’s Sana.

(Hero and Featured image credit: Suho/Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– How rich is Suho?

According to multiple K-media sources, EXO member Suho has an estimated net worth of USD 18 million, as of 2023. 

– What is the net worth of EXO?

According to the South China Morning Post, EXO has a combined net worth of USD 1 billion

– Who is the richest member of EXO?

According to sources, EXO leader Suho is the richest member of the group, with a net worth of USD 18 million.

The post EXO Suho’s net worth: Details about the rising fortune of the Korean celebrity appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Netflix’s new romantic comedy K-drama Frankly Speaking is here to make your 2024 bingeing session exciting. Curious to know about the plot, episode release schedule and other details of Frankly Speaking? We have you covered.

In the first episode of the 2024 K-drama, audiences are introduced to Song Ki-baek (played by Go Kyung-pyo), a successful radio announcer working for Ultra FM. Soon, he is seen dominating a dodgeball game show. This is when he manages to impress On Woo-ju (played by Kang Ha-na), a competitive variety show writer, who was closely observing the event.

Later, when Woo-ju comes across Ki-baek, she warns him to keep his win-at-all-costs attitude in check, as it might, one day, cost him his fame. The episode ends with a sudden gas leak, leaving Ki-baek unconscious. When he regains consciousness, his life is altered forever.

In episode 2, Ki-Baek tries to figure out why he’s being so bluntly honest. His no filter behaviour leads to multiple repercussions, the first one being his boss suspending him. Devastated, Ki-baek decides to take a break and travels out of town with his friend Yoon Ji-hoo (played by Ko Kyu-pil). There he once again runs into Woo-Joo, who sees him climbing rocks and gets worried about his mental health. The episode ends with the duo dramatically falling off the rocks.

In episodes 3 and 4, fans can likely expect the Netflix K-drama to delve deeper into Ki-baek’s struggle to redeem his career.

Here are more details about the K-drama Frankly Speaking

Helmed by Nevertheless fame director Jang Ji-yeon, Frankly Speaking, focuses on a successful announcer whose fame begins to diminish after developing a disorder that makes him speak without a filter on air. Woo-ju, a TV show writer, finds Ki-baek’s disorder interesting and invites him to her variety show. Will this new opportunity in reality TV help Ki-baek redeem his career?

One of the highly anticipated K-dramas releasing in May 2024, the Netflix original is written by scriptwriter Choi Kyung, who penned the 2020 hit Korean mystery series CHIP-IN.

When are episodes 3 and 4 of the K-drama releasing?

Episodes 3 and 4 of Frankly Speaking will be out on Netflix on 8 and 9 May, respectively. The first episode of the show premiered on the OTT platform on 1 May 2024.

Watch the K-drama here.

How many episodes of Frankly Speaking are there?

The romantic drama has a total of 12 episodes.

What is the runtime of each episode?

Each episode of Frankly Speaking has a runtime of approximately 80 minutes.

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Frankly Speaking episode release schedule

So far, Netflix is releasing two episodes every Wednesday and Thursday. Below is the complete episode release schedule of Frankly Speaking:

• Episode 1 – Wednesday, 1 May (Out now)
• Episode 2 – Thursday, 2 May (Out now)
• Episode 3 – Wednesday, 8 May
• Episode 4 – Thursday, 9 May
• Episode 5 – Wednesday, 15 May
• Episode 6 – Thursday, 16 May
• Episode 7 – Wednesday, 22 May
• Episode 8 – Thursday, 23 May
• Episode 9 – Wednesday, 30 May
• Episode 10 – Thursday, 31 May
• Episode 11 – Wednesday, 5 June
• Episode 12 – Thursday, 6 June

Is there a trailer for Frankly Speaking?

Yes, watch the heartwarming trailer of the Netflix Korean drama below:

(Hero and Featured image: Courtesy Netflix) 

The post Check out the complete episode release schedule of <i>Frankly Speaking</i> on Netflix appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Over the past few years, Thai BL series have caught the attention of the fans of the romance genre with many popular titles like Until We Meet Again and KinnPorsche. And going by the line-up of the Thai BL series set to release in 2024, we are sure fans will not be disappointed. With six of the most popular pairings blessing fans with new storylines but the same old palpable chemistry, we’ve rounded up eight Thai BL series that must be on every BL-lovers’ watchlist.

The popularity of the Thai BL industry, and as a direct result of it, actor pairings, is no small feat. Recently, GMMTV, one of the major production companies, announced lightsticks for several of the lead couples. These include the famous pairings of Off-Gun, Earth-Mix, Fourth-Gemini, and Tay-New, among others. The lightstick reveal created much buzz among fans, as people had only heard of them through the Hallyu wave, as all K-pop idols and groups have a designated lightstick to represent their fandom.

The introduction of lightsticks for Thai BL actors proves just how much the industry has grown in recent years. One of their major attractive factors is that many of these dramas are available to watch on YouTube for free. This tactic helps them increase their reach across international waters and bring in a sea of new viewers. While streaming services like Netflix have begun including Thai BL series in their roster, it is channels like GMMTV, Mandee Channel, Studio Wabi Sabi and Be On Cloud that have cemented their position as top BL series creators.

Here’s a list of Thai BL series you can watch on YouTube for free

Most-anticipated Thai BL series to watch in 2024

4Minutes

Cast: Bible Wichapas, Jes Jespipat

Synopsis: Great, the son of a wealthy business owner, studies at the Business Administrative Faculty at a reputed university. After some unknown circumstances, he gets the power to see into the future for four minutes. He meets resident surgeon, Tyme, and their friendship soon begins to grow. But is it for the better or worse? Only time will tell.

Kidnap

Directed by: Noom Attaporn Teemarkorn (Midnight Museum)
Cast: Ohm Pawat, Leng Thanaphon

Synopsis: Min (Ohm) starts kidnapping people for money to get his brother’s medical treatment done. When someone demands Min kill Kyu (Leng), a rich young man, he hesitates and ends up hiding him in his house. Min and Kyu’s secrets bring them together as they try to fight against people who threaten their and Min’s brother’s lives.

Love Sea

Directed by: Ne Neti Suwanjinda
Cast: Peat Wasuthorn, Fort Thitipong

Synopsis: Tongrak (Peat) ends up in bed with Mahasamut (Fort) after he travels in search of inspiration for his next romance novel. As a popular writer, Tongrak finds Mahasamut irritating. But it gradually fades into affection.

About the show: Director Ne Neti Suwanjinda brings back Peat and Fort, the actor couple who wowed the audience with their chemistry in one of the most popular Thai BL series of 2022 — Love in the Air.

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Love Upon a time

Directed by: Aoftion Kittipat Jampa
Cast: Net Siraphop, James Supamongkon

Synopsis: Nakhun (James) doesn’t believe in superstitions. Fate plays a messy game as he suddenly time travels 400 years in the past and is mistaken for Klao, a young man who went missing. His mannerisms seem quite different to his friend Phob (Net). As Nakhun tries to find out how to get back home, Phob starts falling in love with him.

About the show: This Thai BL series not only has a popular lead pairing but a famous director as well. While Net and James enjoyed great popularity thanks to the R-rated show Bed Friend last year, Aoftion Kittipat Jampa has directed celebrated BLs like Cutie Pie seasons 1 and 2.

My Love Mix-Up!

Directed by: Au Kornprom Niyomsil
Cast: Fourth Nattawat, Gemini Norawit

Synopsis: Atom (Fourth) tries to confess his crush to Matmee but when she gives him her eraser to use, he notices Kongthap’s (Gemini) name on it. In frustration, Atom drops the eraser and Kongthap picks it up. He then assumes that Atom has a crush on him, resulting in a chaotic high school love mix-up.

About the show: This Thai adaptation of a popular Japanese manga has brought together the lead cast of the massively famous 2022 Thai BL series, My School President, Fourth and Gemini, along with director Au Kornprom Niyomsil.

The Next Prince

Directed by: Aoftion Kittipat Jampa
Cast: NuNew Chawarin, Zee Pruk

Synopsis: Set in a fictional kingdom of Emmaly, Royal Guard Charan Phithakthewa (Zee) is tasked with bringing Prince Khanin (NuNew), the heir of the royal Atsawathewathin family back to his rightful place as competition for the next monarch comes closer. Khanin has no idea about his royal position as he’s been living as an ordinary person.

Revamp: The Undead Story

Directed by: New Siwaj Sawatmaneekul
Cast: Boun Noppanut, Prem Warut, Boss Chaikamon

Synopsis: Vintage shop owner Punn (Prem) suddenly gets interested in Jet (Boss) and Ramil (Boun). He encounters creepy things and is both intrigued but scared of a group of people, who have an eerie aura of being vampires.

About the show: This is one of the most anticipated Thai BL series set for a release this year because of the famous pairing of Boun and Prem, who gained popularity with Until We Meet Again (2019) and Between Us (2022).

The Trainee

Directed by: Pat Thachai Komolphet, Prang Sasinan Pattanal
Cast: Off Jumpol, Gun Atthaphan

Synopsis: Ryan (Gun) gets an internship as a director’s assistant. Since he’s a fresher, he somehow always lands in trouble. However, one time when he messes things up, his direct boss Jane (Off) comes to rescue him. The duo start noticing each other a lot more and start gravitating towards each other.

About the show: Off and Gun is one of the top BL couples in the Thai industry due to their famous work in Theory in Love (2019), Not Me (2021) and Cooking Crush (2023).

(Hero image credit: Love Upon A Time/Twitter; Feature image credit: beoncloud.official/Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Thai BL drama?

Cutie Pie, SOTUS, KinnPorsche, Tale of a Thousand Stars, Bad Buddy, and TharnType are some of the best Thai BLs that have generated a massive international interest in Thai dramas.

Who is the most powerful BL couple in Thailand?

Some of the popular BL couples in Thailand include Off-Gun from Cookie Crush (2023) and Not Me (2021), Tay-New from Kiss Me Again (2018) and Our Skyy, Bright-Win from 2gether: The Series (2020), and Bilkin-PP from I Told Sunset About You (2020). Because of the wide variety of Thai BL pairings, there isn’t just one powerful couple, but plenty that enjoy extreme popularity domestically and internationally.

Who is the most famous Thai BL actor?

Many famous Thai BL actors have gained recognition inside and outside of Thailand. Some of them are Bright Vachirawit, Win Metawin, Fourth Nattawat, Gemini Norawit, Tay Tawan, New Thitipoom, Off Jumpol and Gun Atthaphan.

Which BL is the most popular?

In recent years, Thai production companies such as GMMTV, Studio Wabi Sabi, Be On Cloud and Mandee have produced some of the most popular BL dramas. These include Tale of a Thousand Stars, Bad Buddy, My School President, Between Us, Cutie Pie and Bed Friend.

The post ‘4Minutes’ and other new Thai BL series to watch in 2024 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Are you ready to up your makeup and dance game with Asoka makeup?

If you’re a TikTok regular, you’ve no doubt noticed the rising trend for “Asoka” makeup. Originating in India, it draws its inspiration directly from the traditional look adopted by Indian brides on their wedding day, whether in the choice of clothing or makeup.

[Hero and Featured Image Credit: jharnabhagwani / TikTok]

Where does TikTok’s Asoka bridal makeup trend come from?

Inspired by the 2001 Bollywood film “Asoka,” starring Kareena Kapoor, the Asoka makeup trend involves makeup artists, content creators and influencers dancing to the tune of one of the film’s songs, “San Sanana,” while recreating beauty looks inspired by traditional Indian weddings.

Asoka makeup is a very dramatic makeup look, featuring warm, vibrant tones. The eyes are surrounded by thick black lines, done with kohl or eyeliner, enhanced with thick mascara and warm, vibrant tones (often gold and bronze) on the lids. Eyebrows are thick and showy, while lips are luscious, lined with pencil and finished with gloss or lipstick.

The face is finished with a very light foundation, sometimes even taking a white tinge, accompanied by pink blush and dark contouring lines under the cheekbones, on the forehead and under the jawline.

Behind this trend is Sita Suwarnadwipa, who has over 200,000 followers, and whose video has exceeded 70,000 views on TikTok. However, some videos made later by creators from diverse backgrounds have now surpassed 100 million views, accompanied by tens of millions of likes. The hashtag #Asoka counts over 100,000 posts.

https://www.tiktok.com/@suwarnadwipa.mua/video/7349925455455325446

Creators synchronise their movements with the music to gradually reveal each stage of their makeover, skilfully using their arms and head movements to mark the transitions between the various steps. At the end of the song, influencers unveil their traditional attire, the Sari, a colourful garment that wraps around the bride’s waist and up over her shoulder. Adorned with dozens of dangling gold embellishments, this colourful outfit is completed by a matching veil that wraps around the hair and a sparkling jewel that hangs down onto the forehead. Gold jewellery, echoing the garment’s details, add a graceful touch to the ensemble, with large necklaces around the neck and multiple bracelets jangling with every movement. Some creators have embraced the trend further, recreating not only the modern bride look, but also the traditional look seen throughout the 2001 film.

The song “San Sanana,” heard on every video, is benefiting from the buzz, racking up 52 million views on YouTube. This figure has been rising steadily since the emergence of the trend on social networks.

https://www.tiktok.com/@lenie_aycardo/video/7360507270549048619

A number of influencers have put their own spin on this trend, adapting it to their own cultures. Creators from Thailand, Vietnam and Brazil have incorporated distinctive details reminiscent of their origins into their looks. For example, content creator Chang Nguyen, also known as “Inlil,” showcases her take on the look from her native Vietnam. Her viral video has amassed 134.9 million views and 12.2 million likes.

@_inlil

Asoka makeup trend from Việt Nam #inlil #xuhuong #bienhinh #fyp

♬ suara asli – Sita Suwarnadwipa – Sita Suwarnadwipa

This story is published via AFP Relaxnews. 

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Lovely Runner, the South Korean TV sensation, continues to impress audiences across the globe. A K-drama, the series is genre-bending as it is primarily a romance drama but boasts of a science fiction twist in the form of a time travel plot. Featuring Byeon Woo Seok, known for 20th Century Girl (2022) and Kim Hye Yoon, known for Extraordinary You (2019) in lead roles, the series has managed to strike a chord with millions with its simple premise, tragic undertones and an awesome soundtrack. Find out all the Lovely Runner episode release schedule details here, including episodes 9 and 10 and beyond.

Ever since it released, Lovely Runner has been neck and neck with Queen of Tears, starring Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-Won, when it comes to the most popular South Korean K-dramas of 2024. In the topicality results revealed by Good Data Corporation, Lovely Runner even beat Queen of Tears during the first week of its release with 42,393 points in topicality. If you don’t know, topicality is the amount of buzz a TV show (or a movie, as the case may be) is generating at a given moment. Clearly, Lovely Runner has many, many fans around the world.

Soompi quoted Neilsen Korea as saying that the latest episodes of Lovely Runner have also garnered strong ratings. The 30 April episode of the show, its eighth episode, had an impressive rating of 4.1 per cent. It was a decline from the Monday episode (seventh), however, which had garnered a rating of 4.5 per cent.

Minor spoilers ahead!

​In the eighth and latest episode of Lovely Runner, we go back in time to 1 January 2023. Sun Jae is impatient and opens a time capsule earlier. He finds a letter from Im Sol in which she expresses gratitude. Once Sun Jae realises that his stalker is none other than Im Sol, he is eager to find her. They come across each other on a bridge and Im Sol invites Sun Jae to spend the night with her. Sun Jae, although shocked, agrees and foregoes an after-party. He goes with Im Sol to a hotel. On the way, they talk frankly about each other.

It turns out Im Sol believes they are going to make love, but is embarrassed when she learns that Sun Jae just wishes to chat in private. Both act as if they did not try to find the time capsule. Speculations are rife about Sun Jae’s whereabouts. Im Sol is resolved to save Sun Jae from prying eyes. They end up sharing a passionate kiss, despite interruptions. In the end, Sun Jae falls victim to an assault by a recently release man. Im Sol is shocked, wondering how it all happened. Could it be that Sun Jae’s “suicide” was not suicide at all but a murder? And is that why Im Sol is unable to change his fate even if she keeps ensuring he is happy?

All about Lovely Runner: Plot, cast, crew and episode release schedule

What is the plot of Lovely Runner?

Lovely Runner is a K-drama series that has sci-fi and comedic elements but they are largely in service to a deeply felt romantic story. A young woman called Im Sol is a huge fan of musician Ryu Sun Jae (Woo Seok). One day, her world ends when she learns that Sun Jae has died by suicide. As she mourns his death, she finds herself going back in time to 2008 when Sun Jae was a teenager.

At first, she is delighted since she believes her new time-travelling abilities might allow her to undo the tragic fate of Sun Jae, but as she learns it is easier said than done. Will her feeble attempts to alter the past bear fruit? Is it even possible? If she does succeed, will there be unforeseen effects in the form of changes to her and Sun Jae’s story she did not intend?

Check out our list of highest-rated K-dramas of 2024 so far

Who is behind Lovely Runner?

This K-drama series is based on a web novel called The Best of Tomorrow by Kim Bbang. Kim Tae Yeop and Yoon Jong Ho have directed the episodes. Lee Shi Eun has penned the scripts of the episodes.

Lovely Runner complete episode release schedule

Lovely Runner originally comes from South Korea’s tvN network. In India, it can be watched on the streaming service Rakuten Viki. The first two episodes can be watched for free, but the rest need a paid subscription. Two episodes are released every week, which is not too different from Queen of Tears, also a tvN show.

The first episode premiered on 8 April and the second on 9 April. The seventh and eighth episodes were released on 29 and 30 April, respectively. Each episode is over an hour long and there will be a total of 16 episodes. Expect the finale on 28 May. The timing of the episodes is 8:50 pm KST (7:50 pm ICT). Here is the full release schedule:

• Episode 1 – Monday, 8 April (out now)
• Episode 2 – Tuesday, 9 April (out now)
• Episode 3 – Monday, 15 April (out now)
• Episode 4 – Tuesday, 16 April (out now)
• Episode 5 – Monday, 22 April (out now)
• Episode 6 – Tuesday, 23 April (out now)
• Episode 7 – Monday, 29 April (out now)
• Episode 8 – Tuesday, 30 April (out now)
• Episode 9 – Monday, 6 May
• Episode 10 – Tuesday, 7 May
• Episode 11 – Monday, 13 May
• Episode 12 – Tuesday, 14 May
• Episode 13 – Monday, 21 May
• Episode 14 – Tuesday, 22 May
• Episode 15 – Monday, 27 May
• Episode 16 – Tuesday, 28 May

Is there a trailer for Lovely Runner?

Indeed, watch the trailer for this romance sci-fi drama below:

Where to watch Lovely Runner in India?

The show is available to stream on the streaming service Rakuten Viki.

(Hero and featured image: Courtesy of tvN/IMDb)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

-How many episodes of Lovely Runner are out?

Until now, eight episodes of Lovely Runner have been released by tvN. The seventh episode began airing on 29 April and the eighth and latest episode was released on 30 April.

-Where can I watch Lovely Runner K-drama?

Lovely Runner is available to watch on Rakuten Viki.

The post <i>Lovely Runner</i> episode release schedule: When are episodes 9 and 10 out? appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Japanese films have long held an exalted position in the hearts of cinema enthusiasts. This is why there is always an interest in the upcoming Japanese movies, be it 2024 or beyond.

Among the top Japanese films that fans are eagerly awaiting to watch in theatres or on streaming platforms in 2024 are City Hunter and Evil Does Not Exist. The former is a fun-filled action film featuring a protagonist that was immortalised on the big screen by Jackie Chan in a Hong Kong comedy-action film in 1993. The latter is a festival favourite, wooing critics wherever it has been screened to date.

But a key difference between the Japanese film industry and all others, including Hollywood and the Korean entertainment world, is the presence of a high number of anime titles.

Indeed, the Japanese film industry produces far more anime content than live-action. Anime movies are among the highest-grossing domestic films almost every year in Japan, proving that Japanese audiences prefer watching animated content. Kingdom 3: The Flame of Destiny and Godzilla Minus One were the only two Japanese-produced live-action films among the highest-grossing movies in 2023 — a list that was topped by the anime film The First Slam Dunk followed by Suzume.

Still, Japanese films, be it anime or live-action, make the world take note year on year. Thus, while Godzilla Minus One was a box office record breaker for a Japanese movie worldwide, Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron was the hot favourite at the awards circuit, winning the BAFTA, the Golden Globe, and the Academy Award for best-animated film.

And, thus, the buzz around upcoming Japanese anime films, My Oni Girl and Look Back, is palpable. Both are coming-of-age mixed with either adventure or drama. Both films are expected to perform well at the Japanese box office, where they will be released theatrically.

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The post <i>City Hunter</i> and other Japanese movies releasing in 2024 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Prime Video’s Fallout video game adaptation has been critically lauded and follows the success of HBO’s The Last of Us, possibly ushering in a golden age of adaptations—if future titles take their cues from them.

It’s hard to imagine that in 2024, we can actually say we’re enjoying not one but a number of great video game adaptations. Fallout was a hit. The Last of Us broke our hearts, and so did Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Arcane was absolutely thrilling. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is tons of fun. Even Sonic is on his third movie. Third. 

But those who’ve been here long enough know the very long, very cringy road we had to take to get here. From 1993’s Super Mario Bros. Movie (the live-action one, not the animated one) to 2021’s Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, video game adaptations haven’t had a stellar record for such a long time. If this current streak is to keep going, future adaptations have to learn from their predecessors, take notes from successes, and avoid the pitfalls of those that failed.

[Image credit: Prime Video]

5 things to learn from successful video game adaptations like Fallout

It doesn’t always have to be a strict adaptation 

The live-action video game adaptation of Fallout is set in the same universe as the games with lots of easter eggs and callbacks that diehard players will recognise but it’s an original story that stands on its own. That works wonderfully for this adaptation since each game in the franchise is anthological. It didn’t have to be a TV version and Fallout 4 or New Vegas. Thank goodness it wasn’t or else that would have just been dull.

That doesn’t mean that has to be the direction all adaptations have to go. It depends on the game being adapted. It’s why The Last of Us worked and Uncharted didn’t.

Changes from the games can be good

One of the greatest episodes of The Last of Us is the story of Bill and Frank. One whole episode was dedicated to these two characters who, in the game, played a minor role. In fact, the player only meets Bill in the game and later discovers that Frank has already died. It was a drastic change from the source material and yet was widely lauded. Why? Because the change ultimately served the story, providing more emotional angst for audiences (not that it needed any more). 

But if changes made simply for cash grabs aren’t just destructive, they’re also blatantly obvious. Whether it’s changing the story to focus on a young Nathan Drake to cast Tom Holland or moving away from the survival horror aspect of Resident Evil to be some sort of superhero movie, it’s proven time and time again that fans will not have it. 

Pick producers wisely

Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy took on the challenge of creating the Fallout TV series and worked alongside Todd Howard, the lead developer of the video game franchise. Craig Mazin, the head showrunner for The Last of Us, worked closely alongside Neil Druckmann, the game’s co-creator. Studio Trigger didn’t just go about making Cyberpunk: Edgerunners themselves but collaborated closely with CD Projekt Red. 

The involvement—heavy involvement, that is—of the game’s creators in the production process is vital but so is the knowledge of the creative team of the series or film. Jonathan Nolan is a fan of the games and Craig Mazin played The Last of Us. Evidently, they knew how to translate the material from game to TV.

The medium is as important as the script

If Fallout had been a movie, it would have either been too short to fit everything or far too long. The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Detective Pikachu were a delight to watch as two-hour entertainment. As great as all of their stories were, if they weren’t told in the proper mediums, they wouldn’t have been as enjoyable or as successful.

Even the decision between animation and live-action is important—and no, animated adaptations are certainly not lesser than their live-action counterparts. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners could never have been the frenetic and heart-wrenching story it was in live-action (though I would still love a live-action adaptation set in that world). A The Last of Us animated adaptation just makes no sense. What medium is used is vital.

Listen to the fans

Why state the obvious? Because it bears reminding, and it doesn’t seem that everyone has gotten it yet. While we’ve been blessed as of late with great adaptations, we shouldn’t forget all the abysmal titles that brought us here, from Warcraft and Need For Speed to Uwe Boll’s infamous films. Even typing his name makes me shiver.

And we shouldn’t get too comfortable yet. The Halo TV series is surprisingly still ongoing and continually disappointing its fanbase and the Uncharted movie came out only two years ago. Gamers are eating good adaption-wise but it could all go awry again.

The post The things ‘Fallout’, ‘The Last of Us’, and other successful game adaptations did right appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Curious to know which upcoming K-dramas will make your May 2024 bingeing session exciting? We have you covered.

While April was full of surprises for K-drama lovers with shows like Parasyte: The Grey, May will entertain viewers with one of the most anticipated series of 2024, The 8 Show. Starring K-sensation Ryu Jun-yeol in the leading role, this upcoming new 2024 K-drama will effortlessly remind you of the cult Korean survival series Squid Game. Written and directed by The King fame Han Jae-rim, The 8 Show is an adaptation of Bae Jin-soo’s webtoon Money Game.

Keeping up with the appeal of crime dramas is the Park Joon-woo directorial Crash. Starring Lee Min-ki and Kwak Sun-young in lead roles, this upcoming new Disney Plus original is one of the most popular K-dramas to release in May 2024. According to the streaming giant, the show will tell the story of a young detective Cha Yeon-ho (played by Lee), who “has a special ability to simulate the time of an accident, using his sharp analysis and reasoning abilities.” Helping him with his investigations is his mentor Min So-hee (played by Kwak). Talking about the bond between their characters in the drama, Lee said in an interview with MK Korea that they share an “ideal senior-junior relationship in the office where guidance and learning go hand in hand.” He also described Kwak’s character So-hee as a “nice, reliable senior.”

Meanwhile, Wi Ha-joon, who was last seen fighting evil in the 2023 hit show The Worst of Evil, will return with the romance drama The Midnight Romance in Hagwon. A tvN original, this upcoming 2024 K-drama is helmed by director Ahn Pan-seok, known for heartwarming rom-coms like Something in the Rain.

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The post ‘Uncle Samsik’ and other must-watch upcoming K-dramas in May 2024 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

A real estate industry wizard, Santiago Arana’s net worth is a result of his listings worth billions of dollars. A noted name in Mauricio Umansky’s The Agency and a popular cast member of Netflix’s Buying Beverly Hills, Arana’s journey to becoming a top-order real estate agent in the country is like a rags-to-riches story that is difficult to believe.

Buying Beverly Hills, one of Netflix’s hottest luxury property reality shows, aired its season 2 in March 2024. At its core is Umansky’s The Agency and the ever-widening resume of his real estate empire. Although the company is a family-run business, its global reach and ultra-lavish properties have generated millions for The Agency’s stakeholders.

This is where experienced agents like Arana step in. His business acumen, knowledge and strategic techniques make him sell houses to A-listers like Lady Gaga, LeBron James, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Larry David, Rick Caruso, Tom Barrack and Anthony Hopkins.

All about Santiago Arana’s net worth, real estate career, reality TV show stint and more

Santiago Arana started as a waiter

 

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Going by his net worth and reputation for selling homes, it is hard to believe that Arana started by waiting tables. Born in Bolivia, he did not understand English. However, a scholarship for higher studies helped him move to the US. In 2003, he arrived in the country with just USD 120.

Speaking to Fox Business in 2019, he said, “I had an aunt that had offered for me to crash on her couch for a month, so I took the offer. I packed my suitcase and I grabbed my savings.”

Since the course was taught in English or Hebrew, Arana was forced to take up the job of a busboy while learning English. Three to four months later, he became a waiter at Cava in Santa Barbara and that’s when he met a lot of influential people, as well as the woman he would eventually marry. A 2022 Business Insider report quoted him saying, “I was waiting on Brad Pitt, Oprah, Kevin Costner.”

The publication also mentions that while at his job, Arana would be networking. He would be on a constant lookout for meeting well-connected customers and an opportunity to shift to a more expensive restaurant to enhance his life and earnings.

Real estate career and The Agency designation

 

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Arana’s cousin suggested he dip his toes in the realty market. Unsure of it as a career option at the time, he told Fox Business, “When my cousin said, ‘You should do real estate,’ I was like: ‘What is real estate?’”

“You know, in Los Angeles and New York, in big cities like these, you can make a living as a real estate agent, but if you go to Bolivia, it’s not an aspiration when you’re in college,” he added.

Eventually, Arana got his real estate license in 2004, but he found himself floundering in the property business. He would knock on doors and call people to trust him to sell their house. Business Insider states that interestingly, it was only in 2007-2008 when the market crashed that Arana began to do well. The zeal in him drove Arana to post signs before 6 am and encash the “free marketing” policy. By 2009-2010, when nearly everyone had backed off, he was one of the very few agents who survived.

“As the market turned around in 2012, I remember April of 2012 clearly, it activated and it just exploded…People decided, ‘Okay time to buy, time to sell…Let’s call that guy Santiago,’” he told Fox Business. Soon, he became a household name in LA. The same year, he earned USD 1 million in commission. As they say, the rest is all history.

On the other hand, before making his mark as a realtor, Arana served as the director of the New Construction Division of Partners Trust Real Estate Brokerage & Acquisitions. This role allowed him to sharpen his knowledge about new development and investment properties throughout the Westside area. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has worked with Sotheby’s as an agent, too.

 

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An impeccable track record has earned him fame and quite a few millions. One of the most distinguished professionals working at The Agency, Arana is majorly responsible for its growth and expansion.

He joined The Agency in 2014 as Principal and Partner with high-end residential real estate. His forte: new construction across posh neighbourhoods in the region. Arana is also credited for its Westside expansion as managing partner of the Brentwood and Pacific Palisades offices. According to The Agency’s website, he has closed over USD 4.6 billion in real estate transactions, netting nearly USD 2.5 billion in sales volume from 2017 to 2021. Such staggering figures and more astounding listings lined up are proof that Santiago Arana’s net worth is not only colossal but is far from slowing down.

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Awards and recognitions

 

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His achievements and successes as a real estate agent have also earned Arana a number of accolades.

The Agency website states he is ranked the No. 6 real estate agent in the country, No. 3 in California and No. 1 west of the 405 freeway. For 12 consecutive years, he has also been featured among the Top 250 Realtors in the United States on the annual REAL Trends Inc. ranking in The Wall Street Journal.

Counted among the leading names in the luxury realty segment of Los Angeles, Santiago Arana also held a place in The Los Angeles Business Journal’s Most Influential People in Real Estate for seven consecutive years.

 

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In 2023, he appeared as one of the top agents who are considered a tour de force in the L.A. real estate market by The Los Angeles Business Journal. The publication placed him among the outstanding professionals on its annual list of “Who’s Brokering L.A.”, and “Leaders of Influence” in the industry as well.

The Hollywood Reporter has been including Santiago Arana among Hollywood’s Top 30 Real Estate Agents for the past 12 years, while Variety has named him among the Showbiz Real Estate Elite for 13 consecutive years.

How much does Santiago Arana earn from Buying Beverly Hills?

Such outstanding accolades and an incredible clientele make Santiago Arana one of Mauricio Umansky’s right-hand men. In fact, he is a part of the power trio of the real estate industry, comprising Umansky and The Agency’s co-founder and chief culture officer Billy Rose.

 

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Arana joined the cast of Buying Beverly Hills in the first season in 2022 and is known for his calm and cool demeanour, friendly approach towards clients, thorough understanding of the craft and a deep passion for selling the best and the most expensive mansions.

 

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While it may not be clear how much he makes exclusively from the reality TV show, it can be deduced that it is quite a hefty amount that complements his real estate earnings and boosts Arana’s net worth.

What is Santiago Arana’s net worth?

In March 2024, The Cinemaholic stated that real estate transactions in LA come with a commission of five per cent of the final price, which is then divided between the buying and selling sides. Further, those associated with The Agency have to share 20 per cent of their side of the commission with the company.

Considering Arana’s listings have reached as high as USD 60.85 million, and generally oscillate in the eight-figure zone, it can be deduced that he earns a mighty commission from every property. This leads the publication to estimate Santiago Arana’s net worth to be around USD 30 million.

Santiago Arana’s education

Born in 1980, Santiago Arana hails from Sucre, Bolivia. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing. His international background and flair for technique-driven property dealings propelled Arana to greater heights. A fantastic work ethic seasoned with impressive negotiating skills, years of experience, marketing abilities and a strong network make him a coveted real estate agent and an ideal Buying Beverly Hills season 2 cast member.

Personal life

 

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Not much is known about his family, as he prefers keeping his personal life away from the public eye.

His Instagram posts suggest he was once married to Kyle Arana and the couple have two boys. He met her during his days working as a waiter. However, they called it quits, and currently, he shares two children, daughters born in 2022 and 2023, with Ukrainian model and motivational speaker Alessandra Shulgina.

It is unclear if they are married, but both Arana and Shulgina, their little girls, and the older boys spend quality family time together.

Arana has a philanthropic arm as well. He has been involved with the Giveback Homes and Habitat for Humanity.

(Hero and feature image Courtesy: Santiago Arana/ @santiagoarana/ Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

-Who is Santiago Arana?
Santiago Arana is a well-established real estate agent in Los Angeles. He works as the principal and partner at Mauricio Umansky’s real estate firm The Agency and is a cast member of Netflix’s Buying Beverly Hills.

-Who is Santiago in Buying Beverly Hills?
Santiago Arana is a recurring cast member of Netflix’s Buying Beverly Hills. He works at The Agency and is a well-known real estate agent in Los Angeles.

The post <i>Buying Beverly Hills</i> season 2: Santiago Arana’s net worth, career and more appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Chinese dramas’ captivating stories and traditional costumes have made them one of the top East-Asian entertainment content on the rise recently. Thanks to streaming platforms like Viki, WeTV, and even Netflix, C-dramas have become more accessible to the international audience. Here we are looking at the new Chinese dramas to watch in 2024.

The 2019 period fantasy drama The Untamed was one of the first Chinese dramas that enjoyed critical and global acclaim. Fast forward to 2023, an array of series had the world hooked to their screens. These included the popular swoon-worthy romantic series Hidden Love, which has an 8.6/10 on IMDb. Other popular 2023 Chinese dramas were Till the End of the Moon, When I Fly Towards You and The Forbidden Flower.

From epic historical sagas to contemporary tales of love and intrigue, C-dramas offer a vividly unparalleled viewing experience that almost always opens global audiences to Chinese traditions, values, and cultures.

The 2024 roster of Chinese entertainment content also promises a world filled with complex characters and rich storytelling. We’ve curated a list of Chinese dramas set for release in 2024 that everyone should be adding to their binge-watching list.

6 exciting Chinese dramas to watch in 2024

Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact

Cast: Yang Mi, Gong Jun

Director: Mai Guan Zhi, Du Lin

Episodes (estimated): 38

Synopsis: Fox spirit Tushan Hong Hong (Yang) saves Dongfang Yue Chu (Gong) when he falls into dangerous trouble. The duo gradually start spending some time together in Tushan, the home of Fox Spirit Matchmakers, they make a deal to fight evil forces together to ensure peace and harmony reign high in their clans, which are in constant battle with each other.

About the show: The first instalment in the Fox Spirit Matchmaker series, Red Moon Pact is one of the major Chinese dramas of 2024 that many fans are eagerly waiting to watch as the filming ended in late 2022. It is a live-action series based on a popular manhua of the same name that was adapted into a comic book, a movie, a mobile game, and now a TV series.

Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Love in Pavilion

Cast: Liu Shi Shi, Leon Zhang

Director: Du Lin

Episodes (Estimated): 36

Synopsis: The Bamboo Pavilion bears witness to the most heart-wrenching promise between Dongfang Huai Zhu (Liu) and Wangquan Hong Ye (Leon), the leaders of the two most respectful families. The duo work together to ensure stability in a world fraught with human-demon conflict but end up having their fates intertwined to become a legend that will be known for generations to come.

About the show: One of the main Chinese dramas fans are ardently waiting for is Fox Spirit Matchmaker 2 aka Love in Pavilion. This sequel will focus on the Zhuye arc, which features the love story between Dongfang Huai Zhu and Wangquan Honge Ye.

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Moonlight Mystique

Cast: Bai Lu, Ao Rui Peng

Director: Chu Yui Pan, Zhu Rui Bin, Francis Nam Chi-Wai, Gu Zhi Wei

Episodes (Estimated): 36

Synopsis: Bai Shuo (Bai), a cheerful troublemaker and daughter of a general, seeks immortality but accidentally ends up rescuing the infamous and powerful demon god Fanyue (Ao). The duo gets on each other’s nerves but eventually develops affection towards each other and falls in love.

The Princess Royal

Cast: Zhao Jin Mai, Zhang Ling He

Director: Go Yik Chun

Episodes (estimated): 40

Synopsis: Despite being married for 30 years, Li Rong (Zhao) and Pei Wen Xuan (Zhang) bear no affection or love towards each other. They end up dying after falling for someone else’s schemes by turning against one another. However, they are given a chance to make things right when they’re transported back to the time when they tied the knot purely for political gains – at 18 years of age. How will their story end this time?

About the show: The lead actress, Zhao Jin Main, was listed in Forbes China‘s 30 Under 30 Asia 2019 for her popularity and influence in the entertainment field. The show is an adaptation of a web novel, The Grand Princess.

Follow Your Heart

Cast: Luo Yun Xi, Song Yi

Director: Yu Chung Chung

Episodes (estimated): N/A

Synopsis: Coldhearted prince Jiang Xin Bai (Luo) realizes how love goes beyond physical appearance as he meets and falls in love with physician Yan Nan Xing (Song), a spirited being who transforms into another person every month. One of the many hurdles they face is the prince’s prosopagnosia or face blindness, a cognitive disorder wherein a person loses the ability to remember people’s faces. The two solve crimes together while their fates bring them much closer as they discover what it truly means to be in love.

About the show: This is one of the most anticipated Chinese dramas this year because of Luo Yun Xi, the star of the hit 2023 TV series Till The End of the Moon (TTEM). He achieved mainstream success through TTEM and the 2020 office romance drama Love is Sweet (2020).

Legend of the Female General

Cast: Zhou Ye, Ryan Cheng

Director: Jeffery Chiang

Episodes (estimated): 40

Synopsis: Generals with opposite personalities unite to rid evil and injustice but end up falling for each other. Zhou plays a female general with a gentle personality but a strong, independent spirit while Ryan plays a male general who’s cold-hearted but has martial prowess.

(Hero and feature images: Courtesy IMDb)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the No. 1 Chinese drama?

According to IMDb rating, Nirvana in Fire (2015), The Untamed (2019) and Hidden Love (2023) are a few of the highest-rated Chinese dramas with 8.9, 8.8 and 8.6 ratings, respectively. All these garnered a huge interest amongst global viewers and are popular for their storytelling. They also showcase the range of genres China is known for – revenge thrillers, wuxia (adventures of martial artists in fantasy history) and romance.

What is the most-liked Chinese drama?

Several Chinese dramas have gained immense popularity in recent years. Some of these dramas are Three-Body (2023), Love Like the Galaxy (2022), The Untamed (2019), Hidden Love (2023), Put Your Head on My Shoulder (2019) and Love O2O (2016).

How long are Chinese dramas usually?

Usually, an episode of a Chinese drama runs for around 40-60 minutes and is 40-52 episodes long. However, in 2020, China’s media regulator, the National Radio and Television Administration, set rules for the TV industry to limit episodes to 40 and under. Hence, the number of episodes for most of the upcoming Chinese dramas is between 35 to 40.

Which Chinese drama is worth watching?

The slate for 2023 Chinese dramas was so impressive that fans couldn’t stop talking about it. Some of the dramas that they swear are worth watching include Hidden Love, The Forbidden Love, Till the End of the Moon and When I Fly Towards You.

The post <i>Moonlight Mystique</i> and other new Chinese dramas to watch in 2024 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Whether you are a die-hard fan of Thai movies and TV shows or someone who has just discovered the magic of this world, no one is immune to the charm of the sensational Urassaya Sperbund. After nearly two decades in showbiz, Sperbund continues to be one of the most sought-after actors in the Thai entertainment industry. Here’s looking back at the top titles from her successful career trajectory.

Better known to her fans as Yaya, Urassaya Sperbund made her debut in 2008 with the hit Thai drama Peun See Long Hon. However, it was only after the first instalment of 4 Hearts of the Mountain in 2010 that Sperbund became a household name. Over the years, Urassaya Sperbund has been part of multiple Thai dramas and movies. Standouts from her portfolio include Kleun Cheewit (2017), Leh Lub Salub Rarng (2017), Brother of the Year (2018), The Crown Princess (2018), Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), Thai Cave Rescue (2022), Fast and Feel Love (2022) and Love at First Night (2024).

Meanwhile, beautifully weaving together romance and folklore is the 2018 hit Nakee 2. One of the best Urassaya Sperbund movies, Nakee 2 transports audiences to a magical kingdom where love and legacy collide in an ultimate showdown between two powerful mythical creatures. Not to forget the romantic comedy Love at First Night, which is helmed by the visionary director Nok Nuntaporn Kaewamporn. One of the most popular Urassaya Sperbund TV shows to release in 2024, Love at First Night enjoys a solid 8.8 rating on IMDb.

Talking about her profession as an actor, Sperbund said in an interview with Elite Plus magazine, “I think everything came by chance. I never decided that ‘Oh when I grow up, I’m going to be an actress’. It was just that the chance came along and so we went forward with that and it was probably one of the greatest choices I have ever made.”

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The post <i>Love You To Debt</i> and other movies and TV shows starring Thai sensation Urassaya Sperbund appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Here’s what we know about Fortnite Festival Season 3.

Fortnite Festival, with its unique blend of gaming and music, has quickly become a global sensation, captivating the attention of gamers of all ages. Launched in December 2023, the innovative rhythm-based game is already two seasons old and fans would be stoked to know that Fortnite Festival season 3 is on its way. 

While the previous two seasons featured The Weeknd and Lady Gaga, Fortnite Festival season 3 will feature another talented artist – Grammy and Oscar-winner Billie Eilish. 

 

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As season 2 almost nears its end, Fortnite fans are eager to know when season 3 will kick-start, what will its theme be, and what exciting new content will it introduce.

So on that note, here’s everything you need to know about Fortnite Festival season 3, including its release date, the new skins, theme and more.

Which artists and music will feature in ‘Fortnite Festival’ season 3?

Fortnite Festival Main Stage: 4.23.24 pic.twitter.com/dxaQBsqD4A

— billie eilish (@billieeilish) April 22, 2024

There was speculation that Billie Eilish would be the featured artist due to the similarity between her neon green roots and the colour seen during the in-game announcement. This fan theory was confirmed when Eilish herself posted on X that she would be headlining the next Fortnite Festival season. The ‘What Was I Made For?’ singer shared an image of her in-game skin on X with the caption “Fortnite Festival Main Stage: 4.23.24.”

While no additional information has been provided about Eilish’s main stage event, it is expected that her songs will be playable in the Fortnite Festival mode and that her neon green skin will be available in the Fortnite shop.

Additionally, based on speculation within the gaming community, Eilish’s hits such as ‘Happier Than Ever’, ‘Ocean Eyes’, ‘Everything I Wanted’, ‘Lovely’ and ‘Bellyache’, amongst others, could be added to the Fortnite Festival season 3 song list. While some could be listed in the Fortnite Shop, others could be exclusive to the season 3 pass.

When does ‘Fortnite Festival’ season 3 release?

The release date for season 3 has been confirmed as 23 April 2024, 8 am CT (9 am MYT). This will be immediately after season 2 ends on April 22. 

Although there is currently no official information regarding what one could expect from the new season, it is anticipated that season 3 will last for approximately three months, similar to the duration of the previous two seasons.

Keep an eye out on the ‘Fortnite Festival’ season 3 pass tab

 

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Once you are in the Lobby of a Fortnite Festival event (either ‘Main Stage’ or ‘Jam Stage’), go to the Festival Pass option in the top menu. Here, you can access the season 3 Festival Pass and check out the Festival Quests.

For the uninitiated, Fortnite Festival is a rhythm-based gameplay experience created by Rock Band studio Harmonix, which is integrated into the larger Fortnite universe.

(Header and feature image courtesy: Instagram/Fortnite Festival)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Which artist will feature in the Fortnite Festival season 3?
Billie Eilish will feature in season 3.

– Where can I get the pass for Fortnite Festival season 3?
Once you are in the Lobby of a Fortnite Festival event (either ‘Main Stage’ or ‘Jam Stage’), go to the Festival Pass option in the top menu to access the season 3 Festival Pass.

This story originally appeared in Augustman Songapore

The post What we know about ‘Fortnite Festival’ Season 3 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

He started his musical journey with the dream of making it big in the Korean pop industry. Today, he is the leader of the award-winning K-pop boy band NCT. Not only that, he is also one of the richest K-pop idols in the world. Ever wondered about the net worth of the popular NCT rapper Taeyong?

From being spotted on the street by the entertainment label SM Entertainment to finally becoming a popular K-pop face, NCT member Taeyong has come a long way. Standouts from his portfolio include hit records like “Swimming Pool”, “GTA1”, Baby Don’t Like It”, “GTA2”, “Love del Luna” and “Blue”.

The singer who enlisted in the military in April 2024, expressed his thoughts about the same in an Instagram post and said, “Looking back at the time, I realize how much I have grown up thanks to you and the members. With you, the moments were bright and shining. Thank you for giving me memorable and happy days.”

All details about NCT member Taeyong: Net worth, music career and more

Taeyong’s net worth

According to South China Morning Post, Taeyong has a net worth of around THB 333 million, as of 2022.

While it is challenging to quote an exact figure in 2024, Taeyong being the richest NCT member, earns quite handsomely from his music career, luxury brand deals, commercials and social media platforms.

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Career

It was in 2012 that Taeyong joined one of the biggest entertainment companies in South Korea, SM Entertainment. He was officially introduced as a member of the pre-debut team of trainees, SM Rookies, in December 2013. However, it was only on 3 April 2016 that the then-rising rapper became a permanent member of the K-pop idol group NCT and its first sub-unit, NCT U.

On 8 April of the same year, Taeyong made his official debut with NCT U’s digital single “The 7th Sense”. It was later revealed that the rapper-singer had also taken part in the songwriting process of his group’s first single.

Following the success of NCT U’s debut, Taeyong was announced as a member and leader of NCT’s second sub-unit, NCT 127. The singer made his NCT 127 debut on 6 July 2016, with the group’s single “Fire Truck”. The same year, they also released their first extended play (EP), the heavy hip-hop and EDM-influenced NCT #127. The album was an instant commercial success and topped South Korea’s Gaon Album Chart in the third week. It ended up becoming the 32nd best-selling album in 2016, with over 83,272 physical copies sold. The album also gave the group their first entry on the Billboard World Albums Chart at #2.

Taeyong’s musical prowess continued to soar and in January 2017, the K-pop star co-wrote four songs on NCT 127’s EP Limitless. While the track “Baby Don’t Like It” marked him as a composer for the first time, the track, “Cherry Bomb” from their third EP of the same name, was titled one of the best K-pop songs of the year by Billboard. Meanwhile, the EP sold around 127,642 physical copies, as of December 2017.

In 2018, Taeyong appeared in five of the units featured on NCT’s first studio album, NCT 2018 Empathy — a project uniting all of its sub-units. One of the best-selling albums on Korea’s year-end album chart, NCT 2018 Empathy sold a whopping 330,335 physical copies after its release.

Taeyong’s success as a versatile musician led to him being chosen as one of the members of SuperM — a K-pop supergroup created by SM Entertainment and American record label Capitol Records on 8 August 2019. Taeyong collaborated with singer Punch for the hit K-drama OST “Love del Luna” from IU starrer fantasy romance Hotel Del Luna.

In March 2020, Taeyong co-wrote three tracks for NCT 127’s second studio album, Neo Zone. Also consisting of a repackaged version, Neo Zone: The Final Round, the album topped the US Billboard 200 list at #5, selling a total of one million copies in South Korea. In September of the same year, NCT released its second group project, NCT 2020: Resonance. Following this, Taeyong was announced as the leader of the group as a whole.

Taeyong started his solo endeavours in 2021 and in March, established a solo SoundCloud account with a self-written demo single “Dark Clouds”. Over the years, The NCT member has been part of several hit tracks. These include “Swimming Pool”, “GTA1”, “GTA2”, “Blue” and “Monroe,” featuring Baekhyun of Exo, and “Rose” featuring Seulgi of Red Velvet. The Korean rapper made his official debut as a solo artist in June 2023, with his first mini album Shalala. A seven-track album, the lyrics of Shalala are all co-written by Taeyong. With nearly 503,952 copies sold, the EP became one of the most successful projects of Taeyong’s career.

His latest endeavours include his first solo concert, which was held at Olympic Hall and online through Weverse Concert, on 24 February 2024. Taeyong also released his fully co-written second EP, Tap, on 26 February 2024. It became a commercial success and ranked #1 on the iTunes Top Albums Chart in 33 regions worldwide.

What's On

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What's On

K-pop group NCT 127 announces two-day concert in Bangkok in 2024

Luxury brand endorsements

Besides his music projects, NCT member Taeyong has been a part of multiple brand endorsements, which make a significant contribution to his net worth.

The K-pop idol’s group brand collaborations include POM – Sk Telecom, Lotte Duty Free, Coca Cola, Ivy Club, Design United, Masita Seaweed, Oeil Sunglasses, Astell & ASPR and Elite. Taeyong also has to his credit an array of solo endorsements for popular brands like Sk Telecom, Bulgari and Loewe.

In June 2023, Taeyong became the brand ambassador for Spanish maison Loewe. Founded in 1846 in Madrid, Loewe has been part of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) since 1996 and is considered the oldest luxury fashion house of the holding. Taeyong made sure to garner attention with his presence at the brand’s Spring Menswear show during Paris Fashion Week in 2024.

Additionally, the singer’s pictorials include prestigious magazines like Arena, Elle, Elle Japan and tmrw.

With over 11.7 million followers as of April 2024, Taeyong is also one of the most-followed K-pop idols on Instagram. He reportedly earns around THB 3,70,315 to THB 37,03,550 per post on the social media platform. The rapper also owns the YouTube channel TAEYONG, which he started in 2022.

Expensive things owned by NCT member Taeyong add to his net worth

According to various K-media sources, Taeyong owns an expensive apartment in one of the luxury estates in Seoul. He is neighbours with fellow NCT bandmate Jaehyun. Taeyong is also a keeper of expensive wheels and is often spotted by fans in Supercars.

Additionally, the NCT member is a proud celebrity pet parent and owns multiple dogs, including a Dalmatian, a Golden Retriever, a Husky as well as beetles, turtles and fishes.

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Persona life

Born on 1 July 1995 in Seoul, South Korea Lee Tae-yong dreamt of becoming a musician since his childhood. He graduated from the School of Performing Arts Seoul and eventually pursued a career in the K-pop industry.

Taeyong enlisted in the Navy as an active duty soldier on 15 April 2024. The news was officially shared by SM Entertainment in March 2024. The agency also stated, “There will be no official events held on the day he enters the recruit training centre, and we ask for your understanding as his enlistment will be held privately to prevent safety incidents due to congestion on site.”

SM further urged NCT fans to “show continued support and love until the day Taeyong diligently completes his mandatory military service and returns in good health.”

(Hero and Featured image credit: Taeyong/Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Why is Taeyong famous? 

Taeyong is one of the most popular members of the K-pop group NCT. He is mostly famous for his hit tracks like “Swimming Pool”, “GTA1”, Baby Don’t Like It”, “GTA2”, “Love del Luna” and “Blue”.

– Is Taeyong a brand ambassador? 

Yes, Taeyong is the brand ambassador of the luxury Spanish brand Loewe.

The post Taeyong’s net worth: Inside the richest NCT member’s fortune appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Are you a lead vocalist, or a star dancer on stage? Discover your K-pop role by taking Spotify’s latest K-Pop Persona Quiz. Here’s how.

Given the popularity that digital personality quizzes have witnessed over the past few months in the realm of social media, it should come as no surprise that the digital music streaming giant would be next to jump aboard the bandwagon with its very own K-Pop Persona Quiz.

The interactive experience was launched earlier yesterday as part of Spotify’s ongoing efforts to promote and bolster the profile of K-Pop on a global scale through a series of online and on-ground activations, all of which are anchored by their flagship K-Pop ON! playlist that has occurred a considerable following numbering 5.4 million users. Numbers don’t lie and with the genre’s streams jumping by a staggering 360% in Southeast Asia since 2018, the region’s appetite for content can easily be described as voracious.

Spotify’s latest K-Pop Persona quiz: How to take and what you should know

Accessible on their app from now to May 10th, the aptly dubbed ‘Your K-Pop Persona’ personality quiz has been described as a litmus test to ‘discover and embrace what your ideal fan role would be in a K-Pop group’. Results from the quiz are obtained from a blend of user inputs alongside Spotify’s database of music consumption habits.

If you’re looking to try the quiz out for yourself, all you need to do is visit your K-pop persona on Spotify and allow the website to open the dedicated microsite on your phone’s Spotify app. Users will then be presented with a series of five questions, each serving as a means to gauge and assess your penchant for K-Pop, as well as your responses to hypothetical scenarios.

By collating each answer, users will then be assigned to a persona inspired by five core pillars of K-Pop membership: Main Visual serving looks galore, Main Vocal belting out runs, Main Rapper stringing verses on-beat, Main Dancer catching choreo, and of course, an up-and-coming Trainee starlet in the making.

Better still, Spotify users who frequent the app will even receive an additional report generated through an analysis of each user’s music listening patterns. If you resonate with your persona, don’t forget to share your photocard over social media.

From cosmic bodies to slices of dessert and now K-Pop personas, there’s no denying that online personality reports are becoming an increasingly fashionable marketing avenue. How many have you tried to date?

Feature and hero image credit: Spotify

The post How to take Spotify’s viral K-Pop Persona quiz appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From muay thai training to rock climbing, these are some of our favourite moments from Conan O’Brien Must Go in Thailand.

Conan O’Brien’s new travel show Conan O’Brien Must Go has finally premiered on HBO GO here in Thailand. No disrespect to the other countries the show features, but since one of the four episodes was shot here in Bangkok, we immediately watched that episode. Those who have watched Conan’s specials shot in other countries know that it’s a chaotic fun time, and thankfully, the Thailand episode was no different. Here are some of our favourite moments from the Conan O’Brien Must Go episode shot in Thailand.

[Hero image: HBO GO]

 “Why did I come to Bangkok?”: Eight moments from Conan O’Brien Must Go in Thailand that we love

Anna’s mum smacking the living daylights out of Conan

Like a typical Thai auntie who speaks little English and is clueless as to who the tall red-headed menace is in her living room, Anna’s mum proceeds to welcome Conan to the Land of Smiles by giving forced laughs and slapping Conan in the face. While Conan is off doing his shenanigans and lifting weights, Anna’s mum sees it as a perfect opportunity to smack his face, which she says is also exercise. Sure, why not?

Conan’s attempt at a stalkery Thai song and the awkwardness that ensues

True to Conan fashion, the late night vet took to a Thai TV show just hours after landing to sing a Thai song. He does a pretty good job… sort of. At least the crew who were watching seemed to enjoy it… kinda. 

The girl with the finger stick pointing at the words on the prompter

When Conan finally took the stage to actually perform, it was safe to assume that he was reading the “karaoke” lyrics off a board or prompter. What we weren’t expecting was that there was someone there with a finger stick pointing at which words he should sing. Good thing Conan’s iconic assistant, Sona, wasn’t there or else she would have probably had to do that for him. 

Conan brandishing an “ornament” while floating down Don Mueang river

While on the Floating Market, it was unsurprising that one of Conan’s first purchases was a phallic ornament, one that we commonly see in tourist traps around the city. Of course, he wouldn’t be Conan if he didn’t go around showing the thing off and even trying to get one of the vendors to uh, kiss it. To be fair, the vendor was also pushing Conan to kiss his snake. It’s ana actual snake though, we swear. 

The tourist guide inadvertently suggesting something to Conan

In an exchange with the local tourist guide before going around some of Bangkok’s famous temples, Conan says that this life was already too much and doesn’t wish to be reincarnated. The tourist guide, ever so helpful, suggests something to the comedian that’s both shocking and hilarious that we had to pause, laugh for a good few minutes, and regain our composure.

The chaotic result of Conan eating spicy street food

We already know what Conan is like with spicy food thanks to his Hot Ones episode, but it’s quite possible his trip here prepared him for it. It was still as manic and chaotic as expected though, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Whitney, the “Don Rickles of Bangkok”

The breakout star of the episode is a fan of Conan’s here in Thailand named Whitney, a rock climbing enthusiast who challenges the comedian to a climb. But really, comedy should also be one of her hobbies. At one point, she tells Conan he doesn’t have to worry about the harness damaging his, uh, lower area because he’s already had kids.

“Just ‘cause I have children already, I don’t need a penis?” Conan shoots back. “Yes,” she replies bluntly. She puts Jeff Ross to shame. 

The Muay Thai action sequence

We’ve already seen the promo shots of Conan in the ring but the actual sequence is so much more chaotic. He doesn’t just train but he also goes up against a bunch of fighters and dispatches them in hilarious Conan fashion. It reminded us of Conan’s old skits back in his late night shows and we’re just glad to see his shenanigans on our screen once again. 

Conan O’Brien Must Go is now streaming on HBO GO

The post Our favourite moments from the Thailand episode of ‘Conan O’Brien Must Go’ appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

With interest in Japanese dramas gradually rising, we’ve listed five shows that you should definitely look out for in the coming months of 2024. According to About Netflix, Japanese-language content ranked third in the most-viewed non-English content, after Korean and Spanish on the streaming platform.

While many instantly (and rightfully) think of cult anime such as One Piece, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Pokémon Concierge, live adaptations of Japanese content are gaining attraction globally. FX’s Shōgun, Netflix’s Alice in Borderland and House of Ninjas, along with other titles have recently captivated audiences in thrilling ways. Japan is a lucrative market for streaming services as well. The Hollywood Reporter reported that Amazon Prime (22%) and Netflix (21%) take up the majority of the $4.6 billion streaming video-on-demand revenue market in the US.

With high-quality cinematography and gripping characters, the roster of Japanese dramas in 2024, though few, offers quite interesting stories. From romance and biography to crime thrillers, this list has something for everyone. Keep an eye out for announcements for their release dates as most of them are yet to be revealed – but we’re sure that they are worth the wait.

Check out our list of the best Japanese dramas of all time

Exciting live-action Japanese dramas to watch in 2024

The Queen of Villains

Directed by: Kazuya Shiraishi

Cast: Yuriyan Retriever, Karata Erika, Gouriki Ayame

Synopsis: Dump Matsumoto (portrayed by Retriever) always dreamt of becoming a successful professional wrestler in a male-dominated wrestling community. In the 1980s, she became Japan’s most famous and beloved female wrestler. This show is an intense biographical drama that opens the world to the personal and professional hardships of Dump Matsumoto.

About the show: One of the key story arcs to look forward to in this Japanese drama is the rivalry between Matsumoto and Crush Gals, comprising Nagayo Chigusa and Lioness Asuka. Additionally, eyes are also on Retriever, a popular Japanese comedian, who will reprise the role of Matsumoto.

Tokyo Swindlers

Directed by: One Hitoshi

Cast: Go Ayano, Etsushi Toyokawa

Synopsis: A group of land scammers con their way to stealing large sums of money in the real estate business. With multi-million dollar properties at stake, the battle between deception and truth keeps getting intense and more people fall for the scam as detectives attempt to discover the mastermind behind it.

About the show: The show is based on the best-selling book, authored by Ko Shinjo, of the same name.

Beyond Goodbye

Directed by: Kurosaki Hiroshi

Cast: Kasumi Arimura, Kentarô Sakaguchi

Synopsis: Saeko’s (Arimura) life comes crashing down on the most important day of her life – the day of her engagement to her boyfriend Yusuke (Sakaguchi), who dies in a car accident. She is devastated and numb to her surroundings, until a few months later, when she chances upon Naruse and feels an unknown connection. What she is yet to know is that Naruse received Yusuke’s heart in a transplant operation.

About the show: According to Netflix, this 2024 Japanese drama is written by Yoshikazu Okada popular for “his
human drama works among the Japanese audience.”

Romantic Anonymous

Directed by: Shô Tsukikawa

Cast: Han Hyo-joo, Oguri Shun

Synopsis: A shy but smart chocolatier gets a job at a small chocolate factory. Her social anxiety makes her work a bit difficult but things take a comic turn as she gradually starts falling in love with another person who is just like her. The series is a remake of the 2010 French-Belgian movie Romantics Anonymous by Jean-Pierre Améris.

About the show: This is an exciting addition to the list of Japanese dramas in 2024 solely because of the star-studded cast. Han Hyo-joo is a leading Korean actress revered for her dramas and movies such as Moving and Believer 2, while Oguri Shun is an A-lister in the Japanese industry known for his roles in Boys over Flowers and Gokusen, among others.

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House of Ninjas

Directed by: Dave Boyle

Cast: Kento Kaku, Yosuke Eguchi, Tae Kimura, Kengo Kora, among others

Synopsis: A dysfunctional but formidable ninja warrior family living an ordinary life is thrust into a crisis management situation. They abandoned their skills years ago but must now bring out their secret lives to fight emerging threats.

About the show: House of Ninjas was released on February 15 on Netflix, and has an 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.2 rating on IMDb.

FAQs

What is the most popular drama in Japan?

Global interest in Japanese dramas has been on the rise thanks to popular dramas such as Alice in Borderland, Tokyo Vice and Midnight Diner, among others. Although not a J-drama, Shōgun, set in ancient Japan, is currently one of the most famous dramas with its gripping storyline and action-packed cinematography.

Which is the best romantic Japanese drama?

Romantic Japanese dramas are filled with intense emotions, heartbreak and passion. Some of the best series that people swear by in this genre are An Incurable Case of Love, First Love, My Love Mix-Up!, Good Morning Call and Promise Cinderella.

The post New Japanese dramas to watch in 2024 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Prime Video’s latest romantic flick with Anne Hathaway could have been different but falls into the trope trap instead. Here’s our review of The Idea of You.

It’s insane that Anne Hathaway is 41 years old. First off, she doesn’t look like it, and secondly, she will always be Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi, Princess of Genovia to this ageing millennial. It took a little suspension of disbelief for me when watching this movie because not only was she playing a nearly-middle-aged woman but she also has a teenage daughter. In the end, that wasn’t bothersome at all. In fact, Pime Video’s The Idea of You has a great premise that sets the stage for a great story, and though it attempts to do something different, it unfortunately falls into the typical tropes of similar romantic films. 

[Hero image: Prime Video]

The Idea of You review: Full of potential—and your typical romantic plot

Notting Hill-esque 

Solène Marchand (Hathaway) is a single mother who lives a successful and quiet life. She just turned 40 and spends her nights burying her nose in a book and isn’t interested in dating despite her friends trying to push her because the dating pool is, to put it succinctly, abysmal. On a spur-of-a-moment trip to Coachella with her daughter, she has a meet-cute with Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the 24-year-old member of a boyband her daughter used to adore. Eventually, the two of them strike up a passionate romance that eventually develops into something deeper.

There are plenty of romantic stories similar to this: normal person meets superstar person, they fall in love, and they now have to deal with the harsh reality of having a relationship in the spotlight. We’ve seen it in the likes of Notting Hill and America’s Sweethearts (coincidentally, Julia Roberts plays the superstar and the “normie” in each, respectively). But The Idea of You has one thing these other films don’t: a middle-aged woman falling for a young man.

What could have been

The movie does make use of this plot point a little bit, showing just how unnecessarily cruel people can be to a woman in this situation compared to a man. Leo having a cut-off age of 25 years for his girlfriends is hilarious; Solène, in this film, is labelled a cougar, which sadly reflects true life. The movie delves a little into the toxicity Solène and her daughter have to face because of her relationship with Hayes. As a character in the movie bluntly puts it, “People hate happy women.”

But here’s the thing: it only makes use of this plot point a little bit when it should have been the main focus of the entire film. That’s what sets it apart. Instead, the film delves into it towards the end. Sadly, the majority of the movie is just your run-of-the-mill romantic story: meet-cute, denial of desires, the eventual giving in and happiness, and then trouble. Even the writing is typical: when Hayes is trying to convince Solène to pursue their relationship and asks why she’s hesitant, she responds with “Because you’re you and I’m me.” Later on, she even manages to say the world-famous “It’s not you, it’s me” line. 

By the power of Hathaway

The film also tries to be somewhat edgy. It gets steamy at times—and granted, the chemistry between Hathaway and Galitzine is palpable—and the film tries to amp up the eroticism but it just felt out of place. It was as if it didn’t know what tone to go for, going from fun and romantic in one scene then immediately becoming titillating and steamy in the next. 

Anne Hathaway, however, can do no wrong, and even her co-star Nicholas Galtizine does a terrific job. Both were able to do their best with subpar writing, a predictable plot, and two-dimensional characters but even their efforts weren’t enough to give the film depth. 

Tropey but entertaining

There were moments during the film where I caught a glimpse of what it could have been. Unlike other actors who are obviously just there for the paycheck, Hathaway and Galtizine bring their A-game. The plot shines briefly, making me think that isn’t your typical cheesy romantic movie—until I realised that there are only about 30 minutes left of the film. The Idea of You could have been a one-of-a-kind romantic movie. Sadly, it’s just tropey and forgettable but still somewhat entertaining for a one-time watch. 

The Idea of You is streaming on Prime Video on May 2

The post Review: ‘The Idea of You’ has a great premise but gets muddled in romantic tropes appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Time to start playing your ‘Wo Yao Ni De Ai’ playlist again, as Crazy Rich Asians returns — as a musical, this time. Set to be directed by Jon M Chu, here’s everything we know about it so far.

If you thought you’d seen the last of Rachel Chu, Nick Young, and the glitzy, ritzy world of the Crazy Rich Asians, think again. A Crazy Rich Asians musical is now in development and set for Broadway. Director Jon M Chu, who was the maestro behind the 2018 movie, is set to reprise his directorial role. Though no official premiere date has been announced, it’s safe to say that fans of the top grossing movie have a lot to look forward to.

Crazy Rich Asians was a huge success for more reasons than one. Beyond the money it made — USD 239 million worldwide against a production budget of USD 30 million — the movie, which was based on Kevin Kwan’s eponymous novel, became an instant on-screen hit, highly lauded by critics and moviegoers alike.

On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts a sturdy 91 percent fresh rating; on IMDb, its rating stands at a respectful 6.9, whilst its Metacritic score stands at 74 percent.

Six years since its debut, the movie continues to be a feel-good film well-loved among romantic comedy buffs. And for good reason. Crazy Rich Asians is a shining symbol of Asian representation done right in Hollywood, tied together with stellar cinematography, beautiful sights and scenes, an incredible soundtrack, and top-notch acting performances from a stacked, star-studded cast.

The movie is widely credited for kicking off an Asian renaissance in Hollywood, introducing an all-Asian cast whose stories reflect the journeys of immigrants living abroad. Yet, on a deeper scale, it also showcased Asian cultures, poignantly highlighting themes like the importance of family ties and filial piety.

And while the luxurious on-screen lifestyles of the Young family aren’t the average Asian experience, the on-screen representation provided an impetus for Asians to rally behind. Through the effervescent performances of top-tier Asian actors and actresses like Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding, Constance Wu, Gemma Chan, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, Harry Shum Jr., and Ronny Chieng among others, viewers got to live vicariously outlandish lives.

According to Production Weekly, the sequel for Crazy Rich Asians based on Kevin Kwan’s follow up novel China Rich Girlfriend is set to begin filming in 2025.

In the meantime, director Jon M Chu, who has recently wrapped his two-parter Ariana Grande-starrer Wicked, has set his sights on Broadway, where it has been confirmed that a Crazy Rich Asians musical will soon land.

Crazy Rich Asians musical set for Broadway, to be directed by Jon M. Chu

Developed in collaboration by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Kevin Kwan, who is the original writer of Crazy Rich Asians, the musical will be helmed by director Jon M Chu. Chu, who famously brought us the Crazy Rich Asians movie in 2018, is fresh from a string of Broadway-to-screen adaptations, the most recent of which is Wicked, which stars Ariana Grande, and will be released in two parts across 2024 and 2025.

Prior to Wicked, Chu had also worked on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights, which premiered to great success in 2021 with a 94 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.3 score on IMDb. Crazy Rich Asians will be Chu’s first foray into Broadway, and it is expected that he will bring his unique style of rich storytelling to the stage with great aplomb.

The Crazy Rich Asians musical will also feature a book by American playwright Leah Nanako Winkler, music by Helen Park, and lyrics by Amanda Green and Tat Tong. Winkler, who boasts writing credits for numerous television productions including A24’s Ramy, medical drama New Amsterdam, Love Life, and Tuesday Nights, is also responsible for the plays God Said This, Two Mile Hollow, Kentucky, and Hot Asian Doctor Husband.

A ‘CRAZY RICH ASIANS’ Broadway musical is in the works. pic.twitter.com/uLvHeyY9nD

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) April 17, 2024

Winkler’s script will play off against the lyrics of Tony award nominee and songwriter Amanda Green, who worked as co-composer and lyricist for Hands on a Hardbody. Other notches in her cap include work as a co-lyricist alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda in Bring It On. For the Broadway musical adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians, Green will be partnering up with celebrated Singaporean record producer and songwriter Tat Tong. To complete the collective of talents, Crazy Rich Asians will also feature the work of Tony award nominee Helen Park, who scored, orchestrated, and produced the music for KPOP on Broadway in 2022.

The producers of the musical are aiming for Broadway, and have stated that a pre-Broadway engagement will also be announced in due time. No casting decisions have yet been shared. However, it bears noting that Constance Wu, who played the lead character of Rachel Chu in the movie adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians, recently performed in Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway. And with the play set to follow in the original storyline of the movie, it’s anybody’s guess which of its original Hollywood cast could, quite literally, stage a return.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– What hotel is at the end of Crazy Rich Asians?

The magnificent hotel shown at the end of Crazy Rich Asians is Singapore’s crown jewel, Marina Bay Sands.

– What is the story of Crazy Rich Asians?

Crazy Rich Asians follows the story of Rachel Chu, an American of Chinese descent who is an economics professor at New York University. Raised by a single immigrant mother, she is the epitome of a self-made woman. When she travels to Singapore with her longtime boyfriend Nick Young, she discovers that he is extremely wealthy — or Crazy Rich. Through a series of events, Rachel discovers the many hurdles her relationship is poised to face, from jealous socialites and cunning ex-girlfriends. The drama comes to a head when Rachel faces down her dragon future-mother-in-law, Eleanor Young, who is less-than-pleased with her low societal standing.

– What is considered Broadway music?

While any play can be performed in any part of the world, a Broadway show adheres to stricter rules. For any play to be considered a Broadway show, it must be performed in the Theatre District surrounding Times Square in Midtown, Manhattan, in venues certified by the Broadway League with 500 seats or more.

This story first appeared on Prestige Online Singapore.

The post A <i>Crazy Rich Asians</i> musical is coming to Broadway appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From working on short films to becoming a South Korean sensation, Parasyte: The Grey actress Jeon So-nee’s best movies and TV shows are a testament to her rising career trajectory.

It was while attending the Department of Broadcasting Entertainment at Seoul Institute of the Arts that Jeon So-nee decided to try her luck in movies. She eventually made her acting debut in 2014 with the independent film Photo. However, it was only after her supporting role in the 2017 Korean drama Encounter, that Jeon So-nee became a household name. So much so that she was titled one of the most notable new actresses of 2018 in the January 2018 issue of Cine 21.

Jeon So-nee, who landed her first leading role in the 2020 tvN original When My Love Blooms, has to her credit multiple hit movies and TV shows. These include After My Death (2017), Jo Pil-ho: The Dawning Rage (2019), Our Blooming Youth (2023) and Parasyte: The Grey (2024).

Another feather to her cap is the hit romantic film Soulmate, which enjoyed a special premiere at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in October 2023. A remake of the Chinese film of the same name, it minted over USD 2,471,778 worldwide, according to the Korean Film Council.

Lest we forget the 2024 Netflix sci-fi horror Parasyte: The Grey, which is helmed by visionary Korean director Yeon Sang-ho, known for hits like Train to Busan (2016) and Hellbound (2021). One of the best Jeon So-nee starrer TV shows, Parasyte: The Grey offers “a nail-biting glimpse into the world of parasitic organisms and the relentless struggle of humanity against their invasion”, according to Netflix.

These Jeon So-nee movies and TV shows will keep you hooked

The post Best Jeon So-nee movies & TV shows, from <i>Parasyte: The Grey</i> to <i>Soulmate</i> appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Experience the ultimate luxurious comfort that caters to every lifestyle with The Bed Cinema by Omazz, now available at Central Ladprao.

Omazz, Thailand’s leading bedding and mattress brand, has partnered with SF Corporation Limited to introduce an innovative experience entitled “The Bed Cinema by Omazz” at the new SFX Cinema in Central Ladprao. Under the concept of “cinema of happiness,” the two aim to provide an unparalleled level of comfort and enjoyment to all moviegoers.

And this is not the first time the duo have joined hands. After launching this experience at Central World and The Crystal Ekkamai-Ramintra branch, The Bed Cinema by Omazz has been immensely successful. Whether its the exceptional service, delicious treats, or the overall cinematic experience, every individual who comes here is known to have a phenomenal time. 

[All images courtesy of SF Corporation Limited]

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SFX Cinema in Central Ladprao unveils The Bed Cinema by Omazz

Now, although all of the The Bed Cinema by Omazz locations uses state-of-the-art technology, its latest location in Central Ladprao has been elevated to the next level. Starting with the Adjusto electric beds, every visitor can adjust their seat with just the push of a button. Besides that, every bed uses the highest-quality Tencel mattress along with stain-resistant, water-resistant, and dust-resistant mattress protectors to ensure a clean and comfortable experience.

In addition to these premium amenities, the new branch offers a special lounge service that replicates the experience of relaxing in one’s living room. The SFX Cinema in Central Ladprao has revamped the lounge, furnishing the area with special collections from ‘Library Casa.’ Not to mention, the ticket price starts at THB 1,000, and that’s honestly a steal when the overall bed costs around THB 700,000. Plus, you get complimentary drinks and popcorn, too. 

For those interested in booking this world-class experience, check out SFX Cinema’s website here.

The post SFX Cinema in Central Ladprao unveils The Bed Cinema by Omazz appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Mauricio Umansky and Kyle Richards’ daughter Alexia Umansky is a bonafide star in ‘Buying Beverly Hills’ Season 2, with a sizeable net worth. Let’s analyise that.

The Buying Beverly Hills season 2 was released on 22 March 2024, and it has ushered in a lot of drama along with massive listings. The show is drenched in glitz, glamour and gossip, with nearly every cast member showcasing stunning mansions in their portfolio.

Alexia Umansky’s net worth is accentuated by the star status of her celebrity parents. While her father is a multi-millionaire and the person behind The Agency, the real estate firm that forms the backbone of Buying Beverly Hills, her mother is a popular recurring cast member of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH). Both have wealth of around USD 100 million and make a power couple in the showbiz industry.

This says a lot about the oldest biological daughter of Mauricio Umansky’s fortune and how Alexia is following in her father’s footsteps to make a successful career in the real estate business.

Alexia Umansky: Inside her net worth, career and other details

How much does Alexia Umansky make from Buying Beverly Hills?

Alexia Umansky’s keen interest in selling and negotiating property has made her a noted face in Buying Beverly Hills. She joined the cast in season 1 in 2022 and has since become a core member of the show.

The reality TV show goes beyond the glittery mansions and the luxury properties of Beverly Hills. It gives a glimpse into the pulse of the posh region. Featuring an adept band of real estate virtuosos — trained by Mauricio Umansky — known for representing some of the area’s grand properties, the show is a big hit for all who love a good dose of luxury, drama and opulence fused in one title.

While there is no clarity about how much she makes from the show, considering it is backed by her family and she is one of the eldest scions of the Umansky Group, Buying Beverly Hills contributes considerably to Alexia Umansky’s net worth.

However, this is not the first time that she has been a part of a reality TV show. Her mother joined the RHOBH cast in 2010 when Alexia was just 14. Since then, the youngster has appeared in front of the camera for over a decade along with Kyle Richards on multiple occasions.

Earnings from the real estate

 

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Mauricio Umansky started his real estate journey at Hilton & Hyland, a boutique firm in Beverly Hills co-owned by his brother-in-law Rick Hilton. He left the job in 2011 to start The Agency, which has soared to become one of the best in the market.

The real estate company has listed mega-wealthy homes of Norman Reedus and Diane Kruger, FINNEAS and the Hemsworth brothers, states PEOPLE. Here, the business of selling homes isn’t just a family affair, it’s an elevated art form.

 

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Alexia joined The Agency in 2018 after graduating. She began her career as a junior real estate agent, assisting senior members of the company. She uses her marketing background and social media skills to serve as a marketing specialist and help with far-reaching campaigns. The Umansky scion is known for her conversational skills and property knowledge in the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Sunset Strip neighbourhoods.

Since these areas have lavish and expensive properties, it is safe to deduce the commission from them and her role in the company boosts Alexia’s wealth exponentially.

Her bio on the website of The Agency reads, “No stranger to the fast-paced world of real estate, Alexia Umansky represents the next generation of real estate professionals, bringing a forward-thinking perspective to The Agency’s Beverly Hills office.”

Her teammates include senior agents like Farrah Brittany Aldjufrie, Eduardo Umansky and Joey Ben-Zvi.

Speaking about joining the family business, The Cinemaholic quoted her stating, “I grew up watching my father work. I’d watch him show homes, sit at open houses, and build relationships with clients. He knows so much about every neighbourhood in this city, driving around with him was always like a little lesson.”

“As I grew up, I would come into the office to shadow him and always learn something new. Real estate is something I always knew I loved. And I quickly realized I could devote my life to this industry and be happy,” she added.

Alexia Umansky’s education

According to The Bulletin Time, this Umansky Team member attended the Milken Community Schools in Los Angeles, between 2008 and 2014, for her high school. Women’s Health stated that, after this, Alexia enrolled at the University of Arizona, but soon shifted to Emerson College. Here, she earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications in 2018 before joining the family venture.

The Agency mentions, “Alexia taps into her wide-reaching social media knowledge and degree in Marketing Communication from Emerson University to provide clients with focused, future-facing campaigns and messaging that help every property stand out.”

Alexia Umansky’s siblings are also making big moves

Alexia Umansky was born on 18 June 1998. While her reality TV star parents need no introduction in the reality television and entertainment segment, Alexia’s three siblings are also making big strides.

She is the eldest daughter of the power couple but has an older half-sister — Farrah Brittany Aldjufrie. Aldjufrie is Kyle Richards’s firstborn from her ex-husband and real estate mogul Guraish Aldjufrie. She was born on 31 October 1988 and is a co-founder at The Agency. She reportedly has a net worth of around USD 20 million.

The second Umansky daughter, Sophia Kylie Umansky, was born on 18 January 2000. She is a George Washington University alum and has done runway modelling gigs. She walked at the 2019 New York Fashion Week along with the RHOBH cast. She interned at The Agency from May 2017 to September 2017 and reportedly has a net worth of USD 200,000.

Alexia’s youngest sister Portia Umansky was born on 1 March 2008. She takes after her mother and has an affinity for acting.

Who is Alexia Umansky dating?

 

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Alexia Umansky is in a relationship with Jake Zingerman. According to The Cinemaholic, he is not in the property or entertainment industry but is the managing director of Direct Cash Group. The company provides financial services to small business owners.

However, Zingerman made his debut in the second season of Buying Beverly Hills where it was revealed that the lovebirds had been best friends since third grade. They enjoy spending quality time with each other and Alexia posts frequent images of their outings.

Zingerman first popped up on her feeds in 2020 and is practically a part of the Umansky family.

Despite her steady relationship, Buying Beverly Hills showed a budding romance between Alexia and fellow agent Joey Ben-Zvi. However, it headed nowhere, as Umansky is quite content with her long-term boyfriend.

Expensive fashion choices, house and holidays

 

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Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky have been living in an Encino, California, home since 2017. Covering an area of over 10,000 sq ft (nearly 930 sq m), it costs USD 8.25 million and features seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms. The entire family is seen spending time together at this plush address and Alexia’s pictures show her love for this place.

She loves the outdoors and indulges in luxury holidays. Even her bio at The Agency states, “In her free time, Alexia enjoys skiing, going to the beach, cooking, trying out the latest restaurants, dancing and travelling.” She also seems to own a yacht, which she loves cruising in, and her fondness for the snow is quite evident.

One glimpse at Alexia Umansky’s Instagram also shows that she has an eye for designer outfits that are an extension of her personality. From tailored dresses to fun skirts and tops, her wardrobe is as extensive as it gets.

The Agency also mentions that she devotes time towards charity and helps in fundraisers for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

So, what is Alexia Umansky’s net worth?

Considering commissions and the average asking price of houses in the regions Alexia works in, The Cinemaholic deduces her net worth should be around USD 3.5 million. However, a 2022 Women’s Health report stated a USD 2 million figure.

(Hero and feature image: Courtesy Alexia Simone Umansky/ @alexiaumansky/ Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

-Has Alexia Umansky sold a house?
Alexia Umansky started as a junior agent at The Agency and uses her marketing skills for far-reaching clients and campaigns. According to her Instagram posts, she has sold several plush houses in the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Sunset Strip regions.

-What is the net worth of Alexia Umansky?
According to several media reports, Buying Beverly Hills cast member Alexia Umansky’s net worth falls between USD 2 million and USD 3.5 million.

-Did Alexia Umansky finish college?
Alexia Umansky has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communications from Emerson College.

-How old is Buying Beverly Hills’ Alexia Umansky?
Alexia Umansky is born on 18 June 1998 to Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky. She is 27 years old.

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Popular K-drama actresses have played some of the most girlfriend-material characters. Here’s who’d be your soulmate, based on your zodiac.

Whether it’s an eccentric attorney who would be willing to skirt around the authorities to uphold justice or an oral surgeon who secretly harbours a soft and sensitive disposition, there’s no denying that popular Kdrama actresses have taken on some of the most beloved roles in the entertainment industry that have garnered them a substantial fanbase. But in an ideal world, just which one would be your perfect date, based on your zodiac sign? Find out below.

Korean entertainment with its grand romantic gestures and heartwarming dialogues raised the bar for dating across the globe. And at the heart of it all are strong, inspiring female characters — doctors, lawyers, art curators, journalists, actresses, historians, intelligence agents — who conquer the world while also being absolute girlfriend goals. That said, each of them come with their own set of quirks and lifestyle choices that are best suited to some over others.

Naturally, arriving at a connection that would make it to the grand, tear-jerking pre-credit wedding scene is challenging. Even if it is the stuff of day dreams. Our recommendation? Taking cues from the cosmos. After all, considering how our zodiac signs point to our most dominant traits, they might just help point to the happily ever after we’re all chasing. Here’s a look at a few female Kdrama characters – played by popular Korean drama actresses – who’d be your soulmate, astrology edition.

Check out our complete list of K-dramas to watch!

An astrological guide to your Kdrama soulmate ft. popular actresses

Aries: Hong Cha-Young (Jeon Yeo Bin), Vincenzo

Aries is known to be bold and adventurous. Those born under this sign have an unmissable competitive spirit, seeking out partners who can keep up with them. The sharp-tongued, eccentric, and brilliant Hong Cha-Young from the popular Korean drama Vincenzo is a perfect match. The spunky, high-flyer lawyer isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty to get ahead. She has a quirky sense of humour and unmissable charm – which the banter-loving sign would be thrilled by. Not to mention, she’s as loyal as they come, a quality this sign is known to both share and appreciate. This would make for an extroverted, fun-loving, wild pair.

Taurus: Shin Ha-Ri (Kim Se-Jeong), The Business Proposal

Taurus is known to be tenacious and grounded. Those born under this sign seek stability and comfort over all else. As such, their ideal match would have to offer both. The down-to-earth and dedicated Shin Ha-Ri from The Business Proposal — a food researcher — would appeal to this sign. Loyal to a fault, she always shows up for her best friend – whether to trash a bad blind date or drink away a bad day. Her passion for her career, intelligence, and emotional depth make her a keeper. Not to mention, her unchanging feelings for a long-time crush prove that she’s in it for the long haul — a quality Taurus shares. Besides, she’s an excellent cook and this sign is known to be drawn to materialistic things — particularly food. This would make for a hardworking pair that would gladly clock in extra hours at work and support each other’s ambition.

Gemini: Sung Deok-Mi (Park Min-Young), Her Private Life

Geminis are known to be charming, social, and free-spirited. Those born under this sign enjoy intellectually stimulating conversations and seek partners who’d keep them on their toes. Sung Deok-Mi from the Kdrama Her Private Life – played by actress Park Min-Young – fits the bill. For one, she mirrors this air sign’s duality – working as an art curator by day while moonlighting as an ardent fan of a K-pop idol. She’s spontaneous, competent, intelligent, and vivacious – capable of discussing classical art one second and pop music the next. This is music to a Gemini’s ears. She embraces who she is and is quite free spirited, individualistic, and affable – something this independent zodiac sign would appreciate. Besides, she’d ensure the two never have a dull moment together. This is a pair that would go undercover together to get that perfect paparazzi shot.

Cancer: Yoon Hye-Jin (Shin Min-A), Hometown Cha Cha Cha

Cancers are known to be nurturing and emotional. Those born under this sign seek security and comfort, especially in intimate relationships. Yoon Hye-Jin from Hometown Cha Cha – a dentist and oral surgeon – would have them swooning. At the outset, she comes off as cold and distant. However, as time passes she opens up, revealing a vulnerable, sensitive nature. A Cancer – known to have a hard exterior and soft underbelly – would both relate and be drawn to this quality. Hye-Jin helps the male lead open up to her like he’s never been able to before, is steady, supportive, affectionate, and funny. She also makes an effort to get close to and look after his loved ones and isn’t afraid to make sacrifices for her partner. If that doesn’t spell keeper, we don’t know what does. That aside, the water sign would admire her drive.

Leo: Yoon Se-Ri (Son Ye-Jin), Crash Landing On You

Leos are known to be generous and charming. Those born under this sign appreciate spontaneity, elegance, and a sense of adventure. Their perfect match would have to embody all of these qualities. Enter Yoon Se-Ri from Crash Landing On You. The heiress – who has a stellar social standing – thinks on her feet, navigating dangerous situations with an admirable composure. She’s got the finest taste in fashion and beauty and is no stranger to hard work, having built her empire without her family’s help from the ground up. Vivacious, charming, and loyal to a fault — she’s quite the romantic, willing to give up her life and career for her loved one. These are qualities that would have this fire sign weak in the knees. Not to mention, she’s bold and ambitious, capable of making a business deal in the blink of an eye — much like Leos.

Virgo: Kang Mo-Yeon (Song Hye-Kyo), Descendants Of The Sun

Virgos are known to be practical, humble, and industrious. Those born under this sign seek partners who are steady, grounded, and share their work ethic. Kang Mo-Yeon from the Kdrama Descendants Of The Sun — played by actress Song Hye-kyo — is their perfect match. The doctor and surgeon is a hustler, spending hours in the hospital and going above and beyond voluntarily. She’s passionate about her profession, sticking to an honour code and proving herself to be competent time and again. That aside, she’s dependable, forthcoming, loyal, intelligent, and steady — qualities that this earth sign would be drawn to. She is also independent and has a sarcastic, rather unique sense of humour — much like this sign. This pair would have a resilience and a certain dedication to each other that would weather any storm.

Libra: Go Hae-Ri (Bae Suzy), Vagabond

Libras are known to be affable and charming. Those born under this sign have a strong sense of justice and equality, seeking balance in every aspect of their lives. They would be drawn to the bold yet sensitive South Korean National Intelligence Service agent Go Hae-Ri from Vagabond. She’s courageous, empathetic, observant, and intelligent. She’s all about fair play, has her head firmly on her shoulders, and isn’t afraid of putting her life at risk for justice to be served. She’s also well-liked at work. These are qualities this air sign truly appreciates. She’s honest and quite open-minded. That aside, her outfits are always on point, even when she’s just fought off a group of terrorists – which this beauty-appreciating sign would be floored by. That aside, she’s independent and wouldn’t impose her needs on her partner — which this free-spirited sign needs. This is a duo that would seek new adventures together constantly.

Scorpio: Ko Mun-Yeong (Seo Ye-Ji), It’s Okay To Not Be Okay

Scorpios are known to be passionate and honest. Those born under this sign are perceptive and sensitive, seeking a certain emotional depth and boldness in their partners. They’d be drawn to Ko Mun-Yeong, the antisocial fantasy-fiction writer from the Kdrama It’s Okay To Not Be Okay, played by actress Seo Ye-Ji. She’s sensual, loyal to a fault, and fierce when it comes to protecting those she cares for, qualities this water sign shares. Eccentric and sharp-tongued, she struggles with loneliness and a traumatic past, with a complex personality. Scorpio appreciate vulnerability and aren’t afraid of things getting messy. As such they’d gladly navigate her many moods while appreciating her intelligence and warmth. If there ever was a power couple one mustn’t cross, it’s this one.

Sagittarius: Cheon Song Yi (Jun Ji-Hyun), My Love From The Star

Sagittarius is known to be forthcoming and free-spirited. Those born under this sign seek partners who are willing to explore the world with them and are often drawn to little quirks. They’d find themselves intrigued by charming celebrity Cheon Song-Yi — one of Korea’s top actresses — from the Kdrama My Love From The Star. She’s quite the wild card. As extroverted as they come, she’s refreshingly honest, bold, bubbly, and hilarious – ensuring the fire sign never has a dull moment. Despite having gone through several hardships, she’s quite the optimist — much like a Sagittarius. Her vulnerability will also tug at this sign’s sensitivity and empathy. Additionally, she isn’t afraid to go after what she wants, making this pair quite a fast-moving, fun-loving one.

Capricorn: Seo Dal-Mi (Bae Suzy), Start Up

Capricorns are known to be steady and wise. Those born under this sign are hustlers, seeking partners who’d mirror and fuel their ambition. They’d find a kindred spirit in Start Up’s Seo Dal-Mi who dreams of becoming Korea’s Steve Jobs. Hailing from a humble background, she’s seen her fair share of struggle and is not one to shy away from pulling an all-nighter or two to ensure success. She’s got talent and a certain sturdy resolve that would have this earth sign weak in the knees. That aside, she’s always dressed to impress and is grounded, sensitive, and supportive in romantic equations — just like a Capricorn. That aside, she’s quoted in the show saying, “My stake is in you,” to her partner — something this sign would find quite romantic. This is a couple that would slowly rise up the ranks to conquer the world.

Aquarius: Goo Hae-Ryung (Shin Se-Kyung), Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung

Aquarius is known to be progressive and innovative. Those born under this sign march to the beat of their own drum and are quite revolutionary. They seek out partners who’d gladly challenge the status quo with them. Enter, Goo Hae-Ryung from Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung. As an unmarried 26-year-old woman in 19th century Joseon who reads, writes, and has a job in the Royal Palace as a historian — she’s seen as rebellious. She chooses her own destiny and pushes for reform and gender equality. That, along with her awkward disposition, independence, and spontaneity would have an Aquarius weak in the knees. Her intelligence would ensure they have the most engaging conversations. She’s also adaptable, much like this air sign. This pair would rewrite history together.

Pisces: Chae Young Shin (Park Min-Young), Healer

Pisces is known to be compassionate and romantic. Those born under this sign seek partners who are just as kind and comforting as them. Rookie journalist Chae Young-Shin from Healer will have them daydreaming about their wedding day right at the outset. She’s sensitive, intelligent, and quick witted. Her empathy comes through when she talks a depressed celebrity against going through with suicide and protects her timid intern from thugs despite being terrified herself. Not to mention, she nurses the lead character — and her romantic interest – back to good health and is comforting and cheery, despite him trying to push her away. She’s also loyal to a fault, willing to move mountains for the people she cares for. If that doesn’t fill a Pisces with warm fuzzies, we don’t know what will.

Which of the above-mentioned female Kdrama actresses do you think did the most justice to their dreamy characters?

All images: Courtesy IMDb

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Which zodiac sign are soulmates?

Water signs (Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces) are believed to be a good match for earth signs (Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo). Meanwhile, fire signs (Leo, Sagittarius, Aries) are compatible with air signs (Libra, Gemini, Aquarius).

– What zodiac signs love drama?

According to multiple sources, those born under the signs of Gemini, Leo, Cancer, and Sagittarius are most likely to find themselves stirring up (and enjoying) drama.

– Which zodiac sign is famous?

Leo, Sagittarius, and Gemini are most likely to be famous and enjoy the spotlight.

The post Based on your zodiac sign, who is your female K-drama soulmate? appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

The new drama series Fallout is an adaptation of the iconic post-apocalyptic role-playing video game series of the same name. However, the series, which was released on 11 April 2024, does not directly adapt any of the game’s storylines. Instead, it builds on the bare-bone elements that make up the world introduced in the franchise and crafts a wholly new tale involving three distinct protagonists whose plotlines intersect. The Fallout TV show ending teases a new journey for our heroes and heroines. Let’s dive deep into what it means and how it sets up season 2.

Spoilers ahead!

Fallout: Everything to know about the TV show’s setting, cast, director and ending

Fallout setting explained

As you probably know, the franchise is set on a post-apocalyptic Earth that was fundamentally transformed into one big wasteland after a 2077 nuclear war between the United States and China. Thus, the title Fallout. But even before the war, this world was vastly different from ours.

On this alternate reality Earth, the collective fears about the rapidly advancing nuclear weaponry and proliferation in the 1950s and 1960s did not give way to the nuclear deterrent policy. The same fears kept heightening and a new Cold War erupted, this time between the US and China.

And finally, in a retrofuturistic (an aesthetic that blends tropes of an earlier era with futuristic elements) 2077, the nuclear bombs fell and civilisation, as we know it, was obliterated. A few well-off people had bought for themselves a place in the many underground shelters called vaults that were packed with supplies to last hundreds of years. But for most of humanity, there was nowhere to go. Those in close vicinity of the detonations were luckier, for they perished instantly. But those that were far died slowly and painfully from the deleterious effects of radiation.

Read our complete Fallout TV show review here

Many on the surface survived but were irrevocably changed. Some mutated, becoming shells of themselves. Most slowly degenerated into outright zombies called Ghouls who subsist on human flesh. The wildlife, also irradiated, was transformed as well. Predatory animals became bigger and more dangerous. Cockroaches and other insects became as big as domestic cats and regularly killed, injured or incapacitated humans. Some aquatic animals turned into unholy, Lovecraftian monstrosities. The surface world in a nutshell became inhospitable to all but the worst of humanity.

The show’s story is set 219 years after the armageddon.

Fallout TV show’s cast and characters

Our three heroes are Lucy MacLean, Maximus and Cooper Howard or The Ghoul. Let’s go through them one by one.

Lucy, played by Ella Purnell (you might remember from Zack Snyder’s zombie movie Army of the Dead as Dave Bautista’s estranged daughter), is the naïve, doe-eyed young woman from Vault 33, whose father Hank MacLean (Kyle MacLachlan) is the overseer of the vault. One day, their vault is attacked by ruffians from the surface, who murder many of them and kidnap Hank. Lucy, although born and bred in the vault and wholly unaware of what manner of creatures await her, is determined to rescue him on her lonesome. Conspiring with her brother, she opens the vault door and ventures out. The only clue she has is about a woman called Moldaver (Sarita Choudhury).

Maximus, played by Aaron Moten, is a squire of the Brotherhood of Steel, a cult-like organisation which keeps advanced technology out of undeserving hands. To that end, these people hoard every piece of tech that they can scrounge. They also have knights like the mediaeval ones whose ostensible purpose is to protect the weak. They use an almost impenetrable suit of armour with powers not too different from the first suit Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark built in Iron Man (2008). Being a squire, Maximus, who dreams of being a knight, is sent on a mission with a certain Knight Titus, whose arrogance miffs Maximus. In an ambush by a huge mutated bear, Titus is grievously injured. Maximus kills the bear but leaves Titus to die and dons the armour himself.

The Ghoul, played by Walton Goggins, is one of the aforementioned zombie-like ghouls who has been alive since before the doomsday. Although he was irradiated and turned into a zombie and consumes human flesh, he has stayed alive using a special chemical that also keeps his wits intact. Real-name Cooper Howard, was a Western actor before the nuclear bombs fell and still wanders around like a Wild West anti-hero, secretly searching for his family.

Who is behind the Fallout TV show? Creators, directors and other crew

Fallout was created by Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner. While Geneva is known for co-writing Tomb Raider (2018) and Captain Marvel (2019), Wagner’s credits include Silicon Valley (2014–2019) and The Office (2005–2013). Additionally, Fallout’s executive producers include Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, responsible for creating HBO’s Westworld (2016–2022), which explored issues (like late capitalism) that are somewhat similar to Fallout.

Nolan, who is the brother of Christopher Nolan (director of acclaimed movies such as Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight), has also directed the first three episodes.

Check out our list of the best Christopher Nolan movies

What happens in the Fallout TV show’s ending?

As mentioned above, the three protagonists go on journeys that eventually converge. Lucy, believes everyone on the surface also follows human laws (including Jesus’ ‘Golden Rule’ of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you). She is proven horribly wrong and learns some hard truths about the cutthroat nature of the surface world and humans. A lot of humour is derived from Lucy regretting venturing out of the vault and her continual shock at the behaviour of the surface-dwellers. She comes across a scientist Dr. Siggi Wilzig, played by the brilliant Michael Emerson, who appears to be redoing Benjamin Linus from Lost (2004–2010). Upon learning that she is from one of the vaults, Wilzig, who is a fugitive from his community, tries to tell Lucy that the surface is not safe for her, but she is hell-bent on finding her father, come what may.

In a town called Filly (in former California), she reunites with Wilzig. But her acquaintance is attacked by the Ghoul out of the blue. But Maximus, now wearing the suit of armour, descends and proves their deliverance. Lucy agrees to take Wilzig across the wasteland as the doctor’s destination is Moldaver as well. Meanwhile, the Ghoul succeeds in disabling Maximus’ armour, who is left defenceless and pursues Lucy and Wilzig. Wilzig, bleeding profusely from his foot injury from the Ghoul’s bullet, asks Lucy to cut off his head and take it to Moldaver instead. When Lucy is understandably disgusted by the idea, he says it is the only way to save his father.

All through her journey, Lucy is brutalised and becomes a hardened version of herself. But she still refuses to give up her humanity like Ghoul and other surface-dwellers have. She is also captured by Ghoul at one point. Unlike your usual Western heroes, the Ghoul is a cold, calculating creature whose last vestiges of humanity have eroded. He is merciless towards Lucy. And yet, in the end, Lucy remains true to herself.

Maximus, initially just dreaming of being a knight one day, comes to a realisation thanks to Lucy that while the world may be awful at the moment, it doesn’t have to be this way. Humanity can rebuild a better world.

Even the Ghoul softens a little in the end after a kind act towards him by Lucy. When he is helpless, Lucy chooses to save him instead of letting him die as revenge. We also learn why Ghoul became what he used to be in a parallel narrative set in 2077. He was a normal human being and even a Hollywood star in pre-war Los Angeles two centuries ago. He was married to a woman called Barb (Frances Turner), an executive at Vault-Tec — the tech company responsible for building the vaults that housed thousands after the nuclear fallout.

With the help of Moldaver, who incidentally also existed so long ago, he learns that Vault-Tec was responsible for dropping nuclear bombs, an idea that was put forward by none other than his wife in a board meeting.

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It all ends when the Brotherhood of Steel sends knights, including Maximux, to Moldaver’s hideout and a battle ensues. The Ghoul also joins in the fun. Lucy succeeds in reaching Moldaver in one piece, but her target is not the villain Lucy thought she was. The real villain turns out to be her father. Hank himself had been a Vault-Tec worker in 2077 who cryogenically froze himself along with many other employees of the company in Vault 31. Vaults 32 and 33 were intended to house the genetically sound children of those employees. Her father was also responsible for the decimation of Shady Sands, the first capital of the New California Republic and a thriving town with a population of more than 34,000.

Although shell-shocked, Lucy instinctively believes Moldaver and refuses to unlock her father despite his pleading. At the same time, back in Vault 33, her brother learns the same fact from a robot but is locked inside a chamber to keep him from broadcasting the information.

Inside Wilzig’s skull, in possession of Moldaver, there was a cold fusion reactor that would restore the power to Shady Sands and hopefully turn it once again into a place for living. Moldaver does exactly that but dies of her injuries incurred from the battle.

The lights blink to life in the city below, which is also the setting of the 2010 game Fallout: New Vegas, one of the finest entries in the entire franchise.

A brief review of Fallout TV show

If you already cannot tell, I love Fallout. It was a genius move to skip adapting any of the game storylines, and actually not so different from what all the sequels in the franchise have done. Building a story from scratch allowed the writers to unleash their creativity. The series also nails the major aspects of the games. The dark humour, sharp commentary on capitalism, satirical elements and the inevitable nature of violence and war (the TV show also has the famous “War never changes” intro line from the games) — it’s all there.

For this show to work, the writing had to be perfect. And it is. It never felt like the makers were artificially stretching the story to stick to some mandated runtime like you see a lot these days. The humour, gallows or otherwise, is interspersed quite nicely into the narrative. A few grim events are depicted with an insouciance and frivolity that might disturb some people.

The pacing is just right. It is never too slow to bore the viewer and never too quick to skip over major character beats and plot developments. Oh, and everything comes into place beautifully and seamlessly at the end.

The performances are uniformly excellent. Purnell is a revelation, and so is Moten. But the star of this story, despite limited screen time, is Goggins. He has been a phenomenal actor for years, and here he crushes the role. Emerson, Choudhury and MacLachlan are also great in brief roles.

The Fallout TV show continues the recent, welcome tradition established by the likes of HBO’s The Last of Us of video game adaptations actually being good. The curse that used to surround video movies and shows based on video games finally appears to be over. The solution is something most of us have known all along — hiring good writers.

(Image: Courtesy of IMDb)

Will there be a second season of the Fallout TV show?

While Fallout season 2 has not got a green light yet, the finale of season 1 promises more interesting things in store for the three main characters: Lucy, Maximus and the Ghoul. Whether Amazon agrees to a season 2 will depend on the viewership, but looking at the reviews, an imminent season 2 renewal announcement seems likely.

Where is the Fallout TV show streaming?

The Fallout TV series is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Bonus tips for watching Fallout

While Amazon Prime Video has released all the episodes at once for your bingeing pleasure, I would instead advise you to take your time. Watch the episodes one by one and let the story breathe in. This is the kind of show that will reward your patience. Also, play the games if you are a gamer. They are fun and genre-bending (in the sense that they combine several genres, including post-apocalyptic, adventure, horror and more).

Best horror video games(Hero and featured image: Courtesy of  JOJO WHILDEN/JoJo Whilden/Prime Video – © 2024 Amazon Content Services LLC/ IMDb)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

-What does the ending of Fallout mean?

Fallout season 1 ending indicates that while everything bright about Lucy is now gone. She has learned that humanity is inherently evil, though she is nowhere as cynical as the Ghoul. The ending also means that there is some hope, for Shady Sands will once again be a bustling town.

-What is the saddest ending in Fallout?

The saddest ending is definitely of Lucy’s character arc. Her whole worldview, based on goodness and kindness, has been changed. Maximus’ ending was also sad as his conception of a world that makes sense has also changed.

-Are Vaults 32 and 33 connected?

Yes, both Vaults 32 and 33 were meant to be inhabited by the offspring of Vault-Tec employees lying dormant in cryogenic sleeping chambers. Those offspring were then meant to colonise the surface world once the radiation levels were low enough.

The post <i>Fallout</i> shocking ending explained: Twists, turns and what lies ahead in the TV show appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Since its release, the Netflix series 3 Body Problem has been garnering rave reviews from both critics and those who like sci-fi shows. The series is based on The Three-Body Problem, a sci-fi novel by Chinese author Liu Cixin. With the popularity of the series and the fame that the book commands, the internet is eager to know how the book stands vs the 3 Body Problem show.

Before getting into the explanation of this important question, it is pertinent to understand what the book series is about because, frankly, it is a complex story.

Published in 2008, The Three-Body Problem is the first of Liu’s three-part Remembrance of Earth’s Past series — the other two being The Dark Forest and Death’s End.

Liu’s trilogy, the third of which was released in 2010, became a cult hit in China, which eventually led to its popularity outside of the country following its English translation by American sci-fi writer Ken Liu in 2014.

The following year, Liu Cixin became the first Asian to win the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Novel.

Check out our list of the best Korean sci-fi movies

What is the Netflix show 3 Body Problem about?

The 3 Body Problem premiered on Netflix on 21 March 2024 to critical acclaim. The series, created by Game of Thrones (2011–2019) showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss with Alexander Woo of True Blood (2008–2014), is about an impending alien invasion of Earth. But this is not the kind of alien invasion that Hollywood fans have seen countless times.

In 3 Body Problem, detailed scientific explanations, debates, brainstorming and interpersonal threats abound. Yet viewers are intrigued because the suspense of the aliens about to invade and the backstory of how they came to know of Earth is incredibly engaging.

The title of the first book (and the Netflix series) comes from the real-world mathematical conundrum that has remained unsolved for centuries. It specifically deals with astronomy, wherein scientists attempt to determine the motion of three celestial bodies moving only under the influence of their mutual gravitation. Due to the complexity of the motions of the bodies over longer timescales, it is believed that it is next to impossible to find a concrete solution to the three-body problem.

At the heart of the story lies this complexity. However, the actual problem isn’t being faced by the humans; it is the alien world grappling with the three-body problem. The reason is the aliens, known as San-Ti in the Chinese language and Trisolarans in the English translation, once lived on a planet named Trisolaris, which had three suns. Due to the interplay of the orbits of the planet with these suns, the environment on the planet became unstable, forcing them to flee.

Despite their predicament, they are technologically far more advanced than Earth. Thus, when they come to know of our planet, which is stable because it has only one sun, they prepare to colonise it for their survival.

The book and the series dive into how a dark period in China’s history, the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s, led to a key character triggering the events that would eventually bring the Trisolarans to Earth and how humanity broke apart with some wanting the planet destroyed and others preparing to defend it.

There are quite a lot of explanations regarding several elements in the book as well as the series. To summarise, the impending arrival of the aliens leads to the formation of a secretive but powerful group known as the Earth-Trisolaris Organization (ETO). Factions within the group emerge due to differences in beliefs, with the Adventists wanting Earth’s complete destruction and the Redemptionists wishing to help the aliens find a solution to their home world by solving the three-body problem through a virtual reality video game called Three Body.

There is also a third group, the Survivors, who simply wish to survive. Much of the focus is on the Redemptionists, whose actions could help Earth escape its fate at the hands of Trisolarans. 

3 Body Problem show vs book: Major areas where things differ

Not all characters in the Netflix series are Chinese

The biggest and most obvious point in the 3 Body Problem book vs show comparison is the portrayal of the characters.

While nearly all characters in the book are Chinese, which is understandable for obvious reasons, several key characters in the show have been replaced to include greater representation.

“This is very much a story about humanity, and humanity’s struggle with a seemingly unsolvable mystery that snowballs into a full-on existential crisis,” Benioff told Tudum. “So we wanted to represent, as much as possible, all of humanity. We wanted people from all over the world. We tried to make this a very diverse, international cast to represent the idea that this isn’t just one country’s struggle; it’s a global struggle to survive.”

The one major character who has been left unchanged is Ye Wenjie (Zine Tseng/Rosalind Chao). It is Ye whose experiences during the Cultural Revolution made her so bitter with humanity that when she used her position at a secret Chinese alien research base to connect with the Trisolarans fully aware that doing so would lead to Earth’s doom.

Her daughter in the books is named Yang Dong, but she is named Vera Ye (Vedette Lim) in the series. In the books, Yang’s father is Yang Weining, but Vera’s father is Mike Evans (Ben Schnetzer/Jonathan Pryce) in the series.

Changes include Clarence Shi (Benedict Wong). The character in the novel goes by the name Shi Qiang, nicknamed Da Shi. He is a police officer in Beijing in the books, but a member of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (SIA) in the series. The SIA, on the other hand, is led by Thomas Wade (Liam Cunningham). Unlike the middle-aged Irishman Cunningham, Wade in the books is a young American and appears only briefly.

Similarly, some of the characters in the show have been fleshed out unlike how their original Chinese characters in the books appear. Some others are composites of several characters or completely new.

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All three books have been adapted for 3 Body Problem season 1

It is difficult to keep track of where the series shifts between the three books. Yet it is clear from season 1 of 3 Body Problem that it has already included elements from the second and third novels in the series.

The first five episodes are largely from the first novel. Starting with the sixth episode, the show begins including plotlines and characters that happen or appear only in The Dark Forest and Death’s End. The events in the two follow-up novels are set years into the future.

Events such as the death of Vera and her realisation that her mother caused the crisis that Earth faces in the modern day happen early on in the series, but it is only her death and not her knowledge of her mother’s act that is part of the first book. 

Check out this list for the best sci-fi books to read

There is a difference in how the Three Body game is played

The 3 Body Problem TV series on Netflix and the book do not differ in the core subject — the mathematical three-body problem. But they do differ in how the protagonists try to solve it.

For instance, even though the representation of the game, which emulates the world of Trisolaris, and its purpose are similar in both the books and the series, the tools used to do so are completely different.

In the books, the game is played using a virtual reality (VR) suit by the key characters who want to find the solution to the three-body problem. In the series, however, it is a VR headset instead of a suit.

Key protagonists are different in the books

Another major book vs 3 Body Problem series difference is that one character from the first book has been segregated into around three key characters in the series, a protagonist in the second book is already in the show, and one new protagonist is based on a character from the third book.

Liu’s protagonist in the present-day part of the first book is Wang Miao, a nanoscientist who gets involved as a player of the Three Body game. His characteristics and actions are diluted into primarily three characters in the series, all of whom are original. These are Auggie Salaza (Eiza González), Jin Cheng (Jess Hong) and Jack Rooney (John Bradley).

In the second book, the main protagonist is scientist Luo Ji. This character is changed to Saul Durand (Jovan Adepo) in the series. Will Downing (Alex Sharp) is the fifth protagonist, who is based on Yun Tianming from the third novel Death’s End.

Together, the five characters in the show are referred to as Oxford Five and are shown as students of Vera Ye. No such thing exists in the books.

Moreover, Jess Hong’s character Jin Cheng also has the characteristics of Cheng Xin, who is one of the main characters in Death’s End.

The Sophons have a representative form in the show

The purpose of the Sophons in the books and the series is the same — to prevent people on Earth from developing their science until the arrival of the Trisolarans. This is because the aliens, though they are only around four light years away, cannot travel at the speed of light, and it would take them over four centuries to reach Earth from the time they were made aware of the planet by Ye Wenjie in the 1960s.

The Sophons are, thus, sent by the aliens to create disillusionment in the minds of the people on Earth, spy on them, and make them distrust science as well as their governments.

In the novels, the Sophons are basically subatomic particles, which the Trisolarans have learned to unfold in higher dimensions. The Sophons can travel several times faster and have, thus, already arrived on Earth by the time of the events set in the modern day. They are shown to have infiltrated particle accelerators to prevent humans from getting proper scientific results. They also send a very short cryptic message “You are bugs” to humans worldwide.

A key difference in the series is that the Sophons communicate with the humans through video calls, an aspect not present in the books. And while they are formless and shapeless in the novels, the Netflix series shows at least one Sophon (Sea Shimooka) appearing like a woman with a sword on her back.

(Hero and Featured images: Courtesy of ED MILLER/NETFLIX – © 2024 Netflix, Inc./IMDb)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Does 3 Body Problem follow the book?

Yes, Netflix series 3 Body Problem largely follows the first book. However, it has several elements and characters from the latter books.

– Is The Three-Body Problem a series of three or four books?

The Three-Body Problem is the first in a series of three books, which are together known as the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy.

– Is The Three-Body Problem book based on a true story?

No, The Three-Body Problem book or the trilogy it is part of are not based on any true events.

The post Netflix’s <i>3 Body Problem</i> show vs Liu Cixin’s books: Five major differences appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From Olympians to fitness buffs and even actors, we take a look at the standout contestants of Netflix’s Physical: 100 Season 2 cast.

Netflix’s Physical: 100 has returned, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats with its exhilarating blend of physical prowess and mental tenacity. Season 2 of Physical: 100 elevates the competition, introducing a cast lineup of fascinating contestants whose backgrounds are as diverse as their skill sets. With its premiere on March 19 and a finale spanning its eighth and ninth episodes releasing on April 2, viewers are all set for a thrilling season.

From Olympic champions to hidden gems of the athletic world, this season promises to outdo its predecessor with more gruelling challenges and compelling stories of determination. Here’s a closer look at the standout athletes and fitness enthusiasts battling it out for the ultimate title in season 2 of Physical: 100.

What is Physical: 100 all about?

Physical: 100 is a riveting physical competition show that pits a hundred contestants against each other in a series of intense challenges designed to test their strength, endurance, and willpower. The unique twist of the show lies in its diverse cast, encompassing athletes from various disciplines, fitness enthusiasts, and even personalities from the entertainment industry.

The ultimate goal is to find the “most physically perfect human,” with the Physical: 100 season 2 contestants facing off in both individual and team challenges that push them to their limits. The show stands out for its brutal challenges, strategic alliances, and the sheer determination displayed by contestants, making it a captivating watch for fans of intense physical competition.

Meet the standout contestants and cast members of Physical: 100 Season 2

The diversity of season 2’s cast underscores the universal appeal of Physical: 100, blending athleticism, strategy, and personal stories of resilience and ambition. As viewers tune in, they’re not just witnessing a contest of strength but a compelling narrative of human endurance, ambition, and the unyielding desire to be the last one standing.

The Olympians and World Champions

Andre Jin Coquillard

 

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Age: 33 years

Making history as the first naturalised foreign player on South Korea’s national rugby team, Coquillard’s multicultural background and participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics make him a formidable contestant. His journey from U.C. Berkeley to the international stage exemplifies the fusion of talent and tenacity.

Chang Yong-heung

 

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Age: 30 years 

Another titan in the rugby field, Chang represented South Korea in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens, bringing a competitive edge sharpened on the world stage.

Jung Ji-Hyun

 

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Age: 40 years

A gold medallist in wrestling at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Jung transitions from the mat to the Physical: 100 arena, blending his Olympic-winning strategies with the raw intensity required in this brutal competition.

The Fitness Mavericks and Social Media Influencers

ActiveAmotti

 

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Age: 31 years 

Known for his dynamic presence both as a CrossFitter and a YouTube personality, Amotti’s dedication to fitness shines through his content, making him a contestant to watch.

Jung Dae-jin

 

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Age: 30 years

Jung Dae-jin or “Superbody Jin,” is not just a nickname but a testament to his achievements as a sports model and bodybuilder. His journey through various fitness competitions, combined with his social media influence, paints the picture of a contestant who’s more than just muscle.

Kim Min-su

 

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Age: 30 years 

Known as the “Korean Thanos,” Kim stands out not just for his physique but for his status as an IFBB Pro and his participation in the prestigious Mr. Olympia competition. His multifaceted background, from YouTuber to former Special Forces officer, adds layers to his already intimidating presence.

The Trailblazers and Pioneers

Joo Min-kyung

 

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Age: 35 years 

A titan in the arm wrestling world, Joo’s gold medals and victories in national competitions underline his strength and strategic prowess, making him a standout in physical confrontations.

Lee Won-hee

 

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Age: 43 years 

Known as “Mr. Ippon,” Lee’s legendary judo career, highlighted by his 2004 Athens Olympics gold medal, sets him apart as a tactical and physically dominant competitor.

Hong Beom-seok

 

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Age: 37 years 

A returning face from season 1, Hong’s background as a former firefighter and special forces soldier imbues him with a resilience and strategic mindset that’s hard to match.

The Entertainment and Pop Culture Icons

Justin Harvey

 

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Age: 32 years

Justin John Harvey is a South African actor and model based in South Korea, and has starred in movies such as Ashfall (2019) and The Witch: Part 2. The Other One (2022). His transition from the big screen to the Physical: 100 Season 2 arena is a narrative of versatility, blending his acting skills with an unyielding physical discipline.

Lee Jae-yoon

 

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Age: 39 years

An actor known for roles in heartwarming dramas and intense action series, Lee’s dedication to fitness and martial arts makes him a formidable competitor outside the acting studio. His best known television dramas include My Love By My Side (2011), Heartless City (2013), and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2015–2016).

A list of all the 100 contestants on the show

Which of the Physical: 100 season 2 cast members are you rooting for?

Watch the show here.

(Main and featured images: Netflix) 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Physical: 100 filmed in one day?

Based on what the actors have said and how the show is set up, it looks like they took at least a day to get everything ready for each part of the show. Since the first season had seven different challenges and activities, it is mostly likely to have taken around a week to film everything.

What is the controversy surrounding Physical: 100?

In the finale of season 1, CrossFit athlete Woo Jin Yong won against cyclist Jung Hae Min in a rope pulling contest. But after the episode was shown, viewers noticed that Woo’s rope seemed easier to pull than Jung’s. As the round was played three times, some allege that Jung was winning the first part until Woo mentioned his rope had issues. Jung also supposedly won the second part, but they had to do a third one because there were problems with the sound. After agreeing to a third match, Jung lost to Woo.

“Jung Hae Min is very discouraged by what happened on the show. I think Jung Hae Min is not associating with Physical: 100 at all after the show because of what happened on set,” an anonymous insider told Hypebae. MBC, the network that produced the show, stated, “We can confirm it’s not true the final game was done three times. The production team is discussing taking legal action against these baseless rumours.”

This article originally appeared on Prestige Online Singapore.

The post Meet the hottest cast members of ‘Physical: 100’ season 2 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From helming several hit dramas to selling-out concerts by the dozen around Asia — one of South Korea’s most powerful and popular women celebrities has been there, done that. No surprises that she enjoys a jaw-dropping net worth and an impressive real estate portfolio. We take a look at singer IU’s lavish houses in expensive neighbourhoods.

Perhaps one of the most well-known celebrities of South Korea, Lee Ji-eun — who goes by IU — is a force to be reckoned with. The singer-songwriter and composer has over 50 tracks to her name — her latest collaborative number with BTS’ V Love Wins All boasting wild success. She’s also starred in a string of dramas and movies — including Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016), My Mister (2018), Hotel Del Luna (2019), and Dream (2023). Combine this with big brand endorsement deals — read Samsung, Sony, Pepsi — and it’s no surprise that her net worth is estimated to be around USD 45 million.

However, a report by the South China Morning Post reveals that the road to this wealth was not easy. The singer lived in a small, cockroach-infested room with her grandmother and moved around various relatives’ homes due to her parents’ debt. After navigating 20 failed auditions in two years and scams by fake agencies, she debuted under Loen Entertainment (Kakao M) and never looked back. Today, IU owns several lavish houses in South Korea — each more expensive than the next.  And while not much is known about them all, we take a look at a few that have made headlines.

A look at singer IU’s lavish houses in expensive neighbourhoods

Cheongdam

IU’s most talked-about property is her lavish 244 sq.m USD 11.7 million house in Seoul — in South Korea’s most expensive residential complex Eterno Cheongdam. Located in the affluent neighbourhood of Cheongdam, the expansive 20-storey space designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Rafel Moneo will feature one or two units on each floor, starting from the second floor above ground according to a report by Korea Herald. Each will open up to stunning views of the Han River. Reportedly, she paid for it all in cash, since loans for residential property above USD 1 million are banned in the city.

 

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Bangbae

The report by Korea Herald also made note of a house in Bangbae, which is located in the popular Gangnam area of Seocho-gu district. The singer bought the 173.82 sq.ft space in May 2012 for a whooping USD 622,000 approx. and had registered it as her residence. In June 2019, she sold it for USD 637,000 approx.

Close to this space is the singer’s studio worth USD 3.43 million. According to Soompi, this property raised concerns about investment fraud, owing to the construction of a new high-speed rail system that would up its value exponentially. Her team responded to this by stating that it was for personal use and close to her home, “The building currently has IU’s personal studio and a room with 4-5 private practice booths for her junior artists for whom she provides support. The rest of the building space is being used as an office for her mother’s business.”

Yongsan

A report by South China Morning Post points to a flat in the lavish Raemian Caelitus in Yongsan district — making IU neighbours with the many Korean celebrities who have houses in the region. The luxury high-rise residential tower is also known to overlook the Han River and features 56 stories. It’s also the 12th tallest building in all of Seoul. Reportedly, houses here go up to USD 3.3 million.

 

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Gyeonggi-do

According to Koreaboo, IU also owns an expensive two-storey vacation house in Yangpyeong district, Gyeonggi-do province. This space is believed to be worth about USD 1.64 million, and she spent an additional USD 596,000 to buy the land around the property. Reportedly, this property is for her family.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Which K-pop idol has the most expensive house?

K-pop singer IU has one of the most expensive houses in South Korea — a lavish 244 sq.m space worth USD 11.7 million space in the glitzy residential complex Eterno Cheongdam.

– How much is IU’s house?

K-pop singer IU’s house in Cheongdam is believed to be worth 244 sq.m space worth USD 11.7 million.

– Where is IU living?

K-pop singer IU reportedly lives in the glitzy residential complex Eterno Cheongdam.

The post Inside IU’s most expensive houses in South Korea’s exclusive neighbourhoods appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Freshen your playlist with some of these Indian indie music releases of 2024.

There’s never a dull moment when it comes to India’s thriving indie music scene. Having said that, three months into the year, we can already tell that we’re in for a musical rollercoaster.

Music is a universal language, one that crosses borders to bind people together. In the Indian context too, we have a range of musical gifts to offer, be it our rich history in Indian classical music or our famous Bollywood numbers. In more recent years, the indie music scene has seen a boom, bringing to the forefront a whole new wave of music across multiple genres. From Desi Hip-Hop to Jazz, we’ve heard a bit of everything coming from artists across India. From forerunners of the indie music scene to the debutantes and more undercover artists, these musical gems are waiting to shine their brightest.

Our early intakes from 2024, that need to be on your indie playlists

2024 has already got us grooving, courtesy of the multiple red-hot releases straight out of the music studios. With that said, in the list below, we note 15 new albums, singles and Eps that need to be on your indie radar as soon as possible.

Tera Rahoon – BLUNT, Darksidemusic

Musician BLUNT’s Tera Rahoon tells a soulful tale.  The composition is a bittersweet ode to love, relationships and everything in between. The video by Karan Sagar paired with the song is an emotional look into the midlife crisis of a married couple, who ran away from home to be with each other, playing between the themes of long-standing love and the problems it is bound to come with.

Listen to the single here.

KING Returns – Prabhdeep

2024 started with the much-awaited comeback of Prabhdeep post the artist’s retreat to Goa. KING Returns follows up on his hit EP, King, however with a more chiselled sound. The EP sees the musical mastery from Tabia with the likes of Yaadan, come together with his more recent upbeat style showcased in PRAA and THAPPAD! With the track Ethe Rakh. The short EP packs a punch, one that leaves us wanting more of the artist’s elevated sound.

Listen to the EP here.

Girls Night – Dot

Fresh off her acting success in ‘The Archies’ on Netflix, Dot returns to her musical roots with her latest single – Girls Night. Inspired by two of her own best friends, the track is a peppy number layered with Dot’s smooth vocals. The recently launched music video is as the name suggests, a look into a typical girl gang sleepover; manicures, late-night munchies and more.

Listen to the single here.

Moohfatt – Rawal

Known for his heavy tracks and in-the-face lyrics, Rawal once again makes a mark with Moohfatt – putting the fact out lyrically with the boisterous song. The black and white Kendrick Lamar-esque music video by Kyabc sees top-notch production and surprise cameos by the likes of Raga.

Listen to the single here.

Thehra – Chaar Diwaari

Delhi-based Garv Taneja aka Chaar Diwaari is known for his experimental music and videos alike. With Thehra his latest release, the music school dropout once again pushes the boundaries of conventional Hindi music.

Listen to the single here.

Gulaabo – Sanjith Hegde

Multi-lingual vocalist Sanjith Hegde is primarily known for his work in the Kannada and Telegu film industries, more recently making waves in Bollywood with his soulful vocal control. The single, Gulaabo takes on a more funk approach with the undertones of his classical music range.

Listen to the single here.

Katchi Sera – Sai Abhyankkar

The Tamil bop, Katchi Sera has quickly become a viral sensation since its release in January. The 19-year-old Sai Abhyankkar’s catchy debut single has not only been making its rounds as a trending TikTok audio with multiple dance reels to its name but has also found its way on YouTube’s ‘Global Weekly Top Songs’ list.

Listen to the single here.

Aawara – KSHMR, King, Zaeden

American DJ and producer KSHMR is known for his iconic collaborations with Indian musicians. Following the success of his 24-track hip hop album ‘KARAM’, he now joins hands with the indie pop icons King and Zaeden for the single, Aawara. Reflecting on the collaboration, KSHMR shared, “I’ve been friends with Zaeden for a long time now and we’ve wanted to do a record together for ages. After meeting KING and playing him the track, it seemed only right that we do this one together. They are both so talented, not only at singing but writing as well. It started as an idea for my album KARAM but eventually we decided a standalone single made more sense.”

Listen to the single here.

Dil Fenk Ke Marunga 2 – wolf.cryman

Part-time quirk connoisseur, part-time musician, wolf. cryman follow-up album from the first part, Dil Fenk Ke Marunga 2 once again sees the witty lyrics and jazzy tunes the artist is known for.

Listen to the album here.

Midtown Madness – Raga

Hard-hitting, raw and heavy; Raga’s new album, Midtown Madness is as the name suggests- a look into the madness of the rapper’s vision. The music epitomises the rage rap segment of India’s Desi Hip-Hop scene.

Listen to the album here.

Bechaini – OAFF, Adarsh Gourav

After a brief stint together on Netflix’s ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’ where Adarsh Gourav played one of the leads and OAFF’s tracks for the official soundtrack garnered much appreciation, the two came together once again for an unexpected collaboration. Bechaini sees Adarsh Gourav’s vocals over a classic OAFF production.

Listen to the single here.

Ahana – Nikamma

Delhi-based Nikamma’s debut single is a fun indie pop track, with a music video that will have you falling in love with the fictitious ‘Ahana’ like you’re in middle school all over again.

Listen to the single here.

Yuh – Till Apes

Bangalore’s Jazz/ Hip-Hop/ Neo-Soul group, Till Apes is back with another jazzy mix. A riveting piano piece overlayed with catchy beats and Hanumankind spitting bars – a classic masterpiece straight from God’s Own Country.

Listen to the single here.

KAURA (Aura of Kaur) – Rashmeet Kaur

Punjabi artist, Rashmeet Kaur’s debut hip-hop album packs a punch, to say the least. With 25 collaborators across 12 tracks including the likes of Seedhe Maut, Ikka and Hashbass, the versatile tracklist has one thing in common – the vocal prowess of Rashmeet Kaur takes centre stage.

Listen to the album here.

DESIRE AT STAKES – VISHNU

While DHH and acoustics in the Indie music scene of India are thoroughfares, Bangalore-based Vishnu Menon brings a fresh sound to the table with the alternative rock song, DESIRE AT STAKES. The experimental track imbibes different elements with layered acoustic guitars and piano that give way to a punk rock chorus.

Listen to the track here.

Ranjha- Hashbass, Divyam Sodhi

Ranjha is a love song, inspired by the tragic story of Heer-Ranjha. The track sees a new sound from Bassist and producer Hashbass in his collaboration with ghazal singer Divyam, however, including some quintessential Hashbass flourishes.

Listen to the single here.

Hero and Feature images: Courtesy Instagram

The post The best Indian indie music releases of 2024 (so far) appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From the chaotic Berzatto dinner to Richie belting out Taytay, these are some of the best moments and quotes from the second season of The Bear.

In the wake of awards season, fans of critically acclaimed comedy series The Bear have much to celebrate, from the show’s landslide wins to stars Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri’s well-deserved accolades. With season 3 of the FX series cooking just around the corner, reports have surfaced to suggest that fans will be blessed with yet another delicious morsel: The green-lighting of season 4, which, rumour has it, will be filmed back-to-back with season 3. Ahead of its June release, we look at the best quotes and moments from The Bear season 2.

With 18 anarchic and explosive episodes spanning two extraordinary seasons, The Bear has more than earned its place among contemporary television greats. Chaotic pacing and frenetic cinematography perfectly encapsulate the madness and method of the modern-day Michelin star kitchen, flawlessly delivered in sterling performances from the show’s stellar cast. Among them, Emmy winners Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, along with Matty Matherson, Abby Elliott, Oliver Platt, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Scriptwriting genius, stellar portrayals, and profound themes

From deadpan snark to drunken hysterics discharged in impassioned speeches, season 2 of The Bear followed the amuse-bouche of its inaugural season, expanding on the tasting menu of Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto and friends to proffer an entree to remember.

The fictional establishment is certainly worthy of its (let’s face it, impending) Michelin stars; but so too is the show, with its plucky and acrimonious portrayal of the struggle excellence entails.

Ask any chef who has worked in the pit of a high-stakes kitchen, and they will tell you that The Bear gets it right. From the power struggles and shouting matches to the debilitating breakdowns and the push for perfection, The Bear accurately depicts the culinary journey behind closed doors.

With short episodes that range from 30 to 40 minutes in length, the series is a relatively easy watch with profound and often thought-provoking themes that lie dormant beneath a veil of sass and comedy. The show does not shy away from taboo topics, with characters freely confronting their vices from addiction and sobriety to anger management and abuse, conveyed through brilliant scriptwriting, razor-sharp wit, and the talent of Hollywood’s finest. The resultant episodes are fun and feisty, giving rise to a multitude of moments to remember.

Ahead of its upcoming third season, we look at the best quotes and moments from The Bear season 2.

The best quotes and moments from The Bear season 2

1. Sydney falls through a wall

The Beef is falling apart, and Sydney is literally falling through its walls. This scene aptly depicts the dilapidation of the eatery, cleverly setting up its home improvement arc. A passing Marcus remarks wryly on Syd’s feat, joking, “You got strong” in response to the destruction of property. The hole in the wall later used as a conversation starter, with Carmy dryly pointing it out to Sugar, who literally watched the whole thing unfold. The entire scene is comedy gold, with snappy deliveries that depict the characters as whip-smart reprobates who love ribbing one another just as much as they actually love one another.

2. Heard and resented

Who is Richie and how is he related to the Berzattos? Turns out he’s not. In this scene, Uncle Jimmy (who is famously also not a Berzatto) breaks the fourth wall to say what we’re all thinking, and Richie wants us to know he resents it. Once a cousin, always a cousin.

3. A Carmy problem

He may be a genius in the kitchen, but Carmy is terrible at math. From lowballing costs and set-up time to being literally unable to count the number of forks required, Carmy is quite evidently a devotee to Girl Math. That is, he should not be trusted to crunch the numbers, lest they result in Carmy Problems.

4. The new Sydney

Having spent much of her life being underestimated, Tina is rightly touched when Sydney asks if she would like to be trained to become the new sous chef. She accepts with a heartwarming hug, leaving Syd impressed with her strength and viewers sobbing at the exchange.

5. Carmy’s three stars

Working together to develop new recipes for The Bear, Carmy and Syd share a poignant exchange about his previous Michelin experience. The conversation accurately portrays the intensity and single focus required to survive in high-octave kitchens, where every dish is a masterwork of explosive flavours. Albeit hesitant at first, Carmy eventually opens up about his initial reaction upon receiving the Michelin call informing him that the establishment had retained their three stars.

He shares, “The first 10 seconds felt like a sort of panic ’cause I knew I just had to keep ’em. I had to retain ’em. And your brain does this weird thing where it just bypasses any sense of joy. It just like attaches itself to dread. And, um, I don’t know, after those 10 seconds, I had to turn over a really slow table ’cause the, uh, entire United Nations Security Council was coming in.”

6. Richie loves his daughter, and also Taylor Swift

Throughout The Bear’s two seasons, Cousin Richie has proven himself to be many things, but a bad father he is not. This delightful scene finds Richie delivering his daughter Eva back home to her mother. Upon arrival, he proclaims his love to her, and for the Eras tour headliner with, “I love you. And, Eva? I love Taylor Swift too. I just needed a break, you know?” And if that isn’t one of the best quotes of The Bear season 2, we don’t know what else would make the cut.

7. The opposite of a pregnancy glow

Considering the complex nature of her relationship with her mother and the difficult childhood she endured alongside her brothers, it makes perfect sense for Sugar to approach her pregnancy with caution. Elbow deep in morning sickness, she nonetheless finds enough gumption to respond with cheek when asked whether she’s okay, quipping, “Sometimes I look like February.”

8. Richie vs mold

Yet another moment that deserves the spotlight in the show’s second season, Richie’s battle against mold alongside Fak and Marcus is equal measures entertaining and exasperating. From his dogged refusal to call the authorities to the literal collapse of his argument, Richie’s reaction aptly highlights the perils mold can present for a restaurant, with Fak even calling it the ‘death knell’.

9. Car trouble

Through season 2 of The Bear, the relationship between Syd and her father Emmanuel contrasts that of Carmy, Sugar, and Mike with their mother Donna; the former is loving and supportive, whilst the latter is decidedly not so. This touching scene finds Syd celebrating her deceased mother’s birthday with Emmanuel. While Emmanuel expresses concern for his daughter and the state of her career, he nonetheless does so with grace and gentleness, and the duo share a heartfelt conversation about his first date with her mother.

10. Did you say ‘keep it a secret’?

Yet another moment of comedy gold in season 2 of The Bear is when Sugar finally decides to share the news of her pregnancy with Carmy. Tucked away behind a wall, she struggles briefly to gather her thoughts and words, assuring him that she is happy and swearing him to secrecy before finally blurting out that she is pregnant. There’s just one caveat: the wall behind them literally collapses as she says it, effectively letting the cat out of the bag in one fell swoop.

11. Google is man’s best friend

To further hone and expand his skills, baker Marcus travels to Copenhagen to learn from a pastry chef named Luca (played by newly minted Marvel star Will Poulter). In this hilarious scene, Luca asks Marcus if he has ever made shiso gelee — and like everyone who has ever lied on their resume, Marcus says yes, and immediately Googles it.

12. Messing up is the answer to life

The show’s themes of imperfection, burnout, failure, and the triumphs of hard work, are expressed through Luca’s lived experiences in this scene, highlighting the value of genuine human connection.

Marcus asks Luca how he ‘got good at this’, to which Luca responds that he made a lot of mistakes. The duo then drops one of the best quotes and exchanges of The Bear season 2, further highlighting the theme of the show at large with, “That’s the secret, just f-ck up?”, and “It might be, you know, f-ck up.”

13. Getting the point across

Uncle Jimmy’s role between season 1 and 2 of The Bear has resulted in some of the best quotes and moments of the show, from “Shoulda stopped by to break your legs, but, you know, I guess I’m becoming forgetful,” to the masterpiece that is him putting Richie in his place, “Gotta be honest. I’m becoming concerned that we are taking our eye off the ball here, and I just wanna be — shut the f-ck up — hyper clear.”

Despite his rough edges and his questionable connection to the Berzatto family, Uncle Jimmy nonetheless displays moments of genuine care for Carmy, Sugar, and Richie. So much so that Richie feels comfortable asking him about Taylor Swift tickets. Because even in the fictional world, Eras tour tickets are hard to come by.

14. Budgeting woes

Yet another quippy scene that showcases the delivery of the show’s stellar cast, we find Syd and Carmy discussing plates for the restaurant. Carmy’s initial selection is met with resistance by Syd, who insists that she doesn’t share his vision with, “Okay. Well, that’s 55 bucks a plate for that type of silence, so…”

To this, Carmy relents with, “Then we can use the sh-ty ones,” proving once and for all that Syd really is the boss of him.

15. Siblings

Cementing the fact that siblings will never give up a chance to poke fun at one another, this scene depicts a heartfelt moment between Syd and Sugar. In a moment of vulnerability and connection, Syd shares with Sugar that, “The menu’s f-ckеd. And I need Carmy, but he is… being Carmy somewhere. Sorry. I really, I-I shouldn’t talk sh-t. I don’t mean to. I know that’s your brother,” to which Sugar simply remarks, “No, he sucks.”

16. Power play

One of the best quotes to come from one of the best moments of The Bear season 2 is the aftermath of Richie’s attempt to steal power from a neighbouring establishment. This genius plan clearly fails, and Richie effectively trips the fuse, causing an argument to erupt in which he continues to assert that the neighbours are his friends while a fed-up Syd says, “Are they still?”

17. Manic Christmas and a Chaotic New Year

While The Bear has always been filmed and edited to reflect the chaotic and fast-paced nature of the service industry, the flashback Christmas episode takes it one step further into madness. Within the pandemonium of Donna Berzatto’s increasingly suffocating kitchen, the episode depicts the grim realities of undiagnosed mental health problems and parental abuse.

Despite its agonising, yet nuanced portrayal of these issues, The Bear season 2 nonetheless manages to infuse its script with humour, leading to one of its most memorable quotes and best moments. In the wake of his eighth fish mishap, Sugar’s husband Pete attempts to salvage the situation with a good-natured, “Merry Christmas, guys,” followed by a response from yet another questionable relative, Uncle Lee, who simply says, “Maybe somewhere.”

18. The duality of a dark place

Portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis, the character of Donna Berzatto is polarising, yet not without reason. Evidently battling an alcohol addiction and suffering from an undiagnosed cocktail of mental health problems, Donna cycles through her emotions with the speed of a yo-yo, one moment a doting mother and the next an abusive drunk.

Curtis’ portrayal of her is incredibly nuanced, allowing viewers to connect and emphatise with the character even as she delivers one of the most heartbreaking quotes of The Bear season 2, “I make things beautiful for them, and no one makes things beautiful for me.”

19. Garrett’s little grin

To earn some restaurant management skills, Richie stages at a Michelin-starred restaurant Ever. While his presence is initially met with mild derision, Richie eventually finds his footing, befriending a front-of-house server named Garrett whom he shadows over several days.

The duo attends a staff meeting that makes light of how seriously the restaurant industry has come to take itself, but it is during these moments that we are presented with one of the best quotes of The Bear season 2. Whilst speaking, the chef berates his staff for causing a delay in service with a ‘smudge’, and at the end of his impassioned rant, yells, “F-ck you, Garrett!” In response, Garrett, ever eager to please, simply says, “Yes, chef, f-ck me.”

20. Deep dish makeover

Put aside the ethics of serving another establishment’s cooking and presenting it as your own, and you’ll see the absolute genius behind Ever’s deep dish pizza makeover. From its clever ‘repackaging’ to the little haute cuisine additions (basil gel and micro basil), the entire scene is a masterclass in pivoting, making for one of the most unforgettable moments in season 2 of The Bear.

21. A hospitality Love Story

Richie’s success at Ever is perfectly capped off with a car karaoke session, featuring an incredible rendition of Taylor Swift’s Love Story — surely a sign that he has finally found something to love about the restaurant business.

22. The Michael cannoli

Paying homage to Mike and his role in bringing together the crew of The Bear, Marcus presents Carmy and Syd with a savoury cannoli, sharing that, “This one is a little bit of all of us. Everything that we all kinda know about each other and… And I wouldn’t know any of you if I didn’t work at The Beef.” The kicker? The cannoli is named The Michael.

23. Richie’s growth, and a napkin

One of the best things to emerge from the series is Richie’s character development, from his earliest days of insecurity to the self-assuredness of his post-stagiaire days as a front-of-house manager. In one of The Bear season 2’s most memorable scenes, Richie tests his interviewees by rotating a napkin, insisting that they would rearrange it if they were truly up to snuff. The resultant look of pride that Sugar shoots him tells us everything we need to know about his glow-up — that he’s well on his way to making amazing things happen.

24. Checking in

Season 2 of The Bear is a masterpiece of many memorable quotes, and that proves to be true in this scene, which is yet another heartfelt moment shared between Syd and Sugar. In the lead-up to opening night, Sugar checks in on Syd, asking if she is ‘Okay on the puntarelle sub’. In response, Syd tells her yes, and follows up with a quip that is equal measures concerned and cheeky, “Are you okay on, like, life?”

Sugar, naturally, is just hungry, and so follows one of the greatest scenes of all time — the making of The Bear’s iconic omelette topped with crushed sour cream and onion chips.

25. A family business

Further cementing Richie’s character growth, this adorable scene wonderfully highlights the value of ‘found family’. On the night of the opening, Richie helps Fak with his necktie, leading to one of the most memorable exchanges and quotes of The Bear season 2. Once an outsider to the kitchen, Fak is now fully inundated into the family, sharing, “I’m lookin’ really good. So I’m thinking you should start calling me Chef.” To that, Richie simply counters, “Well, I’ma keep calling you jagoff, ’cause that’s what you like.”

26. Toilet trouble

Given the premise of the entire series, opening night is certain to go with many a hitch. Chief among them: Toilet problems. This hilarious exchange between Carmy and Sugar is rife with resignation, with the former asking why the latter is drenched. Clearly unsurprised by the chaos, Sugar shares that, “Uh, because the toilet exploded,” to which Carmy reacts with a nonchalant, “Oh, good.”

27. When Richie and Syd do The Thing

With Carmy literally locked away for a cooling down time-out, it’s up to Richie and Syd to do ‘The Thing’. Harnessing his experience at Ever, Richie’s masterful call outs provide method to the madness of the kitchen, making the epic scene one of the most powerful triumphs in modern-day television.

28. A mother’s regret

In the final episode of season 2 of The Bear, Jamie Lee Curtis returns as Donna to deliver one of the most gut-wrenching quotes of the show. Having received an invitation from Sugar to the restaurant’s opening night, Donna shows up but finds herself unable to enter. At the entrance, she encounters Pete, who catches her smoking outside. Their heartfelt exchange culminates in Donna’s expression of guilt for having traumatised her children. Showcasing self-awareness despite her personal demons, Donna shared, “I want them to have this good thing, and I don’t want to hurt it.”

29. That’s wild

If there’s one thing The Bear does exceptionally well, it is its unflinchingly forthright portrayal of substance abuse and addiction. When Marcus discovers Josh smoking up behind the restaurant, he brings it up to Syd, who, like him, has the most nonchalant reaction ever — “That’s wild.” The duo then shares an amusing exchange, expressing their admiration for Josh’s carrot-cutting skills before summarily dismissing him in the same breath. This exchange features some of the best quotes and moments on season 2 of The Bear, showcasing the depth of Marcus and Syd’s friendship and the overall growth of the OG kitchen crew as a whole.

30. Fridge fight

Season 2 of The Bear culminates in an all-out shouting match between Carmy and Ritchie, leading to perhaps one of the simplest, but best quotes of the show: “I love you”. While Carmy has often displayed difficulty repeating the phrase back to people in his family, the scene is a true testament to just how far Ritchie has come since his earliest days, and he responds to Carmy’s anger-fuelled tirade with “I love you”.

True to The Bear’s style of portraying familial love, Richie’s admissions of love and caring also (rightly) come with a side of colourful expletives. However, the scene does set the stage for season 3 of The Bear, which is due for release in June of this year.

Excited? We sure are.

Watch The Bear on Disney + Hotstar.

This story first appeared here.

(Main and featured images: FX)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– What is the famous saying about bears?

There are numerous sayings and idioms that include this magnificent beast. In The Bear, the Berzatto family and their friends discuss the nature of bears, sharing that they are fierce, loyal, protective, and loving among other notable qualities.

– Is The Bear Season 2 stressful?

Because it is filmed in a chaotic and fast-paced nature, The Bear season 2 may present a stressful watch for viewers with anxiety. Additionally, its focus on often taboo subjects like mental health, addiction, childhood trauma, and abuse may trigger those with similar experiences. In terms of its storyline, however, opening and operating a restaurant at a Michelin level is indeed a stressful experience. Just ask Carmy.

– What is The Bear’s quote about consistency?

One of the best quotes in The Bear season 2 is, “We Can’t Operate At A Higher Level Without Consistency,” an ideal echoed throughout the course of the entire series.

– Why is The Bear series so popular?

The Bear is a hilarious and incredibly accurate take on the high-stakes restaurant industry and just how much chefs must sacrifice to make their dreams come true, whether it is in opening a restaurant or earning the elusive Michelin star. The FX show also intertwines compelling storylines in the form of its varied cast of characters, making for a fun watch.

The post The best quotes and moments from ‘The Bear’ Season 2 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

The apocalypse is where video game adaptations seem to thrive. Here’s our review of Prime Video’s Fallout.

A post-apocalyptic retrofuturistic world ravished by a nuclear war filled with mutated creatures, ambiguous morality, and violent absurdity—if there was any video game that was perfectly poised to be adapted, it’s Fallout. The original game was released all the way back in 1997 before Bethesda took over the game with Fallout 3, ushering in the era of the franchise that many know and love. The world of Fallout is a playground, as those who’ve experienced the games will know, and fortunately, Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan have taken the same approach for the TV series.

[Hero image: Prime Video]

Prime Video’s Fallout: All’s fair (not really) in the post-apocalyptic world

The TV series revolves around three people. First, there’s Lucy (Ella Purnell), the naive Vault Dweller who faces a rude awakening when traveling to the surface to find her father who was taken from their vault. Second is Maximus (Aaron Moten), a young Aspirant of the Brotherhood of Steel who wants nothing more than to be a knight and don his own power armour. Finally, there’s The Ghoul (Walton Goggins), a mysterious and morally grey character who has his own mission that he keeps close to his chest. 

All three must face the harsh reality (and the ridiculous absurdity) of the Wasteland, specifically the West Coast of the post-nuclear United States, a location the games haven’t featured before. Eventually, they cross paths when they discover that what they’re looking for is found in one man—or one man’s head more specifically.

Read our explainer on Fallout ending here

Welcome to the Wasteland

Jonathan Nolan once described the series as “almost like… Fallout 5”, and he was right. Much like the games where everything is set in the same world but centred on different stories, the TV series features different locations and characters that fans of the games haven’t seen yet. Nolan and Joy really understood what it meant to play around in this post-nuclear war world. Come to think of it, “adaptation” might be an incorrect description of the series since it’s a completely new story but set in the same world the games are in.

Speaking of the world, the series successfully recreates the look and feel of the Wasteland. From the ramshackle town of Filly to the barren urbanscape of a once-thriving retrofuturistic city, the design of the world is as beautiful and fascinating as it is in the games. Even the pre-nuclear war world, which we get a short glimpse of in flashbacks, is beautifully designed.

Twists, turns, and a whole lot of blood and guts

What’s clear from the get-go is that this series was made with someone who knows the games. Aside from the fact that Todd Howard, who’s directed some of the franchise’s games, is an executive producer on the show, Nolan is an avid fan of the games and has played it for years. There are plenty of references to the games that fans can spot from Grognak the Barbarian to the VATS-style slow-mo shot. But the true accomplishment here is that the series isn’t going to make non-gamers feel left out, so don’t worry if you haven’t played any of the Fallout games. 

That said, there needs to be a good story to keep you watching all eight episodes, which all drop in one go tomorrow (April 11). There are plenty of twists and turns, which again, is in the same vein of the games. In between, there’s a good helping of humour and violence, though sometimes I felt that the latter goes overboard. Seriously, the boot scene in the first episode will haunt me for the rest of my days. 

More than the twists and revelations that you’ll eventually discover in later episodes though, it’s the journey of each of these characters that’s very entertaining. Lucy having to wrestle with the reality of the world outside of the Vault and being pushed to do things she never thought she would do and Maximus making decisions that may or may not endear you to him are all part of the fun and the experience. Even The Ghoul’s past and the story of how he got to where he is now is one heck of a ride. 

The End… sort of

The Fallout TV series stays faithful to the world of the games and makes use of it to tell a compelling, fun, and ridiculously gory story. It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, and while there hasn’t been a second season announced yet, IGN has reported that Prime Video has been offered tax credit to relocate filming to the state for Season 2. I’m keeping my fingers crossed because I really want to go back to the Wasteland soon and continue the journey with these three characters. 

The post Review: ‘Fallout’ is a gory fun time appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

If you love Korean drama actor Ryu Jun-yeol, here are some of the best Ryu Jun-yeol movies and TV shows you can binge on.

Ryu Jun-yeol started his acting career with independent films in 2012. However, it was only after his debut feature film, Socialphobia in 2015, that Ryu became a household name in South Korea. The Korean film debuted at the Busan International Film Festival, earning him the Rising Star award at the KAFA Film Festival.

Following this, Ryu Jun-yeol landed leading roles in an array of movies and TV shows in the coming years. These include Reply 1988 (2015), The King (2017), Believer (2018), The Battle: Roar to Victory (2019), Alienoid (2022) and Alienoid: Return to the Future (2024).

The genre-bending Korean flick Alienoid: Return to the Future amassed over USD 10,332,034 and 1,429,965 ticket admissions and is among the highest-grossing Korean movies released in 2024. Meanwhile, its prequel Alienoid became the 9th highest-grossing Korean film of 2022. It recorded over 11.2 million and 1.5 million admissions, according to the Korean Film Council.

Not to forget A Taxi Driver, which is directed by the famous Korean director Jang Hoon. One of the best Ryu Jun-yeol movies, it was selected as the South Korean entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards.

Ryu Jun-yeol, who is of late grabbing headlines for his relationship with Korean drama actor Han So-hee, portrays the role of Jin Soo in the Netflix original The 8 Show. Co-starring Chun Woo-hee and Park Jeong-min, The 8 Show is reported to premiere in 2024.

The best Ryu Jun-yeol movies and TV shows that will keep you hooked

The post The best Ryu Jun-yeol movies and TV shows to watch appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Netflix just launched released Supersex, a provocative exploration loosely inspired by the true story of the legendary pornstar Rocco Siffredi.

Alessandro Borghi stars as Siffredi in the series and captures his journey to the top of the adult entertainment industry.

Over four decades, the ‘Italian Stallion’ has made around 1,400 hardcore films.

However, Siffredi’s life off-screen was quite grim. No wonder Netflix jumped on the chance to dramatise it and ride that story for all its worth with its own TV adaptation.

But how faithful is the show to Rocco Siffredi’s real life? Here’s unravelling the true story behind Superex.

What is Netflix’s ‘Supersex’ about?

Supersex traces the life of Rocco Siffredi from his humble beginnings in Ortona, Italy, to his ascent as the marquee in the porn industry. The official synopsis for the series says it “is a story that questions the connection between porn and life, the power of sex, and its link with death”.

Creator Francesca Manieri embarks on a compelling narrative journey, shedding light on Siffredi’s family dynamics, his formative years, and the profound impact of his career choice on his personal life.

Manieri’s intention in crafting the series was to dissect masculinity through Siffredi’s lens, delving beyond the surface of the industry to explore the underlying complexities of human desire and identity. By portraying Siffredi’s evolution from an ordinary individual to a cultural icon, Supersex offers a deep reflection on the societal constructs that shape notions of manhood and femininity.

Who is Rocco Siffredi and what is the true story behind ‘Supersex’?

Rocco Siffredi, born Rocco Antonio Tano on May 4, 1964, emerged from the coastal town of Ortona amidst the backdrop of Italy’s Abruzzo region. The series authentically portrays the struggles of Siffredi’s early life, including the tragic loss of his brother and the challenges of familial hardship. Real-life anecdotes, such as his mother’s surprising support for his unconventional career path, add depth to the portrayal of Siffredi’s journey.

Siffredi’s fascination with the adult entertainment industry was sparked in adolescence, inspired by a magazine titled ‘Supersex’. His chance encounter with French porn star Gabriel Pontello catalysed his entry into the profession, leading to a meteoric rise to fame across Europe. However, his path to success was fraught with obstacles, including linguistic barriers and cultural differences upon his relocation to the United States.

The biographical series authentically captures pivotal moments in Siffredi’s career, including his retirement announcement at a Paris convention, albeit with a fictionalised twist. Despite periodic hiatuses from the industry, Siffredi’s enduring influence is underscored by his groundbreaking achievements, which include over 150 industry accolades and ventures beyond traditional adult entertainment.

Beyond his contributions to the porn industry, Siffredi’s legacy extends to his versatility as a performer and his resilience in navigating personal and professional challenges. His marriage to Rosa Caracciolo, alongside his introspective reflections on life’s choices, humanises the iconic figure of Rocco Siffredi.

As Supersex unfolds on Netflix, viewers are invited to contemplate the complexities of sexuality, identity and societal norms through Siffredi’s captivating narrative and almost blinding success. 

‘Supersex’ is now available to stream on Netflix. Check out the trailer below:

(Header and feature image courtesy: IMDb/Supersex)

This article first appeared here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Is Supersex based on a real story?
Yes, Supersex is inspired by the life of Rocco Siffredi, the legendary porn star. While the series takes creative liberties, it offers a dramatised portrayal of Siffredi’s journey from obscurity to fame in the adult entertainment industry.

The post The true story behind ‘Supersex,’ the Netflix show on pornstar Rocco Siffredi appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

An incredibly successful realtor, ‘Buying Beverly Hills’ star Farrah Brittany has built a sizeable net worth within a short period. Let’s see all the expensive things she owns.

Farrah Brittany is a very famous name on American television, particularly known as one of the starring faces of the Netflix reality television series Buying Beverly Hills since 2022. Owing to her incredible success as a realtor, Farrah Brittany seems to have built a sizeable net worth for herself within a short span of time.

There is also her famous family that contributes to Brittany’s popularity in the world of entertainment. Reality TV devotees would know that she is the daughter of Kyle Richards, one of the main cast members of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (2010–).

Richards is considered one of the richest reality TV stars in the world — a fortune she built in a long and famous career on television and films.

Brittany, obviously, was born into wealth. But she decided to chart her own course in the world of real estate early on in her career. Today, she is recognised as one of the most strategically successful realtors in the Los Angeles real estate market.

Farrah Brittany’s net worth, family and how she made her fortune

Who else is part of her famous family?

Farrah Brittany Aldjufrie was born in Beverly Hills on 31 October 1988 as the oldest daughter of Kyle Richards and her first husband, Guraish Aldjufrie.

Richards, who was married to Guraish from 1988 to 1992, was only 19 years old when Brittany was born.

Real estate star and businessman Mauricio Umansky became Brittany’s stepfather when he married Richards in 1996. Richards has three more daughters with Umansky — Alexia Simone Umansky, Sophia Kylie Umansky and Portia Umansky. Brittany is Portia’s godmother, a fact she shared on the latter’s 13th birthday in 2021.

All family members are known to be very close, despite Richards and Umansky separated in 2023.

 

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A post shared by Farrah Brittany (@farrahbritt)

Brittany’s aunts are Kim Richards and Kathy Hilton, the latter being the stepsister of Kyle Richards. This makes Brittany a cousin of famous socialite and TV personality Paris Hilton as well as fashion designer Nicky Hilton Rothschild.

She shares a close relationship with Paris, which has remained firm even when their mothers hit headlines for their infamous feud on RHOBH season 12 in 2022.

“We’re both very defensive of our moms — but we’re also extremely, extremely close. If we let that interrupt our dynamic, it would be too painful and too hard to untangle. We let our moms do their thing and we just shut it out,” Brittany said on the #NoFilter with Zack Peter podcast.

In November 2021, Brittany got engaged to businessman Alex Manos. It was certainly a major headline grabber in the world of entertainment as Manos is the president and co-founder of the Beverly Hills Car Club.

Beverly Hills Car Club sells classic cars of all types, conditions and prices, including Ferraris, Porsches, Mercedes-Benzes and Jaguars. Los Angeles Times described it as an “upstart dealership, which has challenged the traditional business model of the classic car industry as it has grown to be one of the nation’s biggest sellers.”

However, Brittany and Manos later ended their engagement. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight in March 2024, Brittany said, “It was really hard. The whole season, I was dealing with a lot — trying to focus on my career, having so much going on in the family [and] in my own personal relationship.”

Career of Farrah Brittany

Brittany holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in business from The University of Southern California, from where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Before this, she attended New York University for two years.

Soon after, Brittany joined her stepfather, Mauricio Umansky, in the latter’s real estate business, The Agency, as one of its founders and partners. Her half-sister, Alexia Umansky, is also a real estate agent in the company.

She was initially the Director of Client Relations and became a certified agent in 2013. As a realtor, she has been credited with successfully executing luxury real estate deals worth millions of dollars across Los Angeles.

 

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According to her profile on The Agency’s official site, Brittany is a specialist in “representing both buyers and sellers, on any sized deal.” Though the deals span, much of her work is centred in and around some of Los Angeles’ most famous neighbourhoods, including Beverly Hills, Bel Air, West Hollywood, The Hollywood Hills and Malibu.

In a conversation with Bravo TV’s The Daily Dish in 2016, Brittany explained her love of real estate as a profession and how she used to join Umansky and Richards to explore open houses as a kid.

“I always have been interested in real estate since I was a little kid. I’d drive around to open houses with my mom and Mauricio when I was 6, 7, 8 years old, I’d love to see all the houses,” she said.

She revealed that she knows Los Angeles “geographically really, really well” since she grew up there.

“I was an only child for the first eight years, so I spent a lot of time with them and was very interested in everything Mauricio was doing. But I have my own love for property and being in LA there’s some of the most amazing properties and lifestyles in the world,” added Brittany.

Net worth of Farrah Brittany and how she earns as a realtor

Media reports indicate that Farrah Brittany has a net worth of around USD 15 million to USD 20 million.

Given that this is her personal wealth, which she has built within a few years, it is an indicator of how impressive Brittany has been on the luxury real estate scene in Los Angeles.

Her profile mentions that she, along with the Umansky team, has achieved over USD 5 billion in real estate sales. They have the enviable distinction of selling most houses in the US priced above USD 20 million.

According to her profile, The Wall Street Journal’s REAL Trends annual list recognises Brittany as one of the highest-producing agents. 

The honour is certainly remarkable. A look at the properties she has sold or rented for The Agency reveals that she has closed over 150 deals. Roughly estimated, this comes to around 15 property transactions completed by Brittany per year since she became a real estate agent with The Agency in 2013.

Some of these include luxury properties sold for more than USD 30 million. In fact, the biggest transaction she secured, according to her record at The Agency, is an eight-bedroom, 11-bath mansion measuring 1,340 sq metres in Beverly Hills. The house was sold for USD 36 million. Similarly, there are numerous properties worth over USD 10 million that Brittany has helped sell.

Among the properties she has listed for sale is Isla Playa de Novillero in Mexico. The piece of land, measuring 0.5 sq kilometres, has an asking price of USD 75 million. Once sold, it will certainly make Brittany richer by several millions.

As of 1 April 2024, the total value of the properties Brittany has listed for sale comes to around USD 170 million.

As a real estate agent, Brittany is entitled to a commission. According to Forbes, the commission is around 5-6 per cent of the selling price in the US. The commission is further split between the buyer’s agent and seller’s agent, depending on a ratio agreed upon by both parties. Thus, both agents can agree to share the commission equally or one party gets more than the other.

Including all factors and considering that there is an equal split of the commission, Brittany stands to earn around USD 5-6 million at a rate of 6 per cent if all her listed properties are sold at their asking price.

What does Farrah Brittany own?

Not much is known about how Farrah Brittany spends her fortune, but it is understandable that she does own at least one absolutely amazing property.

According to Bravo, the network which airs The Real Housewives franchise among several other acclaimed reality TV shows, Brittany gave a video tour of her home to fans on Instagram in 2020.

As fans saw, the custom-designed house has a home gym and its living space has a patterned rug, white ottoman, couch, a Lucite table, a hand-shaped brass candle holder, crystal-and-brass chandelier as well as books, stools, and a cactus plant.

(Hero and Featured images: Courtesy of Farrah Brittany/@farrahbritt/Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Is Farrah Brittany getting married?

No, Farrah Brittany has revealed that her engagement with businessman Alex Manos has ended.

– Does Farrah Brittany still work at The Agency?

Yes, Farrah Brittany works at The Agency as an agent.

– How old was Kyle Richards when she had Farrah?

Kyle Richards was 19 years old when she had Farrah Brittany.

– Is Farrah engaged to Alex?

No, Farrah Brittany’s engagement to Alex Manos has ended.

The post The net worth of Farrah Brittany, the ‘Buying Beverly Hills’ cast member appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

An heiress to the acclaimed Hilton Hotel chain, the great-granddaughter of its founder Conrad Hilton, daughter of Richard and Kathy Hilton, a reality TV star and a successful entrepreneur, Paris Hilton’s net worth in 2024 is as colossal as her lineage.

Paris made her way into show business and became a popular American socialite. From beginning as a model to partnering with high-end brands and even launching successful labels, she has used her business acumen to earn multi-million dollars and create an identity independently.

With a staggering net worth like hers, it is only natural for the Hilton scion to show off her lavish lifestyle and we ain’t complaining. Her Instagram is proof of her ever-widening designer wardrobe, appearances at prominent events, opulent getaways and family time spent in luxurious homes.

From net worth to career and businesses, here’s everything about Paris Hilton to know about

Family and inheritance

Hilton Hotels is undoubtedly one of the largest groups of premium luxury stays across the world. Hence, the famous last name attached to Paris would imply she would bank on the family wealth. But that wasn’t the case.

When Conrad Hilton passed away in 1979, he had a net worth of USD 1 billion and most of it was left to his charitable foundation. However, his son Barron Hilton (Paris’s grandfather) challenged his Will and won back four million shares of the Hilton hotel enterprise.

In 2007, history repeated itself. Reuters reported Barron Hilton had announced he would donate 97 per cent of his USD 4.5 billion wealth to his foundation. After he died in 2019, only three per cent of his fortune was left for his massive family. This implied significant depreciation for Paris and her sister Nicky Hilton, and they were left with around USD 5.6 million each.

Although this was a big financial setback, Paris Hilton’s net worth was still swelling, owing to the immensely successful real estate business of her father Richard Hilton and the earnings of her mother and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills icon Kathy Hilton, who have a combined net worth of around USD 350 million.

Today, with her long list of business ventures and appearances on reality TV shows, Paris’ net worth in 2024 is fast catching up with her parents’ fortune.

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Early career as a model

 

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According to Women’s Health, Paris Hilton started out as a child model in the late 1990s and the early aughts. She forayed into the elite New York social circles as a teenager and signed up with Donald Trump’s modelling agency T Management in 2000.

That opened many doors for Hilton, and she began making handsome earnings by modelling for brands like Guess, Christian Dior and Yeezy. She also walked at the New York Fashion Week several times for labels such as Christian Cowan and The Blondes.

These gigs helped Paris garner a net worth independent of the Hilton Hotel fortune and set her off for a bigger and more glamorous future. She often goes back to modelling; in 2023, she walked the Paris Fashion Week runway for Mugler.

Reality TV shows and movies

The American socialite set foot in the television world with The Simple Life (2003-2007) alongside Nicole Richie. The series follows the two girls as they ditch their money and limos to take up a myriad of jobs along the East Coast and live a ‘simple life’. It earned high ratings and made Hilton a reality TV star. Women’s Health cited PEOPLE and mentioned that Hilton made nearly USD 5 million from a single season, surpassing Richie by a large margin.

Over the next couple of years, she landed small roles on shows and films like House of Wax (2005), Snakes on a Plane (2006) and Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008), Supernatural (2005-2020), The World According To Paris (2011) and The Bling Ring (2013). In 2008, she also starred in the film The Hottie & The Nottie.

While not all of them were hits, Radar reported in 2013 that Hilton appeared in the Danish version of Paradise Hotel and made around USD 300,000. This shows her television career was quite glittery.

In 2021, Hilton returned to the small screen with two shows — Paris In Love and Cooking With Paris. While the former aired for two seasons on Peacock, the latter was cancelled after the pilot season on Netflix.

ICYMI, Paris Hilton has appeared in music videos

Paris Hilton’s net worth got a big push as the Hilton Hotel chain heiress featured in several music videos. According to IMDb, these include Demi Lovato’s “Substance”, Kim Petras’ “Malibu” (At Home Edition) and “I Don’t Want It At All”.

In 2012, she featured in Korean singer Kim Jang-hoon’s music video “Nothing.” The Huffington Post states that she made about USD 1 million from a two-day beach shoot.

Paris Hilton launched a recording label

Why just feature in videos when you can create music? In 2006, Hilton entered the music industry with her own record label, Heiress Record. Around the same time, she released her debut eponymous album as well.

It sold over 200,000 copies and even made it to No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart. Its single “Stars Are Blind,” peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and spent 12 weeks on it.

She has released many more singles and promotional tracks such as “Jealousy”, “Nothing In This World”, “Paris For President”, “Drunk Text”, “Never Be Alone” and “Come Alive”. How much she made from this music remains undisclosed, though.

Did you know she is a DJ?

 

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Yes, that’s right. Paris Hilton is a DJ, too. Billboard mentions that she debuted as a disco jockey in 2012 at a pop music festival in Brazil.

In 2014, she landed a residency at Atlantic City’s Harrah’s, which was followed by a 13-show tour later that year. At that time, she was regularly performing in China, Dubai and Ibiza. In fact, reports suggest that the celebrity DJ reportedly made around USD 2.7 million for a four-hour spinning session in Ibiza’s Amnesia club.

The Guardian states that Hilton once confirmed that she earns around USD 1 million for a single DJ appearance and became one of the highest-paid female DJs.

A 2014 Page Six report quoted her saying, “I don’t want to be bragging, but it’s great to be paid well for what you love doing.”

“My mother always told me it’s not polite to discuss money, but it’s true, I’m very proud. I’ve worked hard,” she added.

Paris Hilton has a perfume empire

The multi-hyphenate millionaire boosts her wealth with her expansive perfume line, Paris Hilton Fragrances. Paris Hilton launched the label in 2004 and almost two decades later, the brand is going strong with a range of 30 scents and several collections. As of 2020, the brand generated nearly USD 3 billion in revenue, accounting for a major chunk of Paris Hilton’s net worth in 2024.

The Paris Hilton Fragrances website quotes its founder saying, “When I was little my mom collected perfumes, she had a drawer full of them. My sister and I would always spray them on us. I said to my mom, ‘One day I want to have my own perfume.’ Now it’s so crazy that I have 29. It’s definitely a dream come true, and something I always predicted.”

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Jewellery brand, homeware line and the Paris Hilton brand

In 2022, Paris Hilton identified home and kitchen as another lucrative segment and launched her kitchenware collection. From heart-shaped charcuterie boards to pink and gold knives, teapots that say “That’s Hot” and sipper bottles, it is a range of “bedazzled but practical kitchen tools that match her distinctive style for both cooking and entertaining,” states her website.

Mini fridges, non-stick pots and pans, wine tumblers, cake-decorating sets and much more make it a cute-meets-functional homeware line.

 

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The following year, Hilton turned into a jewellery designer by teaming up with Mexican jewellery brand Nice & Bella. Her collection includes sparkly necklaces and bracelets as well as dainty earrings, studs and rings.

Although it is not clear how much these endeavours add to her net worth, they certainly help buoy her lavish lifestyle.

The Paris Hilton brand, revenue and other partnerships

In 2021, Variety noted that the Paris Hilton brand (which, at that time, consisted of 45 stores, 19 product lines and 27 fragrances) surpassed USD 4 billion in global revenue. Reportedly, the product lines themselves contributed 10 million to her fortune.

On the commercial part, Hilton appeared in Carl’s Jr ads in 2014 and worked with Steve Irwin’s family for Uber Eats in 2022.

Her strong Instagram game of over 26.4 million followers also makes room for numerous paid promotions. Besides her own labels, she often posts images promoting brands such as Living Proof Inc., Geske Beauty and Poppi.

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Her catchphrases pooled in money

A glance through her Instagram posts will show how much Hilton loves using catchphrases like “That’s Hot” and “Sliving” from The Simple Life. The latter is a portmanteau word combining ‘slaying’ and ‘living’. According to CNBC, she trademarked the former in 2007 and even sued Hallmark for using it with her picture on greeting cards.

Although she won the lawsuit in 2010, the amount she received remains undisclosed.

What is Paris Hilton’s net worth in 2024?

Despite hailing from such an affluent family, she created her wealth herself. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Paris Hilton’s net worth is estimated to be around USD 300 million in 2024.

She has written books and has a podcast

Paris Hilton has also had a smooth dabble with writing as well. In 2004, she rolled out her debut book Confessions of an Heiress: A Tongue-in-Cheek Peek Behind the Pose. It became an instant New York Times bestseller. Continuing the streak, the following year saw her Your Heiress Diary: Confess It All To Me. Hilton’s memoir, Paris: The Memoir, arrived in March 2023.

Her podcast I Am Paris and her 2020 YouTube original documentary This is Paris offer an insight into her early life, growing-up years and her career.

Watch This is Paris here.

Paris Hilton has some lavish real estate

Marca states she has a home in Sherman Oaks, California, which costs USD 5.9 million. She also has a USD 6.2 million home in Beverly Hills, along with a USD 4.9 million home in Manhattan, which Paris Hilton bought in 2014. Her real estate portfolio also includes an ocean-front Malibu villa in 2021 — it costs USD 8.4 million.

According to a 2023 Vogue Australia report, her latest abode is a Tuscan-style mansion in Beverly Hills, comprising seven bedrooms and 11.5 bathrooms. Encompassing an area of 14,061 sq ft (around 1,306 sq m), it features an outdoor pool, fireplace, a back patio, arched doorways and a curved staircase. Interestingly, Hilton and her husband have rented the villa for USD 160,000 per month.

 

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Barron Hilton’s granddaughter also keeps a fantastic garage. The South China Morning Post reported that the reality TV star once owned a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren worth USD 463,000 and a banana-yellow LFA Lexus worth USD 375,000. The latter was a gift from her former boyfriend Cy Waits.

The 2022 article mentions that a Holographic BMW i8 Roadster, worth USD 165,000 is a robust beast in her car collection. It was customised to suit her personality. The car can go from 0 to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 250km/h.

A Barbie-pink Bentley Continental GT, costing around USD 480,000, is another fantastic vehicle she cruises in. She bought it in 2008 and customised it with a USD 280,000 diamond-encrusted dashboard.

Tagged at USD 280,000, a California Spyder Ferrari is another of Hilton’s power beasts. A 4.3-litre V-8 engine boosts the car, which can reach 100km/h in less than 4 seconds. It has a top speed of 310 km/h (193 mph). Speaking of Ferrari, did you know Hilton owns a Moto GP racing team? It’s called SuperMartxe VIP by Paris Hilton.

Other vehicles in her collection include a Mercedes G Wagon AMG worth USD, 125,000 and a Bentley Continental GT Cabriolet worth USD 250,000.

Personal life

 

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Paris Hilton was born on 17 February 1981. She started in the entertainment world at a very young age and has been living the ultimate luxe life. She is the eldest of four siblings — Nicky Hilton, Barron Hilton II and Conrad Hughes Hilton.

In 2021, Hilton tied the knot with entrepreneur and venture capitalist Carter Reum in a star-studded event. They welcomed their son Phoenix Barron Hilton Reum in 2023.

(Hero and feature image: Courtesy Paris Hilton/ @parishilton/ Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

-Is Paris Hilton a billionaire?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Paris Hilton has a net worth of USD 300 million in 2024.

-What makes Paris Hilton so rich?
Paris Hilton is a reality TV star and a successful entrepreneur with a vast portfolio, which ranges from being a DJ to designing jewellery and cookware. She also has a string of brand collaborations and walks fashion runways for reputed high-end labels. All these, coupled with her inheritance from the Hilton family fortune, have made Paris extremely rich.

-Who is richer Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian?
While Paris Hilton has a net worth of USD 300 million in 2024, Kim Kardashian is a billionaire. According to the Forbes real-time billionaires index, her net worth is around USD 1.7 billion.

The post Paris Hilton’s net worth: All about the Hilton heiress and former reality TV star appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

If you are looking for the thrill, hair-raising revelations, dangerous confrontations, and a series of inexplicable deaths — some of the most binge-worthy Korean titles will have viewers going “whodunit?,” we’ve gathered our list of murder mystery Kdramas whose storylines will make your blood run cold.

Romance might be the lifeblood of Korean entertainment, but we’d go out on a limb to say it’s the titles with action-packed scenes, eerie deaths, high-speed chases, and rollercoaster-like plotlines that will have you hooked faster. Produced impeccably and carried well by a stellar cast — these stories have viewers playing sleuths and are often treading the fine-line between reality and fiction. If that’s not alluring enough, they throw in a bit of comedy and love to truly round out the experience of watching them. Whether you’re a routineer with a hankering for some excitement or a murder mystery enthusiast on the lookout for their next favourite show — here’s our pick of Kdramas that deserve a spot in your watch list.

Exciting Kdramas to add to your murder mystery watch list

Suspicious Partner/Love In Trouble

Directed by: Park Sun-ho

Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Nam Ji-hyun, Choi Tae-joon, Kwon Nara

Episodes: 40

Release date: 10 May 2017

Synopsis: Prosecutor Noh Ji-wook (played by Ji Chang-wook) often locks horns with his trainee Eun Bong-hee (played by Nam Ji-hyun). However, when the latter is falsely accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend — it’s up to him to defend her while they uncover who the real culprit is. Along the way, the seedy side of law enforcement comes to light — putting the two through several near-death experiences.

My Lovely Liar

Directed by: Nam Sung-woo

Cast: Kim So-hyun, Hwang Min-hyun

Episodes: 16

Release date: 31 July 2023

Synopsis: In this murder mystery Kdrama, Dok Sol-hee (played by Kim So-hyun) leads a difficult life of not being able to trust people because she has the ability to hear and identify lies in person. Her life changes when she gets involved with a murder suspect whom nobody believes to be innocent.

Beyond Evil

Directed by: Shim Na-yeon

Cast: Shin Ha-kyun, Yeo Jin-goo

Release date: 19 February, 2021

Episodes: 16

Synopsis: Two policemen from the Munju Police Station — the unconventional Lee Dong-sik (played by Shin Ha-kyun) and the dependable Han Joo-won (played by Yeo Jin-goo) — skirt the law to catch a serial killer in this murder mystery Kdrama. However, in the process they begin to question their own morality and that of others around them.

Flower Of Evil

Directed by: Kim Cheol-kyu

Cast: Lee Joon-gi, Moon Chae-won, Jang Hee-jin, Seo Hyun-woo

Episodes: 16

Release date: 29 July 2020

Synopsis: In this murder mystery Kdrama, detective Cha Ji-won (played by Moon Chae-won) and her husband Baek Hee-sung ( (played by Lee Joon-gi) are devoted wife and husband as well as parents on the surface. However, when the former starts investigating a series of murders, she begins to uncover a dark side of her partner that he keeps well hidden.

One Ordinary Day

Directed by: Lee Myung-woo

Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Cha Seung-won, Kim Sung-kyu

Episodes: 8

Release date: 27 November 2021

Synopsis: Diligent university student Kim Hyun-Soo (played by Kim Soo-Hyun) sees his life turn upside down after a series of choices during a night out with friends leaves him the prime suspect of a murder case. His only hope? Lawyer Shin Joong-Han (played by Cha Seung-Won) who’s rather unpopular and barely managed to pass the bar exam. However, he offers to help the former out, confronting a harsh legal system in the process.

Signal

Directed by: Kim Won-seok

Cast: Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, Cho Jin-woong

Episodes: 16

Release date: 22 January, 2016

Synopsis: Police lieutenant and criminal profiler Park Hae-young (played by Lee Je-hoon) solves a kidnapping case where the culprit leaves behind a walkie talkie. He soon discovers it to be a portal to the past. While using it, he connects with socially awkward but experienced detective Lee Jae-han (played by Cho Jin-woong), who helps him solve cases in real time. Specifically, this involves working on a murder and kidnapping case of the former’s friend that he’d witnessed and reported as a child in vain. Joining them in the action? Cha Soo-hyun (played by Kim Hye-soo) who is the first woman police officer of the Special Task Force and the lead of the Seoul Cold Case squad.

Happy watching!

All images: Courtesy Netflix

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– What is the best mystery K drama?

One Ordinary Day, Suspicious Partner, Signal, Beyond Evil are considered some of the best, most engaging murder mystery Kdramas.

– What is the darkest K drama?

Vincenzo, The Glory, Beyond Evil, Flower of Evil are some of the darkest Kdramas.

– What Korean series is based on a serial killer?

Suspicious Partner, Inspector Koo, and Beyond Evil are murder mystery Kdramas based on a serial killer story.

This article first appeared here

The post 6 murder mystery K-dramas to flex your inner detective instincts appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Julia Garner’s casting in Marvel’s Fantastic Four could be confirming what fans have speculated since the release of the film’s poster back in February.

Marvel surprised its fans with a delightful Valentine’s treat back in February when they dropped the very first poster for The Fantastic Four, which in turn also revealed the official cast. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bacharach are set to portray Marvel’s First Family, but the immediate question afterwards was who were they going to go up against? That question may have been answered in an exclusive Deadline report that states Julia Garner, known for her roles in Ozark and Inventing Anna, will play the Silver Surfer. But this casting might have also confirmed a theory fans have been throwing around since February.

Julia Ganer as the Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four: Is this a hint of a different universe?

First off, who is the Silver Surfer?

The Silver Surfer originally served as the herald of Galactus, a cosmic entity that fed on planets. It was the Silver Surfer’s job to scout for planets that Galactus could consume. He would face—and be defeated by—the Fantastic Four, and eventually rebel against his master to become a wanderer of the cosmos trying to make up for the atrocities he helped Galactus commit. 

What is the speculated theory around The Fantastic Four?

The poster released back in February was reminiscent of the 60’s, from its artwork to the Life magazine that The Thing is reading on the couch. There seems to be a retrofuturistic vibe going on since H.E.R.B.I.E, the team’s robot companion, is also present. Many people, including myself, speculated that the movie might not be set in the MCU’s main universe and timeline. After all, these next few phases are known as the Multiverse Saga.

According to Deadline, Julia Garner is being cast as the Shalla-Ball version of the Silver Surfer. Those familiar with their comic book lore (or who watched the 2007 film) know that the Silver Surfer is usually Norrin Rad, a male humanoid. This is why some of the Marvel/Disney “anti-woke” brigade have immediately bemoaned Garner’s casting. But this could perhaps be a hint that this isn’t the MCU’s main reality. In fact, the comics have seen Shalla-Bal take up the mantle of the Silver Surfer alongside Norrin Rad in the alternate universe Earth-9997.

Is it possible that this is the universe The Fantastic Four will take inspiration from? It might be since the story of these two Silver Surfers in this universe is inextricably linked with another character: Franklin Richards, the son of Reed and Sue Storm. Could time-traveling and universe-hopping be in the cards for Marvel’s First Family? 

Production on the film begins this summer with a release date set for July 25, 2025.

The post Does Julia Garner as Silver Surfer in ‘Fantastic Four’ confirm the alternate universe theory? appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Mary & George is a riveting treat for history buffs and fans of actor Nicholas Galitzine who seems to be having a moment in show business right now. But what is the true story behind Mary and George?

The royal drama miniseries created by the ingenious mind D.C. Moore and helmed by Oliver Hermanus, Alex Winckler and Florian Cossen takes viewers to the early 1600s into the world of intrigue, ambition, power and almost infectious sexual energy. The plot unfurls the saga of Mary Villiers, portrayed by the captivating Julianne Moore, and her magnetic son, George, brought to life by Nicholas Galitzine. Together, they concoct a daring scheme – sex, flattery and charm – to ascend to the highest ranks of the aristocratic hierarchy.

Drawing inspiration from Benjamin Woolley’s gripping book, The King’s Assassin: The Fatal Affair of George Villiers and James I, this Jacobean-era masterpiece traces George’s improbable rise from relative nobility to the esteemed chambers of King James VI and I in 1615. However, as the title of Woolley’s book subtly hints, the narrative takes a perilous turn.

So, what’s the true story behind Mary and George Villiers’ royal game? Here’s unravelling the enigma that surrounds this provocative drama and everything else you need to know about these historical figures.

Mary and George Villiers: Were they real people?

Indeed, Mary and George Villiers were rather significant figures in history, and the web series Mary & George draws heavily from the mother and son’s remarkable story. In 1603, with James VI‘s ascension to the English throne, a wave of Scottish courtiers flooded the royal court, raising concerns among English courtiers about the lack of English influence. Sensing an opportunity, the duo conspired to introduce George Villiers to the king’s inner circle, with the unwavering support of his mother, Mary Villiers.

By 1614/15, George had captured the king’s attention, soon becoming his favourite, securing a prominent place in court and reaching unprecedented heights of power.

Separating facts from fiction: Is ‘Mary & George’ a true story?

Yes, Mary & George draws extensively from historical accounts, finding its origins in Benjamin Woolley’s 2017 book The King’s Assassin: The Fatal Affair of George Villiers and James I. Woolley stumbled upon the story of Mary and George during his research on the death of King James VI and I.

The drama plunges viewers into the early life of George Villiers, the second son of a family straddling the fringes of royal favour. His mother Mary Villiers’ thirst for status and power propels her son’s ascent.

Mary’s relentless ambition shaped George’s trajectory. Following the demise of her first husband, also named George, she strategically entered into two advantageous marriages, allowing her to settle debts and climb the social ladder. Among her children, she identified George’s charm and allure as key assets for success. Drawing closer to court circles, she orchestrated his journey from France, where he honed courtly manners, to the royal court, where he captivated King James’s attention who was believed to be queer and having a special affinity towards cultured young men.

Woolley sheds light on James’s relationships with young Scottish men, highlighting the absence of English companions in his inner circle. George, wielded as a tool by Mary, seamlessly filled this void, rising to prominence with remarkable efficacy.

The convergence of historical accounts and dramatic portrayal in Mary & George offers an intriguing glimpse into a tumultuous era, where ambition and power intertwine with the threads of reality and sexuality. 

King James VI and I’s relationship with George Villiers and other favourites

Dubbed ‘the cradle king’, King James VI and I’s (portrayed by Tony Curran) ascent to the Scottish throne at just 13 months old was marred by instability, marked by the tragic murder of his father, Lord Darnley, and the captivity and execution of his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots. From a young age, James was groomed to believe in his divine right as God’s representative on earth, fostering an intellectual prowess that shaped his reign.

In Mary & George, audiences encounter James in his later years, after his ascension to the English throne, portrayed with a blend of loudness, vulnerability and neurosis. The period drama unveils his intimate relationships with male favourites, hinting at the complexities that permeated behind the closed doors of his bedchamber.

The fateful encounter between King James and George Villiers took place at the esteemed Apethorpe estate in Northamptonshire during a royal visit in 1614. George, introduced as a cupbearer, swiftly caught the king’s attention with his mesmerising dance moves, sparking a bond that would challenge the reign of James’s existing favourite, the Scottish noble, Earl of Somerset, Robert Carr (played by Laurie Davidson).

Despite the ambiguity, James and his favourites wielded considerable influence, shaping royal policy and acting as conduits between the king and his court.

As Mary & George unravels the intricate dynamics between the monarch and his favourites, it delves into a realm where political alliances blur with personal attachments.

Mary and George Villiers’ alleged role in the King’s demise

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The passing of King James at Theobalds Palace in Hertfordshire on 27 March 1625 remains shrouded in ambiguity. Official records attribute his death to dysentery, compounded by prevalent diseases of the time such as malaria or typhus. Yet, the mysterious circumstances surrounding his final days fuelled rampant speculation.

Amidst the whispers and conjecture, the presence of Mary and George Villiers in the king’s sick room became a focal point for their political adversaries. Allegations swirled, accusing the mother-son duo of poisoning the King and orchestrating his demise, a notion underscored by scholars Alastair Bellany and Thomas Cogswell in BBC History Magazine.

The intrigue deepens as Benjamin Woolley delves into the treatments administered to manage James’s condition. Despite the king’s disdain for conventional medicine, George Villiers, in consultation with his mother, procured a plaster purportedly to alleviate the king’s suffering. This clandestine intervention raised suspicions and cast a shadow over the Villiers family.

In the aftermath of James’s passing, George faced outright accusations of regicide, with Woolley conceding the likelihood of his involvement in the king’s demise. However, conclusive evidence remains elusive, leaving the historical royal narrative veiled in uncertainty.

Where to watch ‘Mary & George’

Mary & George is currently airing on Sky Atlantic, released in the UK and Australia on 5 March 2024, with a forthcoming debut on Starz in the US on 5 April. 

The cast of this royal drama miniseries includes Julianne Moore as Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham, Nicholas Galitzine as George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, Tony Curran as James VI and I, Laurie Davidson as Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset, Nicola Walker as Elizabeth Hatton and Khalil Ben Gharbia as Jean among other supporting actors.

Meanwhile, check out the trailer for ‘Mary & George’ below: 

This article first appeared on Augustman Singapore.

(Main and featured image: Mary & George/IMDb)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Is Mary & George based on a true story?

Yes, Mary & George is inspired by real historical events surrounding Mary and George Villiers, as documented in Benjamin Woolley’s book, The King’s Assassin: The Fatal Affair of George Villiers and James I.

– Where can I watch Mary & George?

Mary & George is airing on Sky Atlantic in the UK and Australia and will be available on Starz in the US starting April 5.

– Who was Mary Villiers?

Mary Villiers was an ambitious figure in the Jacobean era, known for her strategic manoeuvres to elevate her family’s status. She orchestrated her son George Villiers’ rise to power in the royal court by charming his way to King James VI and I’s heart and bed, as depicted in Mary & George.

This article originally appeared on Prestige Online Malaysia.

The post ‘Mary & George’ true story: Tracing the history behind the royal drama appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Nicholas Galitzine, one of hottest stars of 2024, has starred in some of the best movies made in recent years. Here is a look at his best features.

Born Nicholas Dimitri Constantine Galitzine in Hammersmith, London, England, he began his career with the film The Beat Beneath My Feet in 2014. He was only around 19 years old at the time. His good looks and the film’s performance instantly made him a noticeable figure.

Galitzine landed a TV role in the American crime drama Legends the following year but continued to work more for the big screen.

Over the years, he has built an enviable reputation for picking stories that are inspirational, light-hearted, joyous and refreshingly beautiful in terms of depictions of the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, Galitzine is particularly a favourite for his portrayal of queer characters, both real and fictional, on the screen.

Thus, while The Idea of You has won over critics and guests at the 2024 South by Southwest (SXSW), all eyes are on his role as George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham in the 2024 TV series Mary & George. George was a real-life statesman who was the most prominent lover of King James I in the 17th century.

One of Nicholas Galitzine’s best movies, Red, White & Royal Blue (2023) is based on the New York Times bestselling 2019 novel of the same name by Casey McQuiston. It has been widely praised by critics and fans alike. He plays a British prince in love with the son of the US President, creating a heartily pleasing rom-com that several reviewers have agreed is amusing without resorting to stereotypical depictions.

Even Galitzine acknowledged the appreciation that the film received.

“I think the most important part was the resonance it had with people. The most gratifying thing is having conversations with people while I’m out walking around. I’m still coming to terms with being so perceivable out in the world, but that is lovely,” he told The Hollywood Reporter about the film’s success.

Galitzine is also quite a good singer. He has lent his voice to the musicals he has been part of and released a single, “Comfort,” in 2022. To top it all, he is also a fashion magnet and is the first global menswear ambassador for the luxury fashion house Fendi.

The best Nicholas Galitzine movies in the order of their releases

The post Best Nicholas Galitzine movies to watch in order of their releases appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Bustin’ makes us feel good. Here are the movies to watch in cinemas in Thailand this April.

What better place to take refuge from the heat than in the cool confines of a theatre? Watch Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain in a gripping suburban thriller or witness the origins of the evil Omen child. You can also witness Ryan Gosling become action star Ken alongside Emily Blunt, or you can opt for the slightly disturbing, might-come-true A24 film about the United States. Still not satisfied? Then run into the arms of your childhood heroes and return to that familiar place in New York City. 

[Hero image: Sony]

What to watch in cinemas in Thailand this April

The First Omen

April 4

Directed by Arkasha Stevenson
Starring Nell Tiger Free, Sônia Braga, and Bill Nighy

An American woman goes to Rome to work in a church thinking nothing of it. However, she soon realises there’s a terrible conspiracy afoot—and it seeks to bring about the birth of the Antichrist. 

Mothers’ Instinct

April 4

Directed by Benoît Delhomme
Starring Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain

Alice (Chastain) and Celiné (Hathaway) are two neighbours living a quiet and picturesque life with their family in 1960s suburban America. But a series of events cause their lives to unravel, pitting the two women against each other as tensions rise until eventually, it destroys the once-peaceful life they both had. 

Civil War

April 11

Directed by Alex Garland
Starring Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, and Nick Offerman

Set in the near future, the United States is engulfed in the Second American Civil War between the government and the Western Forces consisting of Texas and California. The film follows a group of journalists who travel across the country to cover the war. 

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

April 11

Directed by Gil Kenan
Starring McKenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Ernie Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, Annie Potts, and Bill Murray

The franchise returns to its roots as the Spengler Family goes to New York City. However, their stay is disturbed by the arrival of a brand new supernatural entity that threatens to plunge the world back into the Ice Age. Realising they are needed once again, Ghostbusters new and old suit up to do what they do best.

The Fall Guy 

April 25

Directed by David Leitch,
Starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Ageing action choreographer Colt Seavers (Gosling) longs for his glory days and now finds himself working with a hotshot star (Taylor-Johnson) on a film that happens to be directed by his ex-girlfriend (Blunt). But when the star disappears, he takes it upon himself to save the film and find the actor before the film is declared dead. 

The post LSA Movie List: What to watch in cinemas in Thailand this April appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From Violet Evergarden to ReLife, here are the finest anime series that deal with depression and other mental health struggles.

Over the last decade, anime has emerged as a powerful medium for exploring various themes — psychological thrillers, horror, neo-noir and even mental health issues like depression. Thanks to their lucid portrayal of complex human emotion and psyche, the anime world has caught audiences’ attention by shedding light on these.

Seasoned anime fans must be aware that this genre possesses numerous emotionally intense series that transcend mere tearjerkers. These shows grapple with profound philosophical concepts concerning humanity, existence and morality while addressing intimate issues like depression and social anxiety. From thought-provoking dramas to surrealistic fantasies, mental health-related anime tackle themes of depression, anxiety, trauma and the quest for self-discovery with sensitivity.

Audiences are often hooked to these as they can relate to the societal stigmas and experiences portrayed. Thus it becomes an opportunity to explore one’s innermost emotions and find solace in the power of shared experiences.

From classic shows that are a must-watch for beginners, like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Violet Evergarden and Serial Experiments Lain, to contemporary favourites such as Orange, Fruits Basket and ReLife, here are some of the most impactful anime series about depression and other mental health issues that can pave a path for conversations around mental well-being.

Best anime about dealing with depression, social anxiety and other mental health struggles

Fruits Basket (2019)

Fruits Basket tells the story of Tohru Honda, an orphaned girl who discovers 13 members of the Sohma family are cursed to transform into animals from the Chinese zodiac when hugged by someone of the opposite gender or under stress.

The series underscores elements related to depression through the struggles of some characters. For example, several characters in the Sohma family, such as Yuki and Kyo, battle internal conflicts and emotional wounds stemming from their past traumas and family dynamics. Yuki faces feelings of worthlessness and struggles with self-esteem due to his upbringing. Kyo deals with self-loathing because of his curse and the belief that he is unworthy of love and acceptance.

IMDb rating: 8.6/10

Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)

Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity faces threats from mysterious beings known as Angels, Neon Genesis Evangelion primarily follows the experiences of its main characters, particularly Shinji Ikari. He is a teenager recruited by an organisation to pilot a giant bio-mechanical robot called an Evangelion to defend against the Angels.

Shinji grapples with a bunch of psychological issues including depression, anxiety and feelings of worthlessness. His complex relationship with his estranged father, Gendo Ikari and the pressure to live up to expectations only deteriorate his mental health struggles.

Additionally, other characters in the series including Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Soryu, also deal with their psychological issues, adding layers of complexity to the overall exploration of mental health topics. Their interactions with Shinji and each other further highlight the impact of trauma and emotional vulnerability on the human psyche.

IMDb rating: 8.5/10

Your Lie in April (2014)

In Your Lie in April, Kousei Arima is a former child prodigy pianist who cannot hear the sound of his piano playing, after his mother’s death. Kousei develops a condition known as psychogenic or conversion disorder, which manifests physical symptoms. As the series progresses, we see Kousei’s struggle with grief and the psychological barriers that prevent him from reconnecting with his passion for music.

Throughout the story, he handles guilt, self-doubt and the fear of failure emotions, all of which contribute to his depressive struggles. The anime sensitively explores the complexities of grief, highlighting the importance of emotional support and healing.

IMDb rating: 8.5/10

Violet Evergarden (2018)

An original anime series, Violet Evergarden is about a former soldier who struggles to reintegrate into civilian life due to her past trauma and emotional detachment after the war. She works as an Auto Memory Doll, ghostwriting letters for people who struggle to express their emotions. As she helps others convey their feelings through her writing, she unravels her emotions to begin healing.

The anime offers an introspective exploration of the human condition, touching upon aspects of emotional well-being through its excellent writing and character development.

IMDb rating: 8.4/10

The Tatami Galaxy (2010)

The Tatami Galaxy tells the story of a nameless protagonist, referred to as Watashi, as he navigates his college life. The series is told through a unique narrative style, where Watashi relives his college years over and over again, each time making different choices that lead to various outcomes. He joins various clubs, meets different people and tries to find love.

Along the way, he encounters eccentric characters such as Ozu and Akashi. Throughout the series, Watashi is driven by the desire to achieve the campus life he has always dreamed of but repeatedly falls short due to his insecurities, indecisiveness and self-imposed limitations.

While the anime series may not directly address mental health issues, it looks into themes closely related to mental well-being and personal development.

IMDb rating: 8.4/10

March Comes in Like a Lion (2016)

March Comes in Like a Lion portrays themes of mental health, loneliness and depression through Rei Kiriyama’s experiences. He is a professional shogi (Japanese chess) player who has struggled with profound emotions of isolation and depression since childhood. Orphaned at a young age, Rei is haunted by traumatic memories and struggles to connect with others.

Through interacting with various characters including the three Kawamoto sisters who offer warmth and support, he starts confronting his inner demons and embraces the prospect of discovering happiness and belonging.

The anime series underlines the healing power of creativity and self-expression with Rei finding solace in shogi and discovering a sense of purpose through his passion for the game.

IMDb rating: 8.3/10

Welcome to the N.H.K (2006)

Welcome to the NHK emphasises mental health, particularly through the experiences of its main character, Tatsuhiro Satou. The plot follows Satou, a young man who suffers from severe social withdrawal and struggles with various psychological issues, including depression, anxiety and paranoia. He is portrayed as a troubled individual who finds himself trapped in a cycle of self-destructive behaviour and isolation, often unable to break free from his negative thoughts and patterns. He begins to tackle his issues by seeking help and support from various sources, including a mysterious girl named Misaki Nakahara.

The anime series is a realistic portrayal of mental health struggles, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals dealing with conditions such as depression and social anxiety. It provides a sensitive and thought-provoking exploration of the importance of seeking help, building meaningful connections and finding hope during troubled times.

IMDb rating: 8.3/10

Serial Experiments Lain (1998)

Serial Experiments Lain explores complex themes of identity under the influence of evolving technologies. While mental health isn’t the central focus of the plot, it is a recurring theme throughout the series.

Lain Iwakura is a quiet and introverted teenage girl who becomes increasingly involved with the virtual world known as the Wired after receiving an email from a classmate who recently died by suicide. As Lain immerses herself further into the Wired, she starts to doubt her existence and ponder the essence of reality.

The anime series raises important questions about the nature of consciousness and the effects of technology on our mental well-being.

IMDb rating: 8.1/10

ReLife (2016)

ReLife follows the story of Arata Kaizaki, a 27-year-old man facing professional and personal difficulties. He decides to participate in an experimental program, where he is provided with a pill that makes him appear 10 years younger and is enrolled as a high school student for a year. For Arata, the programme aims to relive his high school years and reevaluate his life choices.

The anime subtly reflects Arata’s self-growth journey. Through this, it highlights the significance of acknowledging one’s emotions, healing past traumas and finding hope for the future.

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Honey and Clover (2005)

Honey and Clover follows the intertwining lives of five art college students — Yuta, Takumi, Shinobu, Hagumi and Ayumi. They navigate friendship, love and artistic ambitions amidst personal struggles and growth. Yuta has unrequited feelings for Hagumi, while Takumi pines for Ayumi. Shinobu grapples with his past and Hagumi struggles with her talent and emotions.

The anime series offers nuanced portrayals of human emotions and the challenges young adults face as they transition to adulthood. Young anime fans are bound to find the characters’ experiences relatable.

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Orange (2016)

Orange uncovers one of the most heartfelt stories in the anime universe. Naho Takamiya, a high school student receives a letter from her future self, warning her about the regrets she will have if she doesn’t change her actions. The letter focuses on Naho’s interactions with a new transfer student named Kakeru Naruse.

As Naho and her friends receive more letters from their future selves, they learn about Kakeru’s struggles with depression and the role they play in his life. The series portrays Kakeru’s emotional turmoil and the challenges he faces. To alter the future, the group of friends confront their insecurities and learn the importance of reaching out to others in need.

Along with addressing mental health and depression concerns, the series delivers an earnest story of hope, redemption and personal growth.

IMDb rating: 7.6/10

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei (2007)

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei revolves around a high school teacher Nozomu Itoshiki, constantly overwhelmed by despair and hopelessness. While the comedy anime uses humour as its primary mode of storytelling, it touches upon various aspects of mental health, particularly through the characters’ eccentricities and exaggerated traits.

Nozomu frequently finds himself in absurd situations, often contemplating existential dread, societal issues and life’s meaning. His extreme pessimism and constant desire to escape from reality serve as a satirical commentary on the human condition, including mental health struggles such as depression and anxiety.

IMDb rating: 7.5/10

Wonder Egg Priority

In Wonder Egg Priority, Ai Ohto is a teenage girl who begins to experience vivid dreams where she is tasked with saving people by retrieving Wonder Eggs from a surreal world known as the Egg World. As Ai and her friends discover the mysteries of the Egg World, they confront their traumas and insecurities, which attack in the form of monstrous creatures called Seeno Evils.

Each episode explores the backstory and struggles of different characters deeply affected by societal pressures, abuse and bullying.

IMDb rating: 7.4/10

WataMote: No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular! (2013)

Tomoko Kuroki, a 15-year-old otaku, anticipated high school popularity owing to her expertise in otome games and dating simulators. However, she finds herself isolated and unsocial, yet determined to apply her knowledge of social dynamics. Tomoko chases to enhance her social standing among her classmates, throughout her high school journey.

Tomoko’s inner thoughts and insecurities highlight the negative effects of her social anxiety on her daily life and mental well-being. She frequently experiences loneliness, self-doubt and frustration as she deals with adolescence and attempts to break out of her shell.

The series provides a relatable look at the internal struggles faced by teenagers, offering both humour and empathy.

IMDb rating: 7.2/10

(Hero and feature image credit: IMDb)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Which is the best anime series about depression?
Orange, Fruits Basket, Violet Evergarden, ReLife and Wonder Egg Priority are some of the best anime series that sensitively portray depression.

– Which is the best anime movie about depression?
A Silent Voice, Violet Evergarden, 5 Centimeters per Second, Perfect Blue and Her Blue Sky are some of the best anime movies about mental health conditions like depression and their impact.

The post 15 anime series on mental health that perfectly capture mental struggles like depression appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Here’s what we know about Jeff Bezos’ net worth.

Imagine someone making USD 1.43 million per hour. That’s the rate at which Amazon founder Jeff Bezos adds money to his massive net worth.

One of the world’s richest persons, Bezos needs no introduction. He founded or owns some of the world’s biggest businesses, including private space company Blue Origin and mainstream American newspaper The Washington Post.

Bezos holds the Guinness record for being the world’s first centibillionaire (a person whose net worth is USD 100 billion) in the 32-year history of Forbes Real Time Billionaires Index. He has been the world’s richest person on Forbes’ list for four years, from 2018 to 2021.

He served as Amazon’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) till July 2021, subsequently becoming the executive chairperson at the company.

A look at how Jeff Bezos built his fortune reveals that he diversified his wealth through strategic investments and by creating companies that are in the business of rapidly expanding developments in the world of science and technology. He kept pace with the dot-com boom of the late 90s and has now gone ahead of the curve, establishing a name for himself as an astute businessman, a tech pioneer and a philanthropist.

What is the net worth of Jeff Bezos?

According to Forbes, Jeff Bezos had a net worth of around USD 191 billion (as of 7 February 2024). His net worth made Bezos the third-richest individual in the world behind LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Bezos is one of the eight persons in the top 10 of the Forbes billionaire list whose source of wealth is Big Tech (major American tech giants).

When Bezos became a centibillionaire on 6 March 2018, it also made him the world’s richest person for the first time on Forbes’ list.

The publication estimated at the time that his net worth rose by USD 39.2 billion in just 12 months to USD 112 billion. He, thus, broke the record set by software company Oracle’s Larry Ellison whose net worth rose to USD 37.5 billion after a boom in stock price during the dot-com bubble in 2000.

It was not the first time that Bezos had recorded a massive gain in his fortune. Forbes noted that his net worth climbed by USD 27.6 billion in 12 months, leading up to the 2017 list.

Bezos’ net worth was, therefore, around USD 45 billion in 2016, USD 72 billion in 2017, and USD 112 billion in 2018. In other words, his net worth climbed at least USD 67 billion in just two years — a testimony to the incredible performance of Amazon in this period.

Reports suggest that Bezos earned a base salary of USD 88,840 from 1998 till he stepped down as CEO in 2021. Amazon’s annual proxy statement for 2022 reveals that Bezos’s salary remained at USD 81,840.

“Due to Mr. Bezos’s substantial ownership in Amazon, Mr. Bezos requested not to receive additional compensation and has never received annual cash compensation in excess of his current amount,” the statement says.

Including additional compensation, his total annual earnings from pay were around USD 1.6 million in 2022.

How did Jeff Bezos build his incredible net worth?

Jeff Bezos’ rise isn’t a ‘rags-to-riches’ story, but he did indeed have a pretty ordinary beginning — quite like tech billionaires Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates.

Bezos was born on 12 January 1964 as Jeffrey Preston Jorgensen to Jacklyn and Ted Jorgensen. He was 17 months old when his parents divorced and four years old when he was adopted by his mother’s second husband, Cuban immigrant Miguel “Mike” Bezos.

Miguel worked as an engineer at Exxon (now ExxonMobil). Along with his mother, Bezos has often credited Miguel for the success he achieved in life. Though he came to know about his birth father when he was 10 years old, neither Bezos nor Ted, who died in 2015, ever met each other.

Bezos graduated from high school in 1982 and from Princeton in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE), summa cum laude. His first job was at a fintech telecommunications start-up called Fitel. He entered the banking industry by joining Bankers Trust, where he worked till 1990. His final job was as an investment banker with D. E. Shaw & Co., where he worked for four years before founding Amazon.

The start with Amazon

It is widely known that Jeff Bezos built his centibillionaire net worth status, thanks to the mammoth success of his first company — Amazon.

Bezos left his job and founded a company named Cadabra, Inc. in July 1994 from his garage in Bellevue, Washington. By July 1995, Bezos had renamed Cadabra to Amazon and opened an online bookstore under Amazon.com.

The initial investment in Amazon came from his parents, who invested around USD 250,000 in 1995 in Bezos’ company for a 6 per cent stake. A video Bezos shared in November 2023 on Instagram shows what the first Amazon.com office looked like.

 

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