Showing 1 - 10 of 48
A year of K-pop
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 26/12/2023
» One of the biggest K-pop stories in December has been the enlistment of the remaining four members of BTS for mandatory military service. On Dec 11, RM, the leader of BTS, and V, the vocalist, began their enlistment. The following day, two other vocalists, Jimin and Jungkook, entered training camps in Yeoncheon together. As the world's biggest boy band goes on hiatus, it will be interesting to see which rival claims the top spot in the absence of BTS.
Going bananas over the 'Day-O' song
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 07/05/2023
» The recent death of the gifted Jamaican-American singer Harry Belafonte at the age of 96 inevitably sparked memories of when his biggest hit "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" swept the globe, including Britain.
Is the new Twitter just like the old?
Life, James Hein, Published on 01/02/2023
» The Twitter situation is complex and somewhat confusing. On the one hand, all kinds of people from The Babylon Bee satirical website to former US president Donald Trump have been allowed back on the platform. The stated aim is to allow freedom of speech to be supported by Twitter once again. On the other hand, you can be banned by linking to a public photo of a public person on a public platform. The rule for the latter appears to only be for friends of Elon Musk. A YouTube channel I enjoy watching, The Quartering, did this after someone else had been banned and was also almost instantly banned himself. This is of course wrong in every respect especially given the individual in question, apparently now hypocritically, is always banging on about freedom of speech. Update, the ban is permanent.
A different kind of superhero
Life, Tatat Bunnag, Published on 24/06/2022
» The days of superheroes being limited to one ethnicity are over. In the past few years, it seems that Marvel and Disney have realised that audiences want more stars to look up to. Last year, we saw Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings become the latest record-breaking Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie that gave Asian actors an opportunity to be a superhero, the same that Black Panther (2018) and Captain Marvel (2019) did for black and female-led casts.
Blackpink's Lisa sings her way to fame
News, Published on 22/03/2022
» Thai-born K-pop singer Lalisa "Lisa" Manoban, 25, is inspiring many young people to follow their dreams if they want to achieve success in life.
Top of the (T)-Pops
Guru, Suthivas Tanphaibul, Published on 18/03/2022
» Taking most of the limelight in the Asian music industry is the K-Pop wave or Korea pop music. The genre has successfully connected people who are poles apart in origins while also shedding light on non-Western music and pop culture. Thai pop music, in particular, has flown under the radar for quite some time, with only a few names appearing on and off on global stages. However, with the power of social media, T-pop has become a rising tide during the last couple of years. Guru presents a quick look at up-and-coming Thai pop artists along with quick interviews with them.
Transcending boundaries
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 22/02/2022
» It was a pleasant surprise for the four Thai singers of 4MIX when more than 3,000 fans welcomed them at the mini-concert "4MIX Unix Mexico" in Mexico City. The venue, a stage in front of a mall, was jam-packed. Some fans had prepared signs in both Thai and English to express their appreciation for 4MIX and when the singers performed, and they sang along in Thai.
Remember the Raja
Life, John Clewley, Published on 26/10/2021
» Pornsak Songsaeng, the 'Raja of Molam' from Isan, died of a heart attack in Nong Bua Lam Phu province on Oct 17. He was 60 years old. Pornsak was one of the most famous Isan music stars, and his funeral was attended by many of his fans as well as many of the big names in the entertainment industry.
Game on
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 27/09/2021
» Not everyone aspires to a traditional career path, and while getting paid for playing games might sound far-fetched to some, it's becoming a lucrative niche for talented e-sports stars.
Adapting to new trends
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 07/01/2021
» When leading music label Kamikaze -- a subsidiary of RS Music, which has launched many popular artists such as Faye Fang Kaew (FFK), Four Mod and K-OTIC -- shut down in 2017 due to digital disruption of the music industry, nobody expected the label to return.