Showing 1 - 10 of 26
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.
The Daniels: more wise works
Life, Published on 16/03/2023
» Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, known collectively as The Daniels, won Oscars this year for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for their film Everything Everywhere All At Once.
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.
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.
Out of the shadow of the Cold War
Life, Published on 24/09/2020
» The Cold War saw the birth of the persuasive power of cinema. In the early 1950s, the United States decided that psychological warfare was needed to thwart communist threats in Southeast Asia and so it set up a propaganda unit to produce movies, documentary films, cartoons and pamphlets to provoke a red scare among the people. The United States Information Services (Usis) was also active in Thailand during this decade of sinister geopolitics. Its main responsibility was to produce a number of narrative and documentary films which would be screened around the country to promote American-style democracy and caution people against the deadly dominance of communism.
Hip-hop's fresh, new voice
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 26/01/2020
» The first time Thailand was bitten by the rap/hip-hop bug was way back in the mid-90s, when the then unknown Joey Boy introduced the sound and singlehandedly dominated the genre with a slew of hits ranging from Fun, Fun, Fun to Samakom Ta Chan Diew and Loy Talay. Despite being a playful, largely pop-oriented rapper, there's no denying that he was the one who paved the way for daring trailblazers like Fukking Hero, Buddha Bless and Thaitanium.
What 2020 has already brought
Life, John Clewley, Published on 07/01/2020
» Likay in Klong Toey seemed like a good way to kick off the New Year. I spotted a very small stage while I was down at the market earlier last week. It was in the old part of the market, which is about to be upgraded. I asked around and was told that the likay troupe Mere Da Tam was performing last Saturday, in the early evening.
From his home base
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 22/09/2019
» It's not often that the success of an artist can be attributed to his/her talent alone. Without the full backing of a major label, most artists would struggle to get the sort of exposure required to bring them international recognition. Thai singer-songwriter Phum Viphurit, however, is an extraordinary exception. Signed to Bangkok's bona fide indie label Rats Records, the young singer-songwriter showed immense potential from the get-go with his 2014 English-language debut single Adore. Since then, he has delivered gem after gem, dealing in breezy folky rock perfect for a road trip to the seaside or a session around the campfire.
Expanding the friend zone
Life, Melalin Mahavongtrakul, Published on 15/02/2019
» Friend zone is a place nobody wants to be in. Stuck in a limbo between friendship and wanting more, friend zone is sometimes a prison people want out of but just can't walk away from. In GDH's latest flick, Friend Zone (now showing in cinemas), this complex and bittersweet relationship is hilariously explored by filmmaker Chayanop Boonprakob.