Positivity of K-pop fans on social media
A recent study of K-pop fans' social media habits shows that their online activity is far from random. They log in with clear goals: to get the latest updates, interact with like-minded fans, and be part of something bigger than themselves. For many young Malaysians, these fandoms are not just hobbies – they're digital families.
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New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Powerful movie tackling unwanted babies and unsung heroines
AWARD-winning director Chong Keat Aun is back with yet another hard-hitting story of Malaysians seeking social justice. This time, it is titled 'Pavane For An Infant', and for the uninitiated, a pavane is the music for a slow dance (think lullaby). Indeed, it is an apt choice for the Golden Horse-winning director's third feature film, a deeply human drama inspired by the less-known existence of the 24-hour baby hatches around the country. It also zooms in on creeping societal conservatism that is withering away Malaysian women's rights and justifies archaic interpretations of customs that govern their reproductive rights. Starring Hong Kong Film Awards Best Supporting Actress Fish Liew in her first Malaysian role, and Screen International Rising Star Award winner from Hong Kong Natalie Hsu, its strong ensemble cast also includes veteran Hong Kong actor Ben Yuen and Malaysians Pearlly Chua, Tan Mei Ling, Yuan Teng, Jasmine Suraya Chin, Dishaaleny Jack and Mia Sabrina Mahadir. At the recent screening of the movie in Dadi Cinema, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Chong said: "Set around a baby hatch centre somewhere in the Klang Valley, it follows the journeys of two women who cross paths as a result of the baby hatch and face the longstanding social stigmas which challenge the right of single mothers to use them." For the uninitiated, a baby hatch is a safe place where mothers can leave unwanted children. LOCKDOWN Chong, whose 2023 movie 'Snow in Midsummer' that touched on the May 13, 1969 race riots, said that the film had its origins in a series of interviews and baby hatch visits he made before and after the Covid-19 lockdowns. Chong said: "A friend of mine inspired the main character Lai Sum, played by Fish. She got pregnant, the father ran away and she sent the baby to a baby hatch. "After three months she regretted her decision and hoped to find her child but was not successful." Chong said that the idea also stemmed from a radio interview he had almost a decade ago but was never aired. "Last year, I decided to revisit this topic and develop it into a film." LIFE The film's executive producer Jment Lim of SunStrong Entertainment said that he approached Chong in 2021 to produce a film about "protecting life and standing up for women's reproductive rights". "I'm so happy that we've finally realised this film, and may it be the start of a journey to spread understanding of women's issues." NEWBORN 'Pavane For An Infant' begins with a young woman pounding on the door of the baby hatch centre where she had left her newborn. Inside, social worker Lai Sum (Fish) is working the night shift. It is the end of Ramadan and as the only non-Muslim social worker at the hatch, Lai Sum works a few extra shifts to give her colleagues Kam (Pearlly), Fatimah (Tan) and Nurul (Jasmine) some time off. VITRIOL One evening, while she is defending the centre from online vitriol about "encouraging babies born out of wedlock", she sees Siew Man (Natalie Hsu) hanging around outside on the CCTV and in distress. Lai Sum discovers that Siew Man is grappling with an unwanted pregnancy as the result of an assault and vows to help the teenager find a safe home and bring the perpetrator to justice. SENSITIVE The film addresses several sensitive social issues, among them gender issues, economic disparity and ideological discourse. Chong said: "The story comes from Malaysia, but the message we wanted to bring forward about baby hatches isn't just a Malaysian one." He noted that baby hatches had become prevalent in the West for years, and they are also aplenty in countries as diverse as Pakistan and the United States. TRAGIC Fish said that it was harrowing playing Lai Sum, especially because she had to deal with hundreds of sad and tragic stories of mothers who were forced to give their babies away, through no fault of their own. "After 13 years in Hong Kong films, I'm honoured to play a Malaysian character. The emotional shifts in pivotal scenes were challenging, but I loved it." Natalie, 21, said that playing Siew Man was an eye-opener for her, and it made her realise that women's issues are universal issues. "Siew Man has had a tough time, however she is actually quite strong. I didn't want to portray her as a victim but a complete person with joys, fears and hopes," she said, adding that working on a Malaysian production exposed her to the beauty and cultural diversity of the country, and made her appreciate shared values better. HOMEWORK Jasmine Suraya said that she did a lot of homework to prepare for an extraordinary role. "My character Nurul is a minor character, yet she is interesting and colourful as far as her life journey is concerned." Dishaaleny said that she was honoured to play a classical dancer who performed the lively peacock dance in one of the important scenes. "I've been dancing for a decade now, and while my character was a supporting one, I could easily empathise with her, as one of the tragic single mothers." Chong hopes that his movie will encourage Malaysians to take a stand against sexual violence. "I hope that this film will serve as a voice against it and empower both survivors of abuse and the women who save abandoned infants."
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Japanese star convicted of indecent assault in Hong Kong
HONG KONG: A Hong Kong court on Wednesday found J-pop artist Kenshin Kamimura guilty of indecent assault after he harassed a woman working as his interpreter at a restaurant earlier this year. Kamimura, 26, is a former member of the boy band ONE N'ONLY, which expelled him shortly after the allegation. Fans queued to get into court for hours before the hearing, and some broke down in tears upon learning Kamimura had been convicted. The court heard Kamimura touched the woman's thighs multiple times despite her objections, and invited her to go to the bathroom with him. Magistrate Peter Yu found he had assaulted her, adding his behaviour "clearly shows disrespect for women." The incident took place in March during a celebratory dinner, after a fan meet for which the woman had been working as an interpreter for Kamimura and others. The Japanese star was fined HK$15,000 (US$1,900). Kamimura, who is also known as an actor in the Japanese drama "Our Youth", hugged his court translator upon hearing he would be fined without facing jail time, media reports said. Kamimura got "what he deserved", Yu said, adding that "had the victim not refused to remain silent and courageously come forward, she would have suffered an unpleasant experience in silence." But ardent fans inside and outside the court were in tears. Chen, a 30-year-old screenwriter and fan who gave only her last name, said she had come from northern China to watch the court session. She told AFP before the verdict that the trial has had a negative impact on Kamimura's image, and had incited "public outbursts of vitriol against the artist."
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Japanese star convicted of indecent assault in Hong Kong
J-pop performer Kenshin Kamimura leaves the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts after being convicted of indecent assault in Hong Kong on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. - Photo: AP HONG KONG: A Hong Kong court on Wednesday (Aug 13) found J-pop artist Kenshin Kamimura guilty of indecent assault after he harassed a woman working as his interpreter at a restaurant earlier this year. Kamimura, 26, is a former member of the boy band ONE N'ONLY, which expelled him shortly after the allegation. Fans queued to get into court for hours before the hearing, and some broke down in tears upon learning Kamimura had been convicted. The court heard Kamimura touched the woman's thighs multiple times despite her objections, and invited her to go to the bathroom with him. Magistrate Peter Yu found he had assaulted her, adding his behaviour "clearly shows disrespect for women". The incident took place in March during a celebratory dinner, after a fan meet for which the woman had been working as an interpreter for Kamimura and others. The Japanese star was fined HK$15,000 (US$1,900). Kamimura, who is also known as an actor in the Japanese drama "Our Youth", hugged his court translator upon hearing he would be fined without facing jail time, media reports said. Kamimura got "what he deserved", Yu said, adding that "had the victim not refused to remain silent and courageously come forward, she would have suffered an unpleasant experience in silence". But ardent fans inside and outside the court were in tears. Chan, a 30-year-old screenwriter and fan who gave only her last name, said she had come from northern China to watch the court session. She told AFP before the verdict that the trial has had a negative impact on Kamimura's image, and had incited "public outbursts of vitriol against the artist". - AFP
