Latest news with #KTV
News24
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
‘I've never not had a job' - Pabi Moloi flexes work ethic ahead of new show
Oupa Bopape Though Pabi Moloi keeps the door to her private life shut, she's relentlessly shown up for her career. From being a child star on KTV to being a multifaceted media personality, there is nothing she hasn't done. Pabi has appeared in commercials, MC'd on international stages, sparked engaging conversations on our airwaves, and dominated our screens for over three decades. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pabi Moloi (@pabimoloi) Recently, she also ventured into a podcast with her comedian brother, Khabane Moloi, titled 'It's a brother and a sister', marking a whole new leaf in her career. She tells Drum of how fortunate she's been over the years. 'I'm very fortunate. I've never not had a job. I've been on television concurrently with radio, pretty much my entire career. It has taken the last two or three years for me to realise, 'Oh, I think I want to build something for myself.' My brother's also creative, so we work together seamlessly to build what we want, in whatever way. And I'm also 41 [years old]. You get to an age where you don't want to say other people's words [anymore].' The success of the podcast has, however, coincided with the developing news in her private life, particularly her divorce. Read more | Reality TV star Nozipho Hlophe opens up about living with five autoimmune conditions Given how stressful divorces can get, her supporters have expressed concerns about her subsequent drastic weight loss on TikTok, with some wishing her well. Addressing those taken aback by her fitness journey through the ordeal, she says, 'I've been gyming since I was like 26. I started gymming on Instagram. If you go onto my Instagram and go far back, I've got gym videos. So people being shocked by my gym videos now shocks me also. I've been lifting these weights'. Despite all the chatter around her divorce and weight loss, it has become evident that you can't keep a good woman down. Stepping into a whole new door of opportunity, Pabi hosts the 11th season of a reality TV series premiering on S3 (previously SABC 3) on Thursday, 17 July at 7pm - The Insurance Apprentice (TIA). The series follows a week-long journey of contestants from the insurance industry who are given tasks that harness skills, attract more people to the industry, and educate the world about insurance beyond the call centre walls and funeral policies as they debunk the prevalent narrative that, 'All insurance companies do is collect money and evade payouts by all means necessary'. Read more | She's back! MaMkhize returns as president of Mbabane Highlanders AM FC As it makes its debut on S3 after ten seasons of airing on YouTube, Pabi elates over the show. 'It's thrilling. It moves fast. It's also, you know, you find your favourite contestant and then you follow your favourite contestant and you find out how far they go. So all of it is very exciting. It's been produced so incredibly, and I think that you'd be doing yourself a disservice by not watching.' 'It's very exciting. I think that there is so much to be known and understood behind the scenes in the insurance industry, that many of us have no idea about. And so bringing this to the fore, making it on a public profile, on a public platform, allows us to see just how hard these guys work and how challenging all of these tasks that they're put to to make sure that we also understand what's happening behind the scenes,' she adds.
The Sun
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
M'sian man's RM100k-odd KTV bill goes viral, leaves netizens gasping
A jaw-dropping KTV bill totaling RM97,760.65 for 30 minutes of fun has sent shockwaves across social media after a photo of the receipt went viral. Dated June 27 at 11.28pm and settled by 12.03am the next day, the bill showed three bottles of Louis XIII cognac as the highlight of the night—costing a whopping RM78,888.00. ALSO READ: RM30 mixed rice drama: Customer gets 'reality check' after decade of loyalty, Internet takes sides Other charges included RM300 tips each for staff and Public Relations Members (PRMs), adding the bill to RM82,948.00. Once a 10% service charge and 8% SST were added, the total ballooned to nearly RM98K—an amount that left many netizens reeling, especially considering the SST alone could buy a brand-new motorcycle in Malaysia. While some defended the splurge, saying it's the spender's prerogative, others questioned whether the high-end cognac was intentionally overpriced to rake in profits. The post on Sarawak Viral's Facebook page also drew waves of hilarious comments, with netizens cracking jokes. 'Damn, seriously. Better to just drink lime and asam boi juice—costs way less,' one user called Min Mohd commented. 'Even if I were rich, I wouldn't want that—I'd rather buy my own karaoke set, get drunk at home, and sleep it off,' Akira Tomm wrote. 'Does BP (in the receipt) stand for Blood Pressure...? Just asking,' Chilly Sweet commented jokingly.
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Mark Malaysia Day with ‘Equatorial Love Songs' concert
IN honour of Malaysia Day, the 'Equatorial Love Songs – A Special Malaysia Day Celebration' concert is a one-of-a-kind experience that weaves together music, memory and Malaysian identity through the voices of three of Malaysia's most beloved singer-songwriters, namely Rynn Lim, A-Bin (Fang Jiong Bin) and Vchuan Tan. At the heart of this performance, which will be held at Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting on Sept 16 at 6pm, lies a poetic narrative shaped by the equatorial essence of Malaysia's ever-shifting weather. From blazing heat to monsoon seasons – the show unfolds in four deeply evocative chapters: Beginnings, Growth, Conflict and Reflection. Each chapter parallels the rhythms of nature with the phases of life and creation, offering a soulful exploration of love, loss, resilience and belonging. The concert offers a opportunity to witness these three distinct musical voices come together as one. Lim, the celebrated voice from Sarawak, is known for his emotionally rich ballads and warm lyrical style. His notable hits include Porting, Melody, In the Rain, and Gong Ti Bei. A-Bin, hailing from Penang, brings a raw, expressive power to the stage, delivering songs that speak directly to the heart, such as Bad Guy, Wind, Regret, and I'm Not God. Finally, Tan, the gifted songwriter and producer from Sabah, infuses the performance with melodic sensitivity and lyrical resonance that have made his works beloved across Asia. His best-known songs include Good Bye Alone, Lan Hao Ren, and All Is Love. He is also the creative force behind numerous Mandarin pop hits, having composed songs for top artistes including Rainie Yang's Longing For, Della Ding Dang's I Love Him (a beloved KTV classic), and Jerry Yan's I Will Love You. To date, he has written over 200 songs for various prominent singers across the Chinese music scene. Together, these three artistes create a concert experience that celebrates the richness of Malaysian talent and the bonds that unite us as a nation. Ticket prices will be on sale from July 1 and are priced at RM128–RM588.
Borneo Post
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Declining popularity of karaoke among youth reveals China's evolving social soundtrack
Live host Li Quan interacts with the audience at the 'Sunset Party' in Jiangjunshan International Ski Resort in Altay, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu) BEIJING (June 11): The neon-lit karaoke parlors that dot Chinese cities were once a top choice among the country's exuberant youth for birthday parties, dates, celebrations, or simply relaxation. Singing in an elaborate private karaoke room, reading lyrics from a high-definition television, and hearing your voice and sentiment vented through speakers — that was a highly sought-after, youthful experience one to two decades ago. Today, it's a different story. In recent years, the appeal of karaoke has seemingly waned. Some discussions of this change have resonated deeply with many on social media platforms. A hashtag on microblogging platform Weibo — 'Why don't young people go to KTV anymore?' — was posted last week and has almost hit 10 million reads. Under this and similar tags are a myriad of comments, from complaints about the tedium of sitting in a box for long hours to expressions of preference for other entertainment forms, indicating the ebbing popularity of what was once the height of entertainment among China's youth. The market tells the same story. Meituan, a leading life services provider in China, reported a significant decline in numbers of both KTV outlets and young KTV-goers since 2023. It cannot be denied that the country's three-year pandemic response took its toll on some indoor venues. Karaoke venues have been active in adapting to these changes, revamping their appearances and shifting business strategies to lure more middle-aged and elderly customers. And the karaoke phenomenon reflects deeper transformations in how Chinese people socialize and amuse themselves in line with the progress of the times. OUT OF DATE? Karaoke was introduced to China as early as the 1980s and later evolved into Karaoke Television (KTV), featuring private boxes and professional vocal devices. KTV gained sweeping popularity among Chinese people from the 1990s. At a time with few entertainment options and without a colorful nightlife, singing solo or with friends became the top leisure activity choice. Today, Chinese youth have easy access to more affordable and attractive alternatives. Don't like singing in front of others? Consider downloading a smartphone karaoke app instead. Still obsessed with singing? Go to a live performance. Beyond the music arena, young people are voting with their wallets for fundamentally different social experiences. Though private karaoke rooms were once a sanctuary for social bonding, more immersive and interactive activities like escape rooms, board games and murder mystery games have risen to dominance. 'I would rather split 199 yuan (about 27.67 U.S. dollars) for an all-night gaming session with my friends than pay 98 yuan for a monotonous KTV package,' one comment on Weibo reads. Entertainment industry analyst Chen Yu observed a mismatch between KTV entertainment and youth's social needs. More and more young people are feeling the unequal levels of involvement at KTV, Chen said. Some sing well and others love to drink, but the rest are merely paid audience members. Turning their backs on these social engagement rules, today's young people are more inclined toward entertainment activities that involve continuous, individualized and participatory interaction. For example, script murder games can provide sustained engagement for as long as three hours. 'There are more kinds of fun and challenges when playing script games, bringing more exchanges of thoughts, so we learn more about each other. That's the real point of socializing for me,' Kan Lingxiao, a devoted player of such games who studies at the Communication University of China, told Xinhua. To cater to these tastes, a franchise KTV brand in Beijing has upgraded its devices with augmented reality (AR) technology, creating virtual stages on which customers can sing alongside their favorite musicians. And a KTV club in Shanghai has managed to attract three times more bookings by integrating singing with script games. Experts suggest that young people are eager to show off their personalities, and activities focusing more on personal sentiment can satisfy their social needs. THE SHOW GOES ON Adapting to different strokes for different folks, the story of karaoke does not end as tastes move on. It goes on to include an even broader clientele, reflecting China's evolving social lifestyles. In Beijing, energetic retirees can often be found occupying daytime slots at karaoke venues, transforming what were once nocturnal youth spaces into vibrant senior community centers for singing, chatting and feasting on delicacies. Huang, an elderly amateur singer, traveled on a bus for about three hours to attend a recent gathering with her old colleagues at a KTV parlor. The oldest member of her group was 76 years old. The moment they settled in their KTV room, Huang was eager to sing her favorite songs, which range from the classic hits of Dao Lang, a pop singer who rose to stardom roughly two decades ago, to the releases of pop singer Jay Chou, who is an icon to many born after 1990. For many seniors like Huang, singing represents nostalgia to some extent, having witnessed the rise and subsequent boom of KTV. After retirement, it becomes more of a key social lifeline. Singing, dancing, traveling — how one amuses oneself grows with age. An industrial report from Meituan shows that in 2023, the number of KTV-goers above the age of 55 increased 37 percent year on year. China had more than 300 million elderly people aged 60 or above by the end of 2024. Covered by the world's largest medical security network and with stable pensions, retirees have expanding social needs and are willing to spend money on them. It is projected that by 2030, the education, culture and entertainment consumption market for the elderly will reach 11 trillion yuan. Tapping into this potential, many KTV bars are attempting to entice more senior customers. 'We launched discount and promotional activities to attract more elderly people — not just for profits, but more for wider popularity,' a customer service representative of a KTV salon in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou said. He revealed that from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, nearly 80 percent of the venue's patrons are retired elderly people, who can sing for hours and enjoy buffet foods for an average of about 40 yuan per person. 'We meet every week to sing for about half the day. With a VIP card, it costs me 66 yuan each time. It's very cost-effective,' according to one member of an elderly choir in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province. Karaoke venues also consider the specific needs of elderly customers, such as expanded lists of songs they are familiar with and assistance with technology. 'KTV will not fade out as an entertainment form,' another Weibo comment reads. 'Just as vintage record players can always be found by collectors, KTV will become a symbol of a nostalgic culture.' – Xinhua China culture entertainment karaoke youth
Time Out
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This new karaoke joint in Singapore has vibrant themed rooms and affordable $9.90/pax 2-hour sessions
Gone are the days where KTV joints were dark, nondescript, and filled with the telltale scent of cigarettes. Ever since opened its first outlet in Singapore, things have taken a fun turn with rooms boasting futuristic neon-lit decor and adorable character designs. The family-friendly chain now has multiple branches under its belt – including those at hotspots like Orchard and the revamped CQ @ Clarke Quay – and a new one has recently been added to the list. latest opening is located at Leisure Park Kallang. Unlike most of its other outlets, it's not quite central, but it's a stone's throw from the Singapore Indoor Stadium and National Stadium – making it a great spot to pre-game with your favourite songs just before a concert. Now, where was this when we needed it during Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour last year? The entrance and corridors of this particular outlet is similar to the rest – sleek, steely, and almost spaceship-like. But its rooms bring a colourful surprise with themes featuring your favourite childhood characters including Donald Duck, Super Mario, Doraemon, Barbie, and the gang from Toy Story. There's also a yellow polka-dotted room with framed art by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Make your booking in advance to ensure you secure your favourite one! It's not just the themed rooms you can look forward to – prices are wallet-friendly as well. Leisure Park Kallang has a special promotional rate of $9.90 per person for two-hour sessions from Mondays to Thursdays, between 12pm to 7pm. That works out to just $4.95 per hour, which is even cheaper than some hawker meals. This ongoing happy hour rate is specifically for the thematic rooms which fit up to six persons, but no worries if you're just going in a pair or trio, because you're not required to fill up the room to its maximum capacity. If you're in need of a good date activity that won't bust your wallet, this would be a cute option aside from our list of other affordable date ideas in Singapore. As for those who are keen to hang out in a larger group, check out the outlet's other promotions
