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CNA
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
From Coldplay to Blackpink's Jisoo: How a stealth STB team is putting Singapore on the pop culture map
You'd have thought the legions of hardcore K-pop fans would know when a member of the world's current biggest girlband was in Singapore, a city so densely packed that it often feels like nothing goes unnoticed. But Blackpink's Jisoo managed to fly under the radar earlier this year, when she filmed the music video to Your Love – the second track on her recent album Amortage – at the new wildlife park Rainforest Wild Asia in Mandai before it opened in March. All without a single leak online before the video's official preview on Monday (Aug 11), ahead of its release the following day. This wasn't the Singapore Tourism Board's (STB) first collaboration with a global superstar. In 2025 alone, it also partnered internationally renowned acts like Coldplay and BTS' Jin for their music videos. Still, its latest reveal caught many by surprise. 'STB's team is really acing,' read one Instagram comment on Jisoo's music video preview – echoing the support for Coldplay's Man In The Moon video released in February and BTS' Jin's Don't Say You Love Me in May. Its recent streak of high profile entertainment partnerships has also extended to television. Hacks, an Emmy Award-winning comedy on HBO Max, revealed during its Season 4 finale in late May that the episode had been filmed in Singapore. Perhaps most impressive was that the projects featured multiple familiar public spots. There was a coffee shop in Geylang, the MacPherson neighbourhood, Benjamin Sheares Bridge and Gardens by the Bay among others. Yet somehow, the team behind the scenes managed to keep it all under wraps, again and again. CONFIDENTIALITY AND LOCATION SELECTION The low-key approach to managing high profile projects is intentional, STB told CNA Lifestyle in an extensive interview about the strategic thinking behind its branded entertainment partnerships. It declined to share details about the amounts spent due to business confidentiality. These projects present unique challenges, 'particularly regarding confidentiality and logistics', said executive director of STB's brand division, Tan Yen Nee. They require 'tight information control to protect the integrity of the content and ensure maximum impact of the final reveal'. For example, BTS' Jin's visit for Don't Say You Love Me required 'extensive coordination to maintain discretion about the artist's presence and filming locations, while ensuring smooth production', she said. In the end, Goldhill Plaza near Novena MRT station, Marina Bay Residences, the National Gallery, Keng Eng Kee Seafood at Bukit Merah, Emerald Hill, Gardens by the Bay, Anderson Bridge and the Singapore Flyer were featured in the music video. STB looks at multiple factors when selecting the filming locations, Tan said. This includes creative vision and storytelling requirements, technical feasibility, practical considerations for use of public spaces and coordination with stakeholders. For Coldplay, the Marina Bay area was chosen 'not merely for its iconic status but for its ability to create a powerful setting for the video's climax', she shared. Around the 02:29 mark of Man In The Moon, the diverse group of youths featured come together on a floating platform under the night sky. And the 'stunning yet operationally viable' scene was only possible because STB and the production teams had worked closely with various stakeholders, including PUB, said Tan. "NATURAL" FIT WITH SINGAPORE'S BRANDING IS KEY Nurturing such collaborative relationships, including with key global media and entertainment companies, has been central to STB's approach to destination marketing. The statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry champions tourism as a main economic pillar, promoting Singapore as a vibrant travel destination. The Coldplay collaboration was the result of STB's existing partnership with Warner Music, following 'successful projects' with other global celebrities like Charlie Puth, said Tan. The American singer-songwriter and record producer, who's signed to Atlantic Records under Warner Music Group, visited Singapore in September 2022 for STB's SingapoReimagine campaign. He showcased various locations through their distinct sounds – a nod to his well-known perfect pitch. The rare musical ability lets him turn everyday noises into melody and identify notes with uncanny precision. So when Coldplay scheduled their Music Of The Spheres World Tour in Singapore, STB recognised an opportunity to 'create unique content', Tan recalled. While a partner's track record matters, even renowned names don't automatically get the green light. A key factor in the decision is whether the partnership "naturally" fits Singapore's brand values and identity. In this case, Coldplay's Man In The Moon was part of the band's Moon Music album, which carries the message that love is the best response to a challenging world. The song itself 'centres around the theme of unity and shared experiences that transcend individual differences', said Tan. The band's values and narratives aligned with Singapore's 'celebration of diversity, innovation and community", she noted. 'When fans' favourite artistes share authentic experiences of Singapore, it creates meaningful connections through compelling content that inspires travel consideration." Separately, Jisoo's video painted a 'love letter' to her fans through a visual story that blended lush nature with modern city life. The setting echoed Singapore's 'city in a garden' vision, where greenery and urban living go hand in hand. Unlike other collaborations where the city's various urban landmarks were in the spotlight, it focused on highlighting Singapore's nature-inspired experiences. SIGNIFICANT APPEAL IN TARGET MARKETS STB's 'strategic focus on leveraging the global K-wave' has opened the door to collaborations with South Korean entertainment partners, said Tan. In 2022, it partnered with acclaimed South Korean drama studio Studio Dragon to film the mystery series Little Women at locations in Singapore, including the ArtScience Museum and Fullerton Hotel. Then in 2024, it partnered with JTBC, a leading South Korea TV network, for the Korean dating variety show My Sibling's Romance. The couples went on dates around Singapore including at Chye Seng Huat Hardware Cafe and The Coastal Settlement. Its collaborations with BTS' Jin and Blackpink's Jisoo – both artistes who command a significant following in STB's key markets – were simply this year's addition to a growing list of successes. And at least in Jin's case for now, the numbers have backed it up. His music video accumulated 23 million organic views as of August 2025, generating an influencer media value (IMV) of S$718,500, Tan shared. An IMV figure represents the estimated value of paid media exposure that a product has generated through its organic performance. The National Gallery also shared that the music video led to a 'significant surge in their social media engagement, with a notable increase in user-generated content from fans visiting the featured spaces', Tan added. The music video inspired a self-guided trail, which drew 'over 175 per cent' more views than the Gallery's second most-viewed trail (The Ultimate First Timer's Guide) during the same period. And on Instagram, the post featuring Jin racked up 'approximately 148 times more likes and 56 times more views' compared to the other posts in May. Whether these figures have directly driven more visitors to Singapore is up for debate, but the appeal of such collaborations with prominent pop culture personalities is evident. As of August 2025, the Coldplay campaign has accumulated over 262 million in reach, 110 million views and 19 million engagements across the social media platforms of Coldplay, STB and Warner Music, Tan added. Having television and film partnerships reach audiences in STB's key markets also gives potential collaborators a significant edge. Season 4 of Hacks was distributed across STB's 'top source' markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. Its season finale came under the Singapore On-Screen Fund – a joint initiative by STB and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) supporting TV and film productions that showcase Singapore globally – which assesses proposals for their ability to deliver 'both tourism impact and industry development outcomes', said Tan. Scripted content, like the Hacks' episode, is evaluated based on the show's 'established success, distribution reach, destination features and industry development benefits'. Plus, remember Tom & Jerry Singapore? The first localised adaptation of the popular animated franchise was released in 2023, inspired by Singapore's culture and landscapes – and it was the result of STB's long-term collaboration with leading entertainment company Warner Bros Discovery. The first episode has the cat and mouse duo fighting over none other than durians, arguably a staple in Singaporeans' diet. And in 2022, the six-part documentary Food Affair With Mark Wiens – also stemming from the partnership with Warner Bros Discovery – centred around Singapore's "rich and diverse dining scene". 'We seek partnerships that combine strong market reach with meaningful destination integration while maintaining creative authenticity,' Tan said. 'These principles serve as guidelines whilst we maintain open dialogue with our partners to discuss creative interpretations, provided they don't compromise Singapore's fundamental values or harm our reputation.' To that end, STB offers local insights to ensure content is accurate and resonates with audiences, while also helping to facilitate the production process. But it ultimately adopts a 'collaborative approach' that respects the vision of production teams and ensures 'creative control' remains with them, said Tan. For example, when working with Netflix and Box to Box Films on the 2019 documentary series Formula 1: Drive To Survive, STB recommended and connected producers to various local attractions, and helped with location access and permits. Still, the production house had 'creative freedom to capture Singapore's Formula One Grand Prix and the vibrancy of the city'. Tan highlighted that the varied nature of STB's branded entertainment partnerships means each requires 'a distinct approach depending on the creative concept, production scale, technical requirements and stakeholder involvement'. But what's important is to prioritise projects where Singapore plays an 'integral role' in the story, not just an 'interchangeable backdrop'. STB leans into authentic and credible digital content in its partnerships with global celebrities, profiling Singapore's 'distinctive character' in a natural way that avoids 'the feel of traditional tourism advertising', she added. It also seeks partnerships where Singapore inspires creative expression. American pop-rock band OneRepublic's song Singapore, for instance, 'emerged organically' from the band's experiences here. The track featured on their sixth studio album, released in 2024. 'From our architectural landmarks to street food culture, this genuine appreciation translated into content that audiences trust and engage with more deeply,' Tan said. And as destination marketing evolves, STB sees branded entertainment as "a powerful way to not only profile Singapore's physical attractions, but also our culture, people and stories", she added. 'This approach helps overcome marketing fatigue by integrating our destination organically into content that audiences actively choose to consume.'
Independent Singapore
13-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Singapore's hidden rainforest shines on the global stage in BLACKPINK Jisoo's stunning new music video ‘Your Love'
Photo: YT screengrab/@sooyaaa__ + rainforest-wild-asia Entertainment Celebrity Singapore News SINGAPORE: Just when you thought Singapore was just about futuristic skylines and Marina Bay sunsets, in comes BLACKPINK 's Jisoo—quietly turning the Lion City's lushest secret into a K-pop fantasy. On Tuesday (Aug 12), Jisoo dropped her new music video (MV) for Your Love , the second track from her solo album Amortage , but here's the plot twist: The entire video was secretly shot in none other than Rainforest Wild Asia , Singapore's newest wildlife park, and Jisoo has been walking through vines and caves right in our own backyard. As CNA Lifestyle reported, this dazzling video 'was shot at the newly opened wildlife park Rainforest Wild Asia ,' showcasing Jisoo meandering through the park's mystical trails, ethereal caves, and even the atmospheric Cavern Restaurant, and the visuals showcase a dreamy blend of nature's finest and Jisoo's poetic allure. Think misty forest paths, exotic flora, and the kind of lighting that screams 'cinematic masterpiece.' See also BLACKPINK's Jisoo is guest star on Delicious Rendezvous The Your Love MV is also another love letter to Singapore by international stars. Jisoo joins the ranks of Coldplay and BTS ' Jin, who've also turned our sunny island into their music video playground, and this latest production is once again a collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), who seem to have also quietly mastered the art of turning global celebs into our unofficial tourism ambassadors. Timing-wise, it's anyone's guess when the video was actually shot. However, eagle-eyed fans might remember Jisoo was in Singapore back in March for an Amortage album pop-up event. Coincidence? Probably not. While CNA Lifestyle noted they've reached out to STB for more details, one thing's for sure—Singapore is no longer just a concert stop. It's becoming a full-blown muse! And if you're already scrambling to book a visit to Rainforest Wild Asia , hold on. Jisoo and the rest of BLACKPINK will be back in Singapore this November for their Deadline tour at the National Stadium. See also Morning Digest, March 31 It seems the rainforest isn't the only thing going wild next. Coming soon to Singapore! () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
Hype Malaysia
13-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
(Video) 'Your Love': 4 Fun Facts About BLACKPINK Jisoo's Latest Music Video
Just because BLACKPINK is currently on their DEADLINE World Tour, it does not mean they are too busy to promote their solo projects. Member Jisoo (김지수) recently released a special music video for 'Your Love', the second track from her debut solo album 'AMORTAGE'. The song is one of two from the record sung entirely in English. It quickly became a fan favourite shortly after the album's release, with many fans requesting that it be accompanied by a music video. Now that it is up on YouTube, let's take a closer look at this latest project. Here are some fun facts about the special music video: 1. It was filmed in Singapore Although the music video may appear to use CGI at first glance, the title confirmed that it was a collaboration between Jisoo and Rainforest Wild Asia in Singapore. That's right, the paradise seen in the video was filmed at a real location. The video features the idol singing amid a lush tropical rainforest, as well as within a man-made cave system. It has not been revealed exactly when the video was filmed, but we can assume that it was during the vocalist's visit to Singapore back in March during her appearance at Far East Malls for a pop-up event celebrating the album release. Regardless, fans are nonetheless delighted with the results. 2. Rainforest Wild ASIA is launching a special 'Your Love' event In celebration of the music video's release and the collaboration, Rainforest Wild Asia is launching a special event inviting fans to follow in Jisoo's footsteps and experience the beautiful locations featured in the video. 'Embark on an in-park trail and uncover the many wonders of the rainforest. Encounter the elusive François' langurs, explore the dramatic Cavern chambers, and capture your own iconic moment at the Oculus. Complete your adventure with a dining experience like no other at Cavern Restaurant – Singapore's first and only restaurant set within a cave.' Participants in the event will also stand a chance to win exciting prizes. Full details of the campaign can be found on the Mandai Wildlife Reserve's website. 3. Behind-the-scenes video will be released soon In addition to the campaign, according to Mandai Wildlife Reserve, fans will soon be treated to a behind-the-scenes look at how the video was filmed. Perhaps we'll learn more about the creative process, her trip to Singapore, as well as how the collaboration came to be. 4. Jisoo worked with a Singaporean agency for filming Not only was this a collaboration between Jisoo's agency, Blisoo, Singapore Tourism and Rainforest Wild Asia, but Singaporean dance talent agency Jam Republic was also involved in the project. The company was reportedly responsible for overseeing the overall operations and logistics during filming. One of their choreographers, Kiel Tutin, has worked with BLACKPINK on many of their choreographies, including 'KILL THIS LOVE', 'HOW YOU LIKE THAT' and 'SHUT DOWN'. Check out Jisoo's 'Your Love' Special MV below: Sources: YouTube, Mandai, The Straits Times
CNA
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Blackpink member Jisoo's new music video secretly shot at Singapore's Rainforest Wild Asia
It seems like Singapore is solidifying its reputation as the go-to place to shoot music videos secretly. On Tuesday morning (Aug 12), Blackpink member Jisoo released the music video for her song, Your Love, which served as the second track on her recent album, Amortage. What's interesting, however, is that the video was shot at the newly opened wildlife park Rainforest Wild Asia. With this, Jisoo continues the streak of celebrities, such as Coldplay and BTS member Jin, filming official videos in Singapore. Just like with Coldplay and Jin, Your Love's music video is a collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). In the video, Jisoo can be seen wandering Rainforest Wild Asia's caves and trails as well as the space's Cavern Restaurant. The video is also interspersed with scenes of the various flora and fauna at Rainforest Wild Asia. It is unclear when Jisoo shot this music video. However, the 30-year-old was in Singapore in March for a pop-up commemorating her album launch. CNA Lifestyle has reached out to STB for comments.
The Star
08-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
Genting poised to ride recovery and upside
PETALING JAYA: Genting Bhd is poised to benefit from the continued earnings recovery of its key subsidiaries, Genting Malaysia Bhd (GenM) and Genting Singapore Ltd (GenS), supported by stronger tourist arrivals in Malaysia and Singapore. According to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research, the recovery in both countries will be largely underpinned by improving travel flows from key Asia-Pacific source markets. In Singapore, the momentum will be further reinforced by the rollout of high-profile attractions such as Illumination's Minion Land, Mandai's Rainforest Wild Asia and the Disney Adventure Cruise Ship. Meanwhile, Malaysia stands to benefit from its official assumption of the Asean Chairmanship in 2025. During this period, Malaysia will host over 300 related meetings, programmes and summits throughout 2025. This momentum will continue into Visit Malaysia Year 2026, said the research house. Some notable development to monitor in the second half of the year is the much-anticipated Resorts World New York City (RWNYC)'s bid for a full-scale commercial casino licence in downtown New York. Currently operating with more than 6,500 video lottery terminals and electronic table games, RWNYC, which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of GentM, must secure one of the three available licences to offer Las Vegas-style slot machines and table games. On June 27, RWNYC officially submitted its proposal to the New York State Gaming Commission, competing against seven other bidders, with the three winners to be selected on Dec 1, 2025. RWNYC plans a capital expenditure of US$5.5bil to transform itself into a world-class integrated resort by 2030 – featuring 6,000 slot machines, 800 gaming tables, 2,000 hotel rooms and a wide range of lifestyle and entertainment offerings. 'According to RWNYC's proposal, gross gaming revenue is projected to more than double by 2027. 'Based on our estimates, securing the full casino licence could unlock RM0.31 per share in additional value for GenM. 'We believe its potential could be interesting, as many New York City residents currently travel out-of-state for table gaming. But to be conservative, we will only incorporate the uplift into our target price upon a successful bid outcome,' HLIB Research said in a report. Coming to the number forecast operator ( O), the research firm expects Sports Toto Bhd 's O segment to deliver stable revenue growth, supported by a growing population and rising household income. On the other hand, the outlook for Sports Toto's UK-based luxury car distribution arm, H.R. Owen Plc, would remain challenging because sales volumes in the high-end automotive segment are likely to be weighed down by the continued outflow of high-net-worth individuals from the United Kingdom and persistently high interest rates. 'Separately, we note some investor unease following Sports Toto's recent related-party transaction in late June 2025 involving the acquisition of three freehold commercial units at Berjaya Times Square, which has raised concerns around the group's capital allocation discipline. 'Hence, we take this opportunity to lower the target price-earnings multiple on the group to 8.5 times (previously 10 times on average), resulting in a lower target price of RM1.39 (from RM1.60) and a downgrade to hold. 'While HLIB Research maintains a 'neutral' stance on the gaming sector, its preferred stock pick is Genting, which it has a 'buy' call on and a target price of RM4.44.' It said the stock is strategically positioned to capitalise on the recovery momentum of both GenS and GenM, as well as the potential value-add from 20%-owned associate TauRx Pharmaceutical once the latter's Alzheimer's drug, HMTM, receives approval from the US Food and Drug Administration.
