Ann Kok: What were the 5 roles that defined her acting career?

When asked what part she found the most difficult, Ann took some time to reflect before making her debut in this four-episode 2016 movie.

“ I was kidnapped by ( Zhu ) Houren da ge  ( big brother ) in the drama, and my four limbs had to be tied to the back of my body. I had to lie down ( in that position ) for hours, and it was actually very uncomfortable and physically exhausting, ” she said.

We asked Ann if she would decide to travel through time and make any changes after the memory-traveling vacation.

Her comment took us by total surprise.

“ I would n’t be in the entertainment ( industry ), ” she said with a laugh.

“ I had n’t have become an artist at all. I’m not sure what I had ’ve done otherwise, but I’m quite sure I had n’t get acting. I was never the person who had dreams of being a singer or actor, things just happened and I ended up in this line, that ’s it, ” she said.

She joined Star Search solely out of the conviction that she would “pose for it a try.” She did n’t expect to find success at all.

As for now, Ann, whose last Mediacorp drama was Healing Heroes ( 2022 ), is “taking one step at a time”, and not looking too far ahead. If she thinks a new role is interesting and appropriate for her, she will also accept it.

This tale was originally  published  in 8days.  

Continue Reading

Star Awards 2024 Gala Night: All That Glitters wins Best Drama Serial, Best Director and Best Screenplay

Foodie Trio claimed Best Entertainment Programme, while Inside Crime Scene S2 won Best Multimedia Programme.  

# JustSwipeLah, a bite-sized series that delivers current information on the latest and trendiest in pleasure and life, won Best Short-form Entertainment Programme.

And to honour the creative forces behind the entertainment programmes, Goh Si Jiau was named Best Producer ( Entertainment ) for her work on Star Awards 2023- Awards Ceremony, while Chua Ing Tze was crowned Best Research Writer ( Entertainment ) for Curious City S2.

Here are the total results:

Best Drama Prolific: All That Glitters

Best Entertainment Programme: Foodie Trio

Best Entertainment Programme: Inside Crime Field S2

Best Short-form Entertainment Programme:# JustSwipeLah

Best Television Programme: The Breakfast Quintet 

Best Theme Song: Wind From The Cosmos

Best Director ( Drama ): Wong Foong Hwee for All That Glitters

Best Screenplay ( Drama ): ​​Ang Eng Tee for All That Glitters

Best Manufacturer ( Entertainment ): Lee Si Jiau for Star Awards 2023- Awards Service

Best Research Writer ( Entertainment ): Chua Ing Tze for Curious City S2

The Gala Night results and divisions may be made available for download; Apr 16 on <a href="https://www.mewatch.sg/”>mewatch, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MediacorpEntertainment”>Mediacorp’s YouTube Entertainment Channel, Mediacorp’s social media platforms and the standard Star Awards site.

The Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel and the SA2024 Live Show did both atmosphere on Channel 8, while Backstage LIVE will be entirely broadcast on the latter two platforms.  

Continue Reading

APU’s winning streak continues

  • The school’s 5 honors are the most won by any organisation in the 2023 Awards
  • The School of Computing at APU stands out among 42 specialized characteristics teaching digital technology.

APU’s vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ho Chin Kuan (4th from the left) celebrates the multiple wins under the MDEC PDTI Outstanding Awards 2023 with senior academic staff and student-winners. (From the left) Nixon Cheng Yi Heng, assoc prof Dr Thang Ka Fei, prof Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam; (From the right) Chang Shiau Huei, Jack Lai Yong Geat, assoc prof Dr Tan Chin Ike, prof Dr Murali Raman.

The Asia Pacific University of Technology &; Innovation ( APU) continued to expand its winning streak with numerous accomplishments under the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation ( MDEC )’s Premier Digital Tech Institutions ( PDTI ) Outstanding Awards 2023, which were announced on March 21, 2024.

Its School of Computing, which is located in Malaysia, has won the MDEC PDTI Outstanding Faculty ( University Category ) Award 2023 and has established itself as the top performer among 42 faculties/schools spread across 24 public and private higher education institutions specialising in digital tech education.

Also, Jack Lai Yong Geat, a teacher from APU’s School of Media, Arts and Design, stood out as one of the Excellent University People among the contenders by winning second place in this group.

Rounding up the win, APU’s students won three honours in the Excellent Student Category. This includes Chang Shiau Huei, a student majoring in computer games development, and Nixon Cheng Yi Heng, a student with a Bachelor of Science ( Honours ) who won the Outstanding Student Award. Loh Kae Shyan, a student of Information Systems Security, won a compassion reward in this category.

These five awards show the most wins by any college in the 2023 Awards and demonstrate the commitment, passion, and large drive of APU’s accomplished academic staff and students.

Since 2017, under the supervision of the next Ministry of Communication and Multimedia with the help of the Ministry of Higher Education, MDEC has spearheaded the PDTI program, aiming to boost Malaysia’s digital technology industry.

The inclusion of APU as one of the annual party of PDTIs by MDEC in 2017 underlines its commitment to advance online education, a position it has maintained to day. The PDTI program plays a crucial role in nurturing highly experienced professionals for the modern market by acting as a bridge between native talent need and local talent supply. Annually, these prizes recognise administrative and people’ outstanding contributions and advancements.

Throughout 2023, the School of Computing, under the command of Associate Professor Dr. Tan Chin Ike, showcased its award-winning credentials by forging partnerships with over 11 key industry players in the technology, systems, and game growth sectors. Additionally, its students and academic staff won more than ten top awards in various regional and national competitions.

The participation of Chen Yi Heng in nine international competitions, including the DB-SNUbiz Global Startup Challenge 2023 and the 2023 4th All-American DAVINCI International Innovation and Invention Expo, earned him the Outstanding Student Award. On the other hand, Chang Shiau Huei attained first runner-up status with her participation in 11 international and eight national competitions, including the 2023 Women’s Society Of CyberJutsu ( WSC ) CTF, winning five championships in total. In addition to other notable victories, Loh Kae Shyan won three national championships at CYDES 2023, Hack A Day – Securing AI: PwC CTF 2023, and APU Internal CTF 2023.

The recognition of Jack Lai as the 3rd Place Award winner of Outstanding Faculty Member demonstrates his commitment to developing and applying cutting-edge knowledge to animation, enhancing student learning experiences, and supporting research projects.

Reflecting on these accomplishments, Dr. Tan noted that” the 2023 Outstanding Faculty Award confirms that the school is meeting the evolving needs of society and industry by fostering and developing innovative talents in the fields of computing and creative technology.” “

He added that APU has excelled in the field of job-ready graduates for over 30 years and that the PDTI initiative aims to establish a sustainable pipeline of job-ready graduates capable of meeting industry demands. According to the proverb at APU, we do not just produce graduates; we rather cultivate talents that provide top-notch value to the sector. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle wrote – ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. APU instills this quality in both its staff and students. ” Professor Dr. Ho Chin Kuan, vice-chancellor of APU, echoed this sentiment, underlining APU’s commitment to providing practical industry knowledge and fostering employable talents. He emphasized the importance of producing graduates who are highly valuable to the sector under the APU brand.

We at APU have always prioritized providing our talents with the best possible tertiary experience and the most practical industry knowledge and skills. APU has a strong culture that encourages the development of employable talents. ”

The APU’s success at the MDEC PDTI Outstanding Awards 2023 demonstrates its commitment to excellence in digital technology education and to supporting Malaysia’s digital economy’s growth. As its CEO Parmjit Singh noted, “Being part of MDEC’s Premier Digital Tech Ecosystem, APU collaborates with key stakeholders in prioritising student transformation into highly employable, competent, and future-proof professionals. Our key industrial partners offer our academic staff valuable insights into industry practices, which are then incorporated into our curriculum. Our faculty and students ‘ outstanding accomplishments in 2023 truly give us a sense of pride. ”

Continue Reading

Mark Lee and Peter Yu win awards for Wonderland at Ho Chi Minh International Film Festival

It was a big hit for the Mandarin-speaking former comedian. ” For so many years, I tried to change my type or perform a new persona. Individuals have always known me to enjoy the ah bras or gangster”, said Lee.

The picture in Mandarin and Hokkien was set in Singapore in the 1980s and required Lee to communicate Hokkien. ” It made me feel so good when the director explained that in the film I may be speaking in Hokkien completely”! However, he conceded that there was research to get done. ” The Hokkien spoken then and now are different, so I had to do some research”.

In the same discussion, Chang said that the center- warming drama had three layers: The dad- child relationship, the friendship between Lee’s character, Tan, and Yu’s character, Loke, and” the community that Tan and Loke operate in”.

The movie is” a very complex white lie that runs through it.” &nbsp, And sometimes in life, we have no alternative. In order not to harm someone, we have to make up a lovely stay to support the other party’s life get on”, she said.

Beginning August 8, Wonderland may become showing in neighborhood movies. &nbsp,

Continue Reading

Taiwan: Anger grows as TV host Mickey Huang’s child porn charge emerges

Mickey Huang at an awards ceremony in TaiwanGetty Images

After one of Taiwan’s best TV presenters left with a great, there are calls to raise the penalties for the custody of child sexuality in Taiwan.

After seven videos featuring minors were discovered on his portable hard drive, Mickey Huang Tzu-chiao was ordered to pay a fine of 1.2 million NTD ($ 37, 000, £30, 000 ) and issue an apology letter.

But if he acts for two years, he may avoid being charged.

The broadcaster has apologised, saying” I did not make the mistake again”.

But politicians have questioned the lawyer’s selection, given the gravity of the fees.

The sanctions are” really insignificant for a number with such cultural reputation and financial tools,” the Taipei-based Modern Women’s Foundation stated in a Facebook post. Additionally, a group of prominent Japanese citizens wrote an open letter to the government to demand tougher penalties for crimes involving child abuse and sex abuse.

The world treats these events as news events, the society has said. There is criticism, but it is true that everyone forgets about it after a while because the black sky vanish. We hope to use our apprehension to pressure the Parliamentary Yuan to change the law and create a safer environment for Taiwan’s kids.

Anyone who sexually impersonates a slight without providing any justification in Taiwan could spend up to a year in jail and be fined between 30 000 and 300,000 NTD, as per Japanese laws.

In contrast, the US punishes hands by away to 10 years in prison. However, in Japan, the sentence is up to one year in prison or fines of up to a maximum of 1 million yen ($ 6, 600, £5, 200 ).

Huang, 52, is a comfortable experience in Taiwan. He made his television debut in the late 1980s, and he has since grown to be one of the island’s major hosts, winning numerous prizes and hosting some of the country’s most well-known programs.

He was identified by officials last year after two women accused him of having sex with him during a storm of MeToo allegations that shook Taiwan. In a split affair a decade ago, Huang was accused of forcing another person to have intercourse with him again in 2013, and violently kissing a 17-year-old, and coercing her into taking naked pictures in a separate event.

He apologised for both instances, which have been investigated by authorities. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office stated last week that the allegations were being dropped because there was no “objective information” or settlements between Huang and the ladies.

When authorities searched his home while investigating the children’s claims, they found the seven video of juveniles, which Huang admitted to downloading in 2023.

Singers and activists hold placards while taking a group photo at a concert to support #MeToo movement in Taipei, Taiwan July 22, 2023

Reuters

Huang claimed in a Facebook post on Friday that he has never stopped searching for answers since being accused of physical misconduct.” It is my responsibility and the direction that I will take me to build a new home, a good soul, and stand up for my home… Please accept my resolve to resurrect my career. But the responses have been met with incredulity.

” You’ve been a public figure and doing this for such a long time, it’s not until now that you say you wo n’t do it again. People who have a consciousness would have stopped long ago, according to one of the best comments under Huang’s article.

” I do n’t know if these penalties will give him any lessons and be effective”, says Tu Ying- Chiu, chief executive officer of Taipei’s Women’s Rescue Foundation.

She contends that there is no effort to stop such events from occurring once, such as requiring professional assistance or counseling.

President of Taiwan’s New Power Party, Claire Wang Wan-yu, is optimistic that the situation will” spear off debate about how to avoid the same things from happening again and how to help the victims.”

Premier Chen Chien-jen said on Monday that the state has “absolute zero compassion” for the sexual abuse of children, prompting claims from the leading officials.

But this is n’t enough, the campaigners argue.

” As long as there are needs, there will be offer. If you do n’t cut the demand there might always be these videos”, says Ms Tu, of Taipei’s Women’s Rescue Foundation. She points out that it’s difficult to stop people from becoming victims of the lack of laws in Taiwan that govern the ownership of pornographic films.

Ms Wang, however, argues that one of the items victims fear most is that the video will continue to exist on the internet, even if they report it to authorities.

” These sites may recreate easily”, she says. To ensure that the videos will be entirely removed, and a system to help the victims, including children, interact with their worry,” we need professionals whose information is up to date with the modern age.”

After admitting to kissing the 17-year-old, Huang, who was admitted to a hospital with self-inflicted injuries, is still under investigation for another case involving drug accusations. He admitted to using drugs with other Taiwanese celebrities on a live stream last year after making the revelations. The BBC has reached out to Huang’s lawyer for comments.

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by mental health issues, the following resources may help:

In the UK: BBC Action Line, Elsewhere in the world: Befrienders International

Related Topics

Continue Reading

Star Awards 2024: Shinee’s Onew and actress Charmaine Sheh will be presenting awards

Onew, the head of K-pop group Shinee, and Charmaine Sheh, the actress from Hong Kong, will be among the foreign stars who will perform at the Star Awards on April 21.

In a press release on Friday ( Apr 5 ) Mediacorp unveiled the lineup of hosts, performers, and award presenters for the Star Awards 2024, which will be held at the Theatre at Mediacorp.

Guo Liang and Dennis Chew may co-host this year’s monthly celebration of the local Chinese entertainment industry. &nbsp,

K- music superstar Onew will be a tourist entertainer and an honor presenter, while&nbsp, Chinese singer Chao Chuan will also be stepping into the spotlight to do.

The award presenters may include Chinese actor Chen Bo-lin and Hong Kong actress Charmaine Sheh. &nbsp,

Homegrown ability will become appearing as well, including players Boon Hui Lu, Felicia Chin, Jeanette Aw, Rebecca Lim, Xiang Yun, Xu Bin and Zoe Tay.

Fans can even anticipate the Star Award 2024 Walk of Fame, which hosts participants Herman Keh, Jeff Goh, and Hazelle Teo.

The red carpet with its own set of life performances will be available. This includes appearances by EDM singer-producer Jasmine Sokko and native singer-songwriter Nathan Hartono.

Hip-hop artist Tosh Rock and vocalist Desmond Ng did somewhat work on a song to honor this year’s Best Theme Song nominees. &nbsp,

That’s not all. The fan-favorite Theater Life program has also been reimagined as a face-off between Team SGAG, which includes Shawn Thia, Isabelle Quek, and Queenie Lim, as well as Team Outsiders, which includes Xixi Lim, Yan Wei Xiao Er, and Rao Zi Jie.

In a seven- hours issue, each group will be tasked with completing numerous missions yet while some of them, Star Awards nominees, move the red carpet themselves.

The SA2024 life present and Walk of Fame will be broadcast exclusively on Channel 8 and U, mewatch, and Mediacorp Entertainment’s YouTube channel, while Backstage LIVE and features of the Gala Night will be broadcast solely on the latter two websites. &nbsp,

For more information, attend mediacorp. sg/StarAwards.

Continue Reading

Australia’s Seven Network denies buying interviewee sex and drugs

Bruce Lehrmann outside courtGetty Images

Australia’s most popular TV channel has refuted claims that it paid for sex employees and illegal drugs to arrange an appointment with an alleged murderer.

A previous Seven Network manufacturer, Taylor Auerbach, made the complaints while giving evidence in a defamation event.

Bruce Lehrmann is suing another stream, Network 10, over an claim- which he denies- that he raped a partner in parliament.

Seven has been subject to intense scrutiny for its exclusive relationship with Mr. Lehrmann, but it maintains that it “acted properly at all times.”

Seven is “above the claims made recently. We do not approve of the actions taken in these claims. They do not represent the tradition of Seven”, a spokesperson said on Thursday.

Only two days before the judgment was scheduled to be delivered, the allegations have prompted a last-minute continuation of Mr. Lehrmann’s defamation case, which has been compared to a quasi-criminal test.

” Let sunlight get the best disinfectant”, Justice Michael Lee said when reopening the defamation event.

The assault incident

Brittany Higgins claimed she was raped by a coworker inside a president’s company in Canberra in February 2021, shocking Australia.

Tens of thousands of people across the country attended rallies where she claimed to protest the treatment of women in politics.

Brittany Higgins speaking at a rally in Canberra

Getty Images

Although journalist Lisa Wilkinson’s document for Network 10’s The Project did not identify him, Mr. Lehrmann claims that he was quickly recognisable.

He was charged by the police with the alleged assault six months later. But his prosecution in 2022 was aborted after judge wrongdoing. A second trial was afterward postponed out of concern for Ms. Higgins ‘ mental health. Mr. Lehrmann had entered a not-guilty plea.

Seven’s Light program next began chasing Mr Lehrmann, who was unable to provide information at his legal test, for his side of the story.

He described the devastating effects of the case on his career in the two-part distinctive with the network, which included a statement that claimed he had no idea why Ms. Higgins had ended up naked on a couch in the office where she worked. The program was later chosen as a winner in Australia’s major media awards in the Ladle of the Year category.

But before his appointment had also aired, Mr Lehrmann launched a libel complaint against Network 10 and Ms Wilkinson, saying the alleged abuse never happened and that they “utterly destroyed” his status.

Ms. Higgins was a testimony for Network 10 and promised to back up its claim as being substantial.

The slander trial

In Australia, defamation cases have a lower standard of proof than criminal cases, and judges frequently permit reams of apparently radial information to aid in making judgments on the legitimacy or figure of witnesses.

More than a few witnesses gathered for this test over the course of five weeks to expand on the evidence presented at the legal one.

This time, Mr. Lehrmann and Ms. Higgins both spent several days giving herself information in the witness box. Additionally, it heard testimony from Mr. Lehrmann’s former coworkers who testified before the court about his “bad vibes,” including analysis from a lip reader who had flown in from the UK, hours of work being joyfully defended by Ms. Wilkinson and her Network 10 colleagues, and testimony from them.

Lisa Wilkinson outside court

Getty Images

However, Network Seven was one of the most significant revelations in the facts.

The system claimed at the time of the Mr. Lehrmann interview that it had “made no transaction” to him but that it had “assissisted with accommodation as part of the shooting of the story.”

But in court, Mr Lehrmann revealed that Seven had agreed to pay his rent for a year, costing the network more than A$ 100, 000 ( £52, 000,$ 66, 000 ).

As Seven drew ire and charges of deception, the Walkley Awards immediately revoked the show’s candidacy.

Ms. Higgins has also accused Mr. Lehrmann of leaking her secret writings, which she provided during the policeman analysis, but he has denied giving any information to Spotlight.

The new information

In a completely different controversy, Seven made the initial rumors that it had paid Mr. Lehrmann more than it had previously disclosed.

Information that were leaked to the media purportedly claimed that a Light maker who was pursuing Mr. Lehrmann for the meeting had used a Seven credit card to pay for expensive Thai massage at evening.

Mr. Lehrmann described the claim that he had a treatment as a “bizarre account from a disgruntled ex-Network Seven manufacturer.”

However, the manufacturer, Taylor Auerbach, provided more than 2,800 sworn documents for Network 10 to use in court to defend Mr. Lehrmann’s slander state. In these papers, he alleged that Mr Lehrmann was the hypocrite.

Mr. Auerbach claimed at a special hearing on Thursday that he had charged about A$ 10,000 in treatments to the business card after an evening with Mr. Lehrmann, before personally paying his firm back.

He claimed, however, that Seven paid for a golfing trip to Tasmania and many expensive dinners with Mr. Lehrmann.

Most rapidly, Mr Auerbach said in judge it had also reimbursed Mr Lehrmann for another expenses- including illegal drugs, “prostitutes” and a house explore- via a “per diem” allowance.

It’s not clear whether Mr. Auerbach, who alleges Seven, was aware of the nature of the charges he claims they were reimbursing.

Mr. Lehrmann refuted Mr. Lehrmann’s claims that he had not provided Spotlight with sensitive information, such as Ms. Higgins ‘ history of text messages or classified police records.

Prosecutors are required to give evidence to the accused in criminal trials, but the defense is required to refrain from using it outside of court.

However, Mr. Auerbach asserts that Mr. Lehrmann arrived at Seven’s offices with a sizable amount of paperwork and photocopied more than 500 pages of the Spotlight episode’s evidence. Mr. Auerbach provided images taken of a laptop screen showing some of Ms Higgins ‘ texts as proof that the documents were exchanged.

In the reflection of the laptop screen, there appears to be a bald man with thick black glasses- which Mr Auerbach says is Mark Llewellyn, Spotlight’s executive producer. The metadata of the photo shows it was taken at Mr Lehrmann’s accommodation at the time, Mr Auerbach claimed.

A photo of a laptop screen showing a text message, with a bald man in the reflection

Federal Court of Australia

Seven has stated that it wo n’t reveal the source of the nuanced information that was aired in its report, but that Mr. Lehrmann had pretended to be true, and that he had not.

According to a Seven spokesperson, Mr. Lehrman had never been reimbursed for money allegedly used to pay for prostitutes or illegal drugs, and that the network had “at no point” asked anyone to delete or destroy any evidence.

Additionally, Mr. Lehrmann’s attorneys claimed that he had not received “per diems” from Seven in exchange for the expenses he claimed he had alleged and that he had not provided the program with documentation.

They argued that Mr. Auerbach had an axe to grind with Seven after his employment was terminated in 2023 and played a bizarre video of him destroying a coworker’s golf clubs in slow motion.

You are here today to cause your former employer and former coworkers the least amount of damage, according to barrister Matthew Richardson.

” No, sir”, Mr Auerbach replied.

The fallout

The slander trial is still going, but Mr Auerbach’s evidence is already being used to attack Mr Lehrmann’s credibility as a witness. Plus, Network 10 has argued it shows both a contempt of court and an abuse of its processes – requesting the judge consider prosecuting him for that.

According to observers, it also has significant implications for Seven, which is already under fire for its actions in obtaining the interview.

Paying for interviews is not a violation of Australia’s media code of ethics, but it is becoming more and more common.

However, the code states that journalists must disclose when payments have been made and that they ca n’t let commercial reasons derail accuracy, fairness, or independence.

” If half of this is true- and it’s yet to be tested in court-# 7spotlight is an absolute disgrace”, Paul Barry, host of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Media Watch programme, wrote on X.

Due to the saga, Mr. Auerbach has lost his job at Sky News Australia, and a different Spotlight producer has also been fired from his position as New South Wales Police’s media director. Many people believe the fallout is likely to get worse.

According to a report from Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, Seven Network owner Kerry Stokes may decide to halt the Spotlight program, which first aired in 2021, in order to lessen the negative effects to the network’s reputation.

” It does raise questions as to who’s in charge at Seven and whether they should still be in charge”, Stephen Mayne, a shareholder activist and media commentator, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Others contend that it may have wider implications for Australia’s media industry’s credibility.

Related Topics

Continue Reading

Singaporean actors living in Taiwan, Yvonne Lim and Andie Chen, describe their earthquake experience

Andie, who has experienced minor tsunamis over the three years he has lived in Taiwan, explained:” What you’re supposed to do is to rush at a place where nothing’s going to fall on your mind. &nbsp,

Because the walls there is more reliable, I decided to put an arch in between my existing room and kitchen. And if the property collapsed, I’d been near my house where there’s food and water.”

Andie ran downstairs to reach his wife and children after the initial earthquake was through, taking his phone and wallet. &nbsp,

He was unable to call his wife because she left her phone at home, despite the fact that his children’s instructor had confirmed that the children were safe and gathered at the field. So he returned to his house to waited for her.

He claimed that it was only after he noticed his neighbor looking pale that he realized how serious the disaster was.

” You see, Singaporeans do n’t know, “he chuckled”. It’s the same for me, I did n’t know how bad the situation was. In my mind, I thought,’ Okay, really be secure first’.”

” If even the Taiwanese are freaking out, you know this is not regular, “he said. &nbsp,

He claimed that he had lost numerous crystals on his Eastern Television Awards prize and that Kate’s Star Awards prize had been chipped. But the” most painful “damage was to his macbook as its display was” fully smashed”.

Continue Reading