Entertainment ,CNA Lifestyle ,Asia (Page 5)

Members of K-pop supergroup BTS RM and V have completed their basic military training in South Korea – and they’ve certainly done so in style, graduating as “elite trainees” under the 27th Recruit Training Regiment.

RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, took to Instagram on Tuesday (Jan 16) to share photos of himself and fellow BTS member V, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung, in their military uniforms. With the caption “Loyalty”, the post also included a picture the award he received.

The honour was only given to six out of 200 trainees for displaying exemplary skills during the five-week training period. The duo enlisted in the military on Dec 11 last year.

According to news agency Yonhap, RM and V’s training comprised basic combat and defense skills at the Korea Army Training Centre in Nonsan, located south of Seoul.

The two have earned the rank of private – and as elite trainees, they were rewarded vacation days.

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One of the realities of working with her partner is that personal and work time have blended into one. “We are both workaholics and devoted to work so we do not detach and have ‘me time’,” she said. “But even though we sometimes fight, we know that our intentions are for the best so we do not take it personally.”

Still, the melding of her work and personal life can be challenging at times. “As a content creator, my mind is always buzzing with ideas, and when everything has the potential to be interesting, it is hard to switch off and stop the constant brainstorming,” she said.

KEEPING IT REAL

Perhaps it is candid responses like these that appeal to her main viewership, of which 70 per cent of them are women aged 18 to 34. “For the 24- to 34-year-old viewers, we are around the same age so it is not hard to be relatable as we are going through similar challenges in life. For the younger viewers aged below 20, I think I appeal to them because I love trying new things,” she said.

Besides offering young women a platform where they can watch a personality that they can relate to, Zom Marie also values the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

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Actress Kathy Chow Hoi-mei, best known for her role as Zhou Zhiruo in the 1994 TVB series The Heaven Sword And Dragon Saber, died on Monday (Dec 11). She was 57.

Her studio announced in a statement posted on Weibo on Tuesday evening that Chow died after the unsuccessful treatment of an undisclosed illness. The studio wrote: “May there be no sickness in heaven, and may we meet again.”

Chow, who was a Miss Hong Kong contestant in 1985, became a popular leading actress in numerous TVB roles in the late 1980s and 1990s. These include The Feud Of Two Brothers (1986), Looking Back In Anger (1989) and Fight Back To School III (1993).

She relocated to Beijing in 2003 where she appeared in several drama series and reality TV shows, while still making occasional appearances in TVB shows.

Chow had celebrated her 57th birthday on Dec 6 where she shared a video on Douyin, expressing gratitude for the well wishes. Rumours began emerging on Monday that she had died suddenly.

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Padilla, 28, also took to Instagram to announce the break-up. He said: “Our memories will always be in my heart and will be the light in my dark days. Thank you for dancing with me during my highs and thank you for singing with me during my lows.”

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla first appeared on-screen together in the 2011 television series Growing Up. The first time they were paired as a couple was in 2012’s Princess And I.

Over the years, the two continued starring as love interests in multiple shows and movies, which gave rise to a fanbase that wanted to see them get together in real life. After years of speculation, Bernardo and Padilla confirmed their relationship in 2018 – delighting fans throughout the nation.

News of the break-up has sent shockwaves throughout the Philippines, causing the term Kathniel to trend on social media.

One fan wrote: “I honestly believed KathNiel would soon be engaged or married, this is heartbreaking.”

Fellow celebrities have also showed their support to the former couple, including Filipino-Australian model Anne Smith who wrote, “Sending you a big hug Kath.”

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The remaining four members of K-pop supergroup BTS will begin their military service in mid-December, joining the three who are already serving, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday (Nov 29), citing music industry sources.

The seven-member group is on a temporary break while members carry out South Korea’s mandatory military service.

South Korea has one of the world’s largest active armies to defend against North Korea, with all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 required to serve between 18 and 21 months.

There has, however, been public debate over whether BTS members should be given exemptions considering their contributions to the lucrative K-pop industry.

The group’s main rapper and leader RM and vocalist V will enlist on Dec 11, while Jimin and Jung Kook will follow suit the next day, Yonhap reported.

After initial training, the four will serve as active-duty army soldiers for 18 months, according to another report in the entertainment media outlet Star News.

BTS’ management agency HYBE, which has said the four had begun the process of enlistment, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Earlier this month, Jung Kook announced in a blog post he would serve in the military in December.

Jin, 30, the group’s oldest member, is set to be discharged from military service in June.

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When translated, Martin’s pantun reads:

Going to the shop to buy vegetables,
Cooking tom yum as asked by mother,
Coldplay is now in Kuala Lumpur,
Treating you to your favourite song

The bit won over the crowd who have called it “one of their favourite moments” from the show. And the love appears to be mutual.

Before reciting the pantun, Martin told the Malaysian crowd that he “wished (Coldplay) came to Malaysia sooner” as they were “one of the best audiences in the world”.

Speaking in Malay, Martin added: “We’re so happy to be here. Let’s healing together.”

Coldplay’s Kuala Lumpur concert marked their final one for the year. They will be back on the road in January 2024 which will see them delighting audiences in the Phillipines and of course, Singapore.

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Did Chow Yun Fat just outdo himself again? On Sunday (Nov 19), the 68-year-old Hong Kong film legend, affectionately known as Fat Gor (Cantonese for Big Brother Fat), participated in his first ever half marathon at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. 

Guess how long Chow, who as usual turned up in his signature all-black sports attire, took to finish the 21km run?

Only 2hrs 27mins and 56secs. For your reference, the average half marathon finish time is 1hr 50 mins for men but the star is already pushing 70, mind you.

Some netizens also managed to get a glimpse of the actor crossing the finishing line, looking suave as ever and not panting at all. 

He even raised his hand to wave at the crowd while everyone cheered for him. What a champ, right?

After the run, Chow also told the media that he was happy with his performance. His timing met the goal set by the organisers and he will be joining the run again next year. 

This half marathon is just one of the many sporting milestones Chow has achieved recently.

In February this year, Fat Gor took part in the 10km run at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, and finished it in 1hr 3mins and 57secs.

Last December, he participated in the Hong Kong Athletics Cross Country Championships, which he completed in 56mins and 39secs. 

At that time, he was asked if he would want to try running a half marathon. His reply? “Maybe a few years later.”

Guess he couldn’t wait to check that off his to do list.

This story was originally published in 8Days. 

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