Movie Review | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023)

Sunday, 8 October 2023


Director: Karan Johar 
Writers: Ishita Moitra, Shashank Khaitan, Sumit Roy 
Cast: Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt
Production Companies: Dharma Productions, Viacom18 Studios
Distributors: Viacom18 Studios, Amazon Prime Videos
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Running Time : 168 minutes
Release Date: 28 July 2023 
Trailer :


Naskhah romantik terbaru dari Karan Johar berkisar kehidupan dua buah keluarga yang jauh berbeza gaya hidup namun bertemu kerana dua kisah cinta. Rocky (Ranveer Singh) merupakan pewaris kepada Dhanlakshmi Sweets yang terkenal di Delhi. Kebanyakan masanya dihabiskan di gym atau parti bersama rakan baiknya, Vicky. 

Walaupun takut dengan ayahnya, Tijori Randhawa (Aamir Bashir) dan neneknya Dhanalakshmi Randhawa (Jaya Bachchan) tapi perangai tetap tak berubah. Satu hari datuk dia, Kanwal Lund (Dharmendra) yang menghidap amnesia berulang kali menyebut nama Jamini. Bila Rocky belek diari Kanwal, nama Jamini Chatterjee muncul dan pencarian tersebut berakhir pada nama Rani Chatterjee (Alia Bhatt), pembaca berita terkenal. 


Rocky jatuh cinta pandang pertama dengan Rani dan menggunakan misi penyatuan Kanwal dan Jamini sebagai jalan untuk luangkan masa bersama Rani. Tapi cinta dia ditolak kerana Rani tak boleh terima lelaki yang ‘unik’ seperti Rocky. Rani graduan universiti luar negara dengan karier hebat sementara Rocky tak pandai berbahasa Inggeris dan menganggur. General knowledge pun hancur. 

Tapi kalau dah namanya cinta, berbeza macam mana sekalipun, akal kata tidak pun hati tetap penasaran. Jadi Rocky dan Rani bertukar keluarga untuk kenal dan belajar selama 3 bulan. Berjaya atau tak kena tengok sendiri lah. 


Kalau sebut pasal Karan Johar memang tak lekang lah nama filem-filem yang jadi pujaan untuk kisah cinta macam K3G, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kal Ho Na Ho, Student of the Year, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil atau Kalank. Sama juga dengan filem Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, ramai yang ada expectation tinggi. Expectation I dah mati bila tengok trailer filem ni sebab Ranveer Singh dengan Alia Bhatt tak ada chemistry. 

Dari trailer pun dah boleh baca perjalanan kisah cinta Rocky dengan Rani. Sayang lah sebab filem ni tak ada banyak sangat pun yang seronoknya. Idea yang dibawakan tu terlampau berat untuk kisah cinta, even lagi berat dari My Name Is Khan (2010). KJo cuba nak letak dua pemikiran yang berbeza – progresif dengan konservatif dalam satu bumbung yang sama. Boleh tu memang boleh tapi akan ada banyak tolak ansur di mana watak Rani dan Rocky tak mampu bawa dan yakinkan penonton. Kalau chemistry pun tak ada, celah mana nak yakinkan perkara yang lebih besar? 


Ranveer Singh mudah sangat nak lakonkan watak Rocky sebab karakter dia memang macam tu in real life. Tapi jadi masalah bila Alia tak mampu nak catch up energy dia. Tak faham kenapa KJo nak bawa Alia masuk sebagai Rani sedangkan dia tak mampu nak tonjolkan aura seksi yang director nak tu. Annoyed bila setiap kali Rani muncul, ada theme song Queen Bee padahal tak match pun dengan vibe Alia. KJo macam nak recreate Desi Girl, Naina Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani atau Naina K3G tapi gagal teruk. Stress dengar Alia berceramah atau menjerit. 

Bab sinematografi, KJo menang dekat situ sebab dia memang ada dreamy vision untuk semua filem cinta. Tapi Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani tak ada music album yang kuat untuk carry ambience filem tu. I suka lagu Tum Kya Mile sebab lirik puitis dari Amitabh Bhattacharya. Yang lain, semuanya bersifat passable. Habis lagu tu dalam movie, habislah. 



Komedi yang dimasukkan pun hambar, mungkin sebab tak faham reference tapi supporting cast pun tak pandai nak deliver jugak. Patutnya tak payah masukkan pun love angle antara Kanwal dengan Jamini sebab kacau momen Rocky dengan Rani. Bab berceramah pun perlu kurangkan especially part Rocky kena paksa pakai bra. Feminism tu over sangat sampai ada babak Anjali dengan Rocky tenung bra dekat jemuran tanda Rocky dah tak segan dengan bra. Tsskk. 

Banyak juga lah percubaan KJo untuk masukkan nostalgia lama sebagai tribute kepada filem popular dia. Tapi bila tahu perangai Ranveer nak ganti SRK lepastu teringat dalam Koffee With Karan dia paksa Alia pilih fanbase Ranveer-Alia over Varia, terus rasa menyampah. It feels forced and no, Ranveer-Alia is farrrrr from SRK-Kajol. 


Satu je lah nak puji pasal performance Ranveer dalam filem Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani bila dia menari dengan tota Roy Chowdhury untuk lagu Dola Re Dola. Terbaik lah sebab dia perform Kathak untuk lelaki sekaligus pecahkan taboo dan stereotype yang Kathak cuma untuk wanita. 

1. Team Production +0.7, 2. Visual +1, 3. Audio +0.4, 4. Storyline +0.5, 5. Casting +0.4, 6. Genre +0.3, 7. Themes +1, 8. Editing +0.6, 9. Social Message +1, 10. Personal Thought +0.3 = 6.2/10

Drama Review | Revenant (2023)


Directors: Lee Jung-rim, Kim Jae-hong
Writer: Kim Eun-hee
Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Oh Jung-se, Hong Kyung, Kim Won-hae, Park Ji-young, Kim Hae-sook, Lee Gyu-hoe, Yang Hye-ji, Kim Jung-jin, 
Production Companies: Studio S, B.A. Entertainment
Distributors: SBS TV, Disney+ Hotstar 
Genre: Horror / Mystery / Thriller
Running Episodes : 12 episodes (70 minutes per episode)
Release Date: 23 June 2023 – 29 July 2023 
Trailer :


Revenant mengisahkan tentang Gu San-yeong (Kim Tae-Ri) yang dirasuk oleh roh jahat setelah menyentuh barang tinggalan mendiang ayahnya. Kebetulan Yeom Hae-sang (Oh Jung-Se), pelajar kepada ayah San-yeong turut hadir dan ternampak lembaga hitam yang menumpang jasad San-yeong. 

Dah lama sebenarnya dia mencari tahu tentang roh jahat tersebut kerana banyak perkara aneh yang berlaku pada Professor Gu Kang-mo (Jin Seon-kyu) dan juga orang di sekelilingnya. Sayangnya dia terlambat untuk bertemu sendiri dengan professor tersebut dan pencarian dia terpaksa bermula ke titik awal semula. 


Hae-sang juga bekerjasama dengan Detektif Seo Mun-chun (Kim Won-hae) walaupun dia tak percaya dengan perkara mistik yang berlaku. Banyak cold case yang tak dapat diselesaikan namun berjaya ditebak dengan mudah oleh Hae-sang kerana melibatkan alam mistik dan roh jahat. 

Tak tunggu lama pun untuk San-young percayakan Hae-sang tentang roh jahat yang merasuk sebab dia sendiri boleh nampak kewujudan entiti tersebut. San-young juga terpaksa jauhkan diri dari orang sekeliling kerana bimbang akan menjadi mangsa roh jahat yang dahagakan nyawa manusia. 


‘People you don’t like or you wish would disappear would die. Evil spirits are said to grow by fulfilling a person’s desires.’ – Yeom Hae-sang

Naskhah seram arahan duo Lee Jung-rim dan Kim Jae-hong mengupas tentang roh jahat yang terhasil akibat sifat tamak manusia. Sebelum tengok drama Revenant, ingatkan hantu Mok-dan (Park So-yi) tu saka sebab dia diwarisi sejak tahun 50-an lagi tapi rupanya tak. Bila tengok Revenant ni teringat dengan cerita-cerita hantu yang masuk dalam rumah bila tuan rumah buka pintu. 

Drama Revenant bukan saja berkisar tentang roh jahat yang merasuk manusia malah hantu lapar yang jadi kuat kerana keinginan manusia yang tak terbendung. Macam sifat tamak, tak bersyukur dan banyak lagi nafsu yang buatkan roh jahat mudah masuk dalam badan. Dalam episod tu Prof Yeom Hae-sang bagitahu yang dunia sekarang dah moden sampai masyarakat lupa untuk berkongsi rezeki dengan hantu. Tapi tu kepercayaan Buddha lah sebab sampai sekarang kan ada upacara hantu lapar. 


Selain tinggalkan mesej supaya yang hidup tak lupa akan si mati, ada juga penulis masukkan unsur preserve sejarah negara menerusi karier Professor Gu Kang-mo dan Yeom Hae-sang yang bekerja sebagai pensyarah untuk subjek sejarah dan seni kebudayaan Korea. Menarik lah bila kontraktor panggil Hae-sang untuk verify sama ada tinggalan sejarah di kawasan pembinaan ada kaitan dengan sejarah lama. Kalau berharga, kena tunggu misi cari gali selesai. Kalau cuma tinggalan biasa, boleh teruskan kerja macam biasa. 

Dekat episod-episod awal macam geram jugak lah geng detektif susah nak percaya dengan alam mistik walaupun diorang berkongsi maklumat dengan Yeom Hae-sang. Bertambah menyampah dengan mak San-yeong, Yoon Gyeong-Mun (Park Ji-young) bila keputusan yang dia buat semuanya menyusahkan lagi keadaan anak dia. Mencabar jugak lah buat San-young untuk sabar sebab kalau dia hilang kawalan, sekejap saja mak dia akan mati dibunuh. But overall plot dia tersusun cantik sampai lah kita tahu identiti roh jahat dan cara untuk hapuskan. 


Walaupun ada beberapa watak yang bikin geram tapi watak trio utama – San-young, Hae-sang dan Lee Hong-sae (Hong Kyung) dikembangkan dengan baik. Faham sangat bila Lee Hong-sae ambil masa untuk terima jenayah yang berlaku ada kaitan dengan hantu. Walaupun dia susah nak percaya tapi perkara aneh yang berlaku dekat San-young banyak buka mata dia. Kudos to writer yang tak tone down watak antagonis untuk protagonist bersinar. Keluar dari template cliché Korea. Finally!

Sebagai insan yang lemah tapi gedik nak tengok jugak cerita seram, drama Revenant ada banyak babak seram walaupun hantu dia tak menakutkan jadi jangan lah tengok sorang drama ni. Tengok waktu malam makin meremang bulu roma sebab ada je beberapa insiden yang lebih kurang sama dengan cerita-cerita seram kita selalu dengar. Dah nama pun Asia kan, tak lari jauh lah hantunya. 


Kalau tengok pada ending dan nasib San-young, mungkin Studio S dengan B.A. Entertainment tak ada plan terbitkan sekuel untuk drama Revenant but who knows kan? Mesej dari drama ni jelas, ketamakan manusia punca terhasilnya lubang kejahatan di dunia. Mesej dia mungkin manusia lagi seram dari hantu tapi I’m skek. 

1. Team Production +1, 2. Visual +1, 3. Audio +1, 4. Storyline +1, 5. Casting +1, 6. Genre +1, 7. Themes +1, 8. Editing +1, 9. Social Message +1, 10. Personal Thought +1 = 10/10

Drama Review | Burn the House Down (2023)


Director: Yuichiro Hirakawa
Writers: Moyashi Fujisawa (manga), Arisa Kaneko
Cast: Mei Nagano, Kyoka Suzuki, Michiko Kichise, Mitsuhiro Oikawa, Yuri Tsunematsu
Production Companies: Kodansha, Office Crescendo
Distributor: Netflix
Genre: Drama / Mystery 
Running Episodes: 8 episodes (45 minutes per episode)
Release Date: 13 July 2023
Trailer :


Diadaptasikan dari manga series karya Moyashi Fujisawa dengan judul yang sama, "Mitarai ke, Enjou Suru" (Burn the House Down) mengisahkan tentang Anzu Murata (Mei Nagano) menyamar sebagai orang gaji di rumah Makiko Mitarai (Kyoka Suzuki). Anzu menggunakan nama Shizuka Yamauchi sebagai samara untuk mengelakkan Makiko kenal identiti dia yang sebenar. 

13 tahun lepas, Makiko cuma seorang ibu tunggal dengan dua orang anak lelaki di bawah tanggungannya. Sejak berkawan rapat dengan ibu Anzu, Makiko mula tiru gaya pemakaian Satsuki Murata (Michiko Kichise) kemudiannya secara curi-curi menggunakan perhiasan dan pakaian supaya terlihat elit di mata orang luar. 

Satu hari, malang menimpa keluarga Anzu bila rumah vila mereka terbakar. Hangus dijilat api. Satsuki diceraikan kerana kecuaiannya lalu menghidap amnesia kerana trauma akibat insiden tersebut. Sementara Makiko berkahwin dengan ayah Anzu, Osamu Mitarai (Mitsuhiro Oikawa) dan mendapat segala kekayaan yang diidamkan. 

Anzu syak Makiko yang menjadi punca kepada insiden kebakaran tersebut. Walaupun dalam CCTV tak jelas siapa yang keluar melalui pintu belakang tapi dia pasti cardigan kepunyaan ibunya dipakai oleh Makiko pada hari kejadian. Berpegang dengan bukti tersebut, Anzu dan adiknya, Yuzu (Yuri Tsunematsu) cuba membalas dendam. 

Drama Jepun terbaru di Netflix ni mempunyai keunikan pada idea jalan cerita yang berkisarkan balas dendam. Menariknya, bukan Sahaja Anzu dan Yuzu cuba untuk jatuhkan Makiko malah anak Makiko sendiri mempunyai motif untuk balas dendam. 

Dua episod pertama seronok lah nak layan sebab curious tengok Anzu nak cari bukti yang disimpan di rumah Makiko. Kelakar juga sebab satu-satunya bukti yang ada tak disimpan dengan baik, siap tayang dekat Instagram. Mungkin sebab Makiko yakin video cctv dah dihapuskan. Tapi bila masuk part Makiko pecat Anzu tu dah mula mehhh sebab Anzu tak lah bijak sangat nak sorok motif dan identiti dia. 

Nasib Anzu baik sebab ada beberapa watak yang tolong dia untuk jatuhkan Makiko because apparently orang sekeliling Makiko pun menyampah tengok ‘pefect life’ dia. Bila tengok episod 7 macam lahhh senang je nak hancurkan hidup Makiko tapi motif Anzu bukan pada nak hancurkan Makiko sebaliknya nak Makiko mengaku salah dan mohon maaf pada Satsuki. Menyampah tengok lakonan Mei yang sentiasa tunjuk muka sembab innocent sedangkan lawan dia lagi bijak. Perfect lah pilih Kyoka untuk watak antagonis. Creepy tengok dia bakar baju, masa dia jumpa Yuzu dekat kedai kek ataupun masa dia komen dekat laman web Kiichi.

Dekat episod akhir pun tak berhenti plot twist siapa sebenarnya yang jadi punca rumah tu terbakar. Tak pasti lah sistem anti-kebakaran dekat Jepun macam mana sebab mudah sangat rumah tu terbakar. Lagi satu sebab rumah Mitarai pun tak ada pekerja, jadi lambat lah bomba datang selamatkan. It doesn’t make sense but you have to accept that part because it is what it is. 

Love angle antara Yuzu dengan Shinji pun macam buang masa, sama juga Anzu dan Kiichi Mitarai (Asuka Kudo). Macam awkward lah bercinta dengan anak kepada orang yang dah musnahkan hidup kau satu keluarga. Tapi tu lah, dunia Anzu dengan Yuzu pun dekat situ-situ je, tak keluar jauh pun. 

Watak ayah dia yang terpaling tak berguna sekali. Dah la tak pernah peduli pun dengan bekas isteri, dengan anak-anak perempuan dia apatah lagi. Bila kahwin baru pun tak pernah peduli dengan anak-anak baru. Yang dia tahu stay dekat hospital tapi kerja dia pun banyak Ketua Jururawat yang uruskan sebab dia macam incapable untuk position yang besar dekat hospital tu. Tapi tu lah, itu kan hospital dia, jadi tak hairan lah kalau dia jadi CEO. 

Overall, drama ni buang masa sebab tak saspen dan misteri pun. 

1. Team Production +0.6, 2. Visual +1, 3. Audio +1, 4. Storyline +0.4, 5. Casting +0.5, 6. Genre +0.2, 7. Themes +0.7, 8. Editing +0.6, 9. Social Message +0.5, 10. Personal Thought +0.2 = 5.7/10

Movie Review | Oh! My Ghost (2022)

Saturday, 7 October 2023


Director: Hong Tae-sun
Writer: Yoo Se-moon
Cast: Jeong Jin-woon, Ahn Seo-hyun, Lee Joo-yeon, Jeon Soo-jin
Production Company: Film A Pictures Co., Ltd
Distributors: D-Station Co., Ltd, iQiyi
Genre: Comedy / Horror
Running Time: minutes
Release Date: 15 September 2022
Trailer :


Naskhah yang dihasilkan dengan kerjasama Korea University of Media and Film mengisahkan tentang Taemin (Jeong Jin-woon) yang mempunyai kebolehan untuk nampak hantu. Penat menjadi pembaca kad tarot, Taemin bersetuju untuk bekerja sebagai Floor Manager di sebuah studio penggambaran iklan. 

Studio kepunyaan Kang Se-ah (Lee Joo-yeon) mempunyai masalah gangguan hantu setiap malam sehingga banyak yang berhenti kerja kerana takut. Sejak adanya Taemin, mereka tak pernah ada masalah untuk buat penggambaran atau rakaman secara langsung terutamanya pada waktu malam. Sementara Taemin menjadi kawan kepada hantu perempuan bernama Kongi (Ahn Seo-hyun), Se-ah pula sibuk mencari sesuatu di set studio tersebut. Sesuatu yang sudah lama keluarganya mencari, sejak dari generasi neneknya namun gagal. 


Satu hari production crew beli kamera 8k resolution untuk rakaman mereka dan Se-ah luluskan pembelian tersebut. Kerana resolusi kamera yang tinggi dan hebat, Kongi juga turut terakam dalam video iklan mereka. Menurut kepercayaan, sekiranya video jualan mempunyai hantu, jualan mereka mencanak tinggi dan perkara tersebut betul-betul terjadi. Akibat tamak, Myeong-seok (Jung Tae-woo) mencari dukun untuk menangkap Kongi dan paksa untuk berlakon dalam semua video iklan mereka. 

Filem Oh! My Ghost tak macam filem Korea yang lain sebab pembikinan yang dilakukan oleh pelajar filem jadi kebanyakan babak nampak amatur walaupun mempunyai barisan pelakon yang berpengalaman. Personally I tak suka tajuk cerita ni sebab pertama, dah banyak sangat movie komersial guna tajuk yang sama. Kedua, sebab tak ada kaitan sangat pun dengan pertalian Kongi dengan Taemin. Kalau dia buat Oh! My Kongi mungkin relatable sebab senang nak cari dan unik. 


Plot Oh! My Ghost arahan Hong Tae-sun menarik sebenarnya dengan elemen dua latar masa yang bersilih ganti di mana Taemin dan Kongi bukan saja ada hubung kait pada zaman sekarang malah sebelum tu lagi cuma masing-masing tak kenal sebab hilang ingatan. Sayangnya, plot yang awalnya menarik makin lama makin menurun momentumnya disebabkan editing yang lemah dan rushing. Dekat hujung cerita masa Taemin berlawan dengan roh-roh jahat tu teruk sangat editing sampai tak faham apa dan kenapa. 

Pembahagian screentime atau perkembangan watak pun tak ditulis atau diolah dengan baik. Dari awal nampak macam watak Seung Hee (Jeon Soo-jin) akan bantu adik dia, Taemin memandangkan masing-masing ada kebolehan untuk nampak alam mistik tapi sayang dia cuma muncul bila perlu dan jadi watak sampingan yang lemah, sama macam Se-ah yang kononnya keturunan dukun. 


Ada upacara yang dimasukkan pada second half movie tapi tak diceritakan langsung upacara tu bertujuan untuk apa pada penduduk kampung dan apa relevannya pada waktu sekarang. Patutnya kembangkan lagi part tu supaya tahu asal-usul keturunan Se-ah yang banyak membantu keharmonian kawasan tersebut. Macam mana dukun tu pilih orang yang layak menjaga tempat tersebut. Banyak lah pertanyaan yang tak dijawab bila masuk second half Oh! My Ghost. 

Filem Oh! My Ghost genre komedi tapi kebanyakan masanya lawak tak menjadi dan terasa hambar. Dinamik antara Jin-woon dan Ahn Seo-hyun pun tak kuat mana untuk tarik perhatian supaya tahu lebih dalam lagi. Walaupun filem ni komedi tapi bila setiap kali ada kemunculan hantu, terasa seram juga lah ditambah dengan makeup yang seram dan jump scare yang dimasukkan. 


Hopefully pelajar Korea University of Media and Film belajar dari tayangan filem ni untuk improve mana yang kurang lah sebab ada potential tapi tak mampu pergi jauh sebab few factors. Tengok filem ni rasa macam tengok filem Melayu. Ada can nak pergi tapi tak boleh pergi. 

1. Team Production +0.6, 2. Visual +0.8, 3. Audio +1, 4. Storyline +0.5, 5. Casting +1, 6. Genre +0.4, 7. Themes +1, 8. Editing +0.4, 9. Social Message +0.6, 10. Personal Thought +0.3 = 6.6/10

T5 for W KOREA Vol.8

TREASURE announced their comeback with an album, ‘REBOOT’. About a month before that, the five members So Jung-hwan, Junkyu, Ji-hoon, Yoon Jae-hyuk, and Doyoung started warming up as the unit T5. Just as a gemstone that withstands high temperature and pressure is reborn as a jewel, those who have endured hardships are now stronger and uniquely shining than anyone else.


From left | Jihoon's leather jacket is from Saint Laurent, pants are from Army, shoes are from NI, and earrings are from Takahiro Miyashita The Soloist. Doyoung’s knit top, pants, and shoes are all Ferragamo products. So Jung-hwan's leather jacket and shoes are from Saint Laurent, the pants are from Army, and the sleeveless is from the stylist's collection. Junkyu's blazer and pants are from Balenciaga by 10 Corso Como Seoul, and the shoes are from Balenciaga. The bomber jacket worn by Jaehyuk Yoon is from Celine, the pants are from Saint Laurent, the shoes are from Enfant Riche d'Eprime, and the sleeveless is from the stylist's collection.

SO JUNGHWAN


<W Korea> You grew your hair long. You got the nickname ‘Terius’ and the response was enthusiastic. The process of growing a long hair style is arduous. Was it okay?

I wanted to show a new side of So Jung-hwan. I've started growing it during her tour, and since I was able to slightly cover my eyes, people responded that I'm mature and sexy. So I kept raising it. There are some inconveniences. It really tickles (laughs). I can't see clearly when I dances. I tried tying my hair and pinning it in place, but somehow it came undone.

<W Korea> There are many fans who look forward to the acrobatic performance that Junghwan showed during his trainee days. I am one of them. 

At the time of Acrobatic Lassen, I had not learned many movements properly. So what I can do now is limited. I want to learn more, but I'm afraid I'll get hurt. It's currently on hold for a while.


<W Korea> When talking about Junghwan, Taekwondo is a keyword that cannot be left out. Did your experience doing Taekwondo when you were young help you in your career as a singer? 

It's definitely advantageous for using your body. My core is also stronger than others. However, the downside was that I danced with moderation, as if I were doing Taekwondo. The strength was good, but it looked stiff, so I tried to create a softer dance line. It took quite a while to break that habit.

<W Korea> How did you get into Taekwondo? 

Following my friend's advice, I went to the dojo and learned for about 5 years from the age of 7 to 12. Taekwondo has two disciplines: sparring and poom. I did Poomsae, and although I won a medal every year, I worried, ‘Is this a path I can continue?’ I quit, enrolled in a practical music academy, auditioned, and ended up here. If I had continued with Taekwondo, I would have reached 5th Dan.





<W Korea> Kukkiwon is missing a talented person. Junghwan seems to have grown significantly taller since his debut. He now has a stocky physique and a mature image. Even in the ‘Move’ choreography, the clear abs were noticeable. 

When I exercise, I gain muscle as I do. I have to dance, but I can't be heavy, so right now I'm only doing cardio and abdominal exercises. It hasn’t been long since I started managing my diet. I'm in goat mode right now (laughter). I only ate cabbage today. There is a music broadcast tomorrow.

<W Korea> That's too bad. I heard that Jeonghwan likes it, so he ordered a lot of donuts as a snack today. 

I couldn't eat a single thing. I'm so sorry. I can't help it because I'm on a diet. I have a lot to do with donuts. Thanks to this, I also made the Line Friends character into a donut (laughter). I like a lot of other foods too. I ate tripe as my last supper before dieting. If I make another character in the future, I will make it with tripe (laughs).

<W Korea> What is your favorite time of day? 

When my schedule is over and I'm lying in my dorm and thinking, 'I did well today, but I need to do better tomorrow.' It must be around 1 am. It's not that long. I think briefly and fall asleep right away. I'm really simple. I have very little to worry about.

KIM DOYOUNG

The blazer, pants, and belt worn by Doyoung are from Dolce & Gabbana.

<W Korea> TREASURE's new unit T5 is currently active. How do you feel? 

It feels like another beginning. The reactions of those around me are slightly different. I was also told that I was ‘handsome’ (laughter). While preparing for T5, I put in a lot of effort to show a more mature side. I worked out hard with the goal of gaining weight.

<W Korea> How long did it take for T5 members to be selected and released into the world? 

It didn't take that long. About a month and a half? I had a really hectic time. I practiced the choreography every day and continued to edit and record. Since there was only one song, ‘Move’, we had to improve its quality. physically What I lacked, I made up for with red ginseng or garlic injections (laughter).

<W Korea> An unusual promotion where the choreography video were released before the MV. The choreography video for ‘Move’ exceeded 10 million views within two days of its release.  

They said it exceeded 20 million views today. I'm proud. Actually, I didn't know that the dance video would be released. If I had known, I wouldn't have worn a T-shirt with a Pokemon on it (laughter).


<W Korea> Doyoung is famous for his soft and delicate dance moves. He said that while practicing ‘Move’, he learned how to relax in the choreography and finely control the strength and weakness. 

I felt it when filming the MV. It was actually too much to wear a suit and put emphasis on my eyes. So I practiced being more relaxed than usual. I looked back and forth like I was looking at a mirror in the bathroom and thought, ‘You look good today,’ and calmly brushed my hair (laughter).

<W Korea> I think he's already calm and mature enough. 

I guess it's because I've been a trainee since I was young. I was always the youngest before my debut. I think I grew up quickly after seeing my older brothers who were more mature. Nowadays, people say that when things are difficult, they are difficult. As a result, emotional expression has become more abundant.


<W Korea> When is the moment that stimulates Doyoung’s emotions? 

I get emotional when I see the Han River. The Han River in the evening, with the wind, the city's neon signs, and the shining moon, always stimulates my emotions.

<W Korea> Do you have anything to worry about these days? 

I want to give everyone the impression that I have a ‘good body’. I tend to pursue slim, lean muscles so that I don't look dull and agile when dancing. I'm also improving my physical strength. There's still a long way to go. It's just the beginning. This is our first time working as a unit.

<W Korea> Have you grown from a baby's taste buds to an adult's taste buds as your physique has grown? 

Would you say it's the taste of a middle schooler who has grown up a bit? Now I know how to drink coffee. Decaffeinated instead (laughs). But I still can't eat spicy food well. Yukgaejang bowl noodles are okay, but Shin Ramyun is still a bit too much.

<W Korea> He has a cute side. Where does Doyoung stand between cuteness and maturity? Putting it all together, we call it ‘stupid’ (laughter). 

Every time I get asked similar questions like this, I think more. I always find it difficult to define myself as ‘what kind of person I am.’ So, I always introduce myself as an ENTJ, and I want to let people know about my hidden charms through this T5 activity.

PARK JIHOON

Jihoon's blazer, torn denim pants, and shoes are from Dolce & Gabbana.

<W Korea> Following Treasure, he also served as the leader of unit T5. I think the weight and responsibility of being a leader felt great. 

Actually, we didn't directly decide on the leader of T5. Junkyu created a good song, and the members who suited it well came together to form T5. I just created an atmosphere for natural practice. first it was a net activity, I listened to the members’ concerns.

<W Korea>  What kind of person does Jihoon think is a good leader? 

Producing good results through intense effort and process. That's what I think the ideal leader looks like.

<W Korea>  What is the most memorable moment while preparing for T5? 

When I first heard ‘Move’. I am ‘Power J’ (planning type). As soon as I heard the song, I thought, ‘I wish the MV was filmed like this and the choreography was like this. I pictured in my head, ‘I wish someone would take on this part.’

<W Korea>  Not only as a leader, but also as a producer, you look outstanding. 

When I was a trainee, I decided on a song, choreographed it myself, and took an evaluation at the end of the month. Those experiences have accumulated and are manifesting even after debut. It was difficult at the time, but now that I think about it, it is a necessary skill as a singer.


<W Korea>  What is T5 trying to say through ‘Move’? 

If Treasure has had a young, energetic and friendly image so far, we are now trying to show a more mature side. The 2nd full-length album will soon be released with a completely different appearance. If the concept changes suddenly, it can be unfamiliar, so we tried to reduce the sense of heterogeneity of the transformation by giving a taste of it in ‘Move’.

<W Korea>  He is the strongest in the team and is also famous for his muscular body. 

In an interview, I also revealed that I have a body type that easily gains muscle. My father was a career soldier. Maybe that's why, when he was young, he was good at sports, enough to participate in track and field competitions. However, he had no desire to ‘get in shape’, so he tried weight training for the first time as a trainee. I was in good shape back then. But it was heavy. Now I mainly focus on cardio, chest, and abdominal exercises. I feel like I’ll collapse during the concert if I don’t exercise at all (laughs).


<W Korea> Although they are the ‘J’ type, they are also the ‘T’ type, known for their realistic tendencies. Is there an episode that occurred because of T? 

The members may feel that I am a ‘fact bomber.’ Hyunseok is F and I am T. When members consult with us about their concerns, Hyunseok sympathizes and then suggests a solution, but for me, the solution comes first. So, when you are tired and exhausted, you go to Hyunseok, and if you have a problem that needs a solution, you come to me (laughs). But actually, I also have a lot of emotions. There are times when I cry while watching a romantic movie alone at night. However, human Park Jihoon and Treasure Park Jihoon are different.

<W Korea> You seem like an old man. 

There was a time when I was immature and raced forward only, and there is some advice that I remember. ‘If you hold on to something you have because you don’t want to lose it, you won’t be able to hold on to anything else. ‘Sometimes you have to know how to let go and hold on to something else with that hand.’ After that, I'm going to let go of a lot of things.

YOON JAEHYUK

The knit top, pants, and shoes worn byYoon Jaehyuk are Ferragamo products.

<W Korea> Unit T5's activities and Treasure's 2nd full-length album activities take place within a short period of time. Wasn’t it hard to prepare for the comeback at the same time? 

While preparing for T5, we also recorded a full-length album. Everyone is having a busy time. I think it would be good to think of T5 as the beginning, the intro, of  REBOOT.

<W Korea> What do you think is T5’s unique strength? 

First of all, it is special that we are showing a new side with a new unit, and that all unit members have vocal parts. Talking a lot about visuals, but this is an area where tastes vary greatly depending on the viewer (laughs).


<W Korea>  He is known for being kind to his fans and members, so much so that he is nicknamed ‘Yoon Da-jeong’ and ‘Yoon Sweet’ among his fans. Where does Jaehyuk’s sweetness come from? 

Parents. When I thinks back to my childhood, when my father came home from work, he always brought something like tteokbokki, ice cream, and bungeoppang. Perhaps because I grew up seeing that kind of giving, I also tend to give a lot to my members. I often buy snacks at convenience stores, etc.

<W Korea>  Even these days, when you go to a convenience store, do you first choose jelly and banana milk? 

Me and Banana Milk have a special relationship (laughter). I used to like it a long time ago, but last year I fell out of love with it, but recently I started drinking it again. Last year, I fell in love with chocolate milk. But chocolate milk is too thick. I came back to banana milk. I like fat banana milk (laughs).


<W Korea>  What is your ‘favorite’ snack these days? 

Biyotte. The combination of yogurt and chocolate snacks is good, and it's filling, so it's good as a meal. However, this does not mean that you only eat this. If I have salty snacks, I need something sweet too. I tend to store it at home and eat it. So, if you look at one grocery store, it costs about 100,000 won (laughs).

<W Korea>  It's just a middle position within the team, right? 

Same goes for age. that's right. I'm just the middle age, so I listen to the youngest's struggles and my older brothers' concerns as well. Rather than listening to concerns and solving them directly, I tend to just provide direction. But on the other hand, I don't really talk about myself. I try to solve my problems on my own.

<W Korea> So what is your role at T5? It's just in the middle here too. 

Since T5 has just been formed, I don't have anything specific to do. Oh, I’m in charge of the intro (laughs).

<W Korea> Of course, the introduction is the most important. I will watch you more carefully on stage. What helps Jaehyuk soothe his tiring day these days? 

I fall asleep while listening to the work and writing feedback in my notebook. Take time to think, ‘Let’s fix this next time.’ The important thing here is that you have to listen to music with a headset. If you listen loudly through the speakers, other members of the dorm may wake up (laughs).

KIM JUNKYU

Junkyu's striped jacket is from Neon Genesis Oddity, and the sleeveless, pants, and shoes are from Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello.

<W Korea> Through the new song ‘Move’, you have participated in writing and composing lyrics for the first time since my debut. 

I showed a lot of my work to the company. Luckily, ‘Move’ was chosen. Actually, what I made was just a demo, and thanks to the help of the producers, I was able to come out with good quality.

<W Korea> You must be busy with Treasure activities, but you must be very greedy to even be working on a song. 

I have a lot of greed for music. There is a work space in the room. We installed a soundproof booth. So, I can work whenever inspiration strikes. I spend most of my time in a soundproof booth. Even when I rest, I rest there.

<W Korea> What story does ‘Move’ tell? 

The theme was ‘Let’s go out into the world with a new look.’ In the demo, I presented it in my own way, but through the arrangement, YG's color was added. Personally, I’ve wanted to make a song with a sexy concept like ‘Move’ for a long time. I like songs with that kind of dreamy feel, so I think the inspiration kept piling up and then ‘Tap!’ came out.

<W Korea> Where do you usually get musical inspiration or clues? 

I don’t really watch movies or dramas. Instead, I listen to a lot of songs. When I have a favorite artist or song, I listen to it for more than three years. After listening to it for a long time and liking it, it seems to lead to inspiration.

<W Korea> While making music, you probably think a lot about ‘What is good music?’ 

That's right. I hope the lyrics are positive and that the lyrics and melody feel intuitive and not difficult when you listen to them. The first impression at the moment of listening is important, but good music should be able to make the listener understand from the beginning to the end. That's my opinion. There is no right answer in music.


<W Korea> There must be a lot of songs you've worked on so far, right? I wonder how many songs are in Junkyu’s work folder. 

I have been accumulating it for 7 years since my first year in high school. In fact, I have many projects that are embarrassing to call music. I think there are about 300 files, and there are only a handful of songs that I am satisfied with.

<W Korea> When you make a song, do you tend to decide on the title first and then write the lyrics? Do you tend to come up with titles while writing lyrics? 

I usually decide, ‘This should be the title of the song,’ and then make music. If the lyrics or melody in the refrain or repetitive part are interesting, I use that as a title.


<W Korea>  I am also curious about whether Junkyu has changed as a person while writing lyrics and composing music. You went from being a listener to someone who makes music. 

I like it because it looks like a dream. However, I am not as comfortable listening to music as I used to be. I will always looking for something to learn. So these days, I'm just trying to focus on listening.

<W Korea>  What story do you want to talk about next? 

We have to do better than before. I want to continue to improve without being caught up in perfectionism. I have great musical ambitions, but more than anything, I want to be a happy person. Happy music comes from happy people.










credit to: W Korea Magazine 
disclaimer: rough translation

(Kiri ke kanan) Dr Hazami Jahari, Ketua Pengarah, DBP; YB Puan Lim Hui Ying, Timbalan MenteriPendidikan Malaysia, Priya Dharshini, Ketua Kandungan, Astro Radio; Hakimi Tajul As’ari, Ketua Pidcast,Astro Radio dan SN Dato’ Dr. Anuar Rethwan, Pengerusi Lembaga Pengelola, DBP, di sambutan Hari
Inovasi DBP 2023

SYOK Podcast terbitan Astro Radio, platform audio digital telah dipilih oleh Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) sebagai penerima 'Anugerah Citra Sahabat DBP 2023' dalam kategori sektor swasta, sempena Hari Inovasi DBP yang diadakan pada 4 Oktober 2023.

Anugerah disampaikan oleh YB Puan Lim Hui Ying, Timbalan Menteri Pendidikan Malaysia, manakala mewakili Astro Radio untuk menerima anugerah itu adalah Priya Dharshini, Ketua Kandungan, dan Hakimi Tajul As’ari, Ketua Podcast. Tajuk-tajuk podcast pemenang anugerah ini diadaptasi daripada penerbitan DBP kepada tiga siri drama SYOK Podcast popular, termasuk Malam Pengantin, drama fiksyen; Hikayat Gegar Pagi, drama sejarah Melayu; dan Belang Harimau Besi, drama sejarah berdasarkan peristiwa sebenar.

Priya Dharshini, Ketua Kandungan, Astro Radio, berkata, “Kami berbesar hati menerima Anugerah Citra Sahabat DBP 2023, tahun ini. Pencapaian ini mencerminkan komitmen kami dalam memupuk kerjasama yang bermakna untuk menyampaikan kandungan berharga kepada pendengar kami melalui SYOK Podcast. Kami percaya pada kuasa podcast yang menjadi medium untuk pendidikan, inspirasi dan hiburan.”

Anugerah Citra Sahabat DBP mengiktiraf individu, persatuan, syarikat, organisasi, agensi atau pihak cemerlang yang telah memainkan peranan penting dan berkesan dalam membantu DBP menyebarkan dan memartabatkan bahasa dan sastera. 

Semua rakyat Malaysia boleh terus menikmati SYOK Podcast yang popular termasuk Malam Pengantin, Hikayat GEGAR Pagi dan Belang Harimau Besi di laman web atau melalui aplikasi SYOK.

‘ZAYAN Masjid Motorhome Tour’ bakal menemui peminat pada 7 Oktober ini

Friday, 6 October 2023

‘ZAYAN Masjid Motorhome Tour’ bakal menemui peminat pada 7 Oktober ini | Lima masjid sekitar Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Putrajaya dan Cyberjaya

‘ZAYAN Masjid Motorhome Tour’ bakal menemui peminat pada 7 Oktober ini

• Semua peminat ZAYAN dijemput hadir untuk memeriahkan ZAYAN Masjid Motorhome Tour yang akan diadakan pada 7 Oktober, bermula 6 pagi hingga 8 malam di lima masjid sekitar Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Putrajaya dan Cyberjaya dalam masa satu hari perjalanan.

Lokasi-lokasi ZAYAN Masjid Motorhome Tour di bawah:

• ZAYAN Masjid Motorhome Tour bakal memberi pengisian dan aktiviti menarik kepada para peminat termasuk solat berjemaah di lokasi lawatan, permainan yang menghiburkan, pemberian barangan eksklusif ZAYAN serta sesi beramah mesra bersama selebriti tempatan dan personaliti-personaliti ZAYAN termasuk Fynn Jamal, Mawi, Anas, Faisal Ismail (ZAYAN Pagi), Lin Ariffin (ZAYAN 10-3) serta Hadhari dan Hazwan (H&H di ZAYAN).

• Sebagai tambahan, para peminat ZAYAN juga berpeluang menang hadiah wang tunai dalam peraduan-peraduan menarik seperti Tebuk Surah ZAYAN, di mana peserta perlu memberi sambungan ayat dari surah yang dibacakan, dari sekarang hingga 6 Oktober dan Siapa itu ZAYAN?, di mana peserta perlu meneka suara penyanyi mengikut sedutan lagu nasyid, bermula pada 9 hingga 20 Oktober di udara.

• Untuk maklumat lanjut, layari zayan.syok.my atau ikuti platform media sosial.