KajoMag

6 essential handbags for the everyday influential fashionista

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Tennis player Maria Sharapova once said, “I want my handbags and my shoes to be stylish but I want to make sure that they’re versatile. I travel and I have to make sure the pieces I put into my bag can go with a dress or with shorts or jeans.”

Surely, there are many women out there who can relate with Sharapova when it comes to handbags. We’re not just carrying small everyday items anymore, we’re carrying our work essentials like our smartphones, our tablets, our notebooks, and even our power banks!

Nowadays, a handbag needs to be practical without sacrificing fashion.

Choose the perfect handbags for your needs. Credit: Pixabay.
Choose the perfect handbag for your needs. Credit: Pixabay.

If you are stuck when it comes to choosing a handbag, here is a guideline of what types of handbags out there will suit all your uses.

1. Tote bag

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A good old tote bag is definitely one of the must-have handbags. Photo by Sueda Dilli:

If it is a large bag with a wide mouth which usually comes unfastened or at least with a single magnetic closure, that is what they call a tote bag.

The word ‘tote’ means ‘to carry’ and can be traced back to the 17th century, but it wasn’t until the 19th century when the tote bag itself became a thing.

Tote bags can look totes sleek (think the Birkin bag), smart casual (like the slouchy tote bag) or great for a day-trip at the beach.

Apart from being widely used as a day bag for work, a tote bag is also the best on-the-go bag for a shopping trip.

It is simply because you can stuff everything inside.

2. Bucket bag

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According to us, one of the must-have handbags is definitely a bucket bag. Photo by Tal Gold

As the name goes, a bucket bag is shaped like a bucket with a stretchable opening. It’s usually fastened with a tie and makes quick work of opening and closing instead of a zip.

If you are opting for more of a casual look, the bucket bag is perfect for you.

It looks less polished than the formal-looking tote bag but it’s single compartment and its barrel-shape makes it easy for you to toss in a lot of things, including odd-shaped objects like a water bottle.

3. Cross-body bag

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You can never go wrong with a crossbody bag. Photo by Berna:

This bag comes with a long, sturdy strap that enables it to be worn across the body.

The perfect cross-body bag should be able to fit your necessities such as your wallet, smartphone and some makeup essentials such as compact powder and lipstick.

This is perfect for the girl who wants some freedom of movement and needs to keep their important things close.

4. Wristlet

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Photo by ge yonk.

A wristlet is an upgraded version of a clutch which allows you to keep strictly to your essentials.

It comes with a straplet for you to loop around your wrist and is perfect for you to bring out for a night on the town and dance freely.

5. Hobo

A hobo bag is a crescent-shaped handbag made from soft, slouchy materials and a single strap.

It’s called a hobo bag because it looks like the shape of the bundle on a stick that you see hobos in cartoons carry over their shoulder.

It is perfect for those who are not fans of rectangular or squarish-looking bags and prefer something with softer material.

6. Evening clutch

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Photo by Mikhail Nilov:

A clutch is what you need to complete your evening look. It is a bag that you simply need to ‘clutch’ onto during a formal dinner.

Pick a simple black or gold clutch for a timeless style or go wild with a pop of colour.

Invest in a good quality clutch because this is one fashion item we could use over and over again.

How many times do we get to wear our evening gowns anyway?

Are you looking for more fashion inspiration? Here are 10 K-dramas to watch for some fashion-inspo.

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Discover 8 types of delectable Kuching foods to eat in Cat City

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Kuching foods; Kuchingites can get pretty opinionated about what’s good to eat and where as we pride ourselves on having the best food around.

Whether it is for breakfast, lunch, dinner of even snacking in between meals, everybody has their own preferences.

For first-timers here in the Cat City, here is the list of must-try, affordable Kuching food when you are in town.

1. Kolo mee

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Kolo mee can be found in just about any coffeeshop here.

Considered by many as the poster noodle for Kuching, kolo mee is an all time favourite among Kuchingites.

Usually consumed for breakfast, you’ll still see this dish available for lunch and dinner… even after clubbing.

A basic bowl of kolo mee consists of its signature yellow noodles topped off with char siew, minced meat, and chopped scallion.

A simple yet satisfying dish, a bowl of kolo mee usually around RM5, depending on the toppings.

2. Laksa

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This bowl of sumptuous, fiery goodness has an international appeal – just ask Anthony Bourdain.

I may be biased, but I find Sarawak laksa is the best kind compared to other varieties of laksas around Malaysia like the Penang Assam Laksa and Johor Laksa.

Anthony Bourdain himself called it the ‘Breakfast of the Gods’ during his second visit here to Kuching in 2016, putting other types of laksa to shame, as Sarawak laksa crowned itself the Queen.

A bowl of Sarawak laksa usually consists of bee hoon (rice vermicelli), shrimp, strips of omelette, shredded chicken and bean sprouts swimming in the dish’s most important feature, the spicy laksa broth. The whole concoction is topped with fresh sprigs of coriander.

For those eating laksa for the first time, take your time to enjoy the lingering fragrance of the laksa broth which gets its rich flavour from a paste made up of chillis, coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, aniseed, cumin along with a host of aromatic spices.

An average bowl of laksa can typically cost anywhere under RM10, depending on the size of the shrimp, the bowl portions or the topping.

3. Mee hijau/Spinach noodles

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Light and savoury Mee Hijau at ABC Corner, Pending

As its name suggests, Mee Hijau is a bowl of green spinach noodles. Depending on the stall owner, it can come topped with char siew or roasted chicken.

Currently, most Kuchingites get their spinach noodle fix at Chong Chon Green Noodle at 3rd Mile, costing about RM6.

Chong Chon Green Noodle at 3rd Mile, Kuching
The iconic Chong Chon Green Noodle at 3rd Mile, Kuching

Spinach is blended in with the noodle dough to create that lovely green colour. Chong Chon’s green noodle dish is chewy, springy and savoury from soaking in beef broth.

Simply delicious, spinach noodle is also a healthy meal for those who do not like veggies but still need to fill up on your fibers. Bon Appetit!

4. Mee sapi/Beef noodles

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One of the most popular places to get Mee Sapi is at Green Hill, Kuching

If kolo mee is the loud attention-seeking sibling, then mee sapi or beef noodles is the calmer of the two.

This simple yet hearty noodle dish is often overlooked when non-Kuchingites ask which dishes to try when they are in town.

While it looks similar to kolo mee, it is with topped slices of beef, bean sprouts and chopped scallions. It is the perfect noodle dish to have for breakfast.

You can have it ‘dry’ which means that your noodles will be served separately with a bowl of steaming hot beef broth, or as ‘Mee Sapi Sup’ which combines the soup and the noodles together.

Mee sapi can be found anywhere in Kuching, but my favourite place to get a bowl of freshly prepared Mee Sapi is at Green Hill (non-halal) in downtown Kuching.

5. Cha Kueh

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One of the best snack foods to be eaten with friends.

Cha Kueh – white radish typically fried with egg and sweet soy sauce – is usually served in a huge portion and as a side dish as it is meant to be shared with lots of people while waiting for their main orders to arrive.

Or am I the only one who does that?

Compared to the other dishes on this list, Cha Kueh is the fastest dish to reach your table taking perhaps about 5 minutes depending on the queue at that particular food stall.

Typically, the cost of this delectable hawker dish may range from RM4 (small) to RM6 (large).

6. Kueh Chap

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Kueh Chap, the ultimate Kuching food for those who love pork.

If you love pork you will love this Kuching food.

Kueh Chap is a Teochew dish made up of a whole variety of piggy parts like pork belly, pork intestines, pork meat together with boiled egg and sheets of wide, flat rice noodles drenched in a brown aromatic herbal brown broth.

A bowl of Kueh Chap may cost around RM6 to RM10. The best place to get Kueh Chap is at Carpenter Street.

7. Mani Chai Bee Hoon

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Mani Chai Bee Hoon at Yong Siang Corner, Pending.

Depending on which food stalls you go to, you’ll find a local vegetable called Mani Chai in Chinese or ‘cangkuk manis’ in Malay. It is a dark, leafy green vegetable and Mani Chai Bee Hoon is a simple dish that is fairly popular in Sarawak.

In Sarawak, Mani Chai Bee Hoon is a rice vermicelli dish usually stir-fried with egg and Mani Chai. Since it is almost a household dish, some places even serve it together sliced meat or even fish cakes.

You can find this Kuching food in almost any coffeeshop in Kuching. A plate of Mani Chai Bee Hoon can cost anywhere from RM5 to RM8.

8. Nasi Goreng Dabai

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Nasi Goreng Dabai at IMH Cafe, Rock Road, Kuching.

Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum) is a local fruit in Sarawak. The outer coating of the fruit is glossy black while the flesh of the fruit is bright yellow covering an elongated seed.

Preparing dabai itself is quite easy; all you have to do is soak it in hot water for at least 15 minutes. Once  softened, you can pull it from the seed and eat the flesh with soy sauce and salt.

A plate of fried nasi dabai may cost around RM6 to RM8.

9. Mee Tomato

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Mee Tomato at Open Air Market, Kuching.

Tomato noodles or Mee Tomato was my favourite noodle dish of all time when I was growing up.

Mee Tomato is made up of either yellow or crispy noodles topped with chicken or char siew drenched in a thick tomato sauce.

A plate of this reddish orange goodness can cost RM6 to RM10.

If you are looking for a more comprehensive list of Kuching food, check out this article.

 

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10 non-spicy Korean dishes you should try before you die

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Non-spicy Korean dishes do exists, despite the fact that they are known for its spiciness.

The best part is that they are equally delicious.

If you feel like eating Korean cuisine but could not handle the heat, try these non-spicy Korean dishes dishes instead.

1. Jajangmyeon

If you are a fan of K-dramas or Korean variety shows, you must be familiar with this food.

The main component of this Korean noodle dish is its sauce, made of chunjang or black bean sauce, ground pork and vegetables.

The sauce is thick and served hot over thick noodles made from white wheat flour.

For those who prefer rice instead of noodles, the rice variation of this dish is jajangbap made with the same sauce but served with rice.

Imagine a heavier taste of soy sauce with a thicker texture – that is what jajang sauce tastes like.

If you are not a fan of soy sauce however, you might not like jajangmyeon either.

non-spicy Korean dishes
Jajang Rice, one of many non-spicy Korean dishes that you must try. 

2. Sujebi

Sujebi or hand-pulled dough soup is one of my personal favourite non-spicy Korean dishes.

It has a refreshing broth with noodles roughly torn by hand served with vegetables.

Malaysians can compare sujebi to local pan mian with kelp instead of mani chai.

Once you’ve tried it, you might start craving for sujebi especially during the rainy season.

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One of the non-spicy food to try, Sujebi! Photo credits: Pixabay.

3. Kimbap

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Image by jinsoo jang from Pixabay

This rice-roll wrapped in seaweed is so irresistible and perfect for light lunches.

There are varieties of fillings of kimbap including cheese, egg strips, carrot, cucumber, kimchi, ham, tuna, stir-fried beef and spicy cooked squid.

4. Bibimbap

This dish was listed at number 40 on the World’s 50 most delicious foods reads’ poll compiled by CNN Travel.

Bibimbap literally translates to “mixed rice”. It is usually a bowl of rice topped with sauteed and seasoned vegetables and gochujang (chilli pepper paste).

To make the non-spicy version of this dish – just replace gochujang with doenjang (soybean paste).

Vegetables commonly used are cucumber, radish, mushroom, soybean sprouts and seaweed.

Historically, bibimbap was served to the king for lunch or a between-meals snack. However, nowadays it is a perfect dish for any time of the day.

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Image by Nikki from Pixabay

5.Doenjang jjigae or doenjang guk

Doenjang or soybean paste is used by Koreans as a seasoning or as a dipping condiment.

This paste can be used to make doenjang jjigae (soybean stew) and doenjang guk (soybean soup).

Other ingredients usually added to both these dishes are mushrooms, tofu, potatoes, radishes, seafood and meat.

The difference is that doenjang jjigae is heartier, thicker compared to doenjang guk.

6.Bulgogi

If you love meat, this is the dish for you.

To make bulgogi, one can either grill thinly cut slices of meat (pork or beef) or stir-fry them.

What makes the meat flavourful is all thanks to its seasoning which is a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, sesame oil, black pepper, onions and interestingly enough, pureed pears.

Bulgogi rice

7. Japchae

If the Thais have their pad thai, the Koreans have their japchae to brag about.

The star of this dish is dangmyeon, a type of cellophane noodle made from sweet potato starch.

It is cooked with various ingredients such as carrots, spinach, and onions.

Every ingredient is stir fried separately before being mixed together and season with soy sauce and sesame oil.

8.Galbitang

This non-spicy dish is usually served at wedding receptions.

Galbitang literally means “short ribs soup”. It is a clear dish made by slowly simmering galbi for hours.

It is fits for the royals as there were records of galbitang to be served in Korean royal banquets in the 1890s.

9. Kalguksu

Similar to sujebe, this dish is made of handmade, knife-cut wheat flour noodles served in a hearty broth.

The broth is commonly made with dried anchovies and kelp or chicken.

There are various types of kalguksu including snail kalguksu, perilla seed kalguksu and millet kalguksu.

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A bowl of hearty kalguksu. Photo credits: Pixabay.

10. Naengmyeon

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Image by manseok Kim from Pixabay

The Japanese are not the only who are known for its cold noodle.

In South Korea, naengmyeon is long, thin noodle served with iced broth, cucumbers, pears and radish.

Because its served cold, the dish is a famous dish during the summer season.

Sometimes the dish is served with gochujang but the non-spicy version of this is made with beef and radish broth.

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8 fascinating pecies of hornbills you can spot in Sabah

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Sarawak might be called the “Land of the Hornbills” but plenty of these birds also call neighbouring state – Sabah – home.

Nature lovers or avid bird watchers will find this Sabah Tourism Board infographic handy as it details the types of hornbills which can be found there along with their measurements from head to tail.

hornbills

Check out how else these hornbills differ from each other:

1. Bushy-crested hornbill (Anorrhinus galeritus)

Bushy-crested hornbills prefer roaming around subtropical and tropical lowland areas.

It is a dark-coloured bird and its tail is grey-brown with a broad black tip.

Its diet include figs, fruits, cockroaches, mantis and millipedes.

2. Asian black hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus)

We would not be able to enjoy durian if it were not for this particular hornbill.

Asian black hornbill is known to be a major durian seeds disperser.

The bird is black overall except for its broad white-banded outer tail and its pale yellow casque.

3. Oriental-pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

The oriental-pied hornbill is a black and white bird with a white belly and thighs. The casque, however is yellowish.

The male has a larger casque with few black marks while the female has a smaller casque with more black marks.

This hornbill is considered more common among the Asian hornbill.

4. Wrinkled hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus)

One characteristic of the wrinkled hornbill which stands out are its blue eye rings.

Plus, the males and females of the species look like they come from different families altogether.

The male’s bill is yellow with a red base and its casque is brown on the lower mandible while the bill and casque of the females are almost completely yellow.

Males have bright yellow feathers on the neck, chest and cheeks, but they are black in the females.

5. White-crowned hornbill (Berenicornis cormatus)

With white crown feathers on its crest, this particular hornbill is like the Andy Warhol of its kind.

It can be easily distinguished by its white head, neck, breast and tail while the remaining plumage is black.

It is also known as the long-crested hornbill or white-crested hornbill.

6. Wreathed hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus)

Also known as the bar-pouched wreathed hornbill, you can recognise it by its yellow inflatable pouch on its throat

The casque is corrugated and it has overall black plumage with short white tail.

Males and females of wreathed hornbills look similar but the females weigh averagely lighter than the males

7. Rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros)

Like the rhinoceros, this hornbill has a huge bill and casque which come in orange and red.

The males’ eyes are red with black rims while the females have white with red rims.

The plumage is mostly black with white legs and its white tail has a black band.

It enjoys mostly fruit but will eat insects, rodents, small reptiles too.

8. Helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil)

First of all, this hornbill has a very heavy head. Its casque accounts up to 11 per cent of its 3kg weight.

It has mostly blackish plumage, except that the belly and legs are white.

The throat is wrinkly; pale blue to greenish in colour in females and red in males.

Where to find them?

Now that you can roughly tell these hornbills apart, where can you find them in Sabah?

According to Sabah Tourism Board website, all eight species can be spotted in one place- the Kinabatangan River – the second longest river in Malaysia and renowned for its diverse ecosystem.

Besides hornbills, the river also plays home to proboscis monkeys, orangutan and Asian elephants.

Time to pack the binoculars and a field guide book and head to Kinabatangan!

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Charles Hose and his love affair with Sarawak

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A plaque at Fort Hose marking the date it was opened in Marudi.

Fort Hose in Marudi was named after Charles Hose, the then Resident of Baram.

Born in 1863 in Hertfordshire, he was the son of clergyman Thomas Charles Hose.

As a young man, he continued his study at Cambridge University but never completed his degree.

With the help of his uncle, George Frederick Hose, the bishop of Singapore, Sarawak and Labuan, Hose landed a job in the Sarawak civil service.

The fort – now officially renamed and repurposed as the Baram Regional Museum –  is a significant remnant of the Brooke era in Sarawak which ended about 80 years ago.

Apart from his work as a British administrator, Hose contributed a great deal to Sarawak as a zoologist and ethnologist.

Charles Hose and his love for nature

Hose lived in Sarawak for 24 years and spent his free time researching natural history and ethnography.

He enjoyed exploring the rainforest and became an avid collector of plants and animals.

His collection can be found in the British Museum and the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Cambridge.

An amateur photographer, Hose also captured photos showcasing people and scenery of Sarawak.

To commemorate his work as a zoologist, several species were named after him including Hose’s frog (Odorrana hosii), Hose’s tree frog (Philautus hosii), Hose’s palm civet (Diplogale hosei) and many more.

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Some of the photographs taken by Charles Hose himself displayed at Baram Regional Museum.

Charles Hose and the birth of Baram Regatta

During the Brooke administration, fights among tribes were rampant in the Baram region.

Hose decided to hold a peace conferenceat his fort in April 1899 which led to the birth of the first Baram Regatta.

The regatta, a longboat competition among the tribes, is still continued to this day. Only now it includes other activities such as cultural performances, beauty pageants and so much more.

After his 18-year service in Marudi, he was promoted to serve the supreme council of Sibu.

There, he also helped in peace negotiations between Iban rebels in 1904 and warring Ibans from the Rajang and Batang Lupar in 1907.

Charles Hose and the Kelabit people

According to former headmaster and author Sagau Batubala, the name Kelabit was a misnomer Hose had given to the people living in the highlands south of Mount Murud.

As Resident, part of his responsibilities included listing down all the races living in Baram.

When a group of villagers paid a courtesy call to the newly appointed Resident in his office at Fort Hose in 1901, Hose asked them where they were from, which leader of the group answered “Pa’ Labid”, the name of their village.

Dutifully, he then asked them what their races were, to which the leader answered “Orang Pa’ Labid.”

Hose was believed to have misheard the word ‘Pa’ Labid’, writing it down in his record book as ‘Kalabit’.

From that moment on, Kalabit became the race name for the ethnic community we now know as Kelabit.

A side view of Fort Hose.
After being razed to the ground, Fort Hose was rebuilt according its original dimensions. The fortress as it stands today.

Charles Hose and the discovery of oil in Miri

Hose is cited by Rasoul Sorkhabi in GEOExpro, a petroleum geoscience magazine, to have played a significant role in the discovery of oil in Miri.

After his appointment as the Resident of Baram, Hose started mapping oil seeps in and around Miri.

He reportedly gave his findings to the Brooke government, but an English consultant geologist said an oil exploration in Sarawak was a no-go because of its poor logistical conditions.

Hose then retired and returned to England where he whosed his map of oil seeps to Charles Brooke.

The late Rajah gave his permission to continue the exploration, so Hose went to discuss the idea with Anglo-Saxon Petroleum, a part of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group.

The meeting was a success and Charles later signed the first Sarawak Oil Mining Lease in 1909.

Eventually due to the rapid oil discovery activity, the Resident’s Office was moved from Marudi to Miri in 1912.

A portrait sketch of Charles Hose. Credit: Public Domain.
A sketch portrait of Charles Hose. Credit: Public Domain.

Charles Hose and his many publications

Hose spent his retirement in Norfolk writing about Sarawak and its people.

Some of his significant publications are ‘The Pagan Tribes of Borneo’ (1912), ‘Natural Man’ (1926), and his memoir ‘Fifty Years of Romance and Research, or, a Jungle-Wallah at Large’ (1927).

He died at the Hutton Nursing Home in 1929.

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5 Sarawakian ghost stories you’ve probably never heard of

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Everybody loves ghost stories, especially when they’re familiar with the places where they allegedly happened.

While Peninsular Malaysia is host to infamous haunted sites like Highland Towers, Karak Highway and Villa Nabila, we have our own share of spooky tales here in the Land of the Hornbills.

Here are some Sarawakian ghost stories that you’ve probably never heard of:

1. A store in Miri where shoes fly

If you are working as a retailer at one of the shopping malls in Miri, you might have heard this story.

It seemed like any other day for the staff of a shoe store as they were opening up shop, until they saw that shoes were scattered all over the place as if they had been thrown about.

The owner understandably turned to the CCTV recording to check what had happened, and to everybody’s surprise, they didn’t find the culprit, instead they saw the shoes fly off the rack all by themselves.

However, the existence and legitimacy of the CCTV recording is continuously the subject of debate in online forums.

2. A haunted hotel in Bintulu

Google-search ‘haunted hotel in Bintulu’ and you’ll find two accounts of the same haunting… which goes to show what happens when you put bloggers in a ghostly situation.

Their experiences have the perfect ingredients for a ghost story – unexplained banging on the window, sobbing sounds, being assigned a haunted room and to show it wasn’t all a dream – scratch marks on their backs.

One of the bloggers also happens to be a comic blogger.

Check out their stories here and here.

3.The tale of Janet and Satok Bridge

This is one of Sarawakian ghost stories perhaps only known among Kuchingites.

The story goes that in the 1960s while Satok bridge was still in its early stages of construction, women were going missing.

According to some myths, human sacrifices – specifically, their heads – are needed to reinforce the pillars of a bridge, and like most human sacrifices around the world, the demand is for young virgins.

Janet, believed to be a young Chinese nurse, fit the bill and when her headless body was found in a culvert, people believed that she had become one of those sacrifices.

Her parents buried her in a red dress and red shoes so that she could return as a spirit and exact her vengeance upon her killers. Just like Megan Fox’s character in Jennifer’s Body (2009), Janet is said to be roaming around Kuching in a red dress, hitching rides from unsuspecting motorcyclists or taking ferry rides across the Sarawak river.

4. The now-demolished wooden house in Krokop

There’s no bloodshed in this story, only an account of people sleeping at an empty haunted house in Krokop on a dare. The next morning they found themselves – and their belongings –  outside the house. So were they sleepwalking or were they moved outside by unseen forces?

Other accounts say that the windows of this house have never been left half-opened or half-closed, but that they’ve only ever been wide open or tightly closed.

The house has since been demolished, leaving this a mystery for the ages.

5. A haunted beach resort in Santubong

If you are Sarawakian, or have been here long enough, you’ll know that there are various accounts of haunted resorts in Santubong.

According to one account, you might be able to see a shadowy figure outside your window even though you are on the 12th floor. This story, however, does raise a few questions as most of the resorts in Santubong are four-storeys high at most.

Additionally, one story goes that you might be able to see a mythical creature scaring the wits out of you from on top of a coconut tree.

5 Sarawakian ghost stories you've probably never heard of
5 Sarawakian ghost stories you’ve probably never heard of

Do you have any Sarawakian ghost stories to share? Tell us your stories in the comment box.

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BTS Jung Kook returns with new 3-episode docuseries

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Featuring 55 Minutes Of Additional Footage – Follow Jung Kook As He Takes You Behind The Scenes Of His Debut Solo Album “GOLDEN”

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (November 09, 2024) – BTS global popstar Jung Kook is set to return to Disney+ Hotstar with his brand-new three-part docuseries <JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL> THE ORIGINAL in December.

Filmed over an eight-month period, the upcoming docuseries follows Jung Kook as he transitions from a member of 21st century pop icons BTS into a successful solo artist in his own right.

Featuring collaborations with some of the world’s biggest producers, <JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL> THE ORIGINAL captures Jung Kook’s unique artistry as he travels to New York, London and Seoul recording, performing and filming music videos and performance films as part of a whirlwind promotional tour for his debut solo album GOLDEN.

An extended cut of the theatrical release, <JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL> THE ORIGINAL features almost 55 minutes of additional content.

These include performances of songs “Still With You”, “Closer To You” (ft. Major Lazer) and “Shot Glass of Tears” at the ‘Jung Kook ‘GOLDEN’ Live On Stage’ show; interviews with Jung Kook’s dancers, and behind-the-scenes footage of Jung Kook’s UK and New York City performances.

Slated for an all-at-once release on Dec 3, <JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL> THE ORIGINAL will join a whole host of unmissable BTS production available on Disney+ Hotstar.

Other BTS content on the platform include the eight-part docuseries recapping the group’s first 10 years together BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star; BTS: PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LA, an exclusive cinematic 4K concert film featuring BTS’ live performance at Los Angeles’ Sofi Stadium in November 2021; SUGA: Road to D-DAY, an insightful documentary following BTS member SUGA as he travels around the world from Seoul to Tokyo, Las Vegas and beyond in search of musical inspiration for his latest album D-DAY; j-hope IN THE BOX, a behind the scenes documentary showcasing the creation of j-hope’s first solo album, Jack In The Box; and IN THE SOOP : Friendcation – an original travel reality show with a star-studded cast including V of BTS, Itaewon Class’ Park Seojun, Parasite star Choi Wooshik, Soundtrack #1’s Park Hyungsik, and Peakboy, as the five friends venture off on a surprise trip and enjoy a variety of fun activities together.

Jungkook I am still the original

So ARMY, what are you waiting for? Stream all three episodes of <JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL> THE ORIGINAL from December 3 exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar.

While you are at it, check out other Korean content on the streaming platform such as  Tyrant about a dangerous new weapon being stolen during a handoff between the US and South Korean government; A Shop For Killers about a girl who finds herself fending off assassins and murder drones in the wake of her uncle’s death; Moving, about a group of South Korean special agents working to protect their super powered children from harm and exploitation at the hands of malicious government agencies; and so much more.

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5 South Korean thriller series to watch on Disney+ Hotstar so far in 2024

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Would money be enough for you to take a life? What if the guardian assigned to care for you as a child isn’t who you thought he was? How far would you go to maintain an undercover persona?

Whether it’s tumultuous family secrets, strangers out for blood, or someone you simply can’t trust, we’ve curated a list of must-watch South Korean thriller series on Disney+ Hotstar. Are you ready for the ride?

1.No Way Out: The Roulette (2024)

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If you could put a price on a life, how much would it be?

According to one mysterious citizen, Kim Gukho’s life is worth $14 million.

After spending 13 years in prison for a number of unspeakable crimes earning him the title of South Korea’s most hated man, Gukho thinks he can go back to his everyday life without a hitch – until he realises there’s a bounty on his head.

Like moths to a flame, the $14 million bounty immediately attracts desperate citizens.

With no choice but to trust his police protection team, Gukho is forced to put his life in the hands of the very system that put him behind bars.

So, how much money would it take for you to collect a bounty? Find out in No Way Out: The Roulette when it premieres on July 31.

2.The Tyrant (2024)

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The games have begun, and it’s going to be a wild ride.

When a group of scientists within the South Korean government go rogue and create a virus that can awaken superhuman abilities, it comes as no surprise that there would be outside forces dying to get ahold of it – one force in particular being the United States government.

A secret handover between two of the most powerful nations in the world goes awry when the virus dubbed Tyrant is stolen from underneath their noses.

Infuriated at his life’s work being taken, the lead scientist hires a group of mercenaries to get the Tyrant back.

A band of morally corrupt men, a bounty on their heads, and a super-serum on the run… what could possibly go wrong? Find out when this Korean thriller series premieres exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar on August 14th.

3.Red Swan (2024)

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Good aim, ace! Oh Wansoo, a top golfer born into an impoverished family, dreamt of one thing all her life: success. After building her career from the ground up, it was inevitable that she caught the eye of one of the most powerful men in South Korea; Kim Yongkook, heir of Hwain Group. Their marriage was picture-perfect… until Yongkook’s infidelity.

Desperate to maintain their public image, Wansoo strives to put their marriage back together, fulfilling her duties as a diligent and caring wife—after all, she’s fought hard for her success. However, everything comes to a head on the biggest night of Wansoo’s life.

Caught in a rain of gunfire, Wansoo escapes harm thanks to Seo Doyoon, a mysterious bodyguard who appears out of nowhere, setting off a trajectory of events that threatens her lifelong facade of perfection.

Wansoo finds herself drawn closer to Doyoon, unable to resist falling for her protector.

And just as before, their romance seems perfect. Well, at least until Doyoon’s real motives for joining Wansoo’s protection detail are revealed.

4.A Shop for Killers (2024)

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Jeong Jian’s uncle, Jeong Jinman, was a mystery to her for most of her life.

All she knew about him was that he was a simple man – albeit oddly educated in the field of martial arts – who sold garden hoses, lived a solitary life, and would always show up in her times of need.

To Jian, that was enough, until she received news of Jinman’s sudden passing and everything she thought she knew about her beloved uncle was flipped on its head.

Jian suddenly finds herself in the crossfire of a deadly gun war with men hunting her down in return for a massive bounty.

Stuck in Jinman’s suspiciously armed house with nothing but her wits and a school friend who has his own hidden agenda, Jian must put everything her uncle taught her to the test.

With three award nominations (Best Supporting Actor, Seo Hyunwoo; Best Supporting Actress, Geum Hannah; Best New Actress, Kim Hyejun) at the 3rd Blue Dragon Series awards, this Korean thriller series is a gripping series that you wouldn’t want to miss.

5.The Worst of Evil (2023)

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How do you know when you’ve made a deal with the devil?

For Park Junmo, it was the moment he agreed to go undercover and infiltrate an underground crime syndicate in exchange for a two-rank promotion.

Notorious for chasing his marks till the bitter end, the ever-determined Junmo soon finds himself face-to-face with Gangnam gang boss Jung Gicheul, the root of all underworld crimes.

This Korean thriller series follows Junmo’s descent into his undercover identity, where the lines between his real self and false identity eventually start to blur.

Junmo soon realises that when working for Gicheul, there are no options, and there are no exits.

As Junmo is tasked with more and more heinous crimes, he begins to realise that there may not be a way out as he sinks further and further into his persona.

If you were in Junmo’s shoes, would you know where the real you ends and the mask begins?

Excited yet? Prepare yourself for some exciting thrills by watching all these Korean thriller series, streaming exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar.

Do not forget to check out these 10 Korean thriller series you should watch from OCN.

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4 Adult Animations to Watch on Disney+ Hotstar

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Do you remember all the cartoons that we were never allowed to watch as children? Those with cheeky jokes that flew over our heads years ago, but make us chuckle now. The good news is that many of these cartoons – more aptly known as adult animations – are still streaming, so you can binge to your heart’s content.

From the witty and timeless humour of The Simpsons to the downright hilarious plot points in Family Guy – now is the time to kick back, relax, and revisit your favourite adult animations on Disney+ Hotstar.

1.Solar Opposites

Solar Opposites

Solar Opposites offers a glimpse into what it would be like for aliens to inhabit Earth, , showing four aliens who assimilate and adjust to human life as they escape their exploding homeworld, Shlorp.

Taking place a year after Korvo, Terry, Yumyulack and Jesse crash land into a suburban cul-de-sac in America, Solar Opposites sees the family evenly split on whether Earth is awful or awesome – all while upholding their mission of protecting the precious Pupa, a living supercomputer from their home planet.

Packed with a ton of edgy humour that will have viewers chortling away, violence and gore presented in a light-hearted manner, as well as stunning visuals that will undoubtedly captivate its audience, Solar Opposites offers biting, yet truthful commentary on the modern world. From the detrimental effects of pollution and consumerism to the remarkable creativity and innovation of humans, Korvo, Terry, Yumyulack and Jesse explore the duality of life on Earth and essentially – what it means to be human.

2.Family Guy

Family Guy

Meet the Griffin family: Peter, the endearingly, frustratingly ignorant head of the household, his stay-at-home wife Lois, and their three kids – eldest child and social outcast Meg, awkward and shy Chris, genius baby Stewie. Not to forget their talking, martini-sipping dog, Brian.

Amidst the Griffins’ chaotic escapades through everyday life, they confront one outrageous scenario after another with humour, heart and inappropriate jokes which emerge as highly memorable moments and quotes – cementing Family Guy as a household name and resonating even with those who haven’t tuned into the show.

Think of the well-known GIF of Stewie calling Lois “Mum, Mummy, Mummy, Mama” incessantly, or the widely used TikTok audio “Do you or do you not feel bonita? I feel bonita. Wonderful. Because you look bonita!” both of which serve as examples of the show’s enduring impact on popular culture.

3.Futurama

Futurama

What happens when you put an interplanetary delivery company together with a group of employees who don’t quite conform to the futuristic society they live in? You get a workplace sitcom set in the futuristic 31st century aptly named Futurama.

Revolving around the Planet Express interplanetary delivery company and its employees, Futurama sees a delivery boy named Fry fall into a cryogenic tube in the year 2000, frozen in time for nearly a thousand years. Upon his release on December 31st, 2999, he finds himself becoming a delivery boy yet again, working with Planetary Express Captain Turanga Leela and a bumbling, foul-mouthed robot named Bender.

As the trio journey across the universe, viewers will undoubtedly notice the strong bond that begins to form between Fry, Leela, and Bender – and perhaps rather unexpectedly, the viewer’s own growing attachment to the characters as they grow and develop throughout the seasons.

Celebrated for its unrivalled humour and emotional depth, Futurama stands out as one of the finest animated series of the century, making it a must-watch.

4.The Simpsons

The Simpsons

“D’oh!” and donuts – these are the two things that will definitely have you thinking about The Simpsons and more specifically, Homer Simpson.

A satirical depiction of American life portrayed by Homer and his family – hard-working stay-at-home wife and mother, Marge, troublemaker Bart, charismatic Lisa, and the adorable pacifier-sucking Maggie – The Simpsons is a spin on playful critiques of the various facets of American culture, society, politics, and history.

Though satirical, The Simpsons is not without its heartfelt moments. Amidst the never-ending shenanigans and near-constant chaos in the daily lives of the Simpsons family, what truly captivates viewers is the love that Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie have for each other, often resulting in tear-jerking scenes such as when Homer sacrifices his dream job for the sake of his family and the arrival of his youngest daughter Maggie.

Through the show’s sharp wit and clever humour, The Simpsons has endeared itself to viewers for over 32 years and 35 seasons, holding the record for the longest-running prime-time sitcom in the US.

Get a hearty dose of laughter by tuning into these adult animation titles on Disney+ Hotstar.

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The British Council announces RM4.2 million arts grants

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New support for artistic collaborations: The British Council announces Connections Through Culture arts grants supporting new cultural projects between UK and Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: The British Council is thrilled to announce the opening of applications for its Connections Through Culture arts grants, a RM4.2 million grant programme designed to foster artistic and cultural collaborations between the UK and Asia-Pacific countries.

The Connections Through Culture grants support new international collaborations between the UK and Malaysia, offering grant support to organisations and artists in the development of their creative projects.

Applicants in Malaysia can apply for grants of up to RM60,000, for projects from all artforms.

However, proposals responding to Climate Change, and Diversity and Inclusion may be prioritised during final decision making.

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Projects supported by the Connections Through Culture Grants are required to include at least one UK-based applicant and one applicant based in Malaysia.

“We’re proud to be supporting new creative collaborations between the United Kingdom and Malaysia through our Connections Through Culture grants”, said Jazreel Goh, Director Malaysia, British Council.

“These grants can spark big ideas and major collaborations. We’re proud to be providing this support, keeping the doors open for artists in both countries to make connections and showcase their talents on the international stage. Connections Through Culture grants not only create meaningful artistic exchanges but help to bring greater understanding that will enrich the global creative landscape.”

Application process

The British Council is inviting applications that showcase new artistic collaborations between the UK and Asia-Pacific.

To support applicants, the British Council is offering a comprehensive set of resources to assist potential applicants, including an application toolkit with valuable tips and detailed insights into the programme’s context.

Potential applicants can find more information on the British Council website, including a toolkit, frequently asked questions, and information sessions to support organisations and artists through the application process.

Key Dates:

Applications Open: 9 July 2024

Register on our website for an Information Session:

• Information Session 1, 8:00 GMT, 17 July 2024

• Information Session 2, 9:00 GMT, 18 July 2024

• Information Session 3, 9:00 GMT, 23 July 2024

• Information Session 4, 10:00 GMT, 25 July 2024

Applications Deadline: 2 September 2024

Click here to apply

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