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What we know about the sequel for Train to Busan so far

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Train to Busan (2016) literally became a runaway success when it became the highest-grossing Korean film in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore, earning a gross of USD93.1 million worldwide.

The South Korean zombie apocalypse thriller action starring Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi and Ma Dong-seok was applauded for providing a great social commentary on current Korean society.

Powerful people are disgustingly selfish; big corporate companies and government are responsible for a lot of death and destruction in the movie-world of Busan.

Now, a sequel to Train to Busan is on it way and here are five things we know about it so far:

1.The same director will return to direct the sequel

Yeon Sang-ho the director of Train to Busan is confirmed to direct the sequel. He also directed animation movie The King of Pigs (2011) and it went became the first Korean animated film to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

2.It follows the events after the train have reached Busan

Yeon has confirmed that setting for the sequel will not be on a train but in a city instead (most probably in Busan). Many entertainment portals have speculated the plot will be centred around finding the source of the zombie virus. A wild speculation is the storyline will be based on the zombies’ perspective.

3.Few A-list Korean actors have been rumoured to star in it including Kang Dong-wan.

When the rumours of a sequel first spread, many fans voiced out their expectations of seeing Descendants of the Sun actor Song Joong-ki in the movie. Some fans even wanted to see Song Joong-ki and his wife Song Hye Kyo starring together in the movie. However, what we know so far is that Kang Dong-wan has been offered a role in Train to Busan 2.

4.The cast of Train to Busan will not return
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Gong Yoo is confirmed not returning to act in Train to Busan’s sequel. Credits: IMDB

Sadly, the director confirmed that the original cast of Train to Busan will not return to act in the sequel. The only survivors of the first movie are Seong-kyeong (Jung Yu-mi) and Su-an (Kim Su-an) while the rest are dead or turned into zombies. Although many fans wanted Gong Yoo to come back as a zombie.

5.The name of the sequel

The sequel is under the working title Bando which means ‘Peninsula’ in Korean. This implies that we will see the virus spreading all over the Korean peninsular. Filming for Bando is expected to start early 2019.

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5 easy recipes from Happy Together’s Late Night Cafeteria you should try

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If you are one of the those people who gets hungry and starts to scavenge through your fridge in the middle of the night, this is for you.

Happy Together is a South Korean talk show which has been running since 2001. It used to have this regular segment called Late Night Cafeteria. Occasionally, the show brings back this famous segment.

The Late Night Cafeteria allows celebrities to share their easy, affordable meals that they make themselves at home.

Here are five easy Happy Together’s Late Night Cafeteria you should try:

1. Kwantos

5 easy recipes from Happy Together’s Late Night Cafeteria you should try2

The life of a K-pop idol trainee is infamously known to be harsh. Some of the idol trainees even do not have enough to eat or be put on a diet at a young age.

K-pop star Kwanghee of ZE:A shared that once he accidentally left a bag of Cheetos open and the chips got soggy. But he refused to throw the chips away and developed a recipe out of the soggy snack.

The host of Late Night Cafeteria, Yoo Jaesuk initially had doubts about the recipe. However once he tasted it, he suggested the dish might goes well with beer.

So, how to make Kwanghee’s Kwangtos? Leave your Cheetos bag open for a day.Then top it with cheese and hot sauce before putting it in microwave.

This recipe is good if you do not want to let your Cheetos go to waste.

Watch how to make it here:

2.Mushroom toast

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South Korean singer Byul is famously known as Running Man HaHa’s wife. Together, the couple runs a BBQ restaurant in Seoul on top of their entertainment careers.

During this year’s segment of Late Night Cafeteria, the mother of two shared a toast recipe she usually make for her son.

It is a sandwich made from mushroom patty with two slices of toast. She made a patty out out enoki mushroom, crabs stick, sweet corn and an egg. After that, pan-fry the batter to make square-shaped fritters.

As for the sauce, just mix tomato ketchup and mayonnaise. You can add on your own chilli if you prefer it to be a little bit more spicy.

This is how Byul makes it.

3.Egg toast and Shaved Ice

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How about snacking like an Olympic gold medalist? Lee Sanghwa, a two-time Olympic champion shared her late night snack recipes which consist of egg toast and shaved ice.

The egg toast is made with bread dipped in beaten egg with a little bit of diced chili.

Sanghwa then completes her snack with dessert of homemade shaved ice. The cold dish comprises only three ingredients; frozen milk, vanilla ice-cream and chocolate cookies.

Watch how to make it here

4.Dumpling Spaghetti

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Nowadays, instant food even dumplings are easily available at the supermarket. Actor Seo Hajoon accidentally discovered this recipe when he trying to cook instant dumplings but failed.

In attempt to rescue the dumplings, he mashed up the dumplings in a bowl. He added ketchup and mozzarella cheese on top of it before making it in the oven.

Hajoon called it Dumpling Spaghetti because the dumpling wrappers taste like noodles.

Watch how to make the dumpling spaghetti here. 

5.Pad Thai Ramyeon

5 easy recipes from Happy Together’s Late Night Cafeteria you should try

Although South Korean celebrity chef Baek Jongwon is the culinary expert, he entrusts his wife to cooking spaghetti or noodle-related dishes at home.

His wife, Korean actress So Yujin shared an easy to make homemade pad thai ramyeon.

Basically, it is similar to Malaysian Maggi Goreng. Using the noodle from ramyeon packet, Yujin stir-fries the noodle with garlic, chili, pickled radish. As for the seasoning, she combines chili powder, fish sauce, soy sauce, vinegar and sugar. There you have it, a taste of Thailand in the middle of the night.

Watch it here.

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How to be beautiful from the inside like Im Soohyang

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South Korean actress Im Soohyang is currently wrapping up her latest drama My ID is Gangnam Beauty.

In the drama, the 28-year-old actress is playing a college student who did plastic surgery to become prettier.

Off camera, Soohyang believes taking care of your beauty also means nurturing your body from within.

During an episode of KBS Beauty Bible, Im Soohyang shares the four things she uses to be beautiful from the inside:

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Soohyang mixing her detox drink to start her day as an actress.

1. Detox drink

The actress said her skin condition fluctuates depending on what she eats. Thus, she takes detoxifying beverages to get rid of excess toxins in the body. The key is to choose a cleansing drink that allows you to take food like usual, not the ones that require you to fast.

She said, “Detox drinks help me to reduce the toxins in my body and it is also a great for constipation. I usually get skin problems whenever I am constipated.”

2. Vitamin D Jelly Supplement

Do you know that vitamin D has antioxidant properties which can prevent skin damage and premature aging even when taken via supplements?

Speaking of supplements, Soohyang takes her extra dose of vitamin E – not in pill or liquid form – but in jelly form instead.
There is this product in South Korea called VAP Sunbeam Vitamin D Jelly which basically supplement made in jelly. According to the Korean actress, the best part of this supplement is that you can take it like a snack.

3.Skin collagen jelly

Besides Vitamin D jelly, Soohyang is also taking skin collagen jelly as a snack.
Collagen helps to promote skin elasticity, reverse skin aging and reduce cellulite.

4.LED Mask

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LED Mask helps to rejuvenate your skin at the end of the day.

Soohyang ends her day by wearing LED Mask. This revolutionary facial mask uses colour light therapy in specific wavelengths to increase facial blood circulation and promote collagen production.

There are plenty of good reviews of wearing LED Mask out there. Some of the changes are smoother skin, reduced crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles and reduced pigmentation.

Watch the full segment of Soohyang’s Beauty 24 on Beauty Bible here:

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10 inspirational Eminem songs to pump up your day

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It doesn’t matter if you love him or not, Eminem is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in the music industry.

Rolling Stone magazine listed him as one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, even calling him the King of Hip Hop.

In 2018, Eminem is back making headlines again.

He dropped an album unlike any other artist in this age of constant news streams: There was not even a single word about it, no teaser on social media, no snippets anywhere, no promotional activities and not even an announcement of the release date.

Although it was a surprise album, Kamikaze, skyrocketed to number one on the US iTunes sales chart on Aug 31, the day it was released.

The rapper, who is known as a lyrical genius, once again proved his mastery with words and rhymes through Kamikaze.

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Eminem, or his real name Marshall Bruce Mathers III. Credits: Eminem’s Youtube page.

Speaking of lyrics, here are 10 songs with inspirational lyrics from Eminem to motivate you from your slump:

1.Lose Yourself (2002)

We cannot talk about any of Eminem’s songs without talking about “Lose Yourself”. Music critics praised it as the rapper’s best work to date. Eminem wrote it for the 2002 movie 8 Mile. The song went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003. It was the first hip hop song to win this award.

Look, if you had one shot, one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted
One moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip

2. ‘Till I Collapse (2002)

If you listen to this song closely, the song uses the “stomp-stomp-clap” beats in Queen’s “We Will Rock You” (1977). The song featured the late Nate Dogg singing the hook.

‘Cause sometimes you just fell tired, you feel weak
And when you feel weak you feel like you want to just give up
But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength
And just pull that shit out of you and get that motivation to not give up
And not be a quitter, no matter how bad you want to just fall flat on your face and collapse

3. Beautiful (2009)

Eminem is known to sample songs from other artists in his tracks. In “Beautiful”, he samples Queen + Paul Rodgers’s “Reaching Out” at the beginning and end of this song.

But don’t let ‘em say you ain’t beautiful
They can all get f****d, just stay true to you
Don’t let ‘em say you ain’t beautiful
They can all get f****d, just stay true to you

4. Phenomenal (2015)

This song is from soundtrack album for Southpaw, a movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal. From the lyrics to its beats, the track is indeed phenomenal.

I am phenomenal
However long that it takes
I’ll go to whatever lengths
It’s gonna make me a monster though
I am phenomenal
But I never say, oh, it’s impossible
‘Cause I’m gonna be phenomenal

5. The Way I Am (2000)

“The Way I Am” presents the darker side of Eminem. He directed the lyrics toward record executives who pressured him and fans who invaded his privacy, telling them he is the way he is.

So if you need to scream at people who would not leave you alone, sing this song chorus instead.

And I am, whatever you say I am
If I wasn’t, then why would I say I am

6.Not Afraid (2010)

This track takes more of a positive tone in which Eminem raps about getting clean from drugs and staying away from violence. Rolling Stone ranked it as one of the best 100 songs in 2010.

I’mma be what I set out to be, without a doubt undoubtedly
And all those who look down on me, I’m tearin’ down your balcony

7. Guts over Fear (2014)

“Guts over Fear” is the second time Eminem collaborated with Australian singer Sia after “Beautiful Pain”(2013). Again, the rapper in his all honesty sharing his struggles as an artist through this song.

Guts over fear (The Time is here)
Guts over fear (I shall not tear)
For all the times I let you push around
And let you keep me down
(Now I got) Guts over fear, guts over fear

8. Kings Never Die (2015)

When you are on top of your game, many people would try to bring you down. In this song, Eminem hits out on those who wanting him to retire from the music scene. It also marks Eminem and Gwen Stefani’s first collaboration.

Stop for no one, I don’t know but I’ve been told an obstacle that
Blocks your road, knock it over, time to go for that pot of gold

9. Survival (2013)

Apart from movies, Eminem’s songs has also been featured in games. Survival was released to promote the game Call of Duty: Ghosts. It features Liz Rodrigues of The New Royales singing the chorus of the song.

It ain’t over ‘til I say it’s over, enough when I say enough
Throw me to them wolves and close the gate up on me
Afraid of what’ll happen to them wolves
When the thought of being thrown into an alligator pit, I salivated it

10. No Love (2010)

“No Love” was one of Eminem’s single from his seventh album. Featuring fellow rapper Lil Wayne, the song samples Haddaway’s classic “What is Love”.

‘Til I’m toppling from the top I’m not going to stop, I’m standing on my Monopoly board
That means I’m on top of my game and it don’t stop, ‘til my hip don’t hop anymore
When you’re so good that you can’t say it ‘cause it ain’t even cool for you to sound cocky anymore

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10 Japanese high school romance anime you must watch

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Most famous shoujo manga or anime (aimed at a teenage female audience) circle around high school romance.

And when comes to Japanese high school romance manga, the most famous one is perhaps Boys Over Flowers or Hana Yori Dango.

It has been adapted into television dramas in five countries including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and China.

But if you are looking for more high school romance animes to watch, here are 10 of our suggestions:

1.Maid Sama!

10 Japanese high school romance anime you must watch

Also know as Kaicho wa Meido-sama, the anime tells the story of Misaki Ayuzawa. She is the first female student council president in a male turned co-ed high school.

She seems to be this tough, alpha female, boy-hating girl but secretly she works part time at a maid cafe.

Then, the school’s most popular boy Takumi Usui discovers her secret, and that is when the story get interesting.

What makes Maid Sama! an interesting high school romance anime to watch is the female lead is not your typical damsel in distress type.

2.Say “I Love You”

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This is one of those high school romance animes where a popular guy falls in love with the not popular girl.

Here the unpopular girl is Mei Tachibana, a quiet girl who does not have any friends.

The guy is Yamato Kurosawa, the school’s popular dude who jas allegedly kissed every girl in school. The story follows the ups and downs in their romantic relationship in high school.

3.Wolf Girl and Black Prince

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Honestly, Wolf Girl and Black Prince is romantically disturbing. Erika Shinohara is the girl who cries wolf and one of the lies she tells is that she is dating a guy whom she randomly picks out on the street.

As it turns out, the guy she picks is one of the most popular boys in school. The guy, Kyoya Sata, agrees to pretend to be her boyfriend but in return Erika has to become his ‘pet’.

So this is a high school romance anime about how far this fake relationship would go.

4. Kimi ni Todoke

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If you look like the ghost from The Ring in high school, chances are high that you get ostracised. For Sawako Kuronuma in Kimi ni Todoke, rumours start to spread and the whole school believe she can see ghosts.

Thankfully, things slowly got better when she makes friends with the school popular boy Shota Kazehaya.

5. Ao Haru Ride

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Ao Haru Ride or Blue Spring Ride revolves around Futaba Yoshioka, a high school student who has an inferiority complex. The series follows Futaba reuniting with her middle school crush Kou Tanaka who abruptly moved away to Nagasaki .
It is a story of push-pull high school romantic relationship with some friendship drama thrown in.

6. Toradora

10 Japanese high school romance anime you must watch 6

Ryuji Takasu has a crush on Minori Kushieda, Taiga Aisaka’s friend. Meanwhile, Taiga Aisaka has a crush on Yusaku Kitamura, Ryuji’s friend. Over the course of this anime, Ryuji and Taiga try to help each other with their respective crushes. After spending so much time plotting their plans together, love starts to blossom between them instead.

7. Special A

10 Japanese high school romance anime you must watch 7

High school can be a very competitive environment to be in. In anime adaptation of Special A, it really shows how competitive it can get. The series is mainly about the long-time rivalry between Hikari Hanazono and Kei Takishima in grades, sports and any kind of competitions. Secretly and interestingly, unbeknown to Hikari, Kei has feelings for her.

8. My Little Monster

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The plot focuses on Shizuku Mizutani, a studious girl while the boy who sits next to her in class – Haru Yoshida – is seemingly a violent and uncontrollable person but actually is kind and gentle. My Little Monster is about the duo learning how to care about each other and people around them.

9. Itazura na Kiss

10 Japanese high school romance anime you must watch 9

When Kotoko Aihara, a high school senior confesses her affections for Naoki Irie, what she gets is harsh rejection. Thinking that she can move on, things get awkward after Kotoko lost her home due to earthquake. This is when she needs to stay temporarily at her dad’s friend home, which happens to be Naoki’s home.

10.We Were There

10 Japanese high school romance anime you must watch 10

In the manga version of We Were There, the story follows Motoharu Yano and Nanami Takahashi from their high school lives to their adulthood.

Sadly, the anime did not adapt the whole series. Prepare your tissues as this is one of those tear-jerker animes about the main characters struggling with love and grief.

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5 countries we want to visit after watching Korean dramas

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Nowadays, more and more Korean dramas are being filmed in other countries.

Their production teams did an excellent job in looking for breathtaking locations that leave viewers wanting to be transported together with their favourite stars as well.

Here are five countries with scenic filming locations we want to visit after watching Korean dramas:

1.  Canada (Goblin)
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We’ve lost count how many times this building, the Chateau Frontenac, has appeared in the Goblin (2016). Credits: Pixabay.

Who can forget the scene in Goblin (2016) where Gong Yoo (Kim Shin) and Kim Go-eun (Ji Eun-tak) are walking in the park with maple leaves falling gracefully around them?

This particular scene was filmed at Parc Samuel-Hollande in Quebec, Canada.

After watching the goblin and his bride exploring Quebec city, we too want to shop for Christmas deco at La Boutique de Noel, sit at the green pasture of Parc du Bastion-de-la-Reine and stay a night at the Chateau Frontenac Hotel.

2. Slovenia (Black Knight)
5 countries we want to visit after watching Korean dramas
Remember the part in Black Knight when Shin Se-kyung’s character fell down the hill while taking a photo in front of this castle? We bet many viewers lost their minds the moment the camera zoomed in on Kim Rae-won’s expression with the glaring sunlight behind him while he comes to Shin’s rescue. Credits: Pixabay.

This is perhaps the most beautiful and picturesque country on this list.

After Dear My Friends (2016) and Black Knight (2017) were filmed in this country, reports showed that tourists -particularly from South Korea – had been flocking to this Central European country.

Can we blame them? While we would never be able to have Kim Rae-won drive us around Bled town and be our personal photographer like he did for Shin Se-kyung in Black Knight, we still want to follow in their footsteps and have an ice-cream in Piran, pose for a photo in front of Renaissance castle of Predjama and drink a cup of mulled wine in Ljubljana.

3. Macao (Boys over Flowers)
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St. Paul’s Ruins have starred in several Korean dramas including Boys over Flowers. Credits: Pixabay.

This Las Vegas of Asia is the filming location for many Korean dramas including Boys over Flowers, Neighbourhood Hero, Goong and Fated to Love You.

All of these dramas have inspired viewers to visit Macao’s tourist hotspots such as Senado Square, St. Paul’s Ruins and Coloane Island.

4. Hungary (Doctor Stranger)
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Walk on the footsteps of Lee Jong-suk by visiting this iconic landmark of Budapest, Chain Bridge. Credits: Pixabay

The architecture in Budapest, Hungary is insanely beautiful. Thus, it was no surprise Doctor Stranger (2014) chose this country as one of its filming locations.

In Doctor Stranger, Lee Jong-suk and Jin Se-yeon are riding a motorcycle in Budapest.

One of the iconic buildings you can spot in the background is the Hungarian National Gallery. It houses an extensive collection of Hungarian artworks since the 10th century.

5. Greece (Descendants of the Sun)
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This is perhaps the most famous shipwreck in Korean dramas, all thanks to the Song-Song couple. Credits: Pixabay.

Some parts of Descendants of the Sun was filmed in a fictional country called Uruk. Though Uruk doesn’t exist, the beautiful backgrounds actually do and they are found in Greece.

Remember the shipwreck where Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo always had their romantic scenes? The shipwreck has been there at Navagio beach since 1982. It is a famous tourist destination so do not be surprised if you find yourself in a sea of tourists there.

Beside Navagio beach, the filming also took place in the Monastery of Panagia Skopiotissa, Gomati, Myrina and Arachova.

Kim Eun-sook wrote the scripts for Goblin and Descendants of the Sun. Read more about her award-winning dramas here. 

KajoMag picked Black Knight as one of the Korean dramas with a deeper meaning. Read more about other series that made the list. 

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PHOTOS: Music and more during the Rainforest World Music Festival

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This year, the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) made its 21st appearance at the Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching Malaysia.

A one-of-a-kind festival, RWMF succeeded in bringing world musicians from different part of the globe to rock at the foot of Mount Santubong.

On top of the world-class music, there are plenty of activities to participate from the afternoon mini sessions to its craft bazaar.

The Rainforest World Music Festival will be coming back in 2019 from July 12 till 14. Meanwhile, here are some photos taken on the second day of RWMF 2018.

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A batik crafter showing his skills at the Rainforest World Craft Bazaar.
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Some of the batik works displayed at the Malay House.
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Danison Manium (centre) launched his first sape album on the second day of Rainforest World Music Festival 2018. Also present during the launching were Sarawak Cultural Village’s composer and music arranger Narawi Rashidi (left) and sape maestro Jerry Kamit (second right).
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A display of pretty accessories from local entrepreneur Candy Gems Chic.
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Festival goers hanging out at Damai Central.
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Two instructors from Level Up Fitness showing how to get down at Dewan Lagenda.
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Festival goers participated in RWMF Wellness and Lifestyle activity.
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U.S. Air Force Band of Pacific Asia performing in front of Orang Ulu Longhouse.
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A girl drummer from 24 DRUMS SMK Arang Road, Kuching.
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Slobodan Trkulja (left) and Raghu Dixit (right) belting it out on the second night of RWMF 2018. According to Dixit’s Instagram, he decided to have Trkulja from Balkanopolis (Serbia) joining him on stage only an hour before the performance. The result was one of the best vocal performances RWMF had seen in years.
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The Raghu Dixit’s bassist rocking it on stage.
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Oyme, an ethno band from The Republic Mordovia, Russia.
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Ezra Tekola from At Adau.

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10 types of festival goers at the Rainforest World Music Festival

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Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) is like any other music festival where people from all ages and countries come together in the name of music.

Organised annually at Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching, Malaysia, the three-day event features performances from traditional music to contemporary world music.

As interesting as the performers are with their exotic outfits and sounds, the most interesting people at RWMF are actually the festival goers.

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Sometimes, the festival goers are more interesting than the performers themselves during a music festival.

Not to generalise people but here are 10 types of festival goers you tend to see at the Rainforest World Music Festival:

1.The Learner

Rainforest World Music Festival is not just about the music and dancing but it is also about learning different cultures.

How to spot The Learner? They are the ones who raise their hands and ask questions during the cultural talks.

Or sometimes you can see them at the Rainforest World Music Festival Craft Bazaar engaging with vendors and asking questions.

Sometimes, they are your typical university students who major in music or anthropology. Sometimes, they are the intellectual types who take the opportunity during the festival to learn more about other cultures.

You can also spot them looking diligently at the festival guide or sitting in the front row of the sape lesson session.

2.The Live Feeder
Festival goers of Rainforest World Music Festival
Can you spot The Live Feeder?

These are the easiest to spot at the festival. They are the ones who have their smartphones raised during workshops, drum circles, and night performances for long periods of time, even just to take just a photo.

Or you can see traces of their live-feeding on their social media accounts even after the festival has ended.

3.The Selfie-obsessed

This kind of festival goer has a superpower ability. They can smell selfie opportunities unlike most normal people.

They know, for instance, which part of Sarawak Cultural Village gives the best photo ops, who to take wefies with and most importantly, which angle to take it form. Like I said, it’s a superpower.

4.The Spectator

Every music festival needs to have The Spectator. They are the ones who peek through the windows of the Iban Longhouse to watch a dance interactive session but never join in.

They watch the night performances from afar… such as the balcony of Dewan Lagenda or sitting at the back on their picnic mats.

Whatever it is, they are just there to spectate and enjoy the music.

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We came for the music!
5.The Solo Traveller

These are the lone rangers of the festival. They eat alone, participate in the mini sessions alone and they dance alone during the night performances.

Despite being alone, The Solo Travellers are the ones who look like they are enjoying not just the festival but also life overall the most.

6.The Party Animal

The Party Animal type dances the hardest, screams the loudest and drinks the most.

In times past when the ground in front of the stage could become a mud pit during a rainshower, they would be the ones dancing in the rain with mud on their feet and all over their bodies.

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Every music festival needs the Party Animals.
7.The Hobbyist
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I am here to do my own thing!

You have seen this type of festival goer, not just during the Rainforest World Music Festival but every music festival.

While the performers are giving their all onstage or in the mini sessions, they pick a spot and do their own thing.

Be it a yoga move or throwing a hoop or swinging a pair of poi, Rainforest World Music Festival has seen them all.

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“I come to share my hobby!”
8.The Herd

This type of festival goer moves in flocks. They usually have one tribe leader who decides which mini sessions to go or where to eat, one ideal follower who has no idea what is going on but happy to follow and the rebel who tends to break away from the group.

Plus if the herd is alcohol-inclined, they have a sommelier or beer connoisseur who keeps the alcohol level in everybody’s system in order.

Sometimes they have a babysitter who has a mother-like role in the group to make sure the herd is safe and sticks together.

They are commonly groups of university students and young working adults who take Rainforest World Music Festival as a short escape from reality.

9.The “I-have-no-idea-what-is-going-on-but-I-am-here-to-dance”

Some people would call this type of festival goer a dancer…only if you consider their moves as ‘dancing’.

The difference between The Party Animal and The“I-have-no-idea-what-is-going-on-but-I-am-here-to-dance” is that the latter tends to ignore what is going on because they just want to dance.

A band could be delivering a touching performance like At Adau’s Jackson Lian Ngau who dedicated a song to his late mum (in RWMF 2017) or Raghu Dixit from India and Slobodan Trjulja from Serbia giving a once in a lifetime hair-raising duet (in RWMF 2018).

These are the ones who would dance in the middle of a themed music demonstration or a drum circle during the festival irrespective of what is happening around them.

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Raghu Dixit from India (right) and Slobodan Trjulja from Serbia performing a duet song on July 14 during the Rainforest World Music Festival.
10.The ones who were not there for the world music but created their own world

These are the festival goers who were there at the RWMF but not exactly “there” at the festival.

They could be young couples who find their corners and just enjoy these time-defining moments with each other. Or even groups of friends who form their circles at Dewan Lagenda to drink together as the music plays in the background and sets the mood and atmosphere.

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Festival goers who created their own world at Dewan Lagenda during the Rainforest World Music Festival.

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The differences and sameness of RWMF’s mini sessions

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RWMF mini sessions
Slobodan Trkulja from Serbia teaching the crowd about the kolo dance.

Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) internationally known for its melting pot of different cultures and music was held for the 21st time recently from July 13 till 15.

While the audience reached its peak number on Saturday night, those who had attended the whole three-day festival would agree the real fun and magic happens during the afternoon sessions.

Now rebranded as ‘mini sessions’, the activities still carried the essence of RWMF workshops.

It had everything from interactive learning about world music instruments to impromptu jamming among the musicians.

RWMF 2018 Mini Sessions

RWMF mini sessions 9
Rainforest World Music Festival would not be complete without the dance interactive workshop.

This year, RWMF saw an increase from the usual 27 to 50 sessions and even spread out from its official venue of Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) to nearby Damai Central.

Since its first installment in 1997, the afternoon sessions have seen a number of improvements and changes over the years.

One of its usual sites for the afternoon workshops, the Malay house had been completely dedicated to children sessions; a thoughtful move since the Malay house can only cater to a small crowd and it has usually been packed and hot during the afternoon workshops in previous years.

RWMF mini sessions 7
Festival goers participating the traditional hoop dance of the Lakota (a Native American tribe) workshop.

Speaking of changes, the drum circle session by 1Drum.org saw a change of scenery from its usual spot in front of the jungle stage.

For the first two days of RWMF, the circle took place at the Big Tent Damai Central before it was moved back on the final day to where it has usually been held since 2014 .

RWMF mini sessions 5
The first two days of RWMF saw the drum circle by 1drum.org flocking the Big Tent at Damai Central.

However, the mini sessions still carried on its crowd favourite activities especially the themed music demonstrations and dance workshops.

For example of themed music demonstrations was the “Rhythm’s Gonna Get You”, a workshop featuring an array of different percussion.

This year’s percussion demonstration was conducted on Saturday showcasing a bedok (a Bidayuh drum from Sarawak), darbuka, conga and even a human percussion, a beatboxer.

Other themes music demonstrations were wind instruments, plucked stringed instruments and lutes from two continents Africa and Asia.

During these demonstrations, each musician had a chance to introduce their instrument before all of them coming together to produce an impromptu performance.

RWMF mini sessions 6
A percussion-themed demonstration organised on Saturday (July 14) at the Dewan Lagenda.

Another crowd favourite every year and usually packed with participants is the dance interactive workshop.

Every year, SCV’s Dewan Lagenda and Iban Longhouse had played host to many dances from all over the world.

This year, these locations had witnessed cumbia (folkloric dance from Colombia), traditional hoop dance of the Lakota (a Native American tribe), kolo (a Serbian circle dance) and among others.

After 21 years in business, RWMF overall had its tweaks here and there yearly and some tweaks stay while others don’t.

Evidently the organiser, Sarawak Tourism Board gave the best to cater to all types of festival goers every year including those families with small children and fitness enthusiasts.

Apart from the mini sessions, there were also programmes for wellness and lifestyle such as yoga, zumba and belly dance as well as children sessions which were started a couple years ago.

RWMF mini sessions 8
Each location now has its lineup activities displayed.

More photos:

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5 Sarawakian true stories that should be made into films

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Filmmakers out there! If you are running out of ideas to make a movie, here are five Sarawakian true stories that deserve their spots on the big screen!

1.The tragedy of Tanjung Jerijeh

This is a Sarawakian true story similar to James Cameron’s Titanic (1997).

On Dec 27, 1973 at around 2am, a ferry from Kuching heading to Sarikei met with tragedy at Tanjung Jerijeh.

The ferry MV Pulau Kidjang capsized at the mouth of Tanjung Jerijeh about 3.5 nautical miles from Sarikei town.

Widely considered one of the worst tragedies in Sarawak maritime history, the incident took the lives of 121 people, mostly women and children.

Reportedly only 41 bodies were found while the rest are still missing to this day.

2.Circular No. 9

How far would you go to defend your political beliefs? Would you be willing to quit your job for it?

The story starts with the anti-cession movement led by Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah and Datu Patinggi Haji Mohammad Kassim.

The anti-cessionists were fighting against Sarawak being given over to Great Britain to be ruled as a crown colony, pushing for the Brookes to rule as a protectorate instead.

When Charles Vyner Brooke ceded Sarawak to Britain as a crown colony on Feb 8, 1946, it was in violation of a provision in Sarawak’s 1941 constitution, which stipulated that he would grant Sarawak the right to self-rule.

There were demonstrations all over the country of Sarawak,  most of them held by civil servants.

In response, the Governor of Sarawak issued Circular No. 9 warning civil servants that it was illegal to participate in political movements.

In protest, 338 civil servants – mostly made up of teachers – resigned on Apr 2, 1947.

These resignations caused the closure of more than 22 schools in Sarawak.

This Sarawakian true story is a tale of courage and patriotism, something that the current generation needs to be reminded of nowadays.

3.Raid on Limbang
Limbang
A boat cruising through Limbang river.

If West Malaysians have their Bukit Kepong incident, here in Sarawak we have the raid on Limbang.

When the idea of the Malaysian federation came out in the late 1950s, many disagreed, including a left-leaning Brunei politician-turned-rebel widely known as A.M. Azahari.

He led the group Brunei People’s Party and the North Kalimantan National Army (TNKU) with ideas for Brunei, North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak to form one country.

On Dec 8, 1962, TNKU militants led by Limbang native Salleh Sambas started their attacks on Limbang.

Their assault started at the local police station where they captured several rifles and machine guns.

The raid took the lives of four Sarawakian policemen. They were Corporal Kim Huat from Kuap, PC Wan Jamaluddin Tuanku Alek, PC Insoll Chundang from Saribas and PC Bujang Mohammed from Kuching.

A movie based on this true story would make a good reminder of how courageous our policemen were, even back then.

4.Tra Zehnder

A film based on the true story of Sergeant Kanang anak Langkau came out in 2017.

Kanang was an Iban warrior and one of Malaysia’s most decorated war heroes who fought bravely during the communist insurgency.

So how about a film on Sarawak women figures? Dato Sri Tra Zehnder was a female pioneer in Sarawak politics.

She held the record for being the first lady member of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), the first woman to head the Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak and she even represented the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) at the Cobbold Commission meeting.

Furthermore if it weren’t for her, we would not be celebrating Gawai Dayak on June 1 today.

Tra was the one who championed the idea to have Gawai Dayak recognised as an official state holiday.

5.Sarawakian SWAT

For most people, SWAT means Special Weapons and Tactics, a paramilitary unit of law-enforcement agency.

Here in Sarawak, the acronym carries a different meaning.

With Sarawak being home to the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), the largest riparian predator in the world, SWAT refers to Sarawak Forestry Corporation’s Swift Wildlife Action Team.

They are the unsung heroes solving human-crocodile conflict in the state.

This special unit was set up in 2013 and was put in charge of crocodile culling and removal all over Sarawak.

A movie inspired by Sarawakian SWAT could look like Black Water (2007), Rogue (2007) and Lake Placid (1999) only with more focus on the work of these brave SWAT officers.

Sarawak’s most famous saltwater crocodile, Bujang Senang or its descendants, can play the villains in the movie.

Batu Nabau Engkilili 3
How about a movie on crocodiles in Sarawak?

Do you have any ideas on what Sarawakian true stories that should be made into films? Let us know in the comment box.

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