13/09/2025

LYFE SATURDAY | SEPT 13, 2025

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Jackson Wang returns to Malaysia on Oct 25 o K-pop artiste to delight fans at Axiata Arena

K -POP artiste Jackson Wang is making his comeback to Malaysia next month. The Got7 member is bringing his second solo tour, the Magicman 2 World Tour, to local fans on Oct 25 at Axiata Arena. Marking his first appearance in Malaysia since 2023, the concert promises electrifying performances from his discography, which includes hits from his latest album Magicman 2 . Since its release, the album has marked a new milestone for Wang,

Wang rose to fame as a member of the popular group Got7. Together with the six other members, the Hong Kong native released five albums and 23 singles. He then pursued a solo career in 2017 and has since released three albums. Fans looking to experience his performances live can head over to Fantopia and Damai. Ticket prices start from RM498.

making him the first Chinese artiste to have two consecutive albums debut within the top 15 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart. The 100 Ways hitmaker describes the album as a profound journey of self-exploration, reflecting his inner struggles and perspectives on reality, society, relationships and emotional connections.

Aaron Kwok to attend KL showcase of HK films Kwok stars in My First of May .

ACTO R Aaron Kwok will attend the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Kuala Lumpur and the post-screening talk of My First of May , a heartfelt drama about a father reconciling with his daughter who is suffering from a rare disease. “I’m so happy that My First of May is the opening film in the Kuala Lumpur stop. Malaysian audiences have always been supportive of Hong Kong films, especially realistic stories with strong emotions. “This film is about a fallen athlete learning to take responsibility for his family, and I believe it will touch audiences deeply,” Kwok shared. The gala will take place from Sept 20 to 28 at the Aurum Theatre, The Exchange TRX. Following the success of the Bangkok edition, the gala now travels to Malaysia, featuring six acclaimed Hong Kong films: My First of May (opening film), Fight For Tomorrow , Good Game , Four Trails , True Love, for Once in My Life , and a special re-screening of Kwok’s 2019 performance in I’m Livin’ It . Organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA), co-presented with Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) and distributor GSC Movies, and supported by the Create Hong Kong, the Film Development Fund and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, this year’s gala continues under AFAA’s new motto “Together We Dare”, with Kuala Lumpur’s focus on the theme “To Endeavour”. The theme highlights filmmaking as a collective act of perseverance, whether by directors, actors or action choreographers, all striving together to bring stories to the big screen. Reflecting on the theme, Kwok added: “The character Deng Shuyan is disciplined and determined. Even when life weighs him down, his spirit of perseverance never fades. For him, fighting for his family is the ultimate expression of endurance.” Kwok will also join audiences for the re-screening of I’m Livin’ It , which earned him a Best Actor

nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Director James Hung remarked: “This gala is a powerful platform to share the love and connection between filmmakers and audiences.” Actor Locker Lam, praised for his role as a boxer in Fight For Tomorrow , expressed his excitement to meet Malaysian fans and share the film’s spirit of struggle and hope. Award-winning director Robin Lee brings his documentary Four Trails , which chronicles the resilience of trail runners in Hong Kong. He noted: “We aimed to make a film that would connect with a wide audience – from trail runners to sports fans, movie enthusiasts and everyone in between.” Action directors MJ Chan and Ken Law will represent Fight For Tomorrow and Good Game , discussing how Hong Kong’s unique action traditions are evolving while remaining true to their roots. The gala will also feature a series of university talks at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology. Robin Lee and James Hung will lead “Storytelling Across Documentary and Drama”, exploring different approaches to narrative. Action choreographers MJ Chan and Ken Law will join forces in “Action Choreographer Designs Dialogue”, highlighting the craft of Hong Kong’s action cinema. The spotlight will fall on Kwok in “Infinite Horizon of Artistry”, where the actor will reflect on his artistic journey from stage to screen, offering students an inspiring perspective on perseverance and growth. An exhibition titled “Weaving Dreams: Artistry in Film” will also run from Sept 20 to Oct 2 at the Aurum Theatre, featuring a curated showcase of texts, music and visuals drawn from the six participating films. As part of the cross-disciplinary project “Together We Dare to Crossover”, Hong Kong illustrator Toballki has designed exclusive souvenirs, drawing inspiration from Hong Kong cinema. Tickets are now on sale.

Wang is a member of Korean group Got7.

Kampung Ronggeng 2.0 revives village nostalgia

S TEPPI N G into the Kampung Ronggeng 2.0 Concert at Aswara’s Experimental Theatre last Friday felt like being transported to a village hall alive with the sound of gamelan , bursts of laughter and the chatter of familiar voices. For two hours, the modest stage became a gateway to rural memories filled with culture, emotion, humour and tradition, proving the show was much more than just a performance. Characters such as Pak Abu, Pak Walid, Atan, Si Dara and Si Teruna brought folklore to life with light-hearted storytelling, weaving in spontaneous interactions with the audience that made the experience even warmer. But Kampung Ronggeng 2.0 was not only about entertainment. It was a celebration of heritage and rural identity, a reminder that traditional arts still hold a special place in the heart despite the pressures of modernity. The audience embraced the theme wholeheartedly, many dressed in kampung -inspired attire – from batik sarongs and baju pagoda to towels draped over heads and grandmother-style casual looks – turning the evening into a lively, nostalgic gathering. Music director Teuku Umar Ilany Teuku Iskandar said this second edition carried more depth, adding layers of emotion, stronger interaction with the audience and four new songs to strengthen the storytelling.

The concert celebrates heritage and rural identity. – BERNAMAPIC

husband. The music and lyrics struck a raw emotional chord, drawing silence and empathy from the crowd. The show also introduced Malay customs in a light and engaging way. During the Memang Jodoh segment, audiences were treated to a demonstration of how to wear the samping and batik , symbols that reveal whether a person is single, married, widowed or bereaved. By the finale, the atmosphere turned into a grand village celebration as the audience was invited to dance together on the main stage, ending the night in a joyful, festive spirit. What began as a small concert idea has now grown into a cultural showcase. Thanks to the overwhelming response to its first edition, Kampung Ronggeng 2.0 has blossomed into a heartfelt work that blends music, memory and heritage – with hopes for more to come. – Bernama

“Previously, it was just a regular concert where we presented songs. This time, we wanted something different – a storyline that connects the pieces together. We used the village and its memories as the thread that binds the songs,” he said. The concert took three months of preparation, from composing to conceptual planning and narrative structuring. The result was 14 original works spread across different segments, including Hantu Stories , Kuih! Kuih! , Bunga Kasih , Undi Saya and Atap Nipah . One of the liveliest moments came during the Kuih! Kuih! segment, when the audience was not only invited to sing and dance but also handed illustrated sheets of traditional cakes to spark nostalgia and enrich the playful storyline. The mood shifted in Bunga Kasih , a poignant piece about Si Dara grieving the loss of her