22/09/2025

LYFE MONDAY | SEPT 22, 2025

25

A UDIENCES can prepare for a cinematic experience of glamour, intrigue and elegance with the upcoming Malaysian spy thriller Killmaster . Filmed on the island of Ibiza, Spain, the film follows the journey of Alex Wong, a secret agent codenamed “Killmaster” and renowned for his precision in eliminating global threats, in his latest mission that takes him from Asia to Europe, culminating in a confrontation with powerful terrorist leaders on Spanish soil. Inspired by the golden era of cinema, Killmaster seeks to recapture the allure of the late Roger Moore-era James Bond films and the graceful sophistication of classics such as To Catch a Thief . Produced, directed, written and starring Julian Cheah as Alex, the film also boasts foreign talent such as Chile’s Monica de Caro, who stars as Catalina Rodriguez. According to de Caro, who also has a couple of action sequences in Killmaster , it was her first time performing in a spy action film and her character was created, styled and costumed based on Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider franchise. “ Killmaster was not my first time in a Malaysian production. I previously worked with RTM, but I really enjoyed working on Cheah’s movie because this type of film was something I had always wanted to do,” she explained. For her action sequences, de Caro claimed that it took her roughly two weeks to rehearse for the choreography and stunts. She showered praises on Killmaster ’s local stunt coordinators and stuntmen for being courteous and professional in coaching her. Adding depth to the cinematic experience, the music score pays homage to the legendary John Barry, whose compositions defined the Bond films of the 1960s and 1970s. During the film’s media preview at Suria KLCC recently, Cheah told theSun that Ibiza was chosen as a filming location and as a central part of Killmaster ’s story due to how it is picturesque, AFTER two years, Mandopop powerhouse Tiger Huang is finally returning to singing. For the very first time, she will be performing her solo concert on Malaysia soil, with the 2025 World Tour making its stop at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting on Nov 15. Huang’s musical journey began at pubs when she was 19. With a career spanning nearly four decades and more than 10,000 live performances, she has earned her place as one of the most distinctive voices in Asian music. Famous for her husky, soulful voice, Huang has delivered timeless hits such as Not Just Friends , It’s Not That Simple , Again and The More I Love , The More I Understand , songs that capture life’s deepest emotions and continue to resonate across generations. The path to her return has been marked by resilience. In 2019,

Production for Killmaster was split between Malaysia and Spain.

Killmaster brings back glamour

o Julian Cheah’s Ibiza-shot spy thriller revives elegance of classic Bond-era cinema

“I did not want to make a gritty film. If you go on Netflix, most of the films are gritty. I wanted to do something different by bringing back the glamour as seen in the Bond movies from the late 1970s and early 1980s,” he said. With its blend of exotic locations, refined fashion, evocative music and mild action sequences, Killmaster promises to delight longtime fans of classic spy films and new audiences seeking an elegant, visually captivating escape.

a popular tourist destination and the location for other films. “When I looked up Ibiza on the Internet, I saw it was very beautiful and the whole point of me doing this film is to bring glamour because Killmaster is not an action film.” Approaching the film, glamour was what Cheah prioritised. He admitted that he is well aware that his action filmmaking is not on the level of the Yusof brothers and stressed that his – and Killmaster ’s – selling point is glamour.

Wong is tasked with taking down a global terrorist organisation.

Tiger Huang makes resilient return, to perform at Arena of Stars this November

Huang’s historic debut solo concert in Malaysia will be far more than a greatest-hits showcase. It will be a deeply personal performance, blending fresh live arrangements with candid storytelling and the lived-in depth of her signature voice. Having weathered heartbreak, health struggles and the challenges of menopause, Huang embraces her full self on stage, delivering a night where every lyric is lived and every note carries the weight of resilience and passion. “It’s been a long wait for my Malaysian fans. I can’t wait to speak to all of you in the way I know best, through music, this November,” Huang shared. Tickets for Tiger Huang 2025 World Tour – Resorts World Genting Malaysia are priced from RM298 to RM668. Tickets will be available on Wednesday.

Huang endured a painful breakup with her German partner of 10 years. Soon after, the global pandemic brought her career to a sudden halt. Her longtime manager stepped away and years of overwork caught up with her health, leaving her feeling, in her words, “completely empty inside and out”. At one point, she even considered walking away from music altogether. But a turning point arrived when she listened to her own songs. She realised her voice still had meaning and power, not only for her fans, but for herself. That spark reignited her passion. Through solitude, reflection and deliberate self-care, she rebuilt her strength and rediscovered her purpose. Today, she stands renewed: “HuHu is back. This is Tiger 2.0,” she declared, a proud affirmation of her rebirth as an artiste and a woman.

Mark your calendars for Huang on Nov 15.