03/10/2025

FRIDAY | OCT 3, 2025

21

LYFE

Curating culturally resonant scares

o Malaysia’s biggest Halloween festival Nights of Fright returns to Sunway Lagoon

Ű BY YASMIN ZULRAEZ

craze sweeping through shopping malls. Harris described it as “culturally on point” and something he knew had to be executed immediately before the trend cooled. “People will find it amusing that they got scared,” he noted, highlighting the balance between fright and playfulness. Other fresh additions include Fortunes & Freaks, a carnival of cursed tarot cards and freakshow horrors and The Puppetmaker, a Venetian-inspired nightmare of strings and control. Harris emphasised that NOF11 must cater not just to hardcore horror fans but also to casual visitors, those seeking a night of thrills, laughs and Instagram-worthy scares.

A T the media launch of Nights of Fright 11 (NOF11), creative director Lynton V. Harris explained how the event continues to evolve after more than a decade. “I am not a horror guy, I am an entertainment guy,” he said, adding that his goal each year is to curate experiences that balance horror with fun. Rather than relying on repetitive zombie tropes, Harris draws inspiration from cultural trends and regional stories. This year’s standout is The Blind Box, a haunted maze styled after collectable toy boxes and inspired by the global blind-box

The night begins with a bang as scare actors and performers set the stage for NOF11’s spine-chilling launch at Sunway Lagoon.

Festival of fear experience Held at Sunway Lagoon every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Nov 2 (7.30pm–11.30pm), NOF11 remains Asean’s largest Halloween festival. The event has eight haunted houses, one haunted theatre, three scare zones, 13 thrill rides and live performances. Malaysian actress Nadia Brian also stars as the axe-wielding Pontianaxe in the new Scarytales Theatre feature. The opening night was packed with eager crowds, with long queues forming early. However, despite its impressive scale, many visitors noted that the event felt noticeably toned down compared to previous

haunted Hantu Kum Kum ship to Poh Kong’s villain-hitting ritual. Horror reimagined NOF11 succeeds in offering a well-curated, culturally relevant lineup of haunted attractions that entertain as much as they frighten. It may not be the scariest instalment in the festival’s history, but its creativity and sheer scale keep it a must-visit for Halloween in Malaysia. Tickets start at RM128.

years. The scares were present, creepy puppets, cursed shamans, fiery cryogenic labs, but the overall intensity leaned more toward immersive spectacle than sheer terror. For some, this balance worked perfectly, but for seasoned thrill-seekers, it may have lacked the raw fright factor that earlier editions delivered. Still, the cultural creativity stood out. Karak: The Kampong Killers tapped into Malaysia’s most viral urban legend, while Tiki Terror transformed the park’s outdoor trails into a cursed jungle journey. Brand partnerships also added playful twists, from Libresse’s

Brave enough to enter? Whether you scream in fear or laugh in relief, NOF11 ensures you will leave with a story to tell. Japan tour based on game

Step aboard the haunted ship where Hantu Kum Kum lurks, while Libresse turns fright into fright-free comfort with its SecureFit protection.

Petrosains showing exhibits from S. Korean museum PETROSAINS has launched the Sci-Pop Exhibition in collaboration with South Korea’s Gwacheon National Science Museum, marking a new milestone in science education and cultural exchange.

GHOST of Yotei Hokkaido Tour, presented by PlayStation and Klook, is a curated tour through Hokkaido inspired by the landscapes that shaped the video game’s world. From Edo-period villages to volcanic valleys, the tour brings fans, gamers and travellers to the real-life locations that influenced Sucker Punch’s development team in making the game Ghost of Yotei . Fans and travellers can make bookings via Klook and to secure the tour to locations such as

Noboribetsu Date Jidai Mura, Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and Lake Toya, where you can see the majestic Mount Yotei. The tour will commence from Nov 3 onwards. Additionally, the Experience Ghost of Yotei campaign provides fans and gamers a chance to win prizes such as Ghost of Yotei Collector’s Edition, Ghost of Yotei limited edition PS5 peripherals, Ghost of Yotei merchandise and Klook travel vouchers. Ghost of Yotei is now available on PlayStation 5.

Running until December, the showcase features 25 interactive exhibits from Gwacheon National Science Museum. After that, it will travel to Petrosains PlaySmart centres in Johor Bahru and Kuantan until September 2026, extending access to communities outside the Klang Valley. Petrosains PlaySmart centres are mini science centres designed to replicate the experience of the main science centre in Suria KLCC, while providing accessible STEM learning programmes and exhibitions to local communities. Petrosains has also acquired 38 portable Sci-Pop exhibits for its nationwide outreach programmes, bringing hands-on science experiences directly to local communities. “This exhibition embodies the vision of ‘Where Science Meets Pop Culture’. By leveraging Malaysia’s vibrant enthusiasm for Korean pop culture, we are creating a platform where science is not only accessible but also engaging, inspiring and fun,” Petrosains CEO Ezarisma Azni Mohamad said. The exhibition is the first major initiative under a memorandum of understanding signed between both institutions in March this year. It aims

From left: Korean ambassador to Malaysia Yeo Seung-bae, Petrosains board member Siti Azlina Abdul Latif, Gwacheon National Science Museum president Han Hyung-Joo and Ezarisma at the Sci-Pop launch at Petrosains.

which demonstrates the behaviour of gases under different conditions, the Principles of Arch Structure, which showcases fundamental engineering concepts, Lenz’s Law, which illustrates the principle of electromagnetism, and the Secret of Pi, which explains and humanises the complex mathematical constant, among others. The exhibition not only entertains but also inspires visitors to embrace curiosity, creativity and innovation.

to promote lifelong learning, inclusivity and new approaches to science communication. Gwacheon experts are also training Petrosains science communicators to engage audiences more effectively. The exhibition features a series of interactive installations that combine scientific principles with cultural touchpoints, offering visitors a hands-on journey through key concepts. Highlights include the Gas Model,

Explore the villages and valleys in Hokkaido that inspired the game.