01/12/2025

MONDAY | DEC 1, 2025

25

LYFE

Southeast Asian prides

T HAI breakout star Tontawan Tantivejakul has been announced as the next recipient of the FPA Asia Pacific Rising Icon Award, joining Malaysian actor Syafiq Kyle, who was revealed earlier this year as a fellow honouree. Both recognitions will be presented at the 62nd Asia-Pacific Film Festival (APFF) Awards Night, taking place on Dec 6, 2025 at Auditorium Bandaraya, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur. Tontawan, widely known as Tu Tontawan, has rapidly emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most talked-about young actors. Her profile surged internationally following the runaway success of the Thai family dramedy How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies , one of 2024–2025’s most significant regional box-office phenomena. Her heartfelt portrayal earned praise from critics and audiences alike, solidifying her status as a rising force in Asian cinema. This year’s APFF Rising Icon selections spotlight two talents representing the new wave of the region: 1. Tantivejakul (Thailand) – celebrated for her emotionally resonant screen presence and expanding international appeal. 2. Syafiq (Malaysia) – recognised for his strong audience following, rising stature in Malaysian cinema and growing slate of screen work across genres. Presented by the Federation of Motion Picture Producers in Asia Pacific (FPA), the Rising Icon Award honours emerging actors whose artistic trajectory is shaping the Crisp from an arena tour with the Jonas Brothers, pop-rock icons The All-American Rejects unveil a sunlit, hook-filled new single Get This , setting the stage for its upcoming album Sandbox , arriving spring of 2026. The All-American Rejects bring its signature spark back in Get This , an indie-pop track reminiscent of its earlier hits such as Move Along and Gives You Hell . Its accompanying music video cleverly nods to classic holiday films, featuring the band on five playful, cheeky sets. Tyson Ritter shared about the track: “Little hooks will sit in your pockets like a lead weight that won’t shake out in the dryer. Get This was a song born on a drive. It was made in the sunshine on the back porch of our family home. Pure fun like the company it was written around.” The year 2025 has proved to be the biggest year of the band’s career, with highlights including a viral house party run that goes international next year. After teasing new music since spring, it has re-emerged with force – pulling in a new generation of fans and driving a true resurgence. Its breakout single Easy Come, Easy Go powered the viral House Party Tour, which quickly became a cultural event with coverage on Nightline, CNN, Fader, New York Magazine, NPR and more. The track alone generated hundreds of millions of views across three music videos and was performed live on Jimmy Kimmel earlier this year. Get This follows its recent singles

o Thai breakout star to join M’sian star Syafiq Kyle on stage, for rising icon award at APFF

Tontawan Tantivejakul, celebrated for her emotionally resonant screen presence that leaves audience wanting more.

Syafiq Kyle, recognised for his rising stature in Malaysian cinema and growing slate of screen work across genres.

region’s cinematic future. The 62nd APFF is organised by Lomo Pictures Sdn. Bhd., endorsed by the Federation of Motion Picture Producers in Asia-Pacific (FPA), and supported by the National Film

Development

Corporation

Malaysia. The 62nd Asia-Pacific Film Festival Awards Night will take place on Dec 6 at Auditorium Bandaraya, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur.

All-American Rejects drops new album

Feelings of disappointment KMonRafiq , pronounced Ka mon-ra-fik, has released its new single titled Disappointed . Its album Book of Moderation is

almost ready to be released, so they are currently rolling out singles leading up to it. This single, Disappointed, talks about the feeling of disappointment – specifically, disappointment in one’s self for not being able to become a better version of who one wants to be. “For example, you might be in a relationship and start noticing certain toxic behaviours or habits in yourself. “You don’t want to act that way, but the pain and emotional pressure you feel inside makes you slip back into those habits again. And that leads to disappointment in yourself,” said the band in a statement. The man in this song realises that he is on the verge of becoming the person he once

was, a version of himself he dislikes, falling back into the same habits and behaviours that weigh down his life. Sometimes, effort does not bring success, but instead becomes a test of how much further we can go. The song portrays someone who feels so disappointed that he crawls back into a cocoon – a caterpillar not yet ready to become a butterfly. Disappointed explores self-disappointment and a willingness to improve the self from an honest standpoint.

KMonRafiq has released single Disappointed in the run-up to the release of its new album Book of Moderation .

Eggshell Tap-Dancer and Search Party , the latter’s music video premiering on MTV and showcased in NYC’s Times Square. With the album garnering 10 million streams already pre-release, the band is set to close the year strong, headlining KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas and performing live on Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve . All-American Rejects.

Sandbox by The All-American Rejects is set to wow audiences with indie-pop revival.