31/01/2026

LYFE SATURDAY | JAN 31, 2026

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Mimifly soars to New York City A FTER stealing the spotlight with a captivating performance at the closing ceremony of the 2025 SEA experience taught her

o Artiste makes appearance on Times Square billboard

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“I truly embody the Nusantara and Malay spirit. I simply want to create songs and showcase the beauty of our language. I also want to prove that the local music industry can be modern and of high quality without sacrificing our identity,” she said after the IWK Charity Theatre event Najis Jadi Teman at IWK Eco Park recently. Reflecting on the achievement of

valuable lesson. “That experience made Mimi realise that when you desire something too intensely, it often doesn’t happen. But when you let go and allow life to take its course, success comes with a much sweeter feeling,” she said, revealing that she had dreamed of seeing her face on a major billboard about two decades ago. “Now, not only has that dream come true, but Mimi’s face is displayed on the most iconic billboard in the world. This is truly something to be proud of. If Korea can take K-pop to the world, why can’t we bring our own language? “Our language is no less remarkable. We have Malaysia and Indonesia, and as Southeast Asia, outsiders have yet to fully realise how much we’ve grown. With the power of the internet, they’re beginning to see it, and Mimi feels, I belong here,” said the lyricist and composer. Reiterating that she is comfortable with the direction she is currently taking, Mimi said she remains steadfast in prioritising quality and sincerity in her creative work. – Bernama

Games in Thailand, Malaysian artiste MimiFly once again made the nation proud when her face was recently featured prominently on a Times Square billboard in New York, US. Mimi, whose real name is Shamimi Amalina Norhisham, said while expressing pride over the international recognition that the Spotify playlist displayed on the billboard comprised exclusively Malay-language songs. However, despite the recognition in the US, the Angkat singer stressed that her journey remains firmly rooted in elevating the Malay language, without being swayed into producing works in foreign languages or aggressively pursuing the global market. The poetry, literature and the Malay soul through her musical creations, in line with her identity as a Nusantara inspired artiste. 40-year-old singer also said her current focus is to continue highlighting the beauty of

appearing on the iconic billboard – something she never imagined would become reality – M i m i s a i d t h e

Mimi says her current focus is to continue highlighting the beauty of poetry, literature and the Malay soul through her musical creations. Taeyong brings his post military solo tour to M’sia

Reiterating that she is comfortable with the direction she is currently taking, Mimi says she remains steadfast in prioritising quality and sincerity in her creative work. – PICS FROM BERNAMA

Screenings of 5 Centimeters Per Second for fans MALAY S IA is the first country in the world to screen the live-action and animated versions of 5 Centimeters Per Second back-to-back in cinemas.

TAEYO N G of K-pop boy group NCT will return to Malaysia with a solo concert scheduled for April 11, 5pm at Idea Live Arena. Titled 2026 Taeyong Concert in Kuala Lumpur, the concert marks one of the first major solo tour stops following the artiste’s completion of military service. Known for his powerful stage presence and distinctive artistic identity, Taeyong has long been a core member of NCT and NCT 127, performing on major stages worldwide. In recent years, he has showcased a more mature musical direction through his solo releases. Following his military discharge, Taeyong made a swift return to the spotlight, launching his 2026 Asia Tour TY Track – Remastered, which represents a new chapter in his musical journey. TY Track – Remastered is a fully reimagined and upgraded version of his first solo concert TY Track, originally held in early 2024. The revamped show features enhanced music arrangements, redesigned stage visuals and high quality production, with a strong emphasis on delivering an immersive live experience. The tour kicked off in Seoul in January and continued across major Asian cities, including Jakarta, Yokohama, Macau and Bangkok, before arriving in Kuala Lumpur on April 11. Notably, this concert marks

The special fan screenings will run until tomorrow at selected TGV Cinemas locations nationwide, offering audiences a rare chance to watch two adaptations of the same story in a single sitting. The screening begins with the newly released live-action adaptation, followed immediately by the original 2007 animated film directed by Japanese filmmaker Makoto Shinkai. Both films tell the story of Takaki T ǯ no and Akari Shinohara, whose relationship is shaped by distance, missed timing and emotional separation as they grow older.

This special fans screening is a celebration of Shinkai’s legacy. The screenings are organised by mm2 Entertainment Malaysia and are available at TGV Cinemas.

Known for his powerful stage presence and distinctive artistic identity, Taeyong has long been a core member of NCT and NCT 127. Taeyong’s first-ever solo concert in Malaysia, making it a highly significant moment for local fans. While he previously visited the country in 2017 as part of a group performance, this return carries special meaning as a solo artiste. His recent tracks such as Shalala and Tap have received enthusiastic responses, highlighting his musical versatility and continued growth as a performer. Organiser IME Malaysia shared that the concert will be presented with top-tier production, promising fans an unforgettable night that blends musical depth with striking visual impact. Ticket prices range from RM328 to RM798.

Pyramid, Central i-City, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Sunway Velocity and Suria KLCC. Additional screenings are scheduled in Johor at Bukit Indah and Tebrau City, as well as in Penang at Bukit Mertajam and Gurney Paragon. A limited fan screening bundle will be available during the two-day period. The bundle includes one ticket to the live-action film, one ticket to the animated film and a Malaysia exclusive merchandise set. Quantities are limited and availability varies by location.

The animated version of 5 Centimeters Per Second is widely regarded as one of Shinkai’s most influential works and helped establish his reputation for quiet, introspective storytelling and visually detailed depictions of everyday life. The live action adaptation revisits the same narrative in a different medium, allowing audiences to compare interpretations of the story, tone and pacing across formats. The screenings will take place across the Klang Valley at Sunway

A limited fan screening bundle will be sold over two days only.