22/04/2026

LYFE WEDNESDAY | APR 22, 2026

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Malaysian Paper

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K-pop giants eye own Coachella-style fest

S OUTH Korea’s biggest K-pop agencies are in talks to join forces on a global music festival that could bring together the industry’s top stars, in what some local media have billed as a Korean version of the mega US festival Coachella. Hybe, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment said in a statement they are preparing to set up a joint venture to develop the “Fanomenon” event, a large-scale festival aimed at showcasing Korean popular culture to a global audience, reported Reuters. The talks also involve the government’s Popular Culture Exchange Committee, as the companies look for new ways to expand K-pop’s global footprint through industry-wide

broader push by President Lee Jae Myung to promote the K-pop industry, after assigning Park to spearhead those efforts and pledging strong government backing while staying out of artistic decisions. The companies stressed, however, discussions remained at an early stage and no concrete business plans, schedules or operating structures had been finalised. They said the joint venture was being considered as a possible model for cooperation and that required procedures, including filing with the Fair Trade Commission, were under way. Decisions will be made cautiously as talks continue, the companies said, taking into account market conditions and views across the industry.

cooperation rather than individual company projects. Fanomenon – a term combining “fan” and “phenomenon” – was unveiled last year by JYP founder Park Jin-young, who co-chairs the committee. At its launch in October, Park said the ambition was to create a recurring mega festival starting in South Korea and eventually touring cities worldwide, with the aim of rivalling leading international music festivals such as Coachella. Under Park’s vision, the festival could begin as early as 2027 in South Korea, followed by overseas editions from 2028, featuring a broad line-up spanning K-pop and other elements of Korean popular culture. The discussions come amid a

Fans of South Korean K-pop boy band BTS throng around the Tokyo Dome before the start of the band’s BTS World Tour Arirang concert in Tokyo, Japan. – REUTERSPIC Jaye channels solitude, healing, comfort through I Like Rain

Honest experience: Hrvy releases new single Lie to Me from forthcoming EP Bliss

SINGAPOREAN artiste Jaye has released his latest single I Like the Rain , a reflective and emotional track that leans into solitude, healing and finding comfort in melancholy. Rooted in a real-life moment, the single was inspired during a quiet studio session with producer Kyle Patrick, as the sounds of the pouring rain reminded Jaye of his wife, who always loved watching lightning during storms. The fleeting moment of reflection became the foundation of I Like the Rain . Built around a strong, memorable melody and carried by a softer, more vulnerable vocal performance, I Like the Rain captures the stillness of introspection, where rain becomes more than just weather, but a companion to thought, memory and emotional clarity. Exploring the idea of embracing emotions that are

often avoided, the single re-frames sadness and loneliness as necessary spaces for growth and self understanding. Through its production and lyricism, Jaye invites listeners into a personal moment of acceptance and finding beauty in vulnerability. “Sometimes the rain feels like the only thing that understands you. This song is about sitting with those feelings instead of running from them,” he said. Complementing the release is a three-part visual series, rolled out as short-form music videos on Jaye’s Instagram, which features his wife Nicholette and further expands on the song’s emotional narrative. Each part captures fragments of their shared moments, visually echoing the connection between rain, reflection and love, bringing audiences deeper into the world behind the music.

UK pop artiste Hrvy has returned with his new single Lie to Me , marking the beginning of a new creative chapter and the first release from his forthcoming EP Bliss , coming out this June, followed by his debut album later this year. With over 14 million social media followers and more than two billion global streams, Hrvy has established himself on the global scene. Now, he steps into a more honest and self-driven era, musically and creatively. Lie to Me was born in Stockholm, widely regarded as the global capital of pop, where Hrvy

Lie to Me reflects

Hrvy’s own experiences and emotions.

found a new creative home. The track was written by Hrvy alongside acclaimed songwriters Hampus Lindvall (Zara Larsson, Martin Garrix) and Chelsea Balan (Dasha, Suki Waterhouse), blending emotionally raw storytelling with a refined, contemporary pop sound. For the first time, Hrvy has led every aspect of the project from its inception, from songwriting and production to visuals and overall identity, shaping what will become his most personal body of work to date. “ Lie to Me is about that moment when you know the truth but part of you still wants to believe the illusion. It’s one of the most honest songs I’ve written, it reflects real experiences and emotions I went through. This whole project is me being fully involved, telling my story in a way I never have before,” said Hrvy. Lie to Me is now available on all major streaming platforms.

Hrvy says Lie to Me is one of the most honest songs he has written . – PIC BY PAUL EDWARDS

Jaye’s approach to art is a marriage between his love for music and passion for progressive technologies.