Every metal guitar wants a powerful amplifier. Yang Mal-bok is delightfully animated in Lee Yu-jin’s Manok, a film where zest is absolutely mandatory. Shortly after the first frame’s bright rainbow flag passes us by, we meet the titular Manok, a lively and impulsive bar owner who hosts LGBTQIA+ parade parties in Seoul. In a bold…
39th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – “Việt and Nam” Review
If you’re a Vietnamese filmmaker, presenting a story to the world about two star-crossed lovers nicknamed Viet and Nam is all but asking the audience to interpret the trajectory of their relationship as a metaphor for the nation itself. The third film from writer/director Truong Minh Quy attempts to avoid this straightforward categorization due to…
39th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – In Conversation with Minh Quý Trương, Director of “Việt and Nam”
Minh Quý Trương, a filmmaker from Buôn Ma Thuột, Vietnam, began his artistic journey by attending film school but dropped out in 2008 to pursue independent filmmaking. His early exposure to cinema led him to participate in the Asian Film Academy and the Berlinale Talents program, which enhanced his passion for storytelling and filmmaking. Trương’s…
39th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – “Some Nights I Feel Like Walking” Review
Petersen Vargas draws us into a night of endless possibility in Some Nights I Feel Like Walking, a sensory experience set in the beating heart of Manila. Vibrant lights and a subtly hypnotic ambience immerse us into the thrilling hustle life of four boys, which is slowly unpeeled to its merciless core. We never see…
Brigiding Opens Up About Drag Race Philippines, House of Ding, and the Art of Drag
When Drag Race Philippines season one was announced, fans were more than excited to finally see what the Asian queens could bring to the stage. The show’s success opened doors for future seasons and the recently announced Drag Race Slayasian, where Asian queens from international franchises will compete together in an All-Stars format – a…
Jooyoung’s Pitch-Perfect Live Performance in London – Show Review
R&B has always thrived on emotional depth and a deep sense of intimacy. While its roots lie in African American musical traditions, the genre has found compelling voices in South Korea, where artists have beautifully incorporated its soulful sound with their own cultural and musical styles. Artists such as Colde, Hoody, Dean, Jooyoung, Crush, Babylon,…
4BOUT Discusses His Latest EP “Wilder Sadness”, Music, and Songwriting Process – Exclusive Interview
The Korean music industry is surely shaped by commercial appeal, however, many artists follow their own path, without being boxed into the craziness of the mainstream market. And 4BOUT is one of those musicians. His music is not only heard but also truly felt. Formerly known as ABOUT, Jo Taekyoung has built a career on…
ONE OR EIGHT to Release New Single “DSTM” on March 19
J-pop continues to impress many in the West. One group that exemplifies the genre’s power and global appeal is ONE OR EIGHT. This eight-member boy group, consisting of MIZUKI, NEO, REIA, RYOTA, SOUMA, TAKERU, TSUBASA, and YUGA, has mastered the art of mixing hip-hop and pop while staying true to the essence of Japanese culture….
Honest Talk on Music: DOHANSE’s Journey as a Soloist – Exclusive Interview
Do Hanse, also known as Hanse and DOHANSE, continues to emerge bolder and fiercer with each new step. Once known as the charismatic rapper of K-pop boy group VICTON, he has now thrown himself headfirst into the unfiltered and more exciting world of punk rock and emo. With a devil-may-care attitude and a thirst for…
Discovering Cultural Roots: KL Pamei’s Artistic Vision – Exclusive Interview
KL Pamei, an artist whose music combines his Naga heritage (India) with contemporary pop, invites listeners into his world through his album, Thuanku The – a very personal and culturally significant work. The album, which translates to “Thank You” in Ronglat, has been an important turning point in KL Pamei’s career. Thuanku The is filled…
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