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Fresh from scoring Korea's first-ever No 1 hit on the main US Billboard music chart, K-pop juggernaut BTS on Wednesday (Sep 2) set its sights on a standalone performance at next year's Grammy Awards: and maybe a trophy or two. Since its 2013 debut, the seven-member South Korean boy band has surfed the global K-pop craze to dizzying heights. On Monday it landed top spot in the Billboard Hot 100 chart with breezy disco hit Dynamite, a first all-English language single that's been lapped up by mainstream US pop fans. For BTS, the global smash – with a Youtube video that's already racked up 275 million views – raises hopes of glory at the Grammys. The band performed there earlier this year alongside rapper Lil Nas X, but has never been nominated for an award. "The Grammys is the place that all artists would dream of, and we're hoping that we will be able to stage our own performance, secure nominations and if possible, win an award," said band leader and rapper RM, 25, speaking … [Read more...] about After topping Billboard chart with Dynamite, K-pop boy band BTS now eyes Grammys

SINGAPORE: Mr RM Suresh used to do a roaring trade selling mobile phone accessories and sundries to migrant workers who gathered in Little India every weekend. The owner of Pamban Trading, a shop at Belilios Lane, is now thinking of switching to goods that appeal to local customers as business has fallen by about 90 per cent in the last four months, ever since thousands of workers were quarantined due to the COVID-19 outbreak. While he received a rental waiver for a few months, the concession will end this month. "How to continue the business, I don't know ... I pray to god," he said with a wry laugh. READ: New MOM division to provide support to migrant workers, dormitory operators Migrant workers living in dormitories make up the vast majority of COVID-19 cases in Singapore, and while the country's "circuit breaker" period ended in June, allowing retail shops to reopen, most of these workers have to stay in their dormitories except for work. Most workers now travel … [Read more...] about With no migrant workers or tourists, shops in Little India suffer but some turn online

Credit: Big Hit Entertainment via The Korea Herald/Asia News Network SEOUL — V of BTS gave out hints for his mixtape in a video clip uploaded on the band’s YouTube channel on Thursday. In the teaser clip for the makings of the band’s “BE” album, the artist said that about 13 tracks will be included in his solo mixtape to the delight of his fans who have been awaiting the release. At the global media conference held for the “BE” album in November last year, he said that he is interested in classic and Jazz music and although those genres are not part of the band’s album, they will be for his own project. He admits that his personal music spectrum is quite small, he has participated in writing and producing 15 songs for the group and himself so far. He will become the fourth member of the septet to put out a mixtape, following RM, Suga and J-Hope. … [Read more...] about BTS’ V drops hint for mixtape

PENANG: Former Malaysian Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng was charged on Monday (Aug 10) with using his position to receive gratification of more than RM3.3 million to help a company secure the RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project. Lim, 60, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was read out before judge Ahmad Azhari Abdul Hamid. He was charged to have abused his position as then-Chief Minister of Penang to obtain RM3.3 million in gratification for himself as an inducement for helping a company owned by Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli secure the project valued at around RM 6.3 million. The Bagan Member of Parliament was alleged to have committed the offence at the office of the Penang Chief Minister, Level 28, Komtar, Georgetown in Penang between January 2011 and August 2017. READ: Malaysia's former finance minister Lim Guan Eng pleads not guilty to bribe charge The charge was framed under Section 23 (1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) … [Read more...] about Former Malaysian finance minister Lim Guan Eng pleads not guilty to abusing position for RM3.3 million gratification

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Everything in Malaysia seems to be politicised. Nothing is missed and as the nation heads towards a possible general election by August, the situation has progressively become worse. The Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) is grumbling about the gambling sector reopening, saying it doesn't benefit the country. Its Federal Territories committee is upset that the government is allowing casinos and gambling companies to operate again. Now, that's no longer news to us, really, but PAS has ramped up the campaign. Likewise, for the federal government, increasing sin taxes on liquor and cigarettes have always been populist moves. However, life isn't that straightforward. In fact, if we talk about the world's oldest profession, for example, it has existed since time immemorial, in different forms and names. Whether it's a contract marriage or sugar daddy arrangement, it's basically paid sex. So, let's not kid ourselves. In PAS' utopian … [Read more...] about Why legitimise an illegal trade?: The Star columnist