Life Weekend Picks

#PopVultures Ep 53: Let's talk Shane Pow, Chantalle Ng, Britney Spears and Squid Game! 

18:48 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene.

This week #PopVultures host Jan Lee runs down note-worthy entertainment news for listeners.

In local news, she talks about former Mediacorp Shane Pow's comeback after his second drink driving conviction landed him in jail and goes through local actress Chantalle Ng's allegations that her father, retired actor Huang Yiliang, physically abused her when she was 11.

Ng is the daughter of Huang and veteran actress Lin Meijiao - the pair divorced before Ng turned one. Huang has responded to the allegations, claiming that he hit Ng because Lin had told him to play the bad cop parent. 

Next, she goes into overseas news - she celebrates Britney Spears' father being officially suspended from her conservatorship and Netflix's original K-drama Squid Game becoming a viral hit and taking over the world.

Here's what she talked about:

1. Shane Pow's comeback and how it was like covering his interview (0:38)

2. The sad story of Chantalle Ng and Lin Meijiao versus Huang Yiliang (2:16)

3. We're on track to #FreeBritney! (8:46)

4. Squid Game on track to becoming Netflix's biggest drama ever (14:22)

Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]), Fa'izah Sani & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee & Hadyu Rahim

Subscribe to #PopVultures Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc

Read Jan Lee's stories: https://str.sg/Jbxp

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Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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Life Weekend Picks Ep 139: No Time To Die: A fitting farewell for Daniel Craig?

7:54 mins

Synopsis: Every Thursday, The Straits Times recommends lifestyle and food picks for the coming weekend in Singapore. 

In this week’s episode, journalist Jan Lee reviews the latest James Bond film No Time to Die, starring Daniel Craig in his fifth and final outing as 007. (0:49)

Travel correspondent Clara Lock roughs it out in a survival camp that is inspired by the Mongolian outdoors. (4:21)

Produced by: ST Life desk & ST Video team

Edited by: ST Video team & Hadyu Rahim 

Subscribe to Life Weekend Picks Podcast for new episodes every Thursday and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa2 

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

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Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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#PopVultures Ep 52: China cancels Little Swallow Vicki Zhao, Word Of Honor star Zhang Zhehan and cracks down on entertainment industry

48:21 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene.

In this episode, host Jan Lee is joined by The Straits Times' China correspondent Aw Cheng Wei as they discuss the recent spate of state-sanctioned cancellations of A-list celebrities in China. They delve into two case studies.

The first is popular boys' love drama Word Of Honor star Zhang Zhehan, who was erased off the face of Chinese entertainment after photos of him visiting Japan's controversial Yasukuni Shrine surfaced. Yasukuni Shrine houses Class A war criminals from World War II.

The second is the abrupt and mysterious cancellation of Vicki Zhao, best known for her role in seminal period drama My Fair Princess, which has fuelled vigorous speculation. They share their thoughts on the Chinese authorities' efforts to clamp down on celebrities who are seen as stepping out of line.

Next, they discuss China's increasing efforts to clean up its entertainment scene, after it shut down idol production competitions, curtailed fan clubs and voting activities on social media, condemned toxic fandom culture, criticised the popularity of boys love dramas and "effeminate" male stars. They share their thoughts and insights on what considerations have fuelled this industry-wide clampdown.

Here's a quick look at what they cover:

A brief introduction on China's recent entertainment earthquake (0:42)

A rundown of the cancellation of Zhang Zhehan and Vicki Zhao (4:08)

Jan and Cheng Wei reflect on these two cases and the differing ways Chinese celebrities can be cancelled (10:21)

A brief introduction of Chinese authorities' recent moves in cleaning up its entertainment industry (25:12)

Jan and Cheng Wei share their thoughts on what is behind the heightened restrictions, curbs and censorship in Chinese entertainment (27:25)

Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee & Hadyu Rahim

Subscribe to #PopVultures Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWad

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju47 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc

Read Jan Lee's stories: https://str.sg/Jbxp

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Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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Life Weekend Picks Ep 138: Dune is an admirable introduction into its sprawling, sandy universe

7:41 mins

Synopsis: Every Thursday, The Straits Times recommends lifestyle and food picks for the coming weekend in Singapore. 

In this week's Life Picks, film correspondent John Lui shares his review of Dune. (0:44) 

Since flying is not an option these days, travel correspondent Clara Lock discusses the next best thing: Plane-spotting. (3:35)

Food correspondent Eunice Quek recommends new hot pot restaurants that you can try aside from popular ones like Haidilao and Beauty in the Pot. (5:22)

Produced by: ST Life desk & ST Video team

Edited by: ST Video team & Hadyu Rahim 

Subscribe to Life Weekend Picks Podcast for new episodes every Thursday and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa2 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa6 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWau 

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JuYZ 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

Feedback to: [email protected] 

Discover The Straits Times Videos: https://str.sg/JPrc 

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Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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Bookmark This! Ep 24: New novels by International Booker Prize-winners David Diop and David Grossman

15:13 mins

Synopsis: A monthly literary podcast by The Straits Times featuring titles in the headlines and sizzling reads.

In the latest episode of this literary podcast, The Straits Times' journalists Olivia Ho and Toh Wen Li look at new novels from International Booker Prize-winners - At Night All Blood Is Black, which made David Diop the first French author and the first of African heritage to win the prize this year, and More Than I Love My Life, Israeli author David Grossman’s first novel since winning the prize in 2017.

Listen at the following timestamps:

1. More Than I Love My Life: (2:18) 

2. At Night All Blood Is Black: (7:35)

Produced by: Olivia Ho, Toh Wen Li and Muhammad Hadyu Abd Rahim

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim and Penelope Lee

Subscribe to Bookmark This! Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

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Read Olivia Ho's stories: https://str.sg/JbhW

Follow Olivia Ho on Instagram: @ohomatopoeia

Contact Olivia Ho: [email protected]

Read Toh Wen Li's stories: https://str.sg/Jbhm

Contact Toh Wen Li: [email protected]

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Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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Life Weekend Picks Ep 137: Marvel's Shang-Chi packs a punch with Asian representation 

6:03 mins

Synopsis: Every Thursday, The Straits Times recommends lifestyle and food picks for the coming weekend in Singapore.

In this week's Life Picks, film correspondent John Lui talks about the new Marvel Asian superhero movie, Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings. (0:46) 

Food correspondent Eunice Quek recommends her must-tries at famous sandwich chain from Los Angeles, Eggslut, which is slated to open in Singapore on Sept 9. (3:26)

Produced by: ST Life desk & ST Video team

Edited by: ST Video team & Penelope Lee

Subscribe to Life Weekend Picks Podcast for new episodes every Thursday and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa2 

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

Feedback to: [email protected] 

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Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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Life Weekend Picks Ep 136: Good eats along Thomson-East Coast Line 2

6:10 mins

Synopsis: Every Thursday, The Straits Times recommends lifestyle and food picks for the coming weekend in Singapore.

In this week's Life Picks, food correspondent Eunice Quek recommends food places to visit along the new Thomson-East Coast Line 2. (0:51)

Journalist Toh Wen Li shares more on places to visit and activities to do in Germany. (3:51)

Produced by: ST Life desk & ST Video team

Edited by: ST Video team & Penelope Lee

Subscribe to Life Weekend Picks Podcast for new episodes every Thursday and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa2 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa6 

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Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JuYZ 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

Feedback to: [email protected] 

Discover The Straits Times Videos: https://str.sg/JPrc 

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Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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#PopVultures Ep 51: Kris Wu implodes and the #MeToo movement in Chinese entertainment

29:41 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene. 

In this episode, host Jan Lee covers the scandal and legal controversy surrounding Chinese-Canadian pop star Kris Wu, 30, who has been detained by the Beijing police on allegations of rape, after Chinese teen influencer Du Meizhu accused of Wu raping her. She said that she has been contacted by other women who are also Wu's victims.

This scandal has rocked Chinese entertainment and brands previously endorsed by Wu, including major fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, have rushed to drop their partnerships. Chinese authorities have also shut down Wu's Weibo account and some 4,000 fan accounts along with him.

Jan runs down the saga, reflects on what this might mean for China's burgeoning #MeToo movement and gives her own thoughts on how this scandal has highlighted toxic fan culture and the danger of believing only in perfect victims.

Here's a quick look at what she covers:

Brief introduction of Kris Wu and an explainer on what has happened (1:20)

The fallout from the saga (11:29)

Reflections on what this might mean for China's #MeToo movement (14:08)

Jan's thoughts on how this has highlighted toxic fan culture; why the clampdown on certain fan circles (19:00)

The idea of a "perfect victim" in sexual assault cases (24:42)

Link to ST's China correspondent's article on Kris Wu fans: https://str.sg/3wBR 

Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]), & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee & Hadyu Rahim

Subscribe to #PopVultures Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWad

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju47 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc

Read Jan Lee's stories: https://str.sg/Jbxp

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Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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Life Weekend Picks Ep 135: 12 new hawker stalls, restaurants on Bib Gourmand list

7:02 mins

Synopsis: Every Thursday, The Straits Times recommends lifestyle and food picks for the coming weekend in Singapore.

There are 12 new entrants on Michelin's Bib Gourmand list this year. In this week’s episode, food correspondent Eunice Quek shares her picks among the Jurong hawker stalls that made the list. (1:02)

Senior culture correspondent Ong Sor Fern introduces a new art exhibition at the National Gallery. (2:58)

Journalist Jan Lee recommends a binge-worthy Chinese drama series. (4:20)

Produced by: ST Life desk & ST Video team

Edited by: ST Video team & Penelope Lee

Subscribe to Life Weekend Picks Podcast for new episodes every Thursday and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa2 

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

Feedback to: [email protected] 

Discover The Straits Times Videos: https://str.sg/JPrc 

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Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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Life Weekend Picks Ep 134: Scratch your travel itch with fun destination trailers

6:40 mins

Synopsis: Every Thursday, The Straits Times recommends lifestyle and food picks for the coming weekend in Singapore.

In this week’s episode, journalist Sarah R Stanley talks about fun destination trailers produced by tourism boards around the world, to keep their countries relevant to leisure travellers. (0:50)

Journalist Jan Lee recommends local shows to watch on Netflix over the long National Day holiday weekend. (3:24)

Produced by: ST Life desk & ST Video team

Edited by: ST Video team & Penelope Lee

Subscribe to Life Weekend Picks Podcast for new episodes every Thursday and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa2 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa6 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWau 

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JuYZ 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

Feedback to: [email protected] 

Discover The Straits Times Videos: https://str.sg/JPrc 

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Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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