#PopVultures

Part One of the bombshells the pop star dropped in her best-selling book.

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

After being freed from a 13-year long conservatorship, pop diva Britney Spears released her highly anticipated memoir The Woman In Me on Oct 24. The book is a smash hit and a New York Times best-seller, with 2.4 million copies sold worldwide in just a week. Previously unknown bombshells - like how Spears aborted her child with former flame and pop star Justin Timberlake - dominated headlines. 

The book charts the now 41-year-old Spears' journey to superstardom during her childhood and adolescent years and later details of how fame, failed relationships with stars like Justin Timberlake and Kevin Federline and abuse derailed her life and cornered her into an exploitative conservatorship.

She was involuntarily placed under the conservatorship in 2008, during which she lost the ability to make basic decisions about her finances, career, life and medical care. Spears was freed from the conservatorship only in 2021. 

In the first of two parts, #PopVultures host Jan Lee, who read the book from cover to cover, shares her most memorable takeaways from the book. Here is what she talks about in Part One.

3:52 Is The Woman In Me well-written or trustworthy? Does Spears show self-reflection and introspection in the book?

9:28 The Justin Timberlake-era of Britney's life

23:33 Why Britney's love story with Kevin Federline is tragic from the get-go

Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) and Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

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Three Swifties discuss the pop star’s romance, music and how she has changed and matured

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

#PopVultures host and recent Swiftie convert Jan Lee invites The Straits Times lifestyle journalists Yamini Chinnuswamy and Charmaine Lim, both fellow Swifties, to talk about superstar Taylor Swift’s new relationship with American football player Travis Kelce. 

They discuss the masterful rollout of the Taylor-Travis romance and how well Swift uses the media and pop culture zeitgeist to her advantage. From being seen with British actress Sophie Turner amid her acrimonious divorce with Swift’s ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas to posing with Beyonce at the premiere of her Eras concert film - the singer knows how to generate headlines. 

Here is what they talked about.

Highlights (tap/click above):

1:51 Our relationship with Swift - how did we become Swifties?

6:36 The Taylor-Travis romance - how it began, the reveal of their relationship and whether it is a PR stunt

12:59 Sophie Turner, Joe Jonas and how Swift took Turner’s side

18:43 How Swift handled her previous relationships and her image to the public

32:26 The turning point in Swift’s career - The Snake Incident

39:12 How petty Swift can be and why we love it

44:13 Swift’s business and management acumen 

51:39: Our Taylor Swift awards - favourite boyfriend, worst boyfriend, favourite songs and more

Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) Amirul Karim and Eden Soh

Edited by: Amirul Karim

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True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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How they "mass-reported" to Chinese authorities, a fan fiction about him and fellow actor Wang Yibo.

Synopsis: Can I Tell You Something Crazy is a new scripted series under the #PopVultures banner, which examines with fresh eyes, events that shook Asian media and entertainment.

In 2019, Chinese actor Xiao Zhan was easily one of the hottest stars in China. The previously little-known star had broken out that year in China and across the world with the mega-hit Chinese fantasy period series The Untamed, where he acted opposite fellow Chinese star Wang Yibo.

Adapted from a hugely popular boys' love novel named Grandmaster Of Demonic Cultivation, The Untamed attracted a large, ardent fan base that shot both its leads to A-list status. But less than a year after Xiao found fame, his loyal fan base became his undoing.

In a controversy termed the 227 (Feb 27, 2020) incident, Xiao’s fans following reported a piece of fan fiction that they felt portrayed their idol in an unflattering light and it caused one of the world's largest fan fiction sites - Archive Of Our Own - to be banned in China.

In response, fan fiction readers, writers and more, targeted Xiao Zhan, calling for the boycott of brands he works with and review-bombing projects he had previously been in. The boycott was so widespread and overwhelming that Xiao eventually apologised for his fans' actions.

In this episode of Can I Tell You Something Crazy, #PopVultures host Jan Lee takes another look at the 227 incident - a fight between two factions of fandom that blew up beyond anyone's imagination. 

It is a story of para-social relationships, toxic fandoms, the murky politics of boys’ love in China, censorship, reporting culture and also, a story about stories - the value, power and refuge that fan fiction often provides.

Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected])

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month: 

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#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Synopsis: A brand new feature is within The Straits Times app, which you can download from the Apple app store or the Google Play store. For those of you who already have it, the latest version update now has a dedicated Podcast Section, where you can listen to our latest incoming show episodes and check out back episodes too.

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Find out why netizens back their agency instead in an ongoing dispute.

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

If you are on TikTok, you might have a heard a viral song that goes like this: "I'm feelin' lonely/Oh, I wish I'd find a lover that could hold me." Those are the lyrics to Cupid, one of 2023's biggest songs, sung by rookie K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty.

Cupid is a record-breaking hit. Not only did it make the group the fastest K-pop act to debut on the Billboard Hot 100, it is also the longest-charting K-pop girl group song in history, on the Hot 100. They are even on the soundtrack of 2023's biggest movie Barbie, with their number Barbie Dreams.

Unfortunately, all promotions and new activities of the group have been suspended.

In June, Fifty Fifty's agency Attrakt accused Warner Music Korea of attempting to poach the group. Shortly after, Fifty Fifty announced that they had filed a lawsuit to suspend their exclusive contract with Attrakt, alleging a lack of transparency in finances and failure to fulfil contractual obligations.

The shocking departure of Fifty Fifty from their agency just as their careers were set to take off, has made headlines in South Korea.

While idols mired in legal disputes with their agencies would usually enjoy the support of their fans, public opinion for Fifty Fifty in this case has firmly soured. #PopVultures host Jan Lee examines why, in this episode.

Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) and Paxton Pang

Edited by: Paxton Pang

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Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX 

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T 

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn 

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB 

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa 

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It can be traced back to his daughter's lifelong fixation with the Hong Kong movie star.

Synopsis: Can I Tell You Something Crazy is a new scripted series under the #PopVultures banner, which examines with fresh eyes, events that shook Asian media and entertainment.

In March 2007, Hong Kong movie star Andy Lau attended a joyous event organised by Andy World Club, his official fan club. There, he played games, chatted with fans and took photos - including one with Yang Lijuan, a Chinese fan who had travelled from her hometown of Gansu province in China to meet her lifelong idol.

Everything seemed fine. But just a day later, Yang Lijuan's father - a retired schoolteacher named Yang Qinji - threw himself into the sea and left behind a 3,000-word suicide note addressed to Lau. In it he wrote: “Andy Lau, your heart is black, you have no conscience. You are worse than a dog.” 

What had world-famous film star Lau done to incur such wrath from a humble schoolteacher in China? 

In this episode of Can I Tell You Something Crazy, #PopVultures host Jan Lee revisits the most infamous "fan" in China - Yang Lijuan. Her father burnt through his savings, sold their family's house and eventually took his own life, all to support his daughter's lifelong, unhealthy fixation with Lau.

This is not just a story of one of the most extreme and tragic examples of what celebrity obsession can lead to, it is also a cautionary tale - about the incredible power the media wields and the incredible damage it can inflict.

Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]), Paxton Pang and Eden Soh

Edited by: Paxton Pang

Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month: 

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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This marks the first time since 1960, that both labour unions representing writers and actors, are on strike together.

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

Despite the double summer blockbuster of Barbieheimer - which brought in the fourth largest weekend box office of all time - Hollywood is currently at a standstill. Amid deteriorating working conditions and salaries that have failed to keep pace with rising inflation, the writers and actors of America are on strike.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA), who write for television, went on strike in May against the major studios, networks and streamers that form the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) followed in July, going on strike having failed to reach a fair deal with the AMPTP.

This marks the first time since 1960 that both labour unions have been on strike together. In this episode of #PopVultures, host Jan Lee runs down the reasons why both unions are on strike, why it is unlikely to end anytime soon and how this double strike will affect audiences around the world. 

Highlights (tap/click above):

1:19 What is the WGA, SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP?

3:34 How is Hollywood affected when the unions go on strike? 

7:19 Why are the unions on strike? Their demands and how long might the strike last 

23:10 How are viewers affected? 

28:20 Some exceptions to the strike and the meaning of “scab”

Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]), Paxton Pang and Eden Soh

Edited by: Paxton Pang

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Explore the emergence of an unprecedented #MeToo movement in the Taiwanese entertainment industry.

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

The Taiwanese entertainment industry has been rocked by an unprecedented #MeToo wave, where sexual assault and harassment allegations have been levelled at several prominent celebrities, including hosts Mickey Huang and Blackie Chen as well as boy band Fahrenheit member Aaron Yan.

In this episode, #PopVultures host Jan Lee discusses how and why this reckoning on sexual assault unfolded in Taiwan, recapping some of the major names who have been accused with particular focus on Huang, Yan and Chen.

Highlights (tap/click above):

2:35 The Taiwanese drama Wave Makers that kickstarted its #MeToo wave

8:00 The downfall of Taiwanese host and comedian Jeffrey Hsu Chieh-hui

10:30 Mickey Huang admits to sexual harassment and the 23-minute video tirade he went on

20:00 Aaron Yan accused of filming sex videos of his 16-year-old ex-boyfriend without consent

30:27 Blackie Chen being accused of workplace sexual harassment in two instances

46:02 Final thoughts

Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]), Paxton Pang and Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Revisit the watershed 40-month legal dispute between SM Entertainment and former TVXQ members, that has seen a repeat attempt by three EXO members recently.

Synopsis: Can I Tell You Something Crazy is a new scripted series every month under the #PopVultures banner, which examines with fresh eyes, events that shook Asian media and entertainment.

In 2009, the five-man K-pop boy band TVXQ were on top of the world. Their fourth album Mirotic was the best-selling album of 2008 in South Korea, with over half a million copies sold, while the hit title track Mirotic swept wins at awards shows and gained fans around the world.

With 800,000 fans in their Korean fan club - the most of any K-pop group at the time - and 200,000 fans in their Japanese fan club, TVXQ were superstars. As one of the earliest breakout K-pop groups of the Hallyu wave in the early 2000s, they were the first Korean act to headline a concert in Malaysia and the first Korean group invited to perform at the Japanese New Year's Eve music programme Kohaku Uta Gassen.

But everything came to a halt in July 2009.

At the peak of their popularity, three members of the group - Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun and Xiah Junsu, who would later come to be known as JYJ - sued their management agency SM Entertainment and asked to be let go from their contracts. But fellow members U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin, insisted on staying with the company, splitting the group's considerable fandom in two.

Hot on the heels of the recent attempt by three members of another SM Entertainment group - Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin of EXO - to terminate their contracts with the company, #PopVultures host Jan Lee revisits the watershed 40-month legal dispute between SM Entertainment and former TVXQ members.

With the help of K-pop scholar and senior lecturer at Macquarie University Dr Thomas Baudinette, she examines the aftershocks the case left on the industry, which can still be felt even today. 

Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]), Paxton Pang, Eden Soh and Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee & Paxton Pang

Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month: 

Channel: https://str.sg/JWad

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

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

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

---

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Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

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Allegations about the prominent Japanese talent agency first date back to the 1980s.

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

#PopVultures host Jan Lee examines the major sexual abuse scandal surrounding J-pop boy band agency Johnny & Associates, known for producing groups such as Arashi and Smap as well as the younger, million-seller groups like Snow Man and SixTones. Former idol trainees at the 60-year-old company have come out to accuse the agency's late founder Johnny Kitagawa, who died in 2019, of a consistent pattern of sexual assault. 

Kitagawa's niece - Julie Keiko Fuijishima, the current president of the agency - has apologised in light of the snowballing allegations, which first date back to the 1980s, though she did not acknowledge the veracity of these claims.

In this episode, Jan - a long-time Arashi fan, gives a background on Johnny & Associates, who Kitagawa is, and recaps the events that have happened in the current news cycle about the allegations. 

She shares why these allegations, which first surfaced some 40 years ago, went ignored by mainstream Japanese media for as long as it did. She also discusses her own feelings as a long-time fan of the talents produced by Johnny & Associates.

Highlights (tap/click above):

4:05 What Johnny & Associates is, how the agency works and who Johnny Kitagawa is 

9:56 A recap of key events that have happened in the current news cycle about Kitagawa's sexual abuse, from a BBC documentary to a public statement from the company's most veteran talent Noriyuki Higashiyama

31:53 Thoughts from a long-time fan 

Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]), Eden Soh and Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee 

Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month: 

Channel: https://str.sg/JWad

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP 

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju47 

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

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 channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#PV

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