Tuesday, April 29, 2025
27.1 C
Singapore
type here...
Subscribe
Home Blog Page 632

‘Hierarchy’ teen drama takes the world by storm; ranks 2nd globally just 3 days after release

Lydia Koh
-
0
‘Hierarchy’ teen drama takes the world by storm; ranks 2nd globally just 3 days after release

According to the Netflix TOP 10 website on June 12, the series ‘Hierarchy’ garnered 3.5 million views from June 7-9, securing the 2nd spot in the non-English TV category.

The series has achieved notable success, topping charts in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam and reaching the top 10 in 51 countries, including Korea, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, France, Nigeria, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Released on June 7, ‘Hierarchy’ is a South Korean teen romance drama set in Jushin High School, a prestigious institution where the top 0.01% of society dictates the order and law.

The plot follows a transfer student with a secret who disrupts the school’s rigid hierarchy, leading to chaos and growth among the students.

The series explores themes of school violence, discrimination, drugs, and inappropriate relationships, drawing both interest and criticism for its provocative content.

Photo: Instagram/Netflix Korea

Netflix Top 10

In addition to ‘Hierarchy,’ the Netflix TOP 10 list features ‘The Atypical Family’ in 3rd place, ‘The 8 Show’ in 6th, and ‘Queen of Tears’ in 9th.

The story is set at Jooshin High School, known for serving the elite children of South Korea’s wealthiest and most influential families. Social standing within the school is determined by wealth and family connections.

Teen romance drama

The series centres on a group of privileged students, including Kim Ri-An, the successor to Jooshin Group; Jung Jae-I, the daughter of the Jaeyul Group leader; Yoon He-Ra, the daughter of a trading company CEO; and Lee Woo-Jin, the son of a powerful politician.

Their lives are upended by the arrival of Kang Ha, a mysterious transfer student who challenges the established social order.

Reviews have been mixed. Some praise ‘Hierarchy’ for its depiction of social hierarchy and the main cast’s performances. Others criticize the series for its predictable plot and stereotypical characters.

POFMA office: Gutzy Asia barred from receiving financial benefits for 2 years due to multiple online falsehoods

Anna Maria Romero
-
0
POFMA office: Gutzy Asia barred from receiving financial benefits for 2 years due to multiple online falsehoods

SINGAPORE: News site Gutzy Asia has been deemed as a “Declared Online Locations” (DOLs) under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act 2019 (POFMA) on Tuesday (June 11) due to multiple online falsehoods.

Among other sanctions, it means that Gutzy Asia will not be allowed to receive financial benefits for two years.

The POFMA declaration was issued by Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo and will be in effect from June 12, 2024, to June 12, 2026.

It includes the Gutzy Asia website and its social media pages on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). These have been deemed as “Declared Online Locations” (DOLs) “following multiple falsehoods communicated on the online locations.”

Gutzy Asia was previously known as The Online Citizen Asia, whose site and social media pages were also designated as DOLs on July 21, 2023, and received the same sanctions.

For two years, Gutzy Asia will be required to post a notice on its site and social media pages saying that these have all been declared as DOLs.

The notice serves to warn visitors on the online pages that the company “has a history of communicating falsehoods on these online locations.”

Screengrab/pofmaoffice.gov.sg

While the pages are allowed to operate, POFMA’s statutory requirements state that individuals may not derive financial benefit from operating a DOL, “thereby preventing operators of DOLs from profiting from the communication of falsehoods.”

Under the law, service providers and digital advertising intermediaries must ensure that paid content is not communicated in Singapore.

Additionally, other people and companies should not provide financial support to the DOLs if they know or have reason to believe that they would support, help, or promote the communication of falsehoods in Singapore.

“Members of the public are advised to be alert to Gutzy’s history of communicating misinformation on these online locations and to fact-check information published at these DOLs,” the declaration added.

Under POFMA, a site or page online may be declared a DOL if it carries three or more different false statements of fact and if at least three of these are communicated within six months before the date of the Declaration.

In Gutzy Asia’s case, the Taiwan-based media company reported on Oct 16, 2023, that the woman who had fallen off a building in Yishun was a Filipino worker when she had been, in actuality, a Singaporean.

On Feb 15, 2024, a report about a couple living on the West Coast carrying falsehoods was published on the site.

On Feb 18, 2024, Gutzy Asia carried the falsehood that the Singapore Land Authority had mismanaged state properties by charging Minister K Shanmugam and Minister Vivian Balakrishnan rent at below market value for 26 and 31 Ridout Road and giving them preferential tenancy terms. /TISG

Read also: PSP chief Leong Mun Wai gets handed POFMA order over claims about West Coast couple

NEA: New hawker centre to be developed in Yishun; residents to have more dining options

Mary Alavanza
-
0
NEA: New hawker centre to be developed in Yishun; residents to have more dining options

SINGAPORE: Residents of Yishun are set to benefit from the addition of a new hawker centre in their area, as announced by the National Environment Agency (NEA) on June 12.

The new hawker centre to be developed in Yishun is an addition to the existing Chong Pang Market and Food Centre and Yishun Park Hawker Centre.

In 2011, the Government announced a plan to build ten new hawker centres to address the lack of dining options in emerging housing estates.

This initiative aimed to ensure that residents in these areas had access to various affordable food choices. In 2015, the Government expanded this plan, announcing another ten new hawker centres, bringing the total to 20.

Currently, 12 new hawker centres have been completed and are operational.

  • Buangkok Hawker Centre at 70 Compassvale Bow
  • Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre at 21 Canberra Link
  • Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre & Market at 2 Bukit Panjang Ring Road
  • Ci Yuan Hawker Centre at 51 Hougang Avenue 9
  • Fernvale Hawker Centre & Market at 21 Sengkang West Avenue
  • Hawker Centre @ Our Tampines Hub at 1 Tampines Walk
  • Jurong West Hawker Centre at 50 Jurong West Street 61
  • Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre at 676 Woodlands Drive 71
  • One Punggol Hawker Centre at 1 Punggol Drive
  • Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre at 110 Pasir Ris Central
  • Senja Hawker Centre at 2 Senja Close
  • Yishun Park Hawker Centre at 51 Yishun Avenue 11

Seven more hawker centres are planned for locations, including Bidadari, Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Punggol, Sengkang, and Tampines.

Residents can also look forward to Anchorvale Village Hawker Centre in Sengkang, Woodleigh Village Hawker Centre in Bidadari, and Punggol Coast Hawker Centre in Punggol, which are set to open this year.

NEA states, “The Government recognises the important social objectives that hawker centres serve.

NEA will continue to work with relevant agencies to study current and projected populations of towns, the availability of comparable food options and complementary facilities in the vicinity, and the availability of suitable sites.” /TISG

Byun Woo Seok still reigns on the Billboard charts for two weeks straight!

Lydia Koh
-
0
Byun Woo Seok still reigns on the Billboard charts for two weeks straight!

In the June 11 Billboard Charts, Eclipse’s “Sudden Shower” rose to the 167th spot on the ‘Billboard Global 200’ chart. Last week, the song ranked 199th, making an impressive leap of 32 places and marking its second consecutive week on the chart.

“Sudden Shower,” performed by Eclipse, is a song featured in the tvN drama ‘Lovely Runner.’ In the drama, Ryu Seon Jae, played by Byun Woo Seok, composes the song while reminiscing about his first love, Lim Sol, portrayed by Kim Hye Yoon.

Photo: Instagram/Byun Woo Seok

Uncommon for drama OST

The Global 200 chart excludes U.S. local radio broadcast scores, focusing instead on streaming and music sales across over 200 regions worldwide.

It is uncommon for a drama OST to make it onto Billboard’s major charts. The song’s ranking surged following the drama’s conclusion, sustaining the phenomenon.

Domestically, “Sudden Rain” maintains its popularity, ranking 4th on Melon Chart’s TOP 10 as of the morning of June 12, trailing behind aespa and NewJeans.

Rising star

Byun Woo Seok is a South Korean actor and model who has steadily built his career since 2016. Born in 1991, Byun recently gained widespread recognition for his leading role in the 2024 drama series “Lovely Runner.”

He began with cameo roles in dramas like “Dear My Friends” and “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo” before securing supporting roles in “Search: WWW” and “Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency.”

In 2021, Byun took on his first lead film role in “20th Century Girl,” followed by another leading role in “Soulmate” (2023). His performance in the 2021 historical drama “Moonshine” earned him the Best New Actor award at the 2022 KBS Drama Awards.

BTS’s Jin returns from his military service and gets warm hugs from RM, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook

Lydia Koh
-
0
BTS’s Jin returns from his military service and gets warm hugs from RM, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook

BTS’ Jin has completed his mandatory military service. On June 12, KST, he was seen leaving the 5th Division Recruit Training Center in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do, where he bid emotional farewells to his fellow soldiers.

Upon his discharge, he was warmly greeted by his BTS bandmates, who paused their own duties to welcome him back.

After two years, Jin’s service concluded on June 12 at the 5th Infantry Division’s recruit training centre in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province.

Despite their military commitments, BTS members RM, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook embraced Jin with warm hugs. RM celebrated the occasion by playing BTS’s hit “Dynamite” on the saxophone.

Photo: Instagram/Jin

First BTS to begin military service

Jin began his military service as an active-duty soldier on Dec 13, 2022, becoming the first BTS member to do so. During his tenure, he served as an assistant instructor at the 5th Infantry Division’s Recruit Training Center.

Today, June 12, marks the end of his year and six months of diligent service.

During the 2024 FESTA celebrations on June 10, BTS delighted fans with a surprise for their 11th debut anniversary. The announcement of an exclusive Weverse LIVE stream featuring a heartfelt message from Jin thrilled fans worldwide.

This livestream, scheduled for June 13, 2024, at 8:00 pm KST, promises to be a memorable event for ARMY members.

Upcoming event

The BTS FESTA 2024 celebrations are captivating fans globally, blending anticipation and nostalgia. The official poster debuted on June 2, heralding an extraordinary commemoration of the group’s 11th anniversary.

Jungkook’s heartfelt fan song “Never Let Go,” released on June 7, increased the anticipation by strengthening the bond between BTS and their loyal ARMYs as they celebrated their journey together.

Jin will also participate in a meet and greet session during BTS FESTA 2024. According to their agency, this event aims to fulfill Jin’s wish to share meaningful moments with ARMY members on BTS’s debut anniversary.

Singapore stocks started on a strong note on Wednesday—STI rose by 0.3%

Mary Alavanza
-
0
Singapore stocks started on a strong note on Wednesday—STI rose by 0.3%

SINGAPORE: Singapore stocks started on a strong note on Wednesday morning despite mixed performances in global markets the previous night.

The Business Times reported that the Straits Times Index (STI) rose by 0.3%, gaining 11.27 points to reach 3,320.48 by 9:01 am.

The broader market had more stocks up than down, with 64 rising and 43 falling after 55.6 million securities worth S$75.2 million were traded.

Thai Beverage, the most traded stock by volume, fell by 4.9% or S$0.025 to S$0.485, with 20 million shares changing hands. Singtel saw significant activity, rising by 0.8% or S$0.02 to S$2.58.

Yoma Strategic shares increased by 0.9% or S$0.001 to S$0.111. This followed the company’s response to the Singapore Exchange Regulation’s questions about unusual trading activity.

Yoma Strategic, a Myanmar-focused conglomerate, stated on Tuesday that it was unaware of any specific reasons for the unusual trading except for releasing its FY2024 results on May 29 and subsequent media coverage.

Banking stocks were performing well at the opening. DBS gained 0.5% or S$0.16 to reach S$35.71. OCBC rose by 1.1% or S$0.16 to S$14.35. UOB increased by 0.8% or S$0.25 to S$30.82.

In global markets, Wall Street saw mixed results on Tuesday after Apple shares rose following the company’s announcement of plans for artificial intelligence.

The Nasdaq Composite Index closed at 17,343.55, up 0.9%, marking its second consecutive record close. The S&P 500 also hit an all-time high, rising by 0.3% to close at 5,375.32.

However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.3%, closing at 38,747.42.

In Europe, shares ended lower as banking stocks fell amid political uncertainties in France and concerns about the upcoming US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed down by 0.9% at 517.29. /TISG

Read also: Singapore shares rose again on Tuesday—STI rose by 0.2%

Featured image by Depositphotos

Trump camp explodes with Hunter Biden conviction

Gemma Iso
-
0
Trump camp explodes with Hunter Biden conviction

The landmark guilty verdict of Hunter Biden, arriving in a heated election year, has undoubtedly stirred the political pot, particularly among supporters within the Donald Trump camp.

“This trial has been nothing more than a distraction from the real crimes of the Biden Crime Family, which has raked in tens of millions of dollars from China, Russia, and Ukraine.”

They vowed that “Crooked Joe Biden’s reign over the Biden Family Criminal Empire is all coming to an end on November 5th,” emphasizing their belief that this conviction is just the beginning.

Interestingly, an initial statement from the Trump campaign extended well wishes to Hunter Biden in his “recovery and legal affairs,” but this was conspicuously omitted in later versions sent to other media outlets.

The jury’s verdict came after a swift three-hour deliberation following a weeklong trial that laid bare Biden’s tumultuous personal life and struggles with addiction. Testimonies from three of Biden’s ex-partners and his 30-year-old daughter provided intimate details about his decade-long battle with substance abuse.

Trump camp not happy

Despite the strong prosecution case, Trump supporters quickly voiced their dissatisfaction online, arguing that the president’s son would not face significant prison time and had been charged with the wrong crimes. The maximum sentence for Biden’s charges is 25 years, though legal experts predict a far lighter sentence. Additionally, Biden faces another federal trial in September for alleged tax evasion.

Sebastian Gorka, a former Trump White House adviser, expressed his skepticism on X, saying, “Liable to more than 20 years in prison. Won’t serve a day.” Donald Trump Jr. echoed similar sentiments, retweeting a post that dismissed the conviction as a distraction from more serious allegations.

Sean Davis, co-founder of The Federalist, criticized the lack of charges for more serious allegations like “money laundering, tax evasion for his Burisma bribes, illegal influence peddling, and operating as an unregistered foreign agent of corrupt foreign governments.” Stephen Miller, a prominent Trump adviser, accused the Justice Department of shielding Joe Biden, claiming on X, “DOJ is running election interference for Joe Biden… DOJ is Joe’s election protection racket.”

Meanwhile, some Republicans saw the verdict as a blow to MAGA’s claims of a biased justice system. Republican donor Dan Eberhart told NBC that the conviction “definitely weakens the argument” of system weaponization, while Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) called it a step toward equal application of the law.

As the political fallout continues, this historic conviction of Hunter Biden promises to remain a hot topic in the tumultuous lead-up to the November election.

Sources:

MAGA Nation Finds Reason to Be Furious Over Hunter Biden Conviction

Hunter Biden’s guilty verdict upends a top Trump talking point

Related Stories:

No pardon: Pres Biden declares no presidential clemency for Hunter if found guilty

GOP ‘laser-focuses’ on bribery allegations against Biden

House showdown as Biden impeachment inquiry gains momentum

The post Trump camp explodes with Hunter Biden conviction appeared first on The Independent News.

Historic verdict: Hunter Biden found guilty on firearm charges

Gemma Iso
-
0
Historic verdict: Hunter Biden found guilty on firearm charges

In a landmark decision, Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, has been found guilty on three felony counts tied to his purchase of a firearm in 2018 while addicted to drugs. This is a historic verdict and the first time a sitting president’s child has faced a criminal trial, capturing national attention.

Hunter Biden, who denied the charges and pleaded not guilty last October after being indicted by special counsel David Weiss, maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.

A juror revealed that the high-profile nature of Hunter Biden’s family had no bearing on the jury’s decision. “Everyone is human and everyone makes mistakes,” the juror said, emphasizing the impartiality of the deliberations. “And those mistakes can have serious consequences — not just for them, but for everyone else.”

The juror, who shared a personal history of loss due to gun violence, cited compelling evidence of Hunter Biden’s drug use around the time of his firearm purchase. “There’s too many patterns that I can see that showed that he was using it when he purchased the gun,” the juror stated. This evidence, including Biden’s visits to a 7/11 convenience store known for drug transactions, was pivotal in the jury’s decision.

Historic verdict

Deliberations were intense, with the jury initially split into six-six. However, they ultimately concluded that the prosecution had met its burden of proof. “Politics never came into play,” the juror assured, “the verdict was not politically motivated.”

With Hunter Biden facing up to 25 years in prison, though experts predict a more lenient sentence due to his status as a first-time, nonviolent offender, discussions between the Secret Service and the Bureau of Prisons are imminent. As a son of the president, Hunter Biden currently receives Secret Service protection, which could continue even if he is incarcerated unless he opts out.

This verdict is a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of personal actions, irrespective of one’s proximity to power. The nation now awaits the sentencing phase, which will determine the next chapter in this unprecedented case.

Sources

Hunter Biden gun trial updates: ‘Politics never came into play,’ juror says after guilty verdict

President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, is convicted of all 3 felonies in federal gun trial

Related Stories

Not-guilty: Hunter Biden plea to nine tax charges

 Star witness Kevin Morris emerges in Hunter Biden probe

The post Historic verdict: Hunter Biden found guilty on firearm charges appeared first on The Independent News.

Singaporeans worry that a long BTO wait would lead to a short marriage fate

Beatrice Del Rosario
-
0
Singaporeans worry that a long BTO wait would lead to a short marriage fate

SINGAPORE: In a book series, a study by NUS Business School professors seems to suggest a correlation between the infamous Build-to-Order (BTO) scheme in Singapore and an increase in divorce rates.

According to data from 1996 to 2011, there seems to be a trend wherein the BTO system encourages couples to marry early.

This decision, which can come with pressure and stress related to their finances, may then cause a significant strain on the marriage, raising the divorce rates in the country.

Aside from the financial pressure young couples may face, the five-year requirement for BTO flats may also cause significant strain on the marriage, as couples may tend to make things work until they can sell their flat.

Other factors, such as overspending and debt accumulation, were also mentioned in the study.

Read also: NUS to lead study on how different housing types influence senior citizen’s quality of life

Singaporeans share their thoughts on the study

In an online forum, Singaporeans had a conversation about the suggested link. While some shared their experiences, others shared their thoughts and worries.

“Besides my marriage, buying a house with my ex was my biggest regret,” said one. “He saw it only as an investment opportunity. He sold it as soon as MOP was up (which coincided with our divorce proceedings).

He said he was jobless at the time and needed the money, but who really knows,” she added.

“Financial decisions are truly an insidious ‘invisible hand’ in many relationship decisions. After getting my own place and finances in order, I find myself a lot more picky regarding my choice of partner.

If I get together with someone, I feel like I’m doing so almost entirely on my own terms rather than because of some arbitrary or peer-induced deadline to get married (or at least moving towards it).

Dating in your 30s is a very different beast from dating in your 20s, and actually quite liberating.

It just goes to show how much mental constraints young people place on themselves when they see what others are doing and think they must conform,” said another.

Still, a third wrote, “Definitely a contributing factor. As someone about to surrender an HDB flat because of divorce, plan very carefully before buying a flat.”

“The BTO system is not only causing young people to rush into a bad marriage they are not ready for, it is also forcing older ready couples to delay marriage and children,” wrote a fourth.

Read also: Despite million-dollar price trend, public housing in Singapore remains most attainable across APAC

New Circles.Life ad shocks Singaporeans for showing “inappropriate” content

Anna Maria Romero
-
0
New Circles.Life ad shocks Singaporeans for showing “inappropriate” content

SINGAPORE: Circles.Life may believe that times are different now, but many in Singapore were still shocked by a suggestive ad it released earlier this week.

The Singaporean digital telecommunications company put out the ad on YouTube on Monday (June 3) titled “Don’t Be Embarrassed. Do Your Own Thing.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJoZiDUYB5o

In it, a middle-aged mum asleep in a top-story bedroom is suddenly awakened at 10:00 pm by noises she hears downstairs, where her son, who is maybe in his late teens or early twenties, is watching an intimate scene between a man and a woman on his mobile phone.

The son can be seen in fear as his mum goes down the stairs to check on the matter. He then inadvertently presses the screen mirroring button on his phone, meaning his mum can now even see what he’s been watching.

However, instead of getting upset, the mum smiles and hands him a pair of headphones, admonishing him not to stay up too late before heading back up the stairs.

The voiceover then says, “Don’t be embarrassed; do your own thing,” as the young man keeps watching.

The ad is for Singapore’s “most unrestricted 5G plan,” and the caption reads:

“We break conventions, soar freely and empower endlessly. Age and stereotypes don’t define us. We are Doers, Dreamers, Daring Disruptors. The Digital Pioneers. In a world where everyone does the same thing, do your own thing.”

Commenters on YouTube, however, were less than pleased about the ad and asked who had approved it. Another asked, “What kind of ad is this?” and added that the company can do better.

Circles.Life playfully answered commenters along the lines of “do your own thing,” but when one YouTube user wrote that their kids were watching when the ad popped up, the company did not respond.

When one asked how the ad got through the authorities, the company answered, “We’re just not your average telco! We believe in fighting against stigma and encourage you to #DoYourOwnThing!”

Over on Reddit when the ad was shared, Circles.Life’s messaging may not have gotten through clearly, with one commenter on the platform asking, “And what does this have to do with what circles.life is promoting?”

Another wondered, however, why the mum in the video seemed to have a Thai accent. Others anticipate that the company’s marketing department will soon get reprimanded or the ad will be taken down. /TISG

Read also: Circles.Life telco comes under fire for ad that implies hierarchy between Chinese, Malays and Filipinos; company does not apologise

1...631632633...5,232Page 632 of 5,232

The Independent SG

Singapore News

Business

MIDA champions Malaysia’s rise as Asia’s new supply chain hub through JS-SEZ partnership with Singapore

0
MALAYSIA: The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) has expressed...

CLAS reports 4% YoY gross profit increase for Q1 FY2025

0
SINGAPORE: CapitaLand Ascott Trust (CLAS) reported a 4% year-on-year...

ST Engineering bags S$4.4B in new contracts for Q1 2025, boosted by defence and public security and commercial aerospace deals

0
SINGAPORE: Singapore Technologies Engineering (ST Engineering) secured S$4.4 billion...

Singapore banks drive share buybacks, set to be biggest in four years, after dip in share prices

0
SINGAPORE: Singapore banks are seizing the opportunity presented by...

Singapore Politics

Pritam Singh: Maybe SM Lee only wants to present one side of facts on Income-Allianz deal

0
SINGAPORE: The thwarted deal between Income and Allianz last...

WP’s Andre Low: Ng Chee Meng and I represent 2 very different kinds of candidates

0
SINGAPORE: At a doorstep interview on Sunday (Apr 27),...

Pritam Singh: If PM says he needs over 2/3 of Parliament to be PAP MPs to govern properly, that’s a ‘serious problem’

0
SINGAPORE: In a doorstep interview on Sunday (April 27),...

GE2025: Which candidates could lose their deposits?

0
SINGAPORE: With less than a week to go before...

© The Independent Singapore