logo
Korean Actor Hwang In-youp To Hold Private Meet & Greet Event In Penang This September

Korean Actor Hwang In-youp To Hold Private Meet & Greet Event In Penang This September

Hype Malaysia22-07-2025
Not too long ago, a famous Korean actor made a special appearance in Kuala Lumpur for an event. However, one can't help but notice that many of these meet-and-greet events are typically held in the capital city. It's rare for such superstars to make appearances in other parts of Malaysia – but that's all about to change.
It has been announced that another Korean actor will be visiting a state on the north‑west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Here's what we know so far about actor Hwang In‑youp (황인엽)'s upcoming event:
Over the weekend, food brand Nuuna Malaysia teased fans with a post across all its social media platforms, hinting that a famous Korean actor will be making a special appearance very soon. As with previous teasers, the post featured a silhouette of a male star, prompting many to share their guesses in the comments section.
Yesterday (Monday, 21st July), it was officially revealed that Hwang In‑youp will be coming to Malaysia for a special private meet‑and‑greet event in Penang. While full details have yet to be released, the brand did confirm the following so far:
Date: 6th September 2025 (Saturday)
6th September 2025 (Saturday) Time: 5pm
5pm Venue: TBA
Judging by the poster, it's clear that there will be a contest for fans to enter in order to win passes to the meet‑and‑greet event. But that's not all. On the same day, ecoBrown also shared the same silhouette teaser, announcing that a famous Korean actor will be making an appearance the same day as Nuuna Malaysia's event. While it's widely assumed that the mystery star is Hwang In‑youp, it remains unclear whether that particular event will also take place in the same venue.
We'll have to wait for the official announcement to find out. However, based on previous events, it's likely that this upcoming one will be open to the public, with a few lucky winners given the chance to take photos with the actor on stage.
Sources: Facebook, Instagram
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

(Video) Former RIIZE's Seunghan Re-Debuts As Xnghan&Xoul With 'Waste No Time'
(Video) Former RIIZE's Seunghan Re-Debuts As Xnghan&Xoul With 'Waste No Time'

Hype Malaysia

timea day ago

  • Hype Malaysia

(Video) Former RIIZE's Seunghan Re-Debuts As Xnghan&Xoul With 'Waste No Time'

The aftermath of Seunghan's (홍승한) departure from RIIZE made waves in international and Korean news outlets, sparking debate over unfair treatment and unjust fan behaviour towards K-pop idols. Not long after that, news of his comeback as a solo artist emerged, and now we're finally seeing Seunghan back on the stage. Making his solo debut under a new stage name, Seunghan, now officially known as XngHan, debuts with his new single 'Waste No Time' and 'Heavenly Blue'. Launched yesterday (31st July 2025), XngHan's latest releases under SM Entertainment feature a music video of a fun dance-pop number with the idol showing off his personality with a sub dance team known as Xoul. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about his anticipated comeback, XngHan describes his latest single as a refreshing summer song that talks about not wasting time and spreading his boundless wings. He also called it the perfect track for his solo debut. The interview also reveals a heart-touching statement to his former group members in RIIZE, where he states, 'I know that Riize is doing so well, and I'm rooting for them as a fellow artist. I hope they stay healthy and well'. Netizens have come out to show support for the idol's comeback to the scene, with the comments section flooding with positive feedback. Twitter user @/jamstakkun comments, 'Honestly, the single album is amazing! 2 perfect songs with charming vocal performance of Seunghan'. During a recent appearance for his solo debut, a fan points out how the idol talks about his time back home, 'He focused on healing and growth and also thanked fans for their unwavering support'. It is reported that 'Waste No Time' debuted at #15 on the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart. What do you think about Xnghan's image revamp and solo debut as Xnghan&Xoul? Watch the full music video here: Source: Twitter, YouTube, The Hollywood Reporter Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article

The cultural lore and hidden gems in 'KPop Demon Hunters'
The cultural lore and hidden gems in 'KPop Demon Hunters'

The Star

timea day ago

  • The Star

The cultural lore and hidden gems in 'KPop Demon Hunters'

"Listen 'cause I'm preachin' to the choir. Can I get the mic a little higher? Gimme your desire, I can be the star you can rely on." Yes, what is easier than stealing the souls of K-pop fans already under a spell? Many of you might have fallen head over heels for the Saja Boys – the Korean grim reapers who also top charts – like Abby, whose muscles pop shirt buttons, and Jinu with his charming smile. The group is a five-member fictional boy group created for the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters , and they're not just taking the fictional world by storm – they're stealing the hearts of real-life K-pop fans, too. But behind the animation's glittering visuals and K-pop flair, the film packs something even more powerful: a rich blend of Korean culture, age-old traditions and shamanistic elements woven into the story and characters. It is not just eye candy; it's a cultural deep dive wrapped in pop perfection. Although produced overseas, these hidden cultural elements reflect director Maggie Kang's desire for the film to be as Korean as possible, as she said in a Q&A video released to the press on June 26 – a vision that comes to life in every frame. Each of the weapons that the members of Huntri/x uses has its roots in Korean mythology. The term Saja translates to lion, so people might assume the boy band chose the name to symbolize strength and power, like the lion itself. But there's a twist: The boys aren't just charming idols. "Jeoseung-saja" also refers to a grim reaper-like mythical figure who guides souls to the afterlife. In this case, the boys are demons sent to the human world to steal their fans' souls. Huntr/x and their weapons The blending of spiritual tradition with pop spectacle is also reflected in the trio girl group Huntrix, comprising Rumi, Mira and Zoey, who are demon hunters sworn to protect their fans from supernatural threats. Each Huntrix member carries a weapon with deep cultural roots, as each blade is inspired by traditional Korean weaponry and shamanic instruments. Rumi's sword, known as the Quadruple Tiger's Evil Slayer, or the Four Tiger Sword, is a ritual blade dating back to the Joseon era (1392–1910). In Korean cosmology, each of the four cardinal directions is guarded by a mythical tiger, believed to protect the world from harm. Similarly, Rumi uses the sword to shield human souls from the demons, embodying the same protective spirit. Huntrix's performances help to seal the Honmoon, a mystical gate or barrier that separates the human world from the demon realm. Initially mistaken for a Chinese guandao – a type of Chinese pole arm – Mira's sword, known as gokdo, is also inspired by the Cheolyeomchu, a curved pole arm from Goguryeo Kingdom (37 BC-668 AD), which gives the weapon a distinctly Korean identity. The spirit knife wielded by Zoey is the shinkal, which is used during the gut ritual to fight evil spirits. Her blade is adorned with a norigae, a traditional Korean pendant accessory worn by women, rich in both aesthetic beauty and emotional symbolism, reflecting the grace and spirit of women from the Joseon era. Huntrix's performances help to seal the Honmoon, a mystical gate or barrier that separates the human world from the demon realm. The word is a combination of hon, meaning soul, and moon, meaning door, which is a traditional Korean shamanic gut ritual reinterpreted in a flashy way. The film also does an excellent job of portraying modern-day Korea. In real life, such Korean rituals are performed by shamans, or mudang, to drive away evil spirits, bring good fortune, resolve misfortune and foster harmony between the human and spirit worlds. The rituals combine music, dance, costume and spoken incantations. So when Huntrix begins using its music to seal off the demon realm, its ruler Gwi-ma strikes back by sending the Saja Boys to weaken the Honmoon by dominating music charts. But the animation is not only about mythical themes and traditional Korean elements. The film also does an excellent job of portraying modern-day Korea. For example, in a scene where the members of Huntrix eat gukbap – a bowl of rice and boiling soup – tissues are placed under their spoons, reflecting Korea's dining etiquette. As the film and its spotlight on Korean culture continue to captivate audiences worldwide, pop culture critic Jung Duk-hyun noted that Korean culture is now seen as hip on the global stage, adding that it is one of the key reasons it resonates so strongly with international viewers. "The success of KPop Demon Hunters serves as clear evidence that stories rooted in Korean traditions, music and lifestyle can capture global attention and serve as the core of a compelling film," Jung told The Korea Herald on July 15. "It highlights the strong potential of Korean culture to inspire and shape not only movies but a wide range of creative content in the future." Yoo Seung-chul, a professor of media convergence at Ewha Womans University, echoed the sentiment, saying that the incorporation of Korean elements adds depth and richness to the film's details. "The film takes elements audiences already recognise from K-pop, along with familiar storytelling techniques, and creatively blends them," he explained. – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network

#SHOWBIZ: The K-pop status shuffle: producers, power and reinvention
#SHOWBIZ: The K-pop status shuffle: producers, power and reinvention

New Straits Times

time2 days ago

  • New Straits Times

#SHOWBIZ: The K-pop status shuffle: producers, power and reinvention

K-POP, a genre of popular Korean music performed by dance groups such as BTS and BlackPink, is known for its highly competitive landscape, with groups often reinventing their identities with their new song releases to maintain their popularity and fan base. New research has found that in South Korea, where entertainment agencies or producers play a dominant role in shaping the image of K-Pop groups, the agency's status affects the group's ability to change their style and music genre. Meanwhile, gender norms hinder female K-Pop groups from similar shifts in identity as they are expected to follow set trajectories, leaving little room for experimentation. Heeyon Kim, assistant professor at the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, co-wrote 'Changing Tracks: How Status Affects Category Shifts in the Korean Popular Music Industry', published on July 11 in the 'Strategic Management Journal'. Her co-authors include Yoonjeoung Heo, an assistant professor at Xi'an Jiatong-Liverpool University, and Chi-Nien Chung, a professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Unlike in the Western music industry, where artistes often have creative control, K-Pop agencies oversee everything from an artiste's training to their performance and public image. The research team studied a sample of 122 K-Pop idol groups, including Super Junior, Girls' Generation, BlackPink, and 2PM, produced by 76 agencies from 2004 to 2016. They found that the status of entertainment agencies, as determined by industry awards, significantly influences how often and how radically their idol groups change their style and music genres, based on data from new song releases. For example, the group known as Big Bang, formerly managed by YG Entertainment, initially gained popularity with a rebellious identity. However, after a two-year hiatus, the group underwent a significant transformation in their concept, adopting a more experimental approach with their song 'Fantastic Baby' and later with 'Bang Bang Bang'. If a "youthful and rebellious" concept dominates the market, middle-status agencies are more likely to adjust their idol groups' style, music, and performance to match this trend. Their goal is to attract a wider audience without taking the creative risks that high-status agencies could afford, according to the research. In contrast, high-status entertainment agencies such as SM, JYP, and YG Entertainment tend to make more radical category shifts when they reposition their groups. This approach aligns with audience expectations for major agencies to act as trendsetters rather than followers. The effect of a producer's status is notably weaker for female idol groups due to institutional constraints and societal gender norms, Kim said. Female idols are often expected to adhere to predefined gender-normative stereotypical concepts, such as "cute and girlish" when they are young or "elegant and mature" as they grow older. Consequently, entertainment agencies have less flexibility in shifting the concepts of female groups compared with those of male groups. Male idol groups are more likely to undergo significant concept transformations, as their fan base tends to be more dedicated and accepting of shifts in artistic direction, the research found. In contrast, female idol groups rely more on appealing to the general public, making agencies hesitant to deviate from conventional concepts. For instance, a male group under a high-status agency might transition from a "bad boy" image to a "retro disco" theme, while a female group under the same agency is more likely to maintain a consistent aesthetic to avoid alienating mainstream audiences. "As the K-Pop industry continues to evolve," Kim said, "understanding these dynamics will be crucial for entertainment agencies seeking to navigate the competitive landscape while balancing audience expectations and creative expression".

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store