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Business Times

27-06-2025

Business
Business Times

Sweet endings at Coda

[SINGAPORE] The centrepiece of many watering holes is a gleaming display of liquor bottles behind the bar, in a parade of familiar brand names. Yet what is striking at Coda isn't this visual cue, but its glaring absence. There are no bottles behind the bar, nor brand names on the menu. These omissions were the deliberate choice of owner Michel Lu. The aim is to encourage customers to judge each drink 'on its own merit', rather than rely on recognisable names to form conclusions, he said. 'I wanted this to be a clean and pure space,' said Lu, who also founded pan-Asian craft spirits brand The Orientalist Spirits. 'It's not about whether this is a Macallan cocktail, or an Orientalist Spirits cocktail. What matters are the flavours, and how you enjoy the drink.' A space within a space Getting to Coda is so tricky that guests who make reservations receive a text message with directions. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up First, take an escalator to the second floor of the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay. Next, push past curtains on the right to enter a dim, box-like room lined with mirrors. Finally, locate a blinking blue sensor beside a candle – a wave of the hand will trigger a door to open into Coda's main 16-seater room. The experience is meant to be disorienting, said Lu. 'When you first arrive, you're like, 'What do I do?' We wanted a portal that would insulate the actual space, so that we'd never be disrupted by light or sound.' At Coda, there are no bottles behind the bar. By removing visible alcohol brands, owner Michel Lu aims to encourage customers to judge each drink 'on its own merit'. PHOTO: CODA Coda's interior is minimalist, with small tables along a long leather couch and a few armchairs. An adjoining 10-seater room is usually closed to the public, but can be booked for private events. Soft furnishings – a carpeted floor, false suede ceiling and thick curtains – create a cosy cocoon while absorbing sound. Warm cove lighting and a gentle woody fragrance complete the vibe. In the spotlight – literally – is a custom-built bar counter near the centre of the room. As the only spot with direct lighting, the bar was designed to resemble a stage, with the bartender as its star, said Lu. The open concept also invites guests to even go behind the counter to speak with the bartender. A coda is the concluding segment of a piece of music or literary work. General manager Treyna Zhang hopes the bar can similarly be a place where customers round off their day. 'We look forward to being that sweet spot, that little happy ending for you at the end.' Spotlighting Asian spirits and flavours Coda's cocktail menu features 16 signature tipples in four sections, each themed after a different mood. For instance: tranquillity for Blue Hour, eternal happiness for Elysian Fields, chaos for Fragmented Consciousness, and bliss for Chasing Fireflies. Blue Hour – an actual term that refers to the period just before sunrise or after sunset – thus features subtler flavours, while Fragmented Consciousness offers experimental options that incorporate unlikely ingredients from kimchi to artichoke. At Coda, Asian spirits and flavours are the focus – beginning with a complimentary welcome drink of local black tea infused with bergamot liqueur, inspired by a classic negroni. 'Whether you're from South Asia, China, South Korea, Japan or Taiwan, tea unites Asia. The West drinks tea, but it's from Asia,' said Lu, noting that several cocktails on the menu contain tea notes. These include the bar's bestseller, the Coda Martini, in which vodka is mixed with rooibos tea and tieguanyin, then finished off with a dash of Calvados. The bar's bestseller is the Coda Martini, in which vodka is mixed with rooibos tea and tieguanyin, then finished off with a dash of Calvados. PHOTO: CODA While it is a spin on the classic vodka martini, other drinks stray further from their source. A re-imagining of the Singapore Sling, the cocktail Fling retains only the original recipe's gin base and pineapple juice. 'The Singapore Sling is a very dated, sexist drink from colonial times; it's not a great drink, but it represents Singapore,' said Lu. 'I felt it was time to create something more befitting of Singapore today.' Fling is a variation of the Singapore Fling, which Lu launched in 2024 at Marina Bay Sands' Spago Bar & Lounge. 'Back then, I had actually created the Singapore Fling as a contemporary take on the Singapore Sling,' he explained. 'But we wanted to do a more elegant and cleaner version for Coda, which resulted in Fling.' The Singapore Fling and Fling share a recipe: a gin base infused with chrysanthemum, snow pear and red dates, then combined with Lillet rose, hibiscus sour plum tea, pineapple juice, calamansi juice and ginger flower water. The difference is in the execution: the Singapore Fling is shaken, while Fling is clarified. Those looking to turn up the heat can order Smoke, Coda's only hot cocktail. Described by Lu as an 'Asian-style' hot toddy, Smoke is a blend of three whiskeys; honey lemon fermented for two-and-a-half years; and the Japanese roasted tea iribancha, for an extra touch of smokiness. Besides cocktails, Coda offers limited categories of beer, sake, champagne and wine. A Japanese food menu will be launched in July, and will offer a la carte dishes such as udon, bara chirashi and sashimi. Fling

[Watch] 1664 Goes Full Hypebeast: French Beer Meets Asian Streetwear In Malaysia's Coolest Collab

Rakyat Post

11-06-2025

Entertainment
Rakyat Post

[Watch] 1664 Goes Full Hypebeast: French Beer Meets Asian Streetwear In Malaysia's Coolest Collab

Subscribe to our FREE Forget everything you thought you knew about beer launches. 1664, that smooth French brew you've been sipping, just announced they're teaming up with CLOT – yes, that CLOT, the streetwear brand that makes hypebeasts lose their minds – for what might be Malaysia's most unexpectedly cool collaboration this year. This isn't your typical 'slap a logo on a t-shirt' partnership. 1664's bringing back their popular Bon Appétit-lah campaign, but this time they're going full fashion-forward with Think French sophistication meets Asian street culture, with a side of that Through Bon Appétit-lah, 1664 brings that spirit to life, turning everyday dining into something more special and even more extraordinary, explains Olga Pulyaeva, Marketing Director at Carlsberg Malaysia. This is where French good taste meets street-smart edge, setting the scene for moments that are effortlessly cool, unexpectedly bold, and true to 1664's signature style. The Main Event: TRX Gets a Makeover Here's where it gets interesting. On this coming Friday and Saturday (13 and 14 June), 1664 and CLOT are basically hijacking We're talking: Asian-French fusion food from KL's hottest restaurants (because regular event catering is for amateurs) Live performances by local and international artists A speakeasy-style fabric store selling limited-edition merch (yes, a fabric store – because why not make shopping feel like a secret mission?) The whole thing screams 'exclusive' in the best possible way. You'll need to RSVP at (Video: Instagram/1664malaysia) For the FOMO Crowd Can't make it to the main event? Don't panic. 1664's rolling out their 'Blue Hour' experience at 30 outlets nationwide through June and July, complete with chances to win that limited-edition CLOT merch everyone's going to want. Plus, they're doing that thing where you can snag exclusive ceramic tumblers with your beer purchases at supermarkets. It's like collecting Pokémon cards, but for adults who appreciate good design. Beyond the Buzz: What Makes This Different What makes this collaboration actually interesting isn't just the hype – it's how it represents this whole cultural moment where Eastern and Western aesthetics are blending in ways that feel fresh rather than forced. CLOT has been doing the East-meets-West thing for years, and 1664's French heritage provides the perfect counterpoint. The aim was to create a product that is not only visually appealing but also tells a story of cultural fusion—bridging the East and French, says Simon Wat from CLOT, and honestly, mission accomplished. Collaborating with 1664 has been an exciting journey, and we're thrilled to offer a collection that celebrates the richness of cultural differences while elevating everyday moments. Before you get too excited, remember this is all for the 21+ non-Muslim crowd, and 1664's serious about that #CELEBRATERESPONSIBLY hashtag. Good vibes, yes. Irresponsible choices, no. Follow @1664malaysia on Now excuse us while we go practice looking effortlessly cool for this Friday. (Video: Instagram/1664malaysia) READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.

K-pop boyband TXT excited for Europe tour

Express Tribune

26-03-2025

Entertainment
Express Tribune

K-pop boyband TXT excited for Europe tour

Popular K-pop group Tomorrow X Together, also known as TXT, is making its European tour debut feeling inspired and more connected after two months away from the spotlight, its members said. The boy group's label, Big Hit Music, which also manages K-pop superstars BTS, announced in January that TXT would be taking a "long-term break" to rest and spend time with their families. This was after group leader Soobin said he was taking time off for health reasons. "It was the first time we took such a long break. It gave us time to reflect on many things," member Hueningkai said in an interview shortly before taking to the stage at London's O2 Arena for the group's first UK performance on Tuesday. "I think it actually brought us closer together and allowed us to think more about ourselves as a team and artists," added Hueningkai, whose hiatus highlights included a family trip to South Korea's resort island of Jeju, good food and a visit to Japan with friends. Six years on, they have won over a loyal fanbase, known as "MOA", short for "Moments Of Alwaysness", with their pop rock sound and hits including Blue Hour, Sugar Rush Ride and 0X1=LOVESONG (You Know I love You), featuring South Korean singer Seori. Their album Minisode 3: Tomorrow ranked as the 10th best-selling album of 2024 globally, according to recorded music industry body IFPI, which also placed TXT seventh on its Top 10 list of global recording artists of 2023. The European tour, which kicked off in Barcelona, Spain, on March 20, also takes the fivesome to Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam. Fans are in for a spectacle, the members said. "It's a really colourful and diverse set list, so I think it will be really fun for the fans. There are solo stages that we haven't shown before," Hueningkai said. Reuters

K-pop group TXT energised and excited for European tour debut

Reuters

25-03-2025

Entertainment
Reuters

K-pop group TXT energised and excited for European tour debut

LONDON, March 25 (Reuters) - Popular K-pop group Tomorrow X Together, also known as TXT, is making its European tour debut feeling inspired and more connected after two months away from the spotlight, its members said. The boy group's label, Big Hit Music, which also manages K-pop super stars BTS, announced in January that TXT would be taking a "long-term break" to rest and spend time with their families. This was after group leader Soobin said he was taking time off for health reasons. "It was the first time we took such a long break. It gave us time to reflect on many things," member Hueningkai said in an interview shortly before taking to the stage at London's O2 Arena for the group's first UK performance on Tuesday. "I think it actually brought us closer together and allowed us to think more about ourselves as a team and artists," added Hueningkai, whose hiatus highlights included a family trip to South Korea's resort island of Jeju, good food and a visit to Japan with friends. "Rest is as important as working because rest is always inspiring me a lot," added member Taehyun. The group, composed of Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Hueningkai, debuted in March 2019. Six years on, they have won over a loyal fanbase, known as "MOA", short for "Moments Of Alwaysness", with their pop rock sound and hits including "Blue Hour", Sugar Rush Ride" and "0X1=LOVESONG (You Know I love You)", featuring South Korean singer Seori. Their album "Minisode 3: Tomorrow" ranked as the 10th best-selling album of 2024 globally, according to recorded music industry body IFPI, which also placed TXT seventh on its Top 10 list of global recording artists of 2023. The European tour, which kicked off in Barcelona, Spain, on March 20, also takes the fivesome to Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam. Fans are in for a spectacle, the members said. "It's a really colourful and diverse set list, so I think it will be really fun for the fans. There are solo stages that we haven't shown before," Hueningkai said. Other novelties for the group include Beomgyu's upcoming solo debut with mixtape "Panic", released on March 27. As for other new music, no spoilers, the group said. Fans will have to wait and see.

Korea Herald

11-02-2025

Entertainment
Korea Herald

Ive's 3rd EP sells over 1m

Ive's third EP sold over a million units in its first week, agency Starship Entertainment said Tuesday. 'Ive Empathy' is the group's fifth consecutive million-seller following its third physical single 'After Like,' its first LP 'I've Ive,' and its first and second EPs 'I've Mine' and 'I've Switch.' 'Rebel Heart,' the third EP's prerelease track, topped all domestic charts upon release and earned Ive nine trophies from television music chart shows. The song is now competing against 'Attitude,' the album's main track. In April, the six members will host two fan concerts in Seoul and 11 more in Japan, visiting four cities: Yokohama, Kobe, Fukuoka and Tokoname. TXT cinches 2 gold certifications in US Tomorrow X Together added two songs to its gold-certified music list, label Big Hit Music said Tuesday. '0X1=Lovesong (I Know I Love You) feat. Seori' and 'Blue Hour' earned certification from the Recording Industry Association of America last week. The group cinched gold with its fifth EP 'The Name Chapter: Temptation' in 2023. 'Blue Hour' fronted its third EP 'Minisode 1: Blue Hour' from 2020, which topped the iTunes Top Albums Chart in 50 regions and ranked No. 25 on the Billboard 200. The Seori collaboration, co-written by BTS' RM, is the main track from TXT's second studio album 'The Chaos Chapter: Freeze' from 2021. The album stayed on the Billboard 200 for nine weeks after debuting at No. 5. In the meantime, TXT will resume its "Act: Promise Ep. 2" tour next month with three concerts in Incheon.