Korean Film Festival movies online
FOR 21 days, Filipinos, lovers of Korean films will be able to see their favorite stars on the aptly-themed “Celebrity Spotlight,” as the Korean Film Festival 2020 will be headlined by three of Korea’s biggest stars — Hyun Bin, Son Ye Jin, and Park Seo-jun. Starting Sept. 12 and running until Oct. 2, Filipino viewers may binge, enjoy, and repeat for as many times as they like, two of the best films from each star for a week. The films are available for view for free on the Korean Cultural Center’s website. The videos are only accessible for viewers in the Philippines and are not available for viewing on iPhone and MAC Safari. But they can be watched using Chrome on Apple gadgets.
Zac Efron hosts eco-conscious TV show
American actor and singer Zac Efron teams up with Discovery Channel to bring a new series titled Down to Earth with Zac Efron, where he embarks on a journey that will reveal the secrets to a healthy long life and the importance of being eco-conscious. The show airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. In the show, Efron travels to different parts of the globe to understand different eco-friendly initiatives — from Iceland using renewable sources to Paris’ clean drinking initiatives. Down to Earth with Zac Efron airs on Discovery Channel which is available on SkyCable CH 39, Cignal TV CH 140, and Destiny Cable CH 56.
Vans launches music competition
SPORTS brand Vans announces the worldwide expansion of the brand’s music platform, Vans Musicians Wanted. Originally launched in Vans’ Asia-Pacific region in 2015, the Vans Musicians Wanted competition is a global music platform that provides undiscovered musicians a chance for their original music to be heard by a global audience. This year’s competition is now a digital experience, and will award one grand prize winner the opportunity to share the stage with Vans Ambassador and Grammy award winning artist Anderson .Paak. Vans has partnered with Atlanta-based rapper J.I.D and Chinese-born and American-raised artist Bohan Phoenix to serve as guest judges for the global competition. To celebrate the partnership, Vans has teamed up with Bohan Phoenix to release his customized Vans shoes on Vans.com/Customs. Joining J.I.D and Bohan Phoenix as special guest judges, European based singer-songwriter Nilüfer Yanya, and Grammy award-winning artist, Anderson .Paak will review the top five artists from each region. The top five artists from APAC will perform at the Vans Musicians Wanted Virtual Concert this December, they will also receive free album distribution through Spinnup, Universal Music Group’s distribution service for independent artists. One grand prize winner will be selected to receive Vans product, Fender Gear, Vans Spotify and Apple Music playlisting, music video produced by Universal Music Group and one year of free and unlimited global music distribution from Spinnup (APAC exclusive), and the opportunity to share the stage with Anderson .Paak as the opening act in 2021.
Filipina-Singaporean singer-songwriter
FOLLOWING her well-received debut single “Tonight” in July, Filipina-Singaporean singer-songwriter Gail Belmonte chronicles her struggles reclaiming happiness on her new single “You Don’t” which was recently released on all digital platforms worldwide via indie label Umami Records. “You Don’t” is the second of a trio of singles Gail Belmonte is debuting in late 2020. The last of the series, “Restart,” is scheduled for release on Nov. 13. Listen to “You Don’t” via Umami Records at https://www.umamirecords.sg/you-dont/ . Born and raised in Singapore, of Filipino descent, Gail Belmonte was champion in the vocal solo category of Singapore talent competition Impresario 2016, a finalist of China Super Vocal 2016, a finalist in Mediacorp Singapore’s The Final 1 (2013), and also appeared in Season 4 of ABS-CBN’s Pilipinas Got Talent (2016). She has featured on tracks by artists like fulses, thecolorfractal, Fingerfunk and Tim De Cotta, and is now putting out her own music this year via indie label Umami Records.
Orange & Lemons release new indie pop single
ORANGE & Lemons has released its new single, “You Bring Out My Best,” which finds Clem Castro waxing poetic on the intimate moments with a fictional ex-lover. The song was intended as a pitch for a commercial project, but the band decided to release it as a stand-alone single. “You Bring Out My Best” was written, arranged, and demo-recorded in February. Four months after the demo was shelved, Orange & Lemons braved the studio to resume recording of the single. Armed with disinfectants and face masks, the award-winning band carefully observed health and safety protocols to finish the material. “You Bring Out My Best” was released on Sept. 11 on all digital platforms worldwide via Lilystars Records.
Netflix announces first K-pop documentary
NETFLIX has announced its first K-pop documentary, BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky, which charts the meteoric rise of the South Korean four-member superstar girl group, BLACKPINK. Directed by Caroline Suh and produced by RadicalMedia, the film interweaves exclusive interviews with never-before-seen footage of BLACKPINK members Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa, from their trainee days to the global sensations they are today. Viewers will get a first look into the recording process of the band’s follow up album, which depicts the highs and lows of being a K-pop idol group, and showcases each member’s talent. The film culminates with their historic 2019 Coachella performance, where BLACKPINK was the first K-pop girl group to take on the Coachella stage. The documentary will be released globally on Oct. 14.
