Mo Ieong

Japan's First Woman to Host Her Own Living Funeral On February 19, 1993, 500 people gathered at the Tokyu Hotel in Tokyo to attend a living funeral for the esteemed entertainer Mizunoe Takiko, who was about to celebrate her 78th birthday the following day. As the "deceased," Mizunoe began the ceremony with a speech: "To be able to see my own portrait and flower-adorned altar while still alive is truly a blessing." Thus began this unprecedented event. "I just want to hug Takiko one more time," actor Nishimura Ko offered his eulogy in front of Mizunoe’s portrait, while Mizunoe herself, seated in a wicker chair beside him, burst into laughter. A year prior, Mizunoe attended a memorial concert for the musician Imaizumi Takao, where she was inspired by producer Ei Rokusuke to organize he...

Stardom vs. Academia When someone advises you to focus on your studies rather than chasing stardom, they might be onto something. Reality shows that becoming a star is significantly more challenging than getting into a prestigious university. Take, for instance, the University of Tokyo, Japan's top institution, with an acceptance rate of 22%. In contrast, the acceptance rate for the renowned Takarazuka Revue, a theater troupe blending song, dance, and drama, is a mere 3.7%. There's a catch, though: you must be female. Founded over a century ago, the Takarazuka Revue is an iconic all-female musical theater troupe. Each year, thousands of girls from across Japan vie for a spot at the Takarazuka Music School, with only about 40 to 50 making the cut. Once admitted, they undergo ...

That Year, She Became a Wanderer of the Earth “In a single, exhaustive day, I became a global nomad.” On September 11, 2022, a young woman commenced her worldwide adventure, sharing the beginning of her journey on Instagram from her first stop, London. Gigi Chang succinctly describes herself online: “Capturing stories with my camera, I wander solo across the globe. My home is in Africa for now.” At 22, the Taiwanese photographer chose to embark on an extensive journey. Like Phileas Fogg, the protagonist from Around the World in Eighty Days, her adventure started in London, but hers was not spurred by a wager nor constrained by a deadline. Her travels aimed simply to fulfill a childhood aspiration. “I want to tell my younger self: Look, you are more courageous and resilient than you ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXQGiidSKlY In “Time Still Turns the Pages (2023)”, the character of Heidi, portrayed by Rosa, is perhaps the most merciless mother imaginable. Her cruelty is vividly depicted through her actions of hitting and berating her child in the film, alongside a heart-wrenching declaration that any potential divorce would be solely the child’s fault, culminating in her ultimate decision to abandon her family altogether. However, it’s crucial to distinguish Rosa from her on-screen persona, for in real life, she embodies the very essence of maternal love.  The Right to Cry as a Mother Having been with her husband since 2001 and married after a 13-year courtship, they welcomed their daughter Mia seven years later. Rosa describes Mia as the culminati...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UonX9d92oCk Quickly name three “handsome guys” that come to mind. Don't overthink it, just shoot! See, Everyone has their own little black book of handsome guys. From the 90s heartthrobs like Takeshi Kaneshiro, Edison Chen, Daniel Wu, and Aaron Kwok, to the new kids on the block like Mirror, Jeffrey Ngai, and Terance Lau... Every era has its own batch of eye candy. So, for Lai Ying, whose fascination with handsome men knows no bounds, she decided to take the plunge and create a track called 《美男子圖鑑》 - teaming up with like-minded musician Serrini to pen the lyrics. Both are unabashedly smitten with good-looking guys. The song metaphorically likens love to a forest where everyone picks their own path. “《美男子圖鑑》 was one of those wild ideas I just had ...

Rachel Leung is no newcomer to the cinematic world. Since her debut in the film “Somewhere Beyond the Mist” in 2015, nearly nine years have passed. Now, as she approaches her 31st birthday, she has received an extraordinary gift: the Best Supporting Actress award at the Asian Film Awards for her role as Ling, a mentally challenged individual who suffers sexual assault, in “In Broad Daylight”. In the days leading up to the Asian Film Awards ceremony, Rachel shared insights from her journey as an actress during a panel discussion titled “In Conversation: The Multifaceted Lives of Women Filmmakers” Dressed in a white dress and sporting thick-soled shoes, her appearance sparked a light-hearted comment from the host, Kearen Pang: “It's indeed challenging being an actress, with or without ma...

During the Second World War, shortages in Britain meant that everything from food to clothing was rationed. Yet, cosmetics, lipstick in particular, never appeared on the ration list and played a crucial role in uplifting spirits throughout the nation and on the battlefronts. The British government broadcasted and advertised a clear message: a woman's beauty was not just a personal concern but a national duty that contributed to the war effort. Officials believed that disinterest in one’s appearance could reflect a nation's low morale, posing a severe threat to the ongoing war efforts. By maintaining high beauty and fashion standards during such dire times, women were not just preserving their charm; they were embodying the nation’s resilience and unyielding spirit. Government an...

This narrative revolves around vengeance, centering on Kiki Tam. Her identity isn’t just a public facade but her genuine name. Kiki Tam is a mosaic of diverse roles: from a rapper, a model, 𡁻海珠 of TVMost, to an actor, a host, or a proprietor. She personifies multiple dimensions and infinite possibilities, propelled by her zest for a multifaceted, colorful life. In the spotlight, Kiki is unapologetically breezy and jovial, known for sharing bold, sensual snapshots on social media. Yet, she effortlessly transcends the confines of a conventional idol, embracing her comedic side without reservation. Despite her outward exuberance, she rarely divulges her deeper emotions, sharing, “At heart, I’m intensely emotional. Some might misconstrue my cheerfulness as a pretense, but that’s far from t...