As she was unable to attend the Metro Manila Film Festival awards event, Dimples Romana recently took to social media to express her happiness over the win.

On 28 December, the actress posted a video from the moment her name was announced the winner, writing, “Father God, I feel unworthy and yet you bless me still with so much more than what I feel I deserve. So fitting that Jake, Quinn, Sean and Tiff accepted the award on my behalf because my work as Amanda would not have been as stellar if not for the strong commitment to excellence everyone on set have put out for our film.”

She also thanked the whole team including director Joel Lamangan, saying that they inspired her to give it her very best.

“I remember the phone call I received for this project from Mother Dennis and Nay Len, and it may not be the usual film that would be offered to me but I understood my place as an actress to play the role of Amanda, the wife of Robert who loves him unconditionally with every facet and complexity of his character,” she added.

The actress won the Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “My Father, Myself”.

In another post, Dimples thanked all her fans and friends for their congratulatory messages, and shared a video of her feeding her third child, Elio.

“But as you know, a big chunk of who I am and probably the toughest role I ever have to take on is that of a mom. So, here’s a snippet of how my day is going with our bunso #ElioJuanManolo who is eating for the first time today,” the actress added.

Yoyo Chen is elated to have now been upgraded to getting nominated for Best Actress and Most Popular TV Actress.

As reported on Mingpao, the actress, who is nominated in both categories for her performance in “My Mom, My Ping Pong”, stated that she didn’t expect to be shortlisted at all this year.

“I was surprised, because I wasn’t involved in a lot of dramas this year, so I just thought that I wouldn’t even have been considered,” she said.

Asked if she is confident to win, Yoyo stated that getting the nomination in the category is already a big achievement for her.

“To be honest, I really don’t have a lot of confidence. I hope I will get another chance next year,” she added.

At the same time, she also expressed hope to see Elena Kong and Andrew Lam winning for their performance in “Get On a Flat”.

It is noted that it was just last year that Yoyo was upgraded to lead actress after playing supporting roles throughout her career. She won her first Best Supporting Actress award last year for her performance in “Plan B”.

The upcoming TVB Anniversary Awards will be held on 8 January 2023

(Photo Source: Yoyo Chen, Mingpao)

Angel Chiang is confident that she could get a nomination, if not win, the Best Supporting Actress award at this year’s TVB Anniversary Awards.

In an interview with Mingpao, the actress, who shed her good girl image in the drama, “The War of Beauties”, stated that she is happy for the reception to her performance, even if she has been called “The B**** of the Century” by netizens for it.

“If I had to play the role a few years earlier, I wouldn’t have been able to do it justice. Now is the right time. Ka Kei is the worst character, the biggest challenge and the biggest performance since I joined the industry,” she said.

Angel also expressed hope that the momentum will continue, and enable her to make it to the top five at the upcoming awards.

Speaking about her role, Angel said that she did a lot of homework before shooting began. She studied the villainous character Kelvin Kam that was played by Nick Cheung in the 1998 drama, “Secret of the Heart” as well as observing and analysing the expressions of Korean actresses who play antagonists in dramas.

Asked if she wants to continue playing a villainess, Angel said that she hopes to be able to go further and play disabled characters or a modern woman facing challenges in life, career and love.

(Photo Source: Angel Chiang Instagram, Mingpao)

K-pop group Wanna One is set to reunite for 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA).

As reported on Epoch Times, the news was confirmed by the organiser of the said awards, saying that the group is part of the many performances lined up at the upcoming event, along with the dance crews of the hit show, “Street Woman Fighter”.

“They will be preparing a special performance that will thrill music fans,” they added.

It is noted that Wanna One was formed back in 2017 through season 2 of Mnet’s reality show, “Produce 101”.

The group, led by Yoon Ji-sung, consists of 11 members – Kang Daniel, Kim Jae Hwan, Ong Seong Wu, Lai Kuanlin, NU’EST’s Minhyun, CIX’s Bae Jin Young, Ha Sung Woon, and AB6IX’s Lee Dae Hwi, Park Ji Hoon, and Park Woo Jin.

On the other hand, it was reported that Lai Kuanlin will not be able to perform together as the singer is currently overseas.

The 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards will be held on 11 December.

(Photo Source: Wanna One Instagram)

Distinguished and charming. That’s how George Clooney can be described. Also, he’s influential, he’s married to a powerful woman, he does a lot of activism and charity work, he makes award-winning films which some of them revolve around the topic of politics – but George Clooney would rather not spend his old age resolving world problems.

In a recent interview, the actor, who is currently promoting his new movie, “The Tender Bar”, stated that his future plans is to slow down, and that running for office would be the opposite of that.

“I would actually like to have a nice life,” he said, when asked about a possibility of him joining politics. Clooney added that he would like to do more of the things he loves while he is still healthy to do so.

“I turned 60 this year and I had a conversation with my wife and we were working a lot, as we both do, and I said we have to think of these as the halcyon years,” he said. “In 20 years, I will be 80 and that’s a real number. Doesn’t matter how much you work out, what you eat, you’re 80 and so I said we have to make sure we enjoy and live these years in the best possible way.”

It is noted that Clooney has already been slowing down his career for the past few years, having starred in only several movies and directed a few others.

Let’s have a look at a few of his famous movies over the course of his career, starting with his breakout TV role.

Singapore-based Malaysian actor, Christopher Lee has recently been named Best Actor at Taiwan’s most prestigious TV awards – the Golden Bell Awards.

The actor won the said award via the Miniseries or Television Film category through his performance in the HBO Asia Original series, “Workers”, which also won four accolades including Best Miniseries or Television Film and Best Director in a Miniseries or Television Film for Cheng Fen-Fen.

Christopher took to social media to thank those who supported him, writing, “Thank you, thank you all for your support and company!”

On the other hand, his co-star Simon Hsueh also won Best Supporting Actor in the Miniseries or Television Film category.

Based on a best-selling novel of the same name, “Workers” is a six-episode hour-long Chinese series that follows a group of construction workers who daydream about being rich. They resort to countless outrageous get-rich-quick schemes only to make fools out of themselves. Despite these setbacks, the happy-go-lucky workers continue to be optimistic. Nothing will stop their pursuit of being rich beyond their wildest dreams.

The said series can be streamed via HBO GO.

(Photo Source: Christopher Lee Instagram, Fann Wong Instagram, Variety)

Not only are these Korean stars beautiful, but they’re talented too! We’ve been lucky to have so many good K-dramas and Korean movies gracing our screens, and here are our picks for our top 5 actresses.

Song Hye-Kyo

Name: Song Hye-kyo

Birthdate: November 22, 1981 (40 years old)

Trivia:

• Growing up, Hye-Kyo wanted to be an athlete and had trained to be a figure skater
• Dated top actors; Lee Byung-Hun and Hyun Bin
• Married her “Descendants of the Sun” co-star Song Joong-Ki in October 2017, known as the ‘Song-Song Couple’, but they divorced in July 2019
• Dramas such as “Autumn in My Heart” (2000), “My Girl And I” (2005),“Full House” (2004), “That Winter, the Wind Blows” (2013), “Descendants of the Sun” (2016), and “Encounter” (2018) catapulted her to superstar status
• Won two Grand Prize (Daesang) and other prestigious awards such as APAN Star Awards, SBS Drama Awards, KBS Drama Awards and Korean Film Awards

Park Shin-Hye

Name: Park Shin-hye

Birthdate: February 18, 1990 (31 years old)

Trivia:

• She’s a baseball fan and earned the nickname Randy-Shin Hye due to her left-hand pitching skills (Randy Johnson is a well-known American left-handed baseball pitcher)
• Been dating “So I Married an Anti-Fan” actor Choi Tae-Joon since 2017
• Gained recognition for starring in dramas “Stairway to Heaven” (2003), “Tree of Heaven” (2006), “The Heirs” (2013), “Pinocchio” (2014), “Doctors” (2016), “Memories of the Alhambra” (2018), “Sisyphus: The Myth” (2021), with hit films “Miracle in Cell No. 7” (2013), “My Annoying Brother” (2016) and “The Call” (2020)
• Won three Baeksang Art Awards, Fantasia Award at the 17^th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, and a number of awards at the KBS Drama Awards, SBS Drama Awards, MBC Entertainment Awards, Asia Rainbow TV Awards and Asia Artist Awards

Park Bo-Young

Name: Park Bo-young

Birthdate: February 12, 1990 (age 31 years)

Trivia:

• Bo-Young revealed that she was bullied in school because she gained attention just for being an actress
• She plays the piano and guitar and can sing too
• Known for her leading roles in hit films and dramas such as “Scandal Makers”, “A Werewolf Boy” (2012), “On Your Wedding Day” (2018), “Oh My Ghost” (2015), “Strong Woman Bong-Soon” (2017), “Abyss” (2019) and “Doom at Your Service” (2021)
• Won two Baeksang Art Awards, as well as the SBS Drama Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, Grand Bell Awards, Mnet 20’s Choice Awards, The Seoul Awards, Style Icon Asia, APAN Star Awards and many more

Bae Suzy

Name: Bae Su-ji

Birthdate: October 10, 1994 (27 years old)

Trivia:

• Was dubbed ‘Nation’s first love’ in Korea after starring in the film “Architecture 101”, and a ‘CF Queen’ (Commercial Film Queen)
• Dated famous actors; Lee Min-Ho and Lee Dong-Wook
• Known for her roles in popular dramas; “Dream High” (2011), “Uncontrollably Fond” (2016), “While You Were Sleeping” (2017), “Vagabond” (2019) and “Start Up” (2020)
• Besides winning four Baeksang Art Awards, on a number of recognition such as Blue Dragon Film Awards, KBS Drama Awards, Asia Artist Awards, Melon Music Awards, Mnet Asian Music Awards and SBS Drama Awards

Jun Ji-Hyun

Name: Jun Ji-hyun

Birthdate: October 30, 1981 (40 years old)

Trivia:

• Known by her English name Gianna Jun
• Married non-celeb husband, Choi Joon-Hyuk in 2012 and have two sons
• Rose to fame for her role in “My Sassy Girl” (2001), “My Love from the Star” (2013–2014) and “Legend of the Blue Sea” (2016–2017), as well as hit films “Il Mare” (2000), “Windstruck (2004), “The Thieves” (2012), “The Berlin File” (2013) and “Assassination” (2015)
• Received many prestigious recognitions, including Baeksang Art Awards (Daesang) and (Best Actress (TV)), Grand Bell Awards, SBS Drama Awards (Daesang), President’s Award at the 6th Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards, as well as Korea Tourism Awards

The Korean Wave or Hallyu is a global phenomenon, and it has swept to all the four corners of the earth since the 90s. Starry-eyed boys and girls (and plenty of adults too) go gaga over the Korean celebrities and the fact that not only are they highly talented, they are so very pretty and gorgeous to look at too.

We have selected the top 5 male Korean actors to follow.. yay.. more K-dramas and movies to binge on.

Song Joong-Ki

Name: Song Joong-ki

Birthdate: September 19, 1985 (36 years old)

Trivia:

• Joong-Ki’s parents had enrolled him in acting classes because he was an extremely shy child
• Was an original member of hit variety show “Running Man” from 2010 to 2011
• Married his “Descendants of the Sun” co-star Song Hye-Kyo in October 2017, known as the ‘Song-Song Couple’, but they divorced in July 2019
• Became Gallup Korea’s Television Actor of the Year in 2012 and 2017
• Has played a diverse spectrum of roles in the TV series “The Innocent Man” (2012), “Descendants of the Sun” (2016), “Arthdal Chronicles” (2019) and “Vincenzo” (2021), as well as hit films “A Werewolf Boy” (2012), “The Battleship Island” (2017) and “Space Sweepers” (2021)

Kim Soo-Hyun

Name: Kim Soo-hyun

Birthdate: February 16, 1985 (33 years old)

Trivia:

• His father is Kim Chung-Hoon, the lead singer of the 80’s band Seven Dolphins
• Selected as Gallup Korea’s Television Actor of the Year in 2014
• Won four Baeksang Arts Awards, two Grand Bell Awards and one Blue Dragon Film Award
• Gained further success with “Dream High” (2011), “Moon Embracing the Sun” (2012), “My Love from the Star” (2013–2014), “The Producers” (2015), “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” (2020), as well as in the top-grossing films “The Thieves” (2012) and “Secretly, Greatly” (2013)

Gong Yoo

Name: Gong Ji-cheol

Birthdate: July 10, 1979 (42 years old)

Trivia:

• His stage name is a combination of his father’s last name “Gong” and of his mother’s last name “Yoo”
• Admitted that he is a big fan of American basketball team, the Golden State Warriors
• Won various awards including Popular Star Award at the 32nd Blue Dragon Film Awards, Grand Prize (Daesang) at the Korea Film Actors Association Awards and Best Actor (TV) at the 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards
• Best known for his roles in television dramas “Coffee Prince” (2007) and “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” (2016–2017), and the films “Silenced” (2011), “Train to Busan” (2016), “The Age of Shadows” (2016) and “Seo Bok” (2021)

Park Seo-Joon

Name: Park Seo-joon

Birthdate: December 16, 1988 (33 years old)

Trivia:

• First came on screen in a music video in Bang Yong Guk’s song, “I Remember” in 2011
• A member of the high-profile celebrity squad, WOOGA, with “Parasite” star Choi Woo Shik, V from BTS, Park Hyung Sik from idol group ZE:A, and musician Peakboy
• Has a YouTube channel, Record PARK’s
• Best known for his roles in the TV dramas “She Was Pretty” (2015), “Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth” (2016–2017), “Fight for My Way” (2017), “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim” (2018), “Itaewon Class” (2020), and the films “Chronicles of Evil” (2015), “Midnight Runners” (2017) and “The Divine Fury” (2019)
• Set to star in Marvel film “The Marvels”

Hyun Bin

Name: Kim Tae-pyung

Birthdate: September 25, 1982 (39 years old)

Trivia:

• Rock ballad band Buzz have revealed that Hyun Bin almost became their lead vocalist
• Selected as Gallup Korea’s Television Actor of the Year in 2011
• Won various acting recognition, including Best New Actor at 2004’s MBC Drama Awards and the Grand Prize (Daesang) for TV at the 47th Baeksang Art Awards
• Has appeared in leading roles in popular TV shows including “Secret Garden” (2010–2011), “Memories of the Alhambra” (2018–2019), “Crash Landing on You” (2019–2020) and box-office films “Confidential Assignment” (2017), “The Swindlers” (2017) and “The Negotiation” (2018) as well as the zombie horror “Rampant”

Peter Chan’s sports film “Leap” has recently become the big winner at the Hong Kong Directors’ Guild Awards, winning the majority of the categories available.

As reported on Mingpao, the 2020 movie – which is based on the China women’s national volleyball team’s stories spread over more than 40 years – won Best Film, Best Director for Peter Chan, and Best New Actor for Bai Long.

On the other hand, its lead actress Gong Li also won Best Actress for her role as Coach Lang Ping.

It is noted that the film previously won Best Feature Film, Best Cinematography, and Best Screenplay at the 33rd Golden Rooster Awards.

On the other hand, the Honorary Award was given posthumously to director Benny Chan, who passed away in August last year.

The 2021 Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild Awards winners are as follows:

Best Film: LEAP

Best Director: Peter Chan (LEAP)

Best Actor: Endy Chow (ONE SECOND CHAMPION)

Best Actress: Gong Li (LEAP)

Best New Director: Man Lim Chung (KEEP ROLLING)

Best New Actor: Bai Long (LEAP)

Honorary Award: Benny Chan

(Photo Source: Cinema Online, Mingpao, Variety)

Sarawakian singer-songwriter Alena Murang has recently been awarded the Best Asia & Pacific Music Video and Honourable Mention for Best Costume awards at the International Music Video Awards in the UK.

The sape player, who is of Dayak Kelabit descent, recently released a statement regarding the award, which she received for her MV, “Warrior Spirit”, saying, “I feel so incredibly proud of the whole team that put in their time and energy towards this music video.”

“It’s been a really rough period for people in film and music so it’s heart-warming to not just be able to achieve in creating this music video, but also have the added bonus of these international awards. We can do great things when we work together,” she added.

Alena, who revealed that her great great-great-grandfather Balang Nganud was a great warrior that was dubbed ‘the Tiger that floats enemies’ heads downriver’, also expressed, “Though we no longer practise that anymore, we inherited their spirit, their courage, their strength, and moreover, the courage to fight together for something greater than ourselves. I think many Malaysians, and people across the world also, can relate to the spirit of the warrior.”

Inspired by Alena’s cultural heritage and the people of Borneo, the music video was directed by Sarah Lois Dorai, who also expressed her desire to see more native voices receiving support in the future now that their music video has proven that there is an interest in the stories from indigenous communities.

Aside from the aforementioned title, the music video has also received an Honourable Mention for Best Costume at the same awards. It was also chosen as an Official Selection at the New York International Film Awards and a semi-finalist for Best Film at the 2021 Los Angeles Film Awards.