Lifestyle – Page 5

After eight long years, Astro’s most iconic talent show is finally back — Astro Star Quest 2025 Astro《新秀崛起吧！》 is making a strong comeback with a brand-new mission: to discover the next all-round superstar in Malaysia and inject new life into the local entertainment scene.

Airing every Saturday at 8:30PM on Astro AEC (Channel 306), Astro GO, On Demand and sooka, this year’s Astro Star Quest 2025 promises something bigger than a singing contest. It’s a full-scale test of star potential — where contestants must prove not just their vocals, but also stage charisma, versatility across genres, quick thinking and performance confidence. This is a stage where dreams meet reality, and only those who can truly shine under pressure will stand out.

Hosted by Hui Mei 萧慧敏 and Priscilla Abby 蔡恩雨, and partnered with Adonis, the competition brings together 20 promising new talents ready to battle it out for the title of Malaysia’s next superstar. Among them are Joshua 张佐权 (19岁), Liew Jian Xu 廖健旭 (17岁), Leow Yee Xing 刘伊幸 (24岁), Song 陈松宁 (26岁), Pang Ee Jun 彭义竣 (18岁), Yong Hui Ying 杨荟颖 (21岁), Jack 刘浅 (17岁), HOW1E 马豪怿 (25岁), Pang Ee Xin 彭于歆 (21岁), Yap Xiao En 叶晓恩 (19岁), Huang Peng Long 黄鹏龙 (21岁), Xavier小辰 (21岁), Danson 黄得昇 (25岁), EMI 萧洳晶 (21岁), Euzen 林妤真 (18岁), Bryan 张雍 (21岁), Chen Rou En 陈柔恩 (16岁), Chris 官杰皓 (20岁), Celine 陈芷萱 (24岁) and Jess 陈佳仙 (21岁).

One of the most exciting highlights this season is the participation of Chief Executive Officer of Emperor Culture (Beijing) Development Co., Ltd. and Chief Operating Officer of Emperor Entertainment Group (Hong Kong) Mani 霍汶希, who joins as a guest mentor #TheStarHunter (星选官) and judge. Each week, she will pick one contestant as her “Star Pick” — awarding them the equivalent of 5,000 audience votes, potentially shifting the entire leaderboard. Her selection represents not only audience expectation, but also industry-level recognition.

Meanwhile, the show’s Mentor #TheNavigator (领航人) Nicholas Teo 张栋梁 returns to guide the contestants as a mentor — helping them navigate each stage of the journey, offering insights, motivation, and sharing his own experiences in the music industry. When the contestants face challenges, he’ll be there to keep them grounded and focused, leading them step-by-step towards the grand finale.

Adding to the mentorship lineup, #TheCatalyst (崛起推手) Phei Yong joins in to offer holistic guidance that goes beyond singing. He focuses on helping contestants create a strong personal brand and a lasting impression on stage — because in this industry, it’s not just about singing well, but also about being remembered.

The judging panel is made up of three resident judges — renowned music producer Al Kuan 管启源, 2012 Astro Talent Quest champion Nicole 赖淞凤, and 2011 champion Geraldine 颜慧萍 — who will evaluate each performance with professional insights. Guest judges will also appear in selected rounds, including Hong Kong singers Vincy Chan 泳儿 and Angela Hui 许靖韵, adding even more star power and excitement to the show.

Astro Star Quest 2025 isn’t just a comeback — it’s a new beginning for a new generation of talents ready to rise. The stage is set, the lights are on, and Malaysia’s next superstar might just be born right here.

Astro Star Quest 2025 airs every Saturday at 8:30 PM on Astro AEC (Channel 306), Astro GO, On Demand, and sooka. Stay tuned to witness the birth of the next big star!

Subscribe to Astro One today for just RM49.99/month to enjoy on-demand, unlimited entertainment. You can also upgrade your streaming experience to Astro Fibre with 500Mbps high-speed unlimited internet and Entertainment Pack for only RM139.99/month. Learn more through the My Astro App, visit astro.com.my, or WhatsApp 03-9543 3838.

Lifestyle, Music

Astro Star Quest 2025 Ep 1 Officially Premiered in October 2025!

October 15, 2025October 23, 2025 dixonthum

Malaysia’s most prestigious TV talent show — Astro Star Quest 2025《Astro新秀崛起吧！》 — officially premiered on 11 October 2025! The first episode featured 10 bright new contestants taking the stage, kicking off their first round of evaluations in an atmosphere filled with tension and excitement.

The 10 contestants are Joshua 张佐权 (19), Liew Jian Xu 廖健旭 (17), Leow Yee Xing 刘伊幸 (24), Song 陈松宁 (26), Pang Ee Jun 彭义竣 (18), Yong Hui Ying 杨荟颖 (21), Jack 刘浅 (17), Howie 马豪怿 (25), Pang Ee Xin 彭于歆 (21), and Yap Xiao En 叶晓恩 (19). Their ranking tags were also revealed, classifying them as “Survivors” (险存者), “S-Class Talents” (S级新秀) and “Mid-Level Performers” (中阶者) representing each contestant’s initial standing on the competition stage.

The show is hosted by Hui Mei 萧慧敏 and Priscilla Abby 蔡恩雨, with a panel of resident judges including Al Kuan 管启源, Nicole 赖淞凤, and Geraldine 颜慧萍. At the beginning of the show, the contestants were unaware that the judges were secretly observing them backstage. The judges shared their impressions: “This season’s contestants are full of creativity and diversity — truly refreshing to watch.”

Mentor #TheNavigator Nicholas Teo 张栋梁 explained the competition format, revealing that the entire contest will consist of five evaluation rounds, with the first official challenge beginning in this episode.

Star Hunter Mani Fok 霍汶希 also made a guest appearance, offering her unique insights into what defines true quality of a superstar. She said, “As a judge, I carry a huge responsibility. Many people can sing well, but to become a truly outstanding artist, you need more than skill — you need the right attitude and personality. Your voice must be distinctive, and your performance must move people. A singer who can convey real emotion through their performance and touch the audience’s hearts is the one most likely to become the next superstar!”

Towards the end of the episode, before the elimination announcement, the hosts teased that another 10 contestants will appear in the next episode — ready to battle it out for their chance to advance, promising even fiercer competition ahead!

Astro Star Quest 2025 airs every Saturday at 8:30 PM on Astro AEC (Channel 306), Astro GO, On Demand, and sooka. Stay tuned to witness the birth of the next big star!

Lifestyle, Music

Astro Classic Golden Melody Singing Competition 2025 Grand Finals at Genting Highlands

September 28, 2025October 4, 2025 dixonthum

Malaysia’s longest-running and highest-rated Chinese singing competition show, Astro Classic Golden Melody Singing Competition 《Astro经典名曲歌唱大赛2025》, is celebrating its grand 25th anniversary! The highly anticipated Astro Classic Golden Melody Singing Competition 2025 Grand Finals will take place this Saturday (4 October 2025), at 8:30 PM, live at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting.

Sponsored by Mah Sing Group, with Resorts World Genting’s Arena of Stars as the official venue, the competition continues its mission of discovering singing talents aged 35 and above. After months of intense competition, the Top 8 finalists have emerged and will compete for the championship title.

The ultimate Top 8 includes:

Senior Category 前辈组:
James 洪健丰 (46, Kelantan), Suzan 傅淑甄 (48, Penang), Christine 吴玥霖 (48, Perak), Blue 谢晓莹 (47, Johor)
Junior Category 后辈组:
Ar C 官佩楒 (39, Selangor), Alex 叶东城 (36, Perak), Winli 郑文丽 (40, Penang), Catherine 孙艺绫 (35, Penang)

They will battle it out on 4 October 2025, showcasing their talent and passion through music.

The show will be hosted by Gan Jiang Han 颜江瀚, Vivienne Oon 温慧茵, and Darren Ch’ng Boon Keat 庄文杰. The star-studded judging panel features celebrity judge Nancy Sit 薛家燕, resident judge Yenz Kwok 郭燕燕, local veteran singer Joyce Lim 小凤凤, music producer Tee Kok Leong 郑国亮, and Malaysia’s leading Chinese jazz singer Winnie Ho 何芸妮.

A brand-new “Outstanding Performance Award (卓越演唱奖)” has been introduced this year, with Taiwan’s Golden Melody Award-winning singer Ricky Hsiao 萧煌奇 serving as the assessor from Episode 4 onwards. He has been closely evaluating contestants’ vocal, stage presence, and emotional expression, and will reveal his choice of the most promising talent during the Grand Finals. The winner will receive RM10,000 and a trophy.

Meanwhile, voting for the “Mah Sing Popularity Award (Mah Sing人气奖)” is now open and ends on 4 October 2025 at 10 PM, with the winner receiving RM8,888 and a trophy. The Grand Finals Champion will take home RM30,000 and a trophy, while the Runner-up will receive RM20,000 and a trophy.

Adding more star power to the finals, Hong Kong veteran actress and singer Nancy Sit will return to Malaysia as the celebrity judge. She will also perform in the opening act alongside Yenz Kwok and the Top 8 finalists. Rising Malaysian powerhouse singer Vic Teo 张与辰 will appear as a guest performer, bringing his soulful voice to the stage.

To mark the 25th anniversary, Astro has prepared a special celebratory showcase featuring not only the birth of new champions but also a nostalgic reunion with past winners and finalists. Familiar faces will make surprise appearances, including 2012 runner-up Bai Lin 白琳, 2013 runner-up Sharon Wong 黄雪云, 2010 champion Irene Tam 湛爱铃, 2015 champion Winnie Goh 吴玮琳, 2020 Star Competition champion Chris Cheong 张淑凤, 2021 champion JJ Zheng 郑综宪, and 2024 junior category champion Vivian Tan 覃微雯. Together, they will perform timeless golden classics, evoking cherished musical memories and adding a heartfelt, nostalgic touch to the event.

The Astro Classic Golden Melody Singing Competition 2025 Grand Finals will be held on Saturday, 4 October 2025, at 8:30 PM at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting.

📺 Viewers can also tune in via Astro AEC (Channel 306), Astro GO, On Demand, or sooka.

For more details and competition terms, visit The Golden Club’s official Facebook page: @TGCTheGoldenClub, and Instagram: @tgc_thegoldenclub

Lifestyle

Malaysia Sarong Music Run 2025 Brings 15,000 Runners to Celebrate Malaysia Day at KLCC

September 21, 2025September 22, 2025 dixonthum

The Malaysia Sarong Music Run 2025 (MSMR 2025) turned the heart of Kuala Lumpur into a vibrant celebration of health, culture, and unity. Held on 20 September 2025 right in front of the PETRONAS Twin Towers, this iconic Malaysia Day event saw 15,000 runners take part, while another 30,000 visitors joined the festivities throughout the day.

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I personally joined the 5KM Fun Run and despite the rain at the start, it was nothing short of amazing. Everyone braved through the drizzle together, and running in a colourful sarong alongside thousands of people created an atmosphere of pure joy. The rain actually made the experience more refreshing and memorable.

This year’s Malaysia Sarong Music Run was proudly driven by JETOUR Malaysia, the Main Sponsor and Official Car Partner, with strong support from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC). The opening ceremony was officiated by Dato Sri Tiong King Siong (Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture), and Dato’ Seri TPr. (Dr.) Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur. Their presence gave the event even greater significance as a national celebration.

The run featured three exciting categories this year:

EKI JETOUR X BSC Relay Run (9 September 2025) – a unique sarong relay.
5KM Malaysia Speed Run – open only to Malaysian citizens, highlighting both recreational and elite local talent.
5KM Fun Run – open to everyone, including tourists, which was the one I joined.

But MSMR is not just about running. It’s a full-day festival of music, culture, and food. Local artists performed live, food stalls offered Malaysian favourites, and everywhere you looked, participants were celebrating Malaysia Day in sarongs. The sight of thousands of runners in traditional attire created a stunning sea of colour and pride at KLCC.

Since its first edition earlier this year, MSMR has grown rapidly, including the Sarawak edition in Kuching. Now in its third and most iconic edition, the run has evolved into an international community festival and is set to play a key role in Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026).

For me, running the 5KM Fun Run at KLCC was more than just exercise — it was a moment of unity, heritage, and fun. Rain or shine, the Malaysia Sarong Music Run 2025 showed why it has quickly become one of the most unique and meaningful runs in Malaysia.

Lifestyle

Everything You Need to Know About Malaysia Sarong Music Run 2025 (MSMR) in Kuala Lumpur

September 14, 2025September 14, 2025 dixonthum

Malaysia Day 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting celebrations yet, with the return of the Malaysia Sarong Music Run (MSMR) 2025. I attended the launch recently and can tell you, this year’s event is going to be huge. Happening on 20 September 2025 in front of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, MSMR is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors, including runners, spectators, tourists, and culture lovers.

What makes the Malaysia Sarong Music Run 2025 special is its unique blend of sports, culture, food, and music. Unlike a typical run, participants complete a 5KM route while wearing sarongs, sampling delicious Malaysian traditional food along the way, and enjoying live traditional music performances that keep the festive vibe alive from start to finish. This year is extra special because runners from 26 different countries have registered, turning MSMR into an international cultural event right here in Kuala Lumpur.

Highlights of Malaysia Sarong Music Run 2025
This year’s MSMR features three exciting events:

EKI JETOUR X BSC Relay Run – A fun sarong relay run held on 9 September 2025.
5KM Speed Run (5K Malaysia Speed) – Open only to Malaysian citizens, showcasing both recreational runners and elite homegrown talent. Happening on 20 September 2025.
5KM Fun Run – Open to everyone, including tourists and international participants. This is the heart of MSMR, bringing people together in sarongs for a colourful cultural run.

And the excitement doesn’t end at the finish line. As the sun sets, MSMR transforms into a Malaysia Day cultural festival with live performances from artists starting at 6:30 PM, traditional showcases, and plenty of local dishes to try. It’s more than just a run — it’s a full-day celebration in the heart of KL.

JETOUR Malaysia as Main Sponsor and Official Car Partner
The event is proudly supported by JETOUR Malaysia, taking the lead as the Main Sponsor and Official Car Partner for MSMR 2025. To mark the occasion, JETOUR has launched a Special September Promotion:

RM2,000 petrol card + one-year free comprehensive insurance for the first 916 early-bird customers.
Exclusive 3% rebate for civil servants on selected models.

It’s a strong show of support that ties in perfectly with MSMR’s values of culture, wellness, and community.

Why You Should Join MSMR 2025
If you’re looking for something fun, cultural, and meaningful to do this Malaysia Day, MSMR 2025 has it all. Whether you’re running, cheering on participants, enjoying the food stalls, or soaking in the live music, this event captures the heartbeat of Malaysia’s culture and unity. Plus, with its international participation, it places Malaysia firmly on the map as a global cultural tourism destination in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

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So mark your calendar: 20 September 2025, Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysia Sarong Music Run 2025 is more than a run — it’s Malaysia Day celebrated in the most festive way possible.