Here’s What To Expect at LEGO Star Wars 25th Anniversary Pop-up in SG

Dream of being a K-Pop idol? Take the next step towards that dream because BigHitMusic, the entertainment company behind K-Pop superstars BTS and Tomorrow X Together (TXT), is holding an audition this year in various cities across the globe, including in Asia.

From June to August, BigHit Music is inviting aspiring K-Pop trainees to participate in their global on-site audition. This includes stops at the Metropolitan YMCA Singapore on July 20 and the True Icon Hall in Bangkok on July 6, among other cities.

In June, the auditions will also be held in various cities in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Meanwhile, on-site auditions in Asia, including Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Jakarta, Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka, and Seoul, will be held from July to August.

For those who won’t be able to drop by these locations, fret not, because the agency is also accepting online applications from May 2 to August 31 via their website.

The auditions are open to male applicants born after 2006 who can showcase their skills in various categories, including singing, dancing, acting, and modeling.

Ready to be the next K-Pop sensation? Check out more details about the auditions on BigHit’s website or on their X (formerly Twitter) page.

Yip Yew Chong’s hand is everywhere in Singapore. From Chinatown to the Arab Quarter, this Singaporean artist has quite literally made the city his canvas.

One of his most famous works is an incredible three-storey mural that showcases a traditional coffee shop, in Chinatown. Located by Temple Street, the visual comes complete with Chinese signages, calendars, and even the ubiquitous stray cat that always seems to hang around.

Aside from the vividness of its details and the nostalgia it evokes, it is the sincerity of the work that truly captures an audience.

“I grew up in Singapore Chinatown in the 1970s and had fond memories of the old way of life, which are all bygone,” he said. “Thus, I drew these details and stories from the heart.”

Chong had, in fact, painted his mother twice in the mural and even named the coffee shop in the painting – “順成茶室 (Suncheng Teahouse)” – after his father.

“My mum said my dad would be very happy if he saw this mural. I think he sees it,” shared Chong.

A shipyard fitter for most of his life, Chong’s father was also an artist.

“He drew mainly opera actors and actresses [on the streets around Chinatown]. People would crowd around him to watch him draw. I believed he loved art, but never had the chance to pursue [it],” he added.

An accountant at first, Chong was a weekend artist up until 2018, when he decided to pursue it full-time.

“I cold-called [and] knocked on doors to get my first opportunity to paint on the street in 2015,” he recalled.

Now a success, Chong has clients commissioning his paintings from all around the world. Yet, Singapore remains close to his heart. Of course, this is the city that has raised him and given him much. It’s also a place that inspires his love for culture.

“I love [Singapore’s] multiculturalism and openness to embrace diversity,” he shared.

Despite his familiarity with Chinatown, Chong isn’t one to limit himself to just that.

“Art helps create visibility and awareness [of culture] in a fresh format that people can easily digest,” he said.

“Awareness piques the communities’ interests and furthers the propagation of the culture. It also helps in education and promotion of a place’s culture, heritage and identity, and the community’s mental health and vibrancy.”

Since Chong’s transition from accountancy to art, he’s seen great success. In 2023, a book was published about his life, titled “Art of Joy: The Journey of Yip Yew Chong” written by Woon Tai Ho. The title has received praise from critics.

In fact, Singaporean diplomat, Bilahari Kausikan, who served as the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, commented that: “Yip Yew Chong's delightfully playful yet serious murals capture what he calls 'a collective memory,' enriching and enlivening our cityscape, while reminding us from whence we came and who we are.”

To date, Chong’s most significant work is the epic “I Paint My Singapore” canvas painting. Spanning 60 metres – the length of around five buses – Chong had painted 27 prominent scenes from Singapore in the 70s and 80s. From the Woodlands checkpoint nearby Kampong Lorong Fatimah to military exercises by the ridge of Marsiling Hills, and even the legend of the “monkey man” at Bukit Timah Hill, Chong has portrayed an intimate world that is rich with memory, nostalgia, and legacy.

As a sequel to that, Chong will embark on a five-year artistic endeavour to create “I Paint My World,” which will depict the artist’s international experiences. Challenging himself further, Chong has promised that his new project will span a few hundred metres long – making the previously mentioned 60-metres pale in comparison.

Check out Yip Yew Chew's creations by following him on Instagram or visiting his website

The Beat Singapore’s Up and Coming is a series where we feature rising talented artists from Singapore, giving them a platform to share what they’re passionate about and promote the music they (and us too!) would love for the world to hear. Do you want or know someone who wants to be featured? Email us at sgp.editorial@thebeat.asia or slide into our DMs on Facebook or Instagram!

We all have our own idols. While some of us are content with fangirling/fanboying and seeing them from afar, others try to follow in their footsteps. This is especially true for our latest Up-and-Coming Artist, a talented songstress whose major influences are some of the big names in the music industry.

Meet Celine, also known by her stage name, owellciao, a singer-songwriter based in Singapore. From posting song covers on YouTube, doors opened for her in 2022 when she got the chance to release her first song, “love always.” Now, inspired by her idols Ariana Grande and NIKI, she’s slowly making her way into music as an independent artist while having fun doing what she loves.

Fresh off the release of her newest single, “be honest,” owellciao sat down with The Beat Asia to talk about her inspirations, her music’s identity, future plans, and many more. Read on to get to know the artist beyond her angelic voice and fun-loving nature!

Hi, owellciao! Can you give us a bit of background about yourself?

I’m Celine, an independent singer-songwriter from Singapore! I write songs inspired by how I feel and hope that they speak to people who might feel the same way.

Your stage name, "owellciao" is an interesting one! Can you tell us how it came to be?

I’ve been a huge Ariana fan since over a decade ago when she first started doing vlogs on YouTube when her username was “osnapitzari.” I needed a username for Instagram, so I thought I’d steal a bit of inspiration from that, but I also didn’t want it to be a complete rip-off.

And since I’m from Singapore, I thought the local aunties and uncles would pronounce “ciao” as “cel,” like the first half of my name, “cel.” Honestly, I just couldn’t think of a stage name, so I went with my Instagram handle, but it’s funny because a lot of people actually think my name is Owell now.

How did you get into music? What ignited your passion for the craft?

I don’t think I ever really saw it as a craft, it’s more just for fun. I was in a choir and just grew up listening to a lot of music. I also took part in some singing competitions, which still haunt me to this day, but yeah, I think I’ve always just enjoyed singing and listening. I’d say it was a happy coincidence because I never planned on it.

I heard about an open call for the Majulah Weekender series and thought I’d try my luck. I was super lucky to have gotten in, and from there, I got to write and release my song, “love always,” with evanturetime! [I’m] forever grateful for the experience.

Who are your major musical influences, and how do you incorporate them into your own songs?

The person who inspired my stage name [is], of course, Ariana Grande! I [also] love Olivia Rodrigo, Avery Lynch, Jesse Barrera, Gracie Abrams, and Laur Elle. So many more! I don’t think it’s super obvious that these are my influences, but I guess it’s more of what I admire most about each of these artists, be it their vocal tonality, songwriting, production style, or chords and melodies.

Congratulations on your new single, "be honest!" What is the song all about?

Thank you! I wrote this from the perspective of NIKI, if she were to write a song about a toxic relationship that keeps cycling in a constant, repetitive loop where two people keep going back to each other even though they both know it’s not going to work out. Honestly, it’s kinda weird that I wrote this because I’m used to writing what I know, but I don’t relate to it at all.

We heard you have a talent for writing! Where and how do you get inspiration for the songs that you write?

I try to write what I feel and hope I find some sort of comfort and meaning in doing so. I also try to write in the way I think my favourite artists would, just for fun and to challenge myself. It’s kinda like those TikTok videos that go, “What if [this song] was written by [another artist].”

As an up-and-coming artist, what would you like your music to be known for?

Ooo, this is interesting. I feel like my friends laugh at me when I say “upbeat sad,” but yeah, I think that! I don’t always have the attention span to listen to an emo song at any time of the day, so I want to try and upturn those lyrics with something more fun and easier to listen to.

If you could collaborate with or open for another artist's show, locally or internationally, who would it be and why?

Ahhh, collaborating with or opening for any artist that I listen to would already be a dream. But I guess if it had to be someone local, it’d be YAØ. I absolutely adore his music. His toplines and production are insane! It would be a huge honour. Internationally, Jesse Barrera would be so big a dream I don’t think I could even sit still to get anything done. [Like] what I admire about YAØ’s works, I think he’s so intentional with his production and songwriting.

Any shows or festivals you would love to do in the future?

I haven’t thought too far ahead, just grateful for whatever comes my way!

What's next for owellciao? Any upcoming projects, gigs, or shows that we should watch out for?

I’m currently working on an EP that I plan to release later this year! [I’m] working with a couple of producers on this one, and the songs will sound vastly different from each other, so I’m super excited. Also, [I’m] planning to do an EP launch when the time comes and maybe play some more local gigs till then.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To learn more about owellciao, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, and stream her music on YouTube and Spotify.

Pick up your straw hats and get ready to go on a musical adventure with Luffy and the rest of the crew as they celebrate their 25th anniversary with a musical tour. Docking in Singapore on August 3, the “ONE PIECE Music Symphony” invites you and your fellow fans to sing along with the live orchestra.

Slated to take place at the Esplanade Concert Hall, the concert will last for two hours featuring a conducted film concert-style performance, where snippets from the anime will be projected on a giant screen as the orchestra plays — from gathering all the members to the battles that give you goosebumps every time!

Relive their most exciting and emotional adventures throughout the 25 years of the series and prepare to hear some of the iconic tracks from the anime like “We Arel,” “Binks no Sake,” “Oitsymerareta,” and “Sai saiSaikyo!!!,” along with new tracks created exclusively for the tour.

So, hoist the anchor and set sail to the Grand Line with the Straw Hats Crew! Tickets start at S$99; find out more here.

Aspiring rock stars, great news! Swee Lee, one of Southeast Asia’s leading music stores, has opened a new lifestyle boutique in Clarke Quay, giving its visitors a one-of-a-kind experience.

With its 500 square meter space, the latest Swee Lee store offers a dynamic and interactive environment for music-loving guests that goes beyond musical instruments.

At the store, visitors can look forward to a vast collection of guitars, instruments, vinyl records, audio equipment, and more in its retail space, from various brands. The boutique also has two spaces dedicated to vinyl enjoyers, housing over 5,000 vinyl titles and a bespoke music selection curated by renowned media outlets.

There’s also the by-appointment-only service “Guitar Cellar,” a repository that features some of the most rare and exclusive guitar finds from various parts of the world. You can also collect your Swee Lee online purchases at the store with their “Click and Collect” service.

Making the Clarke Quay store unique is its events and gathering space, where audiophiles and music enthusiasts can meet to interact with each other. To make these hangouts more enjoyable, the store also has an in-house cafe, serving delicious coffee and pastries.

To celebrate the opening, Swee Lee Clarke Quay is also holding a special event on April 13, which will feature live music, prizes from popular music brands, merchandise giveaways, and many more! You can get updates on the event by following their Instagram page.

Founded in Singapore in 1946, Swee Lee is a multi-brand musical instrument and lifestyle retailer and distributor, with branches in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Location: Swee Lee, Block 3B River Valley Rd., #01-06 Clarke Quay, Singapore

Operating hours: 12 PM to 9 PM (Store), 10 AM to 10 PM (Cafe & Bar)

Hey Potterheads, pick up your wands and dust off your capes! If you haven’t visited the Forbidden Forest Experience, you still have until April 21 to do so — but if you did, and still can’t get enough of the spellbinding world, there’s a new Harry Potter-themed interactive art experience coming your way later this year.

Slated to open at Resorts World Sentosa by the last quarter of 2024, the “Harry Potter: Visions of Magic” will span over 50,000 square feet of space – the biggest edition yet since debuting in Germany.

No need to wait for your letter, you can immerse in the wizarding world of Hogwarts through the real-life replicas and multi-sensory installations of some of the most iconic magical sets! Hop on to the Knight Bus, find what you need at the Room of Requirement, or seek magic at Newt’s Menagerie, the Hall of Prophecy, the Ministry of Magic, and more!

Whether you’re a Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin, you’ll surely love exploring the new attraction. Previously selling out 138,000 tickets in Germany, you might want to register for the waitlist to be one of the first people to get in.

More details are coming soon! To get the latest updates, follow Resorts World Sentosa’s Instagram here.