From The Straits Times    |
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Watch Kim Woo Bin’s latest movie, Master

The latest Korean blockbuster to hit the silver screens is the crime thriller starring Lee Byung-hun, Kim Woo-bin and Gang Dong-won. 

Lee Byung-hun plays Jin Hyun-pil, the charismatic “godfather” of a pyramid scheme syndicate hiding behind his One Network corporation. The earnest Financial Crime Unit detective, Kim Jae-myung (Gang Dong-won) is dead set on taking down Jin Hyun-pil and for his ace card, he’s blackmailed Park Jang-gun (Kim Woo-bin). 

As One Network’s genius software architect and Jin’s right-hand man, Park Jang-gun is in prime position to amass the intel that the Kim so badly needs, but he’s caught between his loyalty and fear of Jin, and the threat of jail. 

Details: Opens in cinemas January 13, 2017. 

 

Also read: 31 gorgeous photos of Gong Yoo you’ll want for your smartphone homescreen and wallpaper

 

 

Check out Singapore Art Week

It’s perhaps the biggest annual event in the Singapore arts scene and even if you’ve never considered yourself to be the arts fest-going type, well, there’s definitely something for everyone. Besides the main event, Art Stage, which features 108 exhibitors from 26 countries, art tour “State of Motion 2017: Through Stranger Eyes” will have you looking at familiar spots on our little red dot through a different light. For the tour, you’ll be taken to five locations that have been used in films, and each stop will also house an artwork that was made in response to both the film and the site. 

And if live music and F&B pop-ups rock your boat, you’ll want to turn up at the late-night Art After Dark event at Gillman Barracks (Friday January 13, 7pm until late). In between flitting around the visual arts galleries, you can listen to performances by the likes of Charlie Lin, and .gif; or get noshin’ with grub by Park Bench Deli, Iskina Cebu, My Little Spanish Place and more. 

Details: Singapore Art Week runs from now until January 22, 2017. See artweek.sg for full programme details.

 

Catch Mulan the Musical for a Singaporean reinterpretation of the spunky heroine’s story

Unlike the original version where legendary Chinese warrior, Hua Mulan, stole her way into the army out of filial piety for her father, this pragmatic local version spins it into a case of boh bian: Her father is too frail, her brother is too gu niang and useless, and her elder sister is pregnant. And since no Singapore musical would be complete without jokes at the army’s expense, expect a good dose of the funnies with in-camp hijinks. 

Taiwanese singers Li Chien-na and Lai Ying Ying share the title role of Hua Mulan, with local stars Ann Kok and Pierre Png joining in as Mulan’s pregnant sister and the army’s sergeant major respectively. 

Details: See sistic.com.sg for details.

 

Also read: REVIEW: 18 most delicious Chinese New Year snacks for 2017

 

Sip on Chinese New Year-inspired cocktails at Nutmeg & Clove

Bar owner Colin Chia is not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, and if that means embracing all things cheena about Chinese New Year, well, so be it. 

This year, the team at Nutmeg & Clove have conjured up three CNY specials inspired by and incorporated with festive staples such as bak kwa, pineapple tarts and mandarin oranges.

My personal favourite? The Prosperity Flip, Chia’s loving ode to his mom’s homemade pineapple tarts. He’s gone as far as using the spiced pineapple reduction ─ a by-product of her baking extravaganza ─ to shake up with white rum, amaretto and egg yolk for a silky cocktail that really captures the aroma of buttery pineapple tarts. 

The rest of the regular menu is also proudly Singaporean, ranging from subtle touches such as working in hints of tamarind and lapsang souchong tea into Opium Wars, a twist on the classic Margarita; to pretty garang flavour pairings such as Herbal Soup, which dials up the bittersweet notes with angelica roots, goji berries, and five-spice powder to a spirit-forward base of white rum and Fernet Branca. 

Details: CNY special cocktails are available now until February 12, 2017. Nutmeg & Clove is at 10 Ann Siang Hill, tel: 9389-9301. 

 

Shop and lepak at the YHFLEA: Come Lepark edition

What’s Chinese New Year without a jaunt into Chinatown? 

But instead of waxed ducks and auspicious sundry, head up People’s Park Complex to Lepark’s achingly hip rooftop space, and open up your wallets for local businesses such as the vintage-loving Nakedglory, kooky accessories outfit Yard Yarn, intimates brand Naked and Unbound, and ceramics specialist Oh Leaf. 

For even more affordable shopping, be sure to stop by the Car Boot Sale and Flea Trade Zone segments too. 

Details: See younghungryfree.com for event details. Lepark is at the level 6 open-air carpark of People’s Park Complex, tel: 6908-5809. 

 

Also read: 7 bars to check out for great cocktails and craft beers