#PopVultures

How a variety talk show with one of the oddest hosting pairings became one of the most successful in the Chinese language entertainment scene. Synopsis: How Did We Get Here is a new scripted series under the #PopVultures banner, which will take a look in each episode about a celebrity, a band or the cast of a movie or film that made an impact on Asian entertainment and how they got to where they are now. If you follow Chinese-language entertainment, there is a good chance you have heard of the variety series Kang Xi Lai Le, also known as Mr Con & Ms Csi or Kangxi Coming.  The light-hearted Taiwanese talk show, which ran from 2004 till 2016, is easily one of the most successful talk shows of all time in Chinese-language entertainment - a staple of Taiwanese television that continues to make people laugh even eight years after the end of its run. The show began as a wacky experiment, by pairing the intellectual and cultured Kevin Tsai and the wild, funny Dee Hsu as hosts in one programme. Their chemistry was magic and the show consistently maintained high ratings throughout its run.  Not only was it a hot spot for celebrities to come on and promote themselves and their projects, the show even attracted personalities like politicians - former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou and social commentator, critic and historian Li Ao.  Even with its varied line-up of guests, the hosts never switched up their style - a mix of inane and sometimes raunchy questions about underwear and farts, lots of banter and good-natured mocking.  Now, 20 years after its debut and eight years after its last of close to 3,000 episodes aired, its legacy and impact remain - with some clips of the show going viral even today. Many fans are still clamouring for the show to make a comeback. #PopVultures host Jan Lee discusses exactly how we got here. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00 Introduction and an update about a possible Kangxi Coming relaunch 4:19 The show’s inception and how complete opposites Kevin Tsai and Dee Hsu came to be paired together 12:50 The first episode of Kangxi Coming and why it became so popular 17:33 The show’s evolution over the years and the introduction of assistant host Hank Chen 23:31 How Kangxi Coming managed to capture Chinese audiences despite a tight budget 29:49 The show coming to an end 34:53 Kangxi Coming’s resounding legacy till today 37:15 What are Dee Hsu, Kevin Tsai and Hank Chen up to today? Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) and Amirul Karim Edited by: Amirul Karim Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month:  Channel: https://str.sg/JWad Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP  Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7  The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #PV #HDWGHSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is one of the most famous Chinese period dramas ever, but where are the members of its main cast now? Synopsis: How Did We Get Here is a new scripted series under the #PopVultures banner, where host Jan Lee will deep dive into a celebrity, a band or the cast of a movie or film that made an impact on Asian entertainment and how they got to where they are now. There is a good argument to be made that the most famous Chinese drama ever aired is the Qing dynasty period royal romance My Fair Princess, best known for its first two seasons aired in 1998 and 1999. The story is about a case of mistaken identity. An orphaned street urchin named Xiaoyanzi accidentally becomes a princess in place of her friend, the Qing emperor Qianlong’s illegitimate daughter Ziwei.  The series broke viewership records, became extremely popular across Asia and was an unprecedented hit that turned its main cast members into household names - Vicki Zhao, Ruby Lin, Alec Su, Zhou Jie, Fan Bingbing and Julian Chen. Now, 26 years since the drama first aired - a lot has happened to the main cast. Two have been effectively cancelled by the Chinese government, one has apparently become a successful farmer, one is widely disliked by Chinese netizens and one quite literally got "burnt".  #PopVultures host Jan Lee discusses How Did We Get Here. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:20 Introduction about My Fair Princess 4:11 How the series got cast and its impact on Asian entertainment 11:57 What happened to Julian Chen? 14:16 What happened to Alec Su? 17:16 Is there a feud between Ruby Lin and Zhou Jie? 28:03 The cancellation of Fan Bingbing 35:12 The many troubles of Vicki Zhao and her eventual downfall Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) Amirul Karim Edited by: Amirul Karim Follow #PopVultures Podcast here every month:  Channel: https://str.sg/JWad Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP  Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7  The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #PV #HDWGHSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene. PopVultures host Jan Lee explains her transition from the previous year-long Can I Tell You Something Crazy series about pop culture zeitgeist moments to a new scripted series in 2024 along the lines of Where Are They Now. For once-famous Asian or global celebrities you might like to know more of but just don’t know where to start, DM Jan Lee your suggestions on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc or reach her at [email protected] Meantime, you can catch up on back episodes of the Can I Tell You Something Crazy series at our show links below. Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) & Amirul Karim Edited by: Amirul Karim Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month:  Channel: https://str.sg/JWad Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp --- Discover more ST podcast channels: The Usual Place: https://str.sg/5nfm COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #PVSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our guests also shows us the brilliance of her lyrics by reading them out to us. What are your faves? Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene. American superstar Taylor Swift has dominated pop culture with her mega-successful Eras Tour, her historic fourth Grammy win for Album of the Year in 2024 and her fairytale-like romance with American football star Travis Kelce.  And she will soon be bringing her tour for a sold-out six-night show at National Stadium in Singapore from March 2-9. Ahead of her concert, #PopVultures host Jan Lee sits down for a throwback to her English-literature-student days. Joining her in this episode to explore Swift's multi-generational appeal, are Life correspondent and "Swiftie" Yamini Chinnuswamy, 15-year-old Gen-Z "Swiftie" Yvonne Inglin as well as Ravi Agarwal, a 51-year-old connoisseur of Swift's lyrics. Together, they discuss the literary value of her songs while Ravi also reads out the best of her lyrics. They analyse the appeal of her songs and how different songs reflect different periods in Swift's life.  They spotlight three of Swift's most famous songs from different eras of her career - Blank Space, Anti-Hero and All Too Well (10 Minute Version) - and talk about Swift's use of metaphors, rhymes and sentence structure. They also talk about their own impressions of these songs and why it fascinates and appeals to them. They also ponder the very important question: Is a Nobel Literature Prize in Swift's future?  Highlights (click/tap above): 3:30 Introduction and everyone's favourite Swift kitty - is it Olivia Benson, Meredith Grey or Benjamin Button? 7:00 Favourite songs 9:30 Dissecting Blank Space 16:40 Examining/Exploring Anti-Hero 26:20 Debating All Too Well (10 Minute Version) 35:30 Rapid-fire Swiftie questions for Yvonne & Ravi Watch the special video version of this episode on the new Straits Times’ Podcast YouTube channel, where Yamini has set up a mini-Taylor Swift shrine: https://str.sg/itdC Download ST's Taylor Swift 9-era infographic series in high-res PDF: https://str.sg/qQQU More of ST's Taylor Swift coverage here: https://str.sg/CJDx  Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]), Yamini Chinnuswamy ([email protected]), Amirul Karim and Eden Soh Video Producers: Joel Chng, T Kumar, Zeke Tan and Marc de Souza Edited by: Amirul Karim and Eden Soh Follow #PopVultures here every month:  Channel: https://str.sg/JWad Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp Read Yamini Chinnuswamy's articles: https://str.sg/h4rH Follow Yamini Chinnuswamy on Instagram: https://str.sg/sVdB --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #PVSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The actor was found dead in an apparent suicide after a two-months long high-profile investigation into his alleged misuse of drugs. Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene. The year of 2023 ended on a shocking and tragic note for the South Korean entertainment industry when actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for playing a wealthy patriarch in the Oscar-winning film Parasite (2019), died of an apparent suicide at the age of 48 on Dec 27, 2023.  Lee was a well-respected and prolific star, both known for his versatile acting and clean, upstanding image. He was married to actress Jeon Hye-jin and shared two sons with her.  But in the two months leading up to his death, Lee suffered a dramatic fall from grace. News broke in October that he was being investigated for allegations of illegal drug use - something heavily stigmatised in South Korea. The scandal, which arose after a bar hostess reportedly claimed that Lee took drugs at her residence, heavily affected Lee's career. Even though investigations were ongoing, Lee was dropped from projects and several of his works which were slated for release were halted.  After several rounds of investigation, including a 19-hour long questioning the weekend before his death, Lee was found dead in his car next to charcoal briquettes.  In this episode of #PopVultures, host Jan Lee recaps Lee's case and discusses the reported blackmail and extortion involved. She also examines why the scandal hit Lee so particularly hard and shares why some believe the police mishandled the case.  She also talks about other cases of drug investigation in South Korea involving celebrities like K-pop star G-Dragon and actor Yoo Ah-in and shares her own thoughts on the South Korean government's push for a "war on drugs". Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) and Amirul Karim Edited by: Amirul Karim Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month:  Channel: https://str.sg/JWad Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! --- Helplines Mental well-being Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151 1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)Aware’s Sexual Assault Care Centre: 6779-0282 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline: 1800-777-0000 Counselling TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252TOUCH Care Line (for seniors, caregivers): 6804-6555Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 Online resources mindline.sgeC2.sgwww.tinklefriend.sgwww.chat.mentalhealth.sgcarey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25) #PVSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Revisiting the legacy of a 1990s Singaporean icon Synopsis: Can I Tell You Something Crazy is a new scripted series under the #PopVultures banner, which examines with fresh eyes, events that shook Asian media and entertainment. In 1990, Singaporean model Bonny Hicks, just 22 at the time, published her first book Excuse Me, Are You A Model? The book was meant to be a tell-all about the modelling industry. How does one become a model, what are the perks of the job and are there any secrets to success? But instead of writing about modelling, Hicks ended up writing about her own life. She shared about her childhood, her various love affairs with different men, alluded to a romantic relationship with a woman and even opened up about her one-time desire to have an illegitimate child.  The book, an unprecedented local bestseller, scandalised and divided Singaporeans. While there were schoolgirls who rushed out to purchase the book, which sold 12,000 copies in just three days, there were also angry members of the public who scolded Bonny for being irresponsible, promiscuous and scoffed at her lack of a university education. One even called Hicks the demise of the Singaporean novelist. She was judged, not just for her writing, but for her life and her moral values. Two years after the book's publication, Hicks took off to Indonesia, going into a self-exile to shield herself from the social shunning she received in her home country.  But just as her work was slowly being reconsidered as an important piece in Singapore's publishing and literary history, Hicks boarded the ill-fated Silkair MI185 flight.The plane tragically crashed on Dec 19, 1997, killing all 104 people onboard - leaving Singapore with only the memories of a life cut short. In this episode of Can I Tell You Something Crazy, #PopVultures host Jan Lee travels back in time to 1990s Singapore to revisit the legacy of Bonny Hicks, a model who became more known for her prose than her photos. Through Hicks' story, this episode examines what has changed about Singapore, its social mores and celebrity culture at large. Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) and Amirul Karim Edited by: Amirul Karim Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month:  Channel: https://str.sg/JWad Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #PVSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Jan Lee recaps everything from Barbieheimer to K-pop boyband BTS entering the military Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene. As 2023 comes to an end, #PopVultures host recap and give updates on some of the biggest happenings in entertainment across the world, from the revenge concert-going and ticket-buying mania that gripped Singapore to the writers and actors strike in Hollywood and the fall of idol management agency Johnny & Associates in Japan. She also runs down her list of favourite television shows and films of the year. Here is what she covers: 2:07 Concert mania - Taylor Swift, Coldplay and J-pop acts like Yoasobi 6:23 Summer of Barbieheimer - blockbusters Barbie and Oppenheimer - bringing audiences back to the movie theatres 11:13 The Hollywood writers and actors strike, which gained both unions historic gains and protections 15:29 Updates on the sex abuse scandal that brought down Japanese idol agency Johnny & Associates 26:15 Taiwan's #MeToo wave and why it was disappointing to observe 31:13 The case of K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty takes a turn 33:22 Drug allegations against BigBang leader G-Dragon and South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun 34:51 BTS enlists into the military 36:50 Jan's favourite television shows and movies of the year TV: The Last Of Us, Succession, The Glory and Oh No! Here Comes TroubleFilms: Past Lives and Marry My Dead Body Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) and Amirul Karim Edited by: Amirul Karim Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month:  Channel: https://str.sg/JWad Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #PVSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two: The horror of how Britney Spears came to be placed under a 13-year-long involuntary conservatorship. Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene. Pop diva Britney Spears' memoir has been a smash hit, selling over 2.4 million copies worldwide in the first week of its release. In our previous episode (Pt 1), host Jan Lee discussed the bombshells the now 41-year-old singer dropped in the first part of her book, including the revelation that former beau, pop star Justin Timberlake, talked her into having an abortion. Continuing the discussion of the book, part two of the podcast delves into the horrifying story of Britney’s mental breakdown and her eventual entry into an involuntary conservatorship. It looks at the misogyny and media scrutiny she had to endure and details how her family conspired against her and lured her into a conservatorship that stripped her of the right to make personal and financial decisions for herself. Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) and Amirul Karim Edited by: Amirul Karim Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month:  Channel: https://str.sg/JWad Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #PVSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part One of the bombshells the pop star dropped in her best-selling book. Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene. After being freed from a 13-year long conservatorship, pop diva Britney Spears released her highly anticipated memoir The Woman In Me on Oct 24. The book is a smash hit and a New York Times best-seller, with 2.4 million copies sold worldwide in just a week. Previously unknown bombshells - like how Spears aborted her child with former flame and pop star Justin Timberlake - dominated headlines.  The book charts the now 41-year-old Spears' journey to superstardom during her childhood and adolescent years and later details of how fame, failed relationships with stars like Justin Timberlake and Kevin Federline and abuse derailed her life and cornered her into an exploitative conservatorship. She was involuntarily placed under the conservatorship in 2008, during which she lost the ability to make basic decisions about her finances, career, life and medical care. Spears was freed from the conservatorship only in 2021. In the first of two parts, #PopVultures host Jan Lee, who read the book from cover to cover, shares her most memorable takeaways from the book. Here is what she talks about in Part One. 3:52 Is The Woman In Me well-written or trustworthy? Does Spears show self-reflection and introspection in the book? 9:28 The Justin Timberlake-era of Britney's life 23:33 Why Britney's love story with Kevin Federline is tragic from the get-go Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) and Amirul Karim Edited by: Amirul Karim Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month:  Channel: https://str.sg/JWad Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #PVSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three Swifties discuss the pop star’s romance, music and how she has changed and matured Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene. #PopVultures host and recent Swiftie convert Jan Lee invites The Straits Times lifestyle journalists Yamini Chinnuswamy and Charmaine Lim, both fellow Swifties, to talk about superstar Taylor Swift’s new relationship with American football player Travis Kelce.  They discuss the masterful rollout of the Taylor-Travis romance and how well Swift uses the media and pop culture zeitgeist to her advantage. From being seen with British actress Sophie Turner amid her acrimonious divorce with Swift’s ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas to posing with Beyonce at the premiere of her Eras concert film - the singer knows how to generate headlines.  Here is what they talked about. Highlights (tap/click above): 1:51 Our relationship with Swift - how did we become Swifties? 6:36 The Taylor-Travis romance - how it began, the reveal of their relationship and whether it is a PR stunt 12:59 Sophie Turner, Joe Jonas and how Swift took Turner’s side 18:43 How Swift handled her previous relationships and her image to the public 32:26 The turning point in Swift’s career - The Snake Incident 39:12 How petty Swift can be and why we love it 44:13 Swift’s business and management acumen  51:39: Our Taylor Swift awards - favourite boyfriend, worst boyfriend, favourite songs and more Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) Amirul Karim and Eden Soh Edited by: Amirul Karim Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month:  Channel: https://str.sg/JWad Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #PVSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.