China Media and Entertainment Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 14 Week of 2 September 2024
(1) Coldplay to Perform at Hong Kong’s Soon-to-Open Mega Stadium Early Next Year
Coldplay will perform at Hong Kong’s new 50,000-seat mega stadium in Kai Tak Sports Park early next year, marking one of the venue’s first major events as it is set to open in early 2025.
(2) Luxury Fashion House Balenciaga Launches Exclusive Sneaker On JD.com
Balenciaga launched its flagship store on JD.com, joining other Kering brands to access the platform’s 600 million customers.
The 2024 Venice Film Festival began on August 29, 2024, with Isabelle Huppert as jury chair and Zhang Ziyi making a striking appearance on the red carpet.
Tencent and NetEase are reassessing their investments in Japanese game studios amid a recovering Chinese market, following the success of “Black Myth: Wukong.”
Netflix is expanding its Chinese-language content in Taiwan with the series “Born for the Spotlight” which is set to premiere on 7 November 2024.
Miriam Yeung has released her Mandarin single “Crossing Over” and moved to Universal Music China after leaving Warner Music.
Eason Chan shared a rare romantic sunset photo with his wife Hilary Tsui on Instagram while on tour in Dalian.
(8) Music Entertainment Group Launches China’s First Therapeutic Music Album for Alzheimer’s Disease
Tencent Music has launched “Hear the Echoes of Memory,” China’s first therapeutic music album using “40 Hz Gamma Music to support Alzheimer’s patients across its platforms.
(9) Na Ying at “Next Battle Singer”: New Generation of Singers Just Need a Stage
“Next Battle Singer” premiered in China, featuring Na Ying and Vanness Wu alongside six emerging artists as Na Ying advocated for more platforms for new talent.
(10) Re-Birth of Cool: Jazz Artist Braxton Cook Comes to Hong Kong
Braxton Cook will debut in Hong Kong at Café Carlyle for three nights at the end of September as part of his first Asian tour.
(1) Coldplay to Perform at Hong Kong’s Soon-to-Open Mega Stadium Early Next Year
(Photo Credit: Getty Image)
Coldplay will perform in Hong Kong early next year at the new 50,000-seat mega stadium in Kai Tak Sports Park, marking one of the first major events at the venue which is expected to open in early 2025. Ticket sales are anticipated to start around that time.
The stadium is part of a HK$30 billion (US$3.8 billion) project that includes various sports and entertainment facilities including an indoor sports centre and a public sports ground. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu emphasized its importance as a key destination for sports and entertainment.
Coldplay last performed in Hong Kong in 2009, making the return in 2025 a highly anticipated one. Meanwhile, the new stadium is expected to boost Hong Kong’s events economy, addressing the previous issue with the lack of large venues. The stadium will also host events for the 2025 National Games co-hosted by Hong Kong, Guangdong, and Macau.
(2) Luxury Fashion House Balenciaga Launches Exclusive Sneaker On JD.com
(Photo Credit: Mario Sorrenti)
On 3 September 3 2024, Balenciaga launched its flagship store on JD.com, the Chinese e-commerce platform. This was anticipated as several Kering brands have recently joined JD.com to access its 600 million customers including Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent.
JD.com aims to solidify its luxury market position by hosting 90% of top global luxury brands and planning to invest RMB 1 billion in apparel. Despite challenges in the luxury market and competition from platforms like Tmall and Douyin, JD.com is enhancing its visibility in the West through participation of events like London Fashion Week.
Balenciaga is also leveraging Olympic excitement through collaborations with athletes, including tennis star Zheng Qinwen. The brand’s future offerings on JD.com remain a topic of speculation.
News Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/gemmawilliams/2024/09/03/kerings-luxury-house-balenciaga-launches-on-chinas-jdcom/
(3) Venice Film Festival Opens: Zhang Ziyi Makes a Dazzling Entrance as the Sole Chinese Judge! Chair Isabelle Huppert Expresses Concerns: “Cinema is Very Fragile Now”
(Photo Credit: Getty/Yahoo!)
The 2024 Venice Film Festival commenced at midnight Hong Kong time on 29 August 2024. French actress Isabelle Huppert is serving as this year’s jury chair, while Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, who is also a judge for the festival, made a striking appearance on the red carpet in a stylish and powerful outfit.
Zhang Ziyi, dressed in a black suit complemented by a beret and folding fan, radiated elegance on the red carpet. This isn’t her first role as a judge at a major European film festival; she previously served at the Cannes Film Festival for both short films and the Cinéfondation section.
The jury for this year’s festival, led by Huppert, includes esteemed directors such as James Gray, Andrew Haigh, Agnieszka Holland, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Julia von Heinz, and Zhang Ziyi herself. At the opening press conference, Huppert highlighted the challenges of filmmaking and emphasized the importance of the Venice Film Festival in maintaining connection with the audience and expressed her happiness to be part of it.
(4) “Black Myth: Wukong” Big Sales Boost Confidence in China’s Gaming Industry; Tencent and NetEase may Cut Investments in Japanese Game Development
(Photo Credit: Getty Image)
China’s two major gaming giants, Tencent and NetEase, are currently reassessing and reducing their investment scale in Japanese game studios. With few popular titles emerging and the Chinese gaming market gradually recovering, the recent success of “Black Myth: Wukong” has led Tencent and NetEase to consider adjusting their investment strategies in Japan.
With the global gaming market contracting post-pandemic, many large game publishers have conducted layoffs or reduced investments. Bernstein analysts suggest that while Tencent and NetEase are strictly scrutinizing their earnings and that investments are being reduced, Tencent and NetEase still maintain close cooperation with major Japanese companies and do not plan to withdraw completely from the Japanese market.
In a response to Bloomberg, Tencent stated that it will continue to work closely with partner studios and develop its business in Japan. On the other hand, NetEase commented on the rumours of Sakura Studio’s closure by stating “no comment,” but added that the company would make necessary adjustments based on market conditions to provide better gaming experiences for global and local players.
The game “Black Myth: Wukong,” developed by former Tencent employees, achieved over 10 million downloads within 83 hours of its release, significantly boosting confidence in Chinese gaming companies and further prompting them to reduce investments abroad.
News Source: https://unwire.hk/2024/09/03/tencent-netease/game-channel/
(Photo Credit: Getty Image)
Netflix is amplifying its presence in Chinese-language content, particularly in Taiwan, after operating quietly since 2016. A notable release is the 12-episode series “Born for the Spotlight” which explores the dynamics between two actresses and a young aspiring star. The film set to premiere at the Busan International Film Festival and on Netflix on 7 November 2024.
With mainland China being inaccessible and Hong Kong focusing on Cantonese content, Taiwan has become Netflix’s primary hub for Chinese-language productions. Maya Huang, head of Chinese-language content, highlighted the local’s understanding of universal themes and genres. Indeed, Netflix aims to invest in local stories and promote bolder narratives.
To strengthen its ties with Taiwan, Netflix has launched the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, partnering with Taiwan Creative Content Agency to invest in local talent. The company is also collaborating with festivals, such as becoming an official partner at the Busan festival where it will host the Creative Asia Forum and showcase several films and series this year.
News Source: https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/netflix-chinese-language-content-born-for-the-spotlight-1236128175/
(6) Miriam Yeung’s contract with Warner Music ends quietly as she moves to Universal Music to release new songs
Miriam Yeung’s Mandarin single “Crossing Over” has hit the shelves recently. And while she has joined Warner Music China since 2022, the distributor for this Mandarin Single has switched to Universal Music (China), revealing that Miriam has already finished her contract with Warner Music, and has made a rather under-the-radar switch to become a Universal Music singer.
Miriam Yeung, 50, joined the music industry in 1996 when she signed with Capital Artists, before progressing onward to work for New Art & Treasure Records, the former subsidiary of Universal, Polaroid, and the former subsidiary of Globe Music. Since then, she has worked for Cinepoly Records Co., Ltd, Gold Label, A Music, Media Asia Music, and Warner Music. Now, Miriam is back in the music industry again, with the official microblogs of Universal and PolyGram China promoting Miriam’s new song “Crossing Over” – the live version of the theme song for her “My Beautiful Live Miriam Yeung World Tour”. The music video was released on YouTube on 30 August 2024.
News Source: https://www.am730.com.hk/%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82/%E6%A5%8A%E5%8D%83%E5%AC%85%E7%B4%84%E6%BB%BF%E8%8F%AF%E7%B4%8D-%E7%84%A1%E8%81%B2%E7%84%A1%E8%89%B2%E9%81%8E%E6%AA%94%E7%92%B0%E7%90%83%E5%87%BA%E6%96%B0%E6%AD%8C/483924
(7) Eason Chan’s Instagram Extremely Romanic! The Sunset and Hilary Tsui’s Sweet Look at Each Other, Head Gently Leaning on His Wife’s Shoulder
(Photo Credit: Yahoo! News)
While Eason Chan was on a concert tour in Dalian, China and working around a busy schedule, he did not forget to enjoy some quality time with his wife, Hilary Tsui. Eason posted a photo with his wife framed in a sunset with a caption that reads, “Hmmm… I hear Dalian is very romantic! 🌅 End.” It is rare to see him publicly sharing romantic moments, which led to responses from fans saying, “It’s a sweet day,” and “I’m blinded by the romance”.
In fact, Eason and Hilary have been in love for more than 20 years. Back then, Eason was a singing competition champion, while Hilary was a rising star in the film and television industry. They were being introduced to by Josie Ho, after which they fell in love with each other and began their love story. Eason has always been a steadfast supporter of his wife standing by her side through the ups and downs in her career. Now with their daughter turning 19 years old and becoming more independent, the couple can finally spend more time to enjoy the world together.
News Source: https://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E9%99%B3%E5%A5%95%E8%BF%85-eason-ig-%E5%BE%90%E6%BF%A0%E7%B8%88-150521704.html
(8) Music Entertainment Group Launches China’s First Therapeutic Music Album for Alzheimer’s Disease
(Photo Credit: StreetInsider)
Tencent Music Entertainment Group has launched “Hear the Echoes of Memory,” China’s first therapeutic music album featuring “40 Hz Gamma Music” – a frequency that stimulates the brain and enhances cognitive function during listening. Launched together with its platform QQ Musi, Kuguo Music, Kuwo Music, and WeSing, the album aims to support Alzheimer’s patients by blending music and technology.
Inspired by the research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology which suggested that 40 Hz gamma audio may improve brain conditions linked to Alzheimer’s, the QQ Music Galaxy Sound Effect Technology team adapted classical music tracks into therapeutic pieces using binaural beat principles. QQ Music had also launched a “40 Hz Gamma Music Healing Tap” feature that combines rhythm-based gameplay with therapeutic music. On the other hand, WeSing has introduced a “Memory Singing Mode” for cognitive training during singing.
These initiatives by Tencent aims to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s prevention and support affected individuals through innovative music therapy. The album is available on QQ Music, Kugou Music, Kuwo Music, and WeSing.
News Sources: https://www.streetinsider.com/Globe+PR+Wire/Tencent+Music+Entertainment+Group+Launches+Chinas+First+Therapeutic+Music+Album+for+Alzheimers+Disease/23681459.html/
(9) Na Ying at “Next Battle Singer”: New Generation of Singers Just Need a Stage
(Photo Credit: Bastille Post)
On 30 August 2024, the live music competition “Next Battle Singer” in China, produced by Hunan TV and Mango TV, premiered its first episode. Na Ying and Vanness Wu acted as benchmark singers, facing challenges from 6 emerging artists, namely AIR, Bai Jugang, Dai Quan, Li Jiuzhe, Li Peiling, and Mamcù.
After the competition, Na Ying emphasized that the new generation of singers isn’t disconnected, but rather needs a platform to showcase their “vocal content.” “I fully support more stages like this; I’m willing to do whatever it takes!”
In the first episode, Na Ying sang the classic “Better Miss than Meet,” while Vanness Wu performed “Tears of Gold.” On the other hand. emerging artists such AIR performed “Round 1”, while Dai Quan sang the song “Wu Kong” on stage.
At the end, Na Ying expressed her joy at seeing more new voices gaining visibility and hopes for more platforms like “Next Battle Singer” to allow new talents to shine.
(10) Re-Birth of Cool: Jazz Artist Braxton Cook Comes to Hong Kong
(Photo Credit: Prestige)
Braxton Cook, saxophonist, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the US, is set to perform at Café Carlyle in Hong Kong for 3 nights at the end of September, marking his highly anticipated Hong Kong debut as being part of his first Asian tour with his band. This tour is particularly special for Cook, as he has previously played in cities like Shanghai and Tokyo but never with his own ensemble.
For this residency, he will be accompanied by talented musicians: drummer Curtis Nowosad, bassist Henoc Montes, and guitarist Lucas Kadish. Cook expresses his excitement about the opportunity, stating that “It’s an honor, and I’m really excited about it—it’s a thrilling experience!”
Cook aims to connect with his audiences by blending jazz elements into his performances to reflect the musical influences from his childhood that shaped him. Cook’s goal is to resonate with listeners, especially those who appreciate the rich sounds of jazz and R&B.
This Asia tour with his band represents a significant step in Cook’s career as he introduces his unique sound and artistry to a new market in Hong Kong.
News Source: https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/people/re-birth-of-cool-jazz-artist-braxton-cook-comes-to-hong-kong/
