China Media and Entertainment Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 24 Week of 11 November 2024
(1) Tencent Beats Estimates with 47% Profit Jump, Driven by Video Gaming
Tencent Holdings announced a 47% profit increase for Q3, driven by a resurgence in its gaming segment and successful titles such as “Honor of Kings”.
(2) “The Last Dance” Shatters Nine Box Office Records in Hong Kong
The film “The Last Dance”, which explores life and death through Hong Kong’s funeral rituals, shattered nine records during its opening weekend and achieving the highest opening day ever for a Hong Kong film.
(3) Coco Lee’s Overgrown Grave Raises Concerns as Sister Nancy Lee Speaks Out
Coco Lee’s sister, Nancy Lee, clarified the burial site in Wuhan will undergo renovations to enhance the memorial as the site faced scrutiny for being overgrown.
(4) Musical.AI Teams Up with China’s Kanjian to Deliver Licensed Music to AI Developers
Musical.AI has partnered with China’s Kanjian to offer AI developers a fully licensed music catalog for ethical AI training.
(5) Fan Bingbing Shines as Ambassador on the Genting Dream’s Maiden Voyage
Star actress Fan Bingbing recently celebrated the inaugural journey of the Genting Dream cruise from Singapore to Malacca as ambassador to promote the city’s tourism and local culture.
(6) Hong Kong Men Power Past China and Japan for Asia Rugby Sevens Series Clean Sweep
Hong Kong’s rugby teams shone at the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Bangkok, with the men’s team making history by winning all 15 matches.
(7) Nine Concerts in 11 Days, Philadelphia Orchestra Wraps Up China Tour
The Philadelphia Orchestra concluded its historic China tour in Haikou after nine concerts across various cities, marking the first ever American orchestra to visit the country.
(8) M+ Museum Celebrates Third Anniversary with Free Admission, Attracts 15,000 Visitors
The M+ Museum, located in the West Kowloon Cultural District, marked its third anniversary by offering free admission to the public, attracting nearly 15,000 visitors.
(9) Huang Xiaoming’s “A Cover Up” Faces Tough Pre-Sales with Only RMB¥21,000 Despite Over RMB¥100 Million Production Cost
Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming’s film “A Cover Up,” premiering 16 November, has faced disappointing pre-sales of RMB¥21,000 agaisnst its budget of over RMB¥100 million.
(10) Rising Star Jasmine Yen, Daughter of Donnie Yen, Competes Against Taylor Swift at Hong Kong’s International Pop Poll Awards
Rising star Jasmine Yen, daughter of Donnie Yen, is nominated at the 35th International Pop Poll Awards as she competes with artists like Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa.
(11) Miriam Yeung Takes on Chilly Kunming: Outdoor Concert at High Altitude Leaves Her Feeling Lightheaded
Miriam Yeung wrapped up her “MY TREE OF LIFE” world tour in Kunming by performing 43 songs in chilly weather before expressing gratitude to her fans during an emotional encore.
(12) Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Christopher Nolan’s Classic Sci-Fi Film “Interstellar” to Return to Taiwan Theaters
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Christopher Nolan’s iconic production “Interstellar,” Warner Bros. Taiwan will re-release the film in theatres on 5 December featuring various formats including IMAX and 4DX.
(1) Tencent Beats Estimates with 47% Profit Jump, Driven by Video Gaming
(Photo Credit: AFP)
Tencent Holdings, China’s largest social media operator and the world’s leading video gaming company, has announced a remarkable 47% profit increase for the third quarter, reaching RMB¥53.2 billion (approximately US$7.4 billion). This substantial rise surpasses analyst expectations of RMB¥45.3 billion and marks a significant improvement compared to the same period last year. Revenue also climbed to RMB¥167.2 billion, reflecting an 8% year-on-year increase.
This growth was primarily driven by a resurgence in Tencent’s gaming segment, with increases in both domestic and international sales. Particularly, successful titles such as “Honor of Kings” and “Dungeon & Fighter (DnF) Mobile” played a crucial role in this development. CEO Pony Ma also emphasized the positive impact of artificial intelligence (“AI”) on operations as he highlighted the company’s ongoing investments in AI technologies. [Haldanes note: This resurgence coincides with the Chinese government’s recent relaxation of gaming restriction policies, which previously included spending caps by users within games and content regulations. The progressively relaxed approach by the government is expected to continue to contribute to the growth of the domestic gaming market.]
Tencent’s strong quarterly results underscore its strategic focus on innovation and adaptability in a competitive landscape. Also, the company reported growth in both value-added services and marketing services reinforces its robust market position. Looking ahead, Tencent plans to continue exploring new opportunities in cloud computing and expands its gaming portfolio to ensure it remains well-positioned for future growth.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3286405/tencent-beats-estimates-47-profit-jump-driven-video-gaming
(2) “The Last Dance” Shatters Nine Box Office Records in Hong Kong
(Photo Credit: Facebook)
The thought-provoking film “The Last Dance”, which explores themes of life and death through Hong Kong’s unique funeral rituals, has recently shattered nine records during its opening weekend. On its opening day, “The Last Dance” broke records by achieving over 1,000 screenings in Hong Kong and Macau, surpassing previous releases like “Cold War 2”. The film achieved a first-day box office of HK$7.46 million, marking it the highest opening day ever for a Hong Kong film. It also set a record with 107,344 attendees on opening day and reached a cumulative box office of HK$19 million within the first three days, surpassing the previous record held by “Twilights of the Warriors: Walled In”.
Starring comedy legends Michael Hui and Dayo Wong, “The Last Dance” is set in Hong Kong’s Hung Hom, an area known for its unique funeral culture and located just a street away from the Hong Kong Coliseum – the city’s popular concert venue. The story follows wedding planner Dominic Ngai (played by Dayo Wong), who, amid the pandemic’s economic downturn, is forced to transition into the funeral business. Initially clashing with Master Man (Michael Hui), a practitioner of Taoist rites, Man’s perspective on his profession and life changes when they encounter a special deceased individual, leading to unexpected collaboration and growth. Moreover, the film depicts the “breaking hell’s gate” ritual, a Taoist ceremony that allows the living to bid farewell to the deceased.
With its blend of humor and poignant themes, “The Last Dance” has resonated deeply with audiences, offering fresh insights into the complexities of life and death and making a significant impact on Hong Kong’s film landscape.
News Source: https://finance.sina.cn/2024-11-14/detail-incvyqsy1612125.d.html?vt=4&pos=108
(3) Coco Lee’s Overgrown Grave Raises Concerns as Sister Nancy Lee Speaks Out
(Photo Credit: Nextapple News)
Coco Lee, the iconic Chinese singer who passed away on 5 July 2023 at the age of 48, continues to be mourned by fans around the world. Her burial site at a memorial park in Wuhan has recently come under scrutiny. Images surfaced online showed that the grave is overgrown and the memorial wall dedicated to Coco was obscured, leading to widespread distress among fans and causing the issue to trend on the social media platform Weibo.
Following the speculations, Coco’s sister, Nancy Lee, recently addressed the situation by speaking to the news media. She noted that there are renovations works currently underway at the memorial site, which are done in response to unauthorized livestreaming by unknown persons that took place recently at the grave. Against that background, Nancy stated their support as Coco’s family members to the cemetery’s plans to undergo renovation, and that improving the area for Coco’s tranquility is something she considers reasonable. Nancy also stressed that the grave should not serve as a backdrop for livestreams, as it would distrupt the peace of the deceased.
Since the passing in July 2023, Coco’s family had arranged for her ashes to be interred alongside her father’s in Wuhan to allow Coco, who never met her father, to reunite with him in a meaningful way. In honour of Coco, a statue in commemoration of her was previously unveiled at the burial site on 15 June, a day that also marked the 30th anniversary of her debut. The park had also hosted an exhibition about Coco until May 2024 which attracted many fans who came to pay their respects.
News Source: https://tw.nextapple.com/entertainment/20241113/58495ADA76C7E280ED047CA0BFB1C7D7
(4) Musical.AI Teams Up with China’s Kanjian to Deliver Licensed Music to AI Developers
(Photo Credit: The AI Musicpreneur)
Musical.AI, recognized for creating the world’s first secure platform for rights management in AI training, has formed a strategic partnership with Kanjian, a China-based license management firm. This collaboration, as stated by Musical.AI, aims to equip AI developers with a fully licensed, ready-to-use music catalog that is entirely cleared for AI applications. Unlike other catalogs that may require additional opt-in from rights holders, Kanjian’s collection allows technology companies to train AI models using an ethically licensed solution that complies with industry standards for responsible data usage.
This partnership enhances Musical.AI’s existing rights management platform, launched in June, which ensures proper attribution and compensation for copyrighted works used in AI training. With the integration of Kanjian’s catalog, the platform broadens the variety of music genres and styles available to AI developers. Matt Adell, co-founder and COO of Musical.AI, noted that Kanjian represents a key partnership in Asia, which will enhance access to diverse music that reflects global listening habits and cultures.
Kanjian, the Chinese company headquartered in Shanghai, positions itself as a leader in license management automation for the music industry by providing comprehensive royalty administration and collection services. The Shanghai-based company serves over 1 million creators and 100,000 organizations worldwide. Meanwhile, Musical.AI’s platform empowers rightsholders to monitor the use of their works in AI, initiate takedown requests, and impose limits on content usage. With the blend of expertise, the collaboration not only reinforces the commitment to transparent monetization between creators and tech innovators, but also emphasizes the importance of valuing human-created input in the evolving landscape of AI.
News Source: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/musical-ai-teams-up-with-chinas-kanjian-to-deliver-licensed-music-to-ai-developers/
(5) Fan Bingbing Shines as Ambassador on the Genting Dream’s Maiden Voyage
(Photo Credit: Xiao Hongshu)
On 10 November, actress Fan Bingbing made a dazzling appearance aboard the Genting Dream cruise ship during its inaugural journey from Singapore to Malacca. During the event, Fan, the ambassador for Malacca’s tourism initiative, interacted with the onboard passengers and introduced the cruise’s features which included 35 diverse restaurants, ample entertainment facilities, and approximately 1,000 cabins that accommodate up to 4,500 passengers.
In a media interview, Fan expressed her excitement about the cruising experience, and described Malacca as a welcoming city perfect for relaxation. She also encouraged visitors to immerse themselves in the local culture, such as by wearing traditional Nyonya attire.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Malacca Ab Rauf bin Yusoh acknowledged Fan’s significant contribution to promoting the city. He also remarked that the city has welcomed over 11.25 million visitors this year, which will also be another boost as the Genting Dream docked in Malacca for half a day to allow passengers to explore the local offerings.
News Source:https://www.yeeyi.com/news/details/2528083/
(6) Hong Kong Men Power Past China and Japan for Asia Rugby Sevens Series Clean Sweep
(Photo credit: HKCR)
Hong Kong’s rugby teams delivered impressive performances at the recent Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Bangkok, with the men’s team achieving a historic milestone as being the first team to win all 15 matches in a single series. Captain James Christie celebrated a “huge team effort” following their domination in the tournament by defeating China 26-5 in the semi-finals, and securing a 26-15 victory over Japan in the final.
The success was particularly notable as five players made their debuts, a demonstration of the team’s depth and ability to integrate new talent. Max Denmark stood out as the tournament’s leading try scorer with 10 tries, while newcomer Julien Bourron contributed significantly with 30 points. Head coach Jevon Groves praised the debutants and emphasized the importance of building a strong, sustainable squad for the upcoming Challenger Series, which offers the team a chance for qualification for the prestigious “HSBC SVNS Series”.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong women’s team secured their place in the Challenger Series after victories over Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. Although they faced tough competition in the semi-finals and finished fourth overall, the team remains optimistic about their future.
The Asia Rugby Sevens Series showcased the potential of both Hong Kong teams, which sets the stage for exciting challenges ahead as they continue to represent the city with pride.
(7) Nine Concerts in 11 Days, Philadelphia Orchestra Wraps Up China Tour
(Photo Credit: Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
The Philadelphia Orchestra wrapped up its China tour on Sunday in Haikou, Hainan Province, after delivering its second performance in the city. From 31 October to 10 November, the orchestra held nine concerts across Beijing, Tianjin, Chengdu, and Haikou. Notably, the Philadelphia Orchestra was the first American orchestra to visit China after the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
This was the orchestra’s first performance in both Haikou and Chengdu, with president and CEO Matias Tarnopolsky calling the event a “history-making moment”. He also noted that each piece that were performed in the shows was thoughtfully selected to resonate with the audience, a decision that seeks to create a memorable experience.
Notably, during the visit Hainan, the Philadelphia Orchestra also engaged with local students at Hainan University and held a pop-up concert at the Wormhole Library. Through the interactive events with the local community, the orchestra’s visit marks a significant step in the countries’ cultural exchange efforts through the unifying power of music.
News Source: https://english.news.cn/20241111/ad3ff832436c40e28aee1d93f07ac024/c.html
(8) M+ Museum Celebrates Third Anniversary with Free Admission, Attracts 15,000 Visitors
(Photo Credit: NowTV News)
The M+ Museum celebrated its third anniversary on Sunday by offering free admission to standard exhibitions, attracting nearly 15,000 visitors on the day. Early in the morning, long lines were already formed outside the museum, with over a hundred eager citizens and tourists waiting to enter before the official opening. While general exhibition areas were free to enter, special exhibitions featuring renowned artists like I.M. Pei and Guo Pei required a separate fee.
Among the eager attendees was Mr. Lau, a resident of Peng Chau, who made the journey by ferry to join the celebration. “I live quite far away in Peng Chau and took the 7:50 a.m. fast ferry to arrive by 8:30 a.m. I often visit the exhibitions, but the admission fees can be steep, so I wanted to seize this opportunity. I believe there should be free admission at least once a month,” he shared.
Also present was Miss Liu, a student from Shenzhen Technology University studying art and technology. She explained that her coursework inspired her visit. “We have assignments related to this, and I find the museum’s design impressive. For an event of this magnitude, the staff’s guidance has been exceptionally well organized”, she remarked. In celebration of the 3-yaer anniversary, the free admission initiative allowed many to explore the museum’s diverse offerings and engage more deeply with the art and culture it showcases.
News Source:https://news.now.com/home/local/player?newsId=582412
(9) Huang Xiaoming’s “A Cover Up” Faces Tough Pre-Sales with Only RMB¥21,000 Despite Over RMB¥100 Million Production Cost
(Photo Credit: Weibo)
Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming’s much-anticipated film, “A Cover Up”, is set to premiere on 16 November. The film, with a production budget exceeding RMB¥ 100 million, began pre-sales on 8 November. However, the pre-sale box office on the first 2 days stood at only RMB¥21,000, with the latest overall box-office prediction by Phoenix Entertainment to be at RMB¥19.5 million, a disappointing figure that has surprised many in the industry.
One of the film’s main selling point is Huang’s dramatic weight loss of 30 pounds for his role. However, industry insiders have noted that his effort may not achieve as significant a transformation as the Chinese comedian Jia Ling’s weight loss for the film “YOLO”, as Ling’s comedic characteristic added to the striking transformation. Instead, Huang, who has long been viewed as an idol actor, may struggle to achieve a similar impact as Ling. This perception, as the industry insider opined, could contribute to a lack of excitement surrounding the film.
In “A Cover Up”, Huang plays Meng Zhong, a character with a dual personality. He appears as a lawyer fighting for public justice, but he harbors a dark secret stemming from a moment of weakness. Following a series of failures in his law exams, Meng commits a crime that leads to his eventual downfall. Although some viewers have found elements of the plot relatable, feedback suggests the storyline feels simplistic and lacks the suspense expected in a thriller. With pre-sale figures falling short, the film faces significant pressure to recoup its substantial production costs.
News Source: https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/24/11/10/n14367876.htm
(10) Rising Star Jasmine Yen, Daughter of Donnie Yen, Competes Against Taylor Swift at Hong Kong’s International Pop Poll Awards
(Photo Credit: HK01)
The 35th International Pop Poll Awards, hosted by Radio Television Hong Kong, is now open for public voting until 17 November which features a diverse lineup of songs and global artists – including a notable nomination of the rising star Jasmine Yen. The 20-year-old daughter of action star Donnie Yen is among the nominees who will compete alongside major international stars like Dua Lipa, Sia as well as global sensations Taylor Swift, and Ariana Grande.
Jasmine has begun to establish herself in the music industry after signing with Sony Music last year. She made her music in December 2023 with the Mandarin single “Stubborn”, which quickly gained wide attention and nearly 300,000 views on YouTube. Currently a student at the Berklee College of Music, she is following in the footsteps of other successful musicians such as Wong Leehom and Joseph Coo who have emerged from the prestigious institution.
Despite facing tough competition from established artists, Jasmine’s unique style and soft yet distinctive voice position her as a formidable contender. As the awards ceremony approaches, anticipation builds around her performance against some of the industry’s biggest names, and many believe this could be one of the defining moments in her emerging career.
News Source: https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B3%E6%99%82%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82/1075075/%E6%B8%AF%E5%8F%B0%E9%9F%B3%E6%A8%82%E5%A4%A7%E7%8D%8E%E5%B7%A8%E6%98%9F%E9%9B%B2%E9%9B%86-%E5%AE%87%E5%AE%99%E6%9C%80%E5%BC%B7-%E5%A5%B3%E5%85%92%E7%94%84%E6%BF%9F%E5%A6%82%E7%A1%AC%E6%92%BCtaylor-swift
(11) Miriam Yeung Takes on Chilly Kunming: Outdoor Concert at High Altitude Leaves Her Feeling Lightheaded
(Photo Credit: On.cc)
Singer Miriam Yeung has recently successfully wrapped up the outdoor segment of her “MY TREE OF LIFE” world tour, having performed the 44th and final show in Kunming on 9 November. Performing at an altitude of over 1,800 meters in chilly 10-degree weather presented significant challenges to Yeung, who expressed that it was a significant test to maintain the energy of each show, especially under such weather. She also humorously noted feeling a bit lightheaded due to the altitude of over 1,800 meters but was still genuinely happy to connect with her fans.
Despite these obstacles, Yeung delivered a spirited performance filled with surprises, including the first use of real fireworks in the tour and a record-breaking 43-song setlist, creating unforgettable memories for the 28,000 attendees.
Reflecting on the significance of the show as being the last of tour, Yeung remarked, “All gatherings must come to an end” as she expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her team for their support. During the encore, she sang her hit song “Be Grateful” to as an appreciation to her loyal fans for their unwavering support. Although her husband, Real Ting, was not present at the final outdoor performance, their son, Torres, was among the audience who cheered for Yeung and witnessed this milestone performance of the star singer.
News Source: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20241111/bkn-20241111000150546-1111_00862_001.html
(12) Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Christopher Nolan’s Classic Sci-Fi Film “Interstellar” to Return to Taiwan Theaters
(Photo Credit: “Interstellar”)
To mark the 10th anniversary of Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed sci-fi film “Interstellar”, Warner Bros. Taiwan has announced that the movie will be returning to theaters across Taiwan next month in December.
“Interstellar”, released in 2014, is an epic science fiction drama directed by Nolan, who co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Jonathan Nolan. The film stars an impressive cast including Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Matt Damon, and Michael Caine. Set in a dystopian future where Earth is plagued by catastrophic blight and famine, it follows a group of astronauts who embark on a perilous journey through a wormhole near Saturn in search of a new home for humanity. Their mission not only challenges the boundaries of space travel but also explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the survival of the human race. Within 1 year of its release in 2014, “Interstellar” has grossed a worldwide total of US$681 million.
With its latest return, the film is set to be re-released on 5 December for fans in Taiwan to indulge in the cinematic experience. The film will be released in various formats, including 2D, IMAX, and 4DX, which will allow fans to experience this visually stunning and thought-provoking journey on the big screen once again.
News Source: https://hypebeast.com/hk/2024/11/christopher-nolan-interstellar-10th-anniversary-taiwan-release-info
