Global Pulse

分类： entertainment

  • German museum celebrates famed Japanese artist Kusama in vast new exhibit

    German museum celebrates famed Japanese artist Kusama in vast new exhibit

    COLOGNE, Germany — The Museum Ludwig has inaugurated a spectacular retrospective honoring Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, marking the institution’s 50th anniversary with a transformative exhibition. Opening Saturday for a nearly five-month engagement, “Yayoi Kusama: A Retrospective” presents over 300 works spanning the nonagenarian artist’s revolutionary eight-decade career.

    The comprehensive exhibition guides visitors through Kusama’s artistic evolution from her earliest childhood drawing in the mid-1930s to a specially commissioned “Infinity Mirror Room” created exclusively for this presentation. Now 97, Kusama has achieved global recognition through her distinctive visual language characterized by vibrant polka dots, organic shapes, and immersive installations that have made her work a social media phenomenon.

    Curator Stephan Diederich describes the exhibition as “very diverse, wide-ranging, and depicts an immensely rich, creative life spanning more than eight decades, still looking ahead.” The collection includes seminal pieces such as her ongoing series “My Eternal Soul” (2009-2021), featuring an expansive patchwork of paintings, and the breathtaking “The Universe as Seen from the Stairway to Heaven” constructed from mirror, glass and acrylic sheets.

    Notable installations include the iconic 2009 “Pumpkin” sculpture greeting visitors at the museum entrance, while the rooftop display presents painted-bronze sculptures “Flowers That Speak All about My Heart Given to the Sky” (2018). The immersive environment “I’m Here, but Nothing” (2000) transforms domestic spaces through fluorescent stickers and ultraviolet lighting.

    Kusama’s artistic journey mirrors her personal transformation from patriarchal postwar Japan to New York’s avant-garde scene, where she engaged with Flower Power and anti-Vietnam war movements during the 1960s before returning to Japan in 1973. Her multifaceted works frequently draw inspiration from nature, reflecting her childhood in her family’s seed nursery in Matsumoto, where she began experiencing vivid hallucinations involving polka dots and proliferating flowers.

    Despite living in relative seclusion in a Tokyo clinic, Kusama maintains daily artistic practice “as far as her health allows” and has actively participated in curatorial planning for the exhibition through indirect communication. The retrospective continues through August 2, offering an unprecedented examination of one of contemporary art’s most influential visionaries.

  • Two long-lost episodes of ‘Doctor Who’ have been found. Fans will soon be able to watch them

    Two long-lost episodes of ‘Doctor Who’ have been found. Fans will soon be able to watch them

    In a remarkable discovery for television history, two long-lost episodes from the iconic British sci-fi series “Doctor Who” have been recovered after being missing for nearly six decades. The Film is Fabulous! charity announced the find on Friday, revealing that the 1965 episodes were located among the collection of a deceased film enthusiast.

    The recovered installments, titled “The Nightmare Begins” and “Devil’s Planet,” feature William Hartnell as the original Doctor in adventures against the show’s infamous Daleks. The episodes were found preserved in film cans wrapped in plastic bags and have since undergone professional restoration by BBC archivists.

    This discovery reduces the number of still-missing episodes to 95 from the classic series that originally aired from 1963 to 1989. The loss of these historical television artifacts stems from the BBC’s former practice of discarding or reusing film recordings and video tapes during the 1960s-1980s, a period when broadcasters routinely disposed of content they considered disposable.

    Justin Smith, cinema professor at England’s De Montfort University and chair of Film is Fabulous!, described finding missing “Doctor Who” episodes as “the holy grail of classic TV discoveries.” The charity confirmed the collector’s estate wishes to remain anonymous despite the significance of the find.

    Peter Purves, who played the Doctor’s companion Steven Taylor in 46 episodes, expressed both delight and melancholy at the discovery. “Twenty-seven of mine still are missing, but I’m delighted that two have been found,” the 87-year-old actor told the BBC.

    This marks the first major recovery of lost “Doctor Who” episodes since 2013, when nine installments were discovered in a Nigerian television relay station. The newly found episodes form part of a 12-part storyline, much of which remains missing, though preservationists remain hopeful that additional episodes may surface in private collections.

    The cultural phenomenon of “Doctor Who” has endured through its innovative premise allowing the time-traveling alien protagonist to regenerate into new forms, with Ncuti Gatwa currently portraying the fifteenth incarnation of the Doctor in the series that was revived in 2005 after a 16-year hiatus.

  • Netflix announces KPop Demon Hunters’ sequel

    Netflix announces KPop Demon Hunters’ sequel

    Netflix has officially confirmed production of a sequel to its record-breaking animated feature ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ the platform’s most-watched film in history. The announcement arrives amid significant awards season momentum for the original production, which has received two Oscar nominations ahead of Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony.

    The sequel represents the inaugural project under co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans’ newly signed exclusive multi-year creative partnership with Netflix. This strategic collaboration signals the streaming giant’s continued investment in animated content with global appeal.

    The original Sony Pictures production, which follows fictional K-pop girl group Huntr/x as they navigate dual lives as pop idols and supernatural demon hunters, has achieved remarkable critical and commercial success. The film’s soundtrack has already made music history, with the song ‘Golden’ securing a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media—marking the first time a K-pop composition has received this prestigious honor.

    Director Maggie Kang expressed profound cultural significance in the project’s continuation, stating via Netflix’s social media announcement: ‘I feel immense pride as a Korean filmmaker that the audience wants more from this Korean story and our Korean characters. There’s so much more to this world we have built and I’m excited to show you. This is only the beginning.’

    The sequel decision demonstrates Netflix’s commitment to expanding successful intellectual properties while celebrating diverse cultural narratives. The combination of K-pop’s global popularity with supernatural animation elements has proven to be a winning formula that resonates across international markets.

  • Winners, Sinners and record breakers: 17 fun facts about this year’s Oscars

    Winners, Sinners and record breakers: 17 fun facts about this year’s Oscars

    As the 2026 Academy Awards approach, this year’s nominations reveal extraordinary behind-the-scenes stories and potential record-breaking achievements. The awards race features two dominant contenders: Ryan Coogler’s genre-blending ‘Sinners,’ which merges blues music with vampire horror in 1930s Mississippi, and the critically acclaimed ‘One Battle After Another,’ creating one of the most suspenseful Oscar competitions in recent memory.

    Disney’s ‘Zootopia 2’ leads the box office among nominees with $1.86 billion globally, though European audiences know it as ‘Zootropolis’ due to trademark conflicts. Emma Stone makes history as the youngest woman to achieve seven Oscar nominations at age 37, surpassing Meryl Streep’s record. Meanwhile, Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ adaptation represents a 207-year gap from Mary Shelley’s original novel, though it falls short of the 2,700-year adaptation gap for ‘O Brother Where Art Thou.’

    Newcomer Chase Infiniti carries cinematic destiny in her name—inspired by Nicole Kidman’s character in ‘Batman Forever’ and Buzz Lightyear’s iconic phrase. British actress Miriam Margolyes receives her first Oscar recognition for ‘A Friend of Dorothy’ after decades of acclaimed performances, though she remains vocal about her previous snub for ‘The Age of Innocence.’

    Several director-actor partnerships demonstrate remarkable loyalty, with four lead acting nominees appearing in films by their frequent collaborators. Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater lead with nine joint films, followed by Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler, and Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos with five collaborations each.

    Jessie Buckley could become the first Irish winner for Best Actress, having already swept major awards ceremonies. Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ breaks a 35-year trend by scoring a Best Picture nomination without corresponding directing, screenplay, or acting nods—the first since ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in 1991.

    Netflix’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ aims for a rare double victory in Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, a feat previously achieved only by ‘Toy Story 3’ and ‘Frozen.’ Timothée Chalamet matches Marlon Brando’s record as the youngest actor since 1954 to receive three acting nominations by age 30.

    Norwegian cinema celebrates a breakthrough with two acting nominations for ‘Sentimental Value’ stars Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, joining Liv Ullmann as only the third Norwegian actor recognized by the Academy. Leonardo DiCaprio ties Robert De Niro with his 12th Best Picture-nominated film, while ‘One Battle’ director Paul Thomas Anderson could join an exclusive group of filmmakers who’ve won for writing, directing, and producing.

    Brazil’s Wagner Moura enters the prestigious circle of Best Actor nominees for performances entirely in non-English languages. Several veterans return after lengthy gaps, including Kate Hudson (25 years), Benicio del Toro (22 years), and Amy Madigan (40 years), though none approach Judd Hirsch’s record 42-year gap between nominations.

    Delroy Lindo’s supporting actor nomination arrives without precursor recognition, a rare occurrence last seen with Andrea Riseborough in 2022. Finally, ‘Hamnet’ completes an unexpected cultural circle by featuring Max Richter’s ‘On The Nature of Daylight’—previously heard in everything from ‘Arrival’ to ‘EastEnders’—creating an improbable Shakespeare-Albert Square crossover at cinema’s most prestigious ceremony.

  • Morrissey calls off concert in Spain after local festivities deprived him of sleep

    Morrissey calls off concert in Spain after local festivities deprived him of sleep

    VALENCIA, Spain — British music icon Morrissey has abruptly called off his scheduled performance in Valencia, attributing the cancellation to severe sleep disruption caused by the city’s ongoing Las Fallas festival. The former frontman of The Smiths issued an official statement through his website on Thursday morning, just hours before the concert was set to commence.

    The declaration explained that Morrissey had undertaken an extensive two-day road journey from Milan, arriving in Valencia on Wednesday. However, his attempts to rest were repeatedly interrupted by festival activities that penetrated his hotel accommodations. The statement specifically referenced ‘loud techno singing’ and persistent ‘megaphone announcements’ that prevented adequate sleep, ultimately leaving the artist in what was described as a ‘catatonic state.’

    Notably, the communication emphasized that ‘the show is not canceled’ but rather ‘rendered impossible due to circumstances,’ creating ambiguity regarding potential rescheduling options and refund availability for ticket holders. This incident occurs during Morrissey’s promotional tour for his latest album ‘Make-up Is a Lie,’ marking his first studio release in six years and his fourteenth solo project since departing the influential 1980s band The Smiths.

    The Las Fallas festival, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage event in 2016, features vibrant street parties, pyrotechnic displays, and the ceremonial burning of elaborate papier-mâché sculptures. While celebrated as a purification ritual by cultural authorities, the festival’s auditory intensity has now unexpectedly impacted the city’s musical programming. Morrissey, known both for his musical legacy including hits like ‘How Soon Is Now?’ and his vocal animal rights activism—particularly against Spanish bullfighting—has added another chapter to his history of unpredictable concert occurrences.

  • One surprise after another? Oscars night set to be unpredictable

    One surprise after another? Oscars night set to be unpredictable

    The 98th Academy Awards ceremony, hosted for the second consecutive year by Conan O’Brien, is poised to become one of the most suspenseful Oscar nights in recent memory. With two cinematic powerhouses locked in an exceptionally tight race for Best Picture, this year’s gala promises unprecedented drama until the final envelope is opened.

    Ryan Coogler’s vampire period horror ‘Sinners’ has shattered records with 16 nominations, positioning itself to challenge the all-time Oscar wins record jointly held by ‘Ben-Hur,’ ‘Titanic,’ and ‘The Lord of The Rings: The Return of The King.’ The film’s blues-inflected racial allegory could make Coogler the first Black director to win the Best Director honor in Oscar history. ‘He’s only the seventh Black director ever nominated,’ noted Variety’s awards expert Clayton Davis. ‘The love for Coogler among voters is undeniable.’

    However, Paul Thomas Anderson’s revolutionary thriller ‘One Battle After Another’ remains the season’s persistent frontrunner with 13 nominations. The film about a retired revolutionary searching for his teenage daughter represents Anderson’s chance to finally claim Oscar gold after 11 previous nominations without a win for acclaimed works including ‘There Will Be Blood.’

    The acting categories present even greater uncertainty. Timothee Chalamet, initially considered a lock for Best Actor for ‘Marty Supreme,’ has seen his chances diminish following controversial comments about ballet and opera. This has opened the field to Michael B. Jordan’s dual performance in ‘Sinners,’ Leonardo DiCaprio’s work in ‘One Battle,’ or even Ethan Hawke in ‘Blue Moon.’

    Supporting categories feature equally compelling contests. Sean Penn seeks his third acting Oscar for ‘One Battle,’ competing against international favorite Stellan Skarsgard (‘Sentimental Value’) and veteran Delroy Lindo, earning his first nomination at 73 for ‘Sinners.’ The supporting actress race could reward horror villain Amy Madigan (‘Weapons’), revolutionary portrayer Teyana Taylor (‘One Battle’), or Wunmi Mosaku’s Hoodoo healer in ‘Sinners.’ Only Jessie Buckley as Shakespeare’s wife in ‘Hamnet’ appears assured in her category.

    The ceremony will feature musical performances including a tribute to the late Robert Redford by rumored performer Barbra Streisand and a live rendition of ‘Golden’ by the voices behind ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ fictional girl group HUNTR/X. The Oscairs will air live on ABC and Hulu from Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre at 4:00 PM PST.

  • Q&A: Shakira says she feels like she’s just getting started. A Rock Hall nomination begs to differ

    Q&A: Shakira says she feels like she’s just getting started. A Rock Hall nomination begs to differ

    In an extraordinary career resurgence, Colombian superstar Shakira is redefining artistic longevity while balancing motherhood and monumental musical achievements. The boundary-breaking performer recently made history in Mexico City’s Zócalo square, where approximately 400,000 fans gathered for her concert—shattering the venue’s attendance record two decades after her first performance there.

    This landmark event forms part of her first global tour since 2018, which the artist describes as the realization of lifelong dreams. ‘I’m being able to make so many of my dreams, as an artist, come true on this tour,’ Shakira revealed in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press. ‘It’s everything I ever dreamt about.’

    The accolades continue with her groundbreaking nomination for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class—a recognition that underscores her unique fusion of Latin music with rock and pop genres. Should she be inducted, Shakira would become the first Colombian artist and first Latina born and raised in Latin America to receive this honor.

    Reflecting on her Mexico City performance, the emotional artist shared: ‘That was just absolutely incredible. One of those experiences that are unforgettable. The love and friendship story that I have with Mexico is just uncanny.’ She notably performed ‘Dónde Estás Corazón,’ her first song ever played on Mexican radio, creating a profound full-circle moment.

    The tour continues with historic upcoming performances, including a return to Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza after nearly 20 years and an anticipated concert at Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach that may attract up to two million attendees.

    Despite her three-decade career, Shakira maintains she feels ‘at the threshold of a new beginning,’ crediting her audience’s emotional support and loyalty. Her rock music roots remain fundamental to her artistic identity, with recent album ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran’ continuing her tradition of incorporating rock elements.

    The Rock Hall nomination holds particular significance for Latino representation. ‘I feel very proud as a Latina,’ Shakira expressed. ‘I’m happy to feel that I’m representing a part of my community there.’

    Looking forward, the artist dreams of performing at Paris’s Eiffel Tower or Champs-Élysées, but currently feels ‘so accomplished as an artist this year.’ She concludes: ‘I really am in love with making music and performing that music, and it’s brought so much joy to my life again, after the difficulties that I’ve been through.’

  • Pop music’s bias towards English is fading, says Spotify

    Pop music’s bias towards English is fading, says Spotify

    The global music industry is experiencing a profound linguistic transformation as streaming data reveals English’s declining monopoly on popular music. According to Spotify’s latest report, songs in 16 different languages featured in the Global Top 50 chart in the past year—more than double the number recorded in 2020. This diversification includes Spanish, Korean, Portuguese, Turkish, Indonesian, and Arabic compositions.

    Spanish-language superstar Bad Bunny emerged as the world’s most-streamed artist, while Rosalía made history at the Brit Awards by becoming the first artist to win Best International Artist for a predominantly non-English album. Her latest work ‘Lux’ incorporates an impressive 14 different dialects.

    The streaming giant’s data identifies Brazilian Funk as the world’s fastest-growing genre with a 36% audience increase, followed by K-Pop (31% growth) and Trap Latino (29% increase). Each of these genres generated over $100 million in royalties through Spotify alone last year.

    Despite this linguistic diversification, English maintains considerable dominance with 14 of the IFPI’s Top 20 best-selling albums being exclusively English-language productions. However, international acts including South Korea’s Stray Kids, Enhypen, Seventeen, and Japan’s Mrs Green Apple are increasingly breaking into mainstream charts as listeners explore beyond traditional rock and pop paradigms.

    Spotify’s financial impact on the industry remains substantial, with $11 billion paid in royalties last year—making it the world’s highest-paying music retailer. The platform distributed £860 million to UK artists alone, with over 75% generated from international streams. Approximately 150 UK artists earned over £1 million each, while the number earning above £500,000 has doubled since 2018.

    The company’s transparency initiative comes amid ongoing criticism regarding artist compensation rates, which range from £0.002 to £0.0035 per stream. Spotify emphasizes that nearly half of all royalties go to independent artists and labels, with over 13,800 artists earning at least $100,000 annually.

    Recent controversies have emerged regarding Spotify’s corporate connections, particularly CEO Daniel Ek’s chairmanship of German defense technology company Helsing. Several artists including Massive Attack have removed their catalogs in protest, citing ethical concerns about indirectly funding ‘lethal, dystopian technologies’ through streaming revenue. Spotify maintains that it and Helsing are ‘totally separate companies.’

  • Meghan to headline ‘girls’ weekend’ in Australia for 300 women

    Meghan to headline ‘girls’ weekend’ in Australia for 300 women

    The Duchess of Sussex is set to take center stage at an exclusive women’s weekend retreat in Sydney this April, marking her return to Australian soil seven years after her inaugural visit as a working royal. Organized by the Her Best Life podcast network, the three-day event promises an intimate gathering limited to 300 participants, with premium ticket packages reaching A$3,199 per person.

    Dubbed “a girls’ weekend like no other,” the program will feature Meghan in a fireside chat format and as the keynote speaker at an elegant gala dinner. VIP attendees will secure front-row seating and participate in a group photograph with the Duchess. The event’s conceptualization emerged through personal connections, with podcast founder Gemma O’Neill revealing that a mutual friend facilitated the introduction while at Meghan’s residence.

    O’Neill, formerly a staffer for actress Nicole Kidman, expressed profound admiration for Meghan’s resilience, stating: “I have admired what she has endured and how she has demonstrated how a woman can be pushed down and she can still rise.” She emphasized that Meghan’s participation stems from genuine support for women’s empowerment initiatives rather than financial motivation.

    The luxury retreat will unfold at a five-star coastal hotel in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, offering participants an array of curated experiences including psychological talks, yoga sessions, sound healing therapies, meditation workshops, and even a disco event. Organizers describe the weekend as designed for women seeking to “reconnect, recharge and have some serious fun.”

    This Australian engagement occurs against a backdrop of significant personal and professional evolution for the Sussexes since their celebrated 2016 tour. Their previous visit as senior royals featured iconic moments including Bondi Beach appearances and Prince Harry’s climb of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

    The upcoming trip follows recent professional shifts including the conclusion of Meghan’s Netflix partnership through her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard. Her culinary series “With Love, Meghan” failed to achieve anticipated viewership despite initial platform enthusiasm. Royal commentators note this Australian appearance represents a strategic pivot toward more intimate, personally-curated engagements that align with the couple’s post-royal brand direction.

  • Acclaimed Peruvian writer Alfredo Bryce Echenique dies aged 87

    Acclaimed Peruvian writer Alfredo Bryce Echenique dies aged 87

    The literary world mourns the passing of Alfredo Bryce Echenique, the acclaimed Peruvian novelist who died at age 87. Celebrated as one of the most significant voices in Hispanic literature, Bryce Echenique leaves behind a profound literary legacy marked by sharp social commentary and psychological depth.

    Born into Lima’s aristocracy in 1939, the author leveraged his privileged upbringing to craft devastating critiques of Peru’s elite. His breakthrough 1970 novel ‘A World for Julius’ revolutionized Peruvian literature by examining class divisions through the perspective of an orphaned boy navigating Lima’s high society. The work earned Peru’s National Prize for Literature and resonated powerfully during a period of left-wing military reform.

    Bryce Echenique’s distinctive style blended irony, melancholy, and acute social observation across subsequent works including ‘So Many Times Pedro’ and ‘The Exaggerated Life of Martín Romaña’. His writing consistently exposed the human condition beneath superficial social structures, establishing him as a master of psychological narrative.

    The author spent nearly four decades in what he termed ‘voluntary exile,’ primarily in France and Spain, where he continued writing and teaching before returning permanently to Peru in 1999. In the landscape of Peruvian literature, he is widely regarded as second only to Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, who passed last year.

    Peru’s presidency officially honored Bryce Echenique on social media, noting his ‘immense void but eternal legacy.’ Alvaro Vargas Llosa, son of the late Nobel winner, praised him as ‘one of the great Peruvian writers, and of the Spanish language.’