Global Pulse

分类： entertainment

  • Labubu movie in the works as viral toys attempt film crossover

    Labubu movie in the works as viral toys attempt film crossover

    Chinese toy giant Pop Mart International Group Ltd. has partnered with Sony Pictures Entertainment to develop a feature film centered on Labubu, the immensely popular collectible doll phenomenon. The announcement was made during Labubu’s 10th anniversary global exhibition tour in Paris, signaling a major expansion of the brand into cinematic entertainment.

    The forthcoming film will blend live-action with computer-generated animation under the direction of acclaimed filmmaker Paul King, known for his work on ‘Wonka’ and the ‘Paddington’ films. Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, who created Labubu over a decade ago as a forest elf inspired by Nordic mythology, will serve as executive producer. King will collaborate with Steven Levenson, the Tony Award-winning writer of ‘Dear Evan Hansen,’ to co-produce and develop the screenplay.

    Labubu’s remarkable commercial success has transformed Pop Mart into a $40 billion toy industry behemoth, surpassing established rivals like Mattel. The brand’s appeal stems from its blind box sales strategy and celebrity endorsements from figures like Rihanna and BLACKPINK’s Lisa, who have been photographed incorporating Labubu charms into their fashion accessories.

    Industry experts view this cinematic venture as a strategic move to capitalize on Labubu’s dedicated fanbase and the growing momentum of Chinese animation. Marketing professor Kim Dayoung from the National University of Singapore notes that for Gen Z and Millennial consumers, ‘content and commerce are closely intertwined—watching a story, connecting with a character, and then buying into that world is a seamless journey.’

    The film represents Pop Mart’s evolution from toy retailer to comprehensive entertainment brand, potentially following the success of recent Chinese animated blockbusters like ‘Ne Zha 2’ and the anticipated video game ‘Black Myth: Wukong.’ While no release date has been announced, the project marks a significant milestone in the convergence of toy manufacturing, entertainment, and global pop culture.

  • Chengdu rapeseed maze draws spring crowds with living plant labyrinth

    Chengdu rapeseed maze draws spring crowds with living plant labyrinth

    A spectacular living labyrinth crafted from vibrant rapeseed flowers has become the latest spring attraction captivating visitors in Chengdu, Sichuan province. The massive 10,000-square-meter maze, located at the China Tianfu Agricultural Expo Park, has transformed the suburban landscape into an immersive botanical experience that combines natural beauty with recreational adventure.

    The innovative agricultural tourism project demonstrates how traditional farming elements can be reimagined for modern entertainment. The brilliant yellow blooms create a visually stunning pattern when viewed from above, while at ground level, visitors navigate through the winding pathways surrounded by the sweet fragrance of flowering rapeseed.

    Local tourism authorities report unprecedented visitor numbers since the maze opened, with families, photography enthusiasts, and nature lovers flocking to experience this unique blend of agriculture and recreation. The attraction represents a growing trend in China’s tourism sector where agricultural spaces are being transformed into multifaceted destinations that educate while they entertain.

    The timing coincides with peak spring bloom season, when rapeseed flowers typically reach their most vibrant coloration. Organizers have incorporated educational elements throughout the maze, providing information about rapeseed cultivation, its agricultural significance, and the ecological benefits of the crop.

    Tourism experts note that such innovative attractions are becoming increasingly important as domestic travelers seek novel experiences that combine natural settings with interactive elements. The maze’s success demonstrates the potential for agricultural tourism to boost local economies while promoting environmental awareness and appreciation for China’s agricultural heritage.

  • The Datong Code EP.1 | Intangible cultural heritage micro-drama series | PKU presents

    The Datong Code EP.1 | Intangible cultural heritage micro-drama series | PKU presents

    Peking University has unveiled an innovative micro-drama series titled ‘The Datong Code’ that blends gaming elements with cultural heritage preservation. The project features international student Abdelquoddousse Kailil from Morocco, who portrays a character transitioning from the popular game ‘Black Myth Wukong’ to an immersive real-world adventure in the ancient city of Datong.

    The narrative follows Kailil’s character as he unexpectedly finds himself transported into a mysterious game environment after completing the digital game. In this hybrid reality, he encounters Yuwen, his guide played by Hou Shuyue, another Peking University student from the School of Journalism and Communication.

    The story begins at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Yungang Grottoes, where the protagonist receives a symbolic hammer and his first crucial clue. His mission: to locate and collect all Five Elements concealed within Datong’s intangible cultural heritage treasures to return to the real world.

    This groundbreaking series represents a novel approach to cultural education, combining interactive storytelling with authentic cultural preservation. By framing the exploration of traditional Chinese heritage within a game-like structure, the project aims to engage younger audiences and international students in discovering China’s rich cultural legacy.

    The production showcases Peking University’s commitment to innovative educational methodologies and cross-cultural exchange, demonstrating how traditional heritage can be presented through contemporary digital narratives to reach global audiences.

  • Youth film program highlights cross-cultural storytelling

    Youth film program highlights cross-cultural storytelling

    LOS ANGELES – The 2026 C-Show Live event became a vibrant showcase for cross-cultural storytelling as emerging filmmakers from China and the United States gathered to celebrate cinematic innovation and cultural exchange. Veteran producer Andre Morgan, renowned for his work on martial arts classics including ‘Enter the Dragon’ and ‘Way of the Dragon,’ set the inspirational tone by reflecting on Bruce Lee’s transformative vision for Asian representation in Hollywood.

    Morgan recounted Lee’s aspiration to create Chinese heroes for global audiences, noting how this vision not only ignited the international kung fu phenomenon but fundamentally reshaped Hollywood’s approach to diversity. ‘Over the subsequent four decades, these films empowered numerous Asian Americans with the confidence to assert their presence and visibility,’ Morgan emphasized, encouraging young creators to pursue filmmaking as a powerful medium for cultural dialogue.

    The youth-oriented platform, now in its second year, attracted over 800 submissions, with 60 finalists selected for their exceptional storytelling, creative excellence, and cross-cultural perspectives. Among the honorees was Avichai Zev, a University of Southern California cinema student, who received a Best Short Video Award for ‘Beyond the Midst,’ a collaborative project with Chinese American student David Song.

    Zev described how shared immigrant experiences shaped their creative partnership. ‘My collaborator originates from China, and as an immigrant myself, this common foundation united us,’ Zev explained. Their film explores profound themes of identity, belonging, and human connection, capturing the emotional complexities young people navigate within diverse cultural landscapes.

    The awards ceremony highlighted remarkable diversity in narrative approaches. Weston Barber earned recognition for ‘The Skyward Sapphire Chase: A Frog’s Rainforest Quest,’ a stop-motion animation set in the Amazon rainforest that encourages perseverance in pursuing dreams. Matthew Francis Hess received honors for ‘Fin,’ a dialogue-free short film independently produced and filmed in a Wisconsin log cabin.

    Chelsea Snow, representing a multicultural background with an American father and Chinese mother, won both a Best Short Video Award for ‘I Love You China’ and designation as 2026 C-Show Youth Ambassador. Snow expressed her commitment to integrating her dual heritage through artistic expression, particularly through music, aiming to strengthen Sino-American cultural bridges.

    James Su, Chairman of Chinese American Film & TV Festivals and President of EDI Media, explained the program’s symbolic significance: ‘The ‘C’ in C-Show embodies multiple meanings: Chinese culture, multicultural exchange, communication, and the shared aspiration to witness peace, harmony, and love through cinematic art.’

    The event garnered support from political and cultural leaders including Congresswoman Judy Chu, who praised the platform for empowering Generation Z voices, and California Assemblymember Mike Fong, who highlighted the initiative’s educational value in fostering creative collaboration among diverse cultures. Chinese cultural counselor Chen Fenghua emphasized the program’s role in building mutual understanding, noting that this year’s submissions demonstrated both innovative interpretations of traditional culture and thoughtful examinations of contemporary life.

  • Redefining Chinese cuisine in New York: The story behind Yingtao

    Redefining Chinese cuisine in New York: The story behind Yingtao

    In the heart of Manhattan’s demanding gastronomic landscape, Yingtao emerges as a pioneering force transforming perceptions of Chinese cuisine. This contemporary establishment, founded by the visionary husband-and-wife duo Bolun and Linette Yao, has achieved the prestigious distinction of a Michelin star—a rare honor for Chinese culinary venues in the United States.

    The restaurant’s innovative approach blends traditional Chinese flavors with modern fine-dining techniques through an expertly crafted tasting menu. Bolun Yao, who grew up in Xi’an before moving to New Zealand and ultimately New York, brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to his role as founder of the August Hospitality Group. The restaurant’s name pays homage to his beloved grandmother, reflecting the deep personal connection behind this culinary venture.

    Yingtao’s recent appointment of Executive Chef Emily Yuen in February further strengthens its culinary vision. Chef Yuen combines her Chinese heritage with formal French culinary training, creating a sophisticated fusion that challenges conventional boundaries. Her arrival signals the restaurant’s commitment to elevating Chinese gastronomy to new heights.

    The Yao couple identified a significant gap in New York’s dining scene: while the city boasts numerous excellent traditional Chinese restaurants, very few present Chinese cuisine through a contemporary fine-dining lens. ‘Many people associate Chinese food with large portions, cheap prices or takeout,’ Bolun Yao observed. ‘But Chinese cuisine is much more complex than that.’

    Managing partner Linette Yao emphasizes their mission to combat the ‘static’ perception of Chinese cuisine in New York. ‘We don’t see it as just a fixed category—we want to elevate it,’ she explained. ‘Chinese food and culture involve tremendous technique and skill, with many classic traditions already reflected in restaurant dishes.’

    Yingtao’s culinary philosophy draws inspiration from across China’s diverse regions, reinterpreting familiar dishes through innovative techniques and presentations. The restaurant looks to the success of contemporary Korean cuisine in New York as a model, hoping to achieve similar international recognition for Chinese gastronomic innovation.

  • Retired American musician explores the beauty of guzheng

    Retired American musician explores the beauty of guzheng

    In the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown, a remarkable cultural exchange unfolds as retired American musician Cliff DeArment dedicates himself to mastering the guzheng, China’s ancient plucked zither. For nearly two years, DeArment has studied under the guidance of Fang Yi, an accomplished guzheng practitioner, developing not just technical proficiency but a deep appreciation for the instrument’s cultural significance.

    The guzheng, with its 2,500-year history and distinctive melodic tones, represents one of China’s most treasured traditional instruments. DeArment’s journey from retirement to becoming a student again demonstrates how cultural barriers can be bridged through artistic pursuit. His dedication extends beyond personal enrichment to active participation in efforts to promote the instrument within Western cultural contexts.

    This cross-cultural musical endeavor highlights how traditional Chinese arts are finding new audiences and practitioners outside China. The teacher-student relationship between Fang Yi and DeArment exemplifies how cultural preservation can evolve through international collaboration rather than isolation. Their work in San Francisco, a city known for its cultural diversity, creates a microcosm of global cultural exchange where ancient traditions find contemporary relevance.

    The story represents a growing trend of Western musicians exploring Eastern instruments, creating new artistic dialogues that enrich both traditions. DeArment’s journey with the guzheng illustrates how retirement can become a period of cultural discovery and how musical instruments serve as vehicles for deeper intercultural understanding.

  • Watch: Sean Penn receives ‘Oscar’ in Ukraine after skipping US ceremony

    Watch: Sean Penn receives ‘Oscar’ in Ukraine after skipping US ceremony

    In a poignant ceremony held in Kyiv, American actor and filmmaker Sean Penn was presented with a specially crafted statuette by Ukrainian officials, recognizing his unwavering humanitarian support since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The presentation occurred just one day after the 95th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, which Penn opted to forgo in favor of his ongoing advocacy work in the war-torn nation.

    The two-time Oscar winner was honored with a trophy resembling the iconic Academy Award, but engraved with a Ukrainian trident emblem—the nation’s coat of arms—symbolizing gratitude for his efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally thanked Penn for his dedication, stating that the actor’s documentary work has been crucial in showcasing the reality of Ukraine’s struggle to global audiences.

    Penn’s involvement extends beyond filmmaking; he has actively engaged in humanitarian missions, met with military personnel, and consistently used his international platform to advocate for increased military and financial aid to Ukraine. His presence in the country during critical moments of the conflict has positioned him as a significant celebrity ally in Ukraine’s diplomatic and informational campaign.

  • Len Deighton, spy novelist who created the anti-Bond

    Len Deighton, spy novelist who created the anti-Bond

    The literary community is mourning the loss of acclaimed British author Len Deighton, who passed away peacefully at age 97. His literary agent confirmed the Sunday death of the writer widely regarded as “one of the greatest spy and thriller writers of the twentieth century.”

    Deighton transformed the espionage genre by introducing working-class, sardonic agents that stood in stark contrast to the polished sophistication of Ian Fleming’s James Bond. His most iconic creation emerged in the 1962 debut novel “The IPCRESS File,” featuring an unnamed, thick-bespectacled intelligence operative who would later be christened Harry Palmer for the acclaimed 1965 film adaptation starring Michael Caine.

    The author’s gritty realism provided what critics described as an “antidote” to the debonair world of conventional spy fiction. Unlike both Bond and John Le Carre’s gentleman spy George Smiley, Deighton’s characters operated with rough edges and cynical pragmatism that reflected a more authentic portrayal of intelligence work.

    Deighton’s literary impact extended across a remarkable half-century career that saw his works translated into 20 languages and selling millions of copies worldwide. His 1980s Berlin Trilogy—”Berlin Game,” “Mexico Set,” and “London Match”—introduced another complex working-class protagonist in Bernard Samson and was widely considered his masterpiece, presciently predicting the fall of the Berlin Wall before the century’s end.

    Beyond spy fiction, Deighton demonstrated remarkable versatility as a writer. He produced respected works on World War II military technology, authored five innovative cookery books including the illustrated “Len Deighton’s Action Cook Book” (1965), and worked as a travel writer for Playboy magazine during the 1960s.

    Born in London on February 18, 1929, to working-class parents, Deighton’s eclectic career path included military service in the Royal Air Force, work as an illustrator and graphic designer (he designed the UK first edition jacket of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road”), and even a stint as an assistant pastry chef before achieving literary fame.

    Deighton lived much of his life out of the limelight, rarely giving interviews. He is survived by his wife Ysabele de Ranitz, whom he married in 1980, and their two sons.

  • Len Deighton, author of bestselling spy thrillers, dead at 97

    Len Deighton, author of bestselling spy thrillers, dead at 97

    LONDON — Len Deighton, the acclaimed author whose sophisticated and gritty spy novels defined a generation of thriller writing and remained on bestseller lists for decades, has passed away at age 97. His literary agent, Tim Bates, confirmed his death occurred on Sunday, though no specific cause was provided.

    Deighton’s literary career launched spectacularly with his 1962 debut novel, “The IPCRESS File,” which captured the cool, realistic tone of 1960s espionage fiction. The work was subsequently adapted into a successful film featuring Michael Caine in a star-making performance, propelling both author and actor to international acclaim and enduring careers.

    Bates memorialized Deighton as “a Titan” of literature, noting that he was “not only one of the greatest spy and thriller writers of the 20th century but also one of our greatest writers in any genre.”

    Born in 1929 to a working-class family in an affluent London neighborhood—his father worked as a chauffeur while his mother served as a part-time cook—Deighton developed early insight into the complexities and contradictions of Britain’s class structure. Before achieving literary fame, he pursued diverse vocations including Royal Air Force service during mandatory national service, art studies, and work as a waiter, pastry chef, and flight attendant. He initially found professional success as a book and magazine illustrator, creating the cover design for the first UK edition of Jack Kerouac’s seminal work “On the Road” in 1958.

    Deighton conceived “The IPCRESS File” during a vacation as personal entertainment. The novel, which followed a secret agent navigating bureaucratic obstacles and internal deception while investigating a Soviet kidnapping operation, ultimately sold millions of copies worldwide. His depiction of espionage as a messy, error-prone profession stood in stark contrast to the glamorous world of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels.

    In a 1997 BBC interview, Deighton revealed he had never read a Bond book, yet coincidentally published his debut novel the same month the first 007 film “Dr. No” premiered. His gritty narrative approach, reminiscent of John le Carré’s morally complex spy world, resonated with contemporary audiences and benefited from what he described as a “backlash against Bond’s huge success.”

    Deighton continued his anonymous protagonist through several sequels including “Horse Under Water,” “Funeral in Berlin,” “Billion-Dollar Brain,” and “An Expensive Place to Die,” with multiple adaptations featuring Caine. In 1983, he introduced MI6 officer Bernard Samson in “Berlin Game,” initiating a ten-novel series that included “Mexico Set” and “London Match,” later adapted into the 1988 television series “Game, Set and Match.”

    His literary scope extended beyond contemporary espionage to World War II narratives, notably “Bomber” (1970), which presented the air war from both British and German perspectives, and “SS-GB” (1978), an alternative history novel imagining Nazi-occupied Britain that was adapted for television in 2017.

    Deighton authored over two dozen novels, concluding his final trilogy—”Faith,” “Hope,” and “Charity”—in 1996. He also produced historical nonfiction works including an analysis of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and “Fighter: The True Story of the Battle of Britain.”

    Beyond literature, Deighton cultivated expertise in gastronomy, serving as food correspondent for The Observer during the 1960s and authoring several cookbooks targeted specifically at male audiences—an innovative concept at the time. His 1965 “Len Deighton’s Action Cook Book” featured recipes illustrated in comic strip format.

    Deighton was first married to illustrator Shirley Thompson before their divorce, later marrying Ysabele de Ranitz with whom he had two sons.

  • And the burger goes to… Michael B Jordan marks Oscars win at In-N-Out

    And the burger goes to… Michael B Jordan marks Oscars win at In-N-Out

    Fresh from his Academy Awards triumph for Best Actor in ‘Sinners,’ Michael B. Jordan traded the Dolby Theatre’s glamour for a classic Hollywood afterparty venue: In-N-Out Burger. The newly crowned winner, still adorned in his formal black tuxedo, celebrated his victory with a substantial 3×3 burger—featuring three beef patties and three cheese slices—while his golden statuette occupied the seat beside him.

    The actor’s post-Oscars burger ritual places him within an elite group of A-list celebrities who have maintained this unconventional tradition. Photographers captured Jordan generously signing paper hats for restaurant staff amidst a vibrant atmosphere of cheering fans and flashing cameras, transforming the fast-food establishment into an impromptu celebration venue.

    This phenomenon traces back to 2005 when Hilary Swank made a grand entrance at Astro Burger following her ‘Million Dollar Baby’ victory, eliciting spontaneous applause from diners. More recently, Oscar presenters Julia Roberts (2019) and Jamie Lee Curtis (2024) have been spotted at the same burger chain after fulfilling their ceremonial duties.

    The connection between In-N-Out Burger and Hollywood’s biggest night extends beyond individual visits. Since 1994, Vanity Fair’s legendary post-Oscars gathering has featured the chain’s burgers as culinary staples, with director Steven Spielberg and models Emily Ratajkowski and Adwoa Aboah among those photographed enjoying them during recent celebrations.