YESASIA: YumCha! - From APT. to Chiikawa: 15 Things We're Thankful For in 2024 - Feature Article

YumCha! » Feature Articles

Browse

Bookmark & Share

Twitter

Copy

Subscribe Now!

From APT. to Chiikawa: 15 Things We're Thankful For in 2024

Written by YumCha! Editorial Team Tell a Friend

In the month of Thanksgiving, let's celebrate the breakout stars, viral songs, intriguing shows and adorable characters that brought us countless joys this year!

APT. APT. APT. APT.

"Chae Young's favorite random game, game start! APT. APT. APT. APT." This year's "dance challenge of the year" goes to… APT. by Rosé and Bruno Mars! The unexpected music collaboration brings together infectious pop notes, addictive lines, Mickey beats and Korean drinking game energy into one viral megahit. Arriving ahead of the release of Rosé's first solo full-length album rosie in December, APT. is a total banger that's been dancing in our heads nonstop since release.

Black Myth: Wukong

The most talked about game of the year reimagines the mythology of Journey to the West into an epic single-player action RPG set in a beautifully rendered mystical vision of ancient China. As the Destined One, the monkey protagonist must traverse the lands to recover six relics to revive the Monkey King, on the way battling demons and experiencing trials drawn from Journey to the West. Black Myth: Wukong has been a global success, selling over 20 million copies and setting concurrent-player records on Steam. Those familiar with Journey to the West and the 1986 Chinese TV drama adaptation will appreciate the details including animated cutscenes and music from the classic TV series.

Byeon Woo Seok

There's no bigger breakout star this year than Lovely Runner's Byeon Woo Seok. First debuting as a model in 2010, the Korean actor began his acting career in the 2016 drama Dear My Friends, and took significant roles in Record of Youth and Soulmate before hitting it big as Sun Jae in Lovely Runner. Causing a "Sun Jae Syndrome" among K-Drama fans, Byeon Woo Seok has been jokingly hailed as "the actor that loses his real name." With his skyrocketing popularity, the buzzworthy artist is everywhere in Korea, sweeping brand deals from high-end fashion to even instant noodles!

Chiikawa

Chiikawa is popping up everywhere, and we are not complaining. The character created by Nagano delivers regular doses of cute as an amusing online comic, fun animated episodes and more merch than you can shake a stick at. The slice-of-life stories of Chiikawa, Usagi, Hachiware and friends are enjoyable in manga and anime form, while the abundance of Chiikawa-plastered products joyfully brings the cute critters into our daily lives. Something small and cute is what we all need a bit of every day.

Energy Comeback

Energy announced their full-fledged comeback this year on January 1. What's more, the oughties Taiwan boy band is back in their original lineup with member Toro who left the group in 2007. This isn't just some one-off promotion rehashing old songs. Energy released their first new album in 17 years. They held a throwback outdoor autograph session in Taipei that lasted until 3 a.m. They started a dance challenge for the catchy hit "Friday Night." Plus, they held concerts in Taipei, Kaohsiung and Singapore. Back in the 2000s, Energy was known for street dance performances, and throughout this whirlwind year, the five members have shown they can still dance and sing with the best of them. This is nostalgia milked right.

Girls Love

Freen and Becky's GAP The Series ushered the start of Thai GL in late 2022, but this year is when all the dramas and ships really fell into place. GAP's spin-off novel Blank got a two-season adaptation starring Faye and Yoko. Lingling and Orm have risen to popularity with The Secret of Us, and they've already announced their second series Only You. GMMTV finally officially added GL to the CP roster with Milk and Love's 23.5, Namtan and Film's Pluto, and Emi and Bonnie's upcoming Us. Freen and Becky are still going strong with two interesting projects of different genres this year: period romance series The Loyal Pin and sci-fi romance feature Uranus 2324.

KISS OF LIFE at Waterbomb

Welcome the new Waterbomb Goddesses! In Korea's annual Waterbomb festival, KISS OF LIFE stole attention this year with their bold and sultry performance of summer jam Sticky that went all over the internet. The girls, especially Julie and Natty, make their bid for the K-pop summer queen title with refreshing beats, hot dance moves, towering confidence and pure attitude!

MIRROR World Tour

Five years after debut, Hong Kong super boy band MIRROR finally went on their first world tour MIRROR FEEL THE PASSION CONCERT TOUR to kick off 2024! Following 16 shows in Hong Kong, the group held 11 shows in the UK, US, Canada, Singapore and Macau in the span of four months. Global MIROs got to witness MIRROR's fiery and passionate group performances and distinctive solo songs, as well as special stages like 12, We Are, Day 0 and Stellar Moments of Humankind!

My Sibling's Romance

What could be worse than being in a dating show with your ex? How about having your sibling see you flirt and date with others under the same roof! Producer Lee Jin Joo, who helmed the first two seasons of Transit Love, pushes the envelope again by creating the JTBC/Wavve reality dating show My Sibling's Romance. Five pairs of biological siblings gather and live together to search for romantic partners, while having family around to back them up. Before getting butterflies about the romantic chemistry between participants, you’re more likely to cry your eyes out over the siblings' strong bonds and heartwarming back stories.

Pandas

Giant pandas are always rolling around our social media feeds, but this year in particular saw a lot of panda news. Four furry representatives made the journey stateside in the name of panda diplomacy. In the summer, San Diego Zoo received Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, the first new giant pandas to enter the US in two decades. Last month, Bao Li and Qing Bao arrived at Washington, D.C.'s National Zoo. Hong Kong welcomed four new pandas as well, with the arrival of five-year-olds An An and Ke Ke and the birth of Ying Ying's twin cubs. South Korea's beloved Fu Bao was returned to China this year, and the panda got the celebrity treatment the whole way through. Her heartwarming four years in Korea from birth to farewell even got a moving documentary movie My Dearest Fu Bao. Also Kung Fu Panda 4 came out. Keep the panda content coming!

Ranma 1/2

The anime reboot cycle has reached the classic works of Takahashi Rumiko in recent years with the Urusei Yatsura remake and the Inuyasha spin-off Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon. This year, the legendary mangaka's most famous work Ranma 1/2 gets a fresh new coat of anime paint, and it's still as delightful as ever! The fun coming-of-age romcom revolves around kung-fu-fighting teenage boy Ranma, who turns into a girl when in contact with cold water. His similarly cursed father transforms into a panda. Produced by MAPPA, the 2024 Ranma 1/2 offers a faithful adaptation with a colorful animation style and snappier pacing than the iconic 90s anime, bringing the magic of Takahashi Rumiko to a new generation.

Terrance Lau

Hong Kong has many legendary movie stars, but it's been a while since the city has produced a new movie star. Terrance Lau's star breakout has been long in the making. The actor has amassed praise and popularity locally for the past seven years with Beyond the Dream, Anita and various ViuTV series. From late 2023, he's grown beyond Hong Kong with major roles in the Taiwan productions Trouble Girl, At the Moment, A Balloon's Landing and The Victim's Game Season 2. The TV series At the Moment, in particular, earned him a Best Actor nomination at this year's Golden Bell Awards, a rare achievement for a Hong Kong actor. Meanwhile, his charismatic outing in Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In turned him into a fan favorite with mainland Chinese audiences.

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

There's often gloomy talk of Hong Kong cinema being a twilight industry, but there are still movies like Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In around. Soi Cheang's action blockbuster can't get much more "Hong Kong." The gangland martial arts thriller is based on a Hong Kong comic and set in the lawless quarters of the Kowloon Walled City in the 1980s. And Louis Koo is in the film, of course. Three decades after its demolition, the notorious Walled City has become nostalgic, impressively recreated in its dark and atmospheric glory as the home of tenacious fighters and poor ordinary folks trying to make their own way. Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In punched its way through the box office, earning over HK$100 million to become Hong Kong’s second biggest domestic film of all time. It also pulled in ¥685 million RMB in mainland China. Both a prequel and sequel are in the planning.

Utada Hikaru's 25th Anniversary

This year is Utada Hikaru's 25th anniversary, and fans were blessed with the J-pop icon's first-ever greatest hits album SCIENCE FICTION and first tour in six years. The sold-out 18-show SCIENCE FICTION TOUR included Utada's first concerts in Hong Kong! The legendary artist's previous tours dating back to 1999 are now being released in cinemas in Japan, and they're coming to Blu-ray as well. Another special treat: in August, Utada featured in a new version of Sam Smith's Stay With Me for the English singer-songwriter's own tenth anniversary celebrations.

Won Young's Lucky Vicky Philosophy

Ever since her debut in Produce 48, Won Young has amazed not only with her talent, beauty and professionalism, but also her strong mental strength. This year, the IVE member's "Lucky Vicky" (taken from her English name) positive mindset became the talk of the town. The "Lucky Vicky" philosophy spread virally online after a fan on X parodied the idol's writing tone and way of thinking, where she would make herself the best and luckiest person out of a seemingly bad situation. From a meme to a mental health trend, Won Young impressively uses her star power to bring a positive influence to the community.

Related Articles:

Published November 21, 2024

Quick Links