94 episodes

Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood industries.

Podcaster: Jan Lee

Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis & The Straits Times, SPH Media Trust

#PopVultures The Straits Times

    • News
    • 4.8 • 8 Ratings

Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood industries.

Podcaster: Jan Lee

Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis & The Straits Times, SPH Media Trust

    Update for new #PopVultures series from April 2024 onwards

    Update for new #PopVultures series from April 2024 onwards

    Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene.

    PopVultures host Jan Lee explains her transition from the previous year-long Can I Tell You Something Crazy series about pop culture zeitgeist moments to a new scripted series in 2024 along the lines of Where Are They Now.

    For once-famous Asian or global celebrities you might like to know more of but just don’t know where to start, DM Jan Lee your suggestions on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc or reach her at janlee@sph.com.sg

    Meantime, you can catch up on back episodes of the Can I Tell You Something Crazy series at our show links below.

    Produced by: Jan Lee (janlee@sph.com.sg) & Amirul Karim

    Edited by: Amirul Karim

    Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month: 

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWad

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP 

    SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

    Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc

    Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

    #PV
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 4 min
    Will Taylor Swift win the Nobel Literature Prize someday?

    Will Taylor Swift win the Nobel Literature Prize someday?

    One of our guests also shows us the brilliance of her lyrics by reading them out to us. What are your faves?

    Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene.

    American superstar Taylor Swift has dominated pop culture with her mega-successful Eras Tour, her historic fourth Grammy win for Album of the Year in 2024 and her fairytale-like romance with American football star Travis Kelce. 

    And she will soon be bringing her tour for a sold-out six-night show at National Stadium in Singapore from March 2-9. Ahead of her concert, #PopVultures host Jan Lee sits down for a throwback to her English-literature-student days.

    Joining her in this episode to explore Swift's multi-generational appeal, are Life correspondent and "Swiftie" Yamini Chinnuswamy, 15-year-old Gen-Z "Swiftie" Yvonne Inglin as well as Ravi Agarwal, a 51-year-old connoisseur of Swift's lyrics.

    Together, they discuss the literary value of her songs while Ravi also reads out the best of her lyrics. They analyse the appeal of her songs and how different songs reflect different periods in Swift's life. 

    They spotlight three of Swift's most famous songs from different eras of her career - Blank Space, Anti-Hero and All Too Well (10 Minute Version) - and talk about Swift's use of metaphors, rhymes and sentence structure. They also talk about their own impressions of these songs and why it fascinates and appeals to them.

    They also ponder the very important question: Is a Nobel Literature Prize in Swift's future? 

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    3:30 Introduction and everyone's favourite Swift kitty - is it Olivia Benson, Meredith Grey or Benjamin Button?

    7:00 Favourite songs

    9:30 Dissecting Blank Space

    16:40 Examining/Exploring Anti-Hero

    26:20 Debating All Too Well (10 Minute Version)

    35:30 Rapid-fire Swiftie questions for Yvonne & Ravi

    Watch the special video podcast version of this episode on the new Straits Times’ Podcast YouTube channel, where Yamini has set up a mini-Taylor Swift shrine: https://str.sg/itdC

    Download ST's Taylor Swift 9-era infographic series in high-res PDF: https://str.sg/qQQU

    More of ST's Taylor Swift coverage here: https://str.sg/CJDx 

    Produced by: Jan Lee (janlee@sph.com.sg), Yamini Chinnuswamy (yaminic@sph.com.sg), Amirul Karim and Eden Soh

    Video Producers: Joel Chng, T Kumar, Zeke Tan and Marc de Souza

    Edited by: Amirul Karim and Eden Soh

    Follow #PopVultures here every month: 

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWad

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP 

    SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

    Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc

    Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp

    Read Yamini Chinnuswamy's articles: https://str.sg/h4rH

    Follow Yamini Chinnuswamy on Instagram: https://str.sg/sVdB

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

    #PV
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 45 min
    Unpacking the tragedy of Parasite actor Lee Sun-kyun

    Unpacking the tragedy of Parasite actor Lee Sun-kyun

    The actor was found dead in an apparent suicide after a two-months long high-profile investigation into his alleged misuse of drugs.

    Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene.

    The year of 2023 ended on a shocking and tragic note for the South Korean entertainment industry when actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for playing a wealthy patriarch in the Oscar-winning film Parasite (2019), died of an apparent suicide at the age of 48 on Dec 27, 2023. 

    Lee was a well-respected and prolific star, both known for his versatile acting and clean, upstanding image. He was married to actress Jeon Hye-jin and shared two sons with her. 

    But in the two months leading up to his death, Lee suffered a dramatic fall from grace. News broke in October that he was being investigated for allegations of illegal drug use - something heavily stigmatised in South Korea. The scandal, which arose after a bar hostess reportedly claimed that Lee took drugs at her residence, heavily affected Lee's career. Even though investigations were ongoing, Lee was dropped from projects and several of his works which were slated for release were halted. 

    After several rounds of investigation, including a 19-hour long questioning the weekend before his death, Lee was found dead in his car next to charcoal briquettes. 

    In this episode of #PopVultures, host Jan Lee recaps Lee's case and discusses the reported blackmail and extortion involved. She also examines why the scandal hit Lee so particularly hard and shares why some believe the police mishandled the case. 

    She also talks about other cases of drug investigation in South Korea involving celebrities like K-pop star G-Dragon and actor Yoo Ah-in and shares her own thoughts on the South Korean government's push for a "war on drugs".

    Produced by: Jan Lee (janlee@sph.com.sg) and Amirul Karim

    Edited by: Amirul Karim

    Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month: 

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWad

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP 

    SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

    Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc

    Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

    ---

    Helplines

    Mental well-being

    Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151 1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)Aware’s Sexual Assault Care Centre: 6779-0282 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline: 1800-777-0000

    Counselling

    TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252TOUCH Care Line (for seniors, caregivers): 6804-6555Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366

    Online resources

    mindline.sgeC2.sgwww.tinklefriend.sgwww.chat.mentalhealth.sgcarey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)limitless.sg/talk (for th

    • 34 min
    Singaporean model Bonny Hicks and her book that ignited a culture war

    Singaporean model Bonny Hicks and her book that ignited a culture war

    Revisiting the legacy of a 1990s Singaporean icon

    Synopsis: Can I Tell You Something Crazy is a new scripted series under the #PopVultures banner, which examines with fresh eyes, events that shook Asian media and entertainment.

    In 1990, Singaporean model Bonny Hicks, just 22 at the time, published her first book Excuse Me, Are You A Model?

    The book was meant to be a tell-all about the modelling industry. How does one become a model, what are the perks of the job and are there any secrets to success? But instead of writing about modelling, Hicks ended up writing about her own life. She shared about her childhood, her various love affairs with different men, alluded to a romantic relationship with a woman and even opened up about her one-time desire to have an illegitimate child. 

    The book, an unprecedented local bestseller, scandalised and divided Singaporeans. While there were schoolgirls who rushed out to purchase the book, which sold 12,000 copies in just three days, there were also angry members of the public who scolded Bonny for being irresponsible, promiscuous and scoffed at her lack of a university education. One even called Hicks the demise of the Singaporean novelist.

    She was judged, not just for her writing, but for her life and her moral values. Two years after the book's publication, Hicks took off to Indonesia, going into a self-exile to shield herself from the social shunning she received in her home country. 

    But just as her work was slowly being reconsidered as an important piece in Singapore's publishing and literary history, Hicks boarded the ill-fated Silkair MI185 flight.The plane tragically crashed on Dec 19, 1997, killing all 104 people onboard - leaving Singapore with only the memories of a life cut short.

    In this episode of Can I Tell You Something Crazy, #PopVultures host Jan Lee travels back in time to 1990s Singapore to revisit the legacy of Bonny Hicks, a model who became more known for her prose than her photos. Through Hicks' story, this episode examines what has changed about Singapore, its social mores and celebrity culture at large.

    Produced by: Jan Lee (janlee@sph.com.sg) and Amirul Karim

    Edited by: Amirul Karim

    Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month: 

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWad

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP 

    SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

    Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc

    Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

    #PV
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 46 min
    2023 wrapped: Biggest news and happenings in entertainment

    2023 wrapped: Biggest news and happenings in entertainment

    Host Jan Lee recaps everything from Barbieheimer to K-pop boyband BTS entering the military

    Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene.

    As 2023 comes to an end, #PopVultures host recap and give updates on some of the biggest happenings in entertainment across the world, from the revenge concert-going and ticket-buying mania that gripped Singapore to the writers and actors strike in Hollywood and the fall of idol management agency Johnny & Associates in Japan.

    She also runs down her list of favourite television shows and films of the year.

    Here is what she covers:

    2:07 Concert mania - Taylor Swift, Coldplay and J-pop acts like Yoasobi

    6:23 Summer of Barbieheimer - blockbusters Barbie and Oppenheimer - bringing audiences back to the movie theatres

    11:13 The Hollywood writers and actors strike, which gained both unions historic gains and protections

    15:29 Updates on the sex abuse scandal that brought down Japanese idol agency Johnny & Associates

    26:15 Taiwan's #MeToo wave and why it was disappointing to observe

    31:13 The case of K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty takes a turn

    33:22 Drug allegations against BigBang leader G-Dragon and South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun

    34:51 BTS enlists into the military

    36:50 Jan's favourite television shows and movies of the year

    TV: The Last Of Us, Succession, The Glory and Oh No! Here Comes TroubleFilms: Past Lives and Marry My Dead Body

    Produced by: Jan Lee (janlee@sph.com.sg) and Amirul Karim

    Edited by: Amirul Karim

    Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month: 

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWad

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP 

    SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

    Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc

    Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

    #PV
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 48 min
    'Book Club' Pt 2! Dissecting Britney Spears' memoir The Woman In Me

    'Book Club' Pt 2! Dissecting Britney Spears' memoir The Woman In Me

    Part Two: The horror of how Britney Spears came to be placed under a 13-year-long involuntary conservatorship.

    Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene.

    Pop diva Britney Spears' memoir has been a smash hit, selling over 2.4 million copies worldwide in the first week of its release. In our previous episode (Pt 1), host Jan Lee discussed the bombshells the now 41-year-old singer dropped in the first part of her book, including the revelation that former beau, pop star Justin Timberlake, talked her into having an abortion.

    Continuing the discussion of the book, part two of the podcast delves into the horrifying story of Britney’s mental breakdown and her eventual entry into an involuntary conservatorship.

    It looks at the misogyny and media scrutiny she had to endure and details how her family conspired against her and lured her into a conservatorship that stripped her of the right to make personal and financial decisions for herself.

    Produced by: Jan Lee (janlee@sph.com.sg) and Amirul Karim

    Edited by: Amirul Karim

    Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month: 

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWad

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP 

    SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

    Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc

    Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

    #PV
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 26 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
8 Ratings

8 Ratings

Johnson.1985.LI ,

Good length and balanced prospective

The Edison Chen series are well covered, with balanced views and overall very well done! Definitely enjoyed the prospective given

Top Podcasts In News

Global News Podcast
BBC World Service
Economist Podcasts
The Economist
The Daily
The New York Times
FT News Briefing
Financial Times
The Global Story
BBC World Service
Who Trolled Amber? | Tortoise Investigates
Tortoise Media

You Might Also Like

The Straits Times Podcasts
The Straits Times
Heart of the Matter
CNA
Fun With Dumb
Dumbfoundead
AsianBossGirl
Melody, Helen, and Janet
Tom & Lorenzo’s Pop Style Opinionfest
Tom Lorenzo
Deep Dive from The Japan Times
The Japan Times