What's inside...

Life imitates art, scam echoes mega-hit film, “No More Bets”; authorities issue warning after rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing from Myanmar
Recruitment scam warnings have been issued in Thailand and Myanmar following the abduction of young Chinese actor, Wang Xing, better known as Xingxing, earlier this month. Wang was lured to Thailand on the pretext of a role in a TV series. The warnings by Chinese embassies follow Wang’s safe return to China after falling victim to a human trafficking scam that illegally transported him from Thailand to Myanmar. ▶ Read the full story here

Cinema faces a test year in Asia’s developed territories; Korea, China lose audiences to streaming; micro-drama overtakes theatrical revenue in China
A strong December in North American and non-Asian territories left the global cinema box office market showing a modest contraction in 2024 – down 7% using current exchange rates, or 11% using historic currency rates, to US$30.1 billion, compared with US$33.9 billion in 2023. Some analysts rejoiced that the downturn was not worse. But the key parts of the theatrical market in Asia were weaker than that rosy, global picture. ▶ Read the full story here

Philippines battle: Vic Sotto vs Darryl Yap; clash erupts over Pepsi Paloma movie allegations
The battle between Philippines’ TV host, Vic Sotto, and the filmmakers behind “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma”, written and directed by Darryl Yap, stretches on into this week, with opposing sides scheduled to present their cases on Wednesday (15 January). The biopic, starring Rhed Bustamante as 1980s Filipina actress Delia Dueñas Smith (aka Pepsi Paloma), includes a scene where Paloma alleges she was raped by Sotto. ▶ Read the full story here

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