Teenage Dec issue 336 (Preview) by Teenage Magazine

dec 2016

12 inspiring individuals share their stories, passions, hopes and fears

THE OFFICIAL YOUTH MAGAZINE OF 313@somerset

DEC 2016

ISSUE 336

www.teenage.com.sg

$3 (inc GST)

DECEMber

Contents Lifestyle

12 What’s Trending In 2017? Introducing upcoming food fads in the new year! 14 Good Feasts, Good Deeds These public-spirited food joints will leave you with a satisfied tummy and a full heart 18 Hot Picks 20 Best Of Tech 2016 Do your favourite gadgets feature on the list? 24 2016’s App-solute Best Check out the breakthrough apps that made 2016 a revolutionary year 26 All I Want For Christmas Is… The ultimate holiday gift guide for every budget!

Beauty 30 Beauty Hot Picks 32 Pretty Hair, Don’t Care Get tangled in these 2016 #HairGoals 34 All That Glitters Shimmer in the New Year with these hot beauty looks

Fashion 40 Summer Winterland Layer on these threads without breaking a sweat! 46 Disco Daze Turn heads with these sparkly baubles 48 What’s In Santa’s Bag? Naughty or nice, Santa’s got something for everyone!

34 14

Nur Syafawani Binte Sulaiman

James Lee Lecturer

Student

EAMS

ACK YOUR B T O G E WE’V

R DR IVE YOU L U O Y HELP

NYP OPEN HOUSE 5-7 Jan 2017

10am-6pm Daily

NIGHT OPEN HOUSE 6 Jan 2017 | 6pm-11pm NANYANG POLYTECHNIC

180 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8 (Near Yio Chu Kang MRT Station)

www.nyp.edu.sg/OpenHouse

HIGHLIGHTS

Course & Career Exhibition Choices After ‘O’s Parents’ Seminar Guided School Tours NYP Jam! Finals NYP Groove! Finals CCA Showcase Celebrity Performances

Email us at ReachUs@nyp.edu.sg. Join our mailing list at nyp.edu.sg/web/signup fb.com/nanyangpoly twitter.com/nyptweets instagram.com/nanyangpoly

DECEMber

Contents

Cover

Celebs 49 Double Trouble Get to know K-pop quirksters AKDONG MUSICIAN before their first show here 50 Ridin’ The DAY6 Wave A quick all-you-needto-know about these nonconformist musicians 51 Getting High On Love Local artiste Taufik Batisah joins the fight against drugs 52 What A Year To Be Alive We walk you through the biggest breakout news and hits over this phenomenal year 64 Spread The Holiday Cheer These festive anthems will infuse any room with Christmas feels!

Textbook 68 What’s Your Story? 12 inspiring individuals share their stories 76 Fancy-Schmancy Party Treats Whip up these delightful bites in half the time but twice the yum 78 Working Vacation How to end the year on a productive note and warm up for another year of hustlin’ 80 Poly Open House 2017 Check out what’s going down at the Poly Open Houses! 82 Quiz: All You Want For Christmas Fulfilling your loved one’s wish list has never been so easy 83 From NYP To MIT A regular boy with a passion for IT sees himself in one of the top universities globally

68 50 52 49

84 Pursuit Of Passion Pays Off Formerly a NYP business student, Rachel Chua finds her haven in nursing 85 From Leisure Activity To Champion Sport NYP Ultimate proves that hard work and determination will be rewarded! 86 Tis’ The Season Of Giving Three of SP’s very own alumni have got just the right gift options for you 89 What’s The Biggest Lesson You Learned In 2016? Students from SP get upclose and personal with some #Realtalk 90 Quiz: Are You A Grinch? Are you secretly a greasy recluse whose ears bleed from the sound of Christmas carols? 94 Instagram Rewind The Teenage team picks out our favourite #TeenageMagazine tags on Instagram 95 Teenage Giveaway Galore Over $17,000 worth of goodies to be won! 104 Teenage Replay From Teenage Campus Run to Teenage Dance Challenge, 2016 has been a memorable one indeed!

Inside Scoop 8 10 62 66 92

Ed’s Note Your Say Radar Calendar Astroscoop

SP +SEREENJIT

Diploma in Media and Communication

I can expand my horizons With SP, it’s So Possible HIGHLIGHTS Course Counselling 5th to 7th Jan from 10am to 6pm at SP Convention Centre and at all SP Schools. Get all your questions answered about your fave diploma courses from SP lecturers and students. Campus Tours See for yourself the cool learning environment in SP. Awesome facilities include the AeroHub, Perfumery and Cosmetic Science Centre, Media-Art-Design (M.A.D) Studios, Cyber Wargame Centre and the UOB Kay Hian - SP Dealing Centre. Career Interest Profiling Take the profiling test to find out which diploma course matches your personality.

Get all the details at openhouse.sp.edu.sg.

SP is located at 500 Dover Road, right next to Dover MRT Station.

Hashtag us at #speye and #singaporepoly Creative concept by The Student Agency, SP Design School

Life@SP at Open Plaza Showcase of some of the most popular SP CCA Clubs, with performances by Vocal Talents, SP’s very own Acapella group, Mixed Martial Arts and the very popular Strictly Dance Zone. Goodie Bag Grab your one-of-a-kind goodie bag filled with awesome stuff! Only for 2016 ‘O’ level students and while stocks last. Who Am I Quiz Take the Who Am I Quiz at openhouse.sp.edu.sg to find out your personality type. We will link you up with our student ambassadors to find out more about your future with SP.

Staff Box Managing Director Publisher Operations Manager

Stockist

Dennis PUA Foo Mei Siah Emmeline Lee

Editorial Deputy Editor

johanna teo

Senior Writer

chew Hui Ling

Interns Contributors

gladys lee, INTAN Nurshakinah, yap jing yi Brenda Lye, debbie ng, Gigi Sng, gabriel yeong, GOh yutong, ho li yen, lew puay fang, melyssa goh, nawaljeet singh rayar, janelle lee, Jessica Khor, joshua gay, Justin Loh, timothy oh, raphael soon, Sharon Lim, zahra abdul aziz

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Ed's Note Dear everyone, has been a tumultuous year to say the least. Despite its ups and downs, we are thankful for this truly enlightening year. As 2017 approaches, we arm ourselves with the lessons and reminders brought by the past year. Moving forward, we hope that you will join us as we embark on a new chapter. One where we dig deep into youth issues – life is more than exams. One where we foster a safe and healthy environment for teenagers, an open platform where diversity in opinions and issues are welcomed and discussed. As individuals, we come from different backgrounds and cultures, carrying a wealth of experiences that shape us; how we perceive, rationalise and react. As individuals, we are undoubtably different. But as a society, even one as diverse as our own, we are similar. We struggle, we fear, we feel. Even as adults, we are uncertain, we are vulnerable, we make mistakes, we learn. All of us do. You are not alone. Growing up, I was not a poster child for obedience. People have dismissed my experiences as being “a phase” or “teenage angst”, but I had deep-rooted insecurities and issues that took hold of a large portion of my formative years. In retrospect, I was lucky because none of the resulting impulses and decisions led to harsh lifechanging consequences. I did not have to learn lessons the hard way like others in similar situations might have had to. I may not have had the most conventional of teenaged years, but I am not ashamed. Why am I sharing this? In our society, many feel that there is no room to make mistakes, no room for failure. It can only be imagined the amount of stress this adds to today’s youths. But while there are no do-overs in life, we can only reflect, learn and keep moving forward. We all have a choice. Ours is to improve and put our lessons to action, to use our voice to make a positive difference. What do you choose? For a start, we asked 12 individuals to share their stories (p. 68). We hope for it to be food for thought, and to show that there are people who are also facing their own doubts and fears, who see concerns they would like to address, amongst other things. It is also an invitation for you to share your own thoughts and ideas. We are listening. We would like to thank our readers and friends who have stood by us and offered kind words. Your kindness will not be forgotten. We are still Teenage magazine. But from this point forward, we are so much more. Love,

Johanna

Tuckshop

What's Trending In 2017?

From matcha mania to gelato galore, these are the hottest flavours that will be on the tip of every foodie’s tongue this coming year. By chew hui ling

Frozen Coconut (from $3.80), Husk Froyo’s out, froco’s in! Short for “frozen coconut”, this new kid in town serves up icy swirls of fresh coconuts made from all-natural ingredients, which means you can truly indulge without feeling the guilt.

Tutu Kueh ($8.90), Non Entrée Desserts Don’t be fooled: this childhood snack lookalike is actually a concoction of coconut almond sponge cake, gula melaka cream and coconut vanilla mousse in disguise. As expected from the creators of the famous avalanche series!

Opera Matcha ($9.65), Antoinette Tickle your French fancy with Antoinette’s ever-so-popular mousse cake. Made of green tea mascarpone mousse, chestnut cream and almond crumble, who can resist the fluffy allure of this todrool-for pastry?

Matcha Black Sesame Freak Cake ($14.80), Montana Remember those crazy freakshakes everyone was obsessing over? Montana’s latest over the top darling brings all the boys (and girls) to the yard, featuring a rich tea-infused sponge cake decadently stacked with matcha buttercream, black sesame frosting and chocolate ganache.

Eyescream Complete Pack (from $6.90), Eyescream & Friends Opening their first outlet at Compass One, the Barcelona-based brand whips up googly-eyed shaved gelato from its trademark monster machines. Each flavour comes with its own identity, such as Sad Tom (yoghurt), General Mimi (cheesecake) and Inspector Berry (strawberry). Too adorable!

PopGelato (from $5.40), Popbar Popular NYC chain Popbar prides itself on the concept of handcrafted gelato on a stick, where you can customise your pops with the array of dippings and toppings available. Our go-to pick: pistachio popgelato sprinkled with chopped pistachios and dipped in dark chocolate sauce.

BopGelato (from $4.70), Birds of Paradise Not your average ice cream shop, this newlyopened boutique serves up a botany twist on traditional gelato – think lemongrass ginger, spiced pear and white chrysanthemum amongst the popular flavours. Not just that, their cones are infused with herbs as well. Talk about upping the gelato game!

Taro Waffles ($12.90), Froth Fluffy waffles drizzled with violet yam sauce, topped with a scoop of ice cream and served on a wooden platter – just imagine the amount of likes this baby would chalk up!

Taro Thunderstorm ($8.90), WOOW When YouTuber JianHao Tan is not busy churning out videos, the savvy entrepreneur can be found dreaming up rainbow snow flavours at his new dessert store WOOW. A must-try is their best-selling Taro Thunderstorm, a towering serving of shaved ice that’s sweet, airy and creamy all at once. Seconds, anyone?

HotPicks

Monogram Magic

While we gotta admit that gifting store-bought presents are more convenient, personalised gifts would make anyone on your nice list feel extra special. Add a personal touch to your gifts with lifestyle brand Luxemono’s Mock Croc Collection – this limited edition range consists of leather accessories constructed in 100 per cent saffiano leather, and you can customise it with the initials of your recipient in gold monogram. You can’t go wrong with that! Available online at www.luxemono.com

A New Story

Celebrate In Style

Throwing a soiree for the festive season? Stock up on all your party essentials with kikki.K’s Christmas Collection! From adorable greeting cards to decorative ornaments to fancy wrapping paper, there’s plenty of stylish party-themed wares to make this year’s Christmas a uniquely curated one. For those who prefer getting crafty, you can also find traditional DIY goodies to create your own handmade gifts for your loved ones.

Have yourself a very sweet Christmas with the Limited Edition Ricola Festive Collectible Tins ($14.50). Available in four 3D-embossed designs, each tin contains all your favourite herb drop flavours such as Alpine Fresh, Lemon Mint and Original Swiss Herb. To sweeten the deal, you can even stand a chance to win $100 cash in a weekly instant draw and a 5D4N ski vacation in Switzerland upon purchase of any Ricola products. Talk about a white Christmas come true! 18

Remember when we used to rush home after school or camp out at the computer lab just to get on MapleStory? After almost a decade, the popular MMORPG game is still going strong and it has since roll out the long-awaited 5th Job Advancement patch that’s set to bring on a MapleStory revival. Players will be greeted with a new boss, a new continent, a new equipment set and a new skill system, along with greater content rewards and various revamps that will offer a unique gameplay experience unlike any other. Worth the wait? Definitely.

How Egg-Citing!

From plushies to makeup products and even kitchen sponges, Sanrio’s lazy egg has pretty much invaded the world. Singapore is no exception as the yellow fella found its new nest at Suntec City. Head down to the first ever Gudetama-themed cafe where an innovative array of comfort food amidst animated walls, egg-shaped booths and photoready figurines will be served. Popular bento artist Little Miss Bento has also worked her kawaii magic into the dishes so get those snap-happy fingers ready – think a scoop of mash potato chilling on a piece of steak, a pair of poached eggs snuggling under a blanket of smoked salmon, etc. Gudetama Café Singapore is located at Suntec City Mall, #01-361.

CARRied AWAY

Add a contemporary edge to any outfit with mizzue’s range of functional yet stylish bags! With a selection of petite bucket bags, handcrafted saddlebags, versatile backpacks and more, mizzue has you covered throughout the season with their chic and refreshing designs. Go on, ring in the Christmas season with mizzue! mizzue bags are available online at www.mizzue.sg

Slice of Joy

Don’t get us wrong – we love our turkey dinners, but imagine digging into a belly-warming slice of pizza on Christmas day! A surefire hit with all your guests, Pezzo Pizza has rolled out two festive specials: the Flamethrower Pizza topped with a potpourri of tender spiced chicken and drenched in curry sauce, and the Carbonara Pizza, which comes with an assortment of meat chunks and mozzarella coated in creamy carbonara sauce. You get to choose up to six flavours ($4.90 per slice) in one pan; mix it up and wait for it to arrive just in time for your Yuletide feast!

Fab Buy

all i want for

Christmas Is... From the practical-minded to the high-roller, this comprehensive holiday gift guide will have you covered for everyone on your list. By chew hui ling

I Know Him Christmas Socks, $9.90, Topman

Are you kiasu enough?

Santa Baby Lip Balm, $6.49, ASOS

Beanie With Patch Detail, $14.90, ZARA

Souvenirs From Singapore Chope Magnetic Keychain, $12.90, The Farm Store

under

$20

Naughty or Nice Makeup Bag, $9.90, H&M

Wallet-friendly stocking stuffers you can gift without busting your pocket

Christmas Gingerbread / Cat iPhone 6/7 Case, $19.90, Topshop

Pet lovers, unite!

innisfree Real Colour Nail Christmas Set, $14

ETUDE HOUSE My Little Nut Dear My Enamel Lips-Talk, $17.90

FuzzYard South Beach Melamine Bowl, $19, Naiise

Happy Plugs In-Ear Carrera Marble, $49

under

Monki Santa’s Fave Christmas Sweatshirt, $42.23, ASOS

Ban.do Girl Talk Headband, $29.90, Monoyono

Ladies’ lovin’

$50 Get your party on

Cool knick-knacks that will impress even the most discerning of giftees

Laneige Milkyway Fantasy BB Cushion_Whitening, $39

Leather Key Ring with Customised Monogramming, $22.90, kikki.K

Camera Patterned Tie, $45.90, Mango The Little Link Director Cufflink, $27.90, Megafash

BYDR Classic Pomade, $33 Kate Spade Gold Stripe Thermal Mug, $39.90, Monoyono

Woouf! Ice Cream Oven Mitt, $27, Naiise Jac Vanek Very Merry Christmas Tree Scented Candle, $36, Nastygal

Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Care Trio Gift Box, $33

Lifestyle

Pretty Hair, Don't Care

2016 was filled with super cool hair trends, from rainbow hair, to denim tresses, to glow-in-the-dark waves to succulent-inspired locks. Here are our #HairGoals favourites. By johanna teo

Amy Witham @Amythemermaidx

Irene Kim

Elaine Afrika

@Ireneisgood

@Elaineafrika

@Iamkareno

@FeralCreature

Karen Yeung

@Kirstenzellers

Kirsten Zellers

Eugenie Grey

PONY ( park hye min ) @Ponysmakeup

Amata Chittasenee

Leanne Lim-Walker

@Pearypie

@Leannelimwalker

Sarah Marie Karda @SarahMarieKardax

@Ellenvlora

@Treelocks

Trisha Reibelt

@Willamazing

Willabelle Ong

Ellen V Lora

Lookbook

www.313somerset.com.sg

Sunday - Thursday: 10am - 10pm Friday & Saturday: 10am - 11pm

313 Orchard Road, Singapore 238895 (Above Somerset MRT)

(+65) 6496 9313

On him, Forest green bomber jacket, $49, Forever 21 Floral printed button-down shirt, $24.95, Cotton On Nudie Jeans Grim Tim orange cloud jeans, $279, THE DENIM STORE Red velvet long scarf, $5, Forever 21 Atari brown sneakers, $139, ALDO On her, Mustard double breasted blouse, $79, Meloné Floral printed midi skirt, $29.95, TEMT Navy wool beret, $19.90, ZARA Black frame glasses, $118, OWNDAYS Vintage rings set, $9.95, Cotton On Velvet floral scarf, $19, Forever 21

Summer winterland December in the tropics call for stylish layers and fashionably thick threads – don’t sweat it. By Johanna Teo

Photographer: Justin Loh/Shining Head Media Art Direction: Aris Lai and Johanna Teo Stylist: Sharon Tan assisted by Jessica Khor Hair and Makeup: Brenda Lye Models: Georgia N. and Zsombor H./Mannequin

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InTheBag

Reindeer Miss Joy Case for iPhone 6/6S, $25, Megafash

What’s In Santa’s Bag?

2017 Weekly Diary, $34.90, kikki.K

All we want for Christmas are presents just like these. By chew hui ling

Friends and Mom Vouchers, $16.90 each, Monoyono Wood&Lead Breakfast in Bed Luna Bag, $48.50, Naiise

Everyday Ballpoint Pen, $4.90, kikki.K Love SG Ice Gems Salt & Pepper Shakes, $9.90, Megafash

Kate Spade New York Silver Dot Pine Scented Candle, $106, Monoyono

Suck UK Emergency Money Box, $19.90, Megafash

White Forrest Watch, $99, Megafash

Photography: Justin Loh / Shining Head Media Styling: CHEW HUI LING

M.A.C Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick in Flamboyish, $36

Celebs

Double Trouble

Shedding their debut innocence to showcase the progress of their blossoming youth, musical quirksters AKDONG MUSICIAN are back with a more mature sound and look that is Spring Vol.1. By Intan Nurshakinah

rowned as the winners of KPOP Star Season 2, AKDONG MUSICIAN (AKMU) burst into the K-pop scene with their eclectic brand of alternative folk and authentic songcraft, a fresh take in the landscape of commercialised pop. Two years after their debut album Play, the sibling duo delivered yet another knockout comeback with Spring Vol.1 - chock-full of upbeat tunes that are a blast to sing along with. And fans of AKMU finally have the chance to do just that as they will be staging their first ever concert here! Prepping for their impending visit, here are three fun facts about the pair that you should know before heading to their show.

Despite their tough upbringing, the “happy power plant” household braved through the storm together and the tight-knitted pair became who they are today. It’s no wonder their musical chemistry is like no other!

He can create songs in just five minutes

While Suhyun captures most of the spotlight during stage performances, we can’t forget about the genius behind all

She has big dreams ahead

They star ted from the bottom , now they’re here

Photo: YG Entertainment

of AKMU’s tracks: oppa Chanhyuk. Gotta love Papa YG for giving Chanhyuk the absolute freedom to produce and compose their own songs! His creativity has produced several chart-toppers with witty lyrics and catchy tunes that encapsulate the duo’s colour and simplicity. Oh, and did we mention he’s a charmer with girls too? The singer-songwriter gifted IU an unofficial single ‘Fried Egg’ when she guested on AKMU’s concert, and even dedicated a track titled ‘A Suzy Day’ for miss A’s Suzy, whom he revealed as his ideal type. Aw!

We all know that Suhyun’s an incredibly talented singer, but her ambitions don’t just stop there. Following the steps of her brother, the 17-year-old has started songwriting and also expressed interest to dabble in acting. After all, Suhyun has already proven she has the chops with her performance in the music videos for ‘200%’ and ‘I Love You’. Perhaps we can expect a Suhyun solo album or a drama in the works?

Chanhyuk and Suhyun’s childhood certainly wasn’t filled with rainbows and unicorns – while other kids were donning uniforms and hanging out with their classmates, they were home-schooled by their parents who on missionary work in Mongolia. Due to the family’s difficult financial situation, they grew up having little friends and only had each other to depend on.

Press replay on AKMU’s award-winning KPOP Star 2 days!

‘Don’t Cross Your Legs’ “What is this feeling of my leg falling asleep and my blood not circulating?”

‘You’re Attractive’ “You’re more attractive than seeing a chicken in the middle of a diet”

‘Is It Ramen?’ “Every day, I open the pantry and I see a half bag of what I ate yesterday”

‘Foreigner’s Confession’ “When I see the fancy you, my heart goes pit-a-patting, pi-pit-a-patting”

Catch AKDONG MUSICIAN live at AKMU STUDIO in Singapore on 9 December at Kallang Theatre! Tickets from $108, www.sistic.com .sg

Celebs BEST OF 2016

What A Year

To Be Alive!

Hollywood beefs, K-pop farewells, and brainwashing memes – oh my! We recap the top Internet-breaking topics that had the world talking in 2016.

- Monday Blues What happened: After fuelling us with Monday Couple feels for six years, our beloved Kang Gary has announced his decision to withdraw from Korean variety hit Running Man, in order to focus on his music career. Who else cried buckets during the teary-eyed farewell on Gary’s final broadcast? It was hard to say goodbye, but in case you Monday Couple fans need a reason to smile through those sobs: the rapper has already made his first guest appearance after his last official Running Man recording, and guess who’s the happiest to see him back? Check out this adorable behindthe-scenes snap of Song Ji Hyo clinging onto her on-screen beau when he showed up!

- Tell Me Goodbye What happened: With the contracts of our favourite ‘09 K-pop groups nearing expiration, the year saw tons of disbandment rumours swirling around. As much as we wished they would stay status quo, 2NE1’s Minzy, Miss A’s Jia and Secret’s Sunhwa have re-contracted under a different label, while Kara, 4minute and Rainbow have unfortunately disbanded. B2ST had the hardest hit, with the rest of the members creating their own label following Hyunseung’s scandal-riddled departure. Conclusion: Breakups are inevitable – some up and left to fly solo, others just need a break from the spotlight. But who knows, perhaps there will be a time where we see our 21st century idols reuniting years down the road? Just look at first-gen groups like Sechs Kies, g.o.d and S.E.S!

Conclusion: Whether or not the Monday Couple will reunite after the show, one thing’s for sure: the ship’s gonna continue sailing. In a surprising revelation, Gary exposed Jihyo for sending him lovey-dovey texts. Get together already!

• Rookie Revolution •

2016’s arsenal of shiny breakout acts that are poised to lead the next era of K-pop TWICE After the explosive debut that is ‘Like Ooh-Aah’, JYP’s newest darlings wasted no time in stepping up the momentum with their latest Halloween-themed comeback ‘TT’, which easily surpassed the 40 million mark within two weeks. We can’t wait to see what else these bright young gems will bring to the table! BLACKPINK Despite hitting the scene only in August this year, BLACKPINK has already seized a permanent spot in every K-pop fan’s playlist thanks to their insanely infectious debut singles. Achieving another milestone with their latest comeback, their music videos for ‘Playing with Fire’ and ‘Stay’ surged to over 3 million views within 24 hours! NCT If you think EXO’s member count is huge, wait till you witness SM’s newest project NCT on its complete scale. Created with the concept of having an unlimited number of members split into various sub-units, NCT was made for raging success right off the bat: NCT U, NCT 127 and NCT Dream have seen remarkable results, with subsequent units in the making.

TEXT: chew hui ling and gladys lee

- SG Pride What happened: 2016 was a phenomenal year that marked not one, but three historical milestones achieved by our athlete champs. Swimming prodigy Joseph Schooling’s triumph over the legendary Michael Phelps landed our little red dot her very first Olympic gold medal, while three-time Paralympic gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu and bronze medallist Theresa Goh proved to the world yet again that the sky’s the limit with hard work and determination! On the musical front, our homeboy Nathan Hartono made us proud by clinching second place in the singing competition. Although he didn’t come out tops, he’s still a winner in our hearts – and it’s safe to say the charming crooner’s gonna be even bigger in 2017 and beyond.

I.O.I Who knew a temporary project group would eventually become one of the hottest acts of the year? Hot off the Produce 101 fame, I.O.I charmed fans with their bubbly earworms ‘Dream Girls’, ‘Whatta Man’ and ‘Very Very Very’, with each of their MVs chalking up at least 15 million in views! We’ll be sad to see them go; 10 months of promotions ain’t enough!

Conclusion: While we celebrate the success of these heroes, let’s not forget that there are also tons of homegrown talents working hard to achieve glory for the country. We hope their accomplishments will further pave the way for even greater heights!

Off-The-Charts

Spread The Holiday Cheer Step aside Mariah Carey – coast through the festive season with these underrated Christmas gems instead. By Intan Nurshakinah

‘Winter Things’ – Ariana Grande (Christmas & Chill) Ditching the sleighbells for a mellow ukelele-led tune, Ariana’s super laidback vibes in ‘Winter Things’ gently dips us into the Christmas spirit. Confession: we listen to this all year round!

‘Only You’ – Kylie Minogue and James Corden (Kylie Christmas) We all know James Corden is the goofy king of Carpool Karaoke, but his sweet duet with Aussie pop queen Kylie Minogue brings out a brand new sentimentality altogether. Hopeless romantics, this is your jam.

‘Man with the Bag’ – Jessie J

‘Winter Wonderland/ Don’t Worry Be Happy’ – Pentatonix feat. Tori Kelly (That’s Christmas to Me)

‘Dear Santa’ – Girl’s Generation-TaeTiSeo (Dear Santa)

Featuring the honeyed vocals of Tori Kelly and talents of a capella group Pentatonix, this beautiful mash-up is a feel-good track that gets us bouncing with every single listen thanks to its aca-awesomeness.

An ethereal R&B ballad turned jingle bell-heavy pop jam, ‘Dear Santa’ is available in both Korean and English, which is great for introducing the entire family to the magic that’s TaeTiSeo. 64

The Brit-pop diva jazzes up the classic big band number, instilling a sense of euphoria for the Christmas season. Crank this dramatic rendition up for some fun while waiting for holiday presents!

‘Under the Stars’ – John Legend Always count on Mr. ‘All of Me’ to warm up even your coldest day with this soulful ballad – an ensemble of soft drums, powerful piano chords and the best of his soothing vocals.

‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ – Idina Menzel & Michael Bublé (Holiday Wishes) A lovey-dovey jingle from this musical match made in heaven, Idina Menzel (of ‘Let It Go’ fame) and Michael Bublé’s collab of ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ is perfect for chilling beside a make-believe fireplace.

‘4 Carats’ – Kelly Clarkson (Wrapped in Red) Santa, please take note: all Kelly Clarkson wants for Christmas is a four-carat diamond ring. A modernday spin-off to ‘Santa Baby’, the winner of American Idol Season One poured her sass and a teensy bit of unabashed materialism into this light-hearted pop-rock number.

‘Snow Snow Snow’ – Band of Merrymakers (Welcome to Our Christmas Party)

‘Alone on Christmas Day’ – Phoenix Not in the mood for merry songs? Phoenix’s revival of ‘Alone on Christmas Day’, an obscure holiday track by the Beach Boys, is equal parts melancholic and delightful, with a little help from voices like Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman.

‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ – Train (Christmas in Tahoe) Train drops a rocking holiday bomb on us with this anthemic track that’ll get you excited for all the festivities. With a simple and catchy chorus, you’ll be wishing everyone “Happy holidays!” without even realising it.

For the uninitiated, this superband boasts famous faces like Natasha Bedingfield, Owl City, Alex & Sierra and even Bebe Rexha, who sing to raise awareness and donations for charity. ‘Snow Snow Snow’ has the former two singers lending their vocals to this irresistably catchy number.

Cover Story

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Your Story? 12 Inspiring millenNials from different walks of life share their passions, hopes, fears and insecurities. these are their stories. whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s yours?

Joshua Ask The Right questions Gay One of the most important things about education is asking questions. However, as I enter the final semester of my university life, and possibly of my educational journey, I realise that many of the questions we ask usually go like this: “Is this graded?”, “How much do I have to work for this 10 per cent assignment?”, “How should I write my essay such that my professor will grade it well?” or even “Do you think this will get me an A?” Growing up under our education system has thrown us into a relentless rat race. However, it has become much less of a race towards the top, but a race away from the bottom. Our attempts to reach the top are driven by our fear of not being able to be the best – our fear of failing to enter our desired universities, our fear of failing to secure a future for ourselves. Our kiasu-ness is literally driven by our fear of losing out. Singaporeans are afraid of failure and we do everything we can to chase “success”. Yet, we compromise on true excellence and on the joy of learning. “Have I learnt something new from class today?”, “What am I aiming to learn from this assignment?”, “Will I be proud of my work?”, “Have I made the most out of my education?” One of the most important things about education is asking questions, but our fear of failure has stopped us from asking the ones that really matter.

Ho Li Yen Size Me Up Body image – everything from media portrayal to cultural influences has shaped our mindsets, ingraining an illusionary belief that a certain size or shape is less than ideal.

Photos: ho li yen, lew puay fang

When it comes to body positivity, sometimes unassuming sentences hurt the most. I’ve been on the receiving end of many seemingly harmless queries about my body. And while I’m able to brush it off because I’ve been subjected time and again to such prying questions, there is a real need to stop people from throwing medical disorders around carelessly. “Are you sure you’re not anorexic?”, “Are you really hungry or are you just binge-eating?” These disorders are very real and there are people who are struggling with them everyday. Passive-agressive statements like “You’re so skinny, you should eat more”, or even “Stop eating so much, you’re going to gain weight!” serve to undermine the good progress that we have made – from supporting plus-size models to body positive campaigns and acceptance that diversity is beauty. I hope and believe that we can create an understanding society where extra labels (i.e. plus-size) will be a thing of the past and where everyone will be comfortable in their own skin – all we need is a little empathy. What better time to start than now?

Lew Puay Fang

You’re Not Alone Forget the label for people dealing with anxiety issues. It may be unnerving and crippling at first, but if you learn to face your demons, it will get better. Time will be your best friend. What matters is not how long you took to tackle your demons, what matters is you did. Prioritise your emotional and mental health. Take breaks. Give yourself some love. What are you filling your time with? Look deeper. What are you filling your heart with? Give yourself time to nurture your heart, your soul and your mind. What you do with your time is your prerogative. Sometimes, it’s the preconceptions that we have to unlearn. I found that in life, there aren’t always answers to everything. Some questions you may spend your whole life answering. It’s a matter of constant exploration and self-discovery. Take your time to carve out a path for your future, no matter how long, no matter how treacherous. Some days you may feel scared, other days you may feel hopeful. But isn’t that life? Learn to take it one day at a time. You’re not alone.

Quiz

are you

a grinch?

Are you full of holiday cheer? Or does your scowl turn down any Christmas smile? Take this quiz to find out. By Intan Nurshakinah

Christmas and holiday songs arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t music to your ears

Your idea of spreading the holiday cheer is by helping out at a local charity

You think that festive decorations are kinda tacky

The only people you need to spend time with this holiday is your family

You sing along to all the holiday songs playing on the radio

You make delicious homemade gingerbread cookies to share with your friends You think holiday gifts are a waste of moneyâ&#x20AC;Ś and wrapping paper

Photo: Getty images

You only buy gifts for your family members and your best friends

You finish your holiday gift shopping one month before the festive season

You’d rather be receiving than giving

You head down to Orchard Road to see the Christmas lights and trees

You are not a fan of big festive parties with loud music and dancing

You don’t mind getting impractical gifts; it’s the thought that counts!

Santa’s secret helpers!

mostly blue

christmas blues

mostly GREEN

You’re a mean one, Mr Grinch!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for you, one you’ve been waiting for since the start of 2016. You buy gifts for everyone you know and spend your time wrapping them prettily. Volunteering to decorate the evergreen fir tree, hanging Christmas stockings or baking festive cookies, you find joy in the simplest things. Just like cute little Cindy Lou Who (Dr. Seuss), you’re filled to the brim with Christmas glee and your joy is positively infectious; everyone gets an extra dose of festive cheer whilst around you!

You laugh and tease your friends when they receive terrible gifts

While you mightn’t consider Christmas as an extra special holiday, you do appreciate how it brings families and friends together – which makes gift wrapping and other seasonal routines less tedious for you. Work has taken over your life, making you too busy to even have time to pamper yourself, much less spending some family time. Chase away the holiday blues by giving yourself a much-deserved time off from your hectic schedule and fully enjoy the cosy celebration with your loved ones.

Home Alone is your favourite classic Christmas movie

You spend time making your own Christmas decorations

mostly red

You avoid crowded places at this time of the year

Everything about the holiday season is your nightmare, from the crowded streets to the incessant Christmas music. You grump at the fact that commercial-ism has taken over the true meaning of celebration and you’re set on making everyone else’s holiday as miserable as yours. Instead of dampening others’ festive cheer, get in the spirit of giving this Christmas by volunteering with the less fortunate. Whether its bonding with underprivileged kids, helping out at an animal shelter or spending time at an old folks’ home, you’re bound to discover that Christmas is more than a sentimental holiday.

You can’t wait to play Secret Santa!

Textbook

instagram

rewind

Here are our favourite #TeenageMagazine Instagram tags over the past year. @Loveling27

@Bambi_samonte

@Nanoeycl

@Mccubesg

@BittyMacbeth

@SandraRileyTang

@Blackpink_indonesia

@MissC_world

@Kpoprose28

@Silverswanlash_ surabaya

@Krescentmoon

@misterdeacon

Continue tagging us with your lovely snaps at #TeenageMagazine! 94

Giveaway Galore over

We round up 2016 by putting together festive gifts worth

$17,000 Each giveaway will be posted on

teenage.com.sg

starting from 5 December 2016. Closing date: 4 January 2017

Giveaway Galore