POP MART toys are all the rage now and if you’ve ever walked into one of their stores, you probably would have seen this adorable little girl with big blue eyes and pouty lips, sporting adorable outfits.

Yes, we’re talking about Molly, one of POP MART’s iconic characters. Fans of this cute figure will be thrilled to know that the toy company just announced another major event in line with the upcoming Pop Toy Show (PTS) in Singapore happening this Aug. 23 to 25 that will offer Molly fans a chance to immerse themselves in her whimsical universe.

The Molly Anniversary Statues POP-Up Store is the first of its kind and will feature thematic displays inspired by the Classic Retro Series 2, and a wide range of exclusive Molly offerings for fans to get their hands on. The pop-up event will be located at CapitaLand’s Bugis Junction and will run from Aug. 27 to Sept. 22.

“This anniversary POP-up is a celebration of Molly’s legacy, a tribute to the journey we've shared with our fans, and an invitation for everyone to immerse themselves in this unique retail experience, discovering exclusive merchandise and activities that speak to the heart of the Molly fans,” Jeremy Lee, Go-to-Market Director, Southeast Asia, POP MART International, said. “Our partnership with CapitaLand has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life, and together, we’ve created another unforgettable experience for the community.”

Walk Down Molly Memory Lane: Highlights

There are a lot of things fans should look forward to at the event, from event-exclusive merchandise to photo opportunities with life-sized Molly sculptures!

There will be five new Molly merchandise from the Classical Retro Series available only at the pop-up store such as scented candle blind boxes, fridge magnets, and more. There are also eight other event-exclusive merch up for grabs, including the reproduced limited edition 1st Anniversary statue, which is a must-have for collectors.

For a minimum spend, you will also be able to receive Singapore-exclusive Molly-themed gifts, like folders, fans, postcards, and tote bags.

Apart from the exclusive launches, the store will also feature a display of archival Molly figures, showcasing the evolution of this iconic character from the first-generation Molly to other milestone series such as Molly Zodiac.

Hoping to show your love for Molly? There are various photo spots at the store including two 1.8-meter and one 1.6-meter tall life-sized sculptures! The store will also be hosting fringe activities to engage fans like silk-screening sessions (with a minimum purchase) with Singapore elements and Molly Fun Stamping, where you can get three different Molly stamps for free.

Pop Toy Show 2024

Another event for art toy collectors and POP MART fans should look forward to is the three-day extravaganza happening a few days before The Molly Anniversary Statues Pop-Up Store opens.

The POP TOY SHOW (PTS) will be held from Aug. 23 to 25 at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, featuring an all-star lineup of exciting collaborations and artists that is sure to one-up its inaugural event last year.

Get the chance to witness exclusive collaborations and first-launch collectibles. Some of the highlights include:

Exclusive to PTS 2024:

• KUBO Never Say Goodbye Figure
• HACIPUPU Nine-Tailed Fox
• ANGRY MOLLY - GREEN Fire | Designer Toy
• DIMOO-Pray For Blooming

First Launches:

• CRYBABY I CALL THE SHOT – Original Version
• MOLLY The Rhythm of Kung Fu Wing Chun Figure
• Hirono x Polar Coexistence Figure

POP MART is also launching a new Molly product line inspired by traditional Chinese culture, featuring hanging cards. Kenny Wong, the creator of Molly, drew inspiration from Chinese Kung Fu, specifically Wing Chun. The model [MOLLY The Rhythm of Kung Fu Wing Chun] is the first in the traditional culture series.

Other renowned artists will also grace the exhibition such as BAO, the artist behind Kubo, and Dan, the creator of Zsiga. Two POP MART newbie artists are also making their Singapore debut: Hanna Li, the artist of Chaka, and Da Xin, the artist behind Twinkle Twinkle.

Other international artists will also be at the event to showcase their latest works, such as Luke Chueh, Louis De Guzman, Simone Legno, Alex Solis, Po Yun Wang, Mumbot and Poohbrezzy.

Tickets are currently on sale via Ticketmaster and are available in standard one-day (S$32), standard three-day (S$68), three-day premium (S$168), and 4-pax one-day (S$90) passes. Early bird tickets start from S$28. You can buy them here.

For more information on figure launches and updates on exclusive drops, follow PTS Singapore and POP MART Singapore.

The Molly Anniversary Statues POP-Up Store

Venue: CapitaLand’s Bugis Junction Level 1 Malay Street, Singapore

Dates: Aug. 27 - Sept. 22, 2024

Pop Toy Show 2024

Venue: Sands Expo and Convention Centre, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore

Dates: Aug. 23 – 25, 2024

If you are an avid Marvel fan, especially if you’ve read the comic books, you’re probably familiar with characters such as Wolverine, Gambit, and Rogue. Well, get ready for the next level of action, as Marvel has introduced a new wave of powerful mutants, one of whom hails from the Lion City.

Meet Singaporean teen Sofia Yong, also known as Jitter, one of Marvel’s newest mutants. According to the preview by Marvel, Jitter carries the power of “hyper-focus,” which allows her to do anything that she can set her mind to and mimic any skill.

However, the character bears a significant weakness, as she can only channel any skill within a minute; hence, she keeps a stopwatch to manage her ability.

The teen mutant is slated to appear in Gail Simone’s “Uncanny X-Men #2” for its 2024 edition, where she will be facing the X-Men's master of kinetic energy, Gambit. The new chapter will also follow the story of the X-Men in the post-Krakoa world.

Aside from Jitter, three other mutants will be facing off with the X-Men with their unique powers: Calico, an American mutant who carries the power of psychic connection with her steed, Ember; Ransom, a Buenos Aires-born mutant with a “Black Hole Heart;” and Deathdream, a Japanese mutant who can summon souls of the dead.

Marvel fans also have a lot more to look forward to this year and in 2025, as the entertainment studio has dropped some exciting announcements in the recent “D23 2024: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event,” held from Aug. 9 to 11 at Anaheim, California. Read our full recap of D23 2024 here.

Find out how these characters’ stories will unfold by getting your copy of “Uncanny X-Men #2” at your local comic book shop, on sale starting Sept. 11. You can also get your digital copy by downloading and subscribing to the Marvel Unlimited app.

The Beat Singapore’s Up and Coming is a series where we feature rising talented artists from Singapore, giving them a platform to share what they’re passionate about and promote the music they (and us too!) would love for the world to hear. Do you want or know someone who wants to be featured? Email us at [email protected] or slide into our DMs on Facebook or Instagram!

“Music is a powerful tool for recovery and provides positive energy to move forward in life.”

This is how Sherman Zhuo, an up-and-coming singer and songwriter from Singapore, describes music. For him, music isn’t just a hobby, but a lifeline that helps him navigate the chaos of life. With this as an inspiration, the singer-songwriter is making his way to our hearts, bringing with him comforting vocals, swoon-worthy beats, and heartwarming lyrics.

This month, the singer brings more feels than ever with the release of his latest single, “endless shine,” a consoling track made in collaboration with leading residential electricity retailer Geneco. In the song, he bares his own experiences in dealing with mental health debacles and encourages his listeners to “take a step back and slow down.”

In an exclusive interview, The Beat Asia spoke to the singer-songwriter about his beginnings, his music, “endless shine,” dream collaborations, and many more. Read on to learn more about this talented crooner.

Hi Sherman! Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I'm a local singer/songwriter who has loved music and singing for as long as I can remember. While I'm not typically a huge risk-taker, pursuing music full-time is definitely one of the biggest risks I've taken in life. However, it's also one of the main reasons I feel extremely happy and fulfilled.

Random fact: In recent years, my love for cats has grown a lot. (laughs)

How did you get into music? What sparked your interest in the craft?

I've always loved singing; it was a huge part of my childhood. My dad sings really well, which sparked my interest in music and singing. When I was younger, I’d watch TV shows and sing the theme songs, using the remote control as my microphone! In my teenage years, I picked up the guitar, which paved the way for me to record covers and perform songs in my own style. This gave me an outlet to express myself and show how I interpret certain songs. Since I'm not the best at expressing myself through words, music and songwriting provide me with that outlet.

You recently participated in Geneco's 'here, sunrise x sunset' campaign with the song 'endless shine.' What pushed you to join in on the campaign?

As a singer-songwriter, I’ve encountered personal struggles navigating through societal norms and expectations. The importance of mental wellness is imperative to me, especially in Singapore, where social media often leads to unhealthy comparisons that hurt individuals' mental health. Promoting and advocating for mental health awareness has become a cause close to my heart as an artist.

Geneco’s brand mission to #PowerTheChange resonates with me deeply. While they are Singapore’s leading residential electricity retailer, #PowerTheChange goes beyond energy and power, highlighting Geneco’s commitment to contributing to the overall well-being of our society. I'm excited to partner with Geneco, driving meaningful change in our community.

I want to encourage youth's mental wellness through my music, helping to destigmatize conversations around mental health. Music is a powerful tool for recovery and provides positive energy to move forward in life. I hope to use my music to inspire and uplift, promoting mental wellness and resilience.

Can you tell us more about this heartwarming song, how it came to be, and what inspired you for its lyrics?

I believe mental health is a crucial topic, especially in this day and age. Pursuing music as a full-time career is not the most conventional path, so I often struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. When these thoughts become overwhelming, they can lead to depressive episodes that are difficult to overcome.

To break out of that state, I exercise, avoid beating myself up over unproductive days, talk to close friends, and read encouraging materials online.

I wanted the melody to be heartwarming and uplifting, providing comfort to anyone who listens. The lyrics combine my own experiences with my favorite quotes that have helped me through tough times.

"endless shine" is written as a letter to myself and to anyone who may be feeling the same way I do.

If you would choose a favorite line from the song, what would it be and why?

“Sometimes we take a slower pace, to give us time to rearrange.”

It feels like our society is moving very fast, and if you can't keep up, you'll fall behind. To me, keeping up with that pace isn’t always necessary. Sometimes we need to take a step back and slow down to recalibrate and rearrange our thoughts, so we come back stronger. People need to know that it’s okay to slow down sometimes.

For you, what's the best thing about being a musician?

I get to share my stories through my music! It's very heartwarming when someone tells me that my music helped them through a tough time. As a listener, I've been encouraged by other musicians' music, so now, as a musician myself, it's my way of giving back.

Who are your biggest idols in the music industry? How do they inspire your own music?

I think it depends on the season I'm in. Recently, I've been into music by wave to earth, Sunset Rollercoaster, and some Taiwanese indie bands. However, my "mainstays" are Justin Bieber, Jay Chou, Li Ronghao, Wang Leehom, and Crush.

If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be and why?

I’d be very keen to work with Crush! I’m a huge fan of his work; he has a great mix of R&B and ballads, which is the direction I’m heading towards as well.

What's your message for your listeners?

I hope through "endless shine," my listeners can find the encouragement to prioritize their mental wellness. In Singapore, the pressures of societal norms and the constant comparisons on social media can take a toll on our mental health. It's important to recognize these struggles and seek support when needed.

What's next for Sherman Zhuo? Any new music, collabs, or gigs we can look forward to?

My upcoming EP release is the biggest thing to look forward to! Previously, I’ve been releasing singles at a comfortable pace, but now I’d like to change that by dropping more songs, leading up to an EP. Since I’m working with Cross Ratio and Warner Music on this, it’s going to be an exciting project for me, and I hope my music can reach more people!

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To learn more about Sherman Zhuo, follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, and stream his music on YouTube and Spotify.