Team YP’s picks for the best music, movies and TV shows of 2024: from Wicked to Arcane

Best song: I’ll never get sick of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso”. It’s upbeat and always puts me in a good mood. “Soup” by Remi Wolf was one of my most-played songs of the last year, and I love the rawness and honesty of Charli XCX’s “Girl, so confusing featuring Lorde”.

Best movie: Thelma. This brilliant film is about a 93-year-old woman who falls victim to a phone scam, losing US$10,000. The police are no help, so Thelma is determined to find the scammers and get her money back – even stealing a scooter. It’s a hilarious, touching movie that will make you want to call your grandma.

Best TV show: Picking up shortly after the events of The Batman (2022), HBO’s Penguin follows Oz Cobb’s, aka Penguin, rise to power in Gotham’s criminal underworld. Colin Farrell does a brilliant job as this complicated character – he’s awful, but you feel a little bad for him. Cristian Milioti delivers a fantastically layered performance as Sofia Falcone. The daughter of one of Gotham’s most powerful criminals, Sofia was recently released from Arkham State Hospital, where she spent 10 years paying for crimes she may not have committed.

Best book: Sadly, I didn’t read anything released in 2024. My favourite book I read during the year was probably The Icepick Surgeon: Murder, Fraud, Sabotage, Piracy, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science by Sam Kean. This 2021 book details some awful things done to pursue knowledge, such as an English pirate who stole and killed to pursue his real passion: nature and animal research.

Best pop culture moment: How could it be anything other than Moo Deng? This sassy hippo brought people a lot of joy this year. I’m always happy to see new pictures of her living her life.

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Best song: SZA never releases a bad song, only bangers. “Saturn” was just the groovy, chill track I needed this year. I listened to it while working, walking and relaxing.

Best movie: Dune: Part Two lived up to the hype. I watched Dune (2021) a few days before to prepare, and wow! Incredible storytelling and cinematography. And, of course, Timothée and Zendaya were perfect.

Best TV show: Although it premiered at the end of 2023, Percy Jackson and the Olympians aired into 2024, so it counts. Given the films’ disservice to this incredible Greek mythology series, I am ecstatic that Disney+ did a fantastic job. It transported me back to when I was a kid, reading the books for the first time.

Best book: I only read back-listed books this year and refrained from buying new releases. The best, by far, was a non-fiction book published in 2022. The Expectation Effect: How Your Mindset Can Change Your World is a spectacular piece of evidence-based writing filled with interesting stories that kept me reading. It made me realise how much of our physical reactions are a result of what our minds convince us is real.

Best pop culture moment: As a sports fan, I love watching the talents from across the globe in popular and niche sports in both the Olympics and Paralympics. It’s a chance for friendly international competition, and seeing the Olympians’ faces when they win is always incredibly moving.

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Best song: “Chihiro”, my favourite track off the album Hit Me Hard and Soft by Billie Eilish. Inspired by Ogino Chihiro from Spirited Away, this R&B and techno-house track is unlike anything I’ve heard, transporting listeners to a new realm – much like the film itself.

Best movie: I’m picking Hong Kong film Papa as my favourite. I admired the heartfelt, poignant portrayal of a father left alone after a devastating tragedy – his schizophrenic son killing his wife and daughter. While the premise is gruesome, the film focuses on the characters’ emotional journeys and life experiences rather than sensationalising the incident. Director Philip Yung revealed that the film is layered with subtle details to convey memory and loneliness, giving you a glimpse into the characters’ inner thoughts.

Best TV show: As a fan of The Bear, nothing excites me more than a cooking competition like Culinary Class Wars. I appreciate the creativity put into each round, and as a massive tofu fan, I particularly enjoyed the “Tofu Hell” challenge. I’m still rooting for the maniac to win, by the way.

Best book: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. After friends’ encouragement, I finally read this popular hit. I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between Sam and Sadie, who inspire each other to create video games. It’s not quite a fiery romance but about vulnerable soulmates supporting one another. Phenomenal writing.

Best pop culture moment: A Hong Kong movie about the funeral industry smashing historic box office records – it says a lot about us Hongkongers.

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Best song: My work playlists consist mainly of upbeat songs with lyrics I don’t understand – including by Japanese artists Vaundy and Yorushika – so I can focus. My favourite running music this year included Charlie XCX’s Brat, Porter Robinson’s Clockenflap setlist, everything Chappell Roan and the Wicked soundtrack.

Best movie: This year, I did watch Dune: Part Two, Wicked and Chungking Express in cinemas. My to-watch list is much longer, so I should ask Team YP to drag me to the cinema with them next year.

Best TV show: Season 2 of Arcane. While not perfect, it was incredible to experience how the creators melded 3D and 2D animation to tell a story. I think another season was needed to develop the plot fully, but I enjoyed seeing how expansive the world and its characters could become.

Best book: Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhaw, detailing the life of a young Palestinian refugee in the 70s and 80s. This book was published in 2019 but is still relevant today as Israel continues its attacks on the Palestinian people in Gaza and in the occupied West Bank. It’s not always easy to read and contains material unsuitable for young children, but the author tells the story in a way that makes it clear it’s harrowing but familiar to many vulnerable, persecuted people. It blew me away and left me angry, sad and hopeful.

Best pop culture moment: Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel in the Wicked movie. I grew up listening to the original Broadway soundtrack and was so giddy seeing these legends on the big screen together.

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Best song: You Gotta Screw Up At Least Once (至少做一件離譜的事) by Kiri T reminds me to maintain a youthful spirit, pursue adventure and accept that setbacks are an inevitable part of the journey.

Best movie: Robot Dreams, an animated film about an unlikely friendship between a lonely dog and a robot in New York City. Heartbreaking and heartwarming, it explores love, companionship and loss.

Best TV show: Imperfect Us, a Taiwanese drama. Initially appearing to be a typical love triangle tale, I was pleasantly surprised by the complex storyline and the realistic and nuanced portrayal of women navigating difficult choices, regrets and personal growth.

Best book: The Mountain is You, Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest, about how true transformation begins with self-awareness. By delving into the roots of our psychological patterns, we can heal past wounds and make meaningful changes.

Best pop culture moment: When Hung Kaho’s Cantonese pop song “Tinted Windows” (黑玻璃) became part of an unusual trend: people “swinging their clothes” while singing along.

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Best song: I’m a huge Coldplay fan and was thrilled when they released new music this year. Of the three singles, my favourite is “All My Love”. It’s simple with straightforward lyrics, but it hits and makes you think about the people who stick with you through tough times.

Best movie: The Colours Within by Naoko Yamada, an intriguing Japanese anime that explores synesthesia, where your brain routes sensory information through multiple unrelated senses. The main character, Totsuku, sees colours when she looks at people. The entire film is in 2D with beautiful illustrations.

Best TV show: I’m halfway through this series, but 3 Body Problem has my vote. Besides mind-blowing sci-fi stuff that I don’t quite understand, I like how the characters are complex and “morally grey”. It’s a thought-provoking show that stays with you long after you’ve finished watching.

Best book: A Hakka Woman’s Singapore Stories by Lee Wei Ling, the only daughter of Lee Kuan Yew, the founding prime minister of Singapore. Published in 2016, I finished reading this compilation of columns and personal essays this year. I enjoyed the glimpse into her private life as the daughter of the famously stern, no-nonsense politician.

Best pop culture moment: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tours, Swifties and their friendship bracelets.

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Best song: Projects on repeat for me include ones from Tyler, The Creator – the bridge on “Like Him” goes so hard – Jae Stephens, Doechii, Billie Eilish, The Marías, Khalid, Nemahsis, Charlotte Day Wilson, FLO, Tinashe, Alameda and Audrey Nuna. Outside of those, I would say Mustafa’s “Imaan”, Rebecca Black’s “Trust” – trust me, this is so good – and Tyla’s “Shake Ah”. “Casual” by Chappell Roan is not a 2024 release, but it’s heart-wrenching, sincere and my perfect song to wail in the shower.

Best movie: I watched a few 2024 film releases, including Challengers, Lisa Frankenstein, May December, Monkey Man, I Used To Be Funny and Dìdi. But the film I have been revisiting and thinking about again and again is I Saw the TV Glow. Unsettling, upsetting and precisely the type of cinematography and colour-grading I love so much.

Best TV show: Mary & George, Sweetpea, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Brothers Sun and Kaos were all a lot of fun. I loved the third season of Heartstopper, which is always such a comforting watch. My favourite was the return of We Are Lady Parts, with its second season continuing to touch on complex Muslim women and their relationships with each other, partners, faith and, of course, punk rock music. I also loved the second season of Heartbreak High!

Best book: I read nothing off my 2024 release list. I did, however, finally sit and devour The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller and The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth. Beautiful novels.

Best pop culture moment: The Hong Kong team clinching golds at the Paris Olympics! I don’t think I have ever tracked fencing bouts and swimming races the way I did this summer. Not quite pop, but I cannot stop thinking about the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh being toppled by student protestors and then, just as the year was closing, the ousting of Bashar al-Assad by Syrian rebel groups. There really are decades where nothing happens and weeks where entire decades worth of events happen.

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Best song: Thanks to my two young daughters, Rose and Bruno Mars’ “APT” rings in my ears, even in my sleep. Inspired by a South Korean drinking game, the chorus is built around a rhythmic chant – it’s broken several records and dominated the Billboard charts.

Best movie: Hindi-Tamil film Merry Christmas captured my attention from the start. The skilfully woven narrative keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, with suspense, mystery and a new turn at every step. Each frame is meticulously crafted to reveal something new, and the background score enhances the tension, perfectly complementing the movie’s plot twists.

Best TV show: A beautiful family drama from Pakistan called Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum (Sometimes you, sometimes me). The show touches on parenting, social class and societal biases, raising important questions about relationships. The lead pair’s on-screen chemistry is undeniable, making their journey compelling to watch. There is much to learn from them as they argue, cry or hold hands and enjoy the rain, teaching couples to respect, forgive and genuinely love one another.

Best book: While not a 2024 release, Micheal Lewis’ The Big Short is a book I revisit periodically. A funny take on the 2008 financial crisis in the US, it follows a few investors who bet against the housing bubble and made a lot of money. Its easy-to-understand narrative adds depth to the characters and explains some tougher financial concepts.

Best pop culture moment: The wedding of Anant Ambani – the youngest child of Mukesh Ambani, the wealthiest man in India and Asia. The ceremonies spread across several months and the globe, and it’s no exaggeration to say the world was watching. Millions scrolled through social media as Kim Kardashian dressed up in traditional clothing and Rihanna performed for wedding guests. Major news outlets and tabloids churned out articles daily, tracking the family’s every move.