OneRepublic Kicks Off Kaohsiung Concert, Lead Singer's Temple Vest Sends Fans into Laughter!

 

Rock band OneRepublic (Republic Generation) electrified the Kaohsiung Arena on the 19th. Lead singer Ryan Tedder greeted the enthusiastic crowd with his signature energetic and approachable smile. To celebrate their return, Live Nation Taiwan presented Ryan with a uniquely "Ryan-style" temple vest. The vest featured his Chinese name, “萊恩泰德,” and the slogan "Classic Unbeatable Republic Generation." The unexpected attire immediately drew cheers and praise from fans, who loved the gesture of warmth and accessibility.

The high-energy opening of "Born" was met with a shower of golden streamers, instantly raising the excitement level. The band then delivered a string of beloved hits, including "Secrets," "Run," "Stop And Stare," – all billion-selling tracks – igniting massive sing-alongs with the audience. Ryan clearly enjoyed the vest, passionately performing for nearly two hours. In a spontaneous moment, he exclaimed in Chinese, “Kaohsiung, you’re amazing!” and then shared, “I love Kaohsiung and its food. Tonight, I'm definitely ordering a mountain of dumplings! I love you all, but I can't wait to get back to the hotel and enjoy them.” The crowd erupted in laughter.

During "RUNAWAY," Ryan playfully improvised the lyrics to include, "My friends in Kaohsiung don’t know…,” and made sure to connect personally with the audience. He ventured onto a smaller stage to deliver a solo performance, offering fans an intimate experience. The setlist also included classic ballads "Apologize" and the iconic theme song from "The Lone Ranger," “I Ain’t Worried,” and concluded with a mesmerizing rendition of "Counting Stars" that turned the arena into a sea of illuminated phone screens. With heartfelt gratitude, Ryan bid farewell to Kaohsiung: “Thank you, Kaohsiung, see you next time.” He also announced a show scheduled for March 4th of next year at Taipei Arena.

#OneRepublic #KaohsiungConcert #RyanTedder #RepublicGeneration #TaiwanMusic

IKEA’s Beloved “Ice Dog” Returns!

 

Shopping at IKEA isn’t just about furniture; it’s about unexpected delights! A shopper recently discovered that the IKEA Taichung store has quietly brought back the beloved and long-discontinued dessert, “Ice Dog,” for just 25 NTD. The news quickly went viral on social media, with users playfully exclaiming, "Ice Dog! Bingo!"

Recently, a user shared on Threads a delightful surprise: while shopping at IKEA Taichung, they spotted the "Ice Dog" listed on the order kiosk for only 25 NTD. This unique treat—a warm, freshly baked hot-dog bun filled with chilled ice cream—whose English name playfully sounds like “Bingo,” immediately resonated with Taiwanese netizens, sparking laughter and comments like, “IKEA always knows how to surprise us!”

The “Ice Dog” is a unique sensation, offering a delightful contrast of warm bread and cold ice cream. It first debuted in Taiwan in 2020, initially available at only three IKEA locations: Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Taipei’s Dungpu. Since then, it has made sporadic reappearances in limited flavors like taro, vanilla, chocolate, and mango, each launch a low-key, almost secretive event that creates a "treasure hunt" experience for eager fans.

#IKEA #IceDog #TaiwanFood #LimitedEdition #FoodieTaiwan

2026 Maokong Cable Car “VIP Starlight New Year Carriage” Limited Release

The Maokong Cable Car’s New Year’s Eve event has become an incredibly popular and rapidly sold-out experience in recent years. This year, Klook is offering early reservations for the exclusive “Starlight New Year Carriage,” accommodating up to five people – perfect for families and groups of friends. On New Year's Eve, the cable car's usually-restricted storage area will transform into a vibrant music venue for the annual, limited-edition “Melody Maokong Night” concert. Following the concert, guests aboard the specially arranged carriages will enjoy breathtaking views of Taipei's skyline and the spectacular Taipei 101 fireworks display, accompanied by exclusive commemorative gifts – creating truly unforgettable memories to usher in 2026.

For those unable to secure a spot on the “Starlight New Year Carriage,” a one-day cable car ticket, available on December 31st, provides unlimited rides and access to the “Melody Maokong Night” concert. Ticket holders also have a chance to win exclusive, limited-edition Taipei 101 commemorative items. The concert, running from 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., will open its doors one hour prior. The cable car storage area will then become an aerial music hall, showcasing a sophisticated performance blending jazz and classical music by the acclaimed “Mithersk Saxophone Revue,” creating a joyful and romantic New Year’s Eve atmosphere.

Beyond the VIP Starlight Cable Car and the romantic concert, this year's celebration introduces an unprecedented Taipei experience available for reservation on December 31, 2025. On New Year's Eve, the Maokong station will also unveil the "Sky Green Oasis" high-altitude viewing platform, offering stunning nighttime views and a prime location to witness the Taipei 101 fireworks. Visitors can also capture memorable moments with the newly completed “LOVE Steel Cable Art” installation at the station’s greeting wall. Multiple highlights converge in one location, offering a unique Maokong perspective and a truly distinct Taipei New Year’s Eve view.

Underneath a canopy of stars, surrounded by family and friends, strolling through the dazzling cityscape, and welcoming the new year—it’s destined to be the happiest and most unforgettable New Year’s memory.

Kura Sushi Launches “15 Sanrio Gacha” – Adorable Plush Neck Pillows, Tote Cups, and Bento Bags for Fans

To celebrate the upcoming New Year, ZAK SUSHI is partnering with Sanrio for a new "healing" campaign, launching December 26th. The collaboration includes 15 limited-edition gacha items, alongside the debut of the first “ZAK SUSHI × Sanrio Family” menu. Fans can also purchase a range of merchandise, including stainless steel tote cups, dual-use plush neck pillows, and clip-closure bento bags.

The Sanrio-exclusive gacha series centers on themes of good luck and blessings and is divided into three distinct collections. The five "Dora-Matsu Freshness" charms feature Sanrio characters relaxing on the Dora-Matsu mascot, each holding a different Dora-Matsu, which symbolizes a specific wish: red Hello Kitty for luck and prosperity; blue Jibanyan for academic success; orange Mermaid-Man for career advancement and longevity; purple Kiki-no-Ki for long-term health; and pink My Melody for happiness and fulfillment. The characters incorporate the unique meaning of their individual Dora-Matsu, allowing fans to collect a diverse range of blessings.

The set also features five "shining magnets" and five "omamori charms." The magnets depict Sanrio characters in traditional Japanese kimono, such as Jibanyan wearing a bear mask or My Melody in a fur-lined kimono. Each magnet is coated with a shimmering glitter film for a sparkling effect. The omamori charms feature oversized designs of Hello Kitty, Jibanyan, Mermaid-Man, Kiki-no-Ki, and My Melody, blending cuteness with traditional Japanese New Year symbolism.

ZAK SUSHI is also offering a limited-time merchandise bundle: any single purchase of NT$800 or more qualifies for a discounted add-on. From December 26th, the stainless steel tote cup, adorned with character kimono designs, will be available for NT$699, with a limited quantity of 7,500 units. On January 9th, the dual-use plush neck pillows (featuring Hello Kitty and Kiki-no-Ki) will launch at NT$499 each, with 3,750 units available. Starting December 26th, a limited-quantity "clip-closure bento bag" (featuring the Sanrio family, Kiki-no-Ki, and Mermaid-Man) can be obtained with a purchase of NT$1,200 and completion of a social media task; a total of 5,200 units will be available.

The collaboration also introduces the "ZAK SUSHI × Sanrio Family" menu. The signature "Kiki-no-Ki Rich Chocolate Brownie Berry-Jelly Sundae" boasts a vibrant purple Kiki-no-Ki theme: layers of milk cream, cornflakes, chocolate brownie, and berry jelly, drizzled with blueberry sauce, topped with a card featuring Kiki-no-Ki in a kimono. Purchasing the sundae enters customers into a lottery for 20,000 limited-edition Sanrio character cards, each valued at NT$180. The "Peach Fruit Tea" will also be available in limited-edition Hello Kitty and Kiki-no-Ki packaging for NT$80 per can, sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Grand Hotel Taipei's "Oriental Palace" Christmas Tree: A Floral Masterpiece

 

The Grand Hotel Taipei's Christmas tree is a breathtaking display, crafted by renowned floral champion Claude Cossec and his team. This year’s centerpiece, a magnificent 6-meter tree, was unveiled in a special ceremony last evening, transforming the hotel into a festive "Oriental palace."

In a collaboration that elevates Taipei’s Christmas celebrations, the hotel welcomed French floral champion Claude Cossec for the first time. Under the theme "Encountering Flowers and Light," Cossec and his team created the hotel’s largest Christmas decoration to date. The design seamlessly blends floral artistry, exquisite lighting, and architectural elements, creating a shared winter wonderland viewable from both the North and High buildings.

#GrandHotelTaipei #ChristmasTree #FloralDesign #TaipeiChristmas #ClaudeCossec

Location : Google Map

Super Junior Adds New Show to Kaohsiung Concert Series, Extending the Celebration!

 

South Korean boy band Super Junior is once again electrifying Taiwan! Their world tour, "Super Show 10," celebrating the group’s 20th anniversary, recently concluded a hugely successful run at Taipei Arena, drawing tens of thousands of fans over three days. The audience’s passionate cheering moved the members to tears on several occasions, creating unforgettable memories that E.L.F. fans are still buzzing about. Now, with the Taipei excitement still fresh, Super Junior is set to bring their celebration to Kaohsiung next year. The initial two shows sold out instantly, prompting organizers to add a third performance.

TW officially announced the additional concert on the afternoon of the 16th. Super Junior’s 20th-anniversary tour “Super Show 10” will now include a performance in Kaohsiung on January 23, 2026 (Friday) at 8:00 p.m. This allows the group to perform for three consecutive nights at the Kaohsiung Arena, sharing a powerful and emotional 20th-anniversary experience with Taiwanese fans. Tickets for January 24th and 25th are already gone, making this added show a valuable opportunity for fans who missed out.

A Tour Filled with Memories: Celebrating 20 Years with Iconic Songs

Super Junior's 20-year journey has produced a wealth of beloved songs that have soundtracked the youth of countless fans. "Super Show 10" isn't just a concert; it’s a retrospective tour brimming with cherished memories and heartfelt emotions. Having performed in Taiwan numerous times, the country has become a “second home” for the group. The Taipei shows demonstrated the incredible support and energy of Taiwanese E.L.F. fans. Expect another ticket rush when the Kaohsiung show goes on sale!

SUPER JUNIOR 20th Anniversary TOUR in KAOHSIUNG

Performance Times:

January 23, 2026 (Friday) 8:00 p.m. – Added Show

January 24, 2026 (Saturday) 6:00 p.m.

January 25, 2026 (Sunday) 6:00 p.m.

#SuperJunior #SuperShow10 #SJ20thAnniversary #KaohsiungConcert #ELF

Venue: Kaohsiung Arena

Snoopy is joining the festivities to celebrate Christmas!

 

The "YOYOGI PICK Character Market" has arrived in Taichung, bringing a limited-time meet-and-greet surprise appearance to the Xinyi District.

Just in time for your year-end Christmas travels, a series of incredibly popular character-themed events offer a fresh highlight! The "YOYOGI PICK Super-Popular Character All-Star Market" officially opened today at Taichung Railway Cultural Park. Located in the H9 entrance gallery within Taichung Train Station, the venue seamlessly blends a transportation hub with a cultural and creative space, creating a relaxing and easy-to-navigate winter market attraction. The event will run from today until March 1, 2026, and is open to visitors every day of the week. Admission is free, pets are welcome, and it's a perfect destination for families, couples, or friends looking for a delightful half-day outing.

The "YOYOGI PICK Market" showcases a diverse collection of beloved characters and exclusive merchandise, including popular brands like DINOTAENG and Dàimèng Town. Visitors can collect adorable accessories, capture memorable photos, and immerse themselves in a truly cute and charming atmosphere – making it an essential new destination for exploring Taichung's city center.

#YOYOGIPICKMarket #TaichungEvents #CharacterMarket #ChristmasInTaiwan #TaichungTourism