Music Megastars Beyoncé, JJ Lin And Cha Eun-woo Front Our October 2021 Issue

We scored quite a coup this month with three megastars gracing our triple covers: Modern icon Beyoncé, Mandopop superstar JJ Lin and K-pop sensation Cha Eun-woo. Each in different genres and with different sounds, the American, Singaporean and South Korean call to different audiences with their own brands of music and they all have a story to tell. Commissioning the shoots across the different time zones and countries came with their own sets of demands and was a true test of our mettle, but the results are well worth it.

I was on location with Taiwan-based Lin, who had flown home for the shoot and was fresh out of the mandatory quarantine. I’ve been a fan of this Mandopop crooner for years and while I can’t actually sing or understand his songs per se (my Mandarin is #basic), I’ve loved his music all the same and was thrilled when he released an English album this year. On set, the 40-year-old was unassuming and the consummate professional. He looked all broody with his chiselled jaw for the cover shoot, performed like a superstar when he was filmed for the video and happily chomped into curry puffs that I brought to feed the team. I even glimpsed his inner child when he got all excited about the vintage cars we had on set—an open-top icy blue Mercedes and a sleek Aston Martin black coupe. Read all about his road to global stardom and his epiphany on page 154.

Then there’s Queen Bey with more than two decades in the spotlight, defying expectations to bring us powerful art that changes the way we see ourselves and one another (“Irreplaceable” was my go-to song whenever I needed a spot of self-empowerment). That’s the power of Beyoncé. Her music, her words, her voice have an incredible ability to lift spirits with affirmation. “I’m at the point where I no longer need to compete with myself. I have no interest in searching backwards. The past is the past,” she says in our cover spread. Wise words to live by and she has lots more to offer on page 135. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

And finally, global K-pop sensation Cha Eun-woo, a 25-year-old powerhouse who has already seen much success at his young age as a singer, actor and model but who remains hungry—very hungry. “I want glory and prosperity, but more importantly, there are still so many things I want to show people. That’s probably what drives my desire,” he says in his BAZAAR interview. His every movement, his every appearance generates so much social media attention that when we released a sneak peek of his cover shoot on Instagram, it generated the most organic likes we’ve ever garnered. See what the frenzy is all about on page 162. With our Music issue, you will find a plethora of style and fashion choices that help you get disco ready and shine like a glitter ball. Or you might prefer to go down the rock and roll route with flouncy shirts and stovepipe jeans, or maybe just hang with pals in bucket hats and athleisure at a music festival. Whatever your choice, turn on your Spotify, sit back with our mag and let us take you away on your fantasy.

—Kenneth Goh, Editor-in-Chief 

Download the digital edition from the App Store, Google Play or Magzter.

JJ Lin photographed by Gan
Styled by Windy Aulia
Fashion and Jewellery: Gucci
Makeup: Clarence Lee using Dior
Hair: Ken Hong/Evolve Salon
Photographer’s assistant: Samsidi Baderi
Assistant stylists: Lauren Alexa; Gracia Phang
Shot at Pasir Panjang Power Station
Special thanks to Classic Car Club Singapore

Beyoncé photographed by Campbell Addy
Styled by Samira Nasr and Marni Senofonte
Fashion: IVY PARK X adidas
Jewellery: Tiffany & Co.
Makeup: Hourglass, M.A.C., NARS, Laura Mercier, Tom Ford Beauty, Dior, Gucci Beauty, Chanel, Charlotte Tilbury, Anastasia Beverly Hills
Hair: Kérastase, Percy & Reed
Makeup Artist: Francesca Tolot
Hairstylist: Jawara
Personal hairstylist for Beyoncé and co-hairstylist: Nakia Rachon
Hair colourist: Rachel Bodt
Manicurist: Miho Okawara
Production: Viewfinders
Set designer: Peter Klein
Lighting technician: Stephen Wordie
Special thanks to Yvette Noel-Schure, Kaleb Steele, Andrew Makadsi, Lauren Baker and Hillary Coy of Parkwood Entertainment

Cha Eun-woo photographed by Mok Jungwook
Styled by Jung Yun-kyung
Fashion: Burberry
Editors: Seo Dongbeom and Son Anna
Makeup: Jung Bo-young
Hair: Park Mi-hyung
Set styling: Yu Hye-won
Assistant: Shin Ye-rim