Maisha Islam Monamee

The author is a student of Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at the University of Dhaka and a contributor at The Daily Star.

‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’: A love letter to endurance, memory, and the women of Jeju

"When Life Gives You Tangerines" has sparked a frenzy on social media, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about K-dramas of the year. It is not just the powerhouse performances of IU and Park Bo-gum or its beautifully shot cinematography that have captured the audience’s attention but the way the series lingers, offering a meditation on love, family, and time that feels both universal and deeply rooted in Korean culture. The show, which takes its time to unfold, has become a viral sensation, with fans and critics alike drawn to its emotional depth and understated storytelling. But beyond the buzz, this show’s quiet power lies in the way it draws you in, inviting you to reflect on the intricacies of life, love, and the enduring bonds that shape us.

4d ago

The ultimate guide to acing business competitions

Business competitions are among the most rewarding experiences a BBA student can have. Participating in these competitions provides exposure to real corporate problems often presented by leading companies.

5d ago

How Eid nostalgia thrives in a tech-driven world

The world has changed, and with it, so has Eid. Yet, paradoxically, technology is bringing back the very elements we thought we had lost.

1w ago

How Netflix’s UGC is a masterclass in brand loyalty

Netflix has long been at the forefront of digital entertainment, leading the shift from DVD rentals to streaming dominance. But its latest move—integrating user-generated content (UGC) into its platform—is perhaps one of its most ingenious strategies so far.

1w ago

Miyazaki, AI, and the weight of human ingenuity in art

One ought to adhere to a certain level of reverence when talking about Hayao Miyazaki. The man has dedicated his life to a form of animation that values patience over production speed, detail over efficiency, and emotion over mere aesthetics. Back in 2016, he made a public statement regarding AI-generated art, where he called it an “insult to life itself”. To therefore understand the weight of the proclamation itself is to understand the nature of his art.

2w ago

'The Electric State' and its missed connections

This year "The Electric State" arrived as one of Netflix’s most expensive gambits, a film burdened not only by a budget that exceeds $300 million but also by a creative lineage that promises much. The Russo brothers, known for their mastery of blockbuster spectacle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), bring their vision to a film set against the dystopian backdrop of a desolate, near-future world where robots and humanity are in a state of uneasy coexistence. Based on the acclaimed illustrated novel of the same name by Simon Stålenhag, the film stars Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, and Anthony Mackie. Despite the star power, the enormous investment, and the high expectations surrounding its release, "The Electric State" struggles to live up to its ambitious...

2w ago

Framed in a one-shot: The emotional chaos of 'Adolescence'

"Adolescence", the Netflix miniseries created by Jack Thorne and directed by Philip Barantini, is an emotionally charged and deeply unsettling drama that tackles complex themes surrounding masculinity, identity, and societal failure. It presents a raw and unflinching look at the pressures faced by contemporary youth, particularly boys, and examines how these pressures can lead to radicalisation and violence. With a narrative rooted in realism, the show takes a refreshing, albeit harrowing, approach to storytelling, steering away from the expected tropes of crime dramas and police procedurals. It is a series that captivates not through high-stakes thrills but through its careful, painful exploration of human emotion and the systems that shape us.

2w ago

‘Dabba Cartel’: A promising crime drama undone by inconsistencies

The Netflix series "Dabba Cartel", currently trending within the top 10 most viewed in Bangladesh, attempts to carve out a unique space in the crime drama genre by marrying the mundanity of everyday life with the high-stakes world of drug trafficking. Set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s middle-class neighbourhoods, this Hitesh Bhatia directorial explores how five women from vastly different social backgrounds come together, not out of greed or ambition but out of necessity. Their journey, marked by unexpected alliances, betrayals, and moments of startling agency, should have made for a riveting watch—to some degree, it does. However, as the show unfolds, it becomes clear that its ambitions exceed its execution, resulting in a concoction that is fascinating in theory but...

3w ago
February 12, 2025
February 12, 2025

Ushering in a new era of work

The global job market is changing faster than ever before, driven by shifts in technology, demographics, and the rise of new industries. These changes are not just limited to advanced economies; they are impacting countries like ours, where rapid economic growth and a young, ambitious workforce are driving conversations about the future of work.

February 12, 2025
February 12, 2025

Shikho aims to bring in the AI hype to ed-tech—here’s how

Shikho, a Bangladesh-based edtech company, has recently introduced a beta version of Shikho AI, an artificial intelligence tool aimed at addressing educational gaps for Bangla-speaking students.

February 3, 2025
February 3, 2025

‘Dhaka Makers’: Our ultimate urban guilt trip

Each year, "Dhaka Makers" returns with the promise of celebrating Bangladesh’s rich artisanal heritage. This is our city’s grandest attempt at presenting a craft fair as the pinnacle of urban sophistication. This is not just any ordinary roadside haat where artisans sell their work at reasonable prices. It is an "experience" so refined, so exclusive, that one must pay Tk 300 just to step inside and breathe the artisanal air.

February 2, 2025
February 2, 2025

An exploration of traditional art forms at ‘Dhaka Makers 3’

The ongoing "Dhaka Makers 3" is showcasing the vibrancy of Bangladesh’s contemporary art scene while also serving as an exhibition for both traditional and contemporary crafts. Through a series of hands-on workshops, participants have been introduced to the timeless techniques and motifs of Bengali craftsmanship, allowing these age-old traditions to thrive in a contemporary setting.

January 31, 2025
January 31, 2025

The inherent discrimination in our medical admission tests

Even after all this, when the quota system in admission tests remains, it begs the question of why we still need to favour a select group while sidelining other deserving candidates.

January 30, 2025
January 30, 2025

How to backup everything on your Google account

Our Google accounts hold a significant amount of data, from cherished photos and important documents to critical emails and contacts. Here are some ways in which you can backup valuable information and files from various Google apps.

January 29, 2025
January 29, 2025

‘XO, Kitty’ Season 2: A delightful rollercoaster of growth in teen drama

''XO, Kitty'', the beloved Netflix spinoff of Jenny Han’s ''To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before'' franchise, returned for its highly anticipated second season with all the sweetness, drama, and spirit that made its first season such a hit. The show picks up where it left off, delving deeper into Kitty Song Covey's (played by Anna Cathcart) whirlwind life at the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS), while also bringing a more profound focus on her quest for answers about her late mother, Eve. Season 2 strikes a delicate balance between familiar beats from Season 1 and exciting new developments, presenting a delightful intermingling of romance, familial bonds, and personal growth.

January 28, 2025
January 28, 2025

‘Nalini’: Exploring the intersection of art, environment, and humanity

The words, "What you touch, you change. What you change, changes you," perfectly capture the essence of "Nalini", an exhibition by French-Brazilian artist and printmaker Julia Lebrao Sendra. Hosted at Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) in Dhanmondi, this thought-provoking exhibition delved deep into the fragile relationship between humans and their environment, using the Buriganga river as both a subject and metaphor.

January 28, 2025
January 28, 2025

Nvidia’s worst day since 2020: what happened?

To maintain its leadership, Nvidia will need to adapt

January 19, 2025
January 19, 2025

Why do we crave survival game tropes?

The eerie whistle of a haunting melody, the countdown of a clock ticking toward doom, and a desperate player caught between having to take a drastic step either for or against morality — survival game shows have become a global obsession. From the blood-soaked battlegrounds of "Battle Royale" to the dystopian depths of "Squid Game", these narratives have gripped audiences, offering a voyeuristic thrill into life-or-death scenarios. But why are we so drawn to them? The answer lies in the intersection of psychology and sociology, where primal instincts and societal reflections meet.