Reality might be a little more optimistic than what the news usually portrays. That’s what we hope, at the very least. If anyone can narrate this era with clarity, it is the generation raised alongside technology itself. Tech-literate, sharp, and resilient, they understand both the pace of change and its discontents. For our November issue, Men’s Folio meets four young image-makers from Southeast Asia, with Luna as the second creative as part of our featured lineup. Through their work, we explore how youth-driven artistic expression can emerge as a quiet counterforce to systemic oppression.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, Luna is a video producer who, similar to us, is an active correspondent to culture as it happens in the Malaysia’s capital. Read our interview with her down below, as she discusses her work, KIM + KYLIE (2025) and her other works while working in KL’s underground music scene.

Name, Age, and Occupation?
Luna, 23, Video Producer at Juice Malaysia

What’s your current equipment?
Fuji XT-4.

Photo of Oxdayn at August Fear’s Fear Of Life Showcase (2025)

What’s the story behind your photo projects?
KIM + KYLIE are photos that were shot for Malaysian rapper Dinho’s album art. He reached out to me with an idea inspired by the 2016 Tumblr-era aesthetic, specifically Kim and Kylie’s iconic vibe. The concept revolves around parties, music, designer items, and most importantly, the sisterly bond and intimacy between the two, much like Kim and Kylie’s dynamic. The talents featured are Lunadira and her sister, Syahira!

KIM + KYLIE (2025)

I barely had to direct them because their chemistry as sisters came through so naturally, and that energy brought the whole concept to life. I wanted to capture that mix of gloss and chaos that defined early 2010s internet culture, the kind of messy, girly energy that felt alive and unfiltered.

KIM + KYLIE (2025)

The other photos I submitted are from a few underground gigs that I’ve shot over the past year. I kept noticing that no one was really capturing the raw, fun moments beyond phone photos, and I just felt like those didn’t do the energy justice. I wanted to document what it actually feels like to be there: the sweat, the chaos, the warmth, the sense of connection. For me, it’s not just about the performances, but about keeping those small, independent spaces alive through the photos, because they mean everything to the people who show up.

What does it mean to be young in Malaysia?
Being young in Malaysia feels like constantly having to create space for yourself, whether it’s in art, music, or how you choose to live. There’s this push and pull between wanting to break out and still feeling rooted in where you come from. You learn to make things work with what you have, to turn limitations into identity. I think that’s what makes youth here feel so distinct. We’re all just trying to build something that feels like ours, even if the world around us doesn’t always understand it.

KIM + KYLIE (2025)

Is it still possible to cultivate a community in 2025?
Yeah, I think it’s still possible but community looks different now. A lot of it still starts with a scene, like people who keep running into each other at the same gigs or events because we like the same music or vibe. But it’s not limited to that anymore. Those connections spill into other things too like art, fashion, design, even just shared moods or values. Creative communities now feel smaller and more intentional.

Photo of Bvellcen D at Trapper Kota Belud Album Listening Party (2025)

Everyone’s a bit more guarded, trying to protect their energy, but the connection is still there. It’s less about belonging to one scene and more about finding people who understand the same energy, who care about the same things, and who actually show up and that’s enough to keep it alive.

What’s one word to describe our generation? 
Hyperreal. Everything we do exists somewhere between the internet and real life. Our lives are curated, documented, and constantly reflected back at us, so even when we’re being honest, it’s filtered through layers of screens and aesthetics. It’s confusing sometimes, but also kind of beautiful.

KIM + KYLIE (2025)

For the generation who will succeed you, what is one piece of advice that you’ll want to impart?
Don’t rush to define yourself. Everything changes, and that’s ok. Keep creating, stay curious, and show up for what feels real to you. There’s always space for everyone. Make peace, make friends, and keep creating.

Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our latest issue.