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Film Analysis: Ringu (リング) vs The Ring – A Cross-Cultural Horror Comparison

Introduction: Film has always been more than entertainment; it reflects the cultural, historical, and aesthetic frameworks from which it emerges. During my undergraduate - Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney (2014–2018), I studied a wide range of disciplines beyond my foundation in Dentistry — from Art History, Race & Gender, and Cultural Studies to Film Studies, Japanese Media, Literature, and History. Collectively, these fields gave me an interdisciplinary lens through which to view cinema not merely as narrative, but as a cultural text shaped by deep-rooted traditions. One of the most compelling opportunities came in JPNS2672: Japanese Media and Popular Culture, where I undertook a comparative analysis of Hideo Nakata’s Ringu (1998) and its Hollywood remake The Ring (2002)....

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Before and After 2024: The Zirconia Renaissance – Unlocking the Aesthetic Potential with Strength

In the ever-evolving world of metal-free aesthetic dentistry, material selection remains one of the most powerful—yet often under-examined—decisions we make as clinicians and ceramists. Since the inception of my inaugural business in 2008, Smile by Yugo, I’ve witnessed—and contributed to—a profound transformation in the materials we rely on to craft beauty and function alike. Over the years, we’ve transitioned from traditional feldspathic and refractory layering veneer techniques to pressed glass ceramics (e.g., Empress, Ivoclar Vivadent), exploring the potential of staining techniques in monolithic structures, then upgraded to lithium disilicate (e.g., e.max, Ivoclar Vivadent), and now, increasingly, toward the modern versatility of zirconia. That said, without ongoing engagement in continuing education, hands-on experimentation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, it’s easy to default to familiar...

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Before and After 2023: Refining the Fine – Subtle Aesthetic Enhancements with Major Impact

At first glance, Sherelle’s pre-operative condition (the image on the left) appears almost flawless. Her smile is bright, symmetrical, and generally well-aligned—qualities many patients would already consider ideal. And yet, as with many high-performing professionals in the dental field, even minor imperfections can weigh heavily on one’s confidence. Sherelle is no ordinary patient. As the receptionist at Smile Doctor Mona Vale—one of the most respected dental practices in Sydney’s Northern Beaches—she plays a crucial role in patient communication and care. In fact, she often uses her own journey as a live example to help patients understand what’s possible with thoughtful smile design. This case reminds us that aesthetic dentistry isn’t just about fixing the obvious—it’s about listening, understanding subtle dissatisfaction, and finding...

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Embark on Your CEO Body Odyssey (Part 2): Mastering the Art of the Lean Bulk

Introduction In today’s high-pressure world, staying physically strong isn’t just about looking good—it’s about showing up with energy, clarity, and confidence, especially if you're leading a business or navigating a demanding career. When your body performs at its best, your mind follows—and vice versa. This synergy forms the foundation of sustained high performance—not just in the gym, but at work, in relationships, and ultimately, in life. In Part 1, I shared my 8-week Keto transformation—a powerful reset that stripped body fat and sharpened mental focus. But what came next was even more challenging: building muscle while continuing to lose fat. I used to think this kind of “body recomposition” was a myth—something only genetic outliers or enhanced athletes could achieve. I was...

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Before and After 2022: Smile Design 2.0 (Part 2) – Performing a Smile Makeover on Social Media Influencer

In Part 1 of ‘Smile Design 2.0’, I introduced my well-established standardised protocol for smile design, applied to a dental professional – often one of the most challenging types of patients due to their high dental IQ and elevated expectations. Treating fellow colleagues requires absolute precision and a deep understanding of the nuances within my specialties. In Part 2 of this blog series, I will again cover the essential requirements for digital photography and effective communication between dental professionals and patients, taking a consistent step-by-step approach. This time, however, my focus shifts to a social media influencer. The case presented here features an Asian female patient who shares her physical appearance and life experience on social media. Working with celebrity or influencer...

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Embark on Your CEO Body Odyssey (Part 1): An Epic 8-Week Keto Transformation Guide

Introduction   “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is a fallacy if you are an aspiring individual in modern society. In today’s world, many of us juggle two identities: the projected, constructed, and idealised online persona and the reality of who we are as we balance work and life. While much attention is given to the former, with individuals presenting embellished self-images to satisfy their desire for recognition, what about the latter? This discrepancy explains the exponential growth of social media platforms and the widespread use of digital gadgets, software and filters. But how do we reconcile these two identities?   Undoubtedly, societal expectations suggest that leaders should possess distinct and recognisable physical aesthetics and emotional strength in real life that match their...

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Before and After 2021: Smile Design 2.0 (Part 1) – Performing a smile makeover for dental professionals

I’ve been meaning to work on my publications for a while but was occupied with my GAMSAT studies, plus the establishment and stabilisation of my new business - Smile Virtuoso, in Pyrmont, NSW. It’s been a year and a half since I updated my blog posts, and now I finally have an opportunity to work on some exciting projects to share and be published in 2023! I want to kick off the blog post in this Before and After section, titled ‘Smile Design 2.0 (part 1 and part 2)’. These blog posts serve as sneak peeks of the cases presented in my upcoming article, where I present a standardised protocol in smile design, explaining the requirements in digital photography and communication...

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Smile Bible: A Communication Tool Between Dental Clinicians and Technicians, Clinicians and Patients and Technicians and Patients

Labline Magazine featured Yugo’s article for the ‘ACADEMY’ section in Winter 2016 (originally published in English and Hungarian).   There is a story behind every article I’ve created, and I cherish every single one of them. However, this particular piece is a standout because it compiles my philosophy into a single work.   The contents include: Dental Material Selections The Aesthetic Articulator Digital Dental Photography Shade Taking and Smile Design Consultation   I felt that the missing link in Dentistry was the communication between the clinicians and technicians with our patients, and how to educate our patients through effective correspondence to make each treatment step transparent and visually assessable.   The clinical philosophy is the driving force, and the clinicians should remain the captains of the ship, no...

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