Part 8/11:

The Japanese occupation during World War II marked a dark turning point. Some entertainment spaces were repurposed as internment camps or POW sites, and during the occupation, entertainment shifted to propaganda and Japanese films. Post-war, these parks rebounded briefly, rebranded as Beauty World and others, continuing to serve as hubs of lively community life.

However, the momentum waned as Singapore's modernization accelerated. The rise of shopping malls, cinemas, television, and later streaming services gradually displaced traditional entertainment venues. The government’s push towards a "civilized" culture, coupled with urban redevelopment, led to the systematic eradication of these spaces—each brick and palm tree replaced by commercial and residential development.