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Viral stories

Viral stories
Trending events, happenings and people that have made waves on social media or online in wider Asia, and the world beyond.
Yuen Long cafe’s meat patties skyrockets to fame after viral online copypasta trend
Internet

Video | Yuen Long cafe goes viral after online copypasta trend

Tai Bo Cafe in Yuen Long has gone viral online thanks to a copypasta trend on Threads recommending their meat patties, and have seen customers from as far as Macau.

Thailand

Tourists in disbelief as luggage drifts away during ferry ride in Thailand

Trending in China

China woman arrested for stealing fish waste to feed restaurant staff and customers

Millionaires and billionaires

Meet Netra Mantena and Vamsi Gadiraju – who just had a ‘billionaire wedding’

Bollywood’s Madhuri Dixit, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor performed at the viral nuptials, with guests including Donald Trump Jr and Bettina Anderson.

Netra Mantena and Vamsi Gadiraju tied the knot in a multi-million-dollar wedding in Udaipur. Photo: @aashniandco/Instagram
South Korea

Outrage as Korean saleswoman kneels after abuse by customer for telling son off

Mother of boy launches humiliating tirade against innocent member of shop staff; forces worker to rub hands together in apology.

Thailand

Thai woman stays on rooftop with pets during floods, refusing rescue without them

In her online plea for rescue, she shares location, urges authorities to cut power in her neighbourhood to prevent electrocution.

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Russia

Russian fitness coach dies at 30 after gaining 25kg in promotional junk food binge

Online influencer gorges on cakes, pizzas, pastries, dumplings and chips before dying in his sleep, sparking warnings about extreme eating.

A Russian fitness coach gained 25kg in a month by binge eating junk food to promote his weight loss courses but died at 30 after consuming 10,000 calories daily. Photo: QQ.com
Malaysia

Malaysian man stranded by Thai floods with ‘colleagues’ exposed holidaying with lover

The wife remains unaware of her husband’s affair, as he regularly communicates with her.

Japan

Japan idol posts belly photo, asks fans to retouch for more flattering look, sparks debate

Fans of up-and-coming pop star who flaunted image of her ‘imperfect’ midriff on stage get creative in online posts ‘fixing’ wrinkle.

Malaysia

‘Malaysian promoting Singapore’: viral video sparks debate over talent use

Social media users question why Malaysian tourism authorities have not engaged local talent effectively to promote the country.

Two shots from the short film produced by Malaysian VFX artist Mohamad Sofian Abdullah, better known as Sofyank, in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board. Photos: Instagram / sofyank96
Trending in China

Explainer | What is ‘second-hand fried chicken’; how snack became popular in Philippine slums

Videos of Chinese bloggers sampling recooked, seasoned leftovers in run-down Filipino neighbourhoods go viral on social media.

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A video showing a Chinese influencer trying pagpag, a dish made from discarded fried chicken in the Philippines, has raised awareness of its importance as a protein source for struggling families. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Japan

Japan security guard’s bond with cat moves many; museum honours feline’s memory

Friendly feline made regular visits to play with venue guard; staff create calendar bearing photos of their interactions for posterity.

Trending in China

Public outrage over Chinese man placing hell money in Japanese temple donation box

Amid rising tension between Tokyo and Beijing, mainland tourists’ use of fake cash to seek good fortune sparks anger online.

Japan

Japan man defies family, rejects traditional career path, wears women’s clothing

Controlling parents force 26-year-old graduate of top university to move out; he gets own flat, fills it with ‘rubbish’ for ‘companionship’.

A university graduate in Japan has defied his family’s expectations by not taking a civil service exam and finding comfort by wearing women’s clothes. Photo: YouTube
South Korea

‘Don’t sell loneliness’: Korean eatery refuses to serve solo diners, sparks debate

Noodle outlet advertises sarcastic ‘options’ for people who want to dine alone as country faces rising number of single households.

A noodle restaurant in Seoul, South Korean has sparked a public backlash by refusing to serve solo diners. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Japan DJ joins Tokyo’s growing ranks of female rickshaw drivers, boosts speaking skills

29-year-old juggles radio presenting position with pulling people around; loves both jobs so much, she works 7 days a week.

Thailand

‘Everyone was startled’: Thai woman ‘wakes up’ in coffin before cremation

Woman wakes in coffin before cremation; organ donation attempt by her brother halted by missing death certificate.

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Japan

Japan woman marries AI partner, wears augmented reality glasses for ring exchange

‘Crazy’ 32-year-old shuns human relationships after real fiancé split, takes part in virtual ceremony after developing feelings for chatbot.

A 32-year-old Japanese woman who ended a real-life three-year engagement has fallen in love with and married a virtual partner powered by ChatGPT. Photo: X.com
Japan

Japan man scoops US$3.8 million lottery, hides win from wife, lives in secret luxury

66-year-old winner goes behind wife’s back to splurge on luxury car, hot springs, plush resorts; eventually suffers identity crisis.

Japan

Japan cook fends off bear while preparing food, keeps working while covered in blood

Shop manager remarks that it was fortunate the attack occurred on a Sunday when nearby kindergarten was closed.

Trending in China

Fans saddened by imminent retirement of Japan beloved penguin smart card mascot

Many fans have questioned the company’s decision, and some have even started petitions for its reversal.

In Japan, the beloved penguin mascot of Suica smartcards will retire in spring 2027, a move that has puzzled and saddened many fans. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo
US-China relations

Hasan Piker’s China tour draws fire after viral Tiananmen police encounter

Critics say Piker’s praise for China and on-camera run-in highlight risks for Western creators in a sensitive media environment.

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American political commentator and live-streamer Hasan Piker was stopped by a police officer while waiting to watch the daily sunset flag-raising ceremony in Tiananmen Square. Photo: Screenshot from Twitch
Animals

What is ‘hobby dogging’? Trend of training imaginary dogs ridiculed online

‘Hobby dogging’, where dog lovers train with imaginary pets on the end of leashes and harnesses, has taken off in Germany.

Japan

Japanese idol, 17, fired for dating; deemed ‘serious violation of rules’

Many believe she was hastily dismissed due to affiliation with an underground idol group that heavily relies on loyal male fans.

Malaysia

Storm in a takeaway cup: Malaysia’s Zus Coffee backs barista after viral clash

A video showing the irate customer throwing a cup at the barista – who tosses it back – has drawn over 2 million views.

The incident happened at one of Zus Coffee’s outlets in Malaysia. Photo: Instagram/zus.coffee
Japan

Japan man rents wife’s murder flat for 20 years, preserves crime scene, spends US$145,000

Grieving husband of multiple stabbing victim refuses to clean up bloodstains; police reopen case, female killer confesses.

A Japanese man who rented out the property in which his wife was murdered more than 20 years in the hope of preserving the scene of the crime has been vindicated after the killer gave herself up to the police. Photo: QQ.com
Japan

Japan bullying victim becomes ‘world’s most beautiful’ after US$650,000 plastic surgery

Wealthy ‘patrons’ shell out thousands of dollars to pay for man’s procedures; get ‘company, meals out, parties, shopping’ in return.

Malaysia

Madani or Mamdani? New York mayor’s name mix-up goes viral in Malaysia

Prime Minister Anwar has spent three years promoting Malaysia Madani, a slogan using the Arabic term for ‘civil’, as the heart of his government.

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