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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.
Iekei restaurant in the western city of Osaka has ignited controversy by slapping a ban on all Chinese customers, accusing them of being troublemakers.
Japan

Video | Japan ramen joint bans Chinese customers amid menu price row

The restaurant says it had to call police over unruly Chinese diners, but online sleuths say the real cause of the trouble was dual pricing on its menus.

Trending in China

Japan ramen eatery bans ‘troublesome’ China diners, charges more for English menu

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Japan

Japan woman mocked for ‘ugly’ looks, resists cosmetic surgery, uses make-up

Mainland China

Video | Chinese-made ‘Are You Dead’ app addresses fear of dying alone

Failing to check in for two days in a row will result in the app sending an email to the emergency contact person.

A viral Chinese app called “Are You Dead” has topped the paid app charts in China’s ios App Store.
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Malaysia

Fast and furious: Malaysian streetwear boss suspended after road rage video

The Stoned & Co co-founder, seen on camera tailgating and blocking a car after being honked at, has apologised for his ‘poor judgment’.

The Philippines

Filipino woman worships green statue for 4 years, finds out it is animated character Shrek

Woman treats green ogre figure with great reverence; says she will continue to worship ‘kind-hearted’ cartoon statue.

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The Philippines

Soap opera in the sky: why Philippine Airlines’ safety video became a viral hit

The melodramatic Filipino teleserye-style video has racked up millions of views online by blending safety rules with storytelling.

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Screenshot from Philippine Airlines’ new soap opera-styled safety video. Photo: Philippine Airlines
Social media

Video | Viral video of bare hands in drinks gets milk tea shop closed

The employee filmed the act herself for social media, claiming it was ‘Indian-style milk tea’ for entertainment.

Trending in China

Japan zoo makes workers mimic pandas after 4 bears return to China, launches fan club

‘Bizarre’ caged activity compared to ‘avant-garde theatre’ as animal park tries to cement passion for pandas amid Sino-Japanese tension.

Japan

Japan insecticide firm holds memorial to honour bugs killed during product testing

Unusual 40-year-old tradition sees monk chant and employees pray for dead cockroaches, mites and fleas; critics find ceremony ‘ironic’.

A Japanese insecticide company holds an annual memorial service to honour the insects it killed during product testing. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/YouTube
US-Venezuela conflict

Nike tracksuit worn by Maduro is selling out after viral photo

Global searches for the distinctive Nike grey hoodie and joggers spike after Venezuela’s leader is pictured in US custody.

Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro in US custody wearing a Nike tracksuit. Photo: White House via EPA
Fame and celebrity

Explainer | What is the relationship ‘swag gap’? Just ask Hailey and Justin Bieber

It’s been 2 years since the Biebers attended a Rhode beauty drop in wildly different outfits – and TikTok seems to think such ‘swag gaps’ are relationship deal-breakers.

Japan

Japan gamer, 12, plans to quit school for esports, backed by parents, sparks debate

Boy with capacity for focus far exceeding ordinary child aims for top of professional gaming; once concentrated on game so much, he wet himself.

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South Korea

Korean professors fined for taking students’ tests to inflate scores, stop budget cuts

Teachers sat ‘key’ exams to keep poorly performing people at university amid school closure threats; one academic faces extortion bid.

Three professors and an assistant teacher in South Kores have been fined for taking tests for students to inflate scoring rates in an attempt to prevent budget cuts. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Inspirational one-armed Malaysian man works as food delivery rider to save for wedding

26-year-old suffered horrendous injuries after being dragged along road in an accident; shuns use of prosthetic arm as it causes too much pain.

A 26-year-old Malaysian man, who lost an arm in an accident, is working as a food delivery rider to save for his wedding in Singapore next year. Photo: TikTok@ahmadnabil400
Mainland China

Video | Watch SCMP’s most watched viral videos of 2025

Watch SCMP’s most viewed viral videos of 2025.

Hong Kong

Video | Hikers scale steep slope in Hong Kong’s Ocean Park

Video apparently taken from a cable car at the attraction and shows hikers climbing down giant seahorse carved into Brick Hill.

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Japan

‘I am dead’: Japan man posts posthumous social media message; many admire strength

Optimistic post appears 2 days after man dies following battle with rare cancer; death reveals new side of his personality to farmer father.

The social media account of a Japanese man who died at 22 automatically posted a message two days later, saying “I am dead” which went viral and attracted admiration. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com/fnn.jp
Japan

Japan stabbing rampage leaves 15 injured at Yokohama rubber factory

Authorities confirm injuries after a weapon and ‘spray-like liquid’ attack. Local media report one man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

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Thailand

Thailand rediscovers ‘extinct’ flat-headed cat after three decades

Elusive feline spotted with cub, offering hope for endangered species’ survival.

Singapore

Gaffes, breaches and sinkhole stars: Singapore’s 2025 social storms

Passionate online discussions have revealed concerns about power, accountability and how the country sees itself.

A still from a social media video shows a submerged car after it fell into a sinkhole in Singapore on July 26. Social media users hailed migrant workers for their quick response in saving the driver. Photo: X/HaggerDarren
India

Indian doctor suspended, charged after allegedly assaulting patient

Dr Raghav Narula is accused of speaking disrespectfully to a patient at a hospital in Shimla, but has denied wrongdoing in the confrontation.

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Screenshot from a video filmed by an attendant at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital on Monday showing a masked doctor punching a man lying on a bed. Photo: X
World of performing arts

Meet the Korean viral ‘dancing conductor’ who says he’s not actually dancing

Some conductors are visibly moved by the music, but Korean maestro Baek Yoon-hak takes that concept a step or two further.

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Trending in China

Japanese tourist in China gets extreme kindness after car crash, changes perceptions

Amid Sino-Japanese tensions, woman describes treatment she received as ‘incredibly warm, genuine and professional’.

Japan

Japan girl pop star comes out as transmasculine non-binary after breast removal

20-year-old rapper says being born, raised a woman caused her ‘deep discomfort’; hopes operation can ‘shine a light’, divides online opinion.

A member of the Xtraordinary Girls J-pop group has announced her identification as transmasculine non-binary after undergoing breast removal surgery, sparking a mixed online reaction. Photo: SCMP composite/X.com/IG@cocona_xg
Chinese Basketball Association

Pair arrested for faking AI video featuring China women’s basketball star Wang

Two 32-year-old suspects, surnamed Lin and Chen, detained over video using images and manipulated voice of Wang Siyu, head coach Gong Luming.

In the fake video, the manipulated image of Wang Siyu (left) claims to have carried China during the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. Photo: Getty Images
Thailand

Bangkok puppy yoga studio offers comfort and stress relief for US$60 per session

Studio collaborates with local dog shelters and breeders, showcasing breeds such as Samoyeds, golden retrievers, and huskies.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong teaching hospital investigates staff over viral ‘water fight’ video

Queen Mary Hospital vows disciplinary action after staff caught on video using syringes as ‘water pistols’ inside a ward.

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