Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC
Viral stories
+ FOLLOW
Viral stories
Trending events, happenings and people that have made waves on social media or online in wider Asia, and the world beyond.
SHOW FULL PROFILE
South Korea
‘Are you still hiring?’: K-pop king G-Dragon gifts flats to staff, sparks online buzz
Known for his exceptional loyalty, the pop icon has developed a strong bond with his long-term team.
12 May 2026 - 9:07AM
Singapore
Teenager charged after assault on blogger Amos Yee at Singapore anime event
11 May 2026 - 11:12AM
Japan
Japan online shops probed after listing schoolgirls’ old shoes for sale at US$320
6 May 2026 - 8:18PM
Social media
Video
|
How Singapore police use memes to teach important lessons
A video published on April Fool’s Day drawing attention to online scams has gained over 8 million views.
4 May 2026 - 10:12PM
01:15
Bangladesh
Hero or reckless? Bangladeshi man saving baby on train tracks divides opinion
Some social media users question how the man could have dropped his son just as they were getting off the moving train.
4 May 2026 - 6:22PM
Mainland China
Video
|
Man sprays train crowd in China with suspected pepper spray
Passengers on Guangzhou Metro Line 3 describe inhaling ‘something spicy’ according to local media.
4 May 2026 - 5:59PM
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Malaysia
Elephants never forget? Malaysians demand Japan return ‘homesick’ trio
One video shows Dara, Amoi and Kelat responding to their names in Malay while another reportedly reveals one of the elephants ‘weeping’.
1 May 2026 - 4:13PM
The Philippines
Filipino male pageant contestant’s viral swimsuit walk sparks body image debate
Observers said RJ Perkins’ viral moment shows beauty pageants might be ready to move beyond their traditional ideals.
30 Apr 2026 - 3:46PM
videocam
Japan
Japan underground idol sparks outrage for offering armpit sniffing service for fans
‘Bubbly, approachable’ online performer entices men to partake in strange practice; some fans pledge lifelong ‘loyalty’ to her.
26 Apr 2026 - 2:00PM
Japan
Unexpected love: Japan traditional dancer finds love at 60 with 26-year-old protege
The couple’s recent appearance on a Japanese television show generated considerable buzz and discussion among the public.
24 Apr 2026 - 2:00PM
Singapore
Singaporean man charged after viral Lucky Plaza assault on Filipino woman
He allegedly assaulted the woman while under conditional warning for a previous attack on her. Police said the pair knew each other.
23 Apr 2026 - 2:57PM
United States
US animal rights activists clash with police over Wisconsin dog breeder
About 1,000 animal welfare activists faced rubber bullets and pepper spray as they tried to gain entry to a beagle breeding and research facility.
19 Apr 2026 - 10:44PM
Thailand
7 French tourists arrested after viral Songkran clash with van driver in Phuket
Police said the group of revellers blocked traffic, sprayed water at the driver and ignored orders to disperse.
16 Apr 2026 - 3:20PM
Trending in China
Japan-based China nurse slammed for posting work clips; privacy, ethics fears raised
‘Irresponsible’ member of medical staff posts videos showing patients’ medicine bags, hospital beds; forces bosses to apologise.
14 Apr 2026 - 2:00PM
Japan
Japan food company’s ‘manly’ revolution of ‘boring’ tofu captures youth market
Ito begins by reshaping tofu into paddle boards, teardrops, stepping away from traditional moulds to give it a contemporary appeal.
24 Mar 2026 - 3:09PM
Seoul
Video
|
Low BTS concert turnout causes slide in agency shares
The heavily secured Gwanghwamun Square performance drew 104,000 fans – less than half the turnout police expected.
23 Mar 2026 - 7:40PM
Food and Drinks
Mouthing Off
|
McDonald’s CEO’s burger blunder shows the problem of lacking a common touch
Chris Kempczinski’s timid taste test of McDonald’s new Big Arch sparked a slew of trolling responses from Burger King, Wendy’s and A&W.
12 Mar 2026 - 8:15AM
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Video
|
Chinese game centre slammed for using live hamsters in claw machine
Some people tried to file a complaint with a citizen service line but were told the city ‘does not have an animal protection law’.
11 Mar 2026 - 9:07PM
02:11
Food and Drinks
She hated working at her parents’ Chinese restaurant. Now she’s made it viral
Anna Peng shares the daily joys and challenges of running Canada’s Great Fountain Fast Food to its nearly 40,000 followers on Instagram.
2 Mar 2026 - 1:19PM
5
Japan
Japan trans woman, 64, enjoys slow-paced life with lover, 86, wears princess dresses
Sex reassignment surgery recipient who faces problems using women’s facilities because of her size says she wants to slim down, wear miniskirts.
27 Feb 2026 - 2:00PM
Japan
Viral video of child being shoved at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing stokes anger
The video shows a masked passer-by appearing to knock the girl to the ground, prompting calls for an investigation.
3 Mar 2026 - 11:24AM
videocam
8
Japan
Video
|
Fans flock to Japan zoo to see viral baby monkey
The baby monkey went viral for dragging a stuffed orangutan around as a surrogate mother after he was abandoned.
23 Feb 2026 - 9:34PM
02:08
Malaysia
Bikini-clad mermaid sales stunt triggers religious probe in Malaysia
Authorities in conservative Kelantan are investigating the viral cross-dressing video after online critics accused the men of mocking Islam.
23 Feb 2026 - 5:31PM
Japan
Japan youth share before and after cosmetic surgery photos raise copycat fears
AI-generated before and after images posted online raise fears about promoting risky procedures; warping youngsters ideas about beauty.
22 Feb 2026 - 4:12PM
Thailand
Video
|
Thai police pose as lion dancers to nab a thief
Thai police were tracking a suspect accused of stealing US$64,000 worth of Buddhist artefacts.
19 Feb 2026 - 9:41PM
Hong Kong aviation
Video
|
Man takes out his anger on Hong Kong airport kiosks
Viral video shows man toppling self-check-in kiosks with a stanchion before being arrested.
16 Feb 2026 - 5:17PM
00:25
Fame and celebrity
Hollywood shaken by Brad Pitt-Tom Cruise fight video made with Chinese AI
The viral clip was generated with a two-line prompt on Seedance 2.0, a platform owned by ByteDance, the company behind TikTok.
14 Feb 2026 - 10:51AM
6
South Korea
‘Smaller than a closet’: the tiny Seoul flats going viral on YouTube
YouTuber Drew Binsky tours Seoul’s US$250-a-month micro-flats, sparking conversation on urban housing and South Korea’s hidden pressures.
10 Feb 2026 - 4:43PM
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement