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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.
The three Malaysian elephants stand in their enclosure at the Tennoji Zoo in Osaka. Photo: Facebook/The Patriot Studio
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’.

The Philippines

Filipino male pageant contestant’s viral swimsuit walk sparks body image debate

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Japan

Japan underground idol sparks outrage for offering armpit sniffing service for fans

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.

In Japan, a 60-year-old dancer has captured social media’s attention with her unexpected romance with her 26-year-old apprentice. Photo: tv-asahi.co.jp
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.

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.

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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.

Screenshots from a viral video showing Songkran festival revelers spraying a van driver in Patong. Photo: TikTok / littlepatong
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.

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.

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.

BTS fans watch the comeback concert of K-pop boy group BTS on screens at the venue in Seoul on March 21, 2026. South Korean megastars BTS reunited on March 21 for their first show in nearly four years, blowing away enormous crowds in Seoul for a K-pop extravaganza livestreamed to millions more worldwide. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)
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.

McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski takes a bite of the fast food chain’s new Big Arch burger in a recent social media video posted by the company. Photo: YouTube

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’.

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.

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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.

A 64-year-old Japanese trans woman enjoys a slow-paced life with her 86-year-old boyfriend, often wearing princess dresses and wigs on their dates. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com
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.

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Screenshots from a viral video posted by a social media user on Wednesday showing her daughter being shoved while attempting to take a photo at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing. Photo: Instagram / peipeilin527
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.

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.

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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.

Japanese youngsters are sharing AI-generated before and after photographs of themselves following cosmetic surgery, raising fears about psychological damage. Photo: SCMP composite/X.com
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.

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.

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.

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Brad Pitt (left) and Tom Cruise attend a film premiere in London in June 2025. Photo: TNS
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.

Drew Binsky inside a Seoul gosiwon on February 1, his outstretched arms nearly spanning the narrow room. Photo: YouTube/Drew Binsky
Trending in China

Cultural currents: how ‘Becoming Chinese’ trend is transforming Western lifestyles

Although trend may not persist indefinitely, cultural imitation driven by digital platforms will resurface time and again, expert says.

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Japan

Japan couple spark child neglect concerns for letting son, 12, babysit 5 siblings

Young boy who cooks for, cleans, bathes, his younger brothers and sisters contacts TV station seeking relief from his responsibilities.

Japan

Japan calls for action on GPS stalking after woman allegedly murdered by ex via device in toy

Pregnant 31-year-old manicurist beaten and stabbed to death in own home; police arrest suspect after viewing surveillance footage.

Concerns are rising in Japan over safety measures against GPS stalking after a pregnant woman was allegedly killed by her ex-boyfriend who tracked her to her home. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/YouTube
Japan

Japan eateries and pubs implement age restrictions for optimal dining experience

Policy has ignited heated debate among Japanese netizens, with some labelling it as discrimination.

In Tokyo, some restaurants restrict entry based on age, with certain places allowing only those under 40 to ensure younger customers can enjoy themselves without worrying about making noise. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Wellness

Japanese-American, 60, who went viral saying it’s never too late to start over

Dana Nakagawa reinvented herself as a content creator and now posts videos on starting over, decluttering and her interpretation of ikigai.

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Singapore

Would you intervene? Singapore train-spitting case spotlights bystander culture

A viral MRT incident has revived debate over whether Singaporeans should intervene when disorderly behaviour plays out in public.

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