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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.
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
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.

Thailand

Video | Thai police pose as lion dancers to nab a thief

Hong Kong aviation

Video | Man takes out his anger on Hong Kong airport kiosks

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.

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.

A Japanese couple with six children, the youngest less than one year old, rely on their 12-year-old son to babysit, raising concerns about child neglect. Photo: SCMP composite/YouTube
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.

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.

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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One of the things that Dana Nakagawa talks about in her YouTube videos is her interpretation of the Japanese concept of ikigai. “It’s what brings you joy, and it intersects with what you do on a daily basis. It could be something like your morning coffee,” she says. Photo: Dana Nakagawa
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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Screengrab from a viral video of a woman spitting out water on the floor and at passengers on an MTR train in Singapore. Photo: Instagram / summeryeow0573
Lunar New Year

Video | Sad horse wins over Chinese social media

Factory error of a sad New Year’s horse plushie wins over Chinese social media.

Thailand

‘So fake’: viral Lisa image for Thai tourism fuels AI concerns

The image of K-pop star Lisa Manobal framed against blooms of the Red Lotus Sea has sparked a meme wave and debate about AI in creative work.

South Korea

Dubai chewy cookie: K-pop post sparks viral South Korean snack frenzy

South Korea’s highly interconnected culture has fuelled a series of viral food crazes, the latest being a chocolate-loaded cookie known locally as ‘dujjonku’.

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“Dubai-style” chewy chocolate cookies have taken off in Seoul, South Korea, drawing long lines. Photo: AFP
Thailand

Thai woman dates twin brothers at once, gets family support, sparks mixed reactions

Three-way relationship sees twins sleep with woman ‘in the middle’; pregnancy would see DNA test applied to identify biological father.

A woman in Thailand is making headlines for dating twin brothers simultaneously, garnering support from her family and mixed reactions online. Photo: Khaosod
Thailand

‘Not a gym’: Thai temple warns tourists not to do yoga, climb ancient rocks at place of worship

Officials at scared mountainside sanctuary threaten to close shrine to visitors permanently; online observers decry disrespect to Buddhism.

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.

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Trending in China

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

Restaurant says it had to call police over unruly Chinese diners; online sleuths claim real reason for ‘trouble’ is dual pricing policy.

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A Japanese ramen restaurant has faced backlash on social media after announcing a ban on Chinese customers, claiming that 90 per cent of issues with foreign diners involve people from China. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Google Map
Japan

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

Ridiculed as a child, woman takes more than 30,000 selfies in 13 years on fashion journey; says it was like a ‘scientific study’.

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.

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’.

This screengrab from a dashcam video shows the moment the Stoned & Co co-founder is honked at to get out of the way. Photo: Instagram/sensual.96s
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.

A woman in the Philippines spent four years worshipping a green Buddha statue, only to be told by a friend that it was a 3D-printed figure of the animated character Shrek. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/IG@thetropixs
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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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.

Staff at a zoo in Japan are mimicking pandas after four of the animals were returned to China in June. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/YouTube
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.

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.

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