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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.
Fans have been flocking to a zoo in Ichikawa, Japan, to catch a glimpse of a baby monkey who went viral on social media.
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

Japan

Japan youth share before and after cosmetic surgery photos raise copycat fears

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.

Thai police released footage of officers going undercover as lion dancers to arrest a burglary suspect who allegedly stole 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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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.

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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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.

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

A Thai tourism promotional image featuring K-pop star Lisa. Photo: Instagram/tourismthailand
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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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.

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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.

A temple in Thailand has warned tourists against doing sports like acro-yoga and climbing, and indulging in inappropriate behaviour at the site. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Thaiger
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

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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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’.

A 50-year-old Japanese woman who was mocked for her looks as a child has spent 13 years mastering the art of make-up. Photo: SCMP composite/IG@kozue_sewing
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.

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.

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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’.

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