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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.
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
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

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Lunar New Year

Video | Sad horse 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.

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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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.

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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The area near the entrance to Yokohama Rubber factory, where multiple people were stabbed. Photo: Kyodo
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.

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