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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.
A Japanese food company earns US$38 million annually by rebranding tofu as a masculine food item, calling it “manly tofu” to appeal to young consumers. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sina
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

Food and Drinks

Mouthing Off | McDonald’s CEO’s burger blunder shows the problem of lacking a common touch

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’.

A live hamster claw machine in Shenzhen.
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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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Some experts believe that the “Becoming Chinese” trend is a phenomenon that highlights a growing disillusionment among some non-Chinese individuals with their own societal norms. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote
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.

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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
01:14
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.

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.

Iekei restaurant in the western city of Osaka has ignited controversy by slapping a ban on all Chinese customers, accusing them of being troublemakers.
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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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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’.

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