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Zoey Zhang

When it comes to delivering quirky news, Asia very rarely disappoints.
Here, the Post selects some of the most surprising stories to have emerged across the region in recent days.
Glamour glitch
China’s champion hurdler Wu Yanni often courts controversy with her tattoos, opinions and the fact that she wears makeup while competing.
She refuses to accept that athletes should remain “barefaced”, believing everyone has the right to pursue beauty.

Sticking to her beliefs on looks and makeup, she did not disappoint on June 30 at the 2024 National Athletics Championships in Shandong province, eastern China.
Wu won the women’s 100m hurdles, looking great to clock a stunning 12.74 seconds, the best Asian performance of the season.
However, during a post-race interview, the athlete with attitude rubbed her eyes causing her false eyelashes to fall off – a makeup malfunction she quickly tried to hide by covering one of her eyes with her hand.
The facial faux pas delighted online observers.
“Covering your eye is so funny and adorable! You are a sincere and talented female athlete,” said one person on Weibo.
Wu’s victory also dispelled any doubts about her athletic prowess which had taken a knock in April when, in her first outdoor competition of the year, she clocked a below par time, disappointing both her fans and herself.
Fish hospitalised

A woman raised more than a few eyebrows when she took her pet fish to hospital in China.
The small, round bodied red parrot cichlid, which is known for its friendly nature, is one of the most popular marine pet breeds in the country.
Its owner, surnamed Lin, from Guangzhou in the southeastern province of Guangdong, became worried when her pet developed tumour-like growths.
She decided the best course of action was to rush her fishy companion of five years to hospital.
The bill for treatment came to 470 yuan (US$65), almost 20 times the amount Lin had paid a street vendor for the fish.
Many people on social media decried her decision as a waste of money.
Lin, however, was unrepentant, saying that she could not put a price on the deep emotional bond she has with her pet.
“Every time I feed it, it swims up to me with its mouth puckered, almost like it is smiling. This comforts and delights me,” she said.
Spiky speciality

A TikTok influencer has live-streamed people eating durian skin to create an unlikely ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) video.
ASMR videos use gentle, specific sounds or scenarios to stimulate sensations, promoting relaxation and aiding sleep.
So the spiky durian skin clips featuring two men using two dipping sauces, one creamy and the other an Indonesian chili sambal, jarred somewhat, as did the crunchy sound of them eating.
One online observer missed the point a little and tried to teach the pair the “correct” way to eat durian.
“You should open it and eat the yellow flesh inside. The mistake you made is one even a five-year-old would not make.”
However, durian skin is not without value.
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is considered nutritious and medicinal and its abundance of dietary fibre means it is often used in soups with meat.
Experts also recommend drying the skin and grinding it into powder to make a nutritious drink.


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Trending in China

Quirky Asia news: top China athlete in makeup fail, fishy hospital visit, spiky snacks

Quirky Asia news: the Post takes a look at some of the strange stories which have made headlines across Asia. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Weibo/TikTok

China athlete Wu Yanni’s post-race interview did not quite go according to plan. Photo: Ettoday

Fishy goings on in China as a sickly sea creature is admitted to hospital for treatment. Photo: Ettoday

Looks painful: an online influencer has live-streamed a new take on eating the pungent Asian delicacy, durian. Photo: TikTok

Online traffic-hungry Japan YouTuber films daughter, 2, trapped in hot car, sparks fury

A Japanese couple have sparked outrage online after they filmed their toddler daughter trapped inside their locked car on a hot day instead of seeking immediate help to secure her release. Photo: SCMP composite/YouTube

It is believed that the clearly upset little girl was left inside the car for more than half an hour. Photo: YouTube

Little Nanoka in happier times. It is unclear if the ordeal has had any lasting impact on her health. Photo: YouTube

Nanoka’s father, who has apologised for his actions, with two of his three children. Photo: YouTube

China worker takes tipping to new level at noodle shop with a heart

A noodle shop with a heart in China, and one of its customers, has taken  tipping to a new level. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo

The eatery boss thought the customer had overpaid and chased after him in the street. Photo: Baidu

A sign on the door of the restaurant offers free meals for people who cannot afford to pay. Photo: Baidu

Self-styled China animal sleuths cash in on country’s growing passion for pets

The Post investigates the unusual business of being a pet detective in China. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

As China’s pet population grows, so does the number of missing domesticated animals. Photo: 36kr.com

Some pet owners will pay large sums for the safe return of their four-legged friend. Photo: 36kr.com

‘Control freaks’: China parents slammed for using cam to spy on son’s study sessions for 6 years

A mother and father in China have come under fire online for secretly spying on their son while he studied for a crucial examination. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo

The boy’s father removes the spy camera which had been in place for six years. Photo: 163.com

Crowds of students leave a test centre after taking this year’s crucial national examination. Photo: Xinhua

Blackpink’s Lisa has a lookalike: 17-year-old Thai fried food seller thrust into limelight

A teenage student in Thailand who helps out with her mother’s fried chicken stall has become an online sensation thanks to her resemblance to K-pop rapper and dancer Lisa from the girl band, Blackpink. Photo: SCMP composite/Facebook/Instagram@lalalalisa

Cooking up a storm: Lisa lookalike Yeehwa helps out with her mother’s fried chicken stall. Photo: Facebook

The real Lisa from Blackpink on stage at a music and arts festival in California in 2023. Photo: Getty Images 

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People & Culture

Makeup malfunction befalls top China athlete, a fish goes to hospital and online influencers eat spiky durian skin


The Post runs the rule over some of the strange stories which have emerged across Asia in recent days.


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Malaysia

Singapore

Wu Yanni

Quirky Asia news: top China athlete in makeup fail, fishy hospital visit, spiky snacks

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Makeup malfunction befalls top China athlete, a fish goes to hospital and online influencers eat spiky durian skin

Glamour glitch

Makeup malfunction befalls top China athlete, a fish goes to hospital and online influencers eat spiky durian skin