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TOPIC

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 property agents are finding new ways to promote themselves through social media, using visual gags, stunts and innovative hooks to find new audiences.
Social media

Video | Japan’s viral property agents get weird

A Tokyo estate agent in a green-screen bodysuit has gone viral – but are the gags stealing the show?

Accidents and disasters in China

Should heavy-duty drones be used to rescue China’s flood victims?

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Malaysia

Viral shoe-sniffing video leads to stalking arrest in Malaysia

Singapore

Singapore catches e-bike rider in viral ‘Superman’ stunt video

The rider was caught on camera going faster than cars on his vehicle, with the device’s speed estimated at almost 80 km/h.

A personal mobility device rider in Singapore has been criticised on social media for his “Superman” stunt while speeding on the PMD. Photo: Facebook/Land Transport Authority
Malaysia

Too young to ride, Malaysian teen pedals dream by building fake Yamaha motorbike

A viral video of the 13-year-old showing off his refurbished bicycle to police offices has won hearts on the internet.

Americas and the Caribbean

Brazilian woman killed after being thrown off bridge without rope is buried

Three men working for the company offering rope jumps have been arrested and face possible murder charges.

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Malaysia

‘Get a room’: viral cuddling video sparks Malaysia morality row

While social media comments were generally hostile, some have asked people to ‘just let them be’.

A man and a woman are seen lying side by side in a video posted on Tuesday. Photo: Threads/tasanee.mei
India

Hundreds join protest led by India’s viral ‘cockroach’ youth movement

The mock political party with over 22 million ‌Instagram followers is the largest online expression of dissent against ⁠Narendra Modi.

Malaysia

FamilyMart Malaysia worker in hot water after throwing oden soup at Grab rider

A 23-second video of a female employee throwing hot oden soup at a delivery rider across a counter went viral on social media last week.

Chinese culture

How China’s ‘Excalibur of the East’ souvenir swords sparked airport warning

Tourists with replicas of the ancient Sword of Goujian, from the Hubei Provincial Museum, were told not to hand-carry them onto planes.

Visitors take photos of the ancient Sword of Goujian at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, in central China’s Hubei Province, on May 17, 2026. An airport notice at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport warning not to hand-carry replicas of the sword on board planes has gone viral on Chinese social media. Photo: Xinhua
Food and Drinks

This Edinburgh Chinese takeaway is ‘dying’. Meet the daughter out to save it

Opened in 1997, China Star has weeks to turn things around before it sinks. Can the founder’s Instagrammer daughter Lisa He serve up success?

Lisa He with her mother Sophie at their family restaurant, China Star. The Edinburgh takeaway is months away from closure, but He’s viral social media post has brought lots of attention, and hope. Photo: courtesy of Lisa He
Japan

Japan Buddhist monk bar has ‘heaven and hell’ drinks, offers beating service

Offbeat drinking venue provides everything from calligraphy to a ‘coffin’ experience in bid to popularise Buddhist culture.

United States

RFK Jnr posts video of him grabbing 2 snakes, as his wife asks ‘why?’

US health secretary has a bare-handed encounter with snakes, as his TV star wife tries to get him to stop.

Maldives

Maldivian military diver dies in search of bodies of 4 Italian divers

The group of Italian divers is believed to have died while exploring a cave at a depth of about 50 metres (160 feet) in Vaavu Atoll despite the Maldives’ 30-metre diving limit.

Rescue divers preparing to search for the four missing Italian divers near Alimathaa Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, on Saturday. Photo: AP
South Korea

‘Are you still hiring?’: K-pop king G-Dragon gifts flats to staff, sparks online buzz

Known for his exceptional loyalty, the pop icon has developed a strong bond with his long-term team.

K-pop superstar G-Dragon’s investment in gifting flats to long-serving staff has caused an online buzz, with many netizens asking to work for him. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/IG@xxxibgdrgn
Singapore

Teenager charged after assault on blogger Amos Yee at Singapore anime event

The 18-year-old Chinese national and Singapore permanent resident is accused of punching and kicking the blogger and being a public nuisance.

Japan

Japan online shops probed after listing schoolgirls’ old shoes for sale at US$320

Fans of such sales say trades are just like regular collecting, critics worry that practice may be akin to child sexual abuse.

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Social media

Video | How Singapore police use memes to teach important lessons

A video published on April Fool’s Day drawing attention to online scams has gained over 8 million views.

A video published on April Fool’s Day drawing attention to online scams has gained over 8 million views.
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Bangladesh

Hero or reckless? Bangladeshi man saving baby on train tracks divides opinion

Some social media users question how the man could have dropped his son just as they were getting off the moving train.

Mainland China

Video | Man sprays train crowd in China with suspected pepper spray

Passengers on Guangzhou Metro Line 3 describe inhaling ‘something spicy’ according to local media.

Malaysia

Elephants never forget? Malaysians demand Japan return ‘homesick’ trio

One video shows Dara, Amoi and Kelat responding to their names in Malay while another reportedly reveals one of the elephants ‘weeping’.

The three Malaysian elephants stand in their enclosure at the Tennoji Zoo in Osaka. Photo: Facebook/The Patriot Studio
The Philippines

Filipino male pageant contestant’s viral swimsuit walk sparks body image debate

Observers said RJ Perkins’ viral moment shows beauty pageants might be ready to move beyond their traditional ideals.

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RJ Perkins during his viral appearance in the swimsuit round of the Mister Pampanga pageant. Photo: Facebook / Mister Pampanga
Japan

Japan underground idol sparks outrage for offering armpit sniffing service for fans

‘Bubbly, approachable’ online performer entices men to partake in strange practice; some fans pledge lifelong ‘loyalty’ to her.

Japan

Unexpected love: Japan traditional dancer finds love at 60 with 26-year-old protege

The couple’s recent appearance on a Japanese television show generated considerable buzz and discussion among the public.

Singapore

Singaporean man charged after viral Lucky Plaza assault on Filipino woman

He allegedly assaulted the woman while under conditional warning for a previous attack on her. Police said the pair knew each other.

A Singaporean man has been charged for assaulting a Filipino woman at a shopping centre in Singapore in an incident that went viral online. Photo: Handout
United States

US animal rights activists clash with police over Wisconsin dog breeder

About 1,000 animal welfare activists faced rubber bullets and pepper spray as they tried to gain entry to a beagle breeding and research facility.

Activists help an elderly woman after she had been tear gassed during an attempt to gain entry into Ridglan Farms beagle breeding and research facility on Saturday, in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, US. Photo: AP
Thailand

7 French tourists arrested after viral Songkran clash with van driver in Phuket

Police said the group of revellers blocked traffic, sprayed water at the driver and ignored orders to disperse.

Trending in China

Japan-based China nurse slammed for posting work clips; privacy, ethics fears raised

‘Irresponsible’ member of medical staff posts videos showing patients’ medicine bags, hospital beds; forces bosses to apologise.

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