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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 Malaysian police officer is seen wrenching a suspect’s car door open with his bare hands in a dashcam video that has gone viral. Photo: TikTok/Mazmar93
Malaysia

‘Was he the Hulk?’: Malaysian officer goes viral after ripping off car door

The officer became an unlikely internet sensation when a dashcam video showed him ripping apart a suspect’s car door ‘like a banana leaf’.

Japan

Japan city launches edible-looking boot souvenirs just like Taiwan braised pork rice

Malaysia

Paws for thought: Malaysian mall reverses pet-friendly policy after uproar

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Asian Games 2023

China star Wang Li afraid to return home, fears retaliation against family

The Yunnan Provincial Sports Bureau is investigating accusations triple Asian Games gold medallist made against coach.

China’s Wang Li receives one of the three gold medals she won at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023. Photo: SCMP
South Korea

Viral golden logo find turns old AC units into hot property in South Korea

A YouTube video revealing a pure gold logo on certain LG air conditioners has sparked a nationwide hunt for the 20-year-old units.

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Trending in China

China tourist in Japan sends 300 masks during Covid to host after overnight stay

Against backdrop of ongoing political tensions between the two countries, this heartwarming story quickly went viral on social media.

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Food and Drinks

Mouthing Off | American cuisine better than Vietnamese, Korean? New ‘best’ list stirs tempers

The ‘100 Best Cuisines in the World’ list from TasteAtlas is angering people with its contentious food rankings. Singapore at number 90?

Bowls of pho from Bep in Hong Kong. Vietnamese cuisine is ranked at number 16 on TasteAtlas’s latest list of the “100 Best Cuisines in the World”, one place below American cuisine. Photo: Bep
Asian Games 2023

China star posts explosive account of verbal, physical abuse after Games gold

Triple Asian Games champion Wang Li goes viral after video outlines sustained bullying after she refused to give Hangzhou winnings to boss.

Art

Labubu’s growth from books to viral doll craze shown in Hong Kong exhibition

A touring exhibition celebrating Lung Ka-sing’s The Monsters, which birthed the popular Labubu, has come to Hong Kong.

Malaysia

Malaysian religious authorities probe viral claim of woman having ‘2 husbands’

The allegation has renewed focus on cross-border marriages between Malaysia and southern Thailand that are used to bypass domestic approvals.

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Images shared on social media purporting to show a couple seated before religious officials, which were cited in a Facebook post alleging a woman had married a second man in Thailand. The claims are under investigation by Malaysian religious authorities. Photo: Facebook / Ekin Derahim
Trending in China

Japan husband has 520 affairs, wife turns loveless marriage into comic, goes viral in China

Wife who looks after son with extremely rare illness alone turns man’s infidelity with escort girls, porn actresses into manga art.

A Japanese wife who documented her husband’s 500-plus affairs in a chart has turned her loveless marriage into a comic, which has gone viral in China. Photo: Shutterstock/IG@nemu_manga
Trending in China

Korean husband sues wife for ‘malicious abandonment’ after refusal to donate liver

Ruling highlights husband’s coercive behaviour and verbal abuse, making him primarily accountable for relationship’s deterioration.

Internet

Video | How a block of online text led to a cafe’s viral stardom

Tai Bo Cafe in Yuen Long has gone viral online thanks to a copypasta trend on Threads recommending their meat patties, and have seen customers from as far as Macau.

Thailand

Tourists in disbelief as luggage drifts away during ferry ride in Thailand

Investigations reveal that crew had improperly secured luggage on upper deck, so when ferry hit rough seas, loose bags were tossed overboard.

Foreign passengers on a Thai ferry were stunned to see their luggage floating away while enjoying the deck views. Photo: SCMP composite/TikTok
Trending in China

China woman arrested for stealing fish waste to feed restaurant staff and customers

‘Cheerful and friendly’ elderly boss of ‘cheap’ eatery accused of being a serial leftover thief; arrest divides online opinion.

A Chinese woman has been arrested for stealing 30kg of leftover fish bones at a Japanese wet market and reportedly using them to prepare meals for herself, her staff and customers. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/JHN
Millionaires and billionaires

Meet Netra Mantena and Vamsi Gadiraju – who just had a ‘billionaire wedding’

Bollywood’s Madhuri Dixit, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor performed at the viral nuptials, with guests including Donald Trump Jr and Bettina Anderson.

South Korea

Outrage as Korean saleswoman kneels after abuse by customer for telling son off

Mother of boy launches humiliating tirade against innocent member of shop staff; forces worker to rub hands together in apology.

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Thailand

Thai woman stays on rooftop with pets during floods, refusing rescue without them

In her online plea for rescue, she shares location, urges authorities to cut power in her neighbourhood to prevent electrocution.

A Thai woman received online praise for staying on a rooftop with her dog and cat for three days during floods, refusing rescue unless her pets could join her. Photo: AP/FB@NewJazz Looknew
Russia

Russian fitness coach dies at 30 after gaining 25kg in promotional junk food binge

Online influencer gorges on cakes, pizzas, pastries, dumplings and chips before dying in his sleep, sparking warnings about extreme eating.

Malaysia

Malaysian man stranded by Thai floods with ‘colleagues’ exposed holidaying with lover

The wife remains unaware of her husband’s affair, as he regularly communicates with her.

Japan

Japan idol posts belly photo, asks fans to retouch for more flattering look, sparks debate

Fans of up-and-coming pop star who flaunted image of her ‘imperfect’ midriff on stage get creative in online posts ‘fixing’ wrinkle.

A Japanese pop idol has gone viral after posting a photograph of her belly fat during a performance. Photo: X.com
Malaysia

‘Malaysian promoting Singapore’: viral video sparks debate over talent use

Social media users question why Malaysian tourism authorities have not engaged local talent effectively to promote the country.

Two shots from the short film produced by Malaysian VFX artist Mohamad Sofian Abdullah, better known as Sofyank, in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board. Photos: Instagram / sofyank96
Trending in China

Explainer | What is ‘second-hand fried chicken’; how snack became popular in Philippine slums

Videos of Chinese bloggers sampling recooked, seasoned leftovers in run-down Filipino neighbourhoods go viral on social media.

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Japan

Japan security guard’s bond with cat moves many; museum honours feline’s memory

Friendly feline made regular visits to play with venue guard; staff create calendar bearing photos of their interactions for posterity.

Trending in China

Public outrage over Chinese man placing hell money in Japanese temple donation box

Amid rising tension between Tokyo and Beijing, mainland tourists’ use of fake cash to seek good fortune sparks anger online.

A Chinese man in Japan has angered people on social media by filming himself placing hell money into a donation box at a Tokyo temple. Photo: X.com
Japan

Japan man defies family, rejects traditional career path, wears women’s clothing

Controlling parents force 26-year-old graduate of top university to move out; he gets own flat, fills it with ‘rubbish’ for ‘companionship’.

A university graduate in Japan has defied his family’s expectations by not taking a civil service exam and finding comfort by wearing women’s clothes. Photo: YouTube
South Korea

‘Don’t sell loneliness’: Korean eatery refuses to serve solo diners, sparks debate

Noodle outlet advertises sarcastic ‘options’ for people who want to dine alone as country faces rising number of single households.

Japan

Japan DJ joins Tokyo’s growing ranks of female rickshaw drivers, boosts speaking skills

29-year-old juggles radio presenting position with pulling people around; loves both jobs so much, she works 7 days a week.

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