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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.
Kristin Cabot says she was doxxed and threatened after the video of her, and her former CEO hugging on a video screen went viral. Photo: Handout
United States

‘The wheels fell off’: Coldplay kiss cam woman breaks silence

Kristin Cabot shares the fallout, online hate, and life after her viral jumbotron embrace with ex-Astronomer CEO Andy Byron.

Malaysia

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

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

The reversal comes after videos of a dog being wheeled through the mall in a trolley stirred anger in the Muslim-majority country.

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A sign outlining Sunway Square Mall’s pet-friendly house rules, and a dog-themed installation at the Selangor shopping complex. The mall has since barred pets from enclosed indoor areas following a backlash online. Photos: Facebook/Sunway Square Mall
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.

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.

A recent episode of a Japanese variety show featured a touching story of friendship between a Chinese tourist and a Japanese local resident. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com/matcha-jp.com
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?

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.

Part of the “Interactive Zone” which is part of the MONSTERS BY MONSTERS: NOW AND THEN exhibition at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre
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.

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.

Yuen Long cafe’s meat patties skyrockets to fame after viral online copypasta trend
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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.

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.

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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.

A woman shop worker in South Korea was humiliated and abused by the mother of a child she told off for running around the premises. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/threads@hi_na.love_
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.

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.

A Malaysian man lied to his wife that he was travelling with his colleagues was caught in Thailand, holidaying with his mistress after being trapped by floods. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Facebook
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.

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.

A special bond between a museum security guard in Japan and a black cat, who visited only when the guard was on duty, has caught the public’s attention. Photo: X.com
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’.

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.

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