https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/517925/feed Trending events, happenings and people that have made waves on social media or online in wider Asia, and the world beyond. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Aidan Jones Aidan Jones A care scandal has erupted in Thailand after a nursing home was exposed for confining old and sick residents in beds covered by iron cages with barely a foot of space above their heads. Images of bedridden patients at the Sothornchai Nursing Home in Kanchanaburi, western Thailand, have shocked Thais since they were shared earlier this week on the television current affairs show Hone Krasae. Thailand is projected to be a super-ageing society in the coming years, with authorities warning of a care... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/health-environment/article/3370178/iron-cage-beds-elderly-home-thailand-fuel-anger-owner-defends-innovation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/health-environment/article/3370178/iron-cage-beds-elderly-home-thailand-fuel-anger-owner-defends-innovation?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:33:13 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk A 3.5-metre-long shark that wandered into a Busan waterfront channel has become an unlikely internet celebrity in South Korea, drawing nearly 20,000 spectators over the weekend as authorities opted to leave the animal alone rather than risk provoking it. The shark was first spotted on Friday in the waterway at North Port Waterfront Park, where it has remained for at least four consecutive days despite repeated efforts by the public to catch a glimpse of it. South Korea’s National Institute of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3368283/south-korea-gets-new-internet-star-busan-shark-sighting-goes-viral?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3368283/south-korea-gets-new-internet-star-busan-shark-sighting-goes-viral?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:53:18 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The long-time chief executive of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced he was stepping down, days after he was filmed physically restraining two protesters during an altercation at a New York runway show. “I am enormously proud of what we have built together and believe this is the right moment for both me and the organisation to begin a new chapter,” Steven Kolb said in a statement on Friday. Kolb is stepping down after two decades leading the council, which is known as... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3368095/new-york-fashion-chief-quits-after-physical-clash-peta-activists-goes-viral?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3368095/new-york-fashion-chief-quits-after-physical-clash-peta-activists-goes-viral?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Sep 2026 06:34:56 +0000 David D. Lee David D. Lee For a few seconds during Blackpink member Jennie’s headline set at Tokyo’s Summer Sonic festival last month, it looked like something had come undone. She turned away from the crowd, adjusted herself and then, the moment was gone. But online, the clip never disappeared – and more than 10 million views later, it has become the latest test of South Korea’s fight against AI-enabled sexual abuse. Fans were quick to cry deepfake, dissecting the footage frame by frame for signs of possible AI... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3366411/viral-jennie-clip-tests-limits-south-koreas-ai-deepfake-laws?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3366411/viral-jennie-clip-tests-limits-south-koreas-ai-deepfake-laws?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Sep 2026 00:00:10 +0000 The Star The Star Seven Yemeni men were arrested in Malaysia after they allegedly performed dangerous stunts while travelling in two vehicles along Jalan Sungai Besi early on Friday. Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said the incident, which occurred at about 12.30am, came to light after a video of the incident went viral on social media. He said preliminary investigations found that both vehicles were travelling along Jalan Sungai Besi towards Jalan Bukit... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3365682/malaysian-police-arrest-7-yemeni-men-kuala-lumpur-after-dangerous-road-stunt-goes-viral?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3365682/malaysian-police-arrest-7-yemeni-men-kuala-lumpur-after-dangerous-road-stunt-goes-viral?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2026 04:00:25 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan The lonely journey of a bull elephant trying to return to its jungle home has captured the hearts of Malaysians over the past week, putting a spotlight on the plight of wildlife struggling against deforestation and rapidly expanding human activity. The elephant – dubbed “Sulong” by Malaysians keenly following social media updates on his weeks-long journey – was first spotted by motorists on August 17, walking slowly along the busy East-West Highway in an apparent attempt to reach the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/health-environment/article/3365414/malaysia-injured-elephant-sulongs-100km-trek-home-ignites-logging-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/health-environment/article/3365414/malaysia-injured-elephant-sulongs-100km-trek-home-ignites-logging-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:13:38 +0000 Reuters Reuters Tukaram Mundhe is an Indian bureaucrat on a mission. As a state food safety commissioner, the 51-year-old has raided food businesses in the country’s commercial capital Mumbai in an unprecedented crackdown on poor hygiene and unsafe food that has captivated the public nationwide. Mundhe has led the suspension of food permits of four Domino’s and one Pizza Hut outlet in recent weeks, and has also targeted cricket clubs, hotels and well-known restaurants in over 3,000 raids since he took over as... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/south-asia/article/3365099/meet-indian-food-safety-officer-shaking-mumbai-viral-raids?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/south-asia/article/3365099/meet-indian-food-safety-officer-shaking-mumbai-viral-raids?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:45:04 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Every few years, the internet collectively selects a person to obsess over, usually because a hilarious video clip starring them goes viral, or because they said something “memeable”. Past iterations include Bhad Bhabie, who went viral for her catchphrase “Cash me outside, how about that”, and now has a successful music career. More recently, Haliey Welch became an overnight sensation as the “hawk tuah girl” after a clip of her being unfiltered during a street interview did numbers on social... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3364235/who-rizzler-meet-10-year-old-christian-joseph-known-his-rizz-face?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3364235/who-rizzler-meet-10-year-old-christian-joseph-known-his-rizz-face?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:00:10 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk A simple pat on a child’s head has sparked debate in Singapore after an elderly man was shoved to the ground by a girl’s father. Police said on Sunday they had identified a 40-year-old man in connection with the incident at a food court on Saturday afternoon, CNA reported. “Members of the public are advised not to speculate on the incident or its circumstances, and to allow the police to conduct investigations and establish the facts of the case,” they told the broadcaster. The incident on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3364260/shoving-incident-singapore-over-man-patting-girls-head-stirs-heated-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3364260/shoving-incident-singapore-over-man-patting-girls-head-stirs-heated-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Aug 2026 06:30:56 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso Jakarta-based upstart doughnut and dessert brand Butter Baby has a backstory like no other. “There [are] these ancient Sumerian texts on clay tablets that tell the story of the Anunnaki,” says company co-founder Nick Burch. “The Anunnaki [come] to Earth 400,000 years ago because they’re having environmental problems on their planet, so they try to solve these problems [by acquiring] gold, and Earth has a surplus of gold. We switched gold with butter, and that’s where the story of Butter Baby... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/dining/article/3363494/nick-and-henry-burch-building-butter-baby-and-lessons-mother-tory-burch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/dining/article/3363494/nick-and-henry-burch-building-butter-baby-and-lessons-mother-tory-burch?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Aug 2026 02:00:09 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Uniqlo’s new stand-alone hijab line for Malaysia was meant to expand the Japanese clothing giant’s reach in one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent modest-wear markets, but its initial marketing has been met with online controversy. Ahead of the exclusive launch next Monday, teaser images posted on Uniqlo Malaysia’s social media showing the scarves wrapped turban-like around the head, leaving parts of the neck and upper chest visible, triggered debate over whether the campaign reflected Muslim... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3363162/not-hijab-uniqlo-malaysias-line-leaves-modest-fashion-fans-hot-under-collar?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3363162/not-hijab-uniqlo-malaysias-line-leaves-modest-fashion-fans-hot-under-collar?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Aug 2026 08:31:55 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun One of the most freak-out-inducing viral moments this past week involved a woman, caught on video on a cruise ship, using a fork from a buffet dining room to scratch the bottom of her foot. It was not just a spontaneous itchy moment. The woman had been using her finger before switching to a utensil to scrape away her dry, dead skin. Apparently, if you look closely, you can see flaky epidermis falling. To do this in public is truly icky. Naturally, viewers were horrified. Many wanted the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3362273/viral-video-woman-using-fork-scratch-dead-skin-foot-raises-cleanliness-questions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3362273/viral-video-woman-using-fork-scratch-dead-skin-foot-raises-cleanliness-questions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Jul 2026 03:15:05 +0000 CNA CNA A French teenager who posted a video of himself licking a straw and returning it to an iJooz vending machine in Singapore was fined S$600 (US$465) for public nuisance on Thursday. The clip had gone viral after someone in his Instagram circle recorded it and forwarded the footage to a media outlet, the defence said. Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance, with a second charge of mischief taken into consideration. On March 12, Maximilien attended a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3362327/singapore-court-fines-french-teenager-us465-viral-straw-licking-prank?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3362327/singapore-court-fines-french-teenager-us465-viral-straw-licking-prank?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Jul 2026 02:58:43 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Photos and discussions about China’s recent use of heavy-duty drones to “airlift” villagers affected by flooding in Guangxi have gone viral but almost two decades ago, the disaster-prone country once relied on risky, low-tech means to fight natural calamities. China’s rapid tech advancement, represented by the development and deployment of drones, has helped it better handle emergencies, as shown by first responders rescuing residents from widespread rainstorms and floods since June. In the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3360449/viral-photos-heavy-duty-drones-rescuing-chinas-flood-victims-spark-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3360449/viral-photos-heavy-duty-drones-rescuing-chinas-flood-victims-spark-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2026 05:04:23 +0000 Ushar Daniele Ushar Daniele A man suspected of repeatedly stalking a 22-year-old university student has been arrested in Malaysia after CCTV footage showing him sniffing her shoes outside her flat went viral on social media. The footage shows a man in a black T-shirt loitering in a corridor outside what is believed to be the victim’s home in Shah Alam, before reaching through a grille to grab her footwear and sniff it. The victim lodged a police report on Sunday after the post drew widespread attention, claiming to have... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3360464/malaysia-viral-shoe-sniffing-video-sparks-stalking-arrest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3360464/malaysia-viral-shoe-sniffing-video-sparks-stalking-arrest?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:35:52 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk Singapore authorities have caught a rider seen in a viral video striking a “Superman” pose while riding an e-bike in the latest of a series of crackdowns. In the video, taken in the early hours of May 23 outside Keppel MRT station, the rider is caught on camera going faster than cars on his vehicle. At one point, he even lies on his stomach with his legs extended as if he is flying. Based on the 170 metres he covered in about 8 seconds, his speed is calculated to be almost 80km/h (50mph). In... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3358860/singapore-catches-pmd-rider-viral-superman-stunt-video?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3358860/singapore-catches-pmd-rider-viral-superman-stunt-video?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:58:48 +0000 Ushar Daniele Ushar Daniele A Malaysian teenager’s dream of owning a Yamaha Y15 motorcycle has pushed his imagination to the next level. Too young to actually ride one, the 13-year-old instead converted his bicycle by mounting motorcycle parts with cable ties. His innovative invention drew laughter from police officers – and social media users. In a viral video, officers can be seen inspecting the “motorcycle” he is proudly showing off. “I want to ride this motorcycle but I can’t [yet],” he tells them. Apart from the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3358431/too-young-ride-malaysian-teen-pedals-dream-building-fake-yamaha-motorcycle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3358431/too-young-ride-malaysian-teen-pedals-dream-building-fake-yamaha-motorcycle?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Jun 2026 03:54:27 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A 21-year-old woman who died in dramatic fashion, when two rope jumping instructors threw her from a bridge without first harnessing her to security equipment, was buried on Sunday in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state. Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas was going rope jumping on Saturday at Ponte do Esqueleto, an abandoned bridge in the municipality of Limeira where tourists practice extreme sports. The young woman, who aspired to become a physical education teacher, had asked to be launched from the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/americas/article/3357125/brazilian-woman-killed-after-being-thrown-bridge-without-rope-buried-sao-paulo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/americas/article/3357125/brazilian-woman-killed-after-being-thrown-bridge-without-rope-buried-sao-paulo?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Jun 2026 05:57:46 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof A viral post of a couple lying and cuddling in the middle of a public field in Malaysia has drawn outrage and calls for religious authorities to act in the Muslim-majority country, where public intimacy can quickly turn into a morality row. In one of the clips, uploaded to social media on Tuesday, a man and woman lie facing each other at Dataran Kemerdekaan in Shah Alam, the capital of Selangor state. Another shows the woman with her head on the man’s lap. Social media users claimed the pair... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3356572/malaysia-video-cuddling-couple-renews-debate-over-public-displays-affection?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3356572/malaysia-video-cuddling-couple-renews-debate-over-public-displays-affection?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Jun 2026 03:11:59 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Hundreds of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online joke that drew millions across India, gathered for the first time in the national capital on Saturday, taking the social media movement off screens and into its biggest real-world test yet. The protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, marks the movement’s first foray into street politics after weeks of dominating social media feeds and news headlines, attracting millions of online followers and widespread support among young... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/south-asia/article/3356192/viral-indian-youth-movement-cockroach-janta-party-hits-delhi-streets-first-protest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/south-asia/article/3356192/viral-indian-youth-movement-cockroach-janta-party-hits-delhi-streets-first-protest?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Jun 2026 05:13:53 +0000 The Star The Star FamilyMart in Malaysia has taken immediate disciplinary action by suspending an employee who allegedly threw hot soup at a delivery rider, as seen in a viral video. The popular Japanese convenience store chain has apologised for the employee’s actions and for the delay in providing an update. “We have attended to the well-being of the delivery rider, cooperating fully with the authorities in their investigation and continued our own internal investigation and Domestic Inquiry in accordance with... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3356189/familymart-malaysia-apologises-suspends-worker-filmed-throwing-hot-soup-grab-rider?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3356189/familymart-malaysia-apologises-suspends-worker-filmed-throwing-hot-soup-grab-rider?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Jun 2026 03:57:30 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak During mainland China’s recent May Day holiday, a 2,500-year-old sword went viral on Chinese social media – but not for the reason you might think. Lasting from May 1 to 5, the May Day holiday – also known as “Golden Week” – sees large numbers of domestic tourists flocking to popular travel destinations across China, including the Hubei Provincial Museum, which houses the famous Sword of Goujian. Many of them end up buying a replica of the sword in the souvenir shop. As a result, the main... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3355704/how-chinas-excalibur-east-souvenir-swords-sparked-airport-security-warning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3355704/how-chinas-excalibur-east-souvenir-swords-sparked-airport-security-warning?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Angela Hui Angela Hui “My mum’s Chinese restaurant is dying,” Scottish-born Chinese actor Lisa He says, recording herself speaking as she walks down a street in Edinburgh. “And I have three months to save it.” He posted the video to her social media account in April 2026, detailing the problems that have plagued her family’s restaurant, from the uninviting exterior to the colossal, outdated menu. The post has been viewed more than 16 million times on Instagram and TikTok. After her video went viral, comments flooded... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3355277/edinburgh-chinese-restaurant-dying-meet-daughter-using-social-media-save-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3355277/edinburgh-chinese-restaurant-dying-meet-daughter-using-social-media-save-it?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Jun 2026 04:15:05 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Tokyo bar run by Buddhist monks has become an online sensation for its unusual blend of cocktails, chanting and death-themed rituals. At the Vowz Bar in the city’s Shinjuku district, patrons can sip drinks inspired by heaven and hell, seek life advice from the monk staff and listen to sutras performed in a modern musical style. According to a Chinese visitor @kaolababyy, the menu features cocktails such as “Nirvana in the Pure Land”, “Never Ending Suffering in Hell” and “Love and Hate leading... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3355185/japan-buddhist-monk-bar-serves-drinks-inspired-heaven-and-hell-offers-beating-service?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3355185/japan-buddhist-monk-bar-serves-drinks-inspired-heaven-and-hell-offers-beating-service?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A video of Robert F. Kennedy Jnr wrangling two snakes bare-handed captured the internet’s fascination on Tuesday, the latest animal encounter the US health secretary has shared publicly that has sparked intrigue and in some cases concern. Kennedy shared the clip of himself grabbing the tails of the non-venomous black racer snakes on his personal social media accounts, noting in the caption that he was removing them from the patio of Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3354959/rfk-jnr-posts-video-him-grabbing-2-snakes-his-wife-asks-why?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3354959/rfk-jnr-posts-video-him-grabbing-2-snakes-his-wife-asks-why?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2026 23:32:38 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A Maldivian military diver died Saturday while searching for the bodies of four Italian divers believed to be deep inside an underwater cave. The group of five Italian divers is believed to have died while exploring a cave at a depth of about 50 meters (160 feet) in Vaavu Atoll on Thursday, according to Italy’s Foreign Ministry. The recreational diving limit in the Maldives is 30 meters (98 feet). Maldives presidential spokesman Mohammed Hussain Shareef said that Mohamed Mahudhee, a member of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/south-asia/article/3353830/maldivian-military-diver-dies-search-bodies-four-italian-divers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/south-asia/article/3353830/maldivian-military-diver-dies-search-bodies-four-italian-divers?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2026 13:31:17 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan K-pop superstar G-Dragon’s decision to gift his long-serving staff members flats worth a combined total of hundreds of millions of won (around several hundred thousand USD) has sparked a frenzy among netizens, with some asking, “Are you still hiring?” Dubbed the “King of K-pop,” the 38-year-old singer Kwon Ji-yong, better known as G-Dragon in the entertainment industry, is one of the most popular stars in South Korea and across Asia. He is the leader of BigBang, one of the world’s bestselling... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3353205/are-you-still-hiring-k-pop-king-g-dragon-gifts-flats-long-serving-staff-causes-online-buzz?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3353205/are-you-still-hiring-k-pop-king-g-dragon-gifts-flats-long-serving-staff-causes-online-buzz?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2026 01:00:13 +0000 CNA CNA A teenager was charged on Monday with assaulting controversial blogger Amos Yee over the weekend at an anime convention in Singapore. Bosco Chun Ho Wang, an 18-year-old Chinese national and Singapore permanent resident, was given one charge each of public nuisance and voluntarily causing hurt. The incident occurred at about 2.10pm on Saturday at level 4 of Suntec City Convention Centre. Chun is accused of punching and kicking the 27-year-old Singaporean. These acts, along with shouting,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3353084/teenager-charged-after-assault-singaporean-blogger-amos-yee-anime-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3353084/teenager-charged-after-assault-singaporean-blogger-amos-yee-anime-event?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2026 03:12:20 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Battered school indoor shoes, reportedly worn by graduating schoolgirls, have appeared in online shops in Japan, sparking fierce criticism over the fetishisation of young women. Removing outdoor shoes before entering homes, schools, companies and other public buildings is a deeply rooted custom in the country, tied to cleanliness and respect for shared spaces. Known as uwabaki, Japan’s traditional indoor shoes are typically white and shaped like ballet flats. At schools, from kindergarten... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3352640/japan-online-shops-probed-after-listing-schoolgirls-old-indoor-shoes-sale-us320?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3352640/japan-online-shops-probed-after-listing-schoolgirls-old-indoor-shoes-sale-us320?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 11:07:04 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk A Bangladeshi man who jumped onto the train tracks to shield his baby with his body as a train ran over them has gained kudos but also criticism from social media users after a video went viral. The family had been travelling on the Dhaka-bound Titas commuter train at Bhairab Railway Station, according to a report by Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Sun. When the train, which was delayed by about 1½ hours, pulled into the station at about 3.30pm on Tuesday, the family reportedly failed to get... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3352377/viral-video-bangladeshi-father-saving-baby-under-moving-train-raises-safety-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3352377/viral-video-bangladeshi-father-saving-baby-under-moving-train-raises-safety-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 10:22:55 +0000 Ushar Daniele Ushar Daniele A viral video of three elephants sent from Malaysia to a zoo in Japan has sparked public anger after online users said the animals appeared distressed when visitors called their names in Malay – which many viewers interpreted as a sign of homesickness. The footage showed the three pachyderms – Dara, Amoi and Kelat – responding to the Malaysian visitors, while another widely shared clip led social media users to claim one of the elephants appeared to be “weeping”. Other clips and images... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/health-environment/article/3352142/trumpet-call-malaysians-demand-japan-return-elephants-after-viral-weeping-videos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/health-environment/article/3352142/trumpet-call-malaysians-demand-japan-return-elephants-after-viral-weeping-videos?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 08:13:23 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran A viral appearance in the swimsuit round by a male beauty pageant contestant in the Philippines has sparked a wider debate about male beauty standards and whether pageantry is ready to make room for people who do not fit its traditional ideals. RJ Perkins, 21, drew widespread attention after a video showed him strutting across an outdoor stage during the swimwear segment of Mister Pampanga, held in the province of Pampanga, north of Manila. Unlike the chiselled bodies typically associated with... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3351987/male-pageant-contestants-viral-swimsuit-walk-sparks-body-image-debate-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3351987/male-pageant-contestants-viral-swimsuit-walk-sparks-body-image-debate-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:46:29 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Japanese underground idol has stirred an online debate by offering fans the unusual perk of sniffing her armpits. Hari Matsumoto, from Wakayama, Honshu island, has attracted over 400,000 followers on social media thanks to her bubbly personality and approachable charm. In Japan, underground idols usually perform in intimate venues such as small theatre, livehouses or shopping centres and rarely appear on mainstream media. Unlike top-tier idols featured on television, in magazines, and in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3350843/japan-underground-idol-sparks-outrage-offering-armpit-sniffing-service-fans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3350843/japan-underground-idol-sparks-outrage-offering-armpit-sniffing-service-fans?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 06:00:11 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang After two decades of a loveless personal life, a 60-year-old traditional dancer in Japan discovered unexpected late-life love with a protege who is 34 years her junior. In April, the couple made an appearance on the Japanese television show Welcome, Newlyweds!, but they chose to keep their true identities private. The wife, a seasoned performer from Ibaraki in eastern Japan, has dedicated her life to traditional dance since childhood and currently teaches at Tsubaki, a local taishu engeki... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3350977/unexpected-love-japan-traditional-dancer-finds-love-60-26-year-old-devoted-protege?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3350977/unexpected-love-japan-traditional-dancer-finds-love-60-26-year-old-devoted-protege?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 06:00:10 +0000 CNA CNA A Singaporean man who was seen in a viral video assaulting a Filipino woman at Lucky Plaza shopping centre was charged on Wednesday over the incident and a previous alleged attack on the same woman. Andrew Suresh Markandan, 47, was handed two charges of voluntarily causing hurt to Alibutdan Vilma Litgio and two charges of mischief by damaging her property. He is accused of first assaulting the victim at about 7.25pm on March 30 last year at Hotel 81 Bugis. He allegedly slapped her and punched... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3350952/singaporean-man-charged-after-viral-lucky-plaza-assault-filipino-woman?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3350952/singaporean-man-charged-after-viral-lucky-plaza-assault-filipino-woman?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:12:16 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press About 1,000 animal welfare activists who tried to gain entry on Saturday to a beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin were turned back by police who fired rubber bullets and pepper spray into the crowd and arrested the group’s leader. It was the second attempt in as many months by protesters to take beagles from the Ridglan Farms facility in Blue Mounds, a small town about 25 miles (about 40 kilometres) southwest of Wisconsin’s capital, Madison. Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3350649/us-animal-rights-activists-clash-police-over-wisconsin-dog-breeder?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3350649/us-animal-rights-activists-clash-police-over-wisconsin-dog-breeder?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:44:49 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk Thai police arrested seven French tourists after a viral Songkran confrontation in Phuket in which revellers surrounded a van, sprayed its driver with water and later ignored police orders to disperse. The incident came during Thailand’s annual new year festival, whose street water fights draw huge crowds across the country but have also sparked complaints this year about more aggressive behaviour in some tourist hotspots. Video shared on social media showed a crowd in Patong, a beach town on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3350285/7-french-tourists-arrested-after-viral-songkran-spray-clash-van-driver-phuket?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3350285/7-french-tourists-arrested-after-viral-songkran-spray-clash-van-driver-phuket?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:20:55 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A Chinese nurse working at a hospital in Japan has come under fire from both Chinese and Japanese netizens after allegedly routinely posting the personal and medical information of patients online. The Tokyo-based woman, identified as “Zhaozhaozzz”, has around 21,000 followers on social media where she regularly shares content about her life and work. Her personal details remain unclear. While working at the hospital, she filmed so-called “immersive Tokyo nurse vlog” videos with... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349513/japan-based-china-nurse-criticised-posting-work-clips-raising-privacy-ethics-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349513/japan-based-china-nurse-criticised-posting-work-clips-raising-privacy-ethics-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Japanese food company has transformed tofu with a “manly” twist, attracting younger consumers and generating over 6 billion yen (US$38 million) in annual revenue. Tofu, introduced to Japan from China during the Tang dynasty (618–907), boasts a rich historical lineage. During the Edo Period (1601–1868), the shogunate implemented austerity measures to combat a financial crisis, directing the samurai class to adopt cotton attire and consume economical tofu for sustenance. Since then, tofu has... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3347676/japan-food-company-rebrands-boring-tofu-making-it-manly-appeal-young-customers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3347676/japan-food-company-rebrands-boring-tofu-making-it-manly-appeal-young-customers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 06:15:08 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun A PR disaster erupted for McDonald’s last week when, in a social media post, its CEO showed little hint that he was “lovin’ it” when eating the company’s new hamburger. The American fast food chain’s chief executive, Chris Kempczinski, posted a clip of himself taste-testing a new menu item called the Big Arch. Unfortunately, it went viral for all the wrong reasons. The CEO’s video had, as the kids would say, no rizz. It looked awkward and forced, and there was little feeling of ravenous hunger... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3346163/mcdonalds-ceos-burger-blunder-video-shows-problem-lacking-common-touch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3346163/mcdonalds-ceos-burger-blunder-video-shows-problem-lacking-common-touch?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:15:08 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu It is 9.30pm in Scarborough, in Canada’s Ontario province, and just as most people are thinking of getting ready for bed, 28-year-old Anna Peng is about to get back to work – after already having put in a 13-hour shift. She has just closed Great Fountain Fast Food, her family’s beloved Hong Kong-style eatery, for the day, and now it is time for cleaning up. “I first started doing two-hour shifts at Great Fountain while I was still in school, just to help out my mum,” she says. That was the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3345070/meet-family-running-great-fountain-fast-food-hong-kong-style-spot-viral-instagram?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3345070/meet-family-running-great-fountain-fast-food-hong-kong-style-spot-viral-instagram?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 04:45:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A 64-year-old trans woman in eastern Japan is embracing a quiet, slow-burn romance with a boyfriend 22 years her senior, often showing up to dates in princess dresses. Kuboyama, a retired information technology (IT) engineer from Kawasaki City who also goes by the name Catherine, was once known for her handsome looks and high-paying job before the sex reassignment surgery, TV Tokyo reported. She says she was drawn to women’s clothes and make-up from childhood and felt little interest in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3344558/japan-trans-woman-64-enjoys-slow-paced-life-lover-86-wears-princess-dresses-dates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3344558/japan-trans-woman-64-enjoys-slow-paced-life-lover-86-wears-princess-dresses-dates?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:00:10 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk A video of a young girl being shoved while posing for a photo at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing has amassed over 9 million views in one day and ignited an online row over safety, manners and tourist behaviour. The clip was posted on Wednesday by a Taiwanese social media user peipeilin527, who said the incident happened on her family’s last night in Japan. “I was thinking of taking photos at the famous Shibuya Crossing on my last night there, but some mean-spirited person pushed my child hard,”... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3344716/viral-video-child-being-shoved-iconic-tokyo-crossing-stokes-outrage-and-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3344716/viral-video-child-being-shoved-iconic-tokyo-crossing-stokes-outrage-and-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 07:55:43 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan A mermaid-themed sales gimmick has landed two drinks traders in hot water in Malaysia’s conservative east coast state of Kelantan, after religious authorities launched an investigation into a viral video that drew outrage during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. The 25-second clip, which shows one of the traders prancing about in front of their drinks stall dressed in a rainbow-coloured mermaid costume complete with a bikini top, triggered a wave of online condemnation. Widely described as... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3344341/bikini-clad-mermaid-sales-stunt-malaysia-triggers-religious-probe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3344341/bikini-clad-mermaid-sales-stunt-malaysia-triggers-religious-probe?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:14:56 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Young people in Japan are using artificial intelligence (AI) to make before-and-after cosmetic surgery photographs which look like they are two “different” versions of themselves in a single setting. Data suggests the country is relatively relaxed about cosmetic procedures, but the latest trend is raising concerns about the effect it might have on youngsters. According to the Japan Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the country logged about 3.3 million aesthetic medical procedures in 2022,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3343313/japan-youth-share-photos-show-and-after-cosmetic-surgeries-raise-copycat-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3343313/japan-youth-share-photos-show-and-after-cosmetic-surgeries-raise-copycat-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 08:00:09 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service A viral AI-generated video of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise fighting atop a building is causing a stir online. The 15-second video comes from the latest AI video-generation platform, Seedance 2.0. The platform was launched this week by its owner, ByteDance, the same Chinese parent that oversees TikTok. As the video circulates online, the Motion Picture Association and other industry stakeholders have called out the video for its unauthorised use of copyrighted works. MPA’s CEO, Charles Rivkin, wrote... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3343548/hollywood-shaken-brad-pitt-tom-cruise-fight-video-made-chinese-ai-over-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3343548/hollywood-shaken-brad-pitt-tom-cruise-fight-video-made-chinese-ai-over-us?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:29:26 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times When Drew Binsky stepped into a gosiwon in Seoul, the doorway alone offered a clue to the life inside. The entrance measured barely 61cm (24 inches) across – narrow enough to require a slight turn of the shoulders to pass through. Binsky, an American travel YouTuber with millions of subscribers, documented his experience in his video “Inside Korea’s smallest apartment,” posted on February 1. The video tours several gosiwon facilities across Seoul and drew more than 1.9 million views within days... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3343051/inside-seouls-closet-homes-youtube-tour-reveals-reality-gosiwon-living?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3343051/inside-seouls-closet-homes-youtube-tour-reveals-reality-gosiwon-living?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 08:43:45 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang If you’re enjoying a cup of apple herbal tea, starting your day with tai chi, and winding down with a soothing foot bath, you may be part of an intriguing trend known as “Becoming Chinese.” Since January, a TikTok influencer has unintentionally ignited a global movement centred on adopting Chinese lifestyle habits, with videos showcasing these practices attracting over 20 million views. In one engaging clip, Sherry Zhu Xirui, 23, humorously proclaims to her audience: “If you love hotpot, dim... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3342243/cultural-currents-how-becoming-chinese-trend-transforming-western-lifestyles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3342243/cultural-currents-how-becoming-chinese-trend-transforming-western-lifestyles?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 06:00:14 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A working Japanese couple with six children have sparked outrage by letting their oldest child, 12, babysit his younger siblings every day, leaving no time for himself. The boy’s story was exposed by the Japanese media outlet Asahi Broadcasting Television’s variety show Detective! Knight Scoop which aired on January 23. The programme features letters from the public and offers of help to solve their problems in life. A sixth-grade junior school pupil from Hiroshima Prefecture wrote to the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3342329/japan-couple-spark-child-neglect-concerns-letting-son-12-babysit-5-siblings-while-they-work?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3342329/japan-couple-spark-child-neglect-concerns-letting-son-12-babysit-5-siblings-while-they-work?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Concerns about Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking have emerged in Japan after a pregnant woman was allegedly tracked down and murdered by her ex-boyfriend using a GPS device hidden in a toy. The death of Haruka Komatsumoto, a 31-year-old manicurist who was allegedly beaten on the head and stabbed in the neck by her ex-boyfriend in her own flat on December 31, 2025, has shocked many people. The alleged killing has become a widely discussed topic in the country. Komatsumoto reportedly... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3341424/japan-calls-action-gps-stalking-after-woman-allegedly-murdered-ex-using-hidden-device-toy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3341424/japan-calls-action-gps-stalking-after-woman-allegedly-murdered-ex-using-hidden-device-toy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 06:00:09 +0000