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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 17-year-old Japanese idol was fired after netizens spotted a man’s reflection in her drink, revealing she was dating. Photo: Shutterstock/X.com@nani_nani_

Japanese idol, 17, fired for dating; deemed ‘serious violation of rules’

Many believe she was hastily dismissed due to affiliation with an underground idol group that heavily relies on loyal male fans.

14 Nov 2025 - 9:00AM

Storm in a takeaway cup: Malaysia’s Zus Coffee backs barista after viral clash

11 Nov 2025 - 3:36PM

Japan man rents wife’s murder flat for 20 years, preserves crime scene, spends US$145,000

10 Nov 2025 - 9:22AM

Japan bullying victim becomes ‘world’s most beautiful’ after US$650,000 plastic surgery

Wealthy ‘patrons’ shell out thousands of dollars to pay for man’s procedures; get ‘company, meals out, parties, shopping’ in return.

9 Nov 2025 - 6:33AM

A Japanese man has spent US$651,000 on plastic surgery to become “the most beautiful person in the world” after enduring years of bullying because of his appearance. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com

Madani or Mamdani? New York mayor’s name mix-up goes viral in Malaysia

Prime Minister Anwar has spent three years promoting Malaysia Madani, a slogan using the Arabic term for ‘civil’, as the heart of his government.

7 Nov 2025 - 2:12PM

US man in viral sandwich-throwing case found not guilty of assault

The incident turned Sean Charles Dunn into a symbol of resistance against Trump’s anti-crime crackdown in Washington.

7 Nov 2025 - 5:04AM

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Frenchman sells advertising space on wedding suit, raises US$12,000 from start-ups

Entrepreneur employs sliding scale of ad prices depending on particular position on big-day jacket; wife opts for white satin dress.

5 Nov 2025 - 2:00PM

A groom in France who sold advertising space on his wedding suit raised US$10,000 from 26 startup companies. Photo: SCMP composite/X.com@dagorenouf

Turkish man pays US$240 in ‘cat support’ to ex-wife, highlights new divorce trend

Legal first sees well-being of felines taken care of until they die; legal experts say payments cannot be considered alimony.

1 Nov 2025 - 2:00PM

Extreme Russian contest offers flat as prize, makes couple tattoo toddler son

Calls for police probe into casino business influencer whose offer of luxury prizes sees entrants take contest to dangerous extremes.

31 Oct 2025 - 9:00AM

Japan man, 77, gives Swiss woman photo they took 55 years after Osaka Expo encounter

Elderly man who felt ‘admiration not love’ at first sight more than half a century ago renews friendship with 81-year-old woman.

30 Oct 2025 - 9:44AM

A 77-year-old Japanese man has renewed his friendship with a 81-year-old Swiss woman he met at the 1970 Osaka Expo by sending her a photo they took together 55 years ago. Photo: mbs.jp

Poor Japan lorry driver, 60, who was switched at birth is heir to rich family

Struggling worker lands long-awaited compensation payout after birth family feud reveals hospital ‘mistake’; never met biological parents.

27 Oct 2025 - 9:50AM

A Japanese man, who spent 60 years as a struggling truck driver, recently discovered he was switched at birth and is the heir to a wealthy family. Photo: COMBO/Shutterstock/QQ.com

Japan café allows customers to serve staff as maids for US$25, attracts many men

Cosplay culture-inspired pop-up outlet charges customers who want to dress up in ‘elegant’ maids outfits; indulge serving ‘fantasy’.

25 Oct 2025 - 9:00AM

Japan mother shocked as friend becomes son-in-law despite 30-year age gap

53-year-old bar owner who took friend’s little girl on innocent playground trip years ago sees their paths cross decades later; love blossoms.

24 Oct 2025 - 2:00PM

Turkey divorce case reveals man calls ex-wife ‘chubby’, court orders compensation

Court rules that nickname in mobile phone contacts list amounts to ‘emotional and economic violence’; damaged warring couple’s marriage.

24 Oct 2025 - 9:00AM

A man who referred to his ex-wife as “chubby” in his mobile phone contacts has been accused of being disrespectful and harmful to their marriage during a divorce hearing in Turkey. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

Remains of girl, 6, lost in 2011 Japan quake found 100km from home; mum grateful

Jaw bone and teeth of little girl who was separated from her grandmother in devastating tremor found by construction worker.

23 Oct 2025 - 6:00PM

A construction worker in Japan has discovered the remains of a six-year-old girl who was lost in a huge earthquake in 2011. They were found 100 kilometres from her home. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/fnn.jp

Japanese mum, 34, struggles to raise 6 sons, spends US$4,600 a month on family

‘Beautiful’ woman has first child at 16, goes on to have five more ‘handsome’ sons who scoff 3kg of chicken nuggets at one sitting.

21 Oct 2025 - 12:15PM

Japanese man pays US$4,000 for date with idol, discovers bodyguard is her husband

Besotted fan of petite ‘underground idol’ shells out on tickets, meals, photos, even pays for minder; says he feels ‘emotionally deceived’.

20 Oct 2025 - 9:12AM

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Indonesian man, 74, pays US$180,000 to marry woman, 24, raising eyebrows, debate

Controversy rages over nuptials after which groom allegedly flees on motorbike without paying wedding photographer.

17 Oct 2025 - 2:00PM

A 74-year-old Indonesian man has sparked controversy after paying a bride price of US$180,000 to marry a woman 50 years his junior. Photo: TikTok

Indonesian man hands cheating wife over to lover in exchange for money and cow

Centuries-old dispute settling process aims to let couples put infidelity behind them, foster a sense of peace, maintain dignity.

17 Oct 2025 - 12:47PM

Tourists slammed for turning Singapore Changi Airport into ‘sleeper village’

Overnight sleeping at the airport is not officially banned, but security may wake people up unless they have a flight ticket.

15 Oct 2025 - 9:13AM

She paints Hong Kong’s iconic people and reveals the works to them in public

From taxi drivers to tai chi ladies, Joannah Hon’s Instagram videos of her revealing her paintings to her public subjects have gone viral.

15 Oct 2025 - 11:52AM

Hong Kong artist Joannah Hon poses with her paintings at her studio in Sai Ying Pun on October 7, 2025. Her art, which has gone viral on Instagram, showcases many of the city’s cultural icons. Photo: Sun Yeung

Japan man exploits delivery platform refund policy, eats 1,000 meals for free

Unemployed man operates 124 accounts on delivery platform, routinely signs up and cancels memberships within days to elude detection.

14 Oct 2025 - 2:00PM

A jobless man in Japan was arrested for taking advantage of a delivery platform to eat over 1,000 meals for free in two years. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/163.com

Viral video of divers harassing rare turtle triggers outcry in Malaysia

The video shows divers grabbing a turtle’s neck and standing on its shell as the endangered animal struggles to swim away.

15 Oct 2025 - 8:14AM

Hong Kong teen who feeds city’s ‘cardboard grannies’ goes viral on Instagram

‘Belle’ videos herself handing out free meals to Hong Kong’s underprivileged elderly, largely targeting women who collect cardboard.

13 Oct 2025 - 10:33AM

Thai tycoon offers US$900 for slapping son’s mistress, who once dated grandson

Unfaithful son completely disregards responsibilities, allegedly threatens wife with a gun, demanding that she leave voluntarily.

11 Oct 2025 - 2:00PM

A wealthy Thai durian tycoon shocked the internet by offering a 30,000 baht reward for anyone to confront and slap the face of his son’s mistress. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com Facebook@xannth.rth.thxng

Japan’s Sapporo bans coins in coffins to help the dead pay for ferry to afterlife

Equipment damage sees ancient crematorium ritual outlawed; similar custom in China involves legend of the goddess of oblivion.

11 Oct 2025 - 9:00AM

A city in Japan has warned against placing coins in coffins during cremations, as they can melt and stick to the crematorium bed. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Togo international Asamoah in paralysis fear after China football match collision

Samuel Asamoah struck an advertising hoarding with his neck after being pushed while playing for Guangxi Pingguo in a League One game.

10 Oct 2025 - 2:21PM

‘Dirtiest town in Asia’: Malaysian MP told to clean up act after viral backlash

The warning came after the video showed rubbish-choked waters in Semporna, a Sabah town famed as a gateway to Malaysia’s top island resorts.

10 Oct 2025 - 8:24AM

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