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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 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
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

Malaysia

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

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.

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.

A noodle restaurant in Seoul, South Korean has sparked a public backlash by refusing to serve solo diners. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

A woman radio DJ in Japan who aspires to become a news presenter became a part-time rickshaw driver to boost her speaking skills and ended up loving both jobs. Photo: IG@arisa _sekimori
Thailand

‘Everyone was startled’: Thai woman ‘wakes up’ in coffin before cremation

Woman wakes in coffin before cremation; organ donation attempt by her brother halted by missing death certificate.

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Japan

Japan woman marries AI partner, wears augmented reality glasses for ring exchange

‘Crazy’ 32-year-old shuns human relationships after real fiancé split, takes part in virtual ceremony after developing feelings for chatbot.

Japan

Japan man scoops US$3.8 million lottery, hides win from wife, lives in secret luxury

66-year-old winner goes behind wife’s back to splurge on luxury car, hot springs, plush resorts; eventually suffers identity crisis.

An elderly man in Japan who won US$3.8 million in the lottery hid his windfall from his family and lived a life of secret luxury. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Japan cook fends off bear while preparing food, keeps working while covered in blood

Shop manager remarks that it was fortunate the attack occurred on a Sunday when nearby kindergarten was closed.

A cook at a ramen shop in Japan was attacked by a one-metre-tall bear early in the morning while preparing food before opening. Photo: Shutterstock
Trending in China

Fans saddened by imminent retirement of Japan beloved penguin smart card mascot

Many fans have questioned the company’s decision, and some have even started petitions for its reversal.

US-China relations

Hasan Piker’s China tour draws fire after viral Tiananmen police encounter

Critics say Piker’s praise for China and on-camera run-in highlight risks for Western creators in a sensitive media environment.

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Animals

What is ‘hobby dogging’? Trend of training imaginary dogs ridiculed online

‘Hobby dogging’, where dog lovers train with imaginary pets on the end of leashes and harnesses, has taken off in Germany.

Dog trainer Barbara Gerlinger (centre) holds an empty dog leash while teaching “hobby dogging”, a viral trend of training imaginary dogs, to participants in one of her courses. Photo: dpa
Japan

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.

Malaysia

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

A video showing the irate customer throwing a cup at the barista – who tosses it back – has drawn over 2 million views.

Japan

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

Grieving husband of multiple stabbing victim refuses to clean up bloodstains; police reopen case, female killer confesses.

A Japanese man who rented out the property in which his wife was murdered more than 20 years in the hope of preserving the scene of the crime has been vindicated after the killer gave herself up to the police. Photo: QQ.com
Japan

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.

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
Malaysia

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.

United States

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.

France

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.

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
Turkey

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.

A Turkish man has agreed to pay his ex-wife “cat support” of US$240 every three months as part of their divorce agreement. Photo: Shutterstock
Russia

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.

Japan

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.

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