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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.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
A Japanese man who bought up 200 run-down properties has generated US$887,000 in annual rent. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/YouTube
Japan

Japan man buys 200 decayed homes, gets US$900,000 in rent, captures attention

Investor with lifelong fascination for real estate quits stressful regular job to embark on property investment strategy which brings work-life balance.

Trending in China

Top Japan restaurant roasted for serving inferior ingredients to Chinese guests

Trending in China

Chinese hurdler Wu slammed on social media for ‘Photoshopped’ images on Weibo

Trending in China

Playful China cat sends quit letter, loses owner job, Thai dog brings home bomb

Frisky feline makes keystroke that wipes out owner’s year-end bonus as bomb squad called in over potentially explosive dog in Thailand.

A playful Chinese cat accidentally sends a resignation letter and a Thai dog brings home a bomb. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
South Korea

Anger as Korea coffee chain tells staff to call boss before family after plane crash

‘Inhumane’ comments by ‘heartless’ shop boss come as South Korea suffers its deadliest airline disasters ever, ignite angry public backlash.

Trending in China

Crime-themed attractions like Hong Kong ICAC cafe grow popular with tourists

Visitors from near and far flock to anti-corruption cafe in Hong Kong and Japan prison museum to get a taste of crime and punishment.

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ITTF

Chinese table tennis fans outraged as Chen Meng, Fan Zhendong, Ma Long dropped

National team selectors omit the trio for ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup in Shenzhen, after their withdrawal from world rankings.

Chen Meng has been left out of the latest China team. Photo: EPA-EFE
Japan

Debt-ridden Japan man ‘passionately praises’ people on street, earns US$60 daily

Innovative, homeless 43-year-old with huge gambling debts randomly stops strangers and compliments them in return for money.

Japan

Japan internet sleuths find stolen bike after cosplaying thief flaunts it online

Millions of people view online post appealing for information about stolen motorbike, internet sleuths discover plump ‘woman’ thief actually a man.

Japan

Japan ‘cuddle cafes’ let customers canoodle with or gaze at strangers for US$6

Strict social norms in conservative country lead large numbers of young people to shun closeness and intimate relationships.

So-called cuddle cafes in Japan let customers hug strangers for a price in a bid to allieviate the consequences of the country’s strict social norms. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Facebook/QQ.com
Thailand

Thai woman comforts frightened stray dog during fireworks, warms hearts online

Woman’s protective behaviour to canine with pounding heart because of pyrotechnics prompts people to call for fireworks use to be limited.

A woman in Thailand has warmed the hearts of millions of people online by comforting a frightened dog during a fireworks display at New Year. Photo: SCMP composite/TikTok
Germany

German firms hire private detectives to probe if sick staff are really unwell

Chinese netizens express surprise at liberal sick leave rules in Germany as post Covid-19 pandemic period sees surge in absenteeism in country.

South Korea

South Korea youth re-do Jesus, add hearts to images, create posters, spark debate

Country’s youngsters give religious icon a modern-day makeover, cafes celebrate his birthday, critics say trend ‘desecrates sanctity’ of faith.

Trending in China

‘Living in paradise’: Iraqi shares love for China after fleeing war-torn homeland

Man takes refuge from war in country, forges careers in acting, modelling before learning Mandarin, attracting huge audience with food reviews.

A man who fled war-torn Iraq in the 1990s to forge a new life in China has attracted a massive online following with food reviews from across the nation. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Trending in China

‘Giant toilet’ affordable Japan flat goes viral, attracts interest from China

Tiny Tokyo living space likened to a prison cell emerges as online hit amid burgeoning number of foreign tourists visiting Japan.

A tiny and afforable flat in Tokyo, which has been likened to a prison cell, has gone viral on mainland social media. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/QQ.com
Belarus

‘Balenciaga of Belarus’ goes viral for festive bubble wrap quirky outfits costing US$90

Bizarre outfits promise to make wearer stand out in crowd, but followers of fashion on social media are divided on pricey items.

Japan

Japanese dad quits job to fulfil late daughter’s dream by opening a family cafe

57-year-old father leaves job for life to learn baking, pastry skills at culinary school, says move helps family cope with grief at loss of daughter.

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Japan

Caution as online ‘Superman challenge’ sees kids injured copying risky game

Japan education authorities seeking ways to stop children in country from accessing videos of dangerous ‘superhero’ challenge online.

Education chiefs in Japan have issued a warning to children not to take part in a “Superman challenge” game which has gone viral online. Photo: SCMP composite/IMDb/YouTube
Japan

Japan firm uses AI to train new staff in coping with stress, difficult customers

Technology offers rookie customer service staff chance to hone pacification skills on non-humans before being posted to frontline.

Japan

‘God of Freebies’ Japan grandpa lives super frugal life using coupons, free offers

Wealthy 75-year old stock market investor scours Tokyo on a bicycle to seek out deals, enjoys pastimes he does not like because they are free.

Thailand

Thai police disguised as foliage in hunt for sex attacker sparks amusement online

Rural pursuit of sex attack suspect takes unusual twist as police officer dons gillie suit to hide in bushes before arresting man under house.

A police officer in Thailand who disguised himself as foliage to snare a sex attacker has sparked much amusement online. Photo: SCMP composite/Khaosod/Ejan/Shutterstock
ITTF

China Olympic champions Fan, Chen stun table tennis fans with ‘retirement’ posts

The duo, separately, say their decisions to step away are due to fines that will be imposed for missing international tournaments.

China Olympic champions Fan Zhendong, left, and Chen Meng, right, have withdrawn from the International Table Tennis Federation rankings. Photo: Xinhua
India

Indian man dies after swallowing live chick to cure infertility in ritual mishap

Man and his wife, married for years without children, turned to healer in his desperation to become a father.

Singapore

‘Bloodworm love spell’ ritual sold in Singapore online store sparks debate

‘Teacher’ asserts he is the only practitioner of ritual, a secret tradition passed down through family and ancient texts.

South Korea

Profile | K-pop star G-Dragon sparks meme, imitation explosion with new ‘auntie’ style

So-called King of K-pop makes comeback with androgynous look that has been a massive hit with fans across Asia and around the world.

K-pop star G-Dragon’s distinctive “auntie style” has been a massive hit with his army of fans. Photo: SCMP composite/X.com/IG@8lo8lo8lowme
Thailand

Pregnant Thai star’s performance defended by fans – ‘women can shine at any stage’

K-pop and J-pop girl groups face pressure, with pregnancy often leading to career suspension.

A pregnant Thai celebrity defended her performances, while fans asserted that women have the right “to shine at any stage”. Photo: SCMP composite/IG@bellegb
ITTF

Chinese influencer issues ‘deepest apology’ over fake video, table tennis lies

Person running the Weibo account sorry that video incited fan groups to attack one another and abuse Paris Olympians Chen Meng, Sun Yingsha.

Trending in China

China’s Fan Zhendong pleads for privacy after supporters mob him at hotel

Three-time Olympic table tennis champion urges fans to show ‘understanding and respect’ after latest incident.

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