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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.
Supporters of the satirical youth movement Cockroach Janta Party hold placards during a protest in New Delhi, India, on Saturday. Photo: EPA
India

Hundreds join protest led by India’s viral ‘cockroach’ youth movement

The mock political party with over 22 million ‌Instagram followers is the largest online expression of dissent against ⁠Narendra Modi.

Malaysia

FamilyMart Malaysia worker in hot water after throwing oden soup at Grab rider

Chinese culture

How China’s ‘Excalibur of the East’ souvenir swords sparked airport warning

Food and Drinks

This Edinburgh Chinese takeaway is ‘dying’. Meet the daughter out to save it

Opened in 1997, China Star has weeks to turn things around before it sinks. Can the founder’s Instagrammer daughter Lisa He serve up success?

Lisa He with her mother Sophie at their family restaurant, China Star. The Edinburgh takeaway is months away from closure, but He’s viral social media post has brought lots of attention, and hope. Photo: courtesy of Lisa He
Japan

Japan Buddhist monk bar has ‘heaven and hell’ drinks, offers beating service

Offbeat drinking venue provides everything from calligraphy to a ‘coffin’ experience in bid to popularise Buddhist culture.

United States

RFK Jnr posts video of him grabbing 2 snakes, as his wife asks ‘why?’

US health secretary has a bare-handed encounter with snakes, as his TV star wife tries to get him to stop.

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Maldives

Maldivian military diver dies in search of bodies of 4 Italian divers

The group of Italian divers is believed to have died while exploring a cave at a depth of about 50 metres (160 feet) in Vaavu Atoll despite the Maldives’ 30-metre diving limit.

Rescue divers preparing to search for the four missing Italian divers near Alimathaa Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, on Saturday. Photo: AP
South Korea

‘Are you still hiring?’: K-pop king G-Dragon gifts flats to staff, sparks online buzz

Known for his exceptional loyalty, the pop icon has developed a strong bond with his long-term team.

Singapore

Teenager charged after assault on blogger Amos Yee at Singapore anime event

The 18-year-old Chinese national and Singapore permanent resident is accused of punching and kicking the blogger and being a public nuisance.

Japan

Japan online shops probed after listing schoolgirls’ old shoes for sale at US$320

Fans of such sales say trades are just like regular collecting, critics worry that practice may be akin to child sexual abuse.

Japan’s online second-hand marketplaces have come under fire after listings for old indoor shoes belonging to secondary schoolgirls surfaced. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/paypayfleamarket.yahoo.co.jp
Social media

Video | How Singapore police use memes to teach important lessons

A video published on April Fool’s Day drawing attention to online scams has gained over 8 million views.

A video published on April Fool’s Day drawing attention to online scams has gained over 8 million views.
01:15
Bangladesh

Hero or reckless? Bangladeshi man saving baby on train tracks divides opinion

Some social media users question how the man could have dropped his son just as they were getting off the moving train.

Mainland China

Video | Man sprays train crowd in China with suspected pepper spray

Passengers on Guangzhou Metro Line 3 describe inhaling ‘something spicy’ according to local media.

Malaysia

Elephants never forget? Malaysians demand Japan return ‘homesick’ trio

One video shows Dara, Amoi and Kelat responding to their names in Malay while another reportedly reveals one of the elephants ‘weeping’.

The three Malaysian elephants stand in their enclosure at the Tennoji Zoo in Osaka. Photo: Facebook/The Patriot Studio
The Philippines

Filipino male pageant contestant’s viral swimsuit walk sparks body image debate

Observers said RJ Perkins’ viral moment shows beauty pageants might be ready to move beyond their traditional ideals.

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RJ Perkins during his viral appearance in the swimsuit round of the Mister Pampanga pageant. Photo: Facebook / Mister Pampanga
Japan

Japan underground idol sparks outrage for offering armpit sniffing service for fans

‘Bubbly, approachable’ online performer entices men to partake in strange practice; some fans pledge lifelong ‘loyalty’ to her.

Japan

Unexpected love: Japan traditional dancer finds love at 60 with 26-year-old protege

The couple’s recent appearance on a Japanese television show generated considerable buzz and discussion among the public.

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Singapore

Singaporean man charged after viral Lucky Plaza assault on Filipino woman

He allegedly assaulted the woman while under conditional warning for a previous attack on her. Police said the pair knew each other.

A Singaporean man has been charged for assaulting a Filipino woman at a shopping centre in Singapore in an incident that went viral online. Photo: Handout
United States

US animal rights activists clash with police over Wisconsin dog breeder

About 1,000 animal welfare activists faced rubber bullets and pepper spray as they tried to gain entry to a beagle breeding and research facility.

Thailand

7 French tourists arrested after viral Songkran clash with van driver in Phuket

Police said the group of revellers blocked traffic, sprayed water at the driver and ignored orders to disperse.

Trending in China

Japan-based China nurse slammed for posting work clips; privacy, ethics fears raised

‘Irresponsible’ member of medical staff posts videos showing patients’ medicine bags, hospital beds; forces bosses to apologise.

A Tokyo-based Chinese nurse, who regularly shares vlogs on mainland social media detailing her work, has been criticised by Japanese netizens for disclosing patients’ personal and medical information. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Japan

Japan food company’s ‘manly’ revolution of ‘boring’ tofu captures youth market

Ito begins by reshaping tofu into paddle boards, teardrops, stepping away from traditional moulds to give it a contemporary appeal.

A Japanese food company earns US$38 million annually by rebranding tofu as a masculine food item, calling it “manly tofu” to appeal to young consumers. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sina
Seoul

Video | Low BTS concert turnout causes slide in agency shares

The heavily secured Gwanghwamun Square performance drew 104,000 fans – less than half the turnout police expected.

Food and Drinks

Mouthing Off | McDonald’s CEO’s burger blunder shows the problem of lacking a common touch

Chris Kempczinski’s timid taste test of McDonald’s new Big Arch sparked a slew of trolling responses from Burger King, Wendy’s and A&W.

Video | Chinese game centre slammed for using live hamsters in claw machine

Some people tried to file a complaint with a citizen service line but were told the city ‘does not have an animal protection law’.

A live hamster claw machine in Shenzhen.
02:11
Food and Drinks

She hated working at her parents’ Chinese restaurant. Now she’s made it viral

Anna Peng shares the daily joys and challenges of running Canada’s Great Fountain Fast Food to its nearly 40,000 followers on Instagram.

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Anna Peng with her parents at their eatery Great Fountain Fast Food, a Hong Kong-style Chinese restaurant in Scarborough, in Canada’s Ontario province. Photo: Great Fountain Fast Food
Japan

Japan trans woman, 64, enjoys slow-paced life with lover, 86, wears princess dresses

Sex reassignment surgery recipient who faces problems using women’s facilities because of her size says she wants to slim down, wear miniskirts.

Japan

Viral video of child being shoved at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing stokes anger

The video shows a masked passer-by appearing to knock the girl to the ground, prompting calls for an investigation.

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