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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 teacher in Malaysia is in hot water after she told a pupil struggling with the local langauge to “go back to China”. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Trending in China

Shock as Malaysia teacher tells pupil struggling with dialect to ‘go back to China’

Teacher tells complaining relative of abused student that she would call police to track him down because he had ‘invaded her privacy’.

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Hangzhou becomes sea of red as China fans brace for decisive World Cup qualifier

Trending in China

Tearful Wu Yanni’s 60m hurdles Worlds failure sparks furious social media debate

Japan

Japanese dental clinics offer dog pals, on-site gym to boost declining business

Declining birth rates see business slump heralding introduction of nurses dressed as maids, French-style clinic cafes, brightly-decorated spaces.

Some dental clinics in Japan are offering a dog companion service, and on-site gym facilities in a bid to boost flagging business. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com/IG@shibuyadental
Trending in China

‘Never mess with a Chinese woman’: student chases Italy phone thief, goes viral

With help of police and passers-by, China student trio snare subway phone thief, sending powerful anti-crime message to would-be lawbreakers.

Japan

Japan love motel converts to funeral home, spurs birth, ageing population debate

Japan sees slump in number of places of ‘privacy and comfort’, some of which offer five-star facilities while others are more down-to-earth.

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Trending in China

5 celebrity cats from Thai runway to Hawaiian waves that captivate fans globally

The felines show remarkable adaptability, resilience, and survival strength to entertain, inspire those who meet them.

Pets have become essential in people’s lives, acting not only as sources of companionship and stress relief but also as beloved family members. Photo: SCMP composite/IG@kulithesurfingcat/fun-japan.jp/Douyin/QQ.com/TikTok
Trending in China

Chinese tourist critical as she leans from train for photos, strikes tunnel wall

Daredevil holidaymakers who dice with death while travelling on railways overseas are hit with travel safety warning by Chinese authorities.

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Japan

Japan grandma barber, 108, inspires with wisdom ‘hold no grudges, feel no jealousy’

Woman attributes longevity to healthy diet of light foods, routine exercises – walking, shoulder movements, leg stretches.

Japan

Japanese public servants win US$67,000 payout over order to come in early

Policy introduced by town’s draconian former mayor is overturned by country’s Fair Trade Commission which orders workers be paid overtime.

Japanese public servants have won US$67,000 in back-paid overtime after they were ordered to arrive five minutes early for a meeting each day. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Japan

Japan ‘key-copying demon’ breaks into home, watches TV for 2 hours before caught

Serial housebreaker admits to making up to 20 copied home keys by stealing private information of women, branded a ‘pervert’.

A Japanese man dubbed the “key-copying demon” has been arrested after he broke into a woman’s home and was snared by police because he sat down to watch television for two hours. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Trending in China

Plan to put Trump on US$250 bill tickles China, number means ‘idiot’ in slang

Congressman’s proposal has garnered over 14 million views on mainland social media, with majority of users finding it amusing.

Singapore

Japan woman says ‘racist’ Singapore cabby polite after realising she was not Chinese

Rude Lion City taxi driver treats woman badly on way to airport, then starts to ‘treat her like a queen’ when it became clear she was Japanese.

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Japan

Japan maid cafe now speaks 100 languages to elevate customer experience using AI

Chain will broaden device’s deployment to additional locations if proven effective.

Japan’s maid café unleashed the power of AI, instantly translating conversations into 100 languages for an unforgettable customer experience. Photo: SCMP composite/X
Japan

Japan police academy hires beauty consultant for male officers’ make-up skills

The academy reminds students that maintaining a proper appearance is crucial as both members of society and future police officers.

A Japanese police academy employs a beauty consultant to instruct officers on makeup techniques. Photo: SCMP composite/YouTube
Trending in China

Chinese tourists pay to travel to Japan for free snow-clearing, spark debate

Locals are surprised this labour-intensive work, usually frowned upon, has turned into a profitable tourist venture.

Japan

Japan firm offers time off for hangovers, news about favourite celebrities

Amid sluggish job market, IT company bosses choose quirky benefits ahead of pay hikes, say move boosts efficiency, staff retention rates.

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South Korea

South Korean bank robber with toy gun quickly subdued by special forces veteran

Bungled bank heist by jobless man with financial problems who had not even planned his escape causes wave of hilarity on social media.

A South Korean bank robber “armed” with a toy gun was quickly subdued by an ex-special forces sparking much amusement online. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Japan

‘Dog’ man in Japan rents out canine costumes so others can live animal dream

Entrepreneur launches online costume business to leverage childhood dream of becoming a dog, charges up to US$320 to rent canine outfit.

Trending in China

Vietnamese eatery owner resembles Hong Kong singer Faye Wong, goes viral online

Restaurant is popular with local low-income workers, serving 30 free bowls of pho, called ‘suspended noodles’, daily to those in need.

Swimming

32 most drug-tested swimmers globally in 2024 were all Chinese, data reveals

Updated figures for last year continue the pattern before the Paris Olympics, when China’s swimmers were targeted for extra testing.

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China’s quartet, including Qin Haiyang (second from left), display their gold medals after winning the men’s 4x100m medley relay at the Paris Olympics. Photo: Reuters
Japan

Japan zoo bans solo male visitors to ensure family-friendly environment

Zoo director shares her struggle with openly rejecting, turning away visitors, frequently feeling forced to smile, respond politely.

A Japanese zoo has banned solo male visitors, citing discomfort among families and couples due to flirtatious behaviour. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Chinese footballer, 18, ‘brain-dead’ from Spain accident, family accuse club, FA

Guo Jiaxuan has ‘little chance of survival’ following collision during match, according to brother, who says family want to bring him home.

Japan

Japan man starts dating agency after 2,000 failed blind dates due to low income

Despite numerous failed dates, man persists in dating to refine conversational skills, decision-making, date planning.

Japan

Japan ‘Miracle’ cat survives on toilet water, eating leftovers for a month

Left-for-dead cat suffers sickness and brain damage but clings onto life to raise awareness about animal cruelty in Japan.

A cat in Japan survived by drinking toilet water and eating leftover food for a month after being abandoned by its owner. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com
Japan

Japan ‘big stomach’ competitive eater, who ate 100 burgers at a meal, retires at 40

‘Cute and slim’ Japanese eating phenomenon who recently took time out to recover from ‘mental illness’ set to quit, spend life with pet cats.

Japanese online sensation Yuka Kinoshita has announced her retirement from competitive eating at the age of 40. Photo: SCMP composite/IG@yuka_kinoshita
Japan

Polygamous Japan man who relied on wives’ cash earns monthly US$8,000 as influencer

Self-styled ‘gigolo’ has 11 children, with twins on the way from his third wife, claims he never masturbates because it is a ‘waste of sperm’.

Trending in China

Western TikTok users mimic serpents, spit on people to celebrate Year of Snake

Elaborate ‘gleeking’ practice which involves flicking one’s tongue sweeps the internet as Westerners imitate venomous spitting of serpent.

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