This Week in Asia /
Lifestyle & Culture
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K-pop, Mandopop and other Asian pop
Asia travel
Fame and celebrity
Malaysia
How the Peranakan Chinese built one of Southeast Asia’s most powerful networks
Born of trade and migration, the Peranakan community has forged a distinct identity that has bridged China and Southeast Asia for centuries.
27 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM
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Indonesia
Power, protests and policy shake-ups shape Indonesia’s 2025
26 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM
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South Korea
In South Korea, vouchers to curb county’s falling population draw new residents
26 Dec 2025 - 3:56PM
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Malaysia
Hair-raising: Malaysia arrests 2 over video of man in headscarf drinking alcohol
The pair are being investigated for causing religious disharmony and misusing social media.
25 Dec 2025 - 11:41AM
Malaysian police have arrested two people over a video showing a man in a headscarf drinking alcohol. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore
Gaffes, breaches and sinkhole stars: Singapore’s 2025 social storms
Passionate online discussions have revealed concerns about power, accountability and how the country sees itself.
25 Dec 2025 - 11:30AM
South Korea
South Korean webtoon slammed for heroine resembling Kim Jong-un’s daughter Ju-ae
Critics say the romantic comedy ‘Princess Goes to School’ risks softening perceptions of North Korea’s regime.
24 Dec 2025 - 4:53PM
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Singapore
Singapore’s athletes debate on funding after official’s ‘come to party’ review
The debate was prompted by a sports official’s underwhelming assessment of Singapore’s performance in athletics at the recent SEA Games.
24 Dec 2025 - 3:17PM
Team Singapore marches during the parade of athletes at the SEA Games’ closing ceremony in Bangkok on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia
Rafflesia flower rediscovery in Indonesia revives push to drop colonial name
The giant flower find has renewed calls among researchers to rename its genus, which honours British colonial official Thomas Raffles.
23 Dec 2025 - 7:04PM
Japan
Mind your language: Japan considers new fluency bar for permanent residents
While some say Japanese knowledge is a fair demand, others worry it will introduce ‘roadblocks’ at a time when the country needs more workers.
23 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
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Malaysia
Malaysia’s Chingay parade dazzles George Town as Unesco bid gains steam
Once tied to Taoist deity processions, the parade has grown into one of Penang’s largest and most multicultural street festivals.
22 Dec 2025 - 6:32PM
Singapore
How Singapore’s unforgiving food scene can go hot and cold on brands
Over 3,000 eateries shut their doors last year, the highest since 2005, in one of the world’s most competitive dining markets.
21 Dec 2025 - 1:41PM
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The opening of Chick-fil-A’s first outlet in Singapore on December 11 drew a long queue. Photo: YouTube/Chick-fil-A
Malaysia
‘We just want to live’: fear grips Malaysia’s LGBTQ community
With drag clubs closed and spas raided, the shrinking space for queer life in Malaysia leaves a community with nowhere left to turn.
21 Dec 2025 - 2:35PM
South Korea
Worship to witch hunts: how South Korea’s fandoms turn on their idols
When stars shine brightest in the glare of publicity, the darkness that follows can feel absolute. This December, three more lights went out.
21 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
Japan
More Japanese favour having an empress as Princess Aiko’s public appeal rises
Japan’s conservative politicians are against changing the centuries-old tradition of a male heir for the throne.
20 Dec 2025 - 11:00AM
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SCMP Highlights
US singer marries sultan, paraglider’s 28,000ft stunt: 8 viral stories in 2025
From US singer marrying Malaysian sultan to Chinese paraglider cheating death, here are our stories that have gone viral in 2025.
20 Dec 2025 - 11:00AM
Brittany Porter poses with Sultan Muhammad V. Photo: Instagram/its.brook.lynn
Malaysia
‘Was he the Hulk?’: Malaysian officer goes viral after ripping off car door
The officer became an unlikely internet sensation when a dashcam video showed him ripping apart a suspect’s car door ‘like a banana leaf’.
19 Dec 2025 - 5:24PM
SCMP Highlights
China’s heat pump tech, Tokyo clarifies Taiwan stance: SCMP’s 7 highlights
From Hong Kong Jimmy Lai’s trial verdict to China’s high-altitude tank threat, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.
19 Dec 2025 - 12:12PM
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Malaysia
Paws for thought: Malaysian mall reverses pet-friendly policy after uproar
The reversal comes after videos of a dog being wheeled through the mall in a trolley stirred anger in the Muslim-majority country.
18 Dec 2025 - 7:08PM
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A sign outlining Sunway Square Mall’s pet-friendly house rules, and a dog-themed installation at the Selangor shopping complex. The mall has since barred pets from enclosed indoor areas following a backlash online. Photos: Facebook/Sunway Square Mall
South Korea
Viral golden logo find turns old AC units into hot property in South Korea
A YouTube video revealing a pure gold logo on certain LG air conditioners has sparked a nationwide hunt for the 20-year-old units.
18 Dec 2025 - 2:41PM
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Australia
Why Southeast Asia’s move to protect children online may fuel state surveillance
Measures to rein in tech companies risk opening the door to tighter state oversight of online platforms, analysts say.
18 Dec 2025 - 5:29PM
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South Korea
‘It’s all in English now’: South Koreans fall out of love with K-pop
Long-time listeners say the genre has lost its identity, with English lyrics and shorter tracks alienating the local fan base.
14 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
Malaysia
Southeast Asia’s rich buy sky garages while the middle class lose their homes
As wealthy buyers seek penthouses with living-room supercar parking, struggling families battle banks to keep a roof overhead.
15 Dec 2025 - 3:32PM
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Illustration: Huy Truong
India
In India, tycoon’s call to adopt ‘996’ work culture in China spurs debate
India’s parliament is debating a new law to allow staff the ‘right to disconnect’ from workplace communications after their official hours.
12 Dec 2025 - 5:56PM
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Japan
Japan’s English skills crash to record low, behind Laos and Vietnam
Outdated teaching methods and the rise of language translation apps have made most Japanese less inclined to learn English, educators say.
12 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
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The Philippines
Brutal dog killing in Philippines sparks outrage, calls for tougher protections
Viral footage of Axle the dog’s shocking death has galvanised the country’s animal activists to demand harsh legal repercussions.
11 Dec 2025 - 9:12PM
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