Social conditions and trends

‘Baby Shark Boy’ grows up: YouTube sensation to make K-pop debut

Baby Shark Dance, featuring Park Geon-roung, has been viewed 17.2 billion times since it first appeared on YouTube in 2016.

Olive Young’s $3 shopping bag becomes unlikely South Korea souvenir

The bag is currently sold at around 150 Olive Young stores, including locations in tourist-heavy areas.

Is Instagram’s and TikTok’s latest travel trend a disaster waiting to happen?

Social media has popularised travel videos that track ambitious cross-continental voyages and garner thousands, if not millions, of views.

Prayers, parties and the changing face of Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang

Bukit Bintang has been Kuala Lumpur’s tourism and entertainment heart for decades, embodying both the glamour and grit of Malaysia’s capital.

Proteinmaxxing: From coffee to Pop-Tarts, here’s how food companies are cashing in

Packaged food companies such as PepsiCo and General Mills are adding protein-enhanced varieties of their top sellers, including Doritos and Cheerios.

‘Leg hair harassment’: Tokyo’s ‘Cool Biz’ campaign runs into hairy problem

The Tokyo metropolitan government has been encouraging workers to replace suits and ties with T-shirts, trainers and shorts to beat the brutal summer heat.

Field Notes from Malaysia

Why hit film Dear You struck a chord with Chinese Malaysians over roots and dual identity

After watching Dear You for the fifth time, Malaysian Goh Choon Piow reflected on his decision to give up his Chinese citizenship in the 1960s.

Haunted houses are in demand in Japan

A Buddhist monk performing a ceremony for lost souls at a property which is classified as a “jiko bukken”, or “misfortunate property”, in Kawasaki, Japan.

The men embracing facelifts to get sculpted looks

American online streamer and influencer Braden Peters has for years been peddling a single idea: looking good at whatever the cost.

Field Notes from Malaysia

When durian prices crash, Malaysia throws parties

For many Malaysians, this durian season, a feast costs less than a cafe lunch.

E-paper

Newsletters

Podcasts

RSS Feed

About Us

Terms & Conditions

Personal Data Protection Notice

Need help? Reach us here.

Advertise with us

MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.