Singapore’s 2018 Year‑in‑Review: The Good, the Bad, and the Ridiculously Memes
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Google’s Global “Top Searches” vs. Singapore’s Hot Topics
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Google’s December 12 recap sang about the Thai cave heroics, the first all‑Asian Hollywood block‑buster in a quarter‑century, and heartfelt tributes to late legends Stephen Hawking and Anthony Bourdain.
Singapore? They’re all about that Trump‑Kim handshake, a lone polar bear’s farewell, and the “slap‑dunk” chendol debate that left Malaysians simultaneously offended and amused.*
Meet the Mastermind Behind the Parody: Yeo Tze Hern
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He’s the creative genius who turned viral bite‑size reels into a full‑blown “Singapore‑styled” Google Trends.
Yeo said, “I didn’t want to just highlight the good stuff. I wanted a 360‑degree montage of all that went down— the glitter, the cringe, the memes that made you roll your eyes and laugh at the same time.”
What Yeo’s Video Captures
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The chendol shenanigan—CNN claimed it’s a Singapore invention, leaving Malaysians flustered.
The historic handshake between Trump and Kim—snapped right in the lobby of a hotel in Singapore.
Hong Huifang’s exit from her 20‑year friendship with Pan Lingling—missed a reunion of the Community Board type.
The Miss Universe Singapore costume inspired by the summit—snapped so that the world can see how you wear diplomacy on a runway.
Justin Trudeau’s lime‑juice break inside Adam Road Food Centre—a small post‑Hamas story?
Zaibo’s passing at 62—Queen of meme‑comedy passed away.
Inuka’s last breath at the zoo—curatele accident?
Sashi’s MasterChef win—Singapore-born chef turns champion of Australia.
Ah Lian’s candid confession about fame on TikTok.
Nas Daily’s rant on “why can’t we fix all Singapore’s problems in 53 years?”
Singapore’s 2018 budget—adult Centennials get a bonus up to $300.
Social studies textbook’s Singlish critique—you can only study the Socio‑economic class if you eat hawker‑centre delicacies.
SgInstaBabes controversy—racy Instagram subscription gets users on fire.
Rosmah’s Halloween look—Xiaxue receives threats & verbal abuse.
EMA’s power blackout—19 areas go dark from Bedok to Jurong; lights back in 38 minutes.
Halal subway outlet certification—Muis gives the green light.
Wider Themes Beyond the Video
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New speed limits for personal mobility devices—riding an e‑scooter now comes with a “No overspeeding” rule under 42 km/h.
Section 377A—the debate rekindled after a high‑profile entertainment tweet stirred a wave of public sentiment.
Clicks, Shares, and the Public Buzz
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By 5 pm on December 12, Yeo’s photo‑story was already over 1,000 shares on Facebook, with thousands gushing about how the video was “exactly what Singapore needed for the year‑end.”
Ready to Watch?
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Picture a series of 12 slides—one for each “Day” of Christmas—capturing the highs and lows of Singapore in 2018, all delivered in Yeo’s unmistakable mix of humor, heart, and a dash of local slang.
The Bottom Line
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The year may have been a roller‑coaster, but with Yeo’s quick‑wit recap, Singapore’s narrative is crystal: between the lunches, the legislative changes, and the viral memes, it’s a story worth sharing—no drama cheats, strictly the real ones.
