Welcome to: the Year of the Horse. Last Tuesday marked Lunar New Year and a transition specifically to 2026’s “Fire Horse” zodiac sign. Occurring once every 60 years, the combination can bring either great success or significant upheaval. And with big Merc Retro kicking off this week, we’ll let you decide which…
But for now, we’re tackling the hottest topics of the last fortnight. Let’s get to it 🫡
What’s Gone Viral? 🔥
Just want the headlines? Here’s a peek at some of the bigger viral convos before we dive into trends and the more… unhinged.
The World Rides at Dawn for Punch
If you haven’t yet come across Punch, then in the words of Molly Weasley, where HAVE you been? A baby monkey in Japan has captured hearts around the world this past week, after being rejected by his mother and clutching a stuffed orangutan toy instead. The internet has responded en masse (through tear-filled vision), with IKEA leading the charge brand-side through content such as this heartwarming reactive post.
We Bid Farewell to the Winter Olympics
From claims that male ski jumpers were injecting their… snowballs, to Canadian cheating scandals (prompting this outstanding reactive video from Curry’s) we saw some weird and wonderful moments from the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. With the closing ceremony having taken place, we can look fondly back and wonder what on earth we’re going to watch now. Here are some of the biggest memes and achievement highlights of the games.
BAFTAs 2026: Winners & Viral Moments
If your idea of a great awards show is Kylie Jenner being gifted a Jammie Dodger, then boy have we got news for you. The BAFTA Awards took place on Sunday, with an array of star-studded guests and their (sometimes questionable) red carpet looks. And with the Best Actor category bringing a surprise victor, you’ll want to catch up on the winners list in full plus some of the more positive viral moments you might have missed from the night.
Trending Format Alert 🚨
There’s a new text overlay format in town, and its name is “Googled my symptoms”
The trend uses the modern cultural insight of many people, particularly younger generations, using Google to search for their symptoms and ultimately try to diagnose health issues themselves (probably to avoid having to speak to the mean GP receptionist).
Commonly used for travel content such as this example, the concept has a natural link to the analogue living trend we’ve been seeing lately - which involves swapping technology and modern stresses for intentional activities and re-connecting with nature.
We’re big fans of this one ✈️
Brand Champion 🏆
Roll up, roll up! It’s time for this edition’s TikTok Brand Champion, and for this one we’re getting sweet and sticky (?) with Wingstop UK.
Wingstop, the Texas-born fast food chain, arrived in the UK in 2018 and has since grown to 85 locations. Despite the brand boasting over 3,000 restaurants worldwide, its UK TikTok outperforms the global account - racking up more than double the likes at 15.5M. So what’s behind its standout success?
Aside from their TikTok-native, lo-fi contentlo-fi content shot inside the restaurants, Wingstop UK has explored professionally-shot videos with attention-grabbing edits to stop the scroll. This mockumentary-style Godfather sketch, for example, has a completely different visual identity to their usual content, but provides a storytelling element to keep you engaged. This thirst-trap fan edit had viewers in a chokehold. And who can resist a reactive meme?
But what we’re really here for is their perfect demonstration of understanding and immersing themselves in British culture. Last year, a TikTok user named Centino became a viral sensation with his “Looking at people’s phones” London Underground pranks - with this one receiving nearly 50M views alone. Wingstop UK then released this video in January 2026, featuring Centino and truly embedding themselves in popular conversation and viral culture. The collab was so unexpected but perfectly executed, with the comments section picking up on the references immediately and solidifying it as “the best commercial ever seen for corn” 🌽
Culture Lab Spotlight 🌟
And, of course, we can’t forget some of our own recent client content 🎺
More Industry News 🗞️
Looking for a specific industry or topic? Say no more. Here’s a selection of a few bonus newsworthy moments and trends, organised into categories, ‘Type A’ style.
Travel & Hospitality ✈️
With global travel surging, how are countries combatting overtourism?
From Mallorca to Mozambique, here are this year’s top travel destinations
Looking to eat your way across Europe? Check out these foodie trails
Food & Beverage 🍔
London Fashion Week is here, and Blank Street are wearing a new look
San Pellegrino US launched low cal, zero sugar and vitamin-infused sodas
The UK just introduced new ad restrictions, here’s what they mean for F&B
Fashion, Beauty & Design 💅
Here are the hottest trends and looks of London Fashion Week so far
Does your home need burping? It does if you don’t want mould (seriously)
How this K-beauty brand used TikTok to pull off its global breakout
TV, Film & Sport ⚽️
First Hilary Duff returns, now Hannah Montana? This is NOT a drill
Wuthering Heights released, and the internet absolutely lost their minds
Topps are releasing a “Streets Won’t Forget” cult heroes collection
Trending Format Alert 🚨
What? Oh, sorry. Trending format, right. Attention spans are drifting, and this is particularly true for younger TikTok audiences. Hands up who discovered the ‘hold for x2’ feature and now can’t watch at normal speed 🙋
That’s how the recent trend of ‘Keeping Gen Z’s attention’ was born. Adopted by brands and creators alike, the format plays on the idea that younger audiences or customers will simply just ✨ stop listening ✨ and need to be brought back into focus. Enter: Subway Surfers.
And on that note, it’s time to say goodbye… only until the next edition! But if you really miss us in the meantime, just get in touch using the button below and we can chat all things trends and reactive content.
Live, laugh, love,
The Culture Lab team 💚