Newsmakers jostled for readership with one major store opening. It has been a varied year

This year, out of our top five reads, three are old stories. And of the three, two are about famous husbands of even more famous wives—one of their stories ranked fifth the year before, but presently sits comfortably at the third. As in most years, our readers tend to gravitate towards newsmakers, even the deceased, but especially those whose stories give and give. What, perhaps, makes them fascinating is that, this time, they are business titans of their respective industries. And, interestingly, both are not born here.

When we looked into Ong Beng Seng’s history in fashion retail in 2023, after the Singapore-based Malaysian billionaire businessman and hotelier was asked to “provide information” in relation to the anti-graft investigation of former transport minister S. Iswaran, the story drew considerable views, but it did not make the top five (it came in at 19th). But after he was charged in October, the post from a year ago drew even more interest; it shot up to the second highest.

As in most years, our readers tend to gravitate towards newsmakers, even the deceased, but especially those whose stories give and give

At the third place is the other husband, Chris Tam, a Hong Kong “crown prince” whose eventual response to the brutal death of his famous, influencer wife Abby Choy (the case is still under investigation, more than a year later) was inadequate in providing answers to the many questions that still remain unanswered. But that he spoke at all probably fascinated many. And then at the fourth place, also another post from the year before, the review of the book written by photographer-turned-overnight-Internet-sensation Tan Chuando, who shared his secrets in staying youthful, and buffed.

Usually, retail industry news do not score high in our rankings, but this year, when we announced that Nike was to open a massive, visible-from-the-street flagship on Orchard Road, the views went through the roof. This is very fascinating to us, as it was happening at a time when the Swoosh was getting tremendous press for not doing well—some media reports even described that the brand was “struggling”. But, perhaps, it is because many of our readers have been craving for a substantial, even if not cavernous Nike store forever, so much so that when the hoarding came off, and we reported it, the post was sent to the fifth place. All in all, sneakers intact, a pretty good year.