HIP-HOPPING ALONG!
YOU South Africa|19 December 2024
Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo, is about to become an even bigger star thanks to a catchy new song released in her honour
SIPHOKAZI ZAMA
HIP-HOPPING ALONG!

SOMETIMES something comes along that’s cute enough to capture the hearts of millions and – thanks to the long tentacles of the internet – become a global superstar.

Such is the case with Moo Deng, the beloved Thai pygmy hippo who’s a firm favourite of fans from Bangkok to Brisbane.

She first became a sensation with her adorably happy hippo antics – now she’s taking over the airwaves and the worldwide web with a catchy song composed in her honour: Moodeng Moodeng.

The ditty is set to be as ubiquitous and earworm-worthy as Baby Shark was in its heyday – and like Baby Shark, the lyrics don’t take much to learn.

Produced and written by well-known Thai composer Mueanphet Ammara, it’s been released by one of Thailand’s largest music companies, GMM Music.

The track features a group of vocalists singing, “Moodeng, Moodeng, deng, deng, deng, deng, deng, deng”, before the 50-second-long track progresses to “Moodeng, boing, boing, boing, boing, boing, boing.

“Mommy, Mommy, play with me/ Please, Mommy, come play with me/ Bounce with me, Mom.”

And so it carries on. Hardly Grammy fare, you might think – but this is Moo Deng and Moo Deng is in a league of her own.

Four versions of the song have already been released, in English, Thai, Chinese and Japanese, and by early December the English version had racked up more than 90 000 views within days of its release.

The music video accompanying the track is a seemingly endless loop of Moo Deng bouncing around her enclosure – but when a star is this cute, what else do you need to see?

The five-month-old hippo, whose name means “bouncy pork”, a type of Thai meatball, became a hit earlier this year when Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo posted videos of her antics on Facebook.

There is now a livestream on the zoo’s website where fans can get their daily fix of her memeworthy playfulness.

This story is from the 19 December 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the 19 December 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM YOU SOUTH AFRICAView All
ONE OF A KIND
YOU South Africa

ONE OF A KIND

She survived a violent stepfather and being raped by a bandmate as well as rampant showbiz sexism. Now as singer Cyndi Lauper heads off on her farewell tour aged 71, she just wants to have fun

time-read
10+ mins  |
20 February 2025
TRUE TO HIS ROOTS
YOU South Africa

TRUE TO HIS ROOTS

Rap icon Kendrick Lamar's recent Grammy haul has cemented his status as the king of hip-hop

time-read
4 mins  |
20 February 2025
RYAN'S ON A ROLLI
YOU South Africa

RYAN'S ON A ROLLI

Ryan Rickelton has taken the cricket scene by storm, announcing himself as a force to be reckoned with

time-read
5 mins  |
20 February 2025
PARALYMPICS, HERE I COME!
YOU South Africa

PARALYMPICS, HERE I COME!

He lost his left leg as a baby, but these days Nicklaas is a star on the athletics field and he's got big dreams

time-read
4 mins  |
20 February 2025
KEKE'S KICKING IT!
YOU South Africa

KEKE'S KICKING IT!

From child star to Hollywood powerhouse - Keke Palmer shines as an actress, podcast host and film producer

time-read
5 mins  |
20 February 2025
NEXT CHAPTER LOADING
YOU South Africa

NEXT CHAPTER LOADING

Werner Wessels, the creative force behind many Miss SA winners, is stepping away from pageants to embrace new opportunities

time-read
5 mins  |
20 February 2025
BABY SHAME GAME
YOU South Africa

BABY SHAME GAME

Lily Collins got a lot more than she bargained for when she announced she'd become a mom via a surrogate

time-read
3 mins  |
20 February 2025
BRIDGET'S BACK!
YOU South Africa

BRIDGET'S BACK!

Renée Zellweger returns for the fourth and possibly final outing of Helen Fielding's ditsy cult heroine, a role she has relished from day one

time-read
6 mins  |
20 February 2025
I CAN BREATHE AGAIN'
YOU South Africa

I CAN BREATHE AGAIN'

After months of legal hell, two aneurysms and brain surgery, Alison Botha is relieved that her attackers are back behind bars and she can focus on getting better

time-read
5 mins  |
20 February 2025
SA IN TRUMP'S SIGHTS
YOU South Africa

SA IN TRUMP'S SIGHTS

With Elon Musk whispering in his ear the US president has unleashed his wrath on South Africa. But how worried should we be?

time-read
7 mins  |
20 February 2025