The Brunch round-up for December 20: The week and how it made us feel

This week, we’re gawking at Jungkook and Christmas trees, while lusting over hobbies and judging 2025

Gilt tripped. We scrambled, with other BTS Army members, to see Jungkook’s Golden: The Moments exhibition in Mumbai. We took in the unreleased photos of the group’s golden maknae. We gawked at his best stage outfits. But wait. Why see only photos? When is Hybe bringing him, and BTS, to India? They can take all our money.

We enjoyed Jungkook’s Golden: The Moments exhibition in Mumbai. But when can we see him in person?

Apparently, Millennials love to sit in the dark and stare at their Christmas tree. Blame Home Alone.

Branching out. It wasn’t enough that Millennials were identified by their devotion to ankle socks. Now, sitting in the dark, staring at your Christmas tree, is being seen as a Millennial trait too. Is it because that generation watched Home Alone as kids? Or because they grew up in a time when Christmas didn’t bankrupt the household?

Feels like 2025 was directed by the Duffer Brothers. Even our word of the year is a number — 6-7.

Checking reality. This year has felt so surreal. The word of the year is a number — 6-7 — and it has no real meaning. Even Pantone is trolling us with Cloud Dancer (white, basically) as Colour of the Year. Time’s Person of the Year? The Architects of AI. Was 2025 was directed by the Duffer Brothers? Or David Lynch?

The TikTok kids are toting crossword puzzles and art supplies in “analogue bags”. (ADOBE STOCK)

Lugging passion. Run clubs. Knitting circles. Journalling parties. Mahjong meet-ups. Looks like we made our hobby our entire personality this year. The TikTok kids have taken it a step further. They’re stepping out with “analogue bags”, or tote bags packed with crossword puzzle books, embroidery sets, scrapbooks and art supplies. What’s next, adding “professional hobbyist” to your resume?

Hey @Marvel, London’s famous pickpocket hunter, Diego Galdino, deserves his own show.

Nimble fingered. London’s famous pickpocket hunter, Diego Galdino, is an IRL superhero. He’s given up his day job to hunt down thieves and sexual predators on the prowl. He even has a team to help him spot sus behaviour, which they name and shame on Insta (@PickpocketLondon). This deserves its own show. Don’t sleep on this, @Marvel.

The latest makeup flex? Empty lipgloss tubes and sunscreen bottles, and worn-down lipsticks (SHUTTERSTOCK)

Bottoming out. Our new favourite makeup trend isn’t a colour, a technique or a look. It’s everyone showing off how many products they actually finished. Lipgloss tubes wiped clean, empty sunscreen bottles, lipsticks whittled down to stumps, hollowed-out moisturiser tubs. That’s the full-and-final energy we’re taking into 2026.

Hinge founder Justin McLeod’s new app will have AI play cupid. We’re not sure if that’s a good thing. (SHUTTERSTOCK)

Debugging dating. We’re done swiping, ghosting, breadcrumbing, and whatever cursed dating trend drops next. Even the people who built the apps are over it. Hinge founder Justin McLeod has quit to launch Overtone, which outsources the matchmaking and the “getting-to-know-you” part to bots. Will it fix dating, or hand Black Mirror a fresh season? Stay tuned.

The trailer for the animated Animal Farm movie features a twerking pig. We hope the makers read the book.

Feeling beastly. The trailer for the animated Animal Farm movie has us feeling a certain kind of way. George Orwell’s book was a bleak, darkly funny allegory about revolution, power and corruption, with a gut-punch ending. The trailer seems bright, bouncy, and features a twerking pig voiced by Seth Rogen. Hmm. Some adaptations are more equal than others.

From HT Brunch, December 20, 2025

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