Remember When? Artist’s Work Sparks Memories Of Nokia 3310, Public Phone Booths, & Simpler Times
Illustrator Riharu Harun asked followers what else they missed from the good old days.


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Malaysian illustrator Riharu Harun posted a beautiful drawing featuring the retro days in Malaysia.
Some items he included in the artwork include the pink mini bus, the legendary Nokia 3310, old magazines like Mangga, old storefronts, and a bowl of ice kacang.
Ni zaman telefon awam jadi lifesaver. So apa je benda dari "Malaysia Tapi Dulu" yang paling korang rindu? pic.twitter.com/YLCBMkmnXe
— Riharu Harun (@iAmRiharu) January 30, 2025
His drawing spurred netizens to reminisce about the good ol’ days when things were simpler and cheaper. They also started sharing some of the things they used to have and missed these days.
One of them shared that they missed dropping by the news stall at the bus stop to get a few copies of magazines and mangas before heading back to the hostel or kampung.
Some said they missed reading magazines such as Ujang, Gempak, Apo?, and Gila-Gila. They also remember a magazine page containing numbers to subscribe for phone ringtones.
When it comes to subscriptions, they brought up the Hotlink top-up cards and how some of them seriously collected the cards featuring football players during the World Cup season.
Masa world cup gigih kumpul muka player bola 😄
— Riharu Harun (@iAmRiharu) January 31, 2025
The conversation then streamed into hobbies and games. Some nostalgic games include marbles, ceper, dragging the palm leaves, and blowing the gel bubbles (that smelled like UHU glue).
However, most people remembered making mixtapes and the work and passion that went into it.
@michelletiang Replying to @svndqr i shouldn’t have tried to blow more air into it #fail #bubbleblowing #childhoodmemories #childhoodgame #childhood #bubble #bubbleballoon ♬ Happy Mood – AShamaluevMusic
For those who were braver, they trapped spiders inside matchboxes or captured fireflies in bottles.
Last but not least, the icon of the years past had to be the public phone booths or payphones.
Phone booths used to be everywhere. It could be found in schools, bus stations, shopping malls, and even by the roadside. There was also a trick to prolong phone calls. Iykyk.
These days the phone booths are as good as gone and only the ghosts or outlines of the phone booths could be seen.
Looking back, it’s interesting to see how things have evolved and changed as the years go by.
Senang nak cari majalah komik. Dulu balik kampung ada berlambak majalah ni hasil kumpul pakcik makcik. Tak pun, pergi kedai runcit mesti ada, fav Ujang, Gempak
— Anda (@hanbiniiiy) January 31, 2025
Sekarang dah kurang or tak ada lagi kut publication semua ni.. zaman digital pic.twitter.com/nEhwb6PLjr
Majalah ujang, gempak Starz. Pastu ada benda ni yg boleh tiup buat mcm belon, bau mcm gam UHU.(Dlm gambar) pic.twitter.com/szcHLQ301B
— Amynity❤🍉 (@naezamy) January 30, 2025
Apa yg paling rindu pada zaman tersebut?
— Keroll (@kamalyob) January 31, 2025
Warung surat khabar dan majalah di stesen bas.
Beli buku komik atau majalah hiburan sebelum balik hostel/kampung
Nak dubbing lagu lain, gigih kena tampal sellotape balik, sebab part kecik atas kaset tu dah patahkan awal awal 😆
— Riharu Harun (@iAmRiharu) February 1, 2025
Rasanya sampai sekarang terngiang-ngiang dia punya bau😌 pic.twitter.com/hJuviNUzKB
— Riharu Harun (@iAmRiharu) January 30, 2025
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