Any avid follower of K-pop or K-dramas knows that countless memes and trends pop up in Hallyu every year. These memes, Reels, and TikTok sounds often go viral worldwide—and language barriers hardly matter!
But have you ever wondered where these trends actually come from? Let’s dive into the origins of some popular Korean memes you might have seen on your ‘For You page’!
1. 무야호! (mu-ya-ho!)
Mu-ya-ho! This phrase comes from the iconic Korean variety show ‘Infinite Challenge’. In a 2011 episode, special guest Choi Gyu-jae suddenly shouted “Mu-ya-ho!” without any context, creating a hilariously memorable moment.
Though it was funny back then, the phrase truly resurfaced in 2021 when people began using it online to express excitement. Both celebrities and fans started shouting “Mu-ya-ho!” whenever something thrilling or fun happened.
2. 엉덩이가 한개나 두개? (eong-deong-i-ga han gae-na du gae?) – Do we have one butt or two butts?
You might have seen this debate going around on social media: do we have one butt or two?
This playful discussion began in 2020 when the girl group GFRIEND debated the question during a show. Since then, it has become a recurring topic of conversation among idols and fans alike.
Here’s the breakdown
- 엉덩이 (eong-deong-i) – Butt
- 한 개 (han-gae) – One (in unit)
- 두 개 (du-gae) – Two (in unit)
3. 신기방기 뿡뿡방기 (shing-gi-bang-gi ppoong-ppoong-bang-gi)
The meme originated in 2021, when SEVENTEEN’s member Jeonghan coined it during a VLIVE broadcast. Fans quickly adopted it to express moments of astonishment, turning it into a fun and quirky part of K-pop meme culture.
4. 직접 먹고 판단해! (jik-jeob meok-go pan-dan-hae)
Meaning “Try it yourself before you judge!,” this phrase comes from Changbin of Stray Kids in a behind-the-scenes video from 2021.
The line became widely popular thanks to Changbin’s expressive delivery, and even brands like Samsung used it in ads. It’s now used humorously online whenever someone wants to tell others to experience something before forming an opinion.
Here’s the breakdown
- 직접 (jik-jeob) – Yourself
- 먹다/먹고 (meok-da/ meok-go) – To eat
- 판단해 (pan-dan-hae) – Judge
5. 외모 췤! (we-mo chwek!)
This meme is all about checking yourself or acknowledging that you look good.
Haewon of NMIXX popularized it on the variety show ‘WorK-dol’, and it quickly became a trend among fans. The phrase is now commonly used online when flaunting your OOTD or admiring someone’s appearance.
Here’s the breakdown
- 외모 (we-mo) – Looks/ Appearance
- 췤 (Chwek) – Check
6. 꽁꽁 얼어붙은 한강 위로 고양이가 걸어다닙니다. (kkong-kkong eo-reo-but-eun han-kang wi-ro ko-yang-i-ga keol-eo-da-nim-ni-da)
Sometimes the internet loves cats and remixable meme content, and this is a perfect example!
A news clip from 2021 showed a cat walking across the frozen Han River, with the newscaster describing it in a monotone voice. In 2024, the clip went viral as a meme, inspiring remixes and even a dance challenge. Fans found the contrast between the cat’s cute movements and the deadpan reporting hilarious, turning it into an internet sensation.
Here’s the breakdown
- 얼어붙은 (eo-reo-but-eun) – Frozen
- 한강 (han-kang) – Han River
- 위로 (wi-ro) – On top of
- 고양이 (ko-yang-i) – Cat
- 걸어다니다 (keol-eo-da-ni-da) – To walk.
Korean memes are quirky, fun, and often deeply tied to pop culture moments. From variety shows to idols’ live streams, they offer a window into the humor and creativity of Hallyu. And now, the world gets to enjoy them too!
Written by Smruti Siva
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