Korean Memes August 2025 : The Funniest Viral Trends Sweeping Korea
Korean Memes 2025
How Reels and TikTok Trends Are Changing Marketing
If you scroll through Instagram Reels or TikTok in 2025, you’ll notice a clear shift in what goes viral. The era of simple dance challenges set to catchy audio is giving way to short, story-driven formats that feel more like mini comedy sketches than choreography. These bite-sized scenes often deliver a surprising twist in under 15 seconds, powered by the chemistry between the creators. What’s driving their popularity? They’re easy to adapt, endlessly remixable, and incredibly brand-friendly.
For marketers, this trend is a goldmine. Unlike one-off viral dances, situational skits can be localized, customized for a niche audience, and tied to specific brand messages without feeling forced. Their adaptable structure allows brands to ride a trending format while injecting their own tone, product placement, or call-to-action. Plus, algorithms love them—quick engagement, high watch-through rates, and plenty of shares mean these formats often dominate the For You Page or Explore tab.
In this post, we’ll break down three of the most popular short-form video formats currently dominating Korean social media, explain why they’re resonating with audiences, and show you exactly how you can use them to elevate your own marketing campaigns. If you’ve been wondering how to keep your brand relevant in the fast-moving world of Korean internet culture, these viral formats might just be your shortcut to staying in the spotlight.
Meme 1. 저희는 합의 끝에 이걸 골랐습니다
“After Careful Negotiation, We Chose This”
Ever been shopping with a friend or partner and wanted completely different things? This TikTok and Instagram Reel trend turns that everyday dilemma into a cute yet bittersweet comedy skit. In the video, two people each hold up the item they want — for example, one says “I want this” while the other insists “I want that.” Then comes the punchline: they put both items down and cheerfully announce, “After careful negotiation, we chose this!” But the twist? The “final choice” always turns out to be what one person wanted from the start.
The more agreeable partner keeps giving in, looking a little more dejected each time. Eventually, they ask hopefully, “Can we get what I want this time?” The other person agrees enthusiastically… but still ignores their choice in the end. That repeated pattern makes the ending both relatable and hilarious.
This format is taking off with countless combinations — “girlfriend vs boyfriend,” “boss vs part-timer,” “dad vs daughter” — highlighting personality and taste clashes. Even K-pop group NMIXX joined in recently, adding fuel to the trend. It’s reminiscent of earlier viral formats like the “Teto girl vs Egene boy” Reels, where the charm comes from contrasting personalities and natural chemistry.
How brands can use it: This format is perfect for product comparisons. A café might pit two drinks against each other, or a tech brand could feature two competing gadgets. You can even introduce a “third option” that satisfies both preferences, positioning your product as the ultimate compromise. The key is to lean into the playful, relatable dynamic — audiences love watching the push and pull.
Meme 2. 알고리즘에 나타나기로 마음 먹음
“Deciding to Appear in the Algorithm”
Imagine if you could just decide to pop up in someone’s feed whenever you wanted — wouldn’t that be amazing? That’s exactly the playful idea behind a trending challenge in Korea right now. People take a reason — like “It’s so good, but nobody knows about it” or “I wish my favorite person would notice me” — and pair it with an on-screen caption saying: “So, I’ve decided to appear in the algorithm.” Then, they perform a quirky dance.
The soundtrack for this trend is the addictive Chinese meme song Xue Kan Xiang — an upbeat anime BGM with repetitive lyrics (“Xue kan xiang, xue kan xiang… bu sheng xiang, bu sheng xiang…”) and a signature arm-swaying move. The charm lies in the payoff: when the algorithm really does boost your post, the reactions can be explosive.
One standout example is the “Changwon Dinosaur World” account, which racked up 4.5 million views using this format. Comments flooded in: “If you’re going this far, I’m coming right now,” and “You keep popping up on my feed — now I have to go.” What started as a joke about “chasing the algorithm” often turns into real-world engagement.
Brands have been quick to adopt the format, especially those with low foot traffic or limited ad budgets. A store might post: “Nobody’s coming, so I’ve decided to appear in the algorithm myself” — making their plea both humorous and relatable. With the right mix of lighthearted fun and genuine urgency, this meme could put your brand directly in the feeds (and minds) of your target audience.
Meme 3. N년 차에 내가 이룬 것들
“What I’ve Achieved in N Years”
This is the “What I’ve achieved in my N-years” challenge—and it’s absolutely worth your attention. At first glance, you might expect a flashy, career-highlight reel, right? But the humor is in its simplicity. These Reels start with serious captions like “What I accomplished during my time as a __” or “After N years as a __, here’s what I’ve achieved.” Then, punch in the absurd—things like “Slept for 20 hours straight, certified 1,000 times,” or “Chewed food 435 times slowly.” It’s the anti-brag.
Pet owners, office workers, even idol fandoms lean into the comedy: “Dog has asked for food again 4,782,996 times,” or “Left the office exactly on time? Nope, 123 fails.” Or idols teasing themselves with “Touched my face on livestream 834 times,” or “Broadcast bloopers logged: 222.” Overflowing relatability wrapped in hyperbole— that’s the charm.
Brands can ride this trend image-perfectly. The secret? Keep it playful, slightly arrogant, but totally non-corporate. Think: “Forced someone to taste-test our new snack, 999 times (just to be safe),” or “Refreshed the event page 30,000 times to get attention.” It’s a fun way to spotlight your product or campaign while keeping the tone cheeky and human. This format works because consumers recognize the exaggeration, laugh at it, and can’t help but share.
Viral Reels Formats Can Boost Your Brand Reach
The viral Reels formats we explored today are more than just passing trends—they’re powerful tools for building authentic touchpoints with consumers. Rooted in relatable, skit-style storytelling, these formats are easy to adapt, remix, and personalize. They allow your brand message to appear naturally, without feeling forced, while giving users the freedom to parody, remix, or reinterpret the concept themselves. This participatory element fuels rapid spread: the audience doesn’t just watch; they actively join in.
In today’s algorithm-driven environment where attention spans are short, viral Reels formats offer a rare mix of shareability, personality, and subtle branding. The secret lies in embracing humor, relatability, and self-awareness—making your product part of the joke, not the punchline. Now is the perfect time to experiment and get your brand in front of the algorithm before your competitors do.
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