Korea Superstars Pick up Trend Started by M’sian TikToker

There are so many new trends on TikTok that it’s hard to keep up with them sometimes.

There’s the Orange Peel Theory to test the strength of your relationships, the Wes Anderson-style vlogs, and of course, the dancing trends that have now evolved to become free promo for songs.

However, most trends typically originate from creators abroad.

This time, a Malaysian TikTok creator who was initially thought to be a Singaporean, @ummmyuhasdf, started a new trend that drew the attention of our favourite Korean celebs.

@ummmyuhasdf

The “I Miss You” Soundbite – A Trendy Heart Finger Gesture

The TikToker uploaded a video on 21 Feb 2024 asking his audience to point their middle finger towards their nose and their index finger towards the eyebrows.

Almost like bait, he shows that pointing your fingers according to his directions and demonstrating it using both hands will eventually lead to a heart shape.

Set as a backdrop to the gesture, @ummmyuhasdf puckers his lips and acts unapologetically cute, saying “I miss you” as he points the newly formed heart-shape to the camera.

@ummmyuhasdfSend this useful tip to a friend!♬ original sound – Ummmyuh

His video has garnered 2.9 million “likes”, 32.9k comments and 279.9k saves.

This video stands as his best-performing video on his channel. His other content, which is posted regularly, is largely about his day-to-day experiences.

Korean Stars IU and Shinee’s Minho Hop On The Trend

In case you don’t know how TikTok trends start, the creator’s audio – such as the creator’s voice, or most commonly, snippets of a song they used in the video, can be re-used by other creators.

Looking at the number of videos uploaded on TikTok using his audio, there are 972 renditions from people all over the world attempting to create that heart shape.

And it’s not by everyday users like you and me.

Among the 972 videos posted under them, you’ll see users @official_nct, @shinee_official and @_iuofficial.

These are big names in the K-Pop scene.

Member of boy group NCT Wish, a Japanese sub-unit of South Korean’s boy band NCT, RIKU uploaded his own version of the trend.

@official_nct you find out that… #RIKU #리쿠 #リク #NCTWISH ♬ original sound – Ummmyuh

Older K-pop fans would also recognise Shinee member Minho’s take on the trend, with a caption that swept up the hearts of his loyal fans.

@shinee_official I miss u🫶. (Only took 10sec to tell you 😉) #MINHO #민호 #SHINee #샤이니 #SHORTee ♬ original sound – Ummmyuh

Visit Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board’s social media account commented on Minho’s post in response to his caption, urging him to visit Singapore again soon.

Visit Singapore also tagged #SingaporeanPride in recognition of @ummmyuhadsf’s viral soundbite.

They also commented on Korean singer IU’s video which was posted on 28 May in conjunction with her world tour.

@_iuofficial 유애나 보고싶다고 말하는데 딱 10초 걸렸어 #아이유 #IU #IU_WORLD_TOUR #HEREH #유애나 #UAENA ♬ 오리지널 사운드 – 아이유(IU)

It’s safe to say that the “I miss you” finger-heart trend is melting the hearts of many. Awww. 

The Gen Z Heart Shape 

This new finger heart-shaped gesture is also a part of the longstanding battle comparing how differently Gen Zs act to millennials.

Another trend called “generational gestures” comparing acts such as taking a picture, rolling down a car window and picking up the phone between Gen Zs and millennials has been the subject of amusement on TikTok lately.

@fullmhouse90s it is!♬ original sound – Fullmhouse

As you can see, the difference is definitely jarring to some adults.

The adult gestures a heart involving all of her fingers. Meanwhile, the young girl uses her pointed fingers. This is in line with all of the heart trends seen on TikTok.

The hand gesture to represent phones aren’t the same between millennials and Gen Zs too, simply because us youngsters are using smartphones, where everything can be clicked with a button.

Yes, including rolling down the car window. Doesn’t it get tiring?