Kim Seon-ho’s Viral Wink Sparks a Challenge Across China
The endearing moment featuring actor Kim Seon-ho’s charming wink and smile from the series When Life Gives You Tangerines has recently become a viral sensation on Chinese social media platforms Douyin and Xiaohongshu. Dubbed the “Kim Seon-ho Smile Challenge”or “金宣虎笑容模仿,”this trend has garnered over one million likes within just a few days, showcasing its immense appeal.
A Memorable Scene That Captivated Fans
The challenge recreates a touching scene from episode 13 of the show. In this pivotal moment, Kim Seon-ho’s character, Park Cheong-seop, witnesses his bride-to-be, Yang Geum-myeong (portrayed by IU), donned in a stunning wedding gown. Just moments before their wedding ceremony, Geum-myeong playfully reveals her bridal attire from a distance inside the chapel.
In an exaggerated expression of admiration, Cheong-seop clutches his chest, feigning faintness by tilting his head and closing his eyes. Geum-myeong’s laughter at his antics incites Cheong-seop to flash a playful wink, opening one eye to gaze at her while smiling.
Popular Participation and Celebrity Endorsements
Fans of When Life Gives You Tangerines have eagerly embraced this whimsical pose, mimicking the tilted head and wink, harmonizing it with the popular soundtrack from Meteor Garden, titled “Ai Cun Zai”(Love Exists). The trend has not only captured the hearts of fans but also attracted attention from celebrities, including Bai Lu, an actress from the 2023 drama Till the End of the Moon, who participated by recreating the memorable scene. Her enthusiastic portrayal has significantly contributed to the trend’s rising popularity.
Interestingly, despite Kim Seon-ho’s limited screen time in the drama, his portrayal has left a lasting impression, paving the way for this viral challenge.
“A special appearance did that,”tweeted a fan on X.
“The Kim Seon-ho smile imitation challenge is in the top 25 challenges on Douyin (the Chinese equivalent of TikTok), while his topic on Rednote has amassed 170 million views! His popularity has truly skyrocketed in China! So proud!”said a netizen.
“Kim Seon-ho’s wink alone deserves its own fandom,”commented another netizen.
“All this buzz stemmed from a short 64-minute guest appearance by Kim Seon-ho,”wrote a fan.
“I regularly browse XHS and DY; it’s evident that Seon-ho’s popularity surged after his appearance as Cheong-seop. Old clips from various shows like 2 Days & 1 Night and Homcha are once again gaining plenty of attention,”added another fan.
Fan Reactions and Reflections on the Trend
Many fans have expressed their admiration for Kim Seon-ho’s influence, celebrating the unexpected success of the challenge.
“Lives were transformed after that wink scene, and there’s no turning back now,”stated a user.
“The virality of this wink challenge has led more people to inquire which drama it originates from; this has prompted many to start watching When Life Gives You Tangerines, often leading them to shed tears,”wrote another user.
“Imagine being the catalyst for this smile challenge,”commented a fan.
“Just when we thought the hype around #KimSeonHo content from WLGYT was over, Bai Lu’s reenactment of his scene boosted the wink challenge on Douyin and XHS. What a fantastic time to be a Seonhohada!”added another fan.
Introduction to When Life Gives You Tangerines
When Life Gives You Tangerines is set in the picturesque backdrop of 1950s Jeju Island, presenting a poignant coming-of-age narrative. The story revolves around Ae-sun, an ambitious young woman with dreams of becoming a poet, and Gwan-sik, a reserved man whose profound love for Ae-sun drives him to silently support her aspirations.
Ae-sun embodies resilience as she endeavors to overcome societal limitations, her passionate spirit infused with a deep-seated tenderness that resonates throughout her journey. In contrast, Gwan-sik grapples with expressing his emotions, yet remains a steadfast pillar of support for Ae-sun.
The story delicately portrays their evolving relationship, highlighting both the euphoria and challenges of youth. When Life Gives You Tangerines pays homage to the nostalgia of past generations, exploring themes of first love, unyielding dreams, and the heart-wrenching moments that linger across time.
Starring IU and Park Bo-gum in leading roles, When Life Gives You Tangerines premiered on Netflix on March 7, 2025, with episodes released weekly in a four-part format.
On April 4, the series achieved the remarkable distinction of being the highest-rated TV show on IMDb for 2025, boasting an impressive rating of 9.3. This slice-of-life romance has resonated profoundly with audiences both in South Korea and abroad, garnering acclaim for its engaging storytelling, direction, screenplay, and overall artistic merit. All 16 episodes are currently available for streaming on Netflix.