C-Drama Celebs Join the ‘Kim Seon Ho Smile Challenge’ from When Life Gives You Tangerines
The viral smile moment from When Life Gives You Tangerines, featuring Kim Seon Ho, has captivated not just South Korea but also China, sparking a new trend that has taken social media by storm. The show, which has already garnered attention for its romantic plot and beautiful setting in Jeju Island, has found a second wave of fame with Kim Seon Ho’s iconic smile in one of the episodes. C-drama celebrities like Chen Zheyuan and Bai Lu have joined the “Kim Seon Ho Smile Challenge,” recreating the now-famous scene where Seon Ho’s character, Park Chang Seob, shares a heartwarming moment with his bride.
The Kim Seon Ho Smile Challenge Takes Over Social Media
In the 13th episode of When Life Gives You Tangerines, Seon Ho’s character, Park Chang Seob, gets married to Geum Myeong, the daughter of Gwan Sik and Ae Sun. The scene where Park Chang Seob smiles with love and admiration at his bride has become a moment to remember, with Seon Ho dramatically tilting his head as he gazes at her, eyes filled with adoration. This seemingly small but intimate moment has since exploded on social media, where fans and celebrities alike are recreating the “smile challenge.”
The viral smile challenge has captivated not just the fans of the show but also celebrities across China, particularly C-drama stars, who have eagerly embraced the trend. Chen Zheyuan, who recently gained international recognition for his role in Hidden Love, is the latest celebrity to join in on the fun. His participation in the challenge, along with other well-known figures in the Chinese entertainment industry, has caused the trend to grow exponentially.
C-Drama Stars Join the Trend
The challenge encourages participants to mimic Kim Seon Ho’s iconic smile, which involves a flirtatious wink, a head tilt, and eyes closed in pure adoration — much like the way Park Chang Seob gazes at his bride, Geum Myeong, in the wedding scene. Along with Chen Zheyuan, other C-drama celebrities like Bai Lu, Xu Ruohan, Maxky, Lin Ziye, Liu Nian, Zhou Rui, Yang Chaoyue, and Fan Zhixin have all joined the challenge, adding their own versions of the smile that has taken social media by storm.
Interestingly, while the challenge is often set to Shaggy’s “Boombastic” globally, in China, the trend is frequently paired with the iconic song Ai Cun Zai from Meteor Garden, another beloved drama in China. The use of this popular track gives the challenge a distinct cultural flavor that resonates with Chinese fans.
A New Global Trend from a K-Drama
Despite Netflix’s ban in China, When Life Gives You Tangerines has gained quite a bit of attention. The show, featuring Park Bo Gum and IU, has been praised for its beautiful cinematography and emotional depth. The addition of Kim Seon Ho’s cameo as the charming Park Chang Seob only elevated the show’s appeal, and now his iconic wedding scene has become a viral sensation.
According to reports from South Korean media, When Life Gives You Tangerines has made a notable impact in China’s entertainment space. The show currently holds nearly 30,000 reviews on China’s Douban review platform, a testament to its success and widespread popularity. Kim Seon Ho’s cameo has played a central role in this surge in attention, as his warm smile during the wedding scene has left viewers swooning and eager to recreate the moment themselves.