IVE, Rei, and Pokjoogini became the center of a viral trend that followed the group’s comeback with “Attitude.” Rei’s creativity turned the dance into a global movement as fans and artists joined the Pokjoogini Challenge. The trend still grows, proving how K-pop moments can create lasting cultural waves.
IVE Rei and Pokjoogini Spark Massive Buzz After Comeback
After releasing their third mini album IVE EMPATHY, IVE wrapped up their comeback with impressive results across streaming platforms, album sales, and music shows. They didn’t just perform well—they proved their place at the top of the K-pop scene. But what truly set this era apart was what happened after the official promotions ended. Their title track “Attitude” became the starting point of a viral sensation known as the Pokjoogini Challenge, which took over TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Fans from around the world joined in with endless creativity, and instead of fading, the buzz only grew stronger. IVE’s influence didn’t stop at the stage—it extended right into the heart of social media culture.
Meaning Behind Pokjoogini and Its Unique Appeal
The nickname Pokjoogini was born from a playful yet powerful moment in the chorus of “Attitude,” where Rei and the members perform synchronized choreography with bold arm movements and cute expressions. Fans on social media began calling them “pokju haneun guinea pigs”—meaning rampaging guinea pigs—because of how their movements resembled small animals bursting with energy. What’s interesting is that this section originally had no name or hashtag. It was fans who made it something special, giving it an identity and making it trend organically. Responding to the excitement, IVE added official hashtags like #Pokjoogini and #PokjooginiChallenge to support the growing movement. From that point, the challenge evolved from a fun snippet of choreography into a full-scale social media phenomenon with a life of its own.
Rei Turns Pokjoogini into a Viral Trend with IVE
Among all the members, Rei played the biggest role in turning Pokjoogini into a true viral trend. Nicknamed “Daejang Gini,” or “Captain Guinea Pig,” Rei led the way with creative videos filmed in unexpected places like parks, elevators, and even office spaces. She turned every post into a charming moment. Known for starting viral trends like “Ribbon Peace” and “Kongsuni Pose,” she once again proved her natural flair for creating online buzz. Two of her TikTok teaser videos, released around their comeback period, reached 26.5 million and 12.1 million views. Together, they totaled over 38 million combined views. That kind of reach doesn’t happen by accident. Rei knows exactly how to grab attention with her sense of timing, humor, and charm. Thanks to her, the Pokjoogini Challenge didn’t just stay a cute dance—it became a recognizable and widely celebrated trend.
Artists Join IVE and Rei for Pokjoogini Explosion
As the Pokjoogini Challenge spread across platforms, fans weren’t the only ones getting involved. IVE kept the challenge alive by posting new versions that added personal touches and funny nicknames like “Gamseong Gini,” “Ddalki Gini,” and even “Myeongchang Jebi.” These videos didn’t just entertain—they helped keep the trend going in fresh, imaginative ways.
Soon, artists from Starship Entertainment and beyond joined in. Groups like Monsta X, Cravity, and KiiiKiii took part, and they were followed by big-name acts like Super Junior, SHINee, Zerobaseone, NCT Wish, BoyNextDoor, LE SSERAFIM, and Red Velvet. Even pre-debut trainees from Starship’s Newkidd team joined, posting their own versions of the challenge. Each participant added their own creative spin, using nicknames like “Pokju Honi,” “Pokju Wish,” or “Pokju Choon Gini” to connect with fans and keep the challenge playful. The result was a growing wave of collaborative energy that showed just how far IVE and Rei’s impact could reach.
Pokjoogini Evolves into Meme Culture and Fan Joy
What started as a simple dance segment quickly turned into something bigger—a meme-based cultural movement that fans and artists alike embraced. People began customizing the nickname format. They created variations like “Pokju OO” or “OO Gini” to express their own versions of the trend. Popular animated characters like Bellygom, Janmang Loopy, and even Tinnyping from the kids’ show Catch! Teenieping joined the challenge. Their participation only broadened its reach. On Korean online communities like MLBPARK, Rei’s clips were reposted constantly. They often came with dozens of comments calling her adorable, charming, and stylish. Fans noted her impressive height—around 170 centimeters. Her cute, round features made her stand out even more. Some users shared that just watching her do the Pokjoogini dance improved their mood. It wasn’t just about visuals or choreography anymore—it was about joy, emotional connection, and the power of fun.
Rei Continues to Shine Beyond Pokjoogini
The Pokjoogini phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down. Rei and IVE are already moving on to even bigger stages. Starting April 12 and 13 in Nagoya, they’ll kick off the Japanese leg of their fan concert tour, IVE SCOUT in Japan. The tour will take them through four major cities. In the meantime, Rei stays in touch with fans through her solo web variety series Ttara Haeboll Rei. The show airs every Thursday and showcases her personality in a relaxed, entertaining way.
She’s also been confirmed as one of the MCs for the Asia Star Entertainer Awards 2025. The event takes place in May at Yokohama’s K Arena. Whether on stage, on screen, or online, Rei continues to show why she’s one of the most beloved figures in K-pop today. What started as a fun nickname in a dance challenge has now become part of her legacy. Fans can’t wait to see what she does next.
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OMG “Pokjoogini” is SO funny and cute lolol ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅠㅠㅠ Rei fighting in Korea!!