Breaking up? Who are you?

"Breaking up? Who are you?" ('Hairjijago? Neo Nugundae?') is a meme that began trending in early 2024 in Korean online communities and K-pop fandoms. It originated from content related to Sohee, a member of the boy group RIIZE. The meme gained attention when a fan humorously tweeted Sohee's airport photo on Twitter with the caption "Breaking up? Who are you?" This phrase humorously depicts a situation where someone pretends not to remember or recognize their partner after being told about a breakup. Sohee's bewildered expression paired with the caption created a wave of laughter among fans, quickly spreading to other idol fandoms and the general public.

The meme gained further traction during video call fan sign events ('eongtong fansign'), where fans requested their favorite idols to say the phrase, "Breaking up? Who are you?" Idols following the request and entertaining fans with this line were widely shared across platforms, boosting the meme's popularity. The phrase soon transcended idol fandoms, becoming a humorous expression for various scenarios among social media users.

For instance, variations like "Breaking up? I'm going to get my Starbucks diary today..." personalize the meme by adding specific contexts or subjects. The spread of this meme reflects the combination of social media's rapid dissemination and the characteristics of fandom culture. Fans seeking fun interactions with their favorite idols and sharing these experiences within communities played a major role in its popularity. Additionally, the meme has become more than a simple catchphrase, serving as a symbolic element that fosters a sense of unity within fandoms.