Draw a Carrot

The "Draw a Carrot" meme originates from the Naver Webtoon *Kill the King*. This meme began when webtoon artist Joanna, who frequently delayed updates, suddenly started uploading on time. Readers jokingly speculated that she had been detained at Naver’s headquarters, leading to a comment asking, "If you are being held, please draw a carrot." When the artist actually included a carrot in the next episode, the meme quickly gained popularity.

"Draw a Carrot" evolved into a humorous way to signal that someone might be in an unusual or forced situation. This concept was originally inspired by secret distress signals used by kidnapping victims, but it has been transformed into a lighthearted joke. The meme spread beyond webtoons to social media and live broadcasts, where viewers use it when a person seems to be acting unnaturally or under duress. For instance, if a streamer behaves too formally or out of character, viewers might comment, "Draw a carrot," to check if they are acting voluntarily.

Beyond just a joke, this meme serves as a tool for people to share empathy and subtly acknowledge unusual situations. Variations like "Shake the Carrot" have also emerged, showing its adaptability. As it continues to be mentioned across various online communities, "Draw a Carrot" has become a recognized part of Korean internet culture.