Challenge Roundup: AiScReam! Takes Over K-pop
by Hasan Beyaz
The AiScReam! challenge has officially melted its way into K-pop. But before we dive into our favourite idol takes, here’s how the trend began.
Originally released earlier this year, “Ai♡Scream! (愛♡スクリ～ム！)” is a sugary, chaotic J-pop track performed by AiScReam, a special unit under the Love Live! franchise that unites members from Aqours, Nijigasaki, and Liella!. The song quickly gained traction, setting the scene for what would soon become a full-blown TikTok phenomenon.
On February 28, 2025, TikTok user @redditsubloveliveseries uploaded a live version of the song that exploded into virality. With over 6 million plays and 388,000 likes in just two months, the audio quickly became the backdrop for the now-iconic ‘Ruby-chan Hai’ meme that somehow hit the sweet spot between unhinged and irresistible.
By April, the AiScReam! challenge had fully infiltrated the K-pop landscape, and idols across generations threw themselves into the chaos with charming – and occasionally deranged – enthusiasm. The track is bubbly to the point of delirium, making it the perfect canvas for meme-fuelled chaos – especially when filtered through the idol lens – and the charm of the trend lies in its sheer absurdity; exaggerated facial expressions, and sugary mania all crammed into 15 seconds of frenzied joy.
We’ve compiled our favourites below:
TOMORROW X TOGETHER
Stray Kids
ATEEZ
BtoB
TWICE
ZEROBASEONE
PLAVE
Kep1er
Dreamcatcher
Wonho
@official_wonho 호쨩 ~ 하잇✋🌸 #원호 #WONHO ♬ original sound - r/LoveLiveSeries
xikers
i-dle
Got a new version we haven’t seen yet? Tag us — we’re not done screaming yet.