Omona Original: TwiceTok! A look at Twice's TikTok account

[broadcities.livejournal.com]

TikTok has quickly become the app where trends, stars and hits are born or cast away as 'cheugy'. According to BBC News, the social network meets short video service was the most downloaded app of 2020, overtaking Facebook Messenger, and over a billion downloads in the Google Playstore. So how are Korean idols faring on this app? Can they move along with the fast-paced trends on the app? Or are they as slow as catching up as your Instagram explore page is with their ripped second-hand TikToks? In this post (maybe a series? idk), we will take a look at a fine selection of Twice's TikTok account to see how they're handling the most influential (citation needed) social media platform right now.

My qualifications? I have spent hours procrastinating on TikTok and sort of regularly post random kpop TikToks on our ffa's, so I know my stuff ok 😤😤😤 (but feedback, input and suggestions always welcome xoxo)

Most kpop groups and some individual members have a TikTok account; some seem to be (mostly) handled by the members themselves whereas others are fully handled by their label.

So why are we looking at Twice's TikTok?
- They are the fifth most followed kpop group on the app after BTS, Blackpink, Rosé and tiktok kings TXT (according to well-known source Seoulspace)
- Once's consistently remark on their videos that Twice is 1) always late to the trends and 2) their videos feel like they're fanmade even though their TikTok content is most likely developed by JYP staff.
- The awkward and endearing quality of their videos puts me in a good mood every time I see them.

Let's get into this!

Early TwiceTok: filter fun
Twice opened their TikTok on March 19, 2021 and being the hygenic queens they are, their first video demonstrates covid guidelines.

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

Up until about More & More era, most of their TikTok videos consists of them playing around with the filters of the app, as if they're using Snow or Snapchat. In this phase, their content seems to be managed mostly by themselves.

Mina became a tangerine but greets an apple

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

A user commented to this vid: "MINA WHO IS HOLDING YOU AT GUNPOINT TO DO THIS"

Jihyo shows us what she would look like with a beard and more (&more)

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

Comments: "Thank you Jihyo, very cool", "It's not TikTok, it's JihyoTok"

Music promos
Tiktok is often used by (k)pop musicians for music promos. Often artists share dance or meme challenges to their song in the hopes to create a viral sound which will be reflected in the charts. Often these challenges are not very inspired (in my humble opinion), but some of Twice's videos to promote their music have been... creative to say the least.

Here, for example, they show their favorite foods to promote the English version of I Can't Stop Me (from eating delicious food!) - making fans question whether these videos are from their official account or a fan page.

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

Or these for Alcohol Free (warning: jumpscare in the second vid)

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

Comment: "TZUYU, SERIOUSLY? IN FRONT OF MY FOOD? 😭"

When What Is Love? rose in the charts again recently, JYP probably gave a bonus to their marketing team so that the TikToks celebrating the charting were a bit more relevant to the song than the videos above. There's an Omona post about What Is Love? charting again and their TikToks here.

Attempts at Tiktok trends/memes
Just like any other social media platform, users on TikTok participate in memes, often based on a particular song or sound. Twice often participates in these trends, but most of the time when the trend has already died down - huge millennial energy.

In March of this year, the members (minus Jeongyeon) also participated in the #Tellmewithouttellingme trend, which had been going on for aaaages on TikTok at this point. Here's the ones that made me laugh the most:

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

But my favorite about Twice participating in this trend is that when Jeongyeon returned for promotions months after, they uploaded her doing the meme too! Twice choosing inclusivity and their team over trends, we love to see it. And Jeongyeon leading Twice as hygenic queens of Kpop once again!

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

Comment: "BESTIE YOU FORGOT YOUR VACUUM"

Twice also came out as relatable working girls when they showed off their office work fails in the #ohno trend, ft. Mina as the strict CEO

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

Their smooth editing skills were displayed in this cute Watermelon Sugar Hi! vid

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

Also MONTHS after the 'you can really dance' meme was a thing, where people imitate each Momo and Nayeon posted this video

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

Then, they used the 'into the thick of it' sound, from what I've seen usually used to narrate an unexpected, weird surprise or adventure, in the same way as the 'you can really dance' meme... confusing, but cute.

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

Comment: "Whatever this is twice... I'm lovin it!"

TikTok by @twice_tiktok_official

...and that is also the latest video they have posted on TikTok, on August 4th. Come back to me, Twice!

The verdict
TwiceTok is awkward, a bit amateurish and messy but most of all ADORABLE. Even though they're one of the biggest kpop girl groups of the moment, their budget for TikTok is relatably small and their knowledge on how to partake in and create TikTok memes and trends perhaps even smaller - but that's exactly what I love about Twice's TikTok account. Queens of kpop TikTok imo! If you're on TikTok, a must-follow.

Sources: BBC News | Seoulspace | twice_tiktok_official 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

Media heavy post! Are you on TikTok Omona or do you watch Instagram reels with old tiktoks? 

Comments

[broadcities.livejournal.com]

ahh the tiktoks are embedded for me mods!!! thanks for being so patient with me :)

[frequency.livejournal.com]

i feel ancient bc i have no idea how tiktok works or any of those tiktok "celebrities" ppl on twitter talk about 🤧

[broadcities.livejournal.com]

don't feel bad bb i am on tiktok and i also don't know any tiktok celebrities either. there are many sides to tiktok!

[dior-chic.livejournal.com]

Yes!!! I love the fyp page since the algorithm figures out what you like and fine tunes it to show you that content. I never see the huge tiktok stars either it’s great lol

[broadcities.livejournal.com]

sometimes i think i have gotten to the 'wrong' side of tiktok but then it's always someone making fun of it or criticizing it — always so relieved when that happens lol

[chiives.livejournal.com]

same though 😪 my old ass doesn't understand tiktok and doesn't really want to.

[babycheeses1.livejournal.com]

Me too 😂

[namikaze-jkc.livejournal.com]

They're one of the only accounts I follow on TikTok and seeing them puts a smile on my face

You did a great job, OP!

(also i play the "tell me you're jihyo without telling me you're jihyo" TikTok once a week when work gets too much lol)

[broadcities.livejournal.com]

same! i hardly follow any accounts and rarely check my following feed lol

and jihyo knowing she's a star is always my favorite!!

[dior-chic.livejournal.com]

Their tiktoks are fun and cute! The ‘tell me you’re (insert member) here without telling me you’re so&so’ are my favorites, but Momo & Nayeon’s Coincidance (https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRRu9m3R/) and Mina as the boss from their reality show I really like too. But then you have their latest ones that do feel like they don’t get it lol 😅 But that’s not just with them, that’s usually what I notice with kpop idols doing tiktok. Either they’re behind on trends or don’t fully understand it. But that’s ok haha.

Thanks for the post!

[dior-chic.livejournal.com]

Oh also I’m glad they can do cheesy stuff on there because if it was just doing tiktok dances like they did for one of those magazines, you know Nayeon wouldn’t be feeling it lol

[broadcities.livejournal.com]

lol i would've clocked out then too!

i love the coincidance and their 'tell me you're...' tiktoks (especially jeongyeon's!) but my favorites are their attempts at promoting i can't stop me by showing their fave food lol! and them dancing in that wine glass for alcohol free, so random but exactly by brand of humor

[1100003.livejournal.com]

Expertise is expertise!

I love that it's not so refined and glossy (yet?), that's what makes them super charming especially for a group of this size.

[broadcities.livejournal.com]

yes that's exactly what i love about their account!

[myungung.livejournal.com]

I love these meme-ish videos. It’s not exactly the best strategy for tiktok, but it works because twice are supposed to be the wholesome group. And I think it makes more sense for fans since it’s on brand. They don’t really need more Western fans through tiktok, their fans can promote them with the memes

[suggestivepeach.livejournal.com]

Their tiktoks are sooo dumb but i love them anyways bc you can tell they’re not taking it seriously and just having a goof. The “tell me you’re Tzuyu without telling me you’re Tzuyu one” is hilarious to me.

[daynr.livejournal.com]

I can't look at these until after work but wanted to be in early to say: bless, yes, and yay! OP!!!! 👏👏👏👏🔥🥳🎉🎉🎉

[broadcities.livejournal.com]

this post was made with you in mind!!

[vintage-boom.livejournal.com]

you can tell someone on their team is really trying here. it's sweet even if it doesn't always land.

[nudrive.livejournal.com]

(warning: jumpscare in the second vid)

HHHAAHAHAHAH