The Rise of “Delulu” on TikTok: Exploring Radical Self-Belief and Mindset

Cliff Erich
32 min readJul 23, 2023
From “Golden Days Goodies” (an Etsy shop)

The viral force of TikTok in shaping trends and cultural shifts cannot be overlooked. One such trend, “delulu,” has surged in popularity on the platform, amassing billions of views and captivating users globally. Originally emerging from the passionate K-pop community, “delulu” has now transcended its origins, infiltrating mainstream internet culture with its humorous allure.

What started as a lighthearted term to humorously mock fans’ unrealistic hopes of dating K-pop stars has evolved into something much more. Today, the hashtag #delulu on TikTok boasts a staggering 1.6 billion views, while #delulugirl has garnered 233.8 million views. This article delves into the evolution of the “delulu” trend, examining its roots and understanding the reasons behind its unprecedented popularity.

But that’s not all; there’s a fascinating twist to this trend’s narrative. The “delulu” phenomenon has found a clever new application in the professional realm, where individuals are leveraging its power to trick themselves into landing dream jobs and other coveted opportunities. By adopting a unique “delulu” device and mindset, people are empowering themselves to embrace radical self-belief, pushing boundaries and achieving success in unforeseen ways.

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Cliff Erich

Data science/analytics professional with a focus in system dynamics modeling and computational social science. Learn more here: https://direct.me/clifforderich