Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi brought an unexpected surprise on the occasion of Friendship Day. He revealed he had learnt the Korean heart gesture, and shared a message to the Gen Z on social media.
He posted a picture of himself making the popular Korean finger heart gesture, which is a symbol that is widely associated with affection and appreciation in Korean pop culture.
He wrote, “still a student, still learning something new every day. Today’s lesson: it’s Friendship Day and this is a heart.” He added, “happy Friendship Day, everyone. Lots of love!”
Social media users quickly picked up on the post by Rahul Gandhi, expressing amusement over the Congress MP embracing a gesture more commonly seen in K-pop fan circles and among young internet audiences.
The Congress MP has increasingly tried to connect with younger audiences through social media, informal interactions and youth-focused campaigns. In recent months, he has frequently addressed students, spoken about issues such as paper leaks and unemployment and referred to ‘Gen Z’ in several speeches and social media posts.
He has also interacted with students in India and
abroad, sharing videos of conversations on careers, anxiety, education and democracy. During the nationwide ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign, Rahul Gandhi repeatedly urged young people to raise their voices over examination irregularities and recruitment issues.
“Korean finger heart” has established itself as a captivating emblem of Korean pop culture, transcending borders and becoming a global phenomenon today. This gesture, though simple in execution, carries with it a cultural richness and contemporary relevance, particularly remarkable in the world of K-pop and social media.
The Korean heart gesture is made with one hand, crossing the fingers of the thumb with the index finger. Like the Western money gesture, but when we stand still, it forms a heart. This gesture can simply be a declaration of affection and love for fans and others. Nowadays, this gesture is frequently used in photos and when meeting fans.