Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday extended Friendship Day greetings with a ‘Gen Z’-style social media post featuring the viral Korean “finger heart” gesture while joking that he had only recently learned its meaning.
Sharing a photo on Instagram, Gandhi wrote: “Still a student, still learning something new every day. Today’s lesson: it’s Friendship Day, and this is a heart. Happy Friendship Day, everyone. Lots of love!”
From ‘Pookie Leader’ To K-Pop References: Netizens React To Rahul Gandhi’s Post
The post quickly went viral, attracting over 516,000 likes and nearly 12,000 comments within hours. Social media was abuzz with reactions, with one user remarking, “Now bro is entering the Gen Z era.” Referring to the Korean phrase for “I love you,” another user commented, “Saranghae oppa,” while others called him a “Pookie leader.”
The Gen Z Outreach
The Congress MP has been making efforts to connect with young people through social media, informal interactions, and youth-focused campaigns. In recent months, he has routinely addressed students on concerns like paper leaks and unemployment, while frequently referencing Gen Z in his speeches and online posts.
In addition to sharing videos of his ‘candid’ conversations with students on topics like anxiety, careers, education, and democracy, he launched the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign to give youth a platform to raise their voices against examination irregularities. In a recent social media post, he advised young people that nothing in life is straightforward, urging them to remain strong and resilient.
Continuing this trendy outreach, he recently marked Friendship Day by sharing an Instagram post featuring the viral Korean “finger heart” gesture.
What Is Korean ‘Finger Heart’?
The finger heart is a popular gesture that originated in South Korea and evolved into a global internet trend through K-pop, K-dramas, and social media. Formed by crossing the thumb and index finger to resemble a small heart, the symbol is used to express affection, gratitude, friendship, and appreciation.
It has gained widespread popularity among Gen Z users across major digital platforms, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and X.