A popular Chinese folk dance has unexpectedly taken international social media by storm, including TikTok and platforms in Vietnam, turning into a massive flash mob. However, behind the comical videos and memes lies a serious health threat to unprepared users, who are flocking to medical facilities with joint and ligament injuries.
Anatomy of a Viral Trend from the 1990s
The foundation for the current viral wave was an archival instructional video on folk dancing from the Beijing Dance Academy, filmed back in the 1990s. In September, internet users discovered this material and began actively copying specific elements originally intended for professional students.
Users were particularly drawn to three characteristic movements: the "lightning jump," which involves sharp side-to-side evasions; the "romantic footballer," featuring high flexibility in jumps and kicks; and the "black bear shaking fur," which requires powerful and energetic full-body shaking. In Vietnam's local digital space, this trend became known as "lung tung quyền," meaning "random evasion."
Popularity Among Stars and Online Memes
The trend quickly transcended ordinary content, attracting the attention of prominent public figures. Singer Zhang Yixing, actress Li Yitong, and even popular German fitness trainer Pamela Reif joined the flash mob, giving the dance an additional momentum for spread.
On social media, young people began using elements of the dance as ironic memes—for instance, to simulate dodging work assignments or maneuvering through crowded public transport during rush hours. Meanwhile, few considered the true purpose of these elements in professional choreography.
Contradictory Data
While content creators and influencers present the trend exclusively as harmless and fun entertainment, medical professionals insist on the high risk of injury associated with such experiments. The divergence in opinions between the entertaining nature of social media posts and alarming hospital reports underlines the scale of the problem.
On one hand, bloggers claim that the movements are accessible to everyone and require no complex training. On the other hand, specialized medical facilities cite concrete data on the rising number of patients with ligament tears, demanding a more responsible approach to viral challenges.
Doctors' Warnings and Real Consequences
Professional choreographers note that the original names of the movements served merely as methodical guidelines for practicing posture control and weight transfer. In practice, these elements require a developed musculature of the core, glutes, and hips.
The lack of basic physical conditioning and sharp uncontrolled movements have led to a surge in injuries. The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University and other medical centers have already issued official warnings after emergency rooms filled up with young patients suffering from orthopedic injuries.
