A Look Back on the Most Viral TikTok Dance Challenges
When we were forced to stay in the confines of our homes, we had nothing to do but browse our phones and look for something to entertain us. Maybe the inability to go out has affected how our attention span gets shorter that we became more into content that satisfies us right away, like TikTok videos.
TikTok is a video-sharing platform popular in the Philippines. Everyone almost has it installed on their phones, and amid the global crisis, it has become more recognized. Thus the birth of TikTok challenges; the short dance or song video covers from users across regions.
If you are too busy to look at them for yourself, let me take you to a retreat of the country’s most viral TikTok dance challenges.
Tala
Tala was part of the best-selling 2015 album “The Great Unknown” of the Pop Princess herself, Sarah Geronimo. In 2020, five years after its release, the song surprisingly surfaced on the platform and became viral in no time. The dancers used the sound and the original choreography and posted it with hashtags #Taladancechallenge or #Talachallenge.
Heartbreak Anniversary
“‘Cause I remember every time”, who else has not heard these catchy lyrics from everywhere? The American R&B musician Giveon is the author of the song Heartbreak Anniversary. However, the Filipino duo Marc Daniel Bernardo and Katkat Manimtim are credited with making the challenge popular. The dance follows a slow-motion body roll with swooning eye contact with the dance partner. The video gained positive comments, and others did the same dance leading to its virality even on the international scene.
Inferno
The Inferno dance challenge was started by the Filipino TikTok user Shine Sena. Sang by another Filipino, Bella Poarch, the dance challenge went viral soon after created. It follows a simple chick step, making it easier to go along even for beginner dancers.
Booty Work
Who else does not know Niana Guerrero? She is the young Filipino superstar with 33.2 million followers on the said platform. Even before she was recognized for vlogging, she was already making a name with the dance covers she choreographed herself. The Booty Work challenge from last year has 4.3 million hearts and 46 million views as of today. Niana Guerrero is serving us what it takes to be a superstar.
Money
Lisa Manoban, the main dancer for the Korean girl group Blackpink, sang the song Money. It was the second song on her self-titled debut album. The Blinks (Blackpink’s fandom moniker) and even non-fans were fascinated by the stunning wild dance choreography and also joined the challenge.
Catriona
@darrenespanto @iminigopascual #catrionachallenge #catriona
♬ Catriona – Matthaios
Shocking as it is, the Catriona challenge came from the song of the same title inspired by the Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray. It was written by Filipino rapper Matthaios and choreographed by Mannex Manhattan. The bouncy tune paired with the right and not too complicated steps swiftly made it in TikTok and in Twitter’s top trending topics.
Marikit
Choreographer Mannex Manhattan is unstoppable as he also created the viral Marikit challenge. Kyle Caplis assisted Juan Caoile with the song’s composition. The song’s inspiration was said to be the main composer’s girlfriend until it became a song to appreciate all women. Ranging from TikTok users, and vloggers to TV personalities, everyone was in love with the trendy dance craze.
Savage Love
The birth of the Savage Love started with a famous TikTok sound called “Laxed (Siren Beat)” by Joshua Nanai. On May 11, 2020, Jason Derulo posted the song he made out of it (Savage Love) with various dances. Derulo’s music has gained attention, and the challenge grew that even BTS, the global Korean boyband, danced to it.
There is nothing wrong with posting your talents and sharing them with the world, as long as it keeps you sane and knows your boundaries. TikTok challenges are a great way to recognize one’s creativity, so if you are dreaming of becoming the next TikTok viral, I hope I can include you in the future list.
Remember that just like Tala’s sudden unexpected popularity, things shine in their own right times.
