Digital culture trends: The evolution of Chad-themed internet memes

Various internet memes, including the 'Chad Face' and 'Yes Chad' (Nordic Gamer), have established distinct visual languages and usage patterns across social media platforms.

The 'Chad Face' or 'GigaChad' trend on TikTok involves creators performing a specific facial expression—characterized by a sharpened jawline and flared nostrils—often synchronized to a beat drop using the 'Prolly My Spookiest Beat' audio. The trend gained significant traction in early 2022 through various creators and tutorials.

In contrast, the 'Yes Chad' or 'Nordic Gamer' meme originated from the Wojak-adjacent lineage on 4chan. It features a hand-drawn, bearded man who responds to insults or criticisms with a simple 'Yes.' This format is frequently used in two-panel images to contrast different cultural archetypes or fandom perspectives.