Telephone Cat meme becomes viral sensation in South Korea

A specific internet character, known as the ‘Telephone Cat’ (originally from Kumamine), has become a major viral meme in South Korea. The character's popularity has reached a level where it is being used in labor union strikes and appearing on terrestrial news broadcasts.

The meme has become so widespread that it is considered a staple souvenir for travelers to Japan, leading to the sale of Hangul-language versions of the merchandise in Japanese retail stores. The trend highlights a shared cultural resonance between the two nations regarding internet humor and character-driven memes.