A video of Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong jumping on the TikTok bandwagon of recreating trends left a rather sour taste on netizens.
The July 15 post caption on his official TikTok account reads, “Full day at G20 in Bali. Good discussions with many countries on finance, the economy and more!”
Mr Wong, who is also the Finance Minister, is currently in Bali to attend the 2022 G20 Indonesian Presidency.
The video featured him engaged in important discussions and signing equally important documents, plus some extra activities such as partaking in the #PopPopPopChallenge.
The audio used for the video background music is the K-Pop song “Pop,” released by K-Pop girl group TWICE’s Im Nayeon.
Another TikTok challenge was born when people began recreating the original choreography.
Here’s a video of the choreo with Nayeon in a close-up angle, teaching viewers the hand moves.
@twice_tiktok_official 웃으면서! PopPopPop🎈📌Let’s smile! and #PopPopPop🎈📌#TWICE #트와이스#NAYEON #나연 #IM_NAYEON #POP❣️
And here’s Mr Wong’s attempt at the challenge. He did not, however, show himself doing the final “biting the thumb” pose.
Members from the online community found the attempt more “cringe” than keeping up with the times.
“Y? Y? Y? Tell me Y a possible future PM would wanna do this? Can be a little more dignified or not?” asked Facebook user SK Tan.
Another netizen said, “A case of ‘trying too hard’ and end up looking awkward and cringy AF, but there you go, that’s our future PM, love it or hate it.”
“Not sure who came up with this brilliant plan, but it doesn’t exactly look good, nor does it seem to have the positive impact they wanted,” noted Facebook user Goh Tsoon Liang Exel.
“Even with the intention to connect with the younger demographic, the timing is horrible,” he added.
Here are other comments from netizens.
Meanwhile, those who commented on the TikTok post were more accepting.
Netizens said Mr Wong got his dance moves on while the official Mediacorp 987 account said, “The people want to see a full POP challenge, sir.”
“Bye. I’ve never seen a Minister using this song. You rock, Mr Lawrence Wong!” said a TikTok user.
Others noted that the intern or individual behind the idea deserved a raise./TISG
@lawrencewongst Full day at G20 in Bali. Good discussions with many countries on finance, the economy and more!