Popular TikTok trends in July 2025
TikTok, the popular social media platform, has been buzzing with an unusual trend in July 2021. Known as emotional whiplash, this trend sees users rapidly switching between contrasting feelings, creating a comedic and dramatic effect that often goes viral.
The trend is a reflection of TikTok's unique culture, where serious and casual topics coexist and are often humorously juxtaposed. Creators use expert comedic timing to build audience expectations, only to subvert them for humor or satire, leading to strong viewer reactions.
Popular culture references, such as mentions of celebrities like Taylor Swift or themes from trending music like Aespa’s "Whiplash," are woven into the content to tap into collective familiarity and enhance the comedic or emotional resonance.
One of the most notable aspects of this trend is the TikTok creators' ability to strut confidently, only to pivot and return to their starting point, often within the same video. This style exemplifies a layered form of expression on TikTok where creators blend contradictory emotional elements, precise timing, and cultural touchstones to create memorable and shareable content.
The trend is not just limited to the emotional whiplash but extends to the entire trend cycle for the month. Life's smallest details get the biggest reactions, and serious topics often get side-eyed in favor of personal preferences like favorite snacks, playlists, or shows. For instance, creators might react to objectively significant events with a dry, polite "That's awesome, congratulations" in Part 1, but express full emotional fireworks for favorite TV series, pasta recipes, or books in Part 2.
A prime example of this trend can be seen in the reactions to the conclusion of Squid Game Season 3. The For You Page (FYP) is filled with reaction videos, teary POVs, fan edits, and fake audition skits related to the series. Creators deliver their reactions with a contrasting tone based on the topic's nature, showing a mix of sincerity and irony.
The trend continues to evolve, incorporating new themes and styles. It showcases TikTok's ability to create engaging content through humor and irony, attracting a wide audience. This trend is a masterclass in comedic timing and emotional whiplash, making it a must-watch for anyone on the platform.
In conclusion, the July 2021 TikTok trend of emotional whiplash mixes sharp shifts in mood, expert comedic timing, and the use of popular culture references to engage and entertain audiences effectively. The trend is a testament to TikTok's capacity for fostering creative expression and experimentation with different styles and tones in content creation.
- The creators on TikTok use the emotional whiplash trend to juxtapose serious and humorous topics, showcasing their expertise in comedic timing.
- The TikTok platform's unique culture encourages creators to blend contrasting emotional elements, precise timing, and cultural touchstones to create shareable content.
- Popular culture references, such as celebrities like Taylor Swift or songs like Aespa’s "Whiplash," are often incorporated into the content to enhance the comedic or emotional resonance.
- The trend extends beyond emotional whiplash, with creators reacting to various topics with a mix of sincerity and irony, making TikTok a must-watch for anyone interested in entertainment and pop-culture.