TVXQ's U-Know Yunho is going viral again—four years after the release of his solo track ‘Thank U’—all thanks to an unexpected meme that’s spreading like wildfire online!
Originally released in 2021 as the title track of his mini album ‘NOIR’, the song is now being called a “reverse hit” after fans rediscovered its iconic lyrics:
“This is the first lesson,” “Now, the second lesson,” “Finally, the third lesson.”
The dramatic delivery and the unusual use of the word “lesson” in a K-pop song made it stand out—and fans couldn’t help but turn it into a meme. Jokes like “Where’s the fourth lesson?” and “Start the lecture already!” started popping up all over social media.
So how did this old track suddenly blow up?
It all started when music YouTuber Looksam introduced the MV by chance on his stream. His funny reaction quickly went viral, and the clip helped push Yunho’s song to a brand new audience. From YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels to memes on Twitter and TikTok, the “lesson” meme began spreading rapidly through the algorithm.
What’s making fans even more curious is the music video itself—a 7-minute noir-style short film starring Hwang Jung Min and Lee Jung Hyun. The intense concept pays tribute to iconic action films like Oldboy, and Yunho goes all in with a cinematic performance full of emotion and energy. Some called it “too much,” while others were moved by his bold message and dedication.
The whole situation reminds many of Rain’s viral hit ‘Gang’, which started as a meme but earned massive respect for its intensity and effort. Just like Rain, Yunho’s passion is undeniable—and it’s that same passion that’s turning laughter into admiration.
Even Yunho himself joined the fun. On July 6, he posted a video doing the ‘Thank U’ challenge with rookie boy group RIIZE on TVXQ’s official account, with the caption:
“Lesson complete.”
The clip already surpassed 10 million views.
Two days later, at a press event for Disney+ series 'Pine: Village Guys’, co-star Lee Dong Hwi joked,
“I learned a lot of lessons.”
Yunho replied with a smile,
“You received a proper lesson. There were invisible lessons too.”
Broadcasters are also joining in. KBS uploaded Yunho’s 2021 Music Bank performance with a cheeky title:
“This is the fourth lesson. Don’t keep the good stuff to yourself.”
It’s already racked up over 750,000 views, with fans flooding the comments with hilarious and heartfelt reactions:
- “We were keeping it to ourselves, who spilled the first lesson?”
- “It kept showing up on Instagram, so I came to see the full version.”
- “He starts the lecture without even an introduction.”
- “This is the ‘Gang’ of 2024.”
- “Came to laugh, stayed inspired.”
- “Wait… this was written by Yoo Young Jin?”
- “If you listen closely, he’s actually right.”
- “This feels like a life lesson about investing in stocks.”
It’s clear—U-Know Yunho’s passion aged like fine wine, and fans old and new are finally giving ‘Thank U’ the love it deserves. Lesson learned: never underestimate a true performer.
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