I was basically ready to flush the rest of 2024 down the toilet and hibernate until the new year, but a single, Muppet-fueled meme has changed that trajectory. The “Pepe the King Prawn” trend has taken over TikTok at an unprecedented speed. Trends travel fast, such as the “Solo Polyamorous Hijabi Amputee” or “Women in Male Fields” meme, but this one has defied all norms. I have never seen TikTok so united; we all discuss the same videos. Individuals across the globe are now known solely for their Pepe videos, such as Olive Oil Girl, Subway Pants, and Peppa Pig. I thank them for their service, and I am pleased to introduce you to the “Pepe the King Prawn” trend on TikTok.

What is the “Pepe The King Prawn” Trend?

Also known as the best thing to happen to me in 2024, the “Pepe the King Prawn” trend basically involves trauma dumping on the internet. Only instead of giggling and putting candy in a bowl, you write it over a blurry photo of Pepe the King Prawn. Also known as Pepino Rodrigo Serrano Gonzales, he’s a character from The Muppets who is usually seen flirty with women. A photo of him blankly staring ahead is used as a background, accompanied by “Like a Prayer” by Madonna, but specifically the choir version from Deadpool & Wolverine.

In the text, users recount the most awful, horrifying thing that happened to them. It’s always a story that just gets worse as it goes. Some question the legitimacy of such stories, but they’re too awful and detailed to be made up. Aside from making me wheeze with laughter, they make me realize my life really isn’t that bad. 

My favorite thing about the trend is that we’re all digesting the exact same content, and these individuals are already becoming minor TikTok celebs. In the comments sections, I see people debating the worst of them, and I’m reminded once again that we’re all hamsters on the same algorithm.

Funniest “Pepe The King Prawn” TikToks

Subway Pants 

A New York resident shared the time she accidentally sat in shit on the subway in rented pants. She immediately realized and got off, panicking about what to do. Everyone avoided her in disgust and she STANK. She then ran into the closest Lululemon and shared what had happened. She was directed to a changing room and put on a pair of leggings in her size. She bought the pair and sadly took her pants back home to wash, as they were a Nuuly rental, and she didn’t want to be lumped with a $200 fine. 

The Olive Oil Girl

@meganchacalosThe olive oil story♬ sonido original – Un Arácnido Más🕷️

Innocent little Megan just wanted to get sleek hair and ended up with a concussion, an angry father, police at the door, and an embarrassing trek to school with saran-wrapped hair. This is one of the best “Pepe the King Prawn” tales, as it could be me, but it could be you!!! We all spent high school shoving eggs, olive oil, or mayonnaise in our hair based on some stupid women’s magazine. The only difference is that we didn’t go for a cheeky bevvie at the wrong moment. Megan recreated the entire story for us again, and I laughed just as hard the second time. 

Shitty One Night Stand

I am physically unwell after reading this. I reached unsafe levels of stress. How did a one-night stand turn into a shit-soaked disaster? The washing machine. THE. WASHING. MACHINE! The way that I would literally just leave. Just go anywhere else. I feel bad for the dude, except for him seeing if she wanted to go out again and barely cleaning up. Nah, it could happen to anyone, but scrub and scram. 

Not Good At Small Talk

Forced small talk at lunch turns into a tragic backstory spreading across the entire company. As someone who is terrified of polite conversation and prepares topics ahead of time, this is very realistic to me. I have no doubt this would be me. Is this me???

A Not-So-Simple Sick Day

I used to fake being sick and take a hot towel to my forehead to fake a fever, so this is a terrifying tale. Like, thank goodness they found something, but also, what the hell?!?!?! I swear this ailment was on Grey’s Anatomy back in the day.

Peppa Pig’s Downfall

When I tell you that I WHEEZED at this story. Proper, old man smoker-style wheezing. I would pay to see a video of her attempting pig noises and dancing about, almost unconscious. If any of the kids there have TikTok, go on TikTok Live to share your trauma.

The Mile High Flick

This is the shortest tale on the list, but it is too iconic to skip. I swear I have this weird fear that when I sleep next to someone, I’ll do something sexual in my sleep (I don’t think it’s ever happened, but tell that to my intrusive thought). This has reinforced that fear and scared me off of Ambien — bummer. What makes this tale so much better is the air hostess has shared her perspective!!! Screaming.

Long Live The Vegetable House

Over half of these stories are the direct result of Social Anxiety, and honestly,  it has never felt like more of a “superpower.” I have no doubt the legacy of ‘The Vegetable House’ lives on to this day, and no one can quite remember how it started. I would be corn on the cob, thanks for asking xoxo

Bike, Pitbull, And No Cookies

Girlie just wanted to make cookies and ended up on ten different episodes of Dumb Ways to Die. Like her guardian angel was working overtime to keep her alive. Honestly, if I survived that I would think I was untouchable. THE PITBULL AHHHHH.

The Vape To End All Vapes

The stress I felt reading this story was unparalleled. Like if you need a way to scare kdis off vaping, this is it, this is it right here. The panic they must have felt in the middle of the wilderness. Literally changing my life right now, this is my wake-up call. 

Curse Of The Iced Coffee

Wow. I have heard my fair share of IBS/toilet stories over cocktail hour, but this takes the cake. This person must have gone through so much therapy over the years. I am so sorry for their suffering. I am too scared to use toilets on planes (what if I flush myself down??), and now I am too scared to drink any beverage before boarding a flight.

Thank You For Your Uterine Lining, Ma’am

I have had a way too similar experience to this TikTok; I only flushed and did not go to the ER. I need to hear from the first-year ER nurse about this experience and what went through his head. Give that man a platform to speak.

Breaking The Fourth Wall

I’ve sometimes wondered how my therapist would’ve actually reacted to seeing my ex after all I told her, and this slideshow confirmed I should never ever find out. Okay, but I need to see a photo of this dude immediately.

The Last Wonton Soup

Thank fuck this is an ex-boyfriend. At least, that’s my main takeaway from this terrible tale. Also, as a girlie who never reads microwave or oven instructions, I have learned from this macabre fable. She is a HERO, and I only wish she could’ve been the one to receive the uterine lining in the other story.