Who Is “Kudasai Girl?” The Viral TikToker Who Captured The Attention Of P1Harmony
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Recently, a TikToker unexpectedly took Busan, South Korea, by storm. Many have flocked to the selfie stick-wielding content creator as though she were an idol.
So, who is she, and why is this viral star garnering so much attention in South Korea?
Devin Halbal (also known as Hal Baddie) has been a viral content creator and travel influencer on the video-sharing app TikTok for years. Originally, she was famous for her “doll check-ins,” in which she would check in with her followers, whom she affectionately refers to as “dolls.” She is known for additional catchphrases, such as “Met Gala Behavior,” “Elevate, activate, appreciate,” and now “Kudasai.”
Though she doesn’t have an immense following by TikTok standards, the phrases she’s popularized have been shared far beyond her fans. One of her favorite words, ‘doll,’ she uses as a noun, an adjective, and a verb. Halbal says that ‘doll’ is an energy — she feels people who identify as a doll are very feminine, but anyone can be a doll if they want to be. ‘Doll activities’ — another term she coined — means any sort of fun, positive, bright, and joyful experience a doll may partake in. A ‘doll check-in’ is when Halbal whips out the selfie stick (‘I feel like it brings out like an inner supermodel,’ she says), usually while traveling in a new destination. It’s a call to her fans that she’s about to drop new wisdom or share a personal tidbit about her life.
— Rolling Stone
@hal.baddieDoll check- in. March 1, 2022
@madhappypodcast#DevinHalbal on her phrase #DollCheckIn
What has made her stand out from other travel influencers is that she films with an unusually long selfie stick, drawing attention as she explores cities. Devin is also so friendly, beaming with light wherever she goes. She’s known for being respectful and loving in every culture. This has earned her 771.9K followers on TikTok at the time of writing. The 26-year-old hopes to inspire other transgender women to travel.
Still, Devin has not always received the proper credit or recognition she deserves despite originating iconic and viral phrases that garnered millions of views. Yet, that might be changing…
Sometimes, her phrases go semi-viral, like ‘Met Gala behavior’ — a term for when you’re dressed in an ensemble that makes you feel beautiful. This spring, the hashtag on TikTok gained over seven million views, though it didn’t necessarily get Halbal the fame she believes it should have. For one thing, the Met didn’t invite her to the event — and for another, the big accounts that amplified it often didn’t link back to her. ‘A lot of people love the girl’s creativity, and a lot of the people love the girl’s audios,’ she says. ‘I feel like it’s really important that if they’re bigger [creators] with large platforms to credit me, especially if they use it in their caption.’
— Rolling Stone
After Devin’s recent Japan trip, she quickly garnered even more attention, as she went around saying various words, such as sushi, kimono, etc., followed by “Kudasai,” meaning “please give me” in Japanese.
@brankatsueveryone around her gotta be dodging that
@Devin Halbal a global icon fr (plz stay in japan until i visit
) #kudasai #ください #japan
“Kudasai” even caught the attention of P1Harmony‘s Keeho, who imitated Devin as he held sushi in a Weverse video. Devin reposted it to her TikTok.
Likewise, P1Harmony members Intak and Jiung were spotted at an event, imitating Devin’s iconic selfie stick walk. She shared this, too.
She has attracted many, who will even approach her in public for pictures and videos, to which she happily obliges and uploads to her accounts.
This didn’t stop in Japan. Recently, she traveled to Busan, South Korea, where she’s only received even more attention, as people have mobbed her as if she’s an idol. She has received many gifts, taken photos, etc.
And while “Kudasai” has not fully retired, Devin has attempted to replace it with “주세요” (juseyo), meaning “please” in Korean, as well as “입니다” (Imnida), meaning “to be” in Korean, while she is in Korea.
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