Exploring the Origins of the ‘Queen Never Cry’ Meme

If you’re feeling down, just remember: queens never cry.

As memes continue to thrive in 2024, we’ve seen some delightful entries, including Dress to Impress’ Pose 28, the charming Thai pygmy hippo Moo Deng, and Kamala Harris’s witty remark, “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?” However, one of this year’s standout meme sensations is undeniably the phrase “Queen never cry,” which has captivated users on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Although amusing in its own right, many are unaware of the origins behind the “Queen never cry” meme. Let’s explore the backstory of this viral sensation.

Origin of the ‘Queen never cry’ Meme

The meme traces its roots to the manhwa The Ki Sisters, a series available on Webtoons. In a particularly memorable panel, a mother displays a “resting bitch face,” sitting on a hospital bed as nurses present her with a crying newborn. Instead of comforting her daughter, she whispers the iconic phrase “Queen never cry” into her ear. Miraculously, the infant halts her tears, adopting her mother’s authoritative posture and demeanor, including a defiant cross of her arms.

The first recording of this panel’s internet circulation dates back to a Reddit post by user u/OriginalAlberto in the subreddit r/manhwa. Having stumbled upon the “ridiculous” image on Discord, he sought to uncover its origins.

[Looking For Sauce] Found this pic on Discord as a meme… by u/OriginalAlberto in manhwa

The ‘Queen never cry’ Panel Hits Viral Status

This panel truly captured public attention when it was shared on X. User @avecirru, known as Hakano, tweeted a screenshot of the baby, intriguingly remarking, “Someone needs to tell me the lore of this baby.” The post has since garnered over 12 million views, showcasing the meme’s widespread appeal.

Someone needs to tell me the lore of this baby pic.twitter.com/EHZgnqFAbc

— hakano (@avecirru) November 23, 2024

Following its success on X, the meme soon transitioned to TikTok, where users created videos inspired by the panel. A notable contribution came from user @fuyutits (also known as @yuriangel), who produced a video set to a remixed version of Nicki Minaj’s “So Special.” This TikTok has racked up over eight million views.

@fuyutits
Queen never CRY? my peakest edit yet #queennevercry. ..

♬ original sound – yuriangel

Additionally, creative TikTok users have merged this panel with other viral content, often pairing it with tracks from Charli XCX’s popular album, brat. For those unfamiliar with online trends, this combination might seem nonsensical, but it resonates deeply within meme culture.