Clips of millennials behaving stereotypically are blowing up online as TikTokers edit them together in a new genre of intergenerational mockery.
Labeled "millennial core," these uploads feature back-to-back snippets of people displaying cliche and cringeworthy traits often associated with the generation. These range from using dated slang, pulling over-the-top faces, or speaking in an exaggerated, silly voice.
Each of the videos tends to follow the same style, jumping from clip to clip while the melancholy and reflective track "QKThr" by Aphex Twin plays in the background.
It's not clear when exactly the trend started, but in October there was a surge of videos following the format, with some racking up millions of views.
A TikToker who goes by @jimmycocoapuffs posted one of the most widespread videos in the genre on October 15.
The 30-second video stitched together various clips the creator thought embodied "millennial core." It featured a woman excitedly referring to Taylor Swift as a "smol girl," and another being extremely enthusiastic about her IHOP order.
@jimmycocoapuffs Istg they are a different breed of human #foryoupage #fyp #fypシ #millennial #cringe #human
♬ QKThr - Aphex Twin
The compilation received 3.5 million views, and over 7,000 comments, which largely discussed how cringe they found specific clips featured in the edit, and millennials in general, which is a reaction these videos typically receive.
Now the millennials are starting to clap back.
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In early November, a self-described millennial who goes by @mindingmytime posted a video where she introduced a variety of clips taken from these montages, interwoven with footage of herself appearing to mock the trend. She said people were obsessed with her generation but that she was flattered.
@mindingmytime Millenials walkmanned so Gen Z and Alpha can spotify. Millennial Core how is that a thing?! @mark @biancascaglione #millenialsoftiktok #millenialcringe #millenialcore #millennials #genalpha
♬ original sound - Erin Elise | UGC Content
The video received hundreds of comments, but many were pointing out that she had inadvertently created a "millennial core" video herself, due to the editing style and attitude in the video. She responded to various such comments, seemingly amused by the extremely meta turn of events.
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Millennials have become a particular focus of Gen Z comedy on TikTok in recent months, as the younger generation have analyzed and lambasted their particular traits, from their seeming obsession with skinny jeans and side-parts, to their self-deprecating humor.
Gen Z comedian Mark Gaetano has gone viral multiple times in the past for satirizing the generation, and on November 20 took part in the rising "core" trend by creating a compilation of his own millennial parodies. His video received 2.4 million views.
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Earlier this month, comedian and self-described "elder millennial" Iliza Shlesinger blew up on TikTok and received plenty of support when she called for Gen Z and her generation to unite.
Despite the positive response, the popularity of "millennial core" suggests we may still have a way to go before intergenerational harmony on TikTok reigns supreme.
