Mayahi
Original Korean title
마이야히
Mayahi is a Korean meme format that sets footage or a face to the 'ma ya hi' intro hook of Moldovan group O-Zone's 2003 hit, which went viral again in Korea in 2021.
Originated around 2021Last updated: August 4, 2026
What does it mean?
The meme uses the 'ma ya hi' opening hook from O-Zone's 2003 track 'Dragostea Din Tei,' set to edited footage or someone's face. It went viral in Korea in April 2021, and many of the parody videos targeted celebrities who were embroiled in controversy at the time.
Where did it start?
The Moldovan group O-Zone's 2003 release; the video-editing trend went viral in Korea in April 2021.
How is it used?
Good for exaggerating a situation with the catchy hook.
By context
- On public social media
- Context matters
- At work
- Context matters
- With family
- Context matters
- With friends
- Generally safe to use
What should I be careful about?
Often used to mock people caught up in controversy, so caution is needed depending on the target.