×2Comedy Instagram video that did 2× its author's usual
send this to someone with knees 💜
@duolingo · 5.1M followers
This creator normally gets 940K views. This one got 1.7M. That gap — not the raw number — is what makes the format worth copying.
The Duolingo owl character, Duo, lip-syncs to a Chinese song with English translations appearing on screen. The character's face changes expressions and applies makeup in sync with the lyrics.
Open original ↗Likes 155KComments 1.1KShares —
Why it worked
The video works because it leverages a popular brand mascot (Duolingo's Duo) in a humorous and unexpected way, combining a catchy song with relatable 'missing you' sentiments. The animation is simple yet expressive, and the on-screen translations make it accessible to a wider audience, encouraging engagement through shared humor and the brand's recognizable identity.
How to reproduce this format
More comedy hooks that worked
“Я: Хватит тратить деньги на всякую ерунду, надо экономить Я на следующий день:”×498126 its author's norm
“Don't give up on your dreams. The Rock is selling shampoo and conditioner and he's bald. Go for it.”×36546 its author's norm
“POV: the guy who had your work laptop before you”×22008 its author's norm
“C'était marrant aussi faut dire... 🤣😳🐂”×17740 its author's norm