The internet erupts in finger hearts as the 'Barbie' press run kicks off in Seoul

This Barbie is ready for July 21.
 By 
Chase DiBenedetto
 on 
Margot Robbie, Greta Gerwig, and America Ferrera stand on stage in front of a giant Barbie Dream House.
The 'Barbie' cast is welcomed on its international press run ahead of its big blockbuster moment. Credit: Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images

It's almost time, folks! Sound the alarms! Barbie hits theaters in less than three weeks!

As the entire world preps their pink looks and finalizes their Barbie / Oppenheimer ("Barbenheimer") viewing plans, the Barbie cast is on a whirlwind international press run, complete with archival fashion, red carpet reveals, giant Barbie Dream Houses, and cast moments that have solidified Barbie's hold on the current digital moment.

On July 3, director Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie and America Ferrera helmed the movie's first international premiere in Seoul, South Korea — a brilliantly bedazzled start to what will surely be the internet's most followed press tour of the year.


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Barbie looks straight from her closet

Barbie's iconic fashion repertoire is as much a character in film as Barbie herself, and Robbie enthusiastically donned the doll's rose-colored glasses, popping up in custom pink looks and historic recreations for a slew of magazine covers, interviews, and official photocalls. She pulled out all the stops for her run in South Korea as well, appearing in a powdery pink ensemble complete with heart sunglasses just for her quick walk through the airport.

Twitter couldn't get enough of Robbie's pink carpet look for the Seoul premiere, either – a near perfect Versace recreation of the 1985 "Day-to-Night" Barbie doll, complete with a retro cell phone, neck scarf, and quick-change tulle skirt.

Margot Robbie holds up a bedazzled pink brick cell phone on the red carpet.
Credit: Jung Yeon-je / AFP

It's a Barbie birthday party

It was a big night for both Barbie and her portrayer, as Robbie was treated with a surprise birthday celebration on stage in front of a giant Barbie Dream House.

Robbie smiles as she is handed a pink birthday cake.
Credit: Han Myung-Gu / WireImage
Robbie, full of emotion, stands on stage next to the cast as a host sings.
Credit: Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images

Cheek hearts for everyone

Barbie cast and crew embraced the cute on the carpet with some signature cheek hearts thrown at the press and fans.

Robbie and Ferrera pose with their hands on their cheeks.
Credit: Han Myung-Gu / WireImage

Barbie poses with finger hearts, obviously

And fans were ecstatic to see the iconic finger heart making an appearance before and after the premiere as well. (The sweet gesture is popular among K-pop idols and Korean celebrities.) To set the record straight: Barbie isn't actually a new convert to the modern version of the peace sign. Mattel dropped in a subtle nod to the popular cute gesture in an animated Barbie vlog all the way back in 2019. Finger hearts are canon.

Robbie holds her finger and thumb in a heart shape on stage.
Credit: Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images
Ferrera, Robbie, and Gerwig hold their fingers and thumbs in a heart shape.
Credit: Han Myung-Gu / WireImage
Ferrera holds up her finger and thumb in a heart shape.
Credit: Han Myung-Gu / WireImage

With all the glitz, glamor, and aegyo out of the way, the post-premiere discussion had only one question left unanswered: When is Ryan Gosling joining the fun?!

Topics Film X/Twitter

Chase sits in front of a green framed window, wearing a cheetah print shirt and looking to her right. On the window's glass pane reads "Ricas's Tostadas" in red lettering.
Chase DiBenedetto
Social Good Reporter

Chase joined Mashable's Social Good team in 2020, covering online stories about digital activism, climate justice, accessibility, and media representation. Her work also captures how these conversations manifest in politics, popular culture, and fandom. Sometimes she's very funny.

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