79-year-old Andras Istvan Arato, widely known as the face behind the meme "Hide The Pain Harold," has made his way to Singapore for the prestigious crypto event Token2049.
As a guest of the Web3-focused studio Memeland and the NFT community Arc at their event on September 17, Arato's presence is causing a stir.
His journey from stock image model to internet sensation is a story of unexpected fame and the curious evolution of viral culture.
Arato's viral status originated in 2011, when a series of stock images featuring him with a strained, yet enigmatic smile began circulating online.
The photos, initially intended for business and website use, were repurposed by meme creators who found humor in Arato's seemingly pained expression.
Arato explained in an interview with The Guardian,
“People overlaid text on my pictures, talking about their wives leaving them, or saying their identity had been stolen and their bank account emptied.”
His facial expression, which appeared to convey a struggle hidden behind a smile, became the perfect canvas for a variety of humorous and often poignant captions.
Rather than shying away from his newfound fame, Arato embraced it with enthusiasm.
He created a fan page to share his own content, which significantly expanded his visibility.
This exposure led to numerous commercial appearances and even a TED talk in 2019.
Arato reflected on the shift in his public persona, noting,
"I’m not actually a sad guy: I think I’m rather a happy one."
His self-deprecating humor and willingness to engage with his meme status have only increased his appeal.
At IntoTheARC x Memeland event held at Clifford Pier, Arato was a prominent figure among attendees, who eagerly seized the opportunity to capture rare photos with him, including several celebrities.
Instagram story posted by Taiwanese actor, Chen Bolin
Instagram story reposted by Arato, together with Jackie Chan’s son, Jaycee Chan, and Chen Bolin
Instagram story reposted by Arato, featuring the founders of the Arc – Elroy Cheo (back-left) and Singaporean Singer JJ Lin (front-right) – and founder of Memeland – Ray Chan (back-right)
This trip highlights the remarkable journey of a man who transitioned from an ordinary stock image model to a celebrated figure in the world of memes and beyond.
Token2049 is a premier global crypto conference that brings together industry leaders, investors, and innovators.
The event features a packed schedule of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops covering the latest trends and developments in the blockchain space.
Beyond the main conference, attendees can also participate in numerous side events that last for a week, including hackathons, meetups, and networking opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and explore potential collaborations.
‘IntoTheARC x Memeland’ is just one of the many high-profile events taking place.
It’s currently happening in Singapore from September 16-22, 2024.
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