Who is SAO? Japanese 'Salarywoman' goes viral after 'Good morning' X post — why people are pitting her against Sydney Sweeney

Time of India

30-07-2025

Every day proves that absolutely anything can go viral on the internet, and you're often left wondering why. In one such case, a Japanese woman named SAO, real name Saori Araki, has exploded online, and even she seems a little baffled by it. Known to many simply as 'Salarywoman,' a photo of SAO posted to X (formerly Twitter) has garnered over 75 million views, sparking admiration, memes, and even odd comparisons to American actress Sydney Sweeney.
SAO's viral photo that started it all
If you're someone who scrolls X regularly, you've likely seen the now-famous photo. Dressed in a fitted grey business suit over a crisp white shirt, SAO is seen holding a laptop in both hands while slightly puffing her cheeks, flashing an adorably serious expression. Her short hair is loosely tied back, and her bangs fall over her forehead.
The photo, posted on July 25 with the simple caption 'Good morning,' blew up instantly, amassing 75 million views, 228K likes, 16K reposts, and 2.5K comments. The look, the pose, and the vibe collectively sparked the internet's curiosity and affection.
おはよう☀️ pic.twitter.com/QsnlnJCynv
Who is SAO? Meet Saori Araki
After going unexpectedly viral, SAO introduced herself to her growing fanbase. She revealed that she currently works as an office lady, or 'OL,' in Japan and is also active as a model and actress.
She shared that she was formerly part of the J-pop idol group Tokyo Girls Bravo under the stage name Araki Saori before graduating from the group on February 28, 2025. Born on May 13, 1996, in Nagasaki, Japan, SAO has now turned her viral moment into an opportunity to connect more deeply with fans.
With her newfound fame, SAO's follower count has skyrocketed. She currently has over 199K followers on Instagram and counting. Her calm, polished appearance mixed with her modest and quirky personality has struck a chord with fans both in Japan and overseas.
SAO launches a YouTube channel after going viral
Riding the wave of sudden fame, SAO thanked her followers on Instagram, posting more images from the same photoshoot. She revealed that the viral image was originally taken for a corporate photoshoot with Takeda Design and Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
She then announced the launch of her official YouTube channel, which already has over 14.4K subscribers. In her first video—a Q&A format—she thanked fans for their support:
'Hello everyone, this is SAO. Thank you for watching this video. Over the past few weeks, my face has been spreading all over X worldwide. Thank you so much for that. So, I decided to start a YouTube channel. My first video will be Q&A-based. But if there's not much interest, I might just give up,' she said with a laugh.
The video has already crossed 115K views in less than 24 hours.
Why the Sydney Sweeney comparisons?
The internet, being the internet, couldn't resist making strange comparisons. SAO's photo began circulating in meme threads where users contrasted her image with that of Western celebrities, particularly Sydney Sweeney, who also went viral around the same time for her American Eagle Great Jeans ad campaign.
While there's no real connection between the two women, many of the memes followed a 'Which Way, Western Man?' format, suggesting SAO as a symbol of understated beauty and professionalism versus the flashier Western model stereotype. Some online users made comments implying that SAO, as an 'average Japanese salarywoman,' was more attractive or respectable than Hollywood figures like Sweeney, a discourse that, frankly, didn't need to happen.
You have to choose…Sidney Sweeney #Sidneysweeney Japanese Salary Woman Araki Saori pic.twitter.com/TNdgvMKs8k
From an innocent 'Good morning' post to internet stardom, SAO's sudden rise to fame is yet another reminder of how fast and random virality can be. While the Sydney Sweeney comparisons may be unnecessary, there's no denying that SAO's natural charm and authenticity have captured the attention of millions, and she's making the most of it, one post at a time.
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