Epik Fail? No, it's EPIK AI. The Yearbook Trend Sweeping The Internet

If you’ve been scrolling through your social media feeds lately, you might have noticed a nostalgic trend sweeping the internet, it’s like everyone just went through their old photo albums and found their neato 90s yearbook photos. In this digital era, the latest craze is all about reliving your high school memories with a ’90s twist, the AI yearbook trend is thanks to the EPIK AI photo editor.

Nostalgia has been trending in South Korea for the past few years and got even stronger throughout the COVID period and it has been showcased through an onslaught of interest in traditional snacks, or retro snacks in original packaging. Retro arcades and Hanok cafes serving old-school traditional Korean food have seen huge interest, and more and more spaces are embracing what is being called the “newtro” trend – newtro (뉴트로) is “new” + “retro”. It’s no surprise that tech companies have jumped into the trend so it’s not just food and experiences, but now newtro has gone online.

Get ready to create your very own retro yearbook photos using the EPIK AI Photo Editor app:

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What is the AI Yearbook Trend?

The AI yearbook trend is taking social media by storm, with users sharing photos of themselves stylized to resemble ’90s high school yearbook pictures. Of course, I don’t think any of us ever looked this good. It’s like 90s yearbook meets Glamour Shots, which isn’t surprising as the trend has come out of South Korea where fixing up photos, even passport photos is done commonly.

These images do transport you back in time though, complete with ’90s hairstyles, outfits, and the iconic blue-grey backdrop that characterized yearbook photos of that time. I just wish I was really this cool back then.

Where did the yearbook trend start?

The app hails from South Korea-based Snow Corporation, a Naver subsidiary, which also makes the popular app Snow. EPIK released their AI Yearbook generator some time ago but it started to go viral globally in September, 2023 as more and more idols, actors, and stars have shared their own 90s throwbacks.

On the U.S. App Store, EPIK became the No. 1 download in October, 2023, though it’s not quite as popular on Google Play at No. 37. According to data from market intelligence firm Apptopia, EPIK has seen more than 90 million lifetime installs since its August 2021 debut. The trend seems to be gaining momentum so there’s no better time than now to try it yourself.

How to make the AI Yearbook Photos with EPIK App

To join the AI yearbook trend and create your own retro high school yearbook photos, the go-to app is EPIK – AI Photo Editor. Available for both iOS and Android devices, this app offers an AI yearbook feature that will have you reminiscing in no time… well there’s a little time.

How to get the trending yearbook photos step by step

Download the EPIK app from the App Store or Google Play.
Open the app and select the “Try AI Yearbook” option.
- You may have to wait a bit. Because the yearbook generator has gotten so popular so quickly, it seems they’re trying to keep up with the demand. The first few times I clicked on it, it said, “The AI Yearbook is being delayed as we are experiencing a rapid increase in users using the service. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please try again later.”
Upload 8 to 12 selfies and specify your gender.
Pay the in-app purchase cost, which can range from $5.99 to $9.99 according to the app’s listing.
Wait for the app to work its magic and generate your ’90s yearbook images. You’ll receive a notification when the photos are ready.

FYI: Privacy laws are pretty serious in South Korea. So if you’re wondering what happens to your photos, EPIK app ensures your uploaded photos are promptly deleted from their servers once your yearbook image is created, safeguarding your privacy.

How many photos do I get after paying?

The app provides 60 different photos for you to choose from and their grouped into different themes: Basic, Most Likely To Succeed, Most Intellectual, Most Musical, Most Athletic. What kind of student were you? Or, what kind of student did you want to be? See what you would have looked like if you’d made the basketball team or hit the books harder.

Composition Notebook collage, EPIK AI Yearbook Trend

The AI yearbook trend is a delightful blend of nostalgia and modern technology and I’m not surprised it has come from Korea which has been enjoying the newtro trend since at least the late 2010s. Relive your high school memories with a ’90s twist and a more glamourized version of yourself.

Whether you choose to use EPIK or explore other apps that will likely crop up with similar options, this trend is a fun and creative way to reminisce and share your ’90s-inspired yearbook images with friends and followers on social media. Embrace the nostalgia, and let your inner high school self shine through this AI-driven journey back in time.

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