What is the Bad Times trend?
The Bad Times trend is a TikTok format where someone has a staged argument with the person holding the phone, lip-syncing to "BAD TIMES" by Imael Angel: finger jabs at the lens, a hand up for "stop", a turn away, a lunge back. It took off with French creator @bouuhyachaka's kitchen take on 20 August 2026, spread to couples and pets, and since October runs as a CapCut template that makes a Bad Times trend video from one photo. On Bulin47Video.io the Bad Times AI video does the same in 14 seconds. Counts below were read on 27 October 2026.
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14 s · 9:16 · the Bad Times sound
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The effect
Add a photo and press the button. It usually takes 4 to 15 minutes; finished videos stay in My videos.
The Bad Times trend in one minute
Every Bad Times trend video tells the same small story. You are mid-argument with whoever is filming. You talk over them, jab both index fingers at the lens, put a palm up, roll your eyes, turn away with a hand on your hip and come back for the last word. The joke is how dramatic it gets over nothing. Nobody is really fighting; it is a lip-sync performance. Bad Times trend videos are vertical and filmed in one take, and most Bad Times trend posts keep the phone still at chest height.
The first big Bad Times trend post we found is @bouuhyachaka's 58-second take in her kitchen. Here it is, with credit:
What song is the Bad Times trend?
The sound is "BAD TIMES" by Imael Angel. The TikTok sound most posts use is a re-upload of that track titled "original sound - Music POWER", and the French creator captioned her first take "BAD TIMES - Imael Angel". Fan sites say the song came out on 30 March 2026; we found no first-hand source for the date, so treat it as their claim.
People often search "Bad Times AI song" because some fan pages argue the track was made with AI. We found no statement from the artist either way, so this post does not take a side. The Bad Times trend itself is not AI: the original versions are real people acting.
How the Bad Times trend grew, with dates
The Bad Times trend came in three waves: real people acting it out (couples, parents, friends), then pets doing the moves, then the CapCut template that turns one photo into the routine. The template wave is the one most people mean when they search "Bad Times trend AI".
| Date (2026) | Post | Plays on 27 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| 20 August | @bouuhyachaka, the kitchen take | 22.5 million |
| 30 August | Ben&Zara, "Super inspired by @BOUUH YACHAKA" | 45.3 million |
| 9 September | @bouuhyachaka, "Ça va barder!!" | 21.6 million |
| 22 September | @tillandsialover, a dog on its hind legs | 12.6 million |
| 1 October | @wgcaieeth3, first CapCut template post we found | 4.8 million |
| 25 October | @capcuts001, template post "Try it yourself" | 6.7 million |
Bad Times trend versions people make
- The couple version: two people make a Bad Times trend video at each other, one filming, one arguing, then they swap.
- The family version: a parent and an adult child take turns with Bad Times trend moves.
- The pet version: a dog or cat stands up and does a Bad Times trend argument, usually made with AI.
- The template version: one photo in CapCut or an AI tool, a Bad Times trend video out, often with a famous face (which TikTok rules can make risky).
Is the Bad Times trend the same as the angry dance?
Yes. From about 19 October some reposts started calling this Bad Times trend template the "Angry Dance filter", and a few use the tag #angrydancefilter. The moves, the length and the sound are identical. The older #angrydance tag is mostly unrelated videos from earlier years. We break the name down in the angry dance trend explained.
How to make a Bad Times trend video yourself
- Film it: prop the phone at chest height, pick the BAD TIMES sound in TikTok before recording, and act the argument in one take. It takes practice to hit the beats.
- CapCut template: open a template post on TikTok, tap the CapCut label and add one photo. The room and outfit usually come from the template.
- AI from one photo: the Bad Times AI video here draws you head to toe and re-shoots a template remix with your own face and clothes, 14 seconds with the sound on, 10 credits at 480p.
Before you post a Bad Times AI version
TikTok asks creators to label content that is "completely generated or significantly edited by AI", and does not allow AI content showing the likeness of anyone under 18 or of adult private figures without their permission (TikTok on AI-generated content). So use your own photo or one you have permission for, and turn on the AI-generated content setting before you post. Our guide on the TikTok AI-generated label has the taps.
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Questions people ask
Who started the Bad Times trend?
The earliest big post we found is by French creator @bouuhyachaka, filmed in her kitchen and posted on 20 August 2026. Ben&Zara’s version, which credits her, is the most played at 45.3 million (27 October 2026).
Bad Times trend meaning: what is it about?
Nothing deep: it is a comic, exaggerated argument with the camera, lip-synced to the song. The title "Bad Times" just fits the mood of a fight going badly.
Are Bad Times trend videos AI?
The Bad Times trend started with real people acting; the AI Bad Times videos came later, from CapCut templates and tools like the Bad Times AI video on this site.
How long is a Bad Times trend video?
The first Bad Times takes run close to a minute; Bad Times template posts run 14 to 36 seconds. The Bad Times AI video here is 14 seconds.
Where can I find Bad Times trend videos?
Search #badtimes or #badtimestrend on TikTok. #badtimes holds the original Bad Times takes and most Bad Times trend templates; #angrydance mostly does not.
Can I do the Bad Times trend with a friend?
Yes: friend and couple Bad Times trend videos are among the most played. Film each other in turn, or make one Bad Times AI video each and post them side by side.
Why are there so many dogs and cats in the Bad Times trend?
The moves read well on an animal standing up. A dog version from 22 September passed 12.6 million plays, and AI pet versions followed.
Can I make a Bad Times trend video without CapCut?
Yes. Film it yourself, or upload one photo to the Bad Times AI video page, which works in the browser. Each Google account gets a free 2-second preview first.