Who is Japanese 'Salarywoman' Saori Araki SAO whose viral 'Good morning' photo got 8 crore views?

While Japan issued tsunami advisories last week, an unrelated social media post by a Japanese office worker unexpectedly captured global attention. A photo of Saori Araki, known online as SAO, went viral on X (formerly Twitter), amassing over 76 million views.

Saori Araki viral photo drew global attention

The photo, posted on July 24, 2025, shows SAO dressed in a fitted grey business suit and white shirt, holding a laptop with both hands. Her hair is loosely tied, with bangs falling over her forehead. The caption simply read: “Good morning.”

Since then, the post has generated millions of views and sparked global conversation, memes, and comparisons to American actress Sydney Sweeney.

Meet Saori Araki: The viral Japanese ‘Salarywoman’

Following the viral post, SAO introduced herself to her growing audience.

She revealed that she works in Japan as an office lady, commonly referred to as “OL,” and is also active as a model and actress. She further shared that she was previously a member of the J-pop idol group Tokyo Girls Bravo under the stage name Araki Saori. She graduated from the group on February 25, 2025.

SAO was born on May 13, 1996, in Nagasaki, Japan. After the sudden social media attention, she used the momentum to connect with fans via her YouTube channel.

Following her viral post, SAO’s Instagram follower count has surged past 224,000. Her rise reflects how quickly digital fame can occur.

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A post shared by 佐保里（SAO） (@kawausosuki0513)

"Forget the comparison with Sydney Sweeney; SAO's natural charm and authenticity are all she needs to captivate audiences worldwide."

SAO’s story shows how everyday moments can unexpectedly lead to widespread online recognition.