This kind of audience aww has been a staple of studio television for decades, where a live crowd reacts together to something sweet, surprising or slightly disappointing. As short-form video grew, creators lifted that familiar reaction out of the studio and into edits, using it as shorthand for sympathy without needing dialogue. It spread because it is instantly recognisable and emotionally clear, and it remains popular on reaction videos, vlogs and comedy edits where a softer response works better than laughter or silence.