RBD formed in 2004 as the real-life pop group spun out of Televisa's teen telenovela Rebelde, which ran until 2006. The act became a major Latin pop phenomenon across Latin America, Spain and beyond, selling a generation on its school-uniform image, Spanish and Portuguese songs and stadium tours. After splitting in 2009, the group returned for the hugely successful Soy Rebelde Tour in 2023, renewing interest among original fans. Short clips tied to the name now circulate online as instant shorthand for that era and its fandom.