Definition & Meaning of "main character"in English

What is the origin and meaning of the phrase "main character"?

The slang term main character refers to a person who lives as though they are the star of their own story, embracing life with boldness, confidence, and a sense of self-importance or self-celebration. Rooted in literary and cinematic language where the main character is the central figure of a narrative, the phrase was adopted by Gen Z and popularized on social media platforms like TikTok in the late 2010s and early 2020s, often through videos and memes that romanticize everyday moments as if they were scenes in a movie. While it is generally used positively to encourage self-confidence and individuality, it can also be applied humorously or ironically to poke fun at people who appear overly self-focused or dramatic in their presentation of life.