This emoji doesn't just represent a hot place; it can also be used metaphorically to express an 'emotionally barren state' or a 'lonely situation.' For instance, it can be used when you're going through a difficult time.

In the West, it can symbolize a road trip or adventure, while in Eastern cultures, it's sometimes regarded as a place for spiritual discipline or hardship. Desert backgrounds are also common in K-pop music videos to create an exotic vibe, so it's used to convey a mysterious and dreamlike feeling.