YouTube has blown out its 20th candle this year. Twenty years. That's the age at which a model becomes a "youngtimer" in the automotive world, and the equivalent of the Mesozoic Era in the tech world. But if you thought that old diesel was going to die, you were wrong. YouTube in 2025 is not just a platform; it's a cultural dictate, determining what we eat, listen to, and talk about over coffee. Or in my case, over a glass of wine while I wonder why people watch other people watching other people. Welcome to 2025. This is YouTube 2025.
If someone had told me ten years ago that the word of the year 2024 would be “Brain rot", I would ask him if that's the name of the new Lotus model that doesn't start in the rain. But here we are. In 2025, pop culture is no longer made in studios in Los Angeles, but in the bedrooms of creators. This is the year when the boundaries between fiction and reality have finally been erasedThis is YouTube 2025.
Just look at the phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters. It's a TV series, but fans have taken the fictional band from the series, called HUNTR/X, as their own, as if it were a real band. They've been making fancams, analyzing their choreography, and streaming their music until it became a real hit. It's genius. It's like me drawing a car on a napkin and the internet convincing me that I can drive it.
And then there's Squid Game. Still. A series that proves that we humans enjoy dystopia, as long as it's in 4K. But what's truly fascinating is how the creators have expanded these worlds. Sketches, challenge recreations, and endless analysis have ensured that the original content is just fuel for the endless fire of user-generated content.
Gamers have become the new directors
If you were waiting for a big game from EA or Ubisoft this year, you're probably missing the point. The biggest gaming moments of 2025 won't come from corporations, but from platforms. RobloxGames like Grow a Garden and the ironically named Steal a Brainrot, dominated the conversations.
“Irony is dead. Long live meta-irony.”
It’s a fascinating shift. While the auto industry is investing billions in developing autonomous driving, which still doesn’t quite work, kids on Roblox have built their own economies and worlds that are more interesting than many a Hollywood blockbuster. And let’s not forget the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s finally here, and the internet is going crazy. It’s probably the only console that has less horsepower than my blender but offers more fun than a Ferrari in a traffic jam.
MrBeast: The Toyota Hilux of the Internet
If there's one constant in this chaos, it's MrBeast. He's been at the top of the list of top creators for the sixth year in a row. He's like the Toyota Hilux - indestructible, reliable and omnipresent. His ability to raise the bar of absurdity and production year after year is admirable.
But this year, he has new challengers breathing down his neck. IShowSpeed has pushed the boundaries of what's possible with his 24/7 live broadcasts. The guy travels the country, broadcasting every second of his life, and millions watch. It's a reality show with no script and no safety net. Then there's CoryxKenshin, who proved that audience loyalty counts more than passing trends - his fans literally snapped up his self-published manga series. That's the kind of brand power that BMW dreams of.
Music: When the algorithm dances – YouTube 2025
The music charts of 2025 are proof that nostalgia and K-Pop rule the world. “APT.”, a collaboration between ROSÉ and Bruno Mars, broke the record for the fastest K-Pop video to reach one billion views (1,000,000,000), finally dethroning the legendary “Gangnam Style.”
This is pop engineering at its finest. It’s infectious, polished, and optimized for short videos. The “Shorts” charts are dominated by fast-paced beats and viral cuts. If a song doesn’t grab your attention in the first three seconds, it doesn’t exist in 2025. Bruno Mars has clearly found the formula for enduring success, as he’s been featured everywhere, including with Lady Gaga on the smash hit “Die With A Smile.”
Top songs of the year...
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- Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga – Die With A Smile
- Rosé, Bruno Mars – APT.
- HUNTR/X (KPop Demon Hunters Cast) – Golden
- Saja Boys (KPop Demon Hunters Cast) – Soda Pop
- Saja Boys (KPop Demon Hunters Cast) – Your Idol
- Victor Valverde, Jr Torres – El Mayor de los Ranas
- HUNTR/X (KPop Demon Hunters Cast) – How It's Done
- Alex Warren – Ordinary
- Kendrick Lamar, SZA – Luther
- Kendrick Lamar – tv off
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Podcasts: New Television – YouTube 2025
While television is slowly dying a silent death in the corner of the living room, podcasts are flourishing. The Joe Rogan Experiencee remains at the top. People want long, unfiltered conversations. They want to hear opinions that haven't been filtered through ten PR filters. That's refreshing. Also on the list are Kill Tony, which brings back raw humor, and The Diary Of A CEO, which proves that we all want to be more productive, even if we're watching videos at 2 in the morning.
Conclusion: The Carousel That Never Stops – YouTube 2025
The year 2025 on YouTube was chaotic, loud, and visually oversaturated. It was the year when fictional K-Pop bands become real, when the word “Brainrot” became a legitimate entertainment category and when Bruno Mars proved he was still the coolest cat in town.
Is this high culture? Probably not. But it's damn fun. YouTube has become a mirror of our society - sometimes the picture is distorted, sometimes too bright, but never boring. And to be honest, in a world where everything seems to be going wrong, that's exactly what we need. A little escapism, a little laughter, and a sense that we're all part of the same, weird digital tribe.
To see where you stand in this story, check out your YouTube Recap. You might find that you've spent too much time this year watching someone restore a rusty tractor. And you know what? There's nothing wrong with that.
City Magazine editorial team recommends: Watch the winning video of the year and make sure you understand the “Brainrot” humor before showing it to your nephews. Trust me, you’ll need subtitles.
