As YouTube marks its 20th year, two Korean videos have emerged as pivotal moments in the platform's history. The New York Times recently highlighted 18 iconic instances that have shaped YouTube's trajectory since its inception. Notable mentions included Jawed Karim's debut upload, Justin Bieber's breakthrough via the platform, and Conan O'Brien's mukbang segment, showcasing YouTube's vast cultural impact.

Among the featured videos, two Korean entries stood out. The first was Psy's "Gangnam Style" music video, which debuted in July 2012 and became the first YouTube video to surpass 1 billion views by year-end. The New York Times underscored the video's unprecedented success, with Psy expressing his astonishment at its global appeal. The second video, "Baby Shark," began its journey to worldwide recognition in November 2015, courtesy of Seoul-based company SmartStudy. A remixed version in June 2016 propelled the song to international fame, culminating in it becoming the most viewed video on YouTube by November 2020, a record it still holds.

Additionally, the article highlighted MrBeast, a prominent YouTuber known for his philanthropic videos, particularly his 'Squid Game' recreation that gained significant viewership in November 2021.

YouTube has evolved from a video-sharing platform to a cultural phenomenon that has reshaped global pop culture. The New York Times' retrospective feature on YouTube's 20th anniversary revisited key milestones that underscore the platform's transformative impact.