On March 24, 2025, renowned YouTube streamer Darren “IShowSpeed”embarked on his much-anticipated trip to China. As anticipated, his presence was recognized throughout every venue he visited. This journey has generated significant excitement on Bilibili, a prominent Chinese video-sharing and OTT platform that showcases a wide array of content.
Bilibili frequently highlights trending cultural phenomena within China, and IShowSpeed’s involvement has entwined itself into this digital landscape, ranking just below the popularity of the Chinese esports organization, Royal Never Give Up (RNG UP), celebrated for their League of Legends prowess.
Similar to YouTube, Bilibili encourages users to share videos, fostering interaction through a comment section. Creators on this platform can also earn revenue from advertisements and subscriptions, which enhances the creator economy in the region. It’s pertinent to note that Bilibili’s focus is heavily geared towards pop culture, catering mostly to a Chinese-speaking audience, making IShowSpeed’s feature on the platform particularly noteworthy.
The Surge of IShowSpeed in Bilibili’s Trending Rankings
According to translations from Chinese, the topic gaining traction on Bilibili regarding IShowSpeed revolves around his spirited encounter with Jackson Wang, a celebrated Hong Kong rapper, singer, and songwriter:
“Speed… vs Wang Jiaer”(Translated from Chinese using Google Translate)
To provide context, Speed and Jackson Wang engaged in a thrilling table tennis match about two hours into a six-hour live stream from Shanghai. The stakes of the match were escalated by a wager proposed by Wang:
“Make me a bet, three rounds of 11 points… I get to use your house for one day (‘Okay, and I get to use your house for one day’, said Speed) Uh, whatever you want to do to Shanghai I’ll take care of it (‘Okay bet, let’s go’).”
After an eventful 15-minute match characterized by several service faults, Speed ultimately fell short, with Jackson emerging victorious at 11-9. Following this competitive exchange, Speed showcased his agility with impressive backflips alongside Chinese acrobats and then shifted to basketball, demonstrating his skills in a sport he excels at. The day culminated with a traditional meal of Chinese noodles shared with Jackson Wang.
In a separate incident during his time in China, IShowSpeed addressed confrontations involving individuals who allegedly used a racial slur within his vicinity, showcasing his commitment to addressing social issues during his travels.