Is the Most Viewed YouTuber in the World Korean?... Who Is the Creator With 128 Million Subscribers?

[Financial News] Korean YouTuber KIMPRO has set a remarkable record by ranking first in '2025 annual views' among all YouTube channels worldwide.
According to YouTube analytics site PLAYBOARD and others on the 6th, KIMPRO's total views last year reached 77.533 billion. This figure is more than double the annual views of MrBeast, the American YouTuber with the most subscribers in the world, whose yearly views are about 38.1 billion.
KIMPRO expressed gratitude through a post on his YouTube channel the previous day, stating, "For the first time, the KIMPRO channel has achieved the number one spot in global annual views," and added, "Every moment is entirely thanks to all of you."
He went on to say, "In 2026, I will repay you with even better content," and added, "Thank you sincerely for always being with me."
Last April, KIMPRO made headlines by becoming the first in Korea to surpass 100 million subscribers.
KIMPRO, who previously worked as a concert planner, launched his YouTube channel in August 2022. Teaming up with his cousin and influencer Yubaekhap, he has grown the channel by focusing on Shorts content. KIMPRO continues to be highly active, presenting a variety of content such as memes, challenges, and skits. It is known that his overseas subscriber base exceeds his domestic following, with particular popularity among English-speaking and Asian audiences.
Currently, KIMPRO boasts about 128 million channel subscribers, ranking first in Korea and ninth globally.
The second most-subscribed channel in Korea is the official BLACKPINK YouTube channel (about 99.6 million subscribers), followed by the official BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) YouTube channel BANGTANTV (about 82 million subscribers). The rapid growth of an individual YouTube channel like KIMPRO's is considered highly unusual.
newssu@fnnews.com Kim Soo-yeon Reporter