The viral moments that defined 2025

From memes to public mishaps, 2025 was a year of nonstop viral moments. However, the most viral moments of the year did not just rack up views online -- they drove public discourse, sparked debates and highlighted just how much online moments can shape real-world trends. Labubus Arguably the most famous viral trend of 2025, Chinese Labubu dolls took the world by storm. The plush toys were created by Hong Kong-born Belgian artist Kasing Lung based on figures from Nordic mythology. The collectables made toy company Pop Mart a billion-dollar business, as Labubus sold for up to thousands of dollars on the resale market, fuled by the many celebrities toting the keychains around in public. Emily Brough, the head of licensing at Pop Mart told ABC News that "recent Labubu drops have sold out within minutes -- both online and in-store," as long lines wrapping around malls. Markus Maciel, associate professor of toy design at Otis College, told ABC News that the vitality of the toy is...