Viral moments that defined 2025, from Labubus to Coldplay Kiss Cam

From memes to stunts, music to movies, 2025 was a year where the internet came together in laughter, awe and occasional disbelief.

Whether through unexpected spectacles, quirky challenges, or digital creativity, these eight moments defined a year when the online world proved once again that a single clip, hashtag, or event could capture the imagination of millions overnight.

The Studio Ghibli filter

An AI-rendered picture of Sam Altman using ChatGPT. Photo: ChatGPT

OpenAI’s update to ChatGPT’s image generation tools in 2025 allowed users to emulate Studio Ghibli’s animation style, sparking a viral trend across social media. Users posted Ghibli-style selfies, memes and creative videos, drawing attention from chief executive Sam Altman.

The trend also generated controversy as fans and artists criticised the use of copyrighted styles without permission, particularly when applied to dark or violent imagery. The debate highlighted ethical concerns around AI, copyright and creative livelihoods, while Studio Ghibli continued to emphasise the value of hand-drawn animation through screenings of classics such as Princess Mononoke.

Katy Perry in space

Katy Perry kissing the ground upon return to Earth after a flight on Blue Origin New Shepard NS-31. AFP

Pop star Katy Perry and five other women embarked on an all-female spaceflight aboard Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin rocket on April 14. The 11-minute suborbital flight carried them more than 100km above Earth, granting moments of weightlessness. The crew included Bezos’s wife Lauren Sanchez, CBS presenter Gayle King, former Nasa rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen and film producer Kerianne Flynn.

During the flight, Perry sang Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World. Upon landing, she kissed the ground and lifted a daisy to the sky, connecting the gesture to her daughter. The flight, fully autonomous, drew global attention and sparked debates about celebrity space tourism.

The Labubu boom

Labubu, the adorable character from Line Friends, was originally created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung as part of his “The Monsters” series.