IShowSpeed goes viral in China with new nickname, teases IRL stream in Japan

IShowSpeed has seen a meteoric rise in popularity in China, earning a unique nickname, "Hyperthyroidist," due to his animated expressions and high-energy demeanor. This name has gained popularity among Chinese internet users, enhancing his visibility on sites like Weibo and Bilibili. More than 45 million people have viewed his broadcasts from Shanghai alone, and a video of him trying a local dish has received another 19 million views.

Recognizing the influence of his presence, Speed has adopted the same nickname on Chinese social media platforms, allowing local fans to connect with him easily.

Speed danced with the most advanced robot in China. He also drove a flying car for the first time there. He was full of energy in the country.

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IShowSpeed's future travel plans: Japan and beyond

IShowSpeed’s exploration of Asia is far from over. Following his time in China and Hong Kong, he hinted at Mongolia as his next destination. More recently, a cryptic post from April 5 suggested Japan could be on his itinerary, with Speed simply writing:

“Japan after China??????? ?”

The streamer has visited the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and South Korea. He has also visited South America, the majority of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand as well.

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Mixed reactions to IShowSpeed's Hong Kong visit

Despite his growing success in China, IShowSpeed's visit to Hong Kong drew criticism from lawmakers and social media users. Critics say the city blew a big chance to show off its cool culture and amazing technology because no one planned anything.

Local YouTubers Torres Pit and Bertram Lau guided the influencer through a rather limited itinerary, which many felt failed to highlight Hong Kong’s most renowned attractions. Lawmaker Dominic Lee Tsz-king pointed out that Speed’s activities in Hong Kong were far less engaging compared to his time in Shenzhen, where he interacted with cutting-edge technology such as drone food deliveries and robotics.

By comparison, his tour of Hong Kong was much more modest—just sampling street food and partaking in that traditional ritual of fighting off villains in the streets.

Lee lamented the fact that Shenzhen, which made better use of Speed's worldwide reach, had a stronger promotional opportunity than Hong Kong. Although the Hong Kong Tourism Board acknowledged that it had extended an offer of support, the YouTuber's team did not formally request it. Some industry insiders contend that Speed's unscripted footage still succeeded in capturing the lively and genuine spirit of the city in spite of the criticism.

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With his upbeat demeanor and entertaining videos, YouTube sensation Darren "IShowSpeed" has been making waves in China and throughout Asia. Discussions about how cities and regions can leverage global influencers have been triggered by his recent travels, especially in China and Hong Kong.