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Journalism of Courage
YouTube sensation Darren Watkins Jr., better known as iShowSpeed, is currently in China as part of his live-streaming tour, and his visit has been making waves online. His energetic and immersive approach to exploring the country has not only captivated his massive audience of over 37 million subscribers but has also drawn praise from Chinese officials and state media. They see his visit as a sign of growing cultural exchange and mutual curiosity between the United States and China, even amid ongoing trade tensions.
The 20-year-old Ohio native has been live-streaming his experiences in Beijing and Shanghai, keeping viewers glued to their screens for hours. His six-hour-long streams, which have already racked up nearly 10 million views, showcase him embracing local culture—whether it’s attempting a backflip on the Great Wall, exploring the historic Forbidden City, sampling street food, or playing basketball and ping-pong with locals.
One of Speed’s most talked-about moments came when he decided to try his hand at Kung Fu. Sharing a clip from his stream on X, he fully committed to the experience, suiting up in a traditional martial arts uniform and even wearing a bald cap to resemble a Shaolin monk. What started as an enthusiastic lesson in Kung Fu stances quickly turned into a test of endurance, as instructors began breaking sticks over his body. True to his signature style, Speed powered through the pain, making his exaggerated expressions that fans love, fully immersing himself in the intense training.
The video has over 15 million views till now and people have taken to the comments to share their opinions on the video.
A user wrote, “somebody call the Shaolin monks, their centuries of training were pointless.” Another user commented, “Speed bringing the world together! Legend for what he does.”
A third person wrote, “It takes decades to learn it and bro think he learned it in a video.” A fourth individual quipped, “Lmao why is your head lookingg like Patrick from sponge bob ?!”
Before his trip to China, iShowSpeed had already taken his streaming adventures across the globe, touring Southeast Asia, South America, Europe, Australia, and India. Along the way, he’s even crossed paths with world leaders, including Albania’s prime minister. One of his most bizarre yet memorable moments happened in Peru, where, after meeting Lima’s mayor, Rafael López Aliaga, he was humorously given the title of the city’s temporary mayor.
His visit continues to generate viral moments, reinforcing his reputation for fearless, high-energy entertainment—no matter where in the world he goes.
