When life gets a bit too quiet for me, I turn to YouTube to give me some kind of white noise that I understand.
In the middle of my shift weeks ago, I didn’t realise I’d been scrolling through my YouTube homepage like it’s Twitter just looking for a “perfect” background noise while I wait for e-mail responses. Looking for something familiar, something I can feel and understand without watching.
My usual go-tos are Would I Lie To You, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Taskmaster, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Trevor Noah’s stand-up comedies, Ronny Chieng’s stand-up comedy, Roy Wood Jr’s stand-up comedy, 2 Days 1 Night, Sixth Sense, and Running Man. The last three are in Korean so it’s more, “If I hear the crew and the members laughing, I’d laugh as well.”
These past few weeks, however, my usual laughter-loaded white noise changed to a variety of genres: Sustainability, minimalism, buddhism, environmentalism, politics, and true crime.
Since I’m getting all these amazing contents anytime and anywhere for free, I thought I’d show my appreciation by sharing them on my online journal.
Therefore, here is a list of my favourite YouTube videos these past few years (in no particular order)
Comedy
Mitchellian rants and outbursts – David Mitchell on Would I Lie to You? I have specific WILTY scenes that I rewatch every now and then, but this compilation video of a mad David Mitchell had been my staple white noise for almost a year.
This show is chaotic! What I love about David Mitchell yelling is that he picks up on subtlest things and he uses the most interesting words when arguing. He’s very British.
I used to play this video in the morning before I start working just to prepare myself for the chaos at work. And it worked, I believe. At the very least, I got to tolerate the stress I was surrounded with.
“I’m Just Here To Sex It Up A Little” | Joe Wilkinson Best Bits | 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown
Joe Wilkinson’s comedy was very new to me, and I found it very bizarre. I used to hate him when I watch 8/10DC. I found him weird and absurd. I’ve never seen that type of comedy before. But after watching clips after clips, his humour grew on me. It came to a point where I can’t seem to watch 8/10DC without him in it.
Taskmaster – Series 6, Episode 10 | Full Episode | ‘He Was a Different Man’
One of my favourite tasks in Taskmaster is the one where they need to give or do something to show their love to the Taskmaster. For me, Asim Chaudhry’s original rap song was the best.
The tune is catchy, the lyrics are creative. I didn’t know Asim was a rapper! After hearing this song, I hoped he made it into a full song! I’d make a cover of it if it was.
Trevor Chats with His Grandma About Apartheid and Tours Her Home, “MTV Cribs”-Style | The Daily Show
It’s not a secret that I have a huge crush on Trevor Noah. Every now and again, I search for videos of his interviews and stand-ups just to adore him again and again.
Despite the number of videos I’ve come across, from his stand-ups to interviews, this is one of my favourite video of all time.
I read his book “Born A Crime” recently, and I loved how he told stories about his family in South Africa. In this video, I got a glimpse of how his relationship was with his Koko, and it’s heartwarming!
Korean Variety Shows
Do it. Trust me on it (2 Days & 1 Night Season 4) | KBS WORLD TV 201011
This is the reason why I decided to watch full episodes of 2D1N. I only knew one member: Junghoon, but I end up loving all of them after watching this!
This game was really hilarious and chaotic, my type of show. The wway Jongmin just surrendered to bathing in flour gets me everytime. And when Ravi laughs at the situation after realising he wasn’t catching much flour was so relatable. I love them!
I’m still heartbroken after what happened to Seonho, but I wish the best for him! (the best being Bang PDnim hehe)
[HOT CLIPS] [RUNNINGMAN] JONGKOOK’s perfect a capella and KWANGSOO…?🤣🤣 (ENG SUB)
I LMAO-ed (?). The confidence that Kwangsoo has is always fascinating to me. I love that kind of energy!
The way he sang “The Lion sings Tonight” with a straight face as if he’s performing for a tour of some sort even though it didn’t sound as well as Jungkook’s is the kind of spirit I need in my daily life, and this clip is my way of reminding myself of that.
[Try Not To Laugh] Mijoo is a genius at this game! 🤣 | Catch ‘Sixth Sense 2’ FREE on Viu.
I watched Sixth Sense because of Jessi’s showterview with Lee Sang Yeop. I thought it was a drama, and I was eager to see our Ssen Unnie acting. It turned out to be a variety show but I’m not mad.
It’s my first time seeing and knowing Mijoo, I was surprised of the amount of energy she has for an idol. I mean, of course idols are usually energetic on stage, but Mijoo… I have no words. Her variety self reminds me of my college self that I love so much.
I love this video in particular because of her interaction with Chae Jong Hyeop. They were total opposites. She asked him to close his eyes so she ca act crazy, but we all know she’d definitely be crazy.
Minimalism and Sustainability
Sustainable Minimalist Personal Care Items
Heal Your Living has been one of my go-to channels when I needed to destress. Youheum is very calming and eloquent, very compassionate. I feel like I’m talking to a friend.
It’s her videos that convinced me to be more mindful of my consumption and what I let into my life and body.
Guide to Slow Living | How To Live a More Simple Life
I’ve never heard of “Slow Living” until I came across her channel. I’ve always thought that “slow” is bad and inefficient. As someone who’ve chased adrenaline all her life, being calm and doing things slowly was never in my vocabulary. I was always after efficiency and quantity that I’ve never learned how to appreciate what really was happening.
This concept and video is life-changing for me, an dI’m grateful to have watched it in a time where everything seemed like a mess.
I Tried Zero-Waste Skincare For A Week
After watching Mother! on Netflix with my cousins, I had an environmental awakening. When Jennifer Lawrence killed herself and everyone in the house in the end, I realised that the Mother who helped raised us and our ancestors is slowly dying because of our careless actions.
The world we walk around in is not ours. We won’t be here forever. It would be painful for the future generation to not have the same quality of air and water we enjoyed as kids.
Now, I’m making extra efforts in reducing my wastes. While contemplating about my actions, I found out that my skincare creates a lot of wastes, and I’ve been researching on a more sustainable and environmental-friendly way of taking care of my skin. I was fortunate that this video came up!
I learned to keep a simple skin care routine, and look for products that has reusable or recyclable materials.
I’ve swapped most of my products now with lesser waste options, and I’m dedicated to sticking with it.
Contents are being created on a regular basis and I’d surely watch more fun and interesting videos in the future.
We’re fortunate enough to have a more convenient way of rewatching our favourite scenes from our favourite shows. YouTube feels like a time capsule that keeps all my precious memories all the way from when I was a toddler, and it definitely will be a treasure box filled with gems in the future as well.
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