Youth Voices Triumph: ‘Just One Minute’ YouTube Channel Achieves Hall of Fame Status in Landmark Digital Literacy Awards
Seoul, South Korea – In a groundbreaking moment for digital education, the ‘Just One Minute’ YouTube channel has been inducted into the Digital Literacy Association’s Hall of Fame, marking a significant victory for youth-driven content selection. The announcement, made at the ‘2025 Best YouTube Channel Award Selected by Youth’ ceremony in Seoul, underscores a growing trend: young audiences are taking the lead in defining what constitutes valuable and engaging online learning.
The Power of Youth Selection: A New Era for YouTube Education
The Digital Literacy Association (DLA), led by Chairman Park Il-jun, has been championing a healthy digital content ecosystem for seven years through its annual ‘Best YouTube Channel Award.’ This year’s winners, chosen by a nationwide cohort of 3,960 students who participated in YouTube literacy training between March and December 2025, represent a diverse range of educational and entertainment channels. The selection process, based on criteria of ‘usefulness,’ ‘fun,’ and ethical considerations – including respect for human rights and cultural diversity – demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of what resonates with young viewers.
Top 10 Channels Recognized for Impactful Content
Alongside ‘Just One Minute,’ which secured its fifth consecutive win, the 2025 award recipients include: ootb STUDIO, Sweet Potato Head (‘What If’ YouTuber), Cultured Dumplings, Mimi Minu, Boda BODA, Secret Miscellaneous Knowledge, G Movie: G Movie, Knowledge Line Uplift, and This is Cosmos Swag. Each channel was lauded for its ability to blend knowledge, culture, and entertainment in a way that captivates and educates young audiences.
‘Just One Minute’ – A Five-Year Reign and a Hall of Fame First
Following in the footsteps of ‘Entrance Exam Deokhu,’ ‘Just One Minute’ is only the second channel to achieve Hall of Fame status. The channel’s creator expressed immense gratitude for the continued support of their youth viewers, promising to maintain the quality and relevance of their content. “Thanks to our youth viewers, we were able to graduate into the Hall of Fame,” they stated, emphasizing a commitment to meeting audience expectations with useful, everyday content.
Beyond Entertainment: The Educational Value of Award-Winning Channels
The winning channels aren’t just providing entertainment; they’re actively shaping young minds. Cultured Dumplings aims to make learning “difficult knowledge and liberal arts” enjoyable, while Mimi Minu hopes to empower teenagers to “grasp reality and grow into a better ‘me’.” Boda BODA leverages youth feedback to inspire its science and history storytelling, and Cosmos Swag is dedicated to creating long-lasting, accessible space science content. G Movie: G Movie, a four-time winner, acknowledged the responsibility that comes with consistent recognition.
Google & Ministry of Gender Equality Support Digital Literacy Initiatives
The awards ceremony, held at Google Startup Campus Seoul, highlighted the collaborative effort to foster digital literacy. Park Jeong-yeon, Head of YouTube Korea Marketing at Google Korea, emphasized YouTube’s commitment to creating a safe and healthy digital environment for young users. Kim Min-ah, Manager of the Youth Policy Division of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, announced plans to expand youth-led digital civic education programs nationwide, building on successful pilot programs. This signifies a national investment in equipping young people with the skills to navigate the digital world responsibly and critically.
The Future of Digital Literacy: A Youth-Centric Approach
The DLA’s initiative isn’t just about recognizing existing channels; it’s about fostering a new generation of digital content creators and consumers. The association is making data collection materials from the awards available for free on Google Books, encouraging educators to integrate these insights into their classrooms. As YouTube continues to evolve as a primary source of information and entertainment for young people, the emphasis on ethical content creation and responsible consumption will be crucial. The success of the ‘Best YouTube Channel Award Selected by Youth’ demonstrates that when young people are given a voice, they can powerfully shape the future of digital literacy.
This award isn’t simply a celebration of popular channels; it’s a testament to the power of youth agency in the digital age. As platforms like YouTube become increasingly integral to education and social development, empowering young people to curate and champion valuable content will be essential for building a more informed and engaged future.