2024: A year in viral moments

As we approach the end of the year, it’s time to think of what really brought us joy this year: memes. There’s plenty of choose from, so here’s a whistlestop tour of the past 12 months, as told by viral moments.

The Willy Wonka Experience

Some things are so bad, they’re good – although maybe only to the observer. A supposedly magical sweet event turned sour in Glasgow after a vastly over-promised and massively under-delivered Willy Wonka themed experience took the world by storm in February for being so comically terrible.

The Olympics

The Olympics blessed us with two outstanding viral moments this year – the most casual pistol shooter of all time, and Australian, erm… dancer, Raygun.

First up, Yusef Dikec, the Turkish shooting Olympian who took home the silver medal, with a cool stance and a hand in his pocket. In stark contrast, we look towards Australia’s Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn, who’s performance in the newly added breakdancing event had some saying she made a ‘mockery’ of the Australian breakdancing scene. Personally, I admire the guts to do it.

Very demure, very mindful

A satirical statement became a global sensation in August, after TikTok star Jools Lebron described their makeup look as “very demure, very mindful”. Out of nowhere, it was everywhere, with organisations such as NASA taking to social media to get involved with the trend.

Pepe the King Prawn

An old still frame from classic Muppets character Pepe the King Prawn finishes our  year in meme review – and it might be my favourite on the list. The picture, depicting a somewhat perturbed and frantic Pepe, is often accompanied by a story that has multiple twists and turns, and leaves you reading with your mouth slightly open, looking like… well, Pepe.

Moo Deng

You may not know the name, but you’ve definitely seen this wonderful hellraiser online. A very cute and slightly naughty baby hippo named Moo Deng took the world by storm – and rightly so.

Pesto

In my eyes, a direct competitor to Moo Deng was Pesto – a newborn penguin that can only be described as an ‘absolute unit’.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas, and a safe and happy 2025!

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