The Hanmi Ilbo YouTube channel received the Silver Creator Award just 96 days after its launch. ⒸHanmi Ilbo

The Hanmi Ilbo YouTube channel has received the Silver Creator Award (Silver Button) upon reaching 100,000 subscribers.

Although the milestone of 100,000 subscribers was reached on November 11, 2025, the physical Silver Button trophy was only received on January 21 due to the time required for application and delivery procedures. 

100,000 Subscribers Achieved in 96 Days Since Channel Launch 

Today's Silver Button award is an achievement made by Hanmi Ilbo within four months of launching its YouTube channel. In a challenging domestic media landscape where the left-leaning media dominates, this accomplishment holds significant meaning, representing the fruitful outcome of the enthusiastic support from numerous patriotic, conservative right-leaning subscribers who thirst for accurate information. 

Hanmi Ilbo opened its YouTube channel on July 16, 2025, the founding anniversary of Hanmi Ilbo. However, consistent video uploads only began after the Hanmi Ilbo YouTube team was formed on August 8. 

Strictly speaking, Hanmi Ilbo YouTube achieved 100,000 subscribers in just 96 days, three months after its launch. 

To reach this point, Hanmi Ilbo YouTube has released prominent works such as: △Yoon Suk-yeol, Hong Jang-won "Caught Chinese Spy Ring" (November 30, 2025) △Is Jeong Cheong-rae related to JMS? (October 11, 2025) △Was the Insurrectionist Kwak Jong-geun? (November 5, 2025) △Gordon Chang "The culprit of South Korea's election fraud is Yang Jeong-cheol" (January 9, 2026).

In terms of Shorts videos, mega-hits include △Kwak Jong-geun's Confession (1.29 million views) and △Hong Jang-won's Surrender (1.05 million views). The segment on martial law where only soldiers were assaulted, paired with Ahn Gwi-ryeong's statement, was submitted as evidence in President Yoon Suk-yeol's trial, generating significant buzz. 

The YouTube video team stated, "All videos received consistent support, but the Kwak Jong-geun and Hong Jang-won series garnered the most attention," and added, "We are particularly proud of widely publicizing the scene where Hong Jang-won himself admitted to the arrest of the Seongnam spy ring as fact." 

Following the achievement of 100,000 subscribers, the Hanmi Ilbo YouTube channel continued its steady growth, reaching △110,000 subscribers on November 11, △120,000 subscribers on November 30, and △140,000 subscribers on December 14. On January 15, 2026, six months after its launch, it reached 150,000 subscribers. 

Currently, Hanmi Ilbo YouTube continues to gain subscribers, and viewership is also rapidly increasing. 

"We will create wonderful content full of creativity"

The YouTube Silver Creator Award, also known as the 'Silver Button,' is YouTube's official reward system that celebrates a channel's growth. Upon reaching 100,000 subscribers, YouTube's headquarters in the United States sends a physical trophy via international mail. 

The YouTube Silver Button is not merely about reaching a number; channels must also adhere to YouTube's policies and have no copyright violation warnings. Furthermore, there must be no fraudulent activities such as spam or fake subscribers. 

YouTube included the following congratulatory message with the trophy:

"Do you remember your first subscriber? The 100th, the 1000th? You probably do. From now on, you'll also remember your 100,000th subscriber.

Your fans may have found your channel while searching on YouTube, through a friend's recommendation, or on their recommended videos.

Although they arrived through various paths, the reason viewers stayed and their numbers steadily grew is thanks to your presence and the community you've built.

To commemorate your significant achievement of 100,000 subscribers, YouTube is awarding you the Silver Creator Award. Congratulations!

You undoubtedly have countless stories yet to share with your community. Fans, too, are eagerly anticipating more fantastic content filled with your dedication and creativity.

So, continue to nurture your community through consistent creative work. We have great expectations for your next steps and YouTube will provide its full support throughout that journey.

Perhaps you'll soon reach one million subscribers and be asked, 'Do you remember the 100,000th subscriber?' Thank you. Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube."

The Hanmi Ilbo YouTube team stated, "We will forever remember this letter from YouTube CEO Neal Mohan and promise our subscribers that we will do our utmost to produce even more wonderful content filled with dedication and creativity, so that the day of remembering the millionth subscriber may come." 

"Once again, we bow our heads in gratitude! To our subscribers. Please show a lot of love for Hanmi Ilbo YouTube! We ask for many subscriptions." 

Reporter Lim Yo-hee