Viral Hit episode 12 - A joyful season finale

Viral Hit episode 12 was the first season finale and premiered on June 27 in Japan. The episode capped off the season with plenty of reveals, twists, and almost unlimited joy after several episodes of tension and distrust. There is to be found beauty in ending on such a positive note after everything Hobin and crew have been through throughout the season.

From fighting Pakgo to Taehun and now the behemoth that is Mangi Hwang, Hobin Yu has gone from barely being able to slap Snapper in a fight to holding his own against serious professionals. The sheer amount of growth done in one season for all the main characters cannot be overstated, though the amount of joy may be sullied by what is to come.

Viral Hit episode 12: Joy to the world

Hobin's initial failures against Hwang

Viral Hit episode 12: Calf kick failure (Image via Okuruto Noboru)

Viral Hit episode 12 showcases the fight between Hwang and Hobin. As episode 11 theorized, it's the closest Hobin has come to dying, aside from when he fought Taehun. Like all the opponents Hobin has faced, Hwang has a significant height and weight advantage over Hobin.

This means any significant force Hobin brings to the table is nullified. Hobin's calf kicks do no damage, his overhand hooks are likewise useless, and the attempt at a baseball choke doesn't work, owing to Hwang's clothing not being long enough and Hobin being unable to lift him or get his arms easily around him.

Running away isn't an option either, as Hwang runs fast despite his size; according to Gaeul and Samdak, Korean Ssireum wrestlers like Hwang train by running 30km every day through the sand at full speed. Hobin eventually has to rely fully on what Taehun taught him, and even that only prolongs his living by mere seconds.

Viral Hit episode 12: Hwang's advantages (Image via Okuruto Noboru)

Hwang, meanwhile, can slam Hobin onto the asphalt easily and knock the wind out of him. Only a spinal tool keeps Hobin's back in place. As Hwang stated in Episode 11, throwing Hobin around is easy since he's soft like cotton candy. Viral Hit episode 12 shows Hwang's immense power, resulting in Hobin regretting his desire to fight and making some life choices along the way.

Taehun's training and backstory

Viral Hit episode 12: Taehun's backstory (Image via Okuruto Noboru)

A key reveal and part of Viral Hit episode 12 is Taehun's backstory and the training he had Hobin under. The sadistic Taekwondo user was moved by Hobin's words about how Taekwondo is the best and started training him immediately in the prior episode. The reason for this is revealed in Taehun's backstory.

Taehun was a champion at Taekwondo and came to his dojo to find it being used as a mathematics tutoring area for children. He was distraught by this, unphased by his sensei's protestations that nobody uses Taekwondo when MMA is popular and that he's losing money. Taehun declared he'd beat MMA fighters and that Taekwondo is the best and strongest martial art.

The results of Taehun's training in Viral Hit episode 12 (Image via Okuruto Noboru)

The present-day shows Taehun training Hobin after Hobin beat him. He showed Hobin how to run backward effectively and do his signature back-kick. He also showed how to aim it, which saves Hobin’s life. Hobin thinks Taehun has something up his sleeve since he’s being way too nice about training him, but the sadism never truly shows. This saves Hobin’s life.

Running backward helps create space, and the back-kick is supposed to hit the solar plexus, but Hobin’s kick hits Hwang directly in the groin. This stopped Hwang's charge and enraged him, so he wildly attempted to suplex Hobin down onto the asphalt.

Hwang's true self

Viral Hit episode 12: Hwang admits defeat and opens up (Image via Okuruto Noboru)

Just as it looked like it was curtains for Hobin, he pulled off one last desperation move. He grabbed at any part of Hwang that he could, which happened to be his hair. Viral Hit's well over 30k viewers stop commenting for this moment, as Hwang is revealed to be wearing a wig to hide a receding hairline, if not outright baldness.

He later opened up to Snapper and Hobin regarding his demeanor. It turns out he was always nervous about talking to women due to his size, becoming a wrestler mainly for recognition and for a girlfriend. Hwang's problem is that he wasn't recognized due to his weight class, and he took advice from pick-up artists' books. He was trying to help Bomi in episode 11 and didn't realize how creepy he was acting.

Viral Hit episode 12: Helping Hwang (Image via Okuruto Noboru)

Although Hwang said he'd quit being a NewTuber, Hobin and Snapper sympathized with him and got him to see that he's not alone. Hwang not only got a bunch of subscribers for his channel but became awash in people supporting him thanks to Hobin and Snapper recording their conversation. This is a far cry from how Hwang was perceived when he premiered in episode 9.

With the fight over, Viral Hit's livestream ends with nearly every character seen thus far watching the video. Everyone is now tuning in, from Bomi to Kim to Taehun and even Pakgo. It's a far cry from where Hobin started at the start of the series, and having Snapper and Gaeul help him has only made things better.

A joyous victory and life

Viral Hit Episode 12: Joy for Everyone (Image via Okuruto Noboru)

Hobin's life started horribly in episode 1: he was constantly bullied, barely made enough money to get by and support his mother, and had virtually no self-esteem or friends. As of Viral Hit episode 12, his life has completely turned around. He's got multiple friends, a sensei, a girlfriend, and a steady source of income that's helping him live life and support his mom.

The ending of Viral Hit episode 12 shows the joy that's come for everyone else. Bomi can relax knowing she's not getting stalked, Kim and Taehun are proud of Hobin, Snapper dreams of becoming a film director since his cut of the money is helping him, and Gaeul is no longer the outsider looking in.

Viral Hit Episode 12: Hobin's Joy (Image via Okuruto Noboru)

One last bit of happiness hits Hobin at the hospital: his mother has been fast-tracked for lifesaving surgery. While the cost of 2 million yen (or USD 12,449.46) is brought up, Hobin enthusiastically says that he'll get it. With Gaeul and Snapper by his side, he feels like he's the happiest he's ever been.

He may wish to enjoy that while it lasts, as the post-credits scene shows a very dreaded problem for any content creator. Any content creator who depends on their streaming or video content to make a living or extra money always fears the threat of demonetization. Where that leads will have to wait for a second season.

Final Thoughts: First season in review

Viral Hit episode 12: Pure joy and an ominous sign (Image via Okuruto Noboru)

Viral Hit has been an underrated gem of an anime for the spring 2024 season. It may not be as flashy or fantastical as hits like Kaiju No. 8 or Wind Breaker and others topping the charts, but that's a good thing. Every anime should be something different or at least present something that makes it unique.

With Viral Hit episode 12 marking the end of the first season, now would be a good time to read the manhwa. The anime stops at chapter 26 of the manhwa, which can be read for free on Webtoon. Fans highly recommend it, as this is where the story begins.

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As for the anime, it's a good look into content creation, fighting, and teaching legit techniques that can be used, provided proper training is followed. While both the pros and cons of content creation are shown off repeatedly, as well as fighting, the characters are the series' focus and develop throughout it.

The various morals are not to seek conflict, be smart when fighting, and avoid pitfalls like greed or hurting people for content's sake. The general "stop bullying" moral is also emphasized. There's plenty more to see and to come in Hobin and Viral Hit's adventures; a second season would do well to showcase this.