The World & Culture of Reaction Videos

2021 is the year of watching reaction videos for me. Fun fact: that's how I got into Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS). 2020 is the year of gamers, but that's for another post. I have watched enough videos to kind of understand the world of video reactions, or I would like to call it "Reaction Culture". 

There's a fun side in the world of reaction videos, but of course, there's also a dark side. For today, I'll be talking about all my observations, thoughts, and experiences as a viewer that has dove into countless reaction videos since God knows when.

WHY DO PEOPLE LOVE REACTION VIDEOS?

Looking back on how I started getting into reaction videos, it's mainly because of seeing how people would react to certain videos, events, music, or people. But sooner or later, it's not just their facial expressions but also their thoughts. What makes it really addictive is watching people from different walks of life and hearing their honest thoughts.

Like for example, a vocal coach reacting to your favorite song or artist. You get to hear an expert give their thoughts about their vocals. Another example would be "Grandparents reacting to K-Pop". I mean, the title itself may pique your interest. What do the old generations think of K-pop nowadays? 

You get to hear insights, perspectives, and interpretations you've never thought of before especially from experts. I watched a video editor react to one of my favorite music videos that actually has a lot of symbolism and result in a lot of fan theories. He gave interpretations of certain shots that I've never thought of before. It's kind of cool.

Another reason I think people like watching reaction videos is it's like you're watching with friends. With or without the pandemic, you get this sense of relatability especially when they react with the expected emotions you felt the first time you saw the video.

When you're proud or passionate about something, hearing people's reactions gives a sense of pride. You can't help but relive the same feeling and feel happy that someone feels the same way too.

These are the reasons I thought of based on my experience. When I was gathering my thoughts on this, I also did some research and what I found confirms what I just mentioned.

The Science Behind the Reason Why People Love Reaction Videos

“Mirror neurons are neurons that are active both when someone makes an action (like grasping a cup) as well as when someone sees someone make the same action… Mirror neurons may enable us to automatically simulate other people’s experiences. Thus when we see someone doing an action that is joyful (like rocking out to music), we might share the joy they experience because we know what it feels like to rock out to music ourselves.” – Lisa Aziz-Zadeh, Associate Professor at the Brain and Creativity Institute at USC says in this Complex Article.

In simple terms, we have these Mirror neurons in our brain that actually help us feel empathy. When we watch someone, a reaction video, or even a movie, seeing someone do something or express an emotion, we feel it too. Even though we haven't completely experienced what they experience, we get the idea of it. For example, when we watch gamers play a horror game on Youtube, even though you haven't even played a game, watching the gamer's scared reaction makes you feel scared well. You still understand. It's all about emotions.

You can read more about it in the articles I linked down below.

GOOD REACTORS

When you are their constant viewers, you build this sort of bond or friendship with the people behind the reaction channel. I have with most of the channels I watched. 

Here are some of the Youtube channels that I think are genuine and worth subscribing to:

1. FBE/REACT

I'd like to say they were the OGs of the Youtube Reacts world. Looking back to the first reaction that I've ever watched, it's surely from this channel. The Fine Brothers, containing Benny Fine and Rafi Fine, created a channel where they get a group of people from different generations and occupations to react to certain videos or topics like TikTok, Music, Music videos commercials, events, etc. They don't only get kids, and Youtubers but even celebrities as well. They started early 2000's and are still going.

What's lovable about this channel is how they select which group of people, what content they should react to, and how much research they did. Kudos to them. They not only educate the reactors but also the viewers. At the end of each reaction video, they always ask thought-provoking questions that result in insightful answers from the reactors. This becomes a catalyst to a conversation in their comments section. 

2. WhatchaGot2Say

Ok, this is more for my fellow ARMYs (BTS fans) out there. I fell deeper into the rabbit hole of Youtube Reaction videos because of these guys. Out of all the channels that react to the biggest boy band in the world, this channel, containing Nico, Mika, AJ, and Blaze, is the most genuine of them all. You can say they are actual music and dance enthusiasts...that turn into BTS enthusiasts.

They started reacting to BTS not knowing who they were. Just as they continue watching more videos, they gradually but surely became certified ARMY. Four (4) grown adults showcase such genuine emotions in every single video. They can go crazy at times, but they're truly passionate. It's really hard not to like them. 

3. ZiahTV

ZiahTV is a new channel, created just this year 2021. Two men, Ziah and Shiz, who are also music and hip-hop enthusiasts, not only react to music videos but also give their interpretations and deep analysis to the lyrics. It's very different from the usual reaction template out there on Youtube. They truly take the time to dive deep into the lyrics and give us their interpretations. 

They're a very chill pair of dudes, but really passionate when it comes to music. What's also great about them is how they interact with their viewers. They're very considerate, humble, and empathetic.

4. Waleska Herrera

Waleska and her brother Efra, are Latin siblings, who are not only another pair of music enthusiasts but are artists as well. They don't just react to mainstream artists, but artists from all over the world like the Philippines, and India. It doesn't matter if they're famous or not. They just want to hear, interact and connect with like-minded musicians.

The best thing about them is they understand and are truly passionate about the art of music and vocals. They have always asked fellow artists out there if they want to be featured in their podcast called Feature Friday, they can reach out to them with no fees whatsoever. There's no catch. As they grow as a channel, they got to interview really famous artists and musicians like Gary Valenciano (Philippines), Inigo Pascual (PH), and a lot more (even the drummer of BTS).

The duo is really fun to listen to with their witty sense of humor, interesting stories, and lively energy. 

5. Tristan Paredes

Tristan is one of the many vocal coach reactors on Youtube, but I find him to be likable, genuine, and fun to learn from. He reacts to not only vocals of famous artists, but also fellow talented Youtubers as well like James Charles. He even gave a one-day vocal coaching session with him. 

He doesn't only react to videos, but educate us on the technical side of singing that not a lot of us regulars would think about. It gives us more appreciation for singing as an art and to all singers.

6. React to the K

We've got reactors who are from different generations, who are music enthusiasts, and who are vocal coaches. As I swim deep into the ocean of Youtube reaction videos, I found Classical musicians called React to the K. 

If we have Tristan who explains the technical side of singing, we have "React to the K" who is a group of young classical musicians who explains the technical side of music. As they listen and watch music videos, you get to hear their side comments like what minors or majors the song is playing. If you're not a musician yourself, it's hard to follow, but it's fascinating to watch and hear them speak passionately of the music's instruments and melody that they hear.

Call them music nerds but that's what's so likable about them. As you listen to their comments, you start to hear music differently. You hear the wind instruments or string instruments more that you never noticed before. We always hear our songs as a whole, but not in detail or in-depth. React to the K does that.

7. Jordan Orme

This guy was recommended by a fellow filmmaker, and I'm so happy that he did. I began my filmmaking journey because I wanted to be an editor, so it was easy for me to be drawn to Jordan Orme. He's a professional editor who worked on music videos of Justin Bieber, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch, and many more. What's great about him is not only his expertise but for his ecstatic personality. I'm sure you see a pattern here. Successful channels all boil down to a good personality.

As an editor, he gets to see reasons why certain shots are chosen and why they're stitched together that way. If you're a filmmaker, he's great at interpreting music videos from symbolisms to the meaning of camera movements. The best part about him also is he explains how certain transitions or effects are done in the music videos he reacts to. It's obvious how passionate he is because whenever he sees something that he hasn't seen before, he jumps out of his seat and starts explaining to us with so much clarity and ferocity. 

EXTRA INCOME & EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

In this growing Youtube phenomenon, the channels take this opportunity not only to gain a following or a community but to earn from it as well. Sometimes it is difficult for them to upload content because some videos or audios they react to may give them copyright issues, even to the point of getting blocked. 

Another way to fix that problem is by creating their own Patreon account (or other similar websites). It's not only to post videos they can't upload on Youtube but to also earn extra income. They strategically plan certain videos that are exclusive for people who are subscribed to their Patreon. When you are close with your viewers, the same way you admire a Youtube influencer, you'll be willing to support them not only through likes, comments, and shares but also monetarily. 

It's not a bad thing. If you create Youtube videos for a living, it's understandable. What makes it work is how they interact with their viewers; not only in the Youtube comments but even in their connected social media platforms like Instagram. The closer and more genuine they are to their viewers, the more trustworthy they are.

DARKSIDE OF REACTION CULTURE

It's crazy to find the number of reaction channels on Youtube. With the influx of videos, it's fun to discover different people with different perspectives. Although, there's a dark side to that.

After hunting for more channels, for more people, to watch their reactions, you'll get a sense of who among them are genuine or not. There's a lot out there who are just doing it for clout or for views. You can tell judging by their behavior, the effort and research they put into their videos, and if they sincerely listen and interact with their viewers.

It's not all flowers and rainbows. Some channels truly aim to be honest and show their first impressions, hence, the lack of research. It's not a bad thing. It's how they react that may throw you off. They can be too judgmental, holding some prejudices without keeping an open mind. There's a proper way in expressing your dislike or to criticize something or someone in a respectful manner. There's a huge difference between saying "Sorry guys, I don't like it. It's not my taste" and "I don't get why you guys like this sh*t"

I'm saying this because these reactors need to understand that this affects the number of viewers and subscribers they're going to receive and going to lose. This also goes for the viewers. Once you find these kinds of reactors, don't subscribe and stop watching their content. You don't need that negativity in your life.

"I KNOW RIGHT?"

This may be the internal dialogue that goes through your mind when you watch reaction videos. You find this instant connection when they express positively but become slightly disappointed when they express negatively. You're not only connecting with the channel but the viewers as well in the comments section. You empathize with all of them. From deep analysis to the lyrics to how a singer reached their current vocal range, you also get to learn a thing or two.

It's almost like finding your tribe. As mentioned in the scientific studies, you're connecting. As we yearn for these emotions and as more videos upload on the internet, reaction videos are here to stay.

What are your thoughts on the Reaction culture? Leave a comment down below.

Sources:

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/04/the-science-behind-the-insane-popularity-of-react-videos-on-youtube/

https://tech-ish.com/2020/02/20/why-people-love-react-videos/