December 31, 2023

December 30, 20239:39 AM ET
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@jazephua,@dollievision, @mrbeandamatematica/Screenshots by NPR

@jazephua,@dollievision, @mrbeandamatematica/Screenshots by NPR

TikTok in 2023 wasn’t just about girl dinners or cottage cheese inspo.
The annual roundup of the most popular content of 2023 is a testimony to the global appeal of the short-form video. They come from everywhere — like Sean the Sheepman’s sheepherding border collie in Scotland and Kirby Quimado cooking up breadrolls in the Philippines. And here’s another thing about TikToks: Even though there are plenty of serious-minded videos, the most popular ones are often goofy and in-your-face with earwormy music.
Of course there are exceptions to every TikTok rule. No creator got more eyeballs on a single video than Nydollie Deng with a simple but stunning makeup routine.
Here’s a sampling of the global TikToks that dominated in 2023.
Nyadollie Deng: viral makeup artist for women of colorThe most popular TikTok of..

December 31, 20237:16 AM ET
Enlarge this imageTen-month-old Ahmin Esas, who was born with clubfoot, shares a moment with his mother and brother in the family’s home near Battambang, Cambodia. As a single parent with limited means, his mother, Pho Sok overcame many challenges to ensure her son could receive the treatment he needed.

Tommy Trenchard for NPR

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Tommy Trenchard for NPR

Ten-month-old Ahmin Esas, who was born with clubfoot, shares a moment with his mother and brother in the family’s home near Battambang, Cambodia. As a single parent with limited means, his mother, Pho Sok overcame many challenges to ensure her son could receive the treatment he needed.

Tommy Trenchard for NPR

A ten-month-old girl, with a first flush of silky black hair and bathed in warm light, giggles as her cackling big brother gives her a hug. Her mother, Pho Sok, hoists the happy baby and beams at both children.
The little girl in this photo, taken near Battambang,..