Introduction:
A moment of unexpected distraction is on its way. On March 10, 2017, a short video of an interview with Professor Robert Kelly was released on the official BBC News YouTube page, and the unexpected events that unfolded during the live interview captured the attention of internet users, celebrities, and news networks. This led to the video going viral with over 32 million views on YouTube.
The Viral Video:
Story
The story begins with Robert Kelly, a political science professor at a South Korean university, dressed in a suit inside his study, conducting a live video interview with BBC. In what he described as the only time he forgot to lock the door to his study, an unforeseen incident occurs. His young daughter and son spontaneously join the live broadcast – Marion, his 4-year-old daughter, enters the room performing a quirky dance, followed by his 9-month-old son in a baby walker. It becomes a highly entertaining scene.
Robert says, “I saw Marion come in and stand behind me“
And then the last entrant
Jung-a Kim, Robert’s wife, who had been watching the interview on television, suddenly notices her daughter entering the room. She rushes to the room at full speed, and the story continues.
In an interview with The Guardian, Robert Kelly mentioned, “It’s a comedy of errors of a regular family, and I have nothing to say” He also added, “One minor mistake (not locking the door) turned my family into YouTube stars“
*Source: The Guardian report
After the Video Went Viral
In the hours and days following the video going viral, calls and emails from newsrooms and TV studios started pouring in. News agencies approached Robert’s parents in Cleveland, as well as his current and former students. The Ellen DeGeneres Show invited the family to appear on the program. Marion gained significant attention, with internet users comparing her innocence to the character Arthur and creating memes based on her.
About a week after the video’s release, the Kelly family appeared in front of the camera again, this time with James Menendez, the same host from the previous interview, to discuss the viral video. This video also reached 10 million views.
CBS News Coverage
When the video’s views on the Kelly family’s Facebook page reached 86 million, CBS News covered the story and highlighted some of the amusing reactions people had to the video, such as a father interrupting his son’s interview. This segment can be seen on CBS News.
*The video on Facebook of NEWSBEAT has around 103 million views(in 2024): [Click Here]
Controversy
Setting aside the original video, the aftermath is even more delightful. According to YouTube views:
If children interrupt a mother’s interview
A week later, the Juno and Ben channel on YouTube, known for creating humorous videos, released a film where a woman is conducting a live interview with the BBC, and her children enter the room, mimicking Professor Robert Kelly’s situation.
ELLEN SHOW appearance
The father from BBC featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Like many shows, Ellen DeGeneres broadcasted the video on her show and analyzed and commented on its highlights.
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
The Daily Show, hosted by Trevor Noah, is an award-winning program where the host discusses various issues. And now, about the father being interviewed by BBC…
Trevor Noah: It doesn’t matter how serious you are, kids can ruin that seriousness. A father is being interviewed by BBC, and his kids enter the room dancing, saying, “We’re going to the Ellen Show”…
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
And for the last video…
Reenactment of the scene on The Tonight Show
Jimmy Fallon has also recreated the viral video on his talk show.
* BBC interview interrupted(Jimmy Fallon)
6 Years Later
Viral ‘BBC dad’ tweets new family pics after six years
