Robert Kelly, an expert on Korea, gets a surprise visit from his children when being interviewed live on the BBC
The family behind one of the internet’s most memorable viral moments have shared a heartwarming update nine years later.
Robert E. Kelly was in the middle of a live cross with the BBC to discuss South Korean politics in 2017 when his children burst into his home office mid-interview.
Kellyappeared flustered as his 4-year-old daughter Marion entered the room dressed in a bright yellow jumper, performing a comical dance as she approached the screen.
He attempted to gently push the girl out of view when suddenly her 9-month-old brother James rolled in through the doorway in a walker.
Robert Kelly's live BBC interview was interrupted by his dancing toddler and baby. Photo / BBC, Facebook
Footage of the on-air blooper quickly went viral, racking up six million views in a single day.
Online users described the moment as hilarious and relatable, propelling the clip into YouTube’s top 10 trending videos of 2017 and turning the family into an overnight internet sensation.
Marion is almost as tall as her mother now, and that last pic is from 9 years ago, around the time of the BBC video.
Many people still tell us how much they enjoyed the video. How nice. We continue to be grateful for your kind words about our family.
Kelly took to X this week to mark nine years since the now-famous “BBC Dad” moment.
“Many people still tell us how much they enjoyed the video,” he wrote, adding: “How nice. We continue to be grateful for your kind words about our family”.
Kelly also shared that Marion is now 13 and James is nine, posting updated photos of the family.
Robert E Kelly and his daughter Marion nine years after their viral video. Photo / Robert E Kelly
“One of the best videos EVER. Every parent afterwards working from home felt this moment!” one commenter said.
Some social media users said they were stunned to realise the clip predated the Covid lockdowns, saying they had always assumed it was filmed during the work-from-home era.
Jung-a Kim and Marion from the 'BBC Dad' viral video. Photo / Robert E Kelly
“One of the greatest moments in television. You have a beautiful family,” another commenter said.
Others said the moment perfectly captured the chaos of parenting, with one commenter hoping Marion still “walks into rooms with that exact same energy”.
Robert E Kelly with his wife Jung-a Kim and their children Marion and James. Photo / Robert E Kelly
Some commenters suggested the family should recreate the viral blooper for its 10th anniversary next year.
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