BBC Dad Shares New Photos of His Kids Nine Years After Viral Interview
Prof. Robert Kelly, famously known as 'BBC Dad,' shared new photos of his children nine years after their viral TV interruption, showing how much they have grown.
Nine years have passed since little Marion opened a door, marched straight into a serious television interview, and turned into a global internet sensation within seconds. Now her father, Prof. Robert Kelly, widely known ever since as "BBC Dad," has published new photos of his children, reminding millions of users just how much has changed since that unforgettable moment.
In a post published this week on X, Kelly shared a few family moments from the recent period. "Some 'BBC Dad' content. It has been a while," he wrote. Alongside the photos, he updated: "James is now 10 and Marion is 13."
Life Goes On: Growing Up in the Spotlight
In one of the photos, Kelly and his two children are seen celebrating his birthday. Another picture shows him walking with James, who flashes a peace sign. A third photo features Marion, who, according to her father, "looks very grown up," while the fourth picture captures Kelly and his wife, Kim Jung-a, whom he playfully referred to as "BBC Mom."
The moment that made the family famous took place on March 10, 2017. Kelly, a political science professor at Pusan National University in South Korea, was being interviewed live on the BBC from his home about the political crisis in the country and the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.
Then the door behind him opened. Marion, then 4, bounced into the room while her father tried to keep answering questions as if nothing had happened. Seconds later, her brother James, then nine months old, rolled into the frame in a baby walker. Kelly gently tried to push his daughter away from the camera without cutting the interview, until his wife rushed in, scooped up both children, and hurried them out.
"We thought it was a disaster. We thought no television network would ever call us again," Kelly said after the video went viral.
From Panic to Global Relatability
For Kelly and his wife, the incident did not seem funny at first. They feared the broadcast blooper would ruin his television career. However, perspective shifted over time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the clip gained a new lease on life as remote work and video calls became the reality for millions of parents worldwide.
While the original BBC News YouTube video has amassed over 65 million views, Kelly continues to teach political science in South Korea. Looking back, he noted that losing anonymity took some getting used to, but ultimately expressed gratitude that their fifteen minutes of fame stemmed from a joyful, lighthearted moment.
