Professor Robert Kelly, forever known as “BBC Dad,” has revealed that the famous 2017 interview that turned his family into an internet sensation brought in far less money than many people might imagine. Kelly was speaking live from his home on March 11, 2017, about the impeachment of South Korean President Park Geun-hye when his four-year-old daughter, Marion, confidently walked into the room. Moments later, his infant son James appeared in a walker, followed by his wife, Jung-a Kim, who rushed in to collect the children while Kelly tried to remain focused on camera. The clip became an instant viral sensation and has since accumulated about 65 million views on the BBC’s YouTube channel. Kelly later said the family did make some money, including from a Johnson & Johnson commercial and an end-of-year television appearance, while he also received more paid speaking opportunities.

Despite the worldwide attention, Kelly said most of the commercial opportunities that arrived after the clip went viral ultimately fell through. “Yes, we have made some money off the video, but not very much,” he explained, describing the earnings as more of a one-time windfall than a major change to the family’s finances. The unexpected fame did, however, follow Kelly into everyday life. He recalled that strangers regularly asked for photographs, and even a police officer in South Korea once stopped him to request a selfie. Kelly later wrote that he and his wife initially feared the interview had ended his career as a television commentator, but the opposite happened. The family returned for another BBC appearance in 2020, and Kelly recently shared updated photos showing Marion, now 13, and James, now 10. The post quickly attracted millions of views, prompting fans to marvel at how quickly the children had grown and joke that the family should recreate the unforgettable interview.