Sleeper YouTube Video Becomes Most Watched Video of All Time 20 Years Later

YouTube, the world’s largest video-sharing platform, has a new king of viral videos: a 4-second clip of a kid getting hit in the head with a barrel. The video, titled “Kid gets hit in head with a barrel!”, was uploaded in 2003 by an unknown user and had less than 5,000 views until last week, when it suddenly exploded in popularity and reached over 10 billion views, surpassing the previous record holder, “Despacito”.

The video captures a young child sprinting next to a slide at a park as a girl on top of the slide lets go of a yellow metal barrel that rolls down and barely hits the boy, making him fall. A woman’s scream of worry is heard and the video ends suddenly, but the boy seems unhurt.

The video’s sudden rise to fame has baffled both YouTube users and experts, who have no clue why it became so popular. Some people suspect that changes to the YouTube algorithm accidentally had it suggesting this video more than it was supposed to be, but Google has made no official comment on this theory. Others believe that the video’s simplicity and randomness appeal to the modern audience, who are tired of overproduced and scripted content.

The video’s creator, who goes by the username “jeannaa”, has not been identified or contacted by anyone. She has not uploaded any other videos or posted any comments since 2003. Her channel has gained over 100 million subscribers in the past week, making her one of the most influential YouTube stars of all time.

The video has also spawned countless memes, remixes, parodies, and reactions, as well as merchandise, fan art, and even a movie deal. The video has been praised by celebrities, politicians, and world leaders, who have called it “a masterpiece of comedy”, “a symbol of hope”, and “a reflection of our times”.

The kid in the video, who is now in his late 20s, has not been located or interviewed by anyone. He has not confirmed or denied his identity or involvement in the video. He has not responded to any of the messages, comments, or requests that he has received from millions of fans and admirers. He has not expressed any opinion or emotion about the video or its impact on his life.

He has not watched the video since 2003.