Cryptic 140-year-long blank YouTube video sparks online speculation after going viral

A YouTube video consisting of a blank screen and no apparent sound has drawn widespread attention after going viral for its unusual length and lack of content.

Uploaded on January 5 by an account named “shinywr”, the video shows no imagery, movement or audio, yet has accumulated more than two million views. While minimalist or static videos are not uncommon on the platform, viewers have been drawn to this upload for a different reason: its listed duration of more than 140 years.

The video’s run time is displayed as “1,234,567:30:00”, a length that far exceeds a human lifespan. When played, however, the progress bar shows a duration of around 12 hours, adding to confusion over how the video has been formatted or uploaded. The title consists only of a question mark, offering no further explanation.

YouTube videos typically range from a few minutes to several hours, with extended loops and livestream archives occasionally running longer. Even so, the idea of a video that no single viewer could ever finish watching has prompted widespread discussion across social media platforms.

Speculation about the video’s purpose and origin has been fuelled by claims from some users that the account may have links to North Korea, though this has not been verified. 

Photo: X

Others have questioned how the video was surfaced by YouTube’s recommendation algorithm despite containing no visible or audible content.

Commenters have largely focused on the cultural impact the video may have over time rather than its technical details. One user wrote: “This is DEFINITELY the start of a conspiracy theory ppl are gonna randomly talk about 10 years later or something.” Another added: “This is gonna have some insane lore in 10 years.”

With little information available and no clarification from the uploader, the video has become a focal point for internet curiosity. For now, it remains an unexplained anomaly, watched by millions despite offering nothing to see or hear.