In a stunt that would derail the most seasoned travel blogger’s itinerary, a fictional teen influencer named Ethan Guo landed in Antarctica without permission, proving that followers will follow anything with a decent thumbnail.

Eyewitness penguins paused their ice-cream debates to watch the livestream, turning the expedition into a global marketing moment.

Antarctic authorities reminded everyone that landings require permits, especially when the online audience is larger than the station’s coffee budget, and hinted at arrest if the livestream continued.

The operation was pitched as a fundraiser for cancer research, with the influencer promising that every share would translate into a microdonation, because nothing motivates viewers like cold bragging rights and a leaderboard.

Critics noted that while fundraising is noble, an unpermitted landing in a research hub is not the best way to warm up public support for science.

Campaign organizers released a press kit calling the project a bold climate conscious stunt, while privately ordering extra ice packs to keep a crew from turning into decorative ice sculptures.

Scientists warned that the stunt could disrupt ongoing research and logistics, adding that the real danger is not frostbite but a frostbit of misinformation.

The incident sparked a debate about the ethics of influencer philanthropy, with some praising the reach and others insisting the continent deserves a permit and perhaps a moment of silence.

A spokesperson from expedition logistics said they were evaluating whether the funds could cover a permit, a security escort, and a refund on the influencer’s next flight.

The fundraiser reportedly raised a substantial sum, enough to buy branded hoodies, a drone, and a lifetime supply of relentlessly optimistic captions.

Meteorologists noted that the polar weather was mild compared to the weather in the comment sections, which they described as a perpetual blizzard of hot takes.

Online communities remain divided: some call the stunt marketing genius, others call it a cautionary tale about permits and screens.

The influencer posted a follow-up video claiming resilience and charity, and that the real takeaway is how quickly a simple idea snowballs into global conversation.

Analysts predict a wave of polar themed reality shows about responsible exploration, fundraising, and the occasional accidental landing.