Preved Medved is a cornerstone of Russian internet culture that originated in early 2006. It is based on a watercolor painting titled 'Bear Surprise' by American artist John Lurie, which depicts a bear startling a couple in the woods. The meme gained viral status when it was modified for the Russian 'Padonki' subculture, replacing the original surprise with the word 'ПРЕВЕД!'—an intentional misspelling of the Russian greeting 'Привет' (Privet). It became a symbol of early 2000s internet humor, used to signal a sudden or awkward arrival. While its popularity peaked decades ago, the bear remains a legendary mascot for the 'RuNet' and a precursor to modern viral image culture.