From YouTube Phenomenon to K-Pop Debut: 'Baby Shark' Child Star Releases First Single

The child star of Baby Shark Dance, the most-watched video in YouTube history, has officially made his K-pop debut a decade after achieving global fame. Park Geonroung was just seven years old when he appeared in the vibrant 2016 video, showcasing the simple choreography that would eventually garner billions of views worldwide.

Now 17, Park has returned under the stage name Baby Shark Boy, releasing his debut K-pop digital single, Wave, with the support of The Pinkfong Company, the holder of the Baby Shark copyright. The new track also features Joohoney from the K-pop group Monsta X.

“Baby Shark Dance brought joy to people around the world, and I’m very grateful that so many people still remember me from 10 years ago,” Park shared with Reuters. “That made me want to come back and connect with people through music again.”

The new single includes a clear reference to the track that initially brought him fame. Wave begins with the familiar Baby Shark melody before shifting into an electropop style, with Park also contributing to the lyrics. He emphasized that the release marks the beginning of an extended career, stating that Wave feels like a fresh start rather than a one-time project.

Few viral hits have ever matched the scale of Baby Shark. Created by South Korean children's entertainment company Pinkfong and uploaded to YouTube in June 2016, the children's song sparked a global craze featuring a repetitive refrain and distinct hand movements. In November 2020, Baby Shark Dance surpassed Despacito by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee to claim the title of the most-viewed video in YouTube history, eventually exceeding 17.2 billion views.

The song's influence extended far beyond the internet platform, reaching the White House, where it was referenced by US President Donald Trump and Tesla chief executive Elon Musk. In 2019, the track was also added to the playlist at The Dubai Fountain in Downtown Dubai following a public online poll.