Baby Shark star is unrecognizable 10 years after viral fame

Baby Shark star Park Geon-roung was unrecognizable as he sang and danced in a new social media clip announcing his upcoming K-pop debut on August 20, 10 years after he shot to fame thanks to his starring role in the smash-hit children’s video.

Park was just seven years old when he sang and danced in the Pinkfong company’s rendition of “Baby Shark”, a song with incredibly catchy lyrics about a shark family. The video is the most-viewed YouTube clip of all time, with 17 billion streams and counting.

The now-17-year-old will release his first single with Pinkfong, under the stage name Baby Shark Boy, as a homage to his roots. 

The song, titled “WAVE”, will drop on August 20 in South Korea and will feature K-pop singer Joohoney from the band Monsta X.

© Instagram/Baby Shark Official

Park’s major new move

Park shared a statement ahead of the single’s release, explaining: “I’ve always been grateful that people still remember a video I appeared in as a kid. Ten years ago I was dancing next to Baby Shark. Now, I wanted to share my own voice and a story I wrote myself.”

“I’m happy to start something new with the people who’ve remembered me all this time, and I want to keep showing how I grow from here,” he concluded.

Pinkfong also released a statement in support of Park’s debut. “Baby Shark Boy grew up alongside Baby Shark and built a special connection with fans around the world,” the company said. 

“This isn’t just about bringing back the boy from the video. It’s about him telling his own story, and we want to carry that new beginning forward authentically.”

His rise to fame explained

© Instagram

Park appeared in the “Baby Shark” video in 2016 alongside New Zealand-born Elaine Kim Johnston, with the song being recorded by then-10-year-old Korean singer Hope Segoine.

The tune stems from a popular camp song dating back to the 20^th century, and has been remastered on several occasions. After Baby Shark, Park went on to star in the K-pop kids group Play With Me Club, with the team making their debut in December 2020.

© Instagram

Park went viral in September 2025 after appearing in a social media video nine years on from his performance. “Please stop making me feel older,” one fan quipped, while another said: “They grow up so fast!” Another chimed in: “All grown up,” while a fourth added: “Wow, you grew up so much! You should be a K-pop idol!”

Baby Shark‘s legacy

Baby Shark was such a viral hit that it even spawned the 2023 film, Baby Shark’s Big Movie! The film starred Kimiko Glenn, Ashley Tisdale and Patrick Warburton.

© Getty Images for Bentonville Fil

“In Baby Shark’s Big Movie, Baby Shark is forced to leave the world he loves behind after his family’s move to the big city, and must adjust to his new life without his best friend, William,” the synopsis read.

“When Baby Shark encounters an evil pop starfish named Stariana who plans to steal his gift of song in order to dominate all underwater music, he must break her spell to restore harmony to the seas.”