Full Breakdown
Baby Shark Boy Launches K-Pop Debut with “Wave”
8/20/2026, 8:44:45 PM
Core Event: Debut Single “Wave” Released
On Thursday, August 20, Park Geonroung—known as “Baby Shark Boy”—issued his first digital K-pop single, “Wave,” featuring Joohoney of Monsta X. The track opens with the familiar “Baby Shark” melody before shifting into an electropop-dance arrangement.
Background & Context: From Viral Clip to Solo Artist
Park appeared in Pinkfong’s “Baby Shark Dance” video in 2016 when he was seven. The clip became the most-watched YouTube video of all time, spawning a global dance craze and extensive merchandise. Over the past decade, Park remained in the public eye through occasional appearances in Pinkfong productions, but his personal artistic output was limited to the original video. The new single is positioned as the start of a longer musical career, allowing him to move beyond the childhood clip that first made him famous.
Data & Statistics: Viewership and Cultural Reach
- The “Baby Shark Dance” video has surpassed 17 billion views on YouTube as of this year, according to the Pinkfong Company.
- By 2019 the song had reached No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart.
- The track has been used as a walk-up song by the Washington Nationals during their 2019 World Series run.
Official Statements & Responses
Pinkfong describes Park’s debut as a “real-life growth story” rather than a conventional idol launch, emphasizing the artist’s desire to develop his own style. In a press release, the company noted that Park contributed to the lyrics of “Wave” and that the choreography was reworked by Team Same, led by Choi Young-jun, who has previously choreographed for BTS, Seventeen and Twice. The company also announced plans for a behind-the-scenes documentary titled “WAVE: A Boy’s Record.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Two separate court decisions addressed a copyright claim over the “Baby Shark” melody.
- An August 2025 ruling by South Korea’s Supreme Court rejected a children’s songwriter’s claim, stating the arrangement was not sufficiently altered from the traditional chant to merit copyright protection.
- Earlier, a 2021 Seoul court dismissed the same claim on the basis that both versions derived from a long-running folk chant.
Sources differ on which court ultimately resolved the dispute and on the legal reasoning cited, leaving the precise judicial outcome unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “For me, the ‘Baby Shark Dance’ video is like the first wave that began 10 years ago,” — Baby Shark Boy
- “I grew up within that current and now stand at a new starting point as Baby Shark Boy. I put my desire to move toward a new wave into ‘WAVE,’ and I hope people will see who I am now through this song.” — Joohoney
- “I just remember having fun dancing and playing on what felt like a huge set,” — Geonroung Park
- “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,” — Geonroung Park
What’s Next
Pinkfong plans to release the documentary “WAVE: A Boy’s Record,” which will follow Park’s preparation for the single and his broader artistic development. The company is also exploring additional projects, including a potential Baby Shark feature film slated for release later this winter.
