Park Geon-roung, the child star who gained global recognition for his role in the immensely popular "Baby Shark" music video, is embarking on a new career in K-pop. Now 17 years old, Park announced his upcoming music debut, marking a significant shift a decade after the video first catapulted him into the spotlight.
The Pinkfong Company, creators of the "Baby Shark" phenomenon, confirmed on Monday that Park's first single, titled "WAVE," is scheduled for release on August 20. He will be performing and releasing music under the stage name Baby Shark Boy.
A teaser for "WAVE" reportedly includes a snippet of the original "Baby Shark" tune. The preview shows Park dancing and playing basketball with friends, before transitioning to a scene in a shallow pool. The single is also set to feature Monsta X member Joohoney. Park's song incorporates lyrics in Korean, which translate to "I’m your boy."
Reflecting on his past, Park told Business Korea, "I’ve always been grateful that people still remember the video I was in as a child. Ten years ago I danced next to Baby Shark. Now I want people to hear my own voice and the story I wrote myself."
A spokesperson for The Pinkfong Company added to Korea Herald that this venture is about "him telling his own story, and we want to carry that new beginning forward authentically."
Following the release of "WAVE," a documentary titled "WAVE: A Boy's Record" is expected to offer a behind-the-scenes look at Park's journey since the "Baby Shark" video. The "Baby Shark" video remains the most-streamed on YouTube, with over 17 billion views.
Park, who was six years old when the "Baby Shark" video premiered, has grown significantly since then. He has maintained a presence on social media, amassing over 161,000 followers on Instagram. He has previously embraced his connection to the viral hit, sharing videos of himself recreating the dance moves and posing with "Baby Shark" imagery. In 2019, he was part of the children's group Play With Me Club, releasing three albums with them.
