Issue Focus

“Baby Shark” at 10: From YouTube Phenomenon to Global Cultural Icon

This article marks a milestone for Pinkfong Baby Shark, celebrating its 10th anniversary as

the most-viewed YouTube video in history—an exemplary case of how a Korean character IP can evolve

into a long-term, cross-platform global brand through digital-native storytelling, fan engagement,

and data-driven localization.

♦  Global Record: 16 Billion Views and 59 Months at No.1

      • “Pinkfong Baby Shark Dance” surpassed 16 billion views as of October, maintaining No.1 spot on

          YouTube’s global chart for 59 consecutive months

      • The Pinkfong Company notes achievement equals entire world population of 8 billion watching twice, 

          marking unprecedented single-video milestone

♦  K-Content’s Unprecedented Global Syndrome

      • Born in 2015 YouTube nursery rhyme series, Baby Shark expanded to 244 countries in 25 languages

          creating historic K-content global phenomenon

      • YouTube analyzes IP as exemplary case of creators connecting with global community through

          platform, growing into cultural icon

♦  Four Keys to Viral Success

      • YouTube cites success factors: global platform enabling rapid worldwide spread, repetitive melody with

          easy-to-follow gestures

      • Over 100,000 user-generated “#BabySharkChallenge” content pieces plus familyfriendly appeal drive

          sustained engagement across demographics

♦  Cross-Platform Entertainment Scaling

      • Baby Shark TV series and film earned three nominations at International Emmy Children & Family

          Awards last year

      • Soundtrack charted 20 consecutive weeks on Billboard Hot 100, surpassed 1 billion cumulative Spotify

          streams demonstrating music industry crossover

Source

Yonhap News Agency. (2025. 10. 14)

https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20251014063100005 (Korean version only)

YonhapNews TV. (2025. 10. 15)

https://v.daum.net/v/20251015060227234?f=p (in English)