If you’ve been in Kpop the past year, you will know there is a certain song that is a particular favorite of idols themselves. Forget the “Gwiyomi Song” or “Oppa-Ya,” the “Baby Shark” is the newest craze to show off idols’ fun personalities and aegyo skills.
In fact, the “Baby Shark” song has now gone viral and racked up an astounding 1.5 billion views on YouTube! International news source BBC said that the song has been recent hot topic around their office. “Who is baby shark and where did it come from?” they wondered, “More importantly, why has this baby shark gone viral?” Their ultimate conclusion? It’s all thanks to Kpop!
After doing some research, BBC found that the “Baby Shark” song seems to have been around a while. However, it wasn’t until a South Korean company called Pinkfong! produced a new version that it started making the rounds in Southeast Asia.
The cute lyrics, accompanied with the dance moves, seem to be what made it popular with kids, but it wasn’t until Kpop idols adopted the song too that it truly became known all over the world.
Although BBC stated that idols began to do this song at their concerts, we also know that it was on shows like popular variety shows like “Weekly Idol” where idols first started showing off their interpretive or funny dances to the “Baby Shark” song. Groups like MAMAMOO were especially memorable at performing it and the clips of their “sexy shark” version and “greasy shark” version quickly made the rounds among international scenes, thus spreading the song even more.
The idea that idols were responsible for the success of the song wasn’t just supposition, however. In fact, BBC got in touch with the company Pinkfong! who said they believe most of their success came from groups like Red Velvet, SNSD, and BLACKPINK.
In fact, much like the “Gwiyomi Song,” the Kpop idols who danced cutely to the “Baby Shark” song inspired others to get involved as well. As such, people began making videos on YouTube or Facebook showing their own “Baby Shark” moves, and as such, the Baby Shark Challenge was in full force by August 2017. However, the song has just kept going from there.
Since the song first started going viral, the Pinkfong! video has racked up over 1.5 billion views on YouTube! Even other versions and remakes have anywhere from 17 million views to 203 million views. However, people definitely show their preference for the Korean version as the top search terms for the song on YouTube are simply “Baby Shark” and “Baby Shark Real.”
The song has gone so viral in Korea that it is already a staple kids’ song in Korean households. And in the USA where Kpop trends are usually the last to hit? The song has gone viral there as well— with most people not even realizing where the song came from or what made it reach America in the first place.
Considering the fact that most Americans only know “Gangnam Style” and that millions of people often scoff at Kpop in general, it’s ironic that their children and grandchildren are all busy singing “Baby Shark” these days— a simple song that happened to become famous due to the influence of Kpop idols. It’s just one more way that Korea and Asia are influencing the USA without Americans ever being aware of it. For a few examples, look no further than skin care products, makeup items, fashion, toys, and more.
What do you think of the world’s obsession with this song and dance? Do you understand the “Baby Shark” craze? Which Kpop idol do you think has the cutest or funniest version?
See a compilation of Kpop idols— from the guys of GOT7 to the ladies of SNSD— putting their own spin on the “Baby Shark” song in the video below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WLc84FSRXk
Media: As Credited
Source: BBC/Newsround