When Kim Min-seok gave the go-ahead in June 2016 to publish a 90-second clip of a children's song, he had no idea what he was unleashing.
It became a global phenomenon, clocking up more than 16 billion views, YouTube's most watched video ever. That song was the incredibly catchy Baby Shark.
Not only has it captivated toddlers and terrorised adults around the world, it laid the foundations for its creator Pinkfong to become a media business worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
“We didn’t expect it to stand out from our other content," Kim told the BBC from the firm's headquarters in Seoul. "But looking back, it became a major turning point that set the stage for our global journey.”
On November 18, that journey took Pinkfong to the South Korean stock market, where its shares rose by more than 9% on their debut, giving it a valuation of over $400 million.
Founded in 2010 as SmartStudy, Pinkfong underwent several major transformations, including shifting its focus to younger audiences. Kim recalls the early days when the firm had just three employees and operated out of a tiny office.
As the popularity of Baby Shark surged, it became a central part of Pinkfong's business strategy, generating nearly half of the firm's revenue post-release. The tune's catchiness and engaging dance routines propelled it into the limelight, especially in Southeast Asia.
Despite its success, Pinkfong faces pressure to prove that its achievements are not solely reliant on Baby Shark. As it plans for future growth, including new characters and tech-driven content strategy, the company must work to reassure investors of its long-term viability.
