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, but it laid the foundations for its creator Pinkfong to become a media business worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
On Tuesday, 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 more than $400m (£304m).
Founded in 2010 as SmartStudy, the firm made digital content for children up to 12 years of age and had just three employees, including Mr. Kim and the firm's chief technology officer. Baby Shark was born when they shifted their focus to simpler content aimed at toddlers.
As the song gained popularity, so did Pinkfong, evolving into a globally recognized brand with around 340 employees and offices in major cities worldwide.
While Baby Shark was undoubtedly a hit, analysts caution that the company must diversify its content portfolio to ensure sustainable growth, with Pinkfong's other franchises, like Bebefinn, starting to gain traction. Nevertheless, the song's infectious melody and easy dance routines have proven to be a commercial goldmine, sparking curiosity about how Pinkfong will leverage its success in the future.
