In June 2016, Kim Min-seok, CEO of Pinkfong, approved the release of a 90-second children’s song, unaware it would become a global sensation. The song, ‘Baby Shark,’ amassed over 16 billion views on YouTube, making it the platform’s most-watched video ever. This viral hit not only captivated toddlers and irked adults worldwide but also transformed Pinkfong into a media powerhouse valued at over $400 million. On November 18, 2025, Pinkfong debuted on the South Korean stock market, with shares surging more than 9% on its first trading day. Founded in 2010 as SmartStudy, the company initially focused on digital content for children under 12. With just three employees, including Kim and CTO Dongwoo Son, the firm operated from a modest office. Over the years, Pinkfong underwent significant changes, shifting its focus to toddlers and creating simpler, educational content. The release of ‘Baby Shark’ in 2016 marked a turning point, generating half of the company’s revenue and paving the way for new content and merchandise. Despite facing a plagiarism lawsuit in 2019, Pinkfong successfully defended its position, arguing that ‘Baby Shark’ was derived from a public domain folk song. The company now employs 340 people, with offices in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Los Angeles. While ‘Baby Shark’ remains a cornerstone of Pinkfong’s success, the company is diversifying its portfolio with franchises like Bebefinn and Sealook. Kim Min-seok aims to expand Pinkfong’s offerings and establish it as a tech-driven content creator, leveraging data to shape future projects. However, the challenge lies in proving to investors that Pinkfong is more than a one-hit wonder.