One of the most recognizable faces in the history of global viral online content is gearing up for a major new career step. The teenager who rose to worldwide fame as the young boy featured in *Baby Shark* – the YouTube clip that holds the record as the platform’s most-watched video of all time – is now 17 years old, and has set his sights on breaking into one of the world’s biggest entertainment industries: K-pop.
Since its original release, the *Baby Shark* children’s dance video has amassed billions of views across YouTube, turning its young cast into unexpected household names across the globe. Years after the clip dominated social media feeds and family playlists everywhere, the boy at the center of the viral phenomenon is now old enough to pursue a professional entertainment career on his own, and has announced his goal to debut as a K-pop idol. The transition from viral child star to trainee for one of the most competitive pop industries in the world marks a notable new chapter for the young performer, who grew up in the public eye thanks to the unprecedented success of the children’s video.