The beloved children’s classic Baby Shark has been a global sensation since its release in 2016, with its unforgettable tune — “doo doo doo doo doo doo!” — echoing in households worldwide. Now, nearly a decade later, the little boy who danced his way into everyone’s hearts has grown up, and fans can hardly believe it.
Park Geon-roung, who was just six years old when he starred in the original Baby Shark video produced by South Korean educational company Pinkfong, is now 17. In the viral video, he wore a bright orange life ring and performed the shark hand dance with an infectious smile and joyful energy. His adorable expressions and simple moves helped make the song an internet phenomenon, still adored by children and parents around the world.
Today, Park embraces his iconic childhood fame. On his Instagram bio, he proudly refers to himself as the “BabyShark Boy,” along with his birth date — a sweet nod to the song that made him famous.
Recently, the official Baby Shark Instagram account shared a heartwarming reel that has melted the internet. The clip begins with footage of the six-year-old Park from the original video before transitioning to a shot of him today — a tall, confident teenager giving a high-five to a shark mascot. The caption read, “Do you remember the baby shark boy?”
The post instantly went viral, amassing thousands of comments filled with nostalgia and disbelief. One user wrote, “Wait wait wait… I am that old.” Another commented, “They grow up so fast!” while a third added, “Omg I didn’t know that — he looks great!”
The original Baby Shark song tells the story of a cheerful shark family — baby, mommy, daddy, grandma, and grandpa — on a fun ocean adventure. With its repetitive lyrics and upbeat melody, it became irresistible for kids and parents alike. The combination of bright animations and the real-life performances of Park and his co-star, a young girl, turned the video into one of YouTube’s biggest hits ever.
As of October 2025, Baby Shark holds the record as the most-viewed video on YouTube, with over 16 billion views and 45 million likes. Its influence extends far beyond the internet — countless celebrity parents, from Kylie Jenner and Cardi B to Blake Lively, have admitted that the song is a staple in their homes. In 2023, Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor also revealed that he often sings Baby Shark to his daughter, Raha.
What started as a simple children’s tune has become a pop culture phenomenon — and seeing the once-little boy who helped bring it to life all grown up has left fans feeling both nostalgic and amazed.
