Originally published: Monday, November 02, 2020.
"Baby Shark" Swims to the Top of YouTube
- "Baby Shark Dance" video breaks YouTube record, becomes the most-viewed YouTube video in history
- "Baby Shark" song receives RIAA Diamond certification (11x Platinum) alongside top artists like Ed Sheeran and Lady Gaga
 |
| "Baby Shark Dance" video breaks YouTube record, becomes the most-viewed YouTube video in history |
SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 2, 2020 -- "Baby Shark Dance," the iconic music video from the kids and family entertainment brand Pinkfong, has officially become the most-viewed YouTube video in history, surpassing "Despacito" by Justin Bieber, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee.
"Despacito" currently sits at 7.038 billion views on the platform, while "Baby Shark" hit 7.042.
Along with this news, the "Baby Shark" single has reached another unprecedented record, receiving RIAA Diamond certification (11x Platinum). This means the song has sold over 11 million records. This recognition makes "Baby Shark" one of the only 41 Diamond singles in history alongside best-selling artists such as Ed Sheeran and Lady Gaga. The song also has been recognized as BRIT certified 2x Platinum in September.
"Baby Shark" became a breakout sensation when it launched on YouTube in November 2015. With its catchy music, iconic characters, and playful dance, all combined together, "Baby Shark" took the world by storm, recording a 20-week-streak on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the Official Singles Chart, the highest position ever achieved by a children's song in history. The hit song spawned a viral dance challenge named #BabySharkChallenge, generating over 1 million cover videos around the world. Famous fans include Cameron Diaz and Venezuelan baseball player Gerardo Parra, who has launched a Baby Shark collection with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.
“Baby Shark,” which is known for its repetitive “doo-doo-doo-doo” refrain, was uploaded on June 17, 2016. The 2 minute, 17 second-long video depicts two kids singing and dancing in front of an animated underwater backdrop. The original writer of the song is unclear – it is said to be based on a nursery rhyme – but it became a global phenomenon after being recorded by Hope Segoine, a 10-year-old Korean-American singer.
"Without the love and support of fans around the world, Baby Shark's new record would have been impossible," said Min Seok Kim, CEO, SmartStudy. "We're very honored by this record and will continue to focus on delivering high-quality entertainment beyond the digital platforms."
"Many songs are able to claim national success and increasingly achieve international impact also, but very few go on to become a global phenomenon in the way that Baby Shark has. It's certainly beloved of children and parents in the UK – who have helped it to become BRIT Certified x2 Platinum at one of the fastest rates ever for a single." said Gennaro Castaldo, BPI Spokesperson.
"We are very proud at Relentless Records/ Sony Music to have built a great global partnership with the Pinkfong/SmartStudy team. It has been very inspiring to watch something that brings so much fun to so many people become such a worldwide record," said Shabs Jobanputra, Managing Director, Relentless Records.
The news comes as Baby Shark is preparing to star his own Nickelodeon series. Baby Shark’s Big Show! is a 2D-animated preschool series (26 half-hour episodes) will follow Baby Shark and his best friend William as they journey on fun-filled comedic adventures in their community of Carnivore Cove, meet new friends and sing original catchy tunes along the way. The series will launch with the holiday special, "All I Want for Fishmas", premiering Friday, December 11 at 12:30 p.m, (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. programming block, before fully launching in Spring 2021.
Following the U.S. launch, Baby Shark’s Big Show! series will roll out on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels internationally. In addition to Nickelodeon and SmartStudy’s partnership to produce Baby Shark’s Big Show!, ViacomCBS Consumer Products (VCP) is managing consumer products licensing worldwide, excluding China, Korea and Southeast Asia, for the Baby Shark property.
Pam Kaufman, President, ViacomCBS Consumer Products, said in a statement: “‘Baby Shark’ is a multiplatform phenomenon, and appetite for more content and products is strong around the world.
“Our outstanding creative teams are moving fast to get more ‘Baby Shark’ product across multiple categories to retailers, and our content team is excited to develop a terrific original animated series that will bring this property to new heights and even more fans.”
About SmartStudy
Founded in June 2010, SmartStudy is a global entertainment company moving beyond the limits of platforms to create original content across children's education, games and animation. Through SmartStudy's beloved children's brand, Pinkfong, the company produces modern-day songs and stories to provide stimulating, fun, learning experiences to children.
About Pinkfong
Pinkfong is a global entertainment brand that creates award-winning kids' content for families around the world. Pinkfong has over 5,000 songs and stories within its vast library of children's content, which can be accessed on the App Store and Google Play, as well as on YouTube and Amazon Video. Pinkfong's accolades include the Amazon Video Direct Star, YouTube's Diamond Play Button and Google Play's Best Family App of 2014-2017.
For more information, please visit the Pinkfong website, subscribe to its YouTube channel, or follow the company on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Relentless Records/ Sony Music
Relentless Records is one of the frontline pop labels at Sony Music Entertainment UK. Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a current roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalogue that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.
# # #
Update (2/8) - Baby Shark has now set another record! At the time of reporting, the hit music video has been watched 7,877,485,408 times, and according to World Meter, the current world population is approximately 7,844,408,430, which means that Baby Shark has been watched more times than there are people on Earth!
From The Investor:
Korean image ambassadors Baby Shark and Delphine O shine light on Korea’s future
The creator of Baby Shark and Secretary-General of the UN Generation Equality Forum Delphine O, winners of awards for helping to promote Korea’s image to the world, have shed light on what direction Korea should take moving forward in a post-COVID-19 era.
O and creator Lee Seung-gyu were presented with the awards at the 2021 Corea Image Communication Institute Awards Ceremony at InterContinental Seoul COEX on Thursday. Since 2005, CICI – a nonprofit organization -- has honored cultural figures, organizations or those who made significant contributions to raising awareness of Korean culture around the world.
The awards ceremony took place observing the 50-people restriction in place as part of social distancing measures. Chang Jae-bok, ambassador for Public Diplomacy, opened the ceremony, followed by speeches from CJ Group Chair Sohn Kyung-shik and French Ambassador Philippe Lefort. US Ambassador to Korea Harry Harris gave a congratulatory message via video.
Performances by magician Ed Kwon and French pansori singer Laure Mafo preceded the awards ceremony, while award winners gave their acceptance speeches and CICI introduced its annual activities.O, a Korean French former member of the French National Assembly, won the Korea Image Stepping Stone Bridge Award given to notable foreigners who have contributed to Korea’s image.
“I’m very grateful for receiving this award, I’ve been following the CICI ceremony for a number of years and have attended a couple already so I am extremely honored. I think it’s especially important because it is the Stepping Stone Award and as a diplomat my job is to create bridges between people,” O said during a press conference held before the gala event. “I am very proud of my Korean heritage and culture.”
O, in her speech, also brought up the issue of how COVID-19 has exacerbated gender discrimination.
“Women are pressured to do both household work while working at home,” said O. “Also, those suffering from domestic violence cannot go outside and call for help.”
She went on to expand upon issues Korean women face in balancing their career and personal lives.
“Korean women are still unable to juggle between raising children and work,” said O. “Women tend to be more willing to adapt to change than men. Korean men need a change in perception and support women’s career more actively.”
Popular character Baby Shark, made famous by its catchy children’s song, won the Korea Image Budding Youth Award, given to those under 20. The Baby Shark Dance video currently has over 7.6 billion views and remains the most-watched video on YouTube since Nov. 2. Lee Seung-gyu, co-founder of SmartStudy that created Baby Shark, shared his thoughts on receiving the award on Thursday.
“With COVID-19, the number of video plays and the duration of watching videos has increased proportionally with children staying longer hours at home. So the consumption of content like Baby Shark has increased. What’s more important is that in the media industry, the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. Those that are loved by children have a snowball effect while those that don’t have a hard time,” said Lee.
Lee said he was honored that Baby Shark was being included as part of the Korean 4Bs -- BTS, Blackpink and director Bong Joon-ho -- Korean individuals and groups that have contributed to the rise and spread of Korean culture worldwide. He hoped the category would expand further and that Baby Shark would one day be included among the 9Bs and 10Bs of Korea.
“I hope, like the name Budding Youth Award, SmartStudy can help children grow, like how buds grow into a tree and eventually become part of a forest, more joyfully and meaningfully with our content,” Lee said.
“Baby Shark seized the opportunity that opened up with YouTube. New opportunities arise when new platforms are opened,” he said. “We need to be able to quickly decide what are the opportunities and need to adopt, carry forward and make it happen. Secondly, companies need to make innumerable tries at creating content. For that to happen, there needs to be room for failure.”
Baby Shark’s catchy tune is not its only reason for success, he said, pointing towards how the accompanying dance moves in the video had enabled families to spend quality time together.
“A lot of things these days are called K-content, K-drama and K-food, but I hope the K disappears someday,” Lee said. “I hope we gain the confidence and think of the content that we make as global and sets an example as a global standard.”
SmartStudy has created a show on Baby Shark in collaboration with Nickelodeon, which will be shown starting first half of the year, Lee said. The company plans to focus on promotions in North America this year. The TV series will be key to maintaining the longevity of Baby Shark, according to Lee.
The third Korea Image Stepping Stone Award went to the top six finalists of TV Chosun’s hit show “Mr. Trot” for representing Korea and promoting the trot genre to the world.
“After seeing the lists of award winners for previous years, I am humbled. I think we received this award because we helped trot music shine at a time when everyone was suffering from COVID-19. We will take it as a message for us to keep on singing songs of condolence and hope,” said Lee Chan-won, one of the finalists. “Moving forward, we want to show trot to the world.”
###
From 연합뉴스:
'아기상어' 스마트스터디 공동창업자 "플랫폼 바뀔때 기회 열려"
"우리 콘텐츠가 글로벌 스탠더드…K-콘텐츠의 'K', 언젠가 없어졌으면"
(서울=연합뉴스) 김효정 기자 = "지금은 많은 것들이 K-콘텐츠, K-드라마, K-푸드라고 불리고 있지만, 저는 언젠가 'K-'가 없어졌으면 좋겠습니다."
'핑크퐁 아기상어'(이하 아기상어) 유튜브 전체 영상 가운데 최다 조회수를 기록하며 세계적 인기를 끈 동요 콘텐츠다.
이 '아기상어'를 만든 스마트스터디의 이승규 공동창업자는 14일 "우리가 만드는 콘텐츠가 글로벌한 콘텐츠, 우리가 이제는 글로벌 스탠더드를 만드는 사람이라는 자신감으로 재미있는 결과, 의미 있는 성과를 만들어갔으면 좋겠다"고 말했다.
'아기상어'는 이날 한국이미지커뮤니케이션연구원(CICI)이 한국의 이미지를 외국에 알린 인물이나 단체, 사물에 주는 '2021 한국이미지상' 새싹상을 수상했다.
강남구 인터컨티넨탈 서울 코엑스 호텔에서 기자들과 만난 이 공동창업자는 "가족이라는 보편적 가치, 귀에 쏙쏙 들리는 튠, 다양하고 아기자기한 캐릭터 등이 새로운 재미를 줬다고 생각한다"고 '아기상어'의 인기비결을 분석했다.
'아기상어'는 2010년에 창업한 스마트스터디가 유아동 브랜드 '핑크퐁'을 통해 내놓은 동요 콘텐츠로 "아기상어 뚜루루뚜루∼"라는 중독성 있는 후렴구에 따라 하기 쉬운 율동으로 선풍적 인기를 끌었다.
방탄소년단과 블랙핑크 등 걸출한 K팝 스타들이 오르는 빌보드 메인 싱글 차트 '핫 100'에서 32위를 기록하기도 했다.
이 공동창업자는 아기상어 콘텐츠와 한국 이미지의 연결고리에 대한 질문에 캐릭터 색감이 오방색과 유사하고, 가족 등의 한국적 가치를 많이 넣으려 노력했다고 소개했다.
그는 "코로나19 이후로 아이들이 집에 체류하는 시간이 늘어남에 비례해 아기상어나 저희의 다른 콘텐츠 소비가 높아지고 있는 듯하다"며 "아이들에게 사랑받는 콘텐츠는 더 많은 '스노우볼'(눈덩이)을 모으고 그렇지 않은 콘텐츠는 늦어지는 '부익부 빈익빈'이 일어나고 있다"고도 진단했다.
'아기상어' 콘텐츠가 올해 특히 주안점을 둔 지역은 북미다. 이 공동창업자는 미국 어린이 대상 케이블TV 채널 니켈로디언(Nickelodeon)과 함께 '베이비샤크 빅 쇼'(Baby Shark's Big Show)라는 TV 시리즈를 공동제작하고 있다며 "올해 상반기 정도에 미국을 필두로 전 세계에 방영될 예정"이라고 소개했다.
콘텐츠 업계의 공통 화두인 '플랫폼'에 대해 "저희는 아직 플랫폼 회사가 아니지만 어떻게 준비를 해야 할지는 많이 고민해야 할 시점이라고 생각하고 있다"고도 언급했다.
그는 "유튜브 시대가 열리면서 그걸 기회로 잡은 것이 '아기상어'라며 "새로운, 주도하는 플랫폼이 바뀔 때 기회가 열린다고 생각한다. 앞으로 우리 문화가 어떤 기회에 적응할지에 대한 판단력과 빠른 적응력, 추진력, 실행력이 중요하다"고 말했다.
이 공동창업자는 "(성과와 관련한) 숫자보다 중요한 건 아이들이 저희의 콘텐츠를 통해 어떻게 세상을 바라보고 이끌어갈지"라며 "저희 콘텐츠가 세상을 향해 좀 더 다가가는 징검다리가 되면 좋겠다"고 강조했다.
한편, 이날 한국 이미지 '징검다리상'은 한국계 프랑스인인 델핀 오 유엔 세대평등포럼(Generation Equality Forum) 사무총장이 받았다. 세대평등포럼은 유엔여성기구와 프랑스, 멕시코가 주도하는 여성인권 관련 국제회의다.
델핀 오 사무총장은 이날 기자회견에서 코로나19로 젠더 불평등이 악화했다며 "여성들이 재택근무를 하면서도 집안일과 육아를 해야 하는 이중부담이 생겼다. 가정폭력 피해자인 여성들이 집을 나서서 도움을 요청할 수 없어 가정폭력도 심각해졌다"고 우려했다.
그는 "이런 위기를 유엔에선 '섀도(그림자) 팬데믹'이라 부른다"며 "아프리카 국가에선 학교가 문을 닫게 되면서 조혼을 하는 등 많은 소녀가 교육에 대한 접근권을 상실했다"고도 말했다.
###
From Agence de presse Yonhap:
Le CICI remet ses prix annuels pour des contributions à la promotion de l'image de la Corée
SEOUL, 14 jan. (Yonhap) -- Le Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) dirigée par la professeur Choi Jung-wha a organisé ce jeudi à l'hôtel InterContinental Seoul COEX, dans le sud de Séoul, une cérémonie annuelle de remise de prix reconnaissant et récompensant des personnes et organisations qui ont contribué grandement à la promotion de l'image de la Corée à l'étranger.
Cette année, la plus haute distinction, baptisée «Korea Image Stepping Stone Award», a été remise aux Trot Men, finalistes du télé-crochet «Mr. Trot» de la chaîne câblée TV Chosun pour le grand réconfort et la dynamique positive qu'ils ont apportés aux Sud-Coréens qui traversent la crise sanitaire provoquée par le nouveau coronavirus (Covid-19), ainsi que pour leur rôle de tremplin dans la promotion dans le monde du trot, un genre musical populaire originaire de Corée, selon le CICI.
Parmi les précédents lauréats du Stepping Stone Award figurent le premier opérateur de téléphonie mobile en Corée du Sud, SK Telecom Co. (2020), la golfeuse sud-coréenne Pak Se-ri (2017), le smartphone Galaxy de Samsung Electronics Co. (2014), l'aéroport international d'Incheon (2011), le secrétaire général des Nations unies d'alors Ban Ki-moon (2007) et le maestro Chung Myung-whun (2005).
Delphine O, secrétaire générale du Forum Génération Égalité, a été sélectionnée comme lauréate du Korea Image Stepping Stone Bridge Award pour avoir contribué à promouvoir l'égalité femmes-hommes dans le monde et joué un rôle de pont afin de faire connaître la Corée du Sud dans le monde. Ancienne députée de La République en marche (LREM) de la 16e circonscription de Paris, O est née d'une mère française et d'un père sud-coréen.
Le Forum Génération Egalité est un rassemblement mondial pour l'égalité entre les femmes et les hommes, organisé par l'ONU Femmes et co-présidé par la France et le Mexique.
Lors d'une rencontre avec la presse qui s'est déroulée au début de l'événement, O a déclaré que cette récompense lui était d'autant plus significative qu'elle joue un rôle de pont entre différents pays du monde en tant que diplomate.
La secrétaire générale a également salué l'opportunité de faire connaître les campagnes visant à promouvoir les droits des femmes et d'encourager la prise de conscience concernant les droits des femmes.
Elle a par ailleurs déploré les inégalités hommes-femmes accrues par la pandémie de nouveau coronavirus (Covid-19). Les femmes font face à une double contrainte du télétravail et des tâches ménagères et les victimes de la violence conjugale sont confrontées à une situation encore plus grave, ne pouvant quitter le domicile pour demander du secours sur fond de pandémie, a fait remarquer O.
La chanson pour enfants «Baby Shark», créée par la start-up sud-coréenne Smart Study, a reçu le Korea Image Budding Youth Award pour avoir donné de la joie à toutes les familles de la planète et montré le grand potentiel des contenus coréens après que son clip est devenu la vidéo plus visionnée sur YouTube, a expliqué le CICI. Elle s'est également hissée au 32e rang du classement hebdomadaire des singles Billboard Hot 100.
Lee Seung-kyu, cofondateur de Smart Study, qui a participé à la cérémonie, a expliqué avoir cherché à inclure différentes valeurs coréennes dans «Baby Shark», telles que les cinq couleurs et la famille. Il a en outre fait part de son plan de lancer la série TV «Baby Shark's Big Show», qu'il est en train de coproduire avec la chaîne de télévision américaine pour enfants et adolescents Nickelodeon, au premier semestre de cette année aux Etats-Unis, avant d'étendre sa diffusion dans le monde
L'événement ne manquait pas de prestations avec notamment un spectacle de pansori, chant narratif coréen traditionnel, donné par la Française Laure Mafo, et une représentation du magicien Kwon Joon-hyuk.
Parrainée par le ministère des Affaires étrangères, le ministère de la Culture, du Sport et du Tourisme et le Service coréen de la culture et de l'information (KOCIS), la cérémonie, la 17e du genre cette année, s'est déroulée en petit comité dans le cadre des mesures de distanciation sociale mises en place dans le pays pour lutter contre le Covid-19 avec la présence de l'ambassadeur en charge de la diplomatie publique Chang Jae-bok, de l'ambassadeur de France en Corée du Sud, Philippe Lefort, du patron du groupe CJ, Sohn Kyung-Shik, ainsi que des lauréats.
###
Originally published: Monday, November 02, 2020.
Additional sources: Just Jared, Entertainment Weekly, New York Post, ET Canada,
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Holidays on Nickelodeon Preschool, Nick Jr. and Baby Shark’s Big Show! News and Highlights!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Holidays on Nickelodeon Preschool, Nick Jr. and Baby Shark’s Big Show! News and Highlights!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Have your say by leaving a comment below! NickALive! welcomes friendly and respectful comments. Please familiarize with the blog's Comment Policy before commenting. All new comments are moderated and won't appear straight away.