Psy‘s global hit “Gangnam Style” and the children’s song “Baby Shark” have been recognized as key moments in YouTube’s 20-year history, making it to the platform’s list of significant milestones.
On April 23, The New York Times (NYT) marked the 20th anniversary of YouTube by highlighting 18 major moments that have shaped the platform over the years. Among these, the viral music video of Psy’s “Gangnam Style” and the catchy children’s song “Baby Shark” were included.
NYT recalled that _ “Psy, a South Korean singer and rapper, released the music video for his song ‘Gangnam Style’ in July 2012. By the end of that year, the video became the first in internet history to surpass 1 billion views.”_ This groundbreaking achievement marked a new era for viral videos, solidifying Psy’s international fame.
As for “Baby Shark,” the NYT described its rise as “quietly conquering the world.” The song was first uploaded to YouTube in November 2015 by SmartStudy, a children’s content company based in Seoul under the Pinkfong brand.
The catchy, remixed version of the song, which introduced new beats, was released in June 2016. By November 2020, “Baby Shark” became the most viewed video on YouTube, and it remains in the top spot with over 15.8 billion views to this day.
These two cultural phenomena not only marked milestones for YouTube but also influenced the global music and entertainment landscape. Psy and Pinkfong’s iconic songs have become ingrained in popular culture, leaving an indelible mark on the digital age.
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