It beats Justin Bieber on U.S. iTunes MV Chart for the first place!
It has been featured on CNN, WSJ, and other foreign TV News Channels!
Youtube has heaps of parody/dance cover/ etc. about it!
It also appears on 9GAG!
So... What is "Gangnam Style"!!?
"Gangnam Style" is a Korean song by Psy. However, this song is not only popular in Korea or Asian countries, but all over the world!
Within only a month (since July 15), the Psy's "Gangnam Style" music video on Youtube has got over 46 million hits! Statistics show that only 50% of them were from Asia, followed by 26% from North America, 16% from Europe and the rest of them from South America and Oceania.
The question here is... What makes this song and horse-riding dance so popular? (regardless of the fact that half of the audiences do not understand Korean or meaning of the song)
- Psy's unique appearance - not like other typical Korean boy bands/ girl groups.
- The comical dance - It's funny! Any reason not to love it!?
- The electronic beats - which is the hottest genre in North America and Europe at the moment
- Social Networking sites (Youtube, Facebook, Twitter) - That's why people around the world know about this!
YG Entertainment, the company that Psy belongs to, also gives a credit to the company office in New York for spreading this "Gangnam Style" viral movement. A music critic mentioned, 'If the YG Entertainment staff in New York didn't have the experience dealing with America new media, Psy's music video may not have become famous as it is now."
- Parody version - Pony & Gangnam Style
- Nelly Furtado & Gangnam Style at a concert in Philippines
and meanwhile we read this post, Psy is actually in the United States to meet Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Japson for a remake collaboration of "Gangnam Style."
Credit:
- http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/12843/20120819/psy-gangnam-style-global-takeover-k-pop.htm
- http://www.upi.com/blog/2012/08/21/Gangnam-Style-South-Korean-rapper-PSY-shows-off-K-pop-swagger/2641345559079/
It's actually amazing that someone like Psy can take over the world with this song. I've been a KPOP fan for years, but talented artistes like BoA didn't even make a big hit in the USA, whereas Psy, who's not really in the mainstream KPOP, managed to do it without even trying to breakthrough the huge US market.
ReplyDeleteWell... The dance and the song is catchy enough to make any random people listen to it and dance to it. =D And quite a huge achievement for him since he managed to top Justin Bieber. XD
I totally agree with you! There are few Korean artists who try to target US. market, but seems like they need to put so much efforts on it, unlike Psy (that suddenly the world knows about him). I'm not sure if it is company's intention or it's just a coincidence though. But well, we also need luck in doing business lol
DeleteTo be honest, at first I didn't like the song, but after I listened to it few more times, it's really catchy! Ironically, now I can even dance gangnam style! I guess it's because people around me have influenced me lol
Hi Cheer
ReplyDeleteI'm Korean and I've NEVER been a fan of K-Pop (and in fact I'm a little distressed that the Gangnam Style song is what is putting Korea on the world map... not the amazing Korean food, or culture, or national treasures, not even the success of Samsung). However I must contend that what this artist has done very well is that he created a video that has at least two of the elements of a successful YouTube video (with potential to go viral) that we spoke of in in class:
* it's hugely entertaining
* it's original (seriously, no one really dances like that!)
I believe Gangnum Style has now got over 120M views.
Sorry for a very late reply, Tanya.
DeleteOne month has passed since I posted this topic, it seems like nothing can stop this viral video! anyhow, I just knew that you're Korean! I think that Korea is a country that does very well in the entertainment industry - not only the song, but also drama series, which actually helps them with the tourism industry as well. :)
This video really becomes viral. It has many elements to create millions of views. I feel that it is very entertaining and funny and totally agree with Tanya that it is unique. Pear
ReplyDeleteVery unique and funny. Although I didn't like the song that much at first, I think the dance is one of the main reasons why this video goes viral as well.
DeletePony gangnam style O_O.
ReplyDeleteDon't know why it's so popular. Just a random video!
...but i admit that's fun to watch :D
I bet that not everyone likes it. The thing is people around them just keep talking and sharing videos + anything that is gangnam related content. Therefore, it's pretty easy to get influenced by those overwhelming situation lol
DeleteI knew the song for the first time when I hang out with friends to the club and when the music started playing, all people's gesture there were changed by hearing only just intro of the song. They changed to be so energetic and made all the other song gone boring. I was there standing still and asking myself "where hv myself been all the time this song hits the chart?" cos I felt really out of date when everybody in the club can sing along but me in silence lol
ReplyDeletehahaha probably it's because this song hits the chart in a very short time! I think I first knew this video from facebook - never care or even think to watch it until I saw that many people keep sharing and I saw gangnam style video being shared everytime I open my facebook! lol
DeleteI love him, too !!!
ReplyDeleteHis dance steps are very simple, so that everyone could dance with him.
Even it's so simple, but it's unique and very crazy !!! XD love him!!! *scream*