Psy and Gangmam Style

[minchoi0923]

On January 1st, I was shocked to find out that Psy performed GangNam style at NY timesquare in front of thousands of people. I have known that Gangnam style is also a big hit in US but I didn't know it was THIS big.

Anyways, I'm not sure if you guys know about this but for many years, many Korean singers have been attempting to go to America and be successful, such as Boa, Seven, JYP, Wondergirls, Rain, and some other people. However, none of them really succeeded. They were either mocked or just ignored by the people.

But, all of a sudden, PSY , who didn't even think about going to US, grabbed everyone's attention on Youtube and made a contract with a company where Justin Bieber is from, and became the actual "world star".

So my question is, why do you think PSY, who isn't really as "attractive" as those other singers and whose vocal skills aren't "amazing" as others, was able to succeed? And why no others?

[jessicashim2013]

I believe that Kangnam Style's lyrics and the music video is very entertaining. I haven't seen a music video like this. Most of the songs are about love. Its either a sweet love song or a sad one. And the music video shows sexy girls singing and dancing or someone crying.But Gangnam Style is something most people can enjoy. Psy is well known for being humorous and his concert tickets are always sold out. People sing and dance when they go to his concerts and his performances are unique. I think this worked out to entertain people throughout the world.

[sageda]

I think other than the fact that it's a very entertaining video that comes with a dance (always a vantage point when it comes to going viral), it plays on the Asian Man stereotype that Westerners love to indulge in. They like how whimsical and random he is. People love stereotypes. I think Koreans love it because (other than the fact that he's a beloved old school artist), he is parodying the posh life of Gangnam and people can relate to it.

I think that's why people (North Americans, mainly the States) were so upset when they found a song he made a couple years back dissing the US administration and the army. It's because he left that Asian Man Compartment that people put him into. They don't want to see a serious side of him that disagreed with them. It was really interesting to see the outrage because they didn't know Psy has like 6 or 7 albums and rap music has always been political. I don't see why it was such a surprise.

[Alam10kkfs]

He is unique, which is different from others. Mr.Bean doesn't even talk in his show but he has a skillful mind and an ability that creates a creative and yet entertaining performance. You don't need a heroic body and a beautiful face to be successful.

[alexkoo]

I don't think you have to have great vocal skills to be popular. I think what grabbed people's attention was PSY's music video and his dance. It is so easy to follow and very addictive. Americans did not want cool Asian, but they wanted funny Asian. I don't know if you can call him "not attractive" because he became successful more than other attractive singers who tried to get into American music industry. I think Gangnam style is sensational that PSY did great job advertising Korea as well.

[delmanykkfs]

Well I just like his song and his dance. It is very simple and easy to follow. As a foreigner living in Korea, it really made me want to follow his dance. I do not even know what his lyrics mean, but it was makes me happy and excited. I am not sure why other Korean singers failed, but when i look at them, it is very lame and i do not want to listen to their songs. PSY has something special that others do not have. I hope he comes up with better song after Gangnam style.

[jessicak016]

I think that Psy was very successful because of the unique music video of that song and the dance, which is easy to learn. Another factor might be that he can speak English and is able to communicate with his American fans easily. I don't think he would have been that successful if he could not speak English as well as he does now.

[sarahlee2]

I think he was just lucky. He produced this song when everyone was bored and needed something new and he was there to provide it. Since this song is really exciting and like anyone can dance to it, people liked it. I don't necessarily think that he was popular because this song was a good song.

[RegXD]

well i think that its because youtube headquarters is in the US so they recommend good contact people where they can make MILLIONS of dollars of worth youtube videos or the song or the MV(Music Video) itself. thats what i think he is in the US performing and i see many people from states doing gangnam style on youtube and post as a new year dance ... shocking how fast is became so popular these days.

[hanbikang]

I think because it has to do something with his face. When he was handsome and tall at all then i guess he wouldn't have gotten so famous. He represents our korean normal i guess people and showed that everyone has the chance to succeed.

[yerin0727]

I guess the lyrics of the Gangnam style song attracted many people. Its attraction must have been very strong as to even grab the attention of many foreigners as well. Looking at Psy, I think that success isnt all about the appearance. Although Psy himself isnt as attractive as many other singers, he was able to succeed.

[edward08]

I was also amazed about this success, but i listen to his interview in a show called infinite challenge. He talked about his career and didn expect himslf to be this big. He said that he just followed and did what he enjoyed doing and what and what he truly belieaves is right for him, and eventually, succes came to him. I strongly belieaves that people should enjoy that they are doing

[juliekim]

I always wonder that too. I don't think it has anything to do with Psy or his singing skills. It's just that the song was really catchy and had interesting(?) lyrics that caught people's attention. I still don't get why people love that song so much. Even foreigners who can't speak Korean try to learn the lyrics and say it in Korean. I never saw so many people trying to speak Korean like that. I guess it's something to pride ourselves in because it shows our culture and stuff, but I don't think it's THAT of a good song.

[franicaza95]

Today I saw some videos that had a very high number of views but the content was nonsense, connecting to gangnam style, many people believe the song and psy are a joke. I think the fact that the music was very unique and caught many peoples attention made the song very famous. I also think that since its a song sang in Korean it grabs more attention because there is also some English vocabulary incorporated.

[joon]

I think that Psy became a world-wide phenomenon because he was unexpected and different. The world has this idea of asian music, or "K-pop" in general, being this crappy music with a bunch of weird dudes dancing in sync. But when Psy came out with the horse dance and his strange but funny music video, people became fascinated by this strange asian man who "clicked" with them. Also, i think that youtube played a major role in his worldwide success. Because his video quickly went viral, the media caught attention and blew up his fame really quickly.