Last week I read an article in The Daily Yomiuri about a Korean pop-star named PSY. PSY has leaped onto the radar thanks to his newest video called Gangnam Style. Backed by his fame in Korea, a great sense of humour and wacky dance moves, PSY has become an international sensation in a matter of weeks. Although not handsome in the classic sense, nor young and beautiful in the standard pop star way, PSY is more of an every-man to whom most people can relate. In his 30s and a little chubby, PSY will remind most people of the class clown in elementary school- fun and funny and everyone loved him! How did this happen? How did he rise to fame so quickly while other pop-stars wallow in domestic fame only? Is it his music? Choreography? Video editing? All of the above and more. The key to his success though isn’t record companies or platinum sales or any such thing, his sudden popularity comes from the new medium of You Tube, which allows public opinion rule.
In the 2 months since his Gangnam Style music video went up on You Tube, the video has been viewed 335 million times, more than double Lady Gaga’s most viewed. The power of You Tube to make and break stars is never more visible than when something like this happens. In the past year we’ve seen literally hundreds of new artists break and become overnight sensations, thanks to You Tube. Popularity is now determined by views, and the views bring the fame, which brings the TV interviews, newspaper articles, and ultimately more fame.
Despite the fact that most of PSY’s songs have little or no English, they have become hugely popular in North America and Europe, as well as in China, where PSY is already being covered and translated into Chinese. Haven’t seen the newest top music video in the world? Check the link below. I also really likes Right Now, so I’ve put that link below as well. These video clips make me wish I could speak Korean- can’t wait for the English versions to come out!
Thanks, Ed. Came across this myself a while back, loved to see him taking the piss out of Gangnam – Seoul’s Beverly Hills.