Psy’s music video for Gangnam Style shows a man wildly ostentatious and materialistic, mocking the $84 billion wealth of Gangnam. The song and music video make subtle, but strong statements about the culture of Korea. The Korean-American observer Adrian Hong took the time to analyze Psy’s music video and song and found many examples of mockery of Gangnam. In the end, the song makes a subtle statement, mocking the $84 billion wealth of the neighborhood.
Table of Contents
Psy’s Gangnam Style
Korean rapper Psy has garnered global attention for his viral hit “Gangnam Style,” which has over 160 million views on YouTube. The song, sung in a rap-like style and featuring a galloping horse, was released on April 15, 2007 and quickly became one of the most popular songs of 2007. The music video itself has over one billion views in less than five months, proving that the song is as popular today as it was when it was first released.
The song has become an instant hit 강남룸, gaining over 167 million views on YouTube since mid-July. It has also rocketed up the iTunes charts. Psy met with reporters in New York City during a promotional tour to promote the song. The interview lasted 45 minutes, but was accompanied by several hilarious photos. In addition to the humour, the song also has a satirical edge. The lyrics, which make fun of Korean society, portray Gangnam as an affluent neighborhood.
Its meaning
The popular Gangnam style dance is named after a wealthy district of Seoul. Think of it as the Beverly Hills of South Korea. This district is also known for its conspicuous consumption of coffee. The lyrics of a PSY song mention these coffee shops to parody material wealth, ultra-delicate women, and high social status. Although the dance may seem esoteric and overdone, its meaning in Gangnam is clear.
In the song, Psy satirizes the high class lifestyle of the elite new money culture in Seoul. In the video, he mocks the self-indulgent, high-spending rich of Gangnam. The lyrics are an example of what many people associate with the Gangnam district. The phrase Older Brother is very common in South Korea. This song takes this concept a step further. The lyrics show how the rich of Gangnam live a luxurious lifestyle, and it is no coincidence that the rich in this district are also wealthy.
Its influence on American music
Despite its success in Korea, Psy’s song “Gangnam Style” is not only wildly popular in Korea, but has also made waves in the United States. With a catchy tune and unique dance, it has captured the hearts and minds of the teenage demographic in America. It also spawned a variety of parody music videos, allowing the popularity of the song to spread even further. The song has become an instant sensation in the United States, with many Korean artists positioning themselves to gain international success.
The Korean pop culture has largely escaped ideological, militaristic and top-down ideas, which once defined it. The current trend is to celebrate diversity and incorporate other cultures into rap songs and video games. In this way, Korean pop culture is no longer anti-West or anti-western. In addition, it has become deeply global, influencing everything from hip-hop to pop. As a result, the Korean music industry has become a major influence on American music.
Its impact on South Korean culture
Gangnam has impacted South Korean culture in numerous ways. In addition to its viral popularity, it has gained worldwide recognition as one of the hottest songs of all time. While South Korean artists rarely talk about politics, their music has had an outsized influence on the culture of protest in South Korea. In 2016, students at Ewha Womans University started campus rallies, singing songs by Girls’ Generation such as “Into the New World.” g.o.d.’s “One Candle” became the unofficial anthem of the candlelight revolution.
The song’s catchy beat has been embraced by South Korean youth as a way to combat the country’s sex divide. In South Korea, this song has become synonymous with celebrity status. Moreover, the song has influenced the country’s politics, with many politicians insisting on meeting the singers of Gangnam to gain the public’s attention. But is Gangnam’s impact on South Korean culture real?
