Gangnam Style Phenomenon

Nowadays, most of people who use internet must be quite familiar with the word "Gangnam Style", the Korean music video from PSY known among his fan as "Park Jae Sang".  This song has a phenomenal hit more than 274,341,254 views on Youtube (25 Sept, 2012) and still continue on the rise.

Gangnam style is very famous not only in Korea but around the world.  It's the top ranking in iTune chart in America, Canada, New Zealand, and Denmark; hit the first ranking K-pop in UK, and in many countries in Asia.  It also popular among the celebrities around the world who try to learn this "Horse Dance" style and use this song in various occasions even in the election campaign.

PSY at Ellen shows in the US

Britney Spears learns the "Horse Dance" from PSY

Lipta - Famous singer in Thailand with Gangnam Style parody in Thai version

Dance Gangnam Style in Malaysia - Orang Kampung Style

Even in the US. political arena, supporters of both Obama and Romney make the Gangnam Style to promote their party's election campaign.

Mitt Romney & Gangnam Style

Obama & the Gangnam Style song for the US. president

Many people noticed that we have no need to understand Korean but we can enjoy the song with the "Horse Dance".  Some just might like it as the MV entertainment.  But the inside is ingrained with the social facets of the Korean's nouveau riche.  It should be understood that Gangnam is the area where these people live.  Although this is only a small fraction of the society, Gangnam generates an amazing desire, envy, and detest.  The 'new age' prosperity in Gangnam brings about brand-name stores and surgical clinics into the area.  "Gangnam inspire both envy and distaste", said Kim Zakka, a Seoul-based pop music critic.  "Gangnam residents are South Korea's upper class, but South Koreans consider them self-interest, with no sense of noblesse oblige" added Kim.   

If you go to http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/09/19/the-social-commentary-behind-psys-gangnam-style.html , you'll see the article by Foster Klug about "The social commentary behind PSY's 'Gangnam Style'.  This article will make you more understand the implicit meaning of the song that PSY wants to deliver to the audience.

By the way, you can see that PSY does what other Korean songster do not do.  He satirizes wealth and effluence of the people in Gangnam, while others often obviously express fondness to luxury and riches.  In other words, PSY wants to tell the society that there exists a gap between the rich and the poor, the gap is ever widening.  And this may be the reason why Gangnam Style is watched and heard all over the world.