From its outrageous horse-riding dance to its comical music video scenes, PSY’s “Gangnam Style” has caught the eye of 260 million viewers, including Ellen DeGeneres, California lifeguards, the North Korean government and Carlsbad High School students. Dominating music industries worldwide, K-pop (Korean music) entrances viewers via YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
The raved-about K-pop song, “Gangnam Style,” tops music charts in 20 countries, including the US, the UK and Canada. This influential tune has been the root of various flash mobs and parodies, including the flash mob that occurred during CHS’s morning pep rally on Sept. 13.
PSY — a stage name which derives from the word “pyscho” — wrote the song based on the trendy district of Gangnam in Korea.
Sophomore Candyce Ha, a Korean student who was a fan of PSY even before the release of his latest hit, elaborates further on the meaning of the song.
“Gangnam is basically the Beverly Hills of Korea,” Ha said. “In the song, PSY is acting all cool and calling out to all the girls.”
On YouTube, this trendy dance style has already overtaken Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” in the average number of views per day by 4.5 million.
According to Señor Riccitelli, who describes the music video as a feast for the eyes, despite its currently success, “Gangnam Style” is a novelty and just a fad.
“[“Gangnam Style”] has its time and moment, and it seems to be popular because it appeals to students who like the rhythm and beat of the music,” Riccitelli said. “There’s different [songs] that come through at different phases. This one will have its time, and others will come through.”
The spread of K-pop throughout the world, called the “Hallyu Wave,” is rapid despite the language barrier and cultural differences. “Gangnam Style” is no exception in the fact that the entire song is in Korean — excluding the “Eh, sexy lady” part — yet it entertains viewers of all ages and races.
“I think the fact it’s in Korean makes it so popular,” junior Ramiro Mosquera said. “Nobody here has heard such a style of music, and the humor used in it is relateable to here.”
As the Hallyu Wave extends into the US, Korean entertainment companies will continue to influence Americans through their music and top idols. Riccitelli agrees that Korea’s comedy and unprecedented style may be it’s key to success in the aggressive world of music.
“Humor is a big part of [“Gangnam Style’s popularity],” Riccitelli said. “I didn’t really pay attention to the lyrics because I was watching the spectacle of the video.”
