"Psy Style" scores as Gangnam rapper readies new song

"We obviously could have sold thousands had it not been a limited edition‚"

REUTERS
SEOUL: As South Korean rapper Psy readies what he hopes will be his next hit song, aiming for a repeat of the viral "Gangnam Style," retailers are keeping a close eye on what he wears, hoping another blockbuster will send sales surging.

In Japan‚ Gangnam Style Is a Hit‚ But PSY Is a Bust

AGENCIES
Since its debut last summer, it’s been nearly impossible to avoid the screaming siren and faux-giddyup-ing phenomenon that is Gangnam Style. Oddly, the only area of the world that seems uninfected by the viral sensation is Japan, which usually loves Korean pop artists.

Instead of embracing PSY, the Japanese prefer any number of Gangnam Style knockoffs, most notably the K-Pop All-Stars remix that currently sits at No. 67 on iTunes in Japan—for $1.69. Yes, it’s baffling that anyone would pay for the original when there’s YouTube (GOOG), let alone $1.69 for a remix that is, take my word for it, much worse. And while the global disparity in iTunes pricing is well documented, Japan’s unparalleled disinterest in PSY makes the relatively high price of the K-pop cover even more curious.............

'Gangnam Style' takes top song prize at 'K-pop Grammys'

REUTERS
South Korean rapper Psy's quirky viral hit "Gangnam Style" took the prize for top song on Wednesday at the 27th annual Golden Disk Awards, a Korean pop event dubbed the "Korean Grammys."

The two-day celebration of all things K-pop, including performances by superstars such as the boy band Super Junior, was held in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur before hordes of screaming fans, a testimony to the soaring popularity of Korean pop music around the world.

Nowhere has that been more apparent than with "Gangnam Style," an infectious hit that made history last month when it became the first ever video on YouTube to reach 1 billion views, the latest record on the song's surge into mainstream pop.

The tune won the Song of the Year award, the final prize.

The awards were only the latest accolades for Psy, 35, in what has been a whirlwind year for the chubby rapper, the first K-pop artist to achieve mainstream success in the United States as a result of "Gangnam Style."

Decked out in a bow tie and suit jackets varying from pink to baby blue, and only a towel for one sequence set in a sauna, Psy raps in Korean and busts funky moves based on horse-riding in venues ranging from playgrounds to subways.

The song, released in July, was meant as a commentary on the rampant materialism of today's South Korea - particularly in relation to the Gangnam section of the city, which Psy has termed Seoul's Beverly Hills.

"My goal in this music video was to look uncool until the end. I achieved it," Psy told Reuters in August.

The popularity of the song, which has prompted many copycat and parody videos, has added fuel to growing international interest in Asian pop music, especially the K-pop industry, which now aims to follow Psy into mainstream Western pop music.

Thanks to their youth, glowing image and the style of their songs and dances, K-pop fans have grown rapidly in Southeast Asia, formerly dominated by stars from the West as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan.

A Malaysian fan who queued for three days to get into the first night of the awards ceremony said she loved how the K-pop stars strived for perfection.

"K-pop stars have been working very hard, even before they make their first debut. They spend a lot of time practicing to become a perfect artist," said the 20-something Tay Ching Ee. "This is what other artists should learn from them."

The Golden Disk Awards began in 1986, with winners chosen based on album sales and digital downloads. The ceremony first ventured overseas in 2012, when it was held in Japan.

On Tuesday, the first night, Super Junior again won the best album award with their album "Sexy, Free & Single." Boy band Shinee scooped the Most Popular Star prize.

Cruise says no to Psy's Gangnam invite

AGENCIES

KARACHI: Tom Cruise, who was in Seoul to promote his new film Jack Reacher, declined a chance to try out his Gangnam Style dance skills on January 10.

The 50-year-old actor hailed Psy as “quite a sensation” but declined to follow the likes of UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon in 

imitating the singer’s 

dance moves, saying that the 35-year-old South 

Korean rapper did it better than him, the Express Tribune reported. 

Cruise said that he was happy for Psy’s success and that everyone had really enjoyed it.

He was one of the many celebrities around the world, who took to social networks last year, to promote the Gangnam Style video, as it became a viral sensation.

“Think @Psy oppa would make a good future co-star Gangnam Style?” he tweeted last September. When asked last year which person he would most like to see “go Gangnam Style”, Psy named Cruise as his first choice.

PSY Apologizes For "Kill Those F-ing Yankees" Anti-War Lyrics

"Gangnam Style" rapper PSY is in hot water over anti-American statements and lyrics he belted out at a 2004 anti-war protest concert came to light.

Among the incendiary lyrics: "Kill those f--king Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives / Kill those f--king Yankees who ordered them to torture."

"Kill their daughters, mothers, daughter-in-law and fathers / Kill them all slowly and painfully."

Yeah. Not good.

 PSY, who has performed for U.S. troops in 2012 and is scheduled to perform later this month for President Barack Obama, quickly apologized and explained.

The 34-year-old, whose "Gangnam Style" just became the most-watched video of all time, certainly isn't on an invisible high horse, but rather broken up over this.

 PSY said that his harsh words came at a heated time, following the killing of two Korean schoolgirls, and do not reflect his views of America or its military.

"As a proud South Korean who was educated in the United States and lived there for a very significant part of my life," he said in a statement.

"I understand the sacrifices American servicemen and women have made to protect freedom and democracy in my country and around the world."

"The song I was featured in - eight years ago - was part of a deeply emotional reaction to the war in Iraq and the killing of two Korean schoolgirls that was part of the strong, overall anti-war sentiment shared by others around the world at that time."

"While I'm grateful for the freedom to express one's self, I've learned there are limits to what language is appropriate and I'm deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted."

"I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused by those words."

"I have been honored to perform in front of American soldiers in recent months - including an appearance on the Jay Leno show specifically for them. I hope they and all Americans can accept my apology."

"While it's important that we express our opinions, I deeply regret the inflammatory and inappropriate language I used to do so. In my music, I try to give people a release, a reason to smile."

"I have learned that thru music, our universal language we can all come together as a culture of humanity and I hope that you will accept my apology."

Well spoken at least, and it appears the White House accepts.

A spokesman said Friday that the Obama family still plans to attend the December 21 Christmas in D.C. concert where PSY is scheduled to appear.

hollywood Gossip

Restaurant named "Gangnam Style"

In Los Angeles, a resturant named "Gangnam Style" has opened. With the popularity of Korean singer Psy's Gangnam Style, it has inspired the restaurant to name it. And the singer seems it has not bother him and he has no plan to sue the owner. The Koreatown restaurant was previously known as Soju Town, but it re-opened last month after a brief closure under its new name Gangnam Style, reports tmz.com. The restaurant never bothered to get Psy’s permission to use the name, but if sources close to the singer are to be believed, he doesn’t really care.

Most popular PSY wants Tom Cruise to go 'Gangnam Style'

The most popular video on youtube singer PSY now wants Tom Cruise to horse dance in Gangnam Style. As he told to the question asked as which celebrity he would like to see go "Gangnam Style" and the singer told it would be Tom Cruise.

Surrounded by screaming fans, he then chuckled at the idea of the American movie star doing his now famous horse-riding dance.

The superstar who never dreamed to be an international star revealed that he had made the "Gangnam Style" just for Korea. But it crosses the boundaries and now guess everyone is doing Gangnam Style even thought nobody understood the lyrics.

Guinness World Record made by PSY

Superstar Korean singer, Psy’s Gangnam Style was the song which hit the youtube and has received more that four million visitors. This was the song which world loved to see and dance his horse dance movement. From F.M to T.Vs to reality shows to Fashion shows to parties to politics, everywhere there was Gangnam Style.
Also read this news as it originally appears on Awaken Nepal.

Though majority don’t understood the language but also they loved this song to listen and to dance. In this tensed world this song has put on the smile and refreshed the mood of everybody. All people were crazy following PSY and dancing his beats.
                >>>>>Also know more about PSY and Gangnam Style here
This was the first time that the Korean music has topped the itunes and most probably first Korean to reach at this height of popularity. May be because of this popularity, PSY has received Guiness World Records certificate for Gangnam Style.  The Gangnam Style was the most liked video in the Youtube last month. PSY received the prestigious award during an interview with Scott Mills, who championed the single, at BBC Radio 1.
             >>>>>Also read more about his Guiness World Record here
The online sensation has only been available to view since the 15th of July but as of today has been ‘liked’ 4,911,081 times, which puts its competitors in the shade; LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem has accumulated 1,574,963 likes, Justin’s Bieber’s Baby (1,327,147 likes) and British pop star Adele’s Rolling in the Deep (1,245,641 likes).
This is a very good example of music which proves that MUSIC has no boundaries and no language…….the one which came out from one’s heart will reach to another heart. Hat’s off to PSY and his Gangnam Style, the language which was an alien to us are now part of our playlist and it plays most of time. And as it plays we love to move with it and smile and laugh. This song is also spreading happiness and joy which it carries to this dull world and to be close with each other, relax from tension and just enjoy and jump.