By Ree Hines, NBC News contributor
Psy shows of his best moves in the music video for "Gangnam Style."
If you haven't watched it yet, you're about to. If you haven't shared it with friends yet, that's coming, too. And if you don't already have this earworm playing a constant loop in your head, get ready!
It's not often that a South Korean dance hit sweeps the globe, but Psy's "Gangnam Style" has done just that -- and then some. The music video for the hyper-catchy track currently boasts 117+ million views on YouTube (and counting).
The question is why?
Maybe it has something to do with the rapid-fire and seemingly random scene swaps. Maybe it's all about the music. Or maybe it's Psy himself. Whatever it is, it's captivated otherwise cat-obsessed viral video fans, and it's already spread far beyond the borders of the Internet.
Not surprisingly, much of the K-Pop song and video's message seems to be lost on the Western world fans who've become obsessed with it over the last couple of months. After all, the over-the-top luxuries and well-manicured lifestyle of South Korea's ultra-rich Gangnam district isn't exactly a universal reference point. But then again, lampooning ludicrous excess while dropping a catchy beat pretty much works in any language.
Besides, Psy, whose real name is Park Jae-Sang, could probably perform his odd giddy-up dance without a song or Technicolor location shots and still draw online crowds -- his moves are just that mesmerizing.
Just see for yourself.
And don't stop watching there. The "Gangnam Style" phenomenon now goes way beyond the video that started it all. Thanks to a tribute-happy YouTube community, there's a baby version, a Gangam-meets-Minecraft sendup and even a Brony interpretation. Oh, and of course, there's the requisite (and must-see) "Teens React" video from viral pros The Fine Bros. And so on.
It's not just the usual YouTube masses that can't get enough of it. Even singing celebs are getting their "Gangnam" on. Josh Groban, T-Pain, Katy Perry and Britney Spears are among the many who've shared their love of the clip with their Twitter followers, with the latter raving, " I am LOVING this video?-- so fun! Thinking that I should possibly learn the choreography. Anybody wanna teach me?! haha."
Heck, Justin Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun, regrets not getting on Psy's bandwagon earlier, tweeting, " HOW DID I NOT SIGN THIS GUY!?!??!"
Singer Nelly Furtado took her own "Gangnam Style" a step further by performing it for fans in concert.
The admiration appears to be mutual. While music stars go gaga about Psy, he returns the favor by channeling them during his own concerts.
Are you a fan? Tell us your take on "Gangam Style" on our Facebook page.
?
More in NBC News Entertainment:
elizabeth berkley lenny dykstra the voice jenelle evans jenelle evans mlb 12 the show sabu
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.