In July, my Korean wife, Sojeong, summoned me to watch a newly released music video. My wife is a K-Pop fan, especially Big Bang, and I’m, well, less eclectic in my Korean pop music tastes.
I answered her call, expecting to see G-Dragon once again on her computer screen (all right, I admit that ‘Fantastic Baby’ is terffic, but ‘Monster’?, what a waste). Instead, I watched a video that at the conclusion I pronounced, ‘That’s the greatest music video ever made.’
Turns out my judgment was better than usual. Since I first watched the video in July, it’s had over 50 million views on YouTube worldwide to date.
The video was ‘Gangnam Style,’ by PSY. And, ever since I first saw it, I have been wracking my brain trying to find some China connection, however tenuous, so that I could legitimately bring this masterpiece to those benighted CHINA Debate readers who somehow missed it. Now, I have found the connection, sort of. Here it is.
While ‘Gangnam Style’ has become an international hit, it’s found little enthusiasm in China. As Weibo microblogger, Ryoko Rabbit, put it: ‘Today, a friend told that there is an “uncle” song that has swept the world (except for China), and even went to the top of US Billboard chart! Powerful “Uncle” PSY.’ [emphasis mine]
So, in the interest of better understanding contemporary Chinese culture, I ask that you now watch ‘Gangnam Style,’ and muse about this: what’s not to like?
Now that you’ve seen ‘Gangnam Style’ you are ready to meditate on the importance of regional stability to China by watching the parody, ‘Pyongyang Style,’ starring Kim Jong-Il, below.
Could it be time for Mr. PSY and Mr. Dear Leader to join in a world tour?
