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by Linsey Lanier
It must have been late in October last year when I first heard of the youtube rage Gangnam Style by PSY. What has it got? Over a billion hits? (If only I could do that.)
When I first saw the video, I thought, “Wow, this is weird.” But then I discovered everyone at my office knew the song and some of them thought it was a terrific workout video. Guess so.
What explains this phenomenon? Other than it’s the ultimate it’s-got-a-good-beat-and-it’s-easy-to-dance-to song, I have no idea.
But when something is that popular, folks are going to imitate it. So I poked around on youtube for parodies and discovered they abound. Political ones, which are kind of funny, cartoons, babies, and even one with Gandalf (that’s been removed due to copyright infringement)! I also discovered whenever I’m in the doldrums, a good Gangnam Style parody will pick me right up.
Recently, I happened on this parody and thought it was so cute, I had to share. What do you think?
So what do you think of the original? Do you have a theory for its popularity?
And in honor of our anniversary, a $10 Amazon gift card goes to one commenter (of my choice) who can tell me what “Gangnam Style” means. Oh, and if you have any parodies of the song that you like, please share..png "Cool"){kind=small}
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by Linsey Lanier
I’ve seen some funny parodies of Gangnam Style, but I saw far more parodies of Carly Rae Jepsen’s’ Call Me Maybe. Gangnam is an upscale section in Seoul similar to Beverly Hills.
Hi Linsey, What a great topic! I’ve stayed in the Gangnam District in the COEX hotel– the area where Psy is dancing on top of a building in that video. As Jane points out, it’s an upscale area. It has been developed over the last 25 years. One of the first large-scale developments was the sports center for the 1988 Olympics held in Seoul. Lots of designer shopping there but also an historic Buddhist temple, many businesses.
My theory why PSY is a phenom? He seems to be silly and very serious at the same time, being the cool guy and making fun of himself.
Hi Linsey- forgot to answer your question: Gangnam style refers to the style of those modern denizens of the district south of the Han River in Seoul.
When Gangnam Style by PSY seemed to be everywhere I actually did a bit of research to understand more about it. I discovered that the song actually mocks the Gangnam (a wealthy area in Seoul)lifestyle: “the excessive pursuit of image, good looks, success and affluence”.
Some of the articles I read were certainly worrying.
Thanks to Laura, Mary and Jane for their background and explanations. When I first saw your headline, I thought we were featuring a new Guest Chef named Linsey Gangam Style. I first heard of him when I heard the news about someone whose song had anti-American lyrics entertaining at a Christmas Show at the White House. I don’t think I ever heard his song. I listened to your farm parody and really loved it. Then I went online and heard the original. I like the farm video better. But I enjoyed learning about it. The only PSY I’d ever heard of was “psi” in Jane Ann Krentz’s new paranormal suspense, Dream Eyes.
I’ve seen more than my fair share of gangham style since my husband includes it in his zumba class routines. He’s actually pretty good at it
. I haven’t seen too many parodies, but the redneck style is pretty funny. The farmers were cute. Sometimes some silly fun.is just what we need!
Hi Jane, thanks for commenting. I haven’t heard of Call Me Maybe. Have to look that one up.
Laura, how cool that you’ve been to the area! I’m researching figure skating and learned some events have been held in Gangnam, though they spelled it differently. So I guess there’s skating Gangnam style, too. Though it would be pretty hard to do on skates, LOL.
I like the “cool guy making fun of himself” idea.
Hi Marilyn. That would be instant name recognition, LOL. Glad you liked the farmer parody. Yes, I heard of those anti-American lyrics. I believe Psy has apologized and I hope he meant it. IMO, it’s good not to put too much stock in what entertainers say.
Oh no, Debbie. You must have that intro music running through your head!
Glad you liked my farmers. Yes, silly fun is a great stress reliever.
Hey Linsey,
Interesting video – guess I don’t really know the craze either, but I do know certain videos go viral and people just go nuts over it.
One of my favorites for writers is Jackson Pierce’s “The Imaginary Writing Process: –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ_-TOJhXXk
Hilarious and loved sharing it!
Linsey, First I’ve seen or heard of it. Had to go into research mode. Gangnam, a wealthy area of Seoul and they are sort of making fun of it. I think the Farmer one is popular because it is a cleaned up version of some of the rap that is out there. And I think people watch it to, probably, make fun of it. Don’t really know.
That’s so funny, Linsey. I thought Gangnam was like somewhere in Korea where the musician of the original song was from. Don’t put me in the drawing b/c I’ve won plenty from you’all. Thanks for today’s smile.
I love PSY, I think it went viral because it’s catchy and easy to copy, not to mention the dance is easy to do too. My husband and I were doing it in Italy and couldn’t stop laughing, it would have made an interesting video. To mean it reminds me that no matter what nationality, music and laughter are a worldwide language.
I’ve seen the crazy video, but I had no idea what ‘Gangnam Style” really meant. I did a little research – and wow! It actually refers to a small area in South Korea (about the size of Manhattan) that used to be farmland – but in the last half century or so became extremely upscale.
The average South Korean’s annual income is $40,000 and a the average price for a Gangnam area apartment is 3/4 of a million dollars per year.
I love the farmer video. It’s made it’s rounds on Facebook and it gets cuter every time! lol
Thanks for the opportunity to win the awesome Amazon card. (My favorite!!)
Happy Monday!
Oh wait! I just watched the farmer video. I hadn’t seen this one! I’ve seen one similar, but come to think of it, it was a parody of a DIFFERENT song. LOL It’s cute all the same.
Elaine, that video IS hysterical. Thanks for sharing!
Good job, Maxine. And here I thought I had a question that would have everyone stumped.
So glad I could give you a smile, Dianna. Thanks for commenting.
Good point, Hildie. If you ever do make a video of you and your husband dancing Gangnam Style, please share!
Good researching, Cheryl. I didn’t know that about the average apartment.
Glad I brought you something new.
I had no idea that any of this was out there, but I enjoyed the original video, the parody, and Elaine’s suggestion very much. Thanks for getting my day off to such a fun start!
Pretty funny, Linsey!
I’m late…computer service provider (AT&T was on the blink)
This whole crazy craz is new to me…I must live under a mushroom when it comes to this type of thing. However, I did enjoy the cute farm boys. These are guys who got the muscles from working instead of at the gym….gotta love ‘em.
That was too cute. It is amazing what catches on.
Pam, glad you had fun watching these gems.
Connie, glad I could make you smile.
Good point, Sandy.
Susan, yes, it is, isn’t it?
Thanks to all who commented.
The winner is in! It was a hard decision, but I’ve chosen Laura Russell as the winner of the $10 Amazon gift card. Congratulations, Laura!
Loved the video. Those farmer guys did a great job! Isn’t it interesting the things that catch on and sweep the world, leaving new bits in our history?