Psy's Gangnam Tops Bieber with 812 Million You Tube Views

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 08:47:00 AM EST
Tags: Psy, Gangnam (all tags)

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It's official. You Tube says Psy's "Gangnam Style" is the most-watched video of all time -- 812 million views as of Saturday night. (Added: Sunday at noon: 817 million.) Pretty incredible considering it's only been up four months. Here's You Tube's list of the most watched videos. (Justin Beiber is second with 804 million views for Baby ft. Ludacris, which has been out almost two years.)

In addition to the flash mobs all over Europe, he's been on the Today Show, the Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen (teaching Brittany Spears) and joined Madonna at her concert Nov. 14. Next week, he'll be in Thailand, performing at an 85th birthday party for King Bhumibol Adulyadej. [More...]

Psy's real name is Park Jae-sang. He is 34, has twin girls, and attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

He must be exhausted, he's been all over the world the past 4 months, from Australia to Europe to Korea and the U.S.

Even the famous dancing inmates at the maximum security prison in Cebu, Philippines are performing Gangnam. (Here are the inmates doing an incredible version of Michael Jackson's This is It,and here they are, 1500 of them, at practice.)

Here is Psy in Paris and Gangnam flashmobs without him in Barcelona, Bangledesh, Palermo, Italy, Ecuador, Stockholm, and Rome. Check out the number of people in October in Angers, France. (I haven't seen any flashmob videos from Africa, Russia or China.)

What's the allure? Maybe nothing more than it makes people feel happy, like Zumba. Zumba and other dance fitness groups are embracing Gangnam. Here's a good version by Chakaboom Fitness.

Update: Here's Obama impersonator Reggie Brown doing Gangman.

Predictions, anyone, as to how long this lasts?

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Psy's Gangnam Tops Bieber with 812 Million You Tube Views | 14 comments (14 topical)

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No idea how long this will last (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by sj on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 03:33:49 PM EST

I was surprised at the longevity of the Macarena and this is catchier. I'm thinking of adding it to this year's Christmas stocking CD.

To add to your dancing inmate collection: This Is It is my favorite. That's Michael Jackson's choreographer in the lead and that amazing white boy was MJ's lead dancer.

Thanks for posting (none / 0) (#3)
by indy in sc on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 11:20:52 AM EST

that (I think) :). I felt like the last person on the planet who had not seen that video. Now I at least know what people are talking about. I can see why it spawned so many parodies (none of which I have seen either). Any favs among the parodies?

Here's one for you (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by Peter G on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 12:21:57 PM EST

Obama impersonator Reggie Brown


: that was terrific, I'm (none / 0) (#5)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 12:45:48 PM EST

adding it to my post. Thanks!

: Clearly (none / 0) (#9)
by womanwarrior on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 06:43:36 PM EST

why Obama win the election!

North Korea Style (none / 0) (#7)
by Slayersrezo on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 04:06:14 PM EST

North Korea style


Hey good job Psy! (none / 0) (#8)
by womanwarrior on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 06:29:15 PM EST

Much less puerile than Bieber? Sorry, I must have gotten old when I wasn't looking. Thanks for all the sites.

How lame (none / 0) (#10)
by shoephone on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 10:35:30 PM EST

If these are the performers Berklee's turning out these days, then the school is living up to its reputation as a big-name money grubber, just like it was when I went there. But at least back then students were practicing hard to become great jazz players. And many did.

Excuse me for not towing the wow-it's-the-newest-hottest-thing! line.

The video is perfect for the stupid culture we live in.

Actually (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by Slayersrezo on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 10:59:42 PM EST

This video is making fun of several parts of South Korean culture - which, naturally, you don't understand because you are not a Korean.

I recommend you look up some information on this video, which can be found on many Korean emigree websites, or heck, so-called "K-Pop" websites.

It's not totally a "dumb" video, though Psy was trying to be as "uncool" as possible.


Thanks for sharing (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by shoephone on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 11:01:20 PM EST

As it happens, I've been to South Korea. But I didn't know one had to be an expert in South Korean culture to "get" the video. Thanks for filling me in.


: I'm going to give your critique some validity (none / 0) (#16)
by Slayersrezo on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 11:25:06 PM EST

Though the video is more "criticism/satire" in South Korea, to most of us here in the western world it's simply a silly looking man dancing around in a silly way and getting into all sorts of interesting and silly situations with many different types of people. Oh, and hawt babes, and some male hunks dancing in the foreground and background along with him.

Eh (none / 0) (#11)
by Rupe on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 10:42:29 PM EST

It's fun. I think its as simple as that. Its possible to appreciate stuff like this as well as high brow music.


Whatever (none / 0) (#12)
by shoephone on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 10:58:57 PM EST

You're free to appreciate whatever you like. I like singing and dancing videos a lot -- when they're well done. IMO, this video is really low quality on both the singing and the dancing. But then... I studied acting, voice and dance too, so there ya go.


: Here you go, shoephone (none / 0) (#15)
by Slayersrezo on Sun Nov 25, 2012 at 11:02:46 PM EST

Better quality dancing/production.
Hyuna Version