For most of America, Psy is a funny name, a funny face, and a funny personality. He doesnât sing in English and most people just donât get it leaving most of them to not take him seriously. Itâs easy to strip the significance behind âGangnam Styleâ down if you donât know what it means and solely find entertainment in the Asian guy shaking his hips. But what most people donât realize is that Psy doesnât take himself seriously. Heâs a satirist and political dissident. âGangnam Styleâ was a commentary, not just a fun pop tune with a silly dance.
Gangnam is Seoulâs wealthiest and flashiest neighborhood. For South Koreans, Gangnam represents the ideal life of excess and consumerism. Psyâs character in the video is a wannabe Gangnamite. He dreams heâs living the flashy, excessive lifestyle while heâs really just like everyone else, swimming in a public pool and riding the subway. But never in the video does it seem that Psyâs character is unhappy. Heâs content to play in a childrenâs playground and meet the girl of his dreams in the subway. âGangnam Styleâ is much more that we have made it, but thatâs not surprising considering Psyâs background and how little we know about it.
In America, it seems like âGangnam Styleâ was Psyâs big break when in fact the song had been released on his sixth studio album and his music career hadnât been about making flashy and catchy songs. He believes music is the key to overcoming the intolerance embedded in his countryâs political systems. Throughout his career, his songs have been banned for inappropriate content and have been surrounded by controversy, not to mention the fact that he fought his mandatory military draft.
Psy is a voice for his people. Heâs fighting the oppression and intolerance he sees in his culture through his music. And by ignoring his worth and his value, weâre reducing the culture of South Korea into a short man with funny pants doing a ridiculous dance.
discoholicmusic
kianamaiart
dededos
ellievsbear
jacobvanloon
annaxmalina
