Guardian asks why Gangnam Style is funny.

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

The world is currently in thrall to a fat Korean Psycho who is spouting anti-capitalist messages and blowing things up. Ordinarily America would be up in arms, but its defence forces are too busy learning the horse-dance and chorusing "Heeey sexy lady" to properly react. Shots have been fired, lifeguards have been fired, but Gangnam Style fever continues unabated: the music video has had more than 262m views on YouTube and made history as the most liked video ever.

If you're Googling "What's Kim Jong-Un done now?", you've got your Koreas confused – which, as any Olympics official knows, is an easy mistake to make. The Psycho in question is actually the nom-du-rap of South Korean Park Jae-sang ("Psy" for short) who is quickly becoming South Korea's most successful export ever. Since the song was released in July, Psy's been signed by Justin Bieber's management, performed on Ellen, and collaborated with Jill Stuart on a Gangnam-inspired fashion line. Even Samsung is trying to cash in on Psy's success, making him the new endorsement model for its range of kimchi refrigerators.

That Psy is promoting upmarket frocks and luxury fridges is somewhat ironic, considering Gangnam Style's lampooning of the rampant consumerism that pervades what has been described as South Korea's Beverly Hills. The song's lyrics, for example, poke fun at soybean-paste girls who eat cheaply in private so that they can afford to drink mocha frappe lattes in public. Of course, this social commentary is largely lost on non-Korean speakers who don't know their kimchi from their Kim Lee; it's hardly Gangnam Style's political message that is behind its success in the west. So what is? How on Earth has the song become so popular, when, as one CNN anchor blithely notes, no one has any idea what Psy is rapping about?

Well, there's the fact that Gangnam Style is ridiculously catchy, but that alone doesn't explain the song's meteoric rise. Essentially, it is just an over-the-top video where a fat man does a comical dance and sings repetitive lyrics that don't make sense to most of us. Which basically describes every Flo Rida song ever. This is partly the point of the video, which parodies not just cultural mores specific to South Korea, but cultural excesses easily recognisable to western viewers. Gangnam Style's lyrics may be in Korean, but its visuals are in clear American. It is a pastiche of pop video cliches so familiar you almost feel you know what Psy is singing.

The video also contains the seeds of its own reconstruction – which goes a long way to explain its success. The dance moves are simple enough to mimic and easily copied scenarios – such as the elevator scene – call out to be aped. Psy has produced a video that is born to spawn and has further facilitated this by waiving his copyright. This stands in high contrast to many western hip-hop stars who have been slow to relinquish control of their "intellectual" property in the same way (take Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind, for example, which quickly generated a host of YouTube tributes that were quickly removed by EMI).

Psy's relaxed attitude to his tributes has meant that Gangnam Style has already enjoyed a prolific after-life. Everyone has made their own version, which only adds to the success of the original. Nevertheless, I can't help thinking that there is a slightly odd dynamic at work in this mimicry. For one thing, Gangnam Style is itself a parody. If a spoof spoofs a spoof then what's that spoof spoofing? What, exactly, is the source of all that hilarity?

The last time the west laughed so uproariously at a Korean singer was when an animated Kim Jong-il bewailed how "ronery" he was in the film Team America, and how nobody took him "serirousry". The puppet had a point: popular western media doesn't tend to take east Asian men seriously – even when they're brutal dictators. The stereotype of a portly, non-threatening Charlie Chan-type who speaks "comical" English is still very much alive, apparent in everything from hungry Kim Jong-un memes to Abercrombie and Fitch T-shirts. And it's hard to escape the uncomfortable feeling that this stereotype is contributing something to the laughter around Gangnam Style.

Source: Guardian

So guys what do you think, is it funny because it's a guy doing a horse dance or do you think him being Asian and people are laughing at him. It seems to be a big issue right now. Also smh at calling him fat, he's not fat. And PSY is No 1 in the UK charts.

Comments

[drfaith101.livejournal.com]

He scored number one? Congrats to him!

And having read the article in full...how unpleasant. I'd like to believe that the majority of its success has come from it having a catchy tune and a fun video more than anything else tbh.

[bolingi-aii.livejournal.com]

"Gangnam Style is itself a parody. If a spoof spoofs a spoof then what's that spoof spoofing? What, exactly, is the source of all that hilarity?"

this is interesting, it makes me wonder if either Korean or Western audiences are laughing along with psy or completely missing his message. What is the point of Gangnam Style and does it really matter to him if people "get it"

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

I asked a couple of my friends what they found funny and alot of them said that he reminds them of a good Friday night out. Fun and crazy etc. But then you read the Tiger JK article and it seems like it's some asian stereotype in the making.

[laceandskin.livejournal.com]

I think the person who wrote that article sounds like a miserable bitch.

[bolingi-aii.livejournal.com]

I don't think there is anything wrong with asking critical questions especially where race is concerned. Given the reputation and history of most Western countries, this is definietly something to look at and also it opens up discussion on the under representation/racist depictions of Asian/Asian Americans in Western media

[bolingi-aii.livejournal.com]

race definitely plays an element in this, no denying that. Psy is like trend right now, a new accessory or fade that is sweeping the nation. But I haven't really been paying attention to the coverage on him so I wonder how they are portraying him in relation to his product, are they separating the artist from his image, or combining it all into one round entertaining oriental package? All I can really say is get that money psy, but I found myself embarrassed for him on the Ellen Show when he came out dancing and had to ask to introduce himself. It felt very cooney to me.

[http://users.livejournal.com/reminisce__/]

Strangely both, Ryan Seacrest had a very favorable interview, while there are some articles that give background on PSY and interview his thoughts, while others are just comparing him to William Hung. What happened on Ellen was awkward though, IA. I find that Gangnam Style is an interesting way to see how the media works when reporting, and their articles as reflections of the stances and understanding of how their media is processing the virality.
-

this bottom comment is in support to your other comments -

This is gonna be part of the endless cycle of the human race - someone dares to analyze and question in a way that isn't comfortable for the majority population, people respond with calls of 'overintellectualization.'

People need to see that the PSY phenomenon is changing into something else due to how its being consumed and who is consuming it - and that's a very reasonable thing to question. Just who is really watching this? I have good faith that a lot of people seriously do enjoy the video and are laughing with PSY's on-point irreverency, as I do see that a lot of people are using PSY as a way to further their racist stereotypes of the world. Both exist.

Well ain't that nice... and it was the first sentence

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

The world is currently in thrall to a fat Korean Psycho who is spouting anti-capitalist messages and blowing things up.

[rylee900.livejournal.com]

I mean obviously :/ I never even doubted this. I mean, I have a lot of respect for Psy but.... I am nhf the way Western people think of him. I mean, didn't he ask Ellen if he could introduce himself? Smh, that made me almost cry. I do feel like the fact that he was a hit is because people are taking him as a joke( and that's why 2ne1, WG, SNSD,whoever, probably won't ever make it mainstream in the U.S. I mean- when Tiffany was complemented for her 'very good English'.) Just...ugh.

[spatza-camino.livejournal.com]

The truth of PSY's success just hurts. Also SMH really that he even had to ask if he could introduce himself.

[spatza-camino.livejournal.com]

I find the opening freaking capitalist.

And how the rest was written is discriminatory.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

The song is catchy
the dance is funny
and unlike many others Psy doesn't give a fuck, does not try to make it big, he's just making music as he wants to not how the market what's it and that's refreshing

[turdferguson.livejournal.com]

fat Korean Psycho


(http://tinypic.com?ref=2yjwmpv)

I think there are people who out there who aren't into kpop but unironically like this song but then there's also people who want to laugh at him because he's a big asian funny man. I just wish we can get away from asking these questions and just enjoy it for what it is (not dissing the OP's questions but just in general). Because imo when something ~foreign~ makes its way to the Western world people are always like "Why do we like this???" Well, are we not supposed to? It's catchy, it's fun, the beats are sick, it follows the formula of what a great pop song sounds like.

Tbh there should be more articles out there about international kpop/jpop/cpop fans to show that people who don't speak Korean/Japanese/Chinese have the capacity to look beyond language barriers and just love the music and artists for what they are.

[bolingi-aii.livejournal.com]

I think its important to ask these questions, its essentially the reason why Tiger JK blew up. Its important for Westerns to be mindful and aware of how they receive foreign artists. Take their art for what it is, understand it and create your own interpretations from there. Don't expect every Korean artist to be a Psy character. And that is exactly what happens when these types of discussions don't occur.

Its not that you're not supposed to like it because of this us vs them ideology, but more so do you understand what you like, do you understand the context of this music, this art or this trend. The same type of critique can be made of the Korean artists who boast about being into hip hop and loving hip hop but at the same time hold ignorant views about the very culture/artists they love.

[bolingi-aii.livejournal.com]

I think this article bring up an interesting question about Asian/Asian American representation in Western media and I don't see how people are missing the point. The article isn't attacking Psy but using him as an example to further discussion on this issue. The interrogation is on Western audiences and their framing of Gangnam Style, not Psy. How do Westerns see Psy and this Gangnam Style phenomenon and why?

The world is currently in thrall to a fat Korean Psycho who is spouting anti-capitalist messages and blowing things up. Ordinarily America would be up in arms, but its defence forces are too busy learning the horse-dance and chorusing "Heeey sexy lady" to properly react.

[elementalranger.livejournal.com]

you are so on point all throughout this post

[the-erotomanic.livejournal.com]

i think the main reason this got big, because no one needed to overanalyze this to enjoy what they were hearing and watching. the beat was good. the visual was funny. and everyone seemed like they were having fun. might as well have fun, too.

[lastofthewildes.livejournal.com]

+1

[setsuna16.livejournal.com]

I don't understand the appeal of the song... I really don't, or the video. Both seem extremely tedious to me. But I say good for Psy for getting exposure.

[soramai.livejournal.com]

I hate the Guardian.

[missatira.livejournal.com]

i honestly thought he was so successful with this song was because he has SO much swag. Everything else is secondary.

[bolingi-aii.livejournal.com]

This article could have taken it a step further and asked if Gangnam would have the same success/ mass appeal if Psy was American and rap-singing in English.It really makes you question the elements that need to be present to qualify the success of an Asian face in the West.

[erbalurbal.livejournal.com]

Obviously the buffoonery is what made so many people pay attention to it. I found it really uncomfortable when every interview or article about him basically started with an excerpt about the corny, fat, asian guy that is taking the world on. But, I think the reason it was able to become so huge is because the song is actually good.

Yes, there are a lot of people laughing at him, but I think at this point most are laughing with him. Is he being taken seriously? No. The song and dance are fun and it is what it is.

I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

[sadistic-dance.livejournal.com]

Really the only funny thing about the video is that he's comically serious throughout all the ridiculous things he's doing.
That and the dance gets hilarious around the hip shaking move.

[toshi830.livejournal.com]

Essentially, it is just an over-the-top video where a fat man does a comical dance and sings repetitive lyrics that don't make sense to most of us. Which basically describes every Flo Rida song ever.

[lightframes.livejournal.com]

I had to laugh at that part.

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

Pretty sure the song would be hit regardless the race of the singer. It's simply funny 'cause it's funny.

ETA: Just checked out article's comments section @ Guardian and LMAO the writer is so gonna win an award for this month's most hated article chosen by the readers.

[cotxpaxi.livejournal.com]

ahh so you're ~colorblind~

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

The author is quite over the top and a bit disagreeable...but it is every Flo Rida song ever (and many others) so it's not just a Psy or "fat psycho" (how rude) thing...

[aaalove.livejournal.com]

The fact that she calls him fat in the beginning of the article makes this sound completely hypocritical and invalid. lol this girl is pressed and needs to worry about other issues the UK is facing LOL.

[bolingi-aii.livejournal.com]

how does that make what she says hypocritical or invalid and what is she exactly pressed about?

[bolingi-aii.livejournal.com]

...are people even reading this article? and you wonder why these types of images persist.

[avieyal.livejournal.com]

haha I was just thinking this. You seem alone here >< btw do you have a link to the TigerJK blowing up thing? I don't really follow the Gangnam Style boom..

The sad part is that the mainstream in SEA countries are recognizing PSY not because Kpop is huge here/PSY's musiical merit, but because he's been 'recognized' in western countries. So there's a sort of roundabout way of getting to why Asians (apart from Koreans/kpop fans) like Gangnam Style. That's the only reason I can see for why its popular here because if you take away the "PSY-ness", its just another kpop song.

"So Sick Of Gangnam Style" by the red.FM crew lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc_WiXSq5wc

[cauliflower346.livejournal.com]

I feel like the popularity just happened. Sometimes there's no explaining things.
But I really don't feel like it's a race thing/"oh, look at the funny Anian man!" thing that gave it popularity. I really do not feel like people are laughing at him--I have not seen a single person who liked the song, and thought that they were laughing at him because he's Asian.

I feel like LMFAO's "I'm sexy and I know it" kinda have the same attraction, somehow... just over the top amusement.(apparently, just when you take out the lyrics, because I never looked them up, so I had no idea)
The dance is fun, the music video is bizarre as fuck, and because PSY has such a great energy around him. He's a fun person! It's entertaining. If you take him out, and put a white guy in it who magically has the same personality and voice...you don't take anything vital out of what makes it entertaining. So why would race be a part of what has made it so big? I just don't quite see that here.

"Gangnam Style's lyrics may be in Korean, but its visuals are in clear American"
Well.... I, for one, totally missed it. I also didn't know that "American" was a language.

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

I think this is the best explanation on song's popularity. I doubt any of these kids cares about PSY's race:

[lovebum4life.livejournal.com]

people on this site are really missing the point -____-

[sandritablue.livejournal.com]

"The world is currently in thrall to a fat Korean Psycho" > Ouch! that was uncalled for
Well...i made my brother watch it and he was ROFL not because he was an "asian men"
he just simply found the video was ridiculous and funny :/