[rscale]

Gangnam Style is a poignant example of a world-wide entertainment trend that wasn't started in America. Most of the world doesn't even know what the lyrics mean, but that didn't keep it from sweeping the globe. It did so without advertising or great expense, using Internet platforms like Youtube to get reach.

I've seen Gangnam Style covered in places like the New Yorker, the Economist, and the Wall Street Journal. These are places that don't generally spend time discussing pop music, but that also felt Gangnam was worth consideration.

Musical tastes vary, and nothing says you have to like it. But PSY's hit seems to be indicative of a global increase in cosmopolitanism, and that's a trend that affects many entrepreneurs and investors.

[Surio]

+1 for "Gangnam Style is a poignant example of a world-wide entertainment trend that wasn't started in America". You said it.

I wanted to say that too, but didn't feel it was necessary within the discussion context taking place (where I was first replying). Since you've mentioned it, here's my view. There's a certain "uninhibitedness" to the video that's very recognisably asiatic (as in there is no 'Made in USA' cultural feel and reference to it) and that also that shouts out "I am not a packaged deal, I was spontaneously made". I think that freshness is what's keeping the momentum going.

[agumonkey]

Note aside, the singer seems to be a wise, generous and simple person with a sense of distance. I was greatly surprised and pleased to see him in interviews. Doubly refreshing.

[Surio]

Very nice to hear that one. Most stories about people involved in media, music and entertainment seem to highlight that they don't have any those obviously redeeming qualities

[agumonkey]

Many of celebrities are product of the system (teen idols, etc), iirc PSY was an struggling odd pop singer with his own take on things I guess, which makes the whole phenomenon even funnier.