Psy, SNSD recognized on Time’s Top 10 Everything of 2013

Time magazine has selected the music video for Psy’s comedic single “Gentleman” as the No. 1 Viral Video of 2013 as well as Girls’ Generation’s “I Got a Boy” as No. 5 on the Top 10 Songs of 2013 in the magazine’s list set of the Top 10 Everything of 2013.

Psy and Girls’ Generation were the only two Koreans on the publication’s set of Top 10 lists. Rap star Psy’s “Gentleman” music video raked up more than 595 million hits on YouTube since it was released in April.

“Think lightning can’t strike twice? South Korean pop star Psy proved he was a rainmaker when he debuted ‘Gentleman’ in April, his much-awaited follow-up to 2012’s most viral video, ‘Gangnam Style,’” Time magazine wrote. “While nowhere close to his original hit in terms of catchiness and choreography ― the signature hip-swinging move was no invisible horse dance ― Psy proved he wasn’t a one-trick pony when ‘Gentleman’ broke all kinds of records right out of the gate, becoming the most viewed video online in a single day.”

Girls’ Generation had already made a surprising win at this year’s annual YouTube Video Music Awards show by snagging the Video of the Year award, beating out big-time global stars such as Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. “I Got a Boy” ― the lead track from the ladies’ much ― awaited fourth studio album released in January ― has done it once again, beating out some of this year’s biggest hit singles including Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop” and Lorde’s “Royals.”

“The nine-woman South Korean group Girls’ Generation is a ridiculously effective hook machine, and a major phenomenon in Asia, whose biggest pop acts make One Direction and Katy Perry sound like audience-alienating avant-gardists,” wrote Time.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)