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U.S. Ambassador to Korea Sung Y. Kim (left) and pop star Psy, whose single “Gangnam Style” is No. 2 in the U.S., give the thumbs up on a visit from Psy after he returned to Korea last month. (U.S. Embassy) |
K-pop star Psy did it “American Embassy style” when he stopped by on a visa-related matter, according to the latest blog post by U.S. Ambassador to Korea Sung Y. Kim.
Psy’s star went super nova this past summer with his single “Gangnam Style,” in which the rapper-singer shows off his infectious equine dance move. The music video went viral in the weeks since it went online on July 15 ― it was recognized by Guinness World Records in September as the most “liked” video ever.
Kim heaped accolades on the galloping 35-year-old rapper, too.
“I think Psy is a perfect example of the growing ties between the U.S. and Korea, and that his activities and success in the U.S. will enhance people-to-people ties between our two countries,” the ambassador said in a blog entry posted Thursday.
The song pokes fun at the materialism of Gangnam, the trendy district in southern Seoul. Its enormous popularity came as a surprise, with celebrities from T-Pain to Britney Spears embracing what might be now Korea’s No. 1 cultural export to America, particularly because it did not follow the fine-tuned formula of K-pop industry crooners.
“It feels like Psy is the most famous person on earth,” Kim said.
“But as I talked to him, what stood out to me was how humble and genuine he was. He is also very articulate, smart and pleasant.”
(ephilip2011@heralkdcorp.com)
