It is hard to ignore the mass popularity of the international music sensation, “Gangnam Style” by Korean artist, PSY. Surpassing Justin Bieber’s 2010 single, “Baby”, by reaching 1 billion views, the song recently became the most watched video on YouTube. “Gangnam Style” has become the first to reach 1 billion on December 21, 2012 receiving even more recognition and notability than before.
“I personally find it really random, and I was surprised at how many views it has on YouTube,” Convent of the Sacred Heart sophomore Annie Werdiger said.
However, this is not PSY’s first time in the spotlight. PSY  has made many appearances on television, which is how he got contacted from producers. In 2001, PSY debuted his first album, which was later fined for “inappropriate content.”
With mixed reviews of the prior songs, people find it surprising how widely known “Gangnam Style” has become in a matter of merely six months.
“I think it’s a catchy song but kind of annoying,” sophomore Ailish Cunniffe said.
This song has also gotten recognition from many celebrities, including singers Katy Perry and Britney Spears. Perhaps the biggest sign of this song’s popularity among celebrities and people around the world was Barack Obama’s recognition. The president met PSY at a recent Christmas concert in Washington. This event was met with some controversy when the anti-American lyrics to an older song of PSY’s surfaced.
Similarly controversial is the translation of the singer’s lyrics to “Gangnam Style,” which are full of sexual references. Although people sing along to the Korean words they hear repeatedly, not many know quite what they are saying.
 
– Julia Perry, Staff Writer