By Alexandra Sukin ‘15, Perspectives Section Editor

Fun, addictive, and quirky Korean singer PSY’s hit music video, Gangnam Style, has generated enormous buzz worldwide. With its novel “horse-back riding” choreography invented by PSY himself, it is impossible not to want to join the video’s dancing tour of Seoul. Celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres agree: “We love you. You’re amazing,” she told PSY (which is short for Psycho) during his guest appearance on her show last week. His dancing is almost laughable, and seems to always bring smiles to its viewers’ faces. PSY explained, “My style of dance is dress classy, dance cheesy.” When the music started so he could perform his hit single, Ellen’s audience rose and began dancing themselves. It can only be described as a sensation.

The video sensation has surpassed Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber for the #1 spot on iTunes, an incredible achievement for a non-American song, especially for one sung almost entirely in a foreign language. Gangnam Style is also the most “liked” video on YouTube, where it currently has more than 230 million views. To the world’s shock, North Korea, known for its restrictions on internet access and online material, used the video for propaganda to criticize a South Korean presidential candidate. Ironically, PSY claims he “didn’t make this for foreign countries…This was always for local fans.” PSY has done what few K-Pop singers have been able to do: make an Asian-targeted video into a world phenomenon.

Why has this somewhat outlandish Korean video brought people together? An international love of music and a good time seems to be the answer. Since going viral, the music video has inspired thousands of newlyweds to create their own parodies of Gangnam Style using professional photography companies. Brides and grooms imitate PSY’s “horse-back riding” in wedding gowns and tuxedos while bridesmaids and groomsmen back-up dance.

If you

are one of the 230 million who’ve seen this video, great. But if you haven’t, I wouldn’t wait another second; Gangnam Style isn’t something to be missed.

Gangnam Style by PSY original video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0

Gangnam Style parody by newlyweds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yr7FW1S5e0

Photo courtesy of popdust.com