We have all seen, heard and probably danced to Psy’s entertaining “Gangnam Style”, but are we aware of the message it is actually trying to give? The outrageous music video is a mild social satire on Korea’s wealthiest city while Psy plays the role of the typical superficial Gangnam wannabe most Koreans are inside. Behind all the glitz and glamour, Psy is supposedly surrounded by – he is shown in a juxtaposition living the unglamorous life. He imagines being fanned by an attractive lady while actually sitting on a children’s playground; he happily hangs out with mobsters, elderly pensioners and tourist retirees. When it appears he is at the red-carpet flanked by two beautiful women – he is actually in an underground parking lot getting trash blown at him.
http://popdust.com/2012/07/25/psy-gangnam-style-kpop-video/
These subtle references to the ostentatious wealth Koreans aspire for – compared with reality, play not only on Gangnam’s lifestyle but also how almost every Korean wishes to live like them.
The truth is, Gangnam is the heart of South Korea’s largely materialistic society where the average household carries a credit card debt of 155% of their disposable income and every adult has an average of five credit cards. Gangnam itself is fifteen square miles and holds a staggering 7% of Korea’s GDP. Despite the parody of Korea’s society, most Koreans still aspire to live that lifestyle. Does that mean the poor are left in the fringes of rural periphery while these people live luxuriously without care?
I had no idea of the ironic statements underneath the video but I realized the nuances when I watched “Gangnam Style” a couple more times. If you don’t believe me, take a look yourself.
Futrelle, David. “The Wholesome Hidden Message of Gangnam Style.” TIME.com. Time Business, 24 Sept. 2012. Web. 05 Oct. 2012. <http://business.time.com/2012/09/24/the-wholesome-hidden-message-of-gangnam-style/?iid=biz-main-mostpop1>
Shin, Laura. “There’s A Personal Finance Message In ‘Gangnam Style'” Business Insider. Business Insider Inc., 21 Sept. 2012. Web. 05 Oct. 2012. <http://www.businessinsider.com/gangnam-style-finance-tips-2012-9>.
Fisher, Max. “Gangnam Style, Dissected: The Subversive Message Within South Korea’s Music Video Sensation.” The Atlantic. The Atlantic Monthly Group, 23 Aug. 2012. Web. 05 Oct. 2012. <http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/08/gangnam-style-dissected-the-subversive-message-within-south-koreas-music-video-sensation/261462/>.