Going Viral for Success of Psy
The reading:Cho, Lee, Yoo and Chu, TV Singing Competitions in K-pop, 2018, J of Cultural Economics
Psy became the most popular Korean artist in the world after his song “Gangnam Style.” It became the most viewed video on YouTube after release. The success of Psy shows how going viral on the internet is the best way to become a success artist.
Becoming viral on social media was the most important reason for Psy’s international success. His video was watched billions of times on YouTube (Cho et al. n.p.). This made him popular not just in South Korea but rest of the world. Because of this, the song became number 1 on iTunes and not just in South Korea. It was so popular that students and other young people copied his dance and made their own parody video (Shin n.p.). If Psy’s video was not a viral hit on YouTube, nobody would know about him outside of South Korea.
The importance of viral exposure to musical success in Korea and rest of world is proven by research. For example, a study by Cho et al. showed that Korean artist who competed on television singing competitions sold more songs and made more money than those who did not (n.p.). Competing on TV show is another example of giving yourself ability to go viral. Like Cho et al. say, these shows are very popular. American Idol became one of highest watched and rated show in America, and it is copied in many other countries (Cho et al. n.p.). Psy did not compete in singing competition before his success, but his presence on YouTube is another example of viral exposure that helped make his music successful.
In conclusion, the success of Psy as an international artist is caused mostly by going viral on the internet, especially YouTube and social media. These internet sources give him exposure to all of the world.
Bibliography
Cho, Daegon, et al. “Television singing competitions create stars? Empirical evidence from the digital music chart in South Korea.” Journal of Cultural Economics 1-2, 2018.
Shin, Ryan. “Gangnam style and global visual culture.” Studies in Art Education 57, no.3 (2016): 252-264.
By: Ziye Pan