Culture of Korea

For many Westerners, Psy's "Gangnam Style" is viewed as comedic relief coupled with a catchy chorus and trendy choreography. However, for Korea, "Gangnam Style" was the first song to push open the international door for K-pop. This development actually shocked many Koreans who predicted that Psy's future success would be bleak at best (largely for superficial reasons). Yet, in the U.S., Psy had become a phenomenon. Many Americans could sympathize with Psy's "underdog" story of success and his unconventional, carefree attitude. 

Still, what many may not know is that Psy's music video for "Gangnam Style" is riddled with [satirical] aspects of Korean life and culture, such as:

• Sunbathing in a public park rather than a lavish beach.
• Glamorous runway-walks through trash.
• Visiting a sauna with mobsters.
• Dancing on a senior-citizen tour bus.
• Taking "shots" of coffee.
• Criticism of the growing materialism in areas such as Gangnam.

Though unprecedented, "Gangnam Style" gave Westerners a glimpse of Korea outside of the drone typically ascribed in textbooks. Perhaps this lighthearted, yet realistic, aspect of Korean culture has contributed to its modern global success.

Shortly after the release of "Gangnam Style" in 2012, the new K-pop group Bangtan Sonyeondan (방탄소년단), aka BTS, debuted in 2013. Currently, BTS has become one of the most popular K-pop groups, in addition to being one of the most successful on an international scale. BTS uses their music to expose societal issues in Korea (such as the stress faced by Korean students), and encourage their fans to love themselves, speak themselves, and follow their dreams. 

On top of being the first K-pop group to top the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, perform at the American Music Awards, and take home an award from the Billboard Music Awards—the members of BTS were chosen as one of Time Magazine's "Next Generation Leaders" in 2018.