Psy reaches 2 million followers on Twitter

Psy has reached 2 million followers on Twitter!
He broke the 2 million mark on January 23rd and celebrated the feat by tweeting,

This makes Psy the most-followed YG Entertainment celebrity with G-Dragon behind him with 1.2 million followers. Though he has a way to go before catching up with Super Junior‘s Siwon‘s follow count of over 3 million, this is still an impressive milestone for the star.
Psy has been enjoying success on the internet ever since the release of his music video for “Gangnam Style“. Currently, he has over 1.2 billion views on YouTube, and he’s made over 8 million USD in ad revenue.
Congratulations to Psy!

M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com

Psy and Girls’ Generation listed on Fuse’s Most Anticipated Albums of 2013

Fuse TV featured their 44 Most Anticipated Albums of 2013 rankings, and the two k-pop names having made the list has once again proven k-pop’s spread around the world.

Fuse TV explained their choices, commenting on Girls’ Generation: “The group is in talks with Interscope Records to release an American version of their latest Korean album though a date, title, and track details are undecided. If a nine-member Korean group making it in the U.S. sounds like a stretch remember two members are from America! Yet we think most will react like David Letterman — with nine women writhing in front of them, he looked like he could barely control himself!”

As for PSY, Fuse TV commented: “He has global appeal now, but Psy has expressed he wants to release his new single in Korean with an accompanying dance featuring “some sports move”. The K-pop veteran has said he wants a solo comeback single to prove he can have similar success as “Gangnam Style” without the help of another big name. Can he deliver a song that crosses language barriers…AGAIN?!”

Girls’ Generation is currently promoting their newest comeback song "I Got A Boy" in Korea, with the music video having surpassed the 30 million mark on YouTube within just two weeks. PSY on the other hand is currently working on his next album which is expected to include both Korea and English tracks, set for a February or March release.


Source: KBS



M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com

Yoo Jae Suk and Noh Hong Chul didn't want to star in Gangnam Style MV?

National MC Yoo Jae Suk and comedian Noh Hong Chul revealed their thoughts about them starring in PSY's Gangnam Style MV.

On MBC's "Infinity Challenge" aired on 19th,Yoo Jae Suk, Noh Hong Chul and Haha had a trip to New York to perform wth PSY for "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve 2013" at Time Squares.

While they were in the waiting room, Jae Suk suddenly said as he was watching Noh Hong Chul dressing up his costume in the MV,"To be honest, Noh Hong Chul said before that he didn't want to film Gangnam Style MV. He was reluctant to do it".

In response, he immediately said,"Hyung, at that time didn't you say "me too" as well ?", confirming that both of them weren't excited upon the filming of the MV at that time.


M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com

Psy nearing 1.2 billion hits on YouTube

World star Psy is about to set a big record.
A music video for “Gangnam Style” released on July 15 last year will received over 1.2 billion hits on YouTube. Psy started the new year with over 1.1 billion hits and he is ready to set another new record.
The music video has had an explosive response since last summer. Psy appeared on several special year end programs and raised more attention to the song and music video.
If he receives over 1.2 billion hits by January 16, more than a billion people will have watched the music video only in fifteen days.
The video beat another video for Justin Beiber’s “Baby” and has become the most viewed video on YouTube on November 24, 2012.
Psy, who is currently promoting the song in the United States, will release his new global EP around in February and March.

M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com

Girls’ Generation hopes to ape Psy’s success with new song

Can Girls’ Generation follow in the oversized footsteps of Psy?

Girls’ Generation’s latest song “I Got a Boy,” which was released at the beginning of the year, is already proving a hit. As the music video is being viewed on YouTube at a faster pace than “Gangnam Style,” some expect the song to ape the success of Psy’s viral hit.

“I Got a Boy” has met with a mixed reception from local fans because it is so different from the band's previous songs, which revolved around an addictive and repetitive chorus. Although the song can be considered as electronic dance music, even the band’s hardcore fans say it is quite a departure from the norm as it mixes various musical genres including hip-hop.

“Foreign fans are more interested in the song partly because it has broken out of the typical K-pop mould,” said popular music critic Song Ki-chul.

SM Entertainment, the band’s agency, said, “We expected local fans to say that the song feels a little strange to them, but we wanted to try various new avenues as we regard the song as a cornerstone to enter the U.S. market.”

As the song targets the global market, the composers consist of people from four different countries. Including SM Entertainment's producer and director Yoo Young-jin, British, Norwegian and Swedish songwriters participated in writing it.

Experts say the band stands to benefit as Psy has already paved the way and laid a strong framework by meeting famous producer Scooter Braun and engaging in various promotional activities in the U.S. Going down a similar road, the girls plan to release a new album via Interscope Records, a major label in the U.S., this year.

“We are preparing a number of new songs for Girls’ Generation’s new album, including an English version of ‘I Got a Boy,’ and they will travel back and forth between the U.S. and Korea,” the agency said.

“The music video for ‘I Got a Boy’ is a feast for the eyes, much like ‘Gangnam Style’ was, due to the dynamic choreography,” said music critic Kim Zakka. “Close cooperation between SM and Interscope will play an important role in its success.”


Source: Chosun Ilbo

M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com

Psy meets former US President Bill Clinton

Psy revealed a photo taken with former United States President, Bill Clinton.

On January 15th, Psy posted on his Twitter, “I just met the greatest saxophone artist on the planet. President Clinton”, and uploaded the photo above.

In the photo, Psy is wearing a pair of round dark glasses and a quite ungroomed hair, contrary to his usually slicked back hairstyle. Psy and Bill Clinton are posing for a photo together, showing bright smiles.

Netizens commented, “Psy is really great”, “He really met Bill Clinton?” and “He is meeting up with everyone.”

M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com

Psy is working on his next single

Psy is diligently working on his next single following his mega-hit “Gangnam Style”.

On January 12th, Psy uploaded a photo on his Twitter, and wrote “Working on a new song. I love my life as a songwriter.” In the photo, the world star is sitting in front of a gigantic mixer, and he seems to be going through a deep thought.

Psy is set to release his next album some time in February or March. While he previously revealed that he was working on a collaboration with a popular artist, Psy plans to first release a song that only has his vocals on it.

He shared, “I don’t think I’ll be doing any collaborations until my new track is done, and it’s not done yet, but I’m thinking of doing it by myself, so I can prove I can do it one more time.”

M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com

Psy ranks in the top ten on the UK chart again

Psy has ranked in the top ten on the UK chart for 21 consecutive weeks.
According to the latest Official Chart Company’s Single Top 100, issued on January 14, Psy ranked ninth on the chart with “Gangnam Style,” the lead track of his sixth album.
The song’s ranking fell from third last week to ninth, but it’s still in the top ten.
Psy has ranked on the Single Top 100 for 21 consecutive weeks.
He topped the chart with the song for the first time on October 6.
He’s currently staying in the U.S., working on a new album to be released in February or March this year.

M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com

Soul Train Selects "Fantastic Baby" and "Gangnam Style" As Top Dance Tracks of 2012

We’ll start with a simple question: What makes a good dance record?

According to x101Jamz.com creator Elevated Scott, a good dance record “must make you want to dance. Without even understanding it, the song must control your body and just make you want to move in sync to the beat.” Legendary turntable wizard DJ King Shameek says an essential ingredient today is “an up-tempo, heavy bottom track with a nice groove. 

And with all the instrumental tracks that deejays are putting out, vocals with a melody that compliments the track can only help.” Renowned mix master DJ Jamad says every memorable dance song also “has a great chorus. People will request a song, although they don’t know the song title, and sing the hook for you if necessary.”

There was an explosion of great dance records in 2012, and many of those contained some or all of the characteristics Shameek, Jamad and Scott describe. As the world we occupy continued to surround us with social, economic and emotional challenges, up-tempo bottom-heavy tracks with memorable choruses helped us cope.

But of all the songs that made us move, which of them were the best?

Here are SoulTrain.com’s Top 10 Dance Tracks of 2012:

1. (tie) “Fantastic Baby” Big Bang / “Gangnam Style” Psy
2. “Let Me Love You” Ne-Yo
3. “Beam Me Up” Cazzette
4. “Scream” Usher
5. “Pound the Alarm” Nicki Minaj
6. “Greyhound” Swedish House Mafia
7. “Scream & Shout” will.i.am featuring Britney Spears
8. “Don’t Wake Me Up” Chris Brown
9. “Wild Ones” Flo Rida featuring Sia
10. “Live My Life” Far East Movement featuring Justin Bieber

“Katherine Waddell, host of online show This Needs to Be Said, feels a good dance record “has to make you head to the dance floor as soon it comes on.” “Gangnam Style”, an inescapable smash in 2012, did just that. Psy blindsided mainstream radio with his high-energy jam, leaving little room for doubt when time came to create this list. Only, his claim of #1 was not undisputed. 

Psy’s fellow Korean pop stars BigBang hit dance floors like napalm with their vocally-rich “Fantastic Baby”. “Gangnam” surely won the popularity contest, while in many ways “Fantastic” is a better song. Ne-Yo’s pop/R&B/dance hybrid was a very, very close second.” 

Source: @soultrain

M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com

Psy ranks first on four charts of the US Billboard

World star Psy was recently listed on the four charts of the US Billboard with his song “Gangnam Style.”
According to the latest Billboard announced on January 11, Psy’s “Gangnam Style” ranked fourteenth on the Hot 10, which is a drop of eight places from last week.
Psy, however, was listed on the Hot 100 for eighteen weeks in a row and showed off his power in the music industry.
Psy also ranked first on the Ringtones, Germany Songs, France Songs, and YouTube and proved his high popularity in Europe.
Psy is nominated in three categories, including, International New Singer, International Chanson, and Clip of the Year, of the NRJ Music Awards, which will be held on January 26 in France.
Psy is currently keeping busy in the United States.

M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com

'Gangnam Style' Psy to Film First Commercial in U.S.!

'World star' Psy will be filming his first commercial in the U.S.
It has recently been revealed that he has finished shooting for his first commercial in the states.
USA Today stated, "Psy has finished his commercial shoot for the Super Bowl."
His commercial will be for pistachios in which he will be wearing a green suit while opening a pistachio.
Psy commented that he never thought he would be filming a commercial in the states let alone even succeed with his song overseas.

M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com

Psy to star in Super Bowl ad

Psy will appear in a Super Bowl ad in the U.S. on February 2, according to USA Today. The daily wrote that, “Psy, the South Korean global phenomenon who set social-media popularity records with his ‘Gangnam Style’ YouTube music and dancing video, will star in a Super Bowl commercial for Wonderful Pistachios.”

It added, “The flashy commercial, filmed Tuesday in North Hollywood, is the brand’s first Super Bowl ad and will be Psy’s first ad aired in the U.S.”

Psy was surprised about the arrangement, as he was quoted as saying, “The Super Bowl is way too big for me. I never dreamed of being a singer in America, so I of course never dreamed of being in a Super Bowl ad.”

In the commercial, Psy will show a special way of cracking pistachios open while wearing a pistachio-green suit.


Source: Chosun Ilbo



M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com

Psy Ranks Number 56 for U.S. Billboard Top Artists

Psy revealed his popularity on the charts again.
His song, "Gangnam Style" was ranked a top new artists, hot 100 artist, social 50 artist and more.
For the 'Best of 2012' artists, he was ranked number 56, beating Jason Mraz at number 59.
He was also ranked number 7 for 'Top New Artist' and number 15 for 'Social 50 Artist'.
Psy is currently in the states working on his new album that is to be released around March.

M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com