Psy

May 15, 2013

I am PSY! Composer, singer, entertainer, and creator of "Gentleman" and "Gangnam Style". Ask me anything~

I will be answering questions from all of my reddit fans starting at 4pm PST.

While you are waiting why don't you go check out my new video Gentleman here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASO_zypdnsQ

And the Making Of Gentleman video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcUHOD_w_T0

Verification here: http://imgur.com/oQ7Tgzg

All right I'm here. Let's get started!

Thank you for all your support~



Thanks for coming back to Reddit!

  1. What was your reaction to Gentleman being banned in Korea because you kicked a traffic cone?

  2. What was your favorite part of filming Gentleman?

  3. Do you come up with your own dances or do you have a choreographer?

  1. They banned it because kicking the traffic cone was considered destruction of public property. Funny thing is the cone was a prop for video owned by me but I guess I agree with them.

  2. When I shot the "WET PSY" scene with the water shooting. It was really cold outside but I always feel great when I'm harsh to myself for some reason.

  3. I have 2 choreographers in Korea and the 3 of us work together to make up the dance routines.


Can we expect a North American tour in the near future?

After promoting "Gentleman" I'm thinking about releasing an album or EP this year which means I have to promote 1 or 2 more songs before I start a new tour. Hopefully early next year so that my fans will know at least 4 or 5 of my songs in concert.


You seem to take the entertainment aspect of your performances just as seriously as you do the musical aspect, investing in concerts with large amounts of your own money. If you could collaborate with one artist or group to put on the live show of a lifetime who would you choose and why?

Madonna because her concerts are the best thing on the planet.


What to do if you're heartbroken?

drinking


As a kpop fan in America, I was so happy when Gangnam Style hit it big here. Finally my friends realized my obsession with kpop wasn't unfounded! What is it like performing in places where kpop isn't popular yet?

makes me feel really proud. after spending more time in certain countries, i want to bring my other friends to perform as well.


Most of us found Gangnam Style amazing because we didn't understand WTF you were doing. What is something that confuses you about Western culture?

timing of laughing. when i say something that i think is funny sometimes people don't laugh. then when i am not trying to be funny people laugh. it's random.


Who is on your remix album that scooter tweeted about? Can't u give me a hunt?

it's not who you think...


What did you have for lunch today?

panda express chinese food.


How often do you hang out with 2NE1 or other YG artists?

every one of us are traveling a lot so it's really hard to gather all together in Korea. when we are in Korea at the same time we are drinking so often.


What is your opinion on becoming so famous so fast? How overwhelming is it? Thoughts on being the first to reach 1 Billion views on Youtube?

it already has been 7 or 8 months after Gangnam explosion but it is still so unrealistic.

reaching 1 billion views is a dream and nightmare at the same time. the number itself is a dream and the number itself is a nightmare because i won't be able to break that record again.


Your new video, 'Gentleman' makes you out to be a male chauvinist who puts women down disgracefully. Not to be disrespectful, but why that type of image?

everything in the video is meant to be fun. the guy in the video keeps saying he's a gentleman but is actually an a-hole. i really like that kind of twist in humor.


What was your dream when you were a kid? What did you want to be when you were a kid? :)

i used to have so many dreams but none of them were to be an artist. when i grew up my original dream was to be a composer.


Which did you enjoy filming more, Gentlemen or Gangnam Style and why? Thanks!

not just those two but i feel the same amount of happiness when i shoot all my videos.

especially when i'm filming i'm thinking about the final picture along with the editing and bottom line. when it turns out to be right it really satisfies me.


Whos your favourite artist outside of Korea?

too many to pick just one but i can say Queen.


Do you ever have time to watch dramas? If you do, which ones do you like?

even though i'm so busy i never miss dramas. i literally been watching most of them while i travel.


How did your parents react when they found out just how popular your music, particularly Gangnam Style, had become?

they were happy but on the other end they were kind of frightened because it's getting too large...


Hi PSY oppa! I love your songs and you are a great entertainer! Will you be including some of your ballad songs in your next album?

well as a product what i'm thinking is upgrading is better than making a sudden change. in Korea it took time before i could make slow songs so i'm thinking about it. i can do it but it might be too much change for international fans. i'm still thinking...


[deleted]

my biggest concert in South Korea was last fall at Seoul city hall plaza with 100,000 people.


How long does it take to create the choreography and then teach it to the other dancers in the videos?

it usually takes a week altogether after creating and practicing the dance.


Any plans to come to Canada?

i'm planning on coming to the much music video awards in june. big news coming soon...


Are you going to get Ryan Seacrest to dance with you on Idol tomorrow?

it's gonna be live so i don't think so.


How do you feel knowing that most people only know you for Gangnam Style, when you have worked hard to produce many other arguably better songs?

i think of myself as a 12 yr. old artist in Korea and a rookie out of Korea. i gotta move on...


What has been the best thing about becoming so famous?

EDIT: Psy responded to me twice. Life = complete.

at the airport everyone is so nice to me!


Who is your favourite korean artist to work with?

i've already worked with a lot of Korean artists and from now on i want to help them make an appearance outside of Korea with collaborations.


Has becoming famous for making Gangnam Style made you change the way you write music?

of course it affected me a lot


are you a tit man or an ass man

i'm a boob man


[deleted]

hoping to have an album or EP internationally this fall


Explain "Wet Psy" please

how can i explain that? it's Wet PSY!


What normal thing is part of a daily routine that we, the lowly public, wouldn't expect?

composing lots of songs


how do you feel about piracy

money-wise it's not good but exposure-wise not bad.


I understand you've been a superstar in South Korea for several years. How has your original fanbase handled your boost to international fame?

even though they are losing their chances to see me often in Korea, they are encouraging me a lot.


As a musician with a lot of comedic elements in your videos, what/who is your favorite comedic influence??

jim carrey


Did you enjoy working with Ga-in as much as you enjoyed working with Hyuna?

they have been good friends of mine for a long time so it was really fun and comfortable to work with both of them.


What do you love most about your country?

the dynamic audience at concerts


Can I marry your blonde backup dancer, JungHa Kim?

yes you may. he's easy.


What's something you've never done that you hope to do by the end of this year?

making a debut album for the entire world.


What have you been listening to the most lately?

i've been listening to the song "Can't Hold Us" a lot lately.


How can we get the sick "Right now" remix u played at your Happening concert? Really want it!

that's gonna be on my next album coming soon!


Have you ever actually farted on someone?

among friends, often.


Will you release an all English song?

i'm working on it...


If you are planning for a new parody performance of someone on your concert, who would you pick?

lady gaga


What do you consider to yourself to be your greatest achievement in life thus far?

Gangnam Style


What's it like to hear people attempt to sing your song who have no clue how to speak korean/pronounce the words?

that's the most touching thing since i started to become an artist in so many different countries


Hi, my question is that Did you ever wish to make a song with the late great Michael Jackson? And what do you think about the king of pop?

what can i say? he's literally the King of Pop. i cried and drank a lot when i heard the news that he passed away.


What is your favorite song?

Billie Jean by Michael Jackson


Dude. Aren't you suck of traveling?

VERY sick of traveling


What if you could only eat 1 type of meal for the rest of your life what would it be?

Korean food and especially kimchi


[No question]

OK i have to go rehearse now for the American Idol finale show! Thanks for all your questions and hope to do this again soon~


This interview was transcribed from an "ask me anything" question and answer session with Psy conducted on Reddit on 2013-05-15. The Reddit AMA can be found here.