There’s a pretty good chance that you’ve heard the song ‘Gangnam Style’ or been one of the people who has helped it become the most-watched video on YouTube, with over 2.5 billion views. In case you haven’t seen it though, the video is embedded below. The song, released by the South Korean singer Psy, took the world by storm in 2012. It was the most impactful South Korean song ever on the international stage, although subsequent songs by Psy have failed to gain as much global recognition, and is now being memorialized in the capital city of Seoul.

Gangnam Style Statue

The Gangnam District of Seoul is the most affluent area of the city and is known as the Beverly Hills of South Korea. The extravagant lifestyle of the district’s residents inspired Psy to produce his flamboyant and over-the-top music video. Part of that video was filmed in the COEX shopping center, one of the largest commercial hubs in all of South Korea. Soon, residents and tourists visiting the mall will be able to commemorate Psy’s signature dance move, which consists of two fists crossed at the wrist which looks like someone riding a horse.

Gangnam Style Statue

The Gangnam District Office began accepting bids from construction companies in November 2015. A budget of $366,301 has been set aside for completion of the statue. The district office has stated that the proposed bronze sculpture will be 17 feet by 27 feet. To further entice tourists, the director of the Gangnam district announced that whenever anyone walks underneath the statue, Psy’s famous tune will automatically start playing. According to the digital rendering of the project released by the local office, the crossed fists of the statue will be illuminated by multicolored lights that flash to the rhythm of the song whenever someone stands beneath the sculpture. Officials had hoped to complete the sculpture by the end of December 2015, but problems in the bidding process have delayed construction for at least the next three months. No doubt there will be much fanfare when the statue is finally unveiled. In a country with the world’s highest suicide rate, a bit of carefree dancing can go a long way toward cheering people up.

(source) (image source) (image source)

Jamie Butler

Jamie Butler

I'm a former publicist, now pensioner, who lives outside of London with my husband and am enjoying my free time, especially with both daughters gone to university.