KUALA LUMPUR: A decade after Gangnam Style became a global phenomenon, South Korean singer Psy is living his best life — proud of his "greatest trophy".
AFP reported yesterday that Gangnam Style, uploaded to YouTube on July 15, 2012, made headlines around the world, particularly because its music video showed Psy performing an unmistakable horse-riding dance which soon saw thousands of imitations.
It was the first YouTube video to reach one billion views, and with it, Psy attained what K-Pop acts before him could not — global recognition.
At the peak of the song's popularity, he was everywhere — sharing the stage with Madonna and performing before then US president Barack Obama.
However, success was a double-edged sword — with fame came pressure to deliver another huge hit. Psy, 44, once described it as the most difficult period of his life.
"Things became heavier and harder because every time I had to have that kind of powerful song", he said.
"I was very dependent on it. But it's 10 years ago, so right now I'm really free."
Gangnam Style transformed not only Psy's life but the music industry too, because it showed how artistes who did not perform in English could go international through the internet.
Psy's groundbreaking role has been acknowledged by some of the biggest names in K-Pop.
BTS member Suga said: "He's always someone I am grateful for.
"With Gangnam Style, he paved the way for K-Pop in the United States."
Psy, or Park Jae-Sang, was a star in South Korea well before Gangnam Style.
Inspired by Queen and its late singer Freddie Mercury, he watched a video of the British band's famous 1986 concert in Wembley while still in school.
While attending university in the United States in the late 1990s, he was exposed to the music of hip-hop greats as Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.
Debuting in 2001, he quickly made a name for himself with humorous and explosive stage performances and won multiple awards.
Since Gangnam Style, Psy has released three albums. The latest, Psy 9th, was released in April.
"Gangnam Style is the biggest and greatest trophy of my life," said Psy.
A week ago, he demonstrated this by performing at Korea University in Seoul. Hundreds of student fans sang along with him all the way, and some were not even born when Gangnam Style made its debut.
"How lucky I am as an artiste. I'm happier than ever these days."