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Gangnam Style Becomes World’s Most Watched Video With 1 Billion Views in Sight
- trendspotter 14y agoI still wonder why "Yatta, Yatta!" from Happatai did not become equally famous :) http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=happatai+-+yatta&gs_l=youtube http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=happatai+-+yatta...
- TazeTSchnitzel 14y agoThey were on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, weren't they? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yatta_(song) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yatta_(song)
- shardling 14y agoWell, the song isn't as good.
- SpikeDad 14y agoI'm proud to be in the NEVER WATCHED THIS CRAPOLA category, evidently not important enough to be counted.
- skizm 14y agoYou can't criticize it if you haven't seen it IMO. Also it seems odd to be proud to be ignorant of something (regardless of your personal music preferences).
- camus 14y agolike you cant tell cocaine is bad unless you tried it, right ?
- Surio 14y agoApples and pears, I'm afraid.
- camus 14y agoyet both are fruits.
- Surio 14y agoAnd yet they have different colours, different tastes, different blah blahs.... Look, its Saturday today, we both have a lot of time, and this can go on and on, but I think we both know what I wanted to convey :-)
- lutze 14y agoHuh? I think the defining problem with cocaine is that it is in fact, awesome. So fucking awesome that you'll ruin your life to get it.
- jusben1369 14y agoSeems like the end point in your case though then is "it's bad" Honestly Camus putting a label like "bad" or "good" on a complicated thing like drug usage doesn't seem wise does it?
- Surio 14y agoWhat the other person said, how can you be so sure it is bad w/o even having seen it in the first place? :-P FWIW, it is an excellent satire on pop-culture in general, hip-hop videos, OTT dance moves in most music videos, etc. And the tune itself is quite catchy and has excellent recall value even without following the language... In short, I cannot emphasise enough on how wonderfully it works as a satire to all things that you might consider "crapola" (this view is based on how quickly you dismissed the video as crapola in the first place), so I suggest you fire up the video and only then dismiss it. You're welcome to diss it though, just watch it first, make an informed opinion, and then you're welcome to diss it all you want ;-)
- camus 14y agoi dont think it is a satire of anything. it's just pre-pooped music like most of today's mainstream music.
- Surio 14y agoYMMV ;-) But, yes, your point can be equally valid too. When it comes to visual arts, the whole thing is soooo open to interpretation.
- joezydeco 14y agoHear that clicking sound? It's your generation gap getting a little wider. Happens to everyone.
- jusben1369 14y agoHa ha. While it might be a generational thing those types of derogatory comments are also very frequent from members of the current generation (through every generation)
- lemma 14y agoYou don't even need to speak Korean to understand it's satire. The very opening visual is something you could analyze for a high school English essay. Not saying it's terribly deep, but it is satire.
- rscale 14y agoGangnam Style is a poignant example of a world-wide entertainment trend that wasn't started in America. Most of the world doesn't even know what the lyrics mean, but that didn't keep it from sweeping the globe. It did so without advertising or great expense, using Internet platforms like Youtube to get reach. I've seen Gangnam Style covered in places like the New Yorker, the Economist, and the Wall Street Journal. These are places that don't generally spend time discussing pop music, but that also felt Gangnam was worth consideration. Musical tastes vary, and nothing says you have to like it. But PSY's hit seems to be indicative of a global increase in cosmopolitanism, and that's a trend that affects many entrepreneurs and investors.
- Surio 14y ago+1 for "Gangnam Style is a poignant example of a world-wide entertainment trend that wasn't started in America". You said it. I wanted to say that too, but didn't feel it was necessary within the discussion context taking place (where I was first replying). Since you've mentioned it, here's my view. There's a certain "uninhibitedness" to the video that's very recognisably asiatic (as in there is no 'Made in USA' cultural feel and reference to it) and that also that shouts out "I am not a packaged deal, I was spontaneously made". I think that freshness is what's keeping the momentum going.
- agumonkey 14y agoNote aside, the singer seems to be a wise, generous and simple person with a sense of distance. I was greatly surprised and pleased to see him in interviews. Doubly refreshing.
- Surio 14y agoVery nice to hear that one. Most stories about people involved in media, music and entertainment seem to highlight that they don't have any those obviously redeeming qualities
- agumonkey 14y agoMany of celebrities are product of the system (teen idols, etc), iirc PSY was an struggling odd pop singer with his own take on things I guess, which makes the whole phenomenon even funnier.
- eshvk 14y agoClearly, you are motivated enough to read (allegedly) the entire article and open the link and comment here about how you have never watched it. Yet, you still are ready to make an assumption of its alleged crappiness without having watched it or experienced it. I am puzzled: What is it exactly that you want? a recognition of the obscure nature of your tastes? Or..?
- rayiner 14y agoDo you want a cookie for that achievement, hon?
- noonespecial 14y agoThis kind of comment feels like it's becoming the new "I don't even own a tv". Just like before, the only people who didn't have tvs that I took seriously were the ones who would never feel the need to go out of their way to tell you about it.
- skizm 14y agoWhat does 1Bn views equate to in real money if you have the normal amount of youtube advertising? I know this may vary depending on the audience but I'd love a ballpark if someone has any idea. I was under the impression 1m views = ~$3300 but I could be mistaken.
- AdamGibbins 14y agohttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/social-media/7965381/YouTube-rich-list-Top-10-earners-among-independent-acts.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/social-media/7965381/Y...
- skizm 14y agoyou da man. edit: Looks like ~$750k. Significantly less than I thought.
- citricsquid 14y ago$1 CPM is what pretty much everyone can get, $3CPM and beyond are possible but generally reserved for people that are members of well managed Youtube networks. Gangnam style is probably a unique case in that it's a single video that advertisers will want to associate with, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's making $5 CPM ($5k/1m views) -- $5CPM average, probably peaking at 10 - 15.
- skizm 14y agoIf I am not mistaken the 'M' in CPM stands for 1000 not 1m. the M is a roman numeral for 1000. That would also be more on par with what I am seeing other youtubers get (see AdamGibbins's link).
- rscale 14y agoYou're correct, it stands for 'Cost per mille', and indicates the revenue received for a thousand views.
- citricsquid 14y ago
- cyphersanctus 14y agoFunny how proportions are lost. They're assuming the billion views yet they're still 200 million views away. There was a time not so long ago, when Avril Lavigne and the Evolution of Dance battled themselves out fiercely to reach 200 million views. Clickbots, fanclubs and all.
- Herring 14y agoPresumably youtube's userbase has grown since then. Also Psy's song likely has more international appeal than either of those.
- cyphersanctus 14y agoYoutube's user base or the general internet's user base? It might also have to do with an increase in the general internet population of third world countries where this song got its initial traction.
- missy 14y agoDo you guys have any favourite spin offs of Gagnam Style ? The structure is always the same like taking some memorable moments of the video eg at the start the plane or the guy shaking his pelvis in the lift , then take some other stereotype or celebrities in it. So I actually wonder how many more views came from the parodies. Last similar wave I remember was the "shit says " series maybe 6 months ago that had a similar formula. here some examples: Mitt Romney style http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTs_TKk5S2M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTs_TKk5S2M http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6830834/mitt-romney-style-gangnam-style-parody http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6830834/mitt-romney-style-... Eastern Europe Style http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY1MVQeeStY&list=UUFjCy-DI6cFNlNqMnihpDpg&index=1&feature=plcp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY1MVQeeStY&list=UUFjCy-D... Eton Style http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaJl_qOVcf0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaJl_qOVcf0
- Surio 14y agoEDIT: Thanks for making my weekend. All the videos were Hilarious! [snip]. London Mayor Boris Johnson has gangnam'd too: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/video/2012/oct/09/boris-johnson-gangnam-style-mash-up-video http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/video/2012/oct/09/boris-j... Here's a another one: http://opalang.org/gangnam.style.html http://opalang.org/gangnam.style.html EDIT: Just curious, really, why the downvotes?
- anonymoushn 14y agoGangnam Style Orchestral + A Capella PSY http://vimeo.com/48120211 http://vimeo.com/48120211
- joeguilmette 14y agokind of makes you realize how bad the actual music with when it is played orchestrally.
- kisielk 14y agoIt makes you realize how bad the synthesized instruments they used for it were... also not arranged for an orchestra. You can't just simply take the original note for note and play it on different instruments.
- danso 14y agoIt's really refreshing to see something reach this kind of blockbuster status and not be from America, or Western Europe. Not because I'm anti-American, but because this is the kind of experience non-Westerners must get everytime a Lady GaGa/Baywatch/Hollywood Movie dominates their cultural airwaves...whether or not they actually like it, they only still have a vague understanding of what the thing means, and its origins and backstory. It's nice being on the outside looking in...which is something you'd expect to happen more often given the demographic of the world.
- mkr-hn 14y agoRelevant: http://business.time.com/2012/09/24/the-wholesome-hidden-message-of-gangnam-style/ http://business.time.com/2012/09/24/the-wholesome-hidden-mes... There's a lot embedded in Gangnam Style.
- TorKlingberg 14y agoPeople everywhere grow up with western pop culture, so it's not strange and foreign the way PSY is to Americans. It can get a little strange though, when pop culture and fashion travels across the world but the social context behind it is lost on the way.
- rcavezza 14y agoI don't think this demerits your comment, but it should be known that Psy went to school at Boston University and Berklee College of Music (both in Boston, USA).
- Surio 14y agoEven I don't think this demerits your comment but the Gangnam video doesn't have anything on it that carries a stamp of any of those you mentioned. It is asiatic+uninhibited+spontaneous and in a very non-American way too.
- chubot 14y agoReally? To me it seems to be more American than anything else. There are guys dancing and pretty girls and special effects. That seems pretty much like an outgrowth of MTV culture, rap videos, etc. which are of American origin. I'll grant it has a unique sense of humor.
- cfinke 14y agoThe "World's Most Watched Video" may be an exaggeration -- am I to believe that Gangnam Style has been watched more times than the Zapruder film or the moon landing footage?
- ErikHuisman 14y agoIs it really hard to believe? I personally have seen Gangnam Style more often than the zapruder shots or the moon landing. Heck, i've seen the clip "Aaliyah - are you that somebody" more often. This is not about the number of unique viewers but rather total views. Gangnam Style is easily the most viewed videoclip ever. Overall i think it can only be outclassed by long running commercials and tv show intro's.
- cfinke 14y agoIt is that hard to believe. I've watched Gangnam Style twice, maybe three times, and I know lots of people who have never seen it at all. I've seen the moon landing footage dozens of times, and I don't know anyone over the age of 10 who hasn't seen it at least once.
- NathanKP 14y agoYou have to watch out for association bias. If you haven't seen the video very many times it is likely that your associates don't watch the video much either. But among other circles it has quite a bit more exposure than would seem reasonable.
- cryptoz 14y agoIt's absolutely impossible to believe. In the 1960s, the Apollo 11 moon landing had about 500 million views. The suggestion that in the four decades since it has not gained at least 300 million more is...well, impossible to believe. "An estimated 500 million people worldwide watched this event, the largest television audience for a live broadcast at that time." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing
- nyg_hakeem 14y agoreally? more than Justin Bieber's baby?
- trendspotter 14y agoIf you haven't seen it :) Gangnam Style: with a bear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B1J73Ag3hU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B1J73Ag3hU Nelly Furtado http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehs-vZ1uF-k http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehs-vZ1uF-k Metal/rock cover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czJAGGoaYtw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czJAGGoaYtw
- noonespecial 14y agoMy 66yo father, who once asked incredulously, "who is this 'Lady Goo Goo'?" recently told me how he got the airline to bump him to 1st class for free. He then wryly remarked "Oppa Gangnam style". That, right there, is what I call global penetration.
- _debug_ 14y ago> recently told me how he got the airline to bump him to 1st class for free. Not sure what you mean? Can you please elaborate? How is the Gangnam Style video related to your father getting to fly 1st class?
- Kliment 14y agoGangnam is the part of Seoul known for the number of rich people who live there. It's associated with luxury. Getting to fly first class is definitely Gangnam style.
- NathanKP 14y agoThe point is that even his father who is not familiar with Lady Gaga, another famous pop icon, is familiar with Psy and comfortable using the meme created by his song. His father interpreted his free upgrade as "Gangnam style".
- Surio 14y agoJuxtapose "who is this 'Lady Goo Goo'?" next to "Oppa Gangnam style", and you've solved the puzzle of what he wanted to convey. ;-)
- noonespecial 14y agoHe knew the meme well enough to know that "Gangnam style" meant "living large" more or less. For someone who usually takes a pass on all things pop culture, this was unexpected to say the least and speaks to the enormity of the influence this music video has had on all layers of society.
- pyoung 14y agoNot to belittle your point, as it is a rather amusing anecdote, but Lady Gaga came to prominence in 2008 almost 4 years ago. In 2008, my older relatives from the rural midwest where still trying to figure out e-mail. Now, they all have facebook accounts.
- weinzierl 14y agoIt reached 1 Billion views without any support from the 4th largest market for music[1]. Germany has a market share of 7–8% for albums and 9–12% for singles. In 2005 market value was 887.7 million USD. And yet no one in Germany has ever watched Gangnam Style on Youtube. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_industry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_industry
- dbaupp 14y ago> In 2005 market value was USD 887.7. Are you missing "million" or "billion"?
- weinzierl 14y agoIt's million. Fixed it, thanks a lot.
- lifeformed 14y agoIs the video unavailable in Germany or something?
- Surio 14y ago@slowpoke gave a reason in his answer: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4826022 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4826022
- santocki 14y agoThere is a site collecting all the Gangnam Style parody videos http://GangnamStyleNews.com http://GangnamStyleNews.com
- slowpoke 14y agoExcept here in Germany, where the local fuckwads at the GEMA [1] made Youtube block the video because "they hadn't granted the necessary rights". For a fucking copyright-waived video. Argh. And people actually wonder why more and more (German) people have absolutely no qualms about piracy. I'm actually not sure whether or not I should thank the GEMA for that. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesellschaft_f%C3%BCr_musikalische_Auff%C3%BChrungs-_und_mechanische_Vervielf%C3%A4ltigungsrechte https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesellschaft_f%C3%BCr_musikali...
- TazeTSchnitzel 14y agoAh, the old "viewable everywhere in the world except Germany" YouTube music video problem.
- bane 14y agoAll this and it's not counting places like China which has it's own youtube like service. And my understanding is that countries like Germany, with overly aggressive IP laws blocks the music from the video so it doesn't get nearly as many views. (it'd be great if somebody could confirm)
- Surio 14y ago@slowpoke did that: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4826022 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4826022