In a nostalgic nod to 2012, Psy's groundbreaking 'Gangnam Style' music video has achieved a monumental milestone by crossing the 5 billion views mark on YouTube, 11 years after its initial release. The K-pop sensation took the world by storm in the summer of 2012, propelled not only by the infectious beats of the song but also by the quirky dance moves featured in the iconic music video.
Psy's 'Gangnam Style' made history in December 2012 as the first video to reach 1 billion views on YouTube, accomplishing this feat in just over 150 days from its debut. The video's billion-views status remained unchallenged for over a year until Justin Bieber's 'Baby' joined the billion-views club in 2014. Presently, 'Gangnam Style' stands as the 11th most-viewed video on the streaming platform, with Pinkfong's 'Baby Shark Dance' reigning supreme at No. 1, nearing a staggering 14 billion views.
The music video also claims the title of the fifth most-viewed music video, following chart-toppers like Luis Fonsi's 'Despacito' (feat. Daddy Yankee), Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You,' Wiz Khalifa's 'See You Again' (feat. Charlie Puth), and Mark Ronson's 'Uptown Funk' (feat. Bruno Mars). Psy's international success with 'Gangnam Style' remains a phenomenon, and the enduring popularity of the video continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
In a 2017 interview with Billboard, Psy shared his thoughts on the fifth anniversary of 'Gangnam Style,' expressing his curiosity about the song's unprecedented international viral success. Despite the passage of time, the mystique surrounding the song's appeal remains, underscoring the enduring impact of 'Gangnam Style' on the global music scene.
While 'Gangnam Style' remains an emblem of Psy's legacy, the artist continues to make waves in the music industry. In the spring of 2022, Psy achieved a new Hot 100 hit with 'That That,' a collaboration with BTS' Suga, which peaked at No. 80 on the chart. Psy's ability to evolve and stay relevant underscores the enduring influence of an artist whose journey began with a gallop and a lasso in the unforgettable 'Gangnam Style' era.