South Korean rapper Psy has gone back to basics with his eighth full-length album, paying greater attention to his home fans while doing what he loves most - "going crazy" on stage.
The "Gangnam Style" star said he had moved on from on the success of the 2012 smash hit that sent him flying to the top of music charts around the world and shaped him into the internationally recognised artist he is today.
"'Gangnam Style' gave me fame while as a creator, some rough times, but I'm not one to linger in the past and make two, three, four versions of (Gangnam Style) because I'm hung up on its fame," Psy told Reuters.
"It was probably the biggest trophy the world could have given me. It's now something on the shelf I can admire from time to time."
His voice hoarse from performing for days on end at universities, Psy, 39, or Park Jai-sang, said he had forgotten his roots with the popularity of "Gangnam Style", which holds the world record for most watched video with 2.8 billion views on YouTube as of May 22.
He currently has more than 10 million subscribers on his official YouTube channel, a record for a non-group individual in Asia.
"It was like an addiction," said Psy. "Like when you throw a party, it takes some time for that excitement to die down after it's over. I think it took a while for that exhilaration to subside. Now I'm back to my normal life."
Then where are Psy's roots? Performing on stage, he said. All his appearances are linked to the latest album, "4x2=8", with singles "I LUV IT" and "New Face" carrying that message.
Psy, who made his debut in 2001, wants to stay on stage for as long as he can, but his biggest dream is to retire just before people start telling him he's washed up.
"I think the pain from being called that would be far greater than not being able to be on stage," Psy said.
Psy, who has two children, said he wants to focus more on production and helping younger artists grow. As a singer, Psy said he had achieved all he could ask for - and more.
When asked if his "Gangnam Style" fame had deprived him of his privacy, he laughed and said no.
"Without my sunglasses and hair gel, I obtain freedom," he said.
Reuters
Tue May 23 2017
South Korean rapper Psy arrives to attend an interview with Reuters in Seoul, South Korea, May 19, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
Dialog Anak Muda: Belanjawan 2025: Macam mana ok?
Rasionalisasi subsidi RON95, kadar baharu gaji minima dan pemerkasaan TVET antara tumpuan dalam pembentangan Belanjawan 2025. Analisis isu-isu ekonomi diteruskan dalam Dialog Anak Muda 8.30 malam ini.
AWANI Tonight: Belanjawan 2025: What are the hits and misses
Bait al-Amanah's Benedict Weerasena shares his thoughts on the hits and misses of Budget 2025, which sees an allocation of RM421 bil, a 3.3% increase from the previous year.
AWANI Tonight: Key highlights from Belanjawan 2025
Key highlights from Belanjawan 2025, which includes increased allocations for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), tax reliefs for first home buyers, and cash aid for singles, among other reforms.
PDRM pastikan insentif Belanjawan 2025 dimanfaatkan sepenuhnya - KPN
PDRM akan memastikan semua perkara yang diumumkan dalam Belanjawan 2025 untuk pasukan keselamatan itu, akan dimanfaatkan sepenuhnya.
AWANI Tonight 18 Oct 2024
#AWANITonight with @_farhanasheikh
1. Belanjawan 2025: PM unveils record RM421 bil expenditure
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
1. Belanjawan 2025: PM unveils record RM421 bil expenditure
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
It's About YOUTH: Rethinking the workplace for the younger generation
Celine Ting (@celinetingkl) from OpenAcademy and Anas Hayyan (@anashayyan) from Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI) discuss strategies for retaining and developing today's workforce, with a focus on meeting Gen Z's expectations while boosting productivity. #ItsAboutYOUth
345,000 rakyat Palestin di Gaza berdepan krisis kebuluran pada musim sejuk ini - PBB
Terdapat peningkatan ketara daripada 133,000 individu yang kini diklasifikasikan sebagai mengalami "krisis ketidakjaminan makanan."
Dua lelaki ditahan bantu siasatan penyeludupan warga Myanmar
Dua lelaki itu ditahan bagi membantu siasatan mengikut Seksyen 26J Akta Antipemerdagangan Orang dan Antipenyeludupan Migran 2007 (Akta 670).
Belanjawan 2025: Peruntukan RM5.8 bilion langkah penting perkukuh ATM - PAT
Peruntukan sebanyak RM5.8 bilion untuk perolehan aset strategik serta kerja penyelenggaraan dan pembaikan dilihat sebagai langkah penting dalam usaha memperkukuh Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM).
Kes pukul: Dia rakyat beta, beri keadilan sekarang - Tengku Hassanal
Tengku Mahkota Pahang dalam kemas kini di Instagram Story bertitah, keadilan bukan sahaja perlu perlu dilaksanakan, tetapi ia juga mesti dilihat dilaksanakan.
10 tahun selepas fenomena 'Gangnam Style', Psy kini gembira nikmati hidup
Penyanyi dari bandar Gangnam di Korea Selatan itu menyifatkan tempoh 'kemasyhuran' lagunya itu juga merupakan tempoh paling sukar dalam hidupnya.
Big Stage 2019: Syada dan Chaleeda tersingkir, ini kedudukan peserta beserta markah keseluruhan!
Makin mencabar ..
BTS pecahkan rekod lagi, kali ini pintas Gangnam Style!
Lagu Fake Love nyanyian BTS memecahkan rekod Gangnam Style untuk menjadi lagu artis K-Pop yang paling banyak distrim di Spotify.
PSY dedah kisah mengejutkan sebalik kejayaan Gangnam Style
"Sejujurnya saya tidak tahu apa itu YouTube. Seorang pekerja memberi cadangan kepada saya untuk memuat naik Gangnam Style di YouTube.
Selepas lima tahun, 'Gangnam Style' masih popular di Youtube
Selepas lima tahun, ternyata peminat masih gemarkan muzik video Gangnam Style oleh Psy. Ini kerana muzik video itu mencecah tiga bilion tontonan sehingga semalam.
'See You Again', 'Despacito' gugat 'Gangnam Style' di YouTube
See You Again kini merekod 2,901,027,925 tontonan, mengatasi Gangnam Style dengan 2,894,426,475 tontonan.
Psy kembali dengan lagu baru bersama Snoop Dogg
Penyanyi terkemuka Korea, Psy kembali dengan lagu terbaru dan kali ini beliau berduet dengan penyanyi Rap terkenal, Snoop Dogg.
PSY beri ucapan di Universiti Harvard
Psy yang merupakan penyanyi Asia pertama memberi ucapan di universiti Harvard mendedahkan dia pernah digelar -WWF-.
Psy tertekan hasilkan single terbaru
Psy atau nama sebenarnya Park Jae Sang dalam kenyataannya mengakui menghadapi tekanan untuk menghasilkan karya baru.
Selepas Gangnam Style, kini muncul Harlem Shake
Video klip gerak tari sensasi, Harlem Shake kini dilihat mampu menggantikan Gangnam Style apabila tersebar luas ke seluruh dunia.