Psy is a South Korean rapper who became a world-wide sensation this year with his song 'Gangnam Style.' He's been touring the globe but has also been doing free concerts here in Korea. One was located in the city next to us so of course we had to go! If you haven't seen his video here's the youtube link.
We were told the stadium opened at 2pm, performers started at 3pm, and the show started at 6pm. We got there around 4:30 and there were plenty of seats available. The front section was lined with plastic chairs. There were families there as well as lots of kids who came from school. They were still in their school uniforms and did homework while they waited. People came SO prepared. They had packed dinners -- real dinners! There were hard boiled eggs, gimbab rolls, dumplings, cartons of milk...
The performers were decent and varied. We saw singers and dancers of all different Korean genres. At 6:00 we were excited for the real show to get underway only to find out that that's when the openers started. And openers there were! Each opener performed one song and then the next group/artist came on and performed their piece. This went on for over an hour! And there were ballads! It was so painful.
Once Psy came out on stage (finally!) everyone stood on their chairs. People even stood on the arms of the chairs to get those extra inches. The lady next to me did that, too, and at one point I saw her squatting down to get something from her purse. Such balance! :)
Psy was a really fun performer and entertainer. We didn't have to know everything he said to have a good time. Plus we decided to pretend we did understand everything he said and also knew all the lyrics to the songs. It totally made the night more fun! There was one time he told some joke between songs and I belly laughed along with everyone else. The Korean lady next to me looked over and gave me a surprised look but seemed to believe that I got the joke. It was great. :) Plus it was way more fun to sing along with songs rather than stand around waiting for him to sing Gangnam Style. There was one chant the crowd kept doing which may have been 'Encore!' but to us it sounded more like 'Acorn!' so that's what we shouted. I'm pretty sure we've never shouted 'acorn' so many times in our lives! :)
He did this thumbs up pose after most songs. It was great because he'd hold it for a good minute or so.
Since Gangnam Style has become a regular thing in the US I've had friends and family comment to me that it's funny, ridiculous, gibberish, annoying...you name it. People also want to know what it's about...and apparently forgot how to use Google search. :) People seem to have varied opinions about it but here are some ideas I've gathered about it:
Gangnam is a really rich district in Seoul and a big party place at night. People there are very fit, classy, and of high social class. So of course there are the people who will hang out in Gangnam to try to be those people. Psy is kind of doing a huge spoof pretending to be one of those people, saying he's so cool and classy but really showing how it's all quite ridiculous. Horse back riding is thought to be a wealthy activity, right? But what does he do but show how silly horse back riding can look without the horse. The opening scene has you thinking he's sippng a drink on a beach until they pull back and he's just on a kids playground. At the same time I think he's doing a spoof on music videos, too. Wind machines make things sexy right? Why not use one and show what happens when there's too much confetti or garbage in the area? :)
Oppa has two meanings: one is for a younger sister to call her older brother. The other is for a younger female to use as an affectionate name for an older man, especially a boyfriend. Oppan Gangnam style (the lyrics) is saying he's that guy with that lifestyle.
After the show there was a good fireworks display. It was a fun way to end the evening!
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