By the numbers: Was Psy the first true global K-pop star?

 

Love it or hate it, “Gangnam Style” was a global phenomenon in 2012 and for many non-Koreans was their first exposure to the South Korean entertainment industry. The solid music production, goofy music video, and over-the-top dancing perplexed and enamored audiences around the globe. The video was such a success that it broke some wild records.

 

• At its peak, the song was getting 9 million views per day.

• It topped the iTunes charts in 31 countries.

• It was the first video to reach 1 billion YouTube views. 

• It was also the first video in Internet history to be viewed 2 billion times.

• It set the record for most-liked YouTube video with 1.57 million likes. 

 

• It was the first K-pop song to top the UK Singles Chart.It is the 11th most-viewed video on YouTube. 

• It has over 5 billion views today.