Gangnam Style fans surprised to learn true meaning of PSY's South Korean song - over a decade after its wacky hook step went viral

K-pop fans have finally uncovered the true meaning of PSY's smash hit Gangnam Style - over a decade after the chart-topper was released. The South Korean song quickly became an internet sensation after it was uploaded on YouTube in 2012, prompting fans around the world to recreate the wacky hookstep performed by the pop star. The track, which has now been played more than five billion times, even went on to win Best Video at the MTV Europe Music Awards at the time of its release.

It has now crept back into discussion on a Reddit page dedicated to K-pop, where one fan asked: 'What is the story behind PSY's Gangnam Style and where can I find good information on it?'. The query led to one of Psy's earlier interviews being resurfaced online, with the musical artist telling NPR the song is a tribute to the women of Seoul in South Korea - where he hails from. He explained: 'Gangnam is a territory in Seoul, Korea.

'I describe it as noble at the daytime and going crazy at the nighttime. '[In the song] I compare ladies to the territory. So - noble at the daytime, going crazy at the nighttime - and the lyrics say "I am the right guy for the lady who is like that.". The South Korean song Gangnam Style by Psy was was a global smash hit when it arrived in 2012 - topping charts, filling speakers, and scoring fans from all walks of life with it's signature horse trot and lasso spin dance and catchy tune (Psy singer pictured).

Arriving at the same time as the London 2012 Olympics, the catchy tune quickly rose to the top of charts as it was played everywhere from cafes and restaurants to clubs around the world. Part of its appeal was the song's horse trot-and-lasso hook step that social media users recreated at their homes - with celebrities, politicians, and royals all joining in the fun. In 2012, the late Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter Zara Tindall embraced the dance moves at a charity event, where she was seen showing off her Gangnam Style alongside silver medal-winning Olympic riders Nicola Wilson and Tina Cook.

Boris Johnson was also among the song's more famous fans, with the Tory politician previously revealing that he and fellow former prime minister, David Cameron had danced to it together. As part of the recent discussion about the song's true meaning on Reddit, some users also shared their own theories - with one person suggesting it is a 'satire' about wealthy people 'walking around Gangnam'. Their post read: 'Gangnam Style is a satire about the wealthy/faux-wealthy people walking around Gangnam. I think it blew up partly because of how relatable it was as a social commentary, not just in Seoul but also in many cities where there is a huge class divide.'.

Another suggested the song was 'poking fun' at 'some more modern decadence' in South Korea. Others noted that the song followed 'fell in line' with other dance anthems such as LMFAO’s party hits that were popular at the time. Arriving at the same time as the London 2012 Olympics , the tune even had the royals dancing, with Zara Phillips busting her moves to the catchy beat alongside silver medal-winning Olympic riders Nicola Wilson, Tina Cook and Zara Phillips (pictured right).

The tune was uploaded onto YouTube in the summer and immediately became a hit, racking up millions of views with it's peculiar video featuring a barn of horses and what became an well replicated dance. The song, which has now been played more than five billion times, even went on to win Best Video at the MTV Europe Music Awards. In 2023, King Charles made a cheeky remark about Gangnam Style during a state banquet for the president of South Korea.

Addressing over 300 attendees, including members of the hit K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, the monarch welcomed them with a smattering of Korean. 'Yeong-gug-e osin geos-eul hwan-yeonghabnida [Welcome to Britain].'. Marking the 140th anniversary of Korea's diplomatic relationship with the UK, the King described it as a 'partnership in which close personal connections, fostered over many decades, have blossomed today into a real sense of affection, or jeong, between our societies at so many levels'.