Psy Attends VMA, Performs 'Gangnam Style' At Pre-show

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines - Korean rapper and YouTube sensation Psy attended his first MTV Video Music Awards ceremony today, walking down the red carpet and appearing on stage.

The singer, whose viral music video "Gangnam Style" has racked up 115 million views on YouTube, appeared on the VMA stage with host Kevin Hart.

Psy on the VMA red carpet and with Grammy winner John Mayer at the MTV pre-show party.
(Photos courtesy of MTV and jmpicspam on Twitter)

"With an infectious dance that has infiltrated almost every corner of American pop culture (and the Internet), the viral phenomenon made his VMA arrival alongside host Kevin Hart, causing a roar of applause from the crowd and a pausing gasp from Katy Perry," wrote MTV.

The VMA was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday (Friday morning in Manila).

"'You got over 100 million [views] on YouTube right now for 'Gangnam Style.' How does it feel?' Hart asked the star, who replied in Korean, leaving the VMA host lost in translation. The quick-on-his-feet comedian hesitantly agreed and joined in on the singer's signature horse-like dance," according to the MTV article.

Before the awards ceremony, Psy and British boy band The Wanted performed at the MTV pre-show at Avalon Theater in Hollywood.

There, Psy performed "Gangnam Style" with The Wanted members dancing to the tune and doing the "horse riding dance."

Since Psy uploaded his infectious music video last July, he has gotten the attention of media all over the world.

The newfound fame resulted in Psy being invited by Scooter Braun, Justin Bieber's manager, to the US.

Braun eventually signed up Psy under his School Boy Records where the Korean star will join Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen, Asher Roth and Matt Toka in the roster of artists.

"Gangnam Style" has been making records in the past weeks. On US iTunes, "Gangnam Style" is No. 1 on the music video chart and No. 27 on the top 100 songs chart.

It is also on iTunes top 10 songs in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden.

On the latest Billboard charts for the week of September 15, "Gangnam Style" maintained its No. 1 position on the Social 50 and YouTube charts.

It also charted at No. 13 on the Heatseekers Songs, No. 49 on the Digital Songs, No. 58 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 and No. 2 on the K-pop Hot 100.

Link to my original article: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/372565/psy-attends-vma-performs-gangnam-style-at-preshow