How to kick it Gangnam Style in Seoul

Unless you were living under a rock for the last half of 2012, you’ll have heard the words “Gangnam Style” at least 4,000,000 times.

The Gangnam-Style phenomenon is all down to a slightly chubby South Korean pop star who goes by the name of Psy (pictured above via ygfamily.com).

This pop music genius released the irresistibly catchy Gangnam Style in July 2012 and it has taken the world by storm.

The song debuted at number one in South Korea’s Gaon Chart, before a hilarious video and some celebrity endorsements (from the likes of Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Simon Cowell, Tom Cruise and Robbie Williams among many, many, many others) sent Gangnam Style global.

The video for Gangnam Style has notched up more than 1,247,000,000 views on YouTube and now holds the record for the most-watched video ever.

The video sparked a number of parodies with cheerleaders, video game characters, prisoners, BBC journalists, the US Navy, the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Chinese artist Ai Weiwei all trying their hand at the horse dance.

The Korea Tourism Organisation recognised the efforts of Gangnam Style aficionados around the world by offering the chance to win a trip to Gangnam.

So what exactly is Gangnam Style and, more importantly, how can we get involved? We’ve tried the dance, created spoof videos (who hasn’t?!), but we want to go there!

Gangnam is a district in Seoul, South Korea’s capital city. It lies south of the Han River (“Gang” means “river”, “nam” means “south”).

It is one of the wealthiest districts in the city, and is likened to Beverly Hills in California.

With high-rise, high-tech buildings that are home to some of the biggest companies in South Korea, Gangnam is a business and cultural hub.

That’s not to mention the extremely high price of property in Gangnam – only available to the wealthiest of Koreans.

While living in Gangnam is only a dream for most Seoul residents, the lifestyle it represents sees people from across the city come to kick it Gangnam Style in the district.

Apgujeong-dong, a neighbourhood in Gangnam known for its high-class fashion and shopping attracts hundreds of non-Gangnam residents on a daily basis.

Then there’s the COEX Mall, the largest underground shopping centre in the whole of Asia, which offers high-tech facilities and high-end shopping.

Psy says he is mocking those who don’t live in Gangnam but who say they are Gangnam Style. So, if you want to kick it Gangnam Style, even if it’s just to do the dance, get yourself over to Seoul ASAP!