South Korean rapper PSY and the massive YouTube hit “Gangnam Style” seemingly came out of nowhere, but no one can say they didn’t see this coming. After a huge backlash following news that he had performed at an anti-American protest in 2004, PSY has issued an apology this afternoon.
“I’m deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted,” reads the statement. Huh?
Help me out, Psy. What's the proper interpretation for "Kill those f**king Yankees…Kill their daughters… slowly+painfully"? (etc)
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 7, 2012
@jaketapper It's an allusion to the changing of the seasons, the falling off of leaves, the arrival of snow
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) December 7, 2012
@jaketapper The interpretation is I want the success and fame and money that those Yankees now give me.
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) December 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/Neal_Dewing/status/277180909189488640
@jaketapper I believe it is: "I never expected to have a song that becomes a hit in America and makes me a lot of money".
— (((AG))) (@AGHamilton29) December 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/marlenasmusings/status/277181645860261888
@marlenasmusings killing their daughters, mothers slowly and painfully
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 7, 2012
PSY also said that he and other artists performing were caught up in the “overall antiwar sentiment shared by others around the world at that time.” Is America in a forgiving mood, or is the ugliness of the lyrics enough to shake the nation out of its mania for “Gangnam Style” at last? Some find the statement genuine, and for others, sadly, no apology is necessary.
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https://twitter.com/DustinHurst/status/277171915347599360
Very sincere apology by PSY in wake of anti-American comments unearthed from 2004: http://t.co/F8gFQ0NM
— Steve Krakauer (@SteveKrak) December 7, 2012
Much respect for @psy_oppa's response to today's witch hunt: http://t.co/sTMpXKTK via @rollingstone
— Stephanie Barto (@balinesecat) December 7, 2012
Why? RT @jazgar: 'Gangnam Style' Rapper Psy Apologizes for 'Kill Those Fucking Yankees' Rap http://t.co/yAxMtgek #oopsie
— What duck? (@geeoharee) December 7, 2012
What, Psy wrote songs about American soldiers killing civilians back in 2002? My god, he's a terrible human being. http://t.co/jfR8Vvxq
— Josh Tree Park (@joshtreepark) December 7, 2012
Seasons change, people change…Psy Apologizes for Anti-American Performances | Music News | Rolling Stone http://t.co/alWls4vQ
— Curley (@cadadj) December 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/francesmartel/status/277174565862535168
It seems likely that PSY will go ahead with his scheduled appearance at “Christmas in Washington” despite a petition to have his invitation to perform rescinded. Plenty, though, are perfectly happy imagining a PSY-free future.
Shorter: "Please don't stop buying my stupid record!" http://t.co/MZmZS8gd
— Brian (@sportsmatters) December 7, 2012
Too late. RT @debweinstein: Ewww! 'Gangnam Style' rapper Psy apologizes for 'Kill those f**king Yankees' rap > http://t.co/tUpN8wk2 @Gawker
— Right Impression (@rightonusa) December 7, 2012
Not accepted go away now "@mediaite: 'Gangnam Style' PSY's Vitriolic Anti-American Past Revealed http://t.co/7VZsbDoL UPDATE: PSY APOLOGIZES
— Mike Francis (@mike1894) December 7, 2012
Now that he stands to rake in beaucoup American $$$, @THR @psy_oppa … "˜Apologizes for Anti-U.S. Statement."
— Ammons (@GregAmmons) December 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/digitalPimple/status/277171859496259584
Of course he apologizes AFTER. RT @RollingStone: Psy has issued an apology for his anti-American performances. http://t.co/AMgJksqp
— Korean Abdul Jabbar (@HeyDaveKim) December 7, 2012
Psy apologizes for his Anti-American rap because money.
— (((Mark Campbell))) (@MrWordsWorth) December 7, 2012
Asshole. RT @mediaite: PSY Apologizes For Anti-American Military Lyrics http://t.co/DCiMkwgV
— Wes (@FTWes) December 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/CuffyMeh/status/277179501929181184
https://twitter.com/johnhawkinsrwn/status/277182575137652736
If you’ve soured on PSY and are looking for a replacement to fill the need for rap in your life, this tweeter has an audition verse.
Here's a rap – Bye PSY RT @Gawker: 'Gangnam Style' rapper Psy apologizes for 'kill those fucking Yankees' rap http://t.co/bBjQ7glH
— Kelly Cutrone (@kellycutrone) December 7, 2012
No surprise here; the concert in D.C. will go on as planned.
Psy to perform at Christmas in Washington concert "as planned": http://t.co/sJ1ck9OI
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) December 7, 2012