It seems like America really has to clamp down on the media. Our image abroad is getting stranger and stranger with all of the weird news stories that come out of the US.
Recently, I had this conversation with a kindergartener:
Kid: Ms. Jennifer, I’m glad you came to Korea.
Me: Oh, why is that?
Kid: Because I don’t want you to get eaten by zombies.
Me: Huh?
Kid: Yeah, it was on the news. America has zombies. It’s good you came to Korea. You’re safe here.
I’d like to say that this was an isolated event but, it wasn’t. Other students have asked me if America is overrun with zombies, if I saw a zombie, if I know anyone who is a zombie, etc.
So, yeah, people abroad think we have zombies running around America. It’d be funny if it wasn’t so embarrassing.
I’m a little late on this but, there is a song that is sweeping
Korea. It’s called “Gagnam Style” by Psy. The song is so popular, it’s gotten
coverage on CNN and a few US musicians have tweeted about it and mentioned it
during concerts, etc. The artist, Psy, will appear at the VMAs.
The video is super cheesy and funny. It kinda reminds me of the
Offspring’s “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)” video. The videos aren’t remotely the
same but, the almost parody like style is similar.
To give you some background, Gangnam is a very wealthy
neighborhood in Seoul; think Beverly Hills or the Upper East Side. From what I
understand, it’s probably the wealthiest neighborhood in Seoul (I don’t live in
Seoul so, I’m not really sure.) As a result, there are those that think the
song makes fun of the neighborhood and its reputation for materialism. To be
honest, I don’t speak Korean so, I can’t say if the song is critiquing anything
or not. For more on this, here is a really interesting article from TheAtlantic
This song is everywhere! I hear it all the time, mostly from my
students. The kindergarteners love to sing the part of the chorus that goes “Hey…sexy
lady!” at me (and other teachers), which is slightly disturbing. They also like
to do the funny dance Psy does in the video.
Anyway, if you haven’t seen it yet, watch the video for the song.
It’s pretty funny.
Lyrics
English
Translation:
Oppa is Gangnam style
Gangnam style
A girl who is warm and
humanle during the day
A classy girl who know how to enjoy the freedom of a cup of coffee
A girl whose heart gets hotter when night comes
A girl with that kind of twist
I’m a guy
A guy who is as warm as you during the day
A guy who one-shots his coffee before it even cools down
A guy whose heart bursts when night comes
That kind of guy
Beautiful, loveable
Yes you, hey, yes you, hey
Beautiful, loveable
Yes you, hey, yes you, hey
Now let’s go until the end
Oppa is Gangnam style,
Gangnam style
Oppa is Gangnam style, Gangnam style
Oppa is Gangnam style
Eh- Sexy Lady, Oppa is
Gangnam style
Eh- Sexy Lady oh oh oh oh
A girl who looks quiet but
plays when she plays
A girl who puts her hair down when the right time comes
A girl who covers herself but is more sexy than a girl who bares it all
A sensable girl like that
I’m a guy
A guy who seems calm but plays when he plays
A guy who goes completely crazy when the right time comes
A guy who has bulging ideas rather than muscles
That kind of guy
Beautiful, loveable
Yes you, hey, yes you, hey
Beautiful, loveable
Yes you, hey, yes you, hey
Now let’s go until the end
Oppa is Gangnam style,
Gangnam style
Oppa is Gangnam style, Gangnam style
Oppa is Gangnam style
Eh- Sexy Lady, Oppa is
Gangnam style
Eh- Sexy Lady oh oh oh oh
On top of the running man
is the flying man, baby baby
I’m a man who knows a thing or two
On top of the running man is the flying man, baby baby
I’m a man who knows a thing or two
You know what I’m saying
Oppa is Gangnam style
Eh- Sexy Lady, Oppa is
Gangnam style
Eh- Sexy Lady oh oh oh oh
