Seoul, South Korea

The South Korean superstar PSY has said his new album marks a “farewell to ‘Gangnam Style'” – the hit song that propelled him to superstardom exactly ten years ago.

Indeed, the music video for the first single – “That That” featuring BTS’ Suga – shows PSY in the famous blue suit he wore in the “Gangnam Style” video.

“So a guy in a blue tuxedo comes out and gets a slap from Suga and goes on his way,” escaping his old self drifting away from the past, PSY told The Associated Press in a pre-release interview. the scrapbook. His latest album “PSY 9th”, released on Friday, has 12 songs, including one featuring Korean-Canadian rapper Tablo.

PSY, whose real name is Park Jae-sang, swept the world with 2012’s “Gangnam Style.” .4 billion views on YouTube.

In an interview, PSY talked about the long gap between recordings, if he’s still under pressure from the worldwide success of “Gangnam Style,” and what he envisions for himself and the Korean pop industry.

Notes have been edited for clarity and brevity.

___

AP: “PSY 9e” took five years. What took so long?

PSY: We cannot satisfy everyone. People’s taste is subjective. But if I let someone listen to my music and even if that person isn’t in the industry, if that person says, “That’s not that great,” I’m making a change. There are 40 to 50 people to whom I play my music. when he’s ready. Until they collectively say, “That’s the best he can get,” I search for the song. So… I’m also making a lot of changes. Our artists find it difficult when working with me, and I want to change the habit, but it’s hard to fix. When I make music, I listen to it on a cell phone speaker, on a big speaker, and I do my best to try to find a flaw…I kill a lot of songs, and I I’ve been in this process for a long time.

AP: Who are these 40-50 people?

PSY: All the artists in my company and some of our label people. There are young and old, including my parents… The most random person is my best friend, someone my age who lives daily and constantly monitors my songs since my first album.

AP: It’s been 10 years since “Gangnam Style”. Are you still aware of “Gangnam Style?” Do you feel pressure?

PSY: The hidden theme of this music video is “Farewell to Gangnam Style”. So, a guy in a blue tux comes out and gets a slap from Suga and goes on his way. There’s a hidden theme in the song of me and Suga in new outfits sending off old PSY. It’s not a serious video but there is such a scene. But personally, and at work, the success of “Gangnam Style” was a very big event so it’s impossible not to be aware of it all the time. But at the same time, it’s been a long time, and right now I feel very free and easy. So instead of being aware of it, I consider it the biggest trophy on my shelf, no more, no less. Right now I’m fascinated by making new music with new friends.

AP: So how long did it take you to get over “Gangnam Style?”

PSY: I couldn’t believe the 7th album at all. I had largely exceeded five years ago when I released my 8th album. Now I’m completely over it.

AP: What is your favorite song in your musical career?

PSY: There’s a song called “It’s Art” on my 5th album. Whatever I write, it would probably be hard to beat this song.

PA: Why?

PSY: Even though I’ve been making music for a long time, there are some of my own songs that still make me proud. It’s the song. It’s moving and has beautiful beats and messages, and the audience loves the song. I had never promoted the song, but it went viral and became the song I sing after “Champion” and “Gangnam Style” at concerts.

AP: If there were to be the biggest change in the Korean pop industry in the near future, what would it be?

PSY: K-pop will continuously increase in terms of budget size and effort, and level of trainees… I think the next change will be the metaverse… The metaverse will bring changes to the music industry. K-pop by getting rid of boundaries for the stage and the audience.

AP: Are you preparing a project related to the NFT or the metaverse?

PSY: This is the first time I’ve revealed it. I am preparing a character of me who sings and dances. Fortunately, people are used to an illustration of me because I’ve been using it as an album cover since my debut… But PSY as a singer should remain active offline for a long time. I’m not known for a muscular body or well-trained dance moves. Audiences are thrilled with my vibe and atmosphere on stage, so a concert without an audience won’t be an option for me. But I work closely with the artists on my label to prepare myself for the metaverse world.