President Obama, the mayor of London, China’s top dissident artist and Madonna -- every time someone signals the death of ”Gangnam Style,” another high-profile figure pops up to keep the phenomenon alive.
In the four months since the music video by South Korean rapper Psy went viral on YouTube, it has been name-checked and imitated by an impressive roster of global notables from world leaders to sports stars and business tycoons.
And the public has joined in with tens of thousands turning out for giant flash mob performances of Psy’s horse-riding dance in cities like Paris and Rome.
While many believe Gangnam Style will ultimately prove to be a one-hit wonder, the song has shown surprising staying power and an unlikely ability to penetrate international corridors of power.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called it a force for world peace. On the morning of the US presidential election, Barack Obama told a local radio station that he was confident he could match Psy’s dance moves.
“But I’m not sure that the inauguration ball is the appropriate time to break that out. Maybe do it privately for Michelle,” he said.