PSY scoops up 1st win on “M! CountDown,” emcee Tony An says good-bye

Solo artist PSY enjoys riding a toy horse in a still-shot of the music video for "Gangnam Style," dropped on July 15, 2012. [YG Entertainment]

K-pop sensation PSY has nabbed first win on Mnet’s music show “M! CountDown,” while Tony An stepped down from his post as the program's emcee.

PSY marked his first win for the fourth week of August with his smashing-hit tune “Gangnam Style” in the episode aired on Thursday evening, though he was not in attendance for the show due to his promotional activities for his tune in the United States.

After previous three straight weeks’ winner BEAST’s Yong Jun-hyung received the trophy on behalf of PSY, leader Yoon Du-jun showed his appreciation for An's hard work as the host for one and a half year.

After watching a highlight clip accumulating the iconic emcee’s performance, he expressed his cherished impressions by saying, “While watching the video, it almost feels like I got awarded a trophy for the coveted triple crown. Thank you very much to the audience who has watched the show for one and a half year.”

“I can’t even think about the last moment I have received one. I’ll treasure the moments I have spent on ‘M! CountDown,’” the former legendary idol H.O.T’s member remarked after BEAST’s Yang Yo-seop handed over the trophy engraved as The Best Emcee in Korean.

The next host of weekly music show will be announced early next week, with a hint of how the show’s organizers will refresh the live music show, which has lasted for over eight years.

Meanwhile, rookie boy bands B.A.P and VIXX staged tribute performances in honor of An by transforming themselves into two of the first Korean idol groups, H.O.T and Sechs Kies in the same episode.

Tony An, a former host of Mnet's televised music show "M! CountDown," gives his line on the stage in an episode aired on August 16, 2012. [Mnet]

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10 아시아 Reporter : Lee Hye Ji hjlee@
10 아시아 Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@