PSY's "The Trueman Show" - Part. 2

PSY smiles while sharing his thoughts about the viral hit, "Gangnam Style," during a press conference held at the Ramada Hotel in Seoul, South Korea, on September 25, 2012. [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

<#10_QMARK#>K-pop used to be centered around girl groups and boy bands. Do you think you've created a new genre of K-pop?
<#10_AMARK#>While I was in the states, people told me as a joke that my body is the size of all Korean girl groups and boy bands gathered together. They're all fit and skinny. For them [American people], they think it's weird that a chubby artist like me is dancing and singing on stage, and even doing so many interviews. It's just like how people thought about me when I first made my debut in Korea. But I don't think I've created a new genre. Let me take this opportunity to say a word. I do not wish other Korean artists' attempts at overseas music markets to be underrated or condemned because of what I've achieved lately. K-pop was able to become like a huge brand because these artists were keep knocking on the door to break into other countries. I'm literally jumping on the bandwagon. Challenge is beautiful itself.

<#10_QMARK#>Are you planning any promotional activities abroad?
<#10_AMARK#>As far as I know, my American agencies are in discussions about when and where I will be promoting myself in the near future. Not to mention Asia, we've talked about Europe and Oceana. I'm still thinking where to go but time is limited. I heard that I'm topping iTunes charts in over 30 countries right now but I still don't get what's happening.

PSY leans over the table while answering a reporter's question during a press conference opened at the Ramada Hotel in Seoul, South Korea, on September 25, 2012. [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

<#10_QMARK#>Korean people will want you to be moral and become an exemplary figure as a global star. You said in a previous interview that PSY goes well with R-rated concepts. How's singer PSY different from Park Jae-sang [PSY's real name], the father of twin girls?
<#10_AMARK#>I hate the word "model." If I was back in the 1700s and 1800s, I'm like a clown. I used to think 'why I need to be an exemplary figure when my job is to make people laugh?' I thought education should be done by educators. But now I see my children doing horse-riding dance at home and probably other kids are following my dance too. The biggest worry I have while going back and forth between PSY and Park Jae-sang is the fear that being an example or a model of something could make my music boring and colorless. Within a certain boundary, I wish to be not an exemplary figure of anything moral. (laugh)

<#10_QMARK#>You've experienced some new and exciting things in the states the last few weeks and you're back here to perform at college festivals and other small and big events.
<#10_AMARK#> Actually this week is critical for me to continue promoting myself in the states. I had big TV shows coming in lately and my agents asked these festival organizers if we could push back the date a bit for me to stay in America a little longer. They all said, "Absolutely no." When I heard that news back there, I felt really good. It meant that I'm irreplaceable. So I came to Korea with a pleasant feeling. Also, going to college festivals means more than just an event for me. Just this morning, my wife was worrying about my packed schedule so I told her, "I'll be alright when I perform at school festivals." I'm curious about how much my popularity has risen and I was waiting to sing and dance for long hours.

<#10_QMARK#>What's your another dream? What's the next step?
<#10_AMARK#>If you ask me what my dream is... honestly, I don't know what to say. Today is my dream. What more can I ask? I will not have any regrets even if everything just stopped at this point. If I have one wish though, it's to prove that I'm not just a Korean guy who does a horse-riding dance but a musician that shows awesome performances at concerts. I want to show people that Korean singers rock on stage.

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10 아시아 Editor : Monica Suk monicasuk@