Record breaker: PSY's 'Gangnam Style' Hits 2 Billion YouTube Views
The mega-hit has just become the first video in history to surpass two billion views on YouTube, a little more than 17 months after becoming thefirst to surpass the initial billion mark. The video reached its goal late on Friday (May 30).
"2 billion views...they are very honorable and very burdensome numbers," PSY said via a statement. "With appreciation, I will come back soon with more joyful contents!!"
YouTube marked the milestone with special pieces of animation showing little dancing Psys around the view counter.
Uploaded in July 2012, "Gangnam Style" is already the most-viewed clip of all-time on the video website and it continues to rack up enviable viewership; earning nearly 100 million views in 2014 alone.
Notably, the track's success has led a huge surge in K-pop's popularity on the video platform too. YouTube reports viewership of K-pop vids growing from around 700 million total YouTube views in 2010 to more than 5.5 billion in 2013.
"Gangnam Style" spent five weeks at No. 1 on theBillboard K-Pop Hot 100, reaching the No. 1 spot before even debuting on the Hot 100. The song spent 31 weeks on the U.S.-based Hot 100, with 7 weeks spent in the No. 2 position, held from the throne by Maroon 5's "One More Night." The track placed was the No. 1 song on2012's year-end K-Pop Hot 100 chartand showed longevity in America, placing at No. 47 on the2012's year-end Hot 100 chartand No. 55 on the2013 ranking.
The 36-year-od's viral nature translated to his follow-up release "Gentleman" which set a record formost views for a video in its first day on the site, earning 18.9 million views worldwide. Proving he's wasn't a one-hit wonder, the track soared to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
PSY is said to make his return to the industry soon with a full-length LP. He recentlyfilmed a new music videowith Snoop Dogg and fellow K-pop superstar G-Dragon. PSY and Snoop have been announced as guests for the "Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night" special that begins with Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 5.
