[Letters] Amazing power of social media behind Psy’s success

After Britney Spears appeared on the Ellen Show with Psy on September, she left comments on her Facebook: “Ellen and I learned how to go Gangnam style from the master today!” As she is one of the powerful celebrities in the U.S., her mentioning an Asian singer was enough to induce people to feel interest in him.

The next day. when Britney Spears mentioned Psy, my three American roommates started to feel interest in Psy and asked me about him. I had never imagined that my American roommates would be interested in a Korean singer.

Not only Britney Spears, but other famous celebrities in the U.S. such as Justin Bieber and Madonna tweeted or uploaded photos taken with Psy on Facebook. These celebrities’ social media activities made the public consider Psy to be celebrity like them. In addition, their interest encouraged him to be under the global mass media’s spotlight.

What is the common thing among Greyson Chance, Justin Bieber and Psy? All of them became world stars via YouTube. There are many factors to be loved by the public in their music. However, according to a music editor at Billboard, Benjamin Ingram: “If there were no SNS, including YouTube, they could never win this tremendous popularity in such a short time.”

Social media has been established as a gateway to becoming a world star. It is also awindow to meeting the public instantly and a very effective tool for marketing. PSY is its greatest beneficiary this year.

by Hong Soo-yeon Student at University of Minnesota, Duluth