Beyond “Gangnam Style”: What is PSY Up To Now?
Back in 2012, it was virtually impossible to escape the infectious beat, equestrian dance moves, and booming chorus of “Gangnam Style.” South Korean singer Park Jae-sang—better known globally as PSY—became an overnight internet sensation, turning his viral hit into the first-ever YouTube video to hit one billion views.
Yet, for many casual global observers, PSY seemed to vanish from the international spotlight just as quickly as he arrived. This naturally leaves many wondering: Does PSY still make music?
The short answer is a resounding yes. While he may no longer dominate Western mainstream pop radio daily, PSY has remained exceptionally busy, deeply influential, and a powerhouse in the Asian music industry.
Shifting from Global Phenomenon to Label Boss
Following the whirlwind success of “Gangnam Style” and subsequent international singles like “Gentleman” and “Daddy,” PSY realized that chasing lightning in a bottle on a global scale came with immense psychological pressure. In late 2018, he chose to pivot. He left YG Entertainment—the massive agency that housed him during his peak global years—and founded his own independent record label and entertainment agency called P NATION.
Through P NATION, PSY has used his decades of industry experience to mentor, shape, and launch the careers of major South Korean stars, including artists like Jessi, Crush, Heize, and TNX. Instead of just being the performer, PSY became a kingmaker, helping foster a home for diverse, high-energy artists who didn’t necessarily fit traditional K-pop molds.
Still Making Music and Dropping Albums
PSY hasn’t stopped recording, writing, or producing. Rather than churning out constant singles for Western charts, he prefers to release music on his own deliberate timeline.
A prime example is his major studio album, PSY 9th, released in April 2022. The album served as a love letter to his career and a definitive turning point, with PSY noting in interviews that it felt like a formal “farewell to ‘Gangnam Style’”—not out of bitterness, but as a way to embrace his current chapter.
The record proved that he hadn’t lost his touch for massive collaborations. The lead single, “That That,” was co-produced by and featured SUGA of BTS. The track smashed streaming records worldwide, proving that when PSY drops new music, the global music world still tunes in. The album also featured star-studded collaborations with artists like Hwasa, Crush, Tablo, and Sung Si-kyung.
The Legend of the “Dumdshuk” (Dumdshuk Show)
If you want to understand PSY’s true modern-day status, you have to look at his live performances. In South Korea, PSY is practically synonymous with summer, thanks to his legendary annual concert series known as “Heung-Ssuk” or the “Dumdshuk Show” (Summer Swag).
Known for massive, stadium-packing attendance, artificial waterfalls, fireworks, and hours of continuous high-energy dancing, these concerts sell out in minutes. PSY remains an elite, premier live entertainer, performing both his classic anthems and newer catalog to tens of thousands of screaming fans year after year.
The Verdict
PSY never stopped making music; he simply outgrew the trap of being defined by a single viral meme. Today, he balances being a successful record executive, an active producer, a stadium-filling touring artist, and a seasoned veteran who is entirely comfortable in his own skin.
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