Stealth Insult: Like many of PSY's songs, this song turns a social phenomenon into Sarcasm Mode.Given that PSY's style prior to his international fame is considered K-Pop. Affectionate Parody: It's also one giant parody of K-Pop, featuring many k-pop artists (that giant random crowd dancing in a disco isn't just a face of nobodies) and a beat that's a take-off on a lot of k-pop songs.He even brags about his wealth while sitting on the can. PSY appears to be lounging on beach, but he's actually on a playground he admires the horses in a ritzy stable, but winds up on a merry-go-round he struts in a suit with a babe on each arm while being pelted with garbage and fake snow and he spends the whole song talking about how he wants a classy lady for a girlfriend, but when he meets his true love in melodramatic slo-mo, they're both on a dingy subway train.note Materialism is considered a growing problem in South Korea, to the point where nosejobs as sweet sixteen presents and slang for women who'll starve themselves to buy fancy clothes and furniture are common. and the guys who buy into it to impress chicks. Psy has said that the song is making fun of posers who say they are "Gangnam style", and it takes shots at women into shallow, materialistic trendiness. Behind the catchy tune, it is a critique of those who imitate South Korea's upper-class citizens, specifically the posh upper-class Gangnam neighborhood of Seoul (think a Korean Beverly Hills or Manhattan).Nouveau Riche: "Gangnam Style" is a satire of young Koreans who are either filthy rich or want to be filthy rich.Modesty Towel: PSY and two other men sport one in the sauna scene however, PSY wears his around the chest.Mock Millionaire: The song is, in part, a skewering of people who try to seem wealthy.Meadow Run: Played for laughs when PSY and HyunA do this.Male Gaze: When the camera zooms in on the assets of women exercising.Lighter and Softer: Bright and happy compared to PSY's older works, which were dark and gritty, with a lot of sarcastic jabs and Black Comedy.Informed Attribute: The subway station in the video is repeatedly stated (even on this very page) to be "dirty" and "dingy." Perhaps this is the case by Korean standards, but it's relatively tame by western standards.Even the little boy at the beginning is from Korea's got Talent!.
The massive disco crowd at the end are various K-POP stars.note PSY later returned the favor by appearing in the video for her song "Ice Cream" The girl dancing on the subway is Korean singer Kim Hyun-A.The pelvis-thrusting elevator dude is actor Noh Hong-chul.