Psy’s “Gangnam Style” has once again shown its lasting impact. The iconic music video surpassed 6 billion views on YouTube on the afternoon of Friday, July 17, becoming the first K-pop music video ever to achieve the milestone, according to the Korea Herald. The record-breaking moment came nearly 14 years after the video was first released on July 15, 2012.
Psy’s agency, P Nation, described the achievement as “a landmark achievement in K-pop history.” In a statement, the agency said, “Surpassing 6 billion views is not only a symbolic milestone in the history of K-pop, but it demonstrates the enduring power of content that continues to be enjoyed across countries and generations.”
The video gained its latest billion views in about two years and seven months after reaching 5 billion views on December 30, 2023. While the growth may appear slower compared to modern viral hits, the steady stream of views over more than a decade highlights how deeply the song has remained connected with audiences worldwide.
The signature horse-riding dance and playful satire of Seoul’s wealthy Gangnam district may have started as a global phenomenon, but “Gangnam Style” has since become a landmark moment in the evolution of online music consumption.
In December 2012, the track made history as the first video ever to reach 1 billion views on YouTube, while also becoming the first K-pop video to hit that milestone. Its seven-week stay at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 is often credited as a major factor in introducing K-pop to a broader global audience.
“Gangnam Style” is now the ninth music video to pass 6 billion YouTube views, joining an exclusive list that includes Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You” (6.74 billion), Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again (7.01 billion), and Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” (9.06 billion).
Psy was performing at the Gwacheon stop of his Summer Swag 2026 tour when the milestone was reached, wearing the blue tuxedo featured in the original music video. During the show, he told fans he would upload footage from the performance on YouTube as a thank-you for helping the video reach 6 billion views. He also shared a celebratory image on his YouTube channel.
