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Psy Won’t Be A Part Of Massive Delegation To North Korea Because He’s Too ‘Provocative’

Psy Won’t Be A Part Of Massive Delegation To North Korea Because He’s Too ‘Provocative’

Nearly 200 singers, dancers and performers will head across the border, but the 'Gangnam Style' singer won't be one of them

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

We've barely heard from Psy since his game-changingly ubiquitous single 'Gangnam Style' and accompanying video went berserk online.

Everyone was doing that horse hop dance in 2012 - it was played at every bar, pub, club, wedding and funeral that year - and then the South Korean seemed to drop off the face of the Western planet.

But he still seems to command a huge audience in his home country. So much so, in fact, that he was picked to be a part of a massive delegation to North Korea.

Nearly 200 performers, singers and dancers will be heading across the border for two events at the East Pyongyang Grand Theater and Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium. It's a who's who list of K-pop artists, including Baek Ji Young, Red Velvet, Cho Yong-pil, Lee Sunhee, Choi Jin Hee, Yoon Do-hyun, Jung-in, Seohyun, and Ali.

It seems as though they wanted to add one more name to the troupe, with Seoul's MBC TV station saying: "We have formally proposed to the North to add Psy to the line-up."

Unfortunately for the 40-year-old, he's not wanted.

According to the Guardian, North Korea are opposed to him singing in the country due to his 'provocative performance style'.

PA

The Metro has cited local Pyongyang media, who claim another reason for him being dumped from the line-up was because he looks too much like leader Kim Jong Un.

There's no denying that Psy is pretty out there with his song lyrics and antics on stage, which is a far cry away from North Korea's rigid, conservative social structure.

Interestingly, the K-pop star was approached to do a cheeky performance for the recent Winter Olympics.

South Korean tbs FM's radio presenter Kim Eo Jun asked the Olympic opening and closing ceremony director Song Seung Hwan why Psy wasn't included - he received this reply: "There was a lot of talk saying, 'While there are many internationally famous singers, wouldn't Psy appear based on his recognition?' A lot of people asked why Psy didn't perform [at the ceremonies].

PA

"I met with Psy. However, he himself was burdened by the thought of continuing to perform 'Gangnam Style'.

"He said that he was highly-criticised during the Asian Games.

"I think it's quite difficult, being a celebrity. If they perform at some event, people criticise them saying, 'Why did they appear?' and if they don't appear, they're criticised for not appearing."

Psy must be learning what Rick Astley's life has been like for the last three decades.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity, Music, North Korea