Psy at his concert "Happening" on Saturday
South Korean rapper Psy swept his home-turf stage Saturday, unveiling the dance and music video of his new single "Gentleman" for the first time, a day after he released the much-anticipated song.
About 45,000 fans enthusiastically danced along, shouting "Psy", during a two-hour concert at World Cup Stadium in western Seoul. The concert, dubbed "HAPPENING," was streamed live on YouTube.
The strong-beat "Gentleman," a follow-up to his previous global smash hit "Gangnam Style," satirizes a tacky man who calls himself a gentleman.
The new single is similar to Gangnam Style in its fast tempo and the use of electronic sound as well as its more addictive chorus led by the would-be catchphrase, "I'm a mother, father, gentleman."
Psy at his concert "Happening" on Saturday
Gentleman uses more English words and tones down the Korean-language elements compared with Gangnam Style in an apparent bid to draw more foreign audiences.
The audience, which included South Korean celebrities Lee Byung-hun and Choi Ji-woo as well as Psy's U.S. agent Scooter Braun, jumped and shouted as the singer dressed in a black-and-white suit performed the best of his hits that included Gangnam Style.
More than 130,000 fans also watched the concert streamed live at YouTube and local media outlets Naver.com and Mnet, according to his management agency, YG Entertainment.
Psy at his concert "Happening" on Saturday
At a press conference ahead of the concert, Psy said he was under intense pressure when writing the lyrics of the new single.
"I made up my mind to find something that is very 'Psy style," said the rapper, whose real name is Park Jae-sang. "This is the best song and the best choice for me. I'm happy that it is getting good results."
Meanwhile, Gentleman entered top 10 iTunes Single Chart in many Asian, European and South American countries, YG Entertainment said, adding that it topped the Vietnamese chart.
The agency also said Psy's music video, along with the rapper's new dance moves, will help the song climb up the charts around the world.
The rapper is scheduled to stay in his home country for around a week before heading to the United States for an international promotional tour, according to his agency.
Psy became a global household name last year after Gangnam Style became the most watched video on YouTube, drawing over one billion views. (Yonhap News)