Crayon Pop’s upgraded “Bar Bar Bar,” released on Monday, attracted 15 million viewers on YouTube within 24 hours, reflecting the group’s surging popularity.

The new music video, dubbed “Bar Bar Bar 2.0,” came after the group won a coveted recording contract with Sony Music Entertainment Korea in August. The new version is aimed at boosting the group’s international presence on the strength of the agency’s global networks, taking a cue from the unprecedented success of Psy’s addictive “Gangnam Style.”

An official from Sony Music Korea said, “Version 2.0 aims to publicize the dance moves globally, which is why we focused on choreography rather than creating something new this time.”

Crayon Pop’s new rendition borrowed from some of the famous scenes featured in Psy’s hit music video, an apparent attempt to increase the video’s familiarity among foreign music fans.

Crayon Pop shot to sudden stardom thanks largely to the publicity generated by an “SNL Korea” parody of Bar Bar Bar’s “straight-five engine dance.” The fast-paced track has topped the local music charts for six weeks.

By Yoon Ha-youn, Intern reporter
(yhayoun@heraldcorp.com)