Beyond Gangnam Style: What Is PSY Up To Now?
It has been over a decade since Park Jae-sang—better known to the world as PSY—performed horse-riding dances in neon blazers and turned “Gangnam Style” into the first-ever video to hit one billion views on YouTube. Back in 2012, his infectious global phenomenon felt like a cultural lightning strike.
Naturally, the world has spent the years since wondering: Is PSY still making music?
The short answer is a resounding yes. But PSY’s role in the music industry has evolved far beyond chasing viral global sensations. Today, he is a powerhouse hitmaker, a massive concert promoter, and a kingmaker behind the scenes.
The Evolution of PSY’s Discography
While “Gangnam Style” remains an inescapable pop-culture landmark, PSY didn’t vanish after the dust settled. He has consistently released music on his own terms, leaning heavily into his identity as a veteran South Korean artist who bridges generations.
His studio album, Psy 9th, dropped to critical and commercial acclaim, proving that his creative engine was still firing on all cylinders. The album’s lead single, “That That,” was co-written, produced, and featured SUGA of BTS. The track became an instant global hit, blending PSY’s signature high-energy comedic flair with modern K-pop production, proving he knows exactly how to collaborate with contemporary titans.
The record also featured an all-star lineup of modern K-pop and R&B royalty, including Jessi, Hwasa, Crush, and Tablo. Rather than trying to recreate a carbon copy of “Gangnam Style,” PSY used the album to cement his status as a respected elder statesman of the genre.
Ruling the Stage: The “Summer Swag” Empire
If you want to understand where PSY’s primary musical focus lies today, look no further than the live stage. He hasn’t just kept making music; he has built some of the most sought-after live concert experiences in Asia.
His massive annual summer tour, PSY Summer Swag, has grown into a massive cultural event. Known for stadium-scale water cannons, relentless energy, and setlists spanning hours, these multi-city tours sell out almost instantly year after year. PSY has even paused other traditional holiday concert runs—such as his famous year-end “All Night Stand” shows—specifically to pour his energy into massive large-scale musical projects and tours.
Mogul Mode: P NATION
Beyond writing and performing his own music, PSY has quietly become one of the most influential executives in the entertainment business. In 2019, he founded P NATION, an entertainment agency and record label designed to foster unbridled artistic freedom.
By building a label that focuses on raw individuality rather than strict, traditional idol moulds, PSY has used his decades of industry experience to mentor and produce the next generation of talent.
The Verdict
PSY never really left. He simply traded the unpredictable rollercoaster of overnight global virality for a lasting, multifaceted career. Whether he is dropping unexpected chart-toppers with BTS members, packing out stadiums for drenched multi-city summer festivals, or shaping the future of other artists through his label, PSY remains an active, vibrant force in music.
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