Beyond Gangnam Style: Does PSY Still Make Music?
When Park Jae-sang—better known globally as PSY—broke the internet in 2012 with “Gangnam Style”, he became a historic pop-culture phenomenon. He wasn’t just a K-pop star; he was the first artist to cross the billion-view threshold on YouTube, turning horse-riding dance moves into a universal language.
More than a decade later, the inevitable question lingers for many casual music fans: Does PSY still make music, or was he a one-hit wonder who vanished into pop history?
The short answer is a resounding yes. PSY is still very much active in the music industry, though his role has evolved from a viral novelty act into a powerhouse producer, label executive, and master of live entertainment.
From Global Megastar to Label Boss: P Nation
After years under South Korea’s major powerhouse YG Entertainment, PSY made a massive career pivot in 2019 by founding his own entertainment agency and record label, P Nation.
Instead of stepping back from the spotlight, PSY used his industry weight to build a home for artists with bold, non-traditional personalities. Under his leadership, P Nation has signed and nurtured prominent K-pop and hip-hop acts like Jessi, Crush, Heize, and the boy band TNX. Rather than fading away, PSY transitioned into a mentor and mogul, shaping the next generation of Korean music while keeping his own creative fires burning.
Recent Releases: Psy 9th and Collaborations
PSY hasn’t stopped recording, either. In 2022, he dropped his ninth full-length studio album, appropriately titled Psy 9th.
The album proved that PSY hadn’t lost his touch for massive, genre-blending collaborations. The lead single, “That That,” was co-produced by and featured Suga of BTS. The track became an international hit, showcasing a catchy Western-meets-K-pop cowboy aesthetic that dominated global charts and reminded everyone of PSY’s signature high-energy showmanship.
Psy 9th also featured an all-star roster of Korean artists, including Zico, Crush, Tablo, Hwasa, and Jessi, cementing PSY’s status as a respected industry veteran who bridges generations of modern K-pop.
The Legend of “Summer Swag”
If you want to understand PSY’s current musical footprint, you have to look at his legendary live performances. Far from being a studio recluse, PSY remains one of South Korea’s premier touring acts.
His annual massive summer concert series, known as “Summer Swag” (Heukkeuk Show), is a cultural event in its own right. Famous for massive water cannons, festival atmospheres, and hours of relentless dancing, the tour routinely sells out massive stadiums across multiple cities, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans.
The Verdict
PSY may no longer chase the singular, lightning-in-a-bottle global hysteria of “Gangnam Style,” but he never really left the game. Whether he is running his own record label, dropping star-studded albums with BTS members, or drenching tens of thousands of fans at stadium tours, PSY remains a vibrant, evolving titan of the Korean music industry.
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