The two Koreas divided on the Psy case

A divisive gesture of appeasement. In the framework of historical concerts, multiple South Korean artists are expected at Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. South Korean authorities try to convince their neighbour to welcome them also Psy, the author of the planetary hit « Gangnam Style », which became viral on Youtube since it has been seen more than three billion times.

But the only downside is that Kim Jong-un’s Conservative regime does not agree.

The reason ? The 40-year-old singer, who parodied in his 2012 hit, the life of the rich idlers of Seoul’s most chic neighbourhood, would be too provocative.

In the past, Psy has indeed sung bare-chested on stage and his lyrics seem to be studded with insults.

K-pop, Korean pop music, is not played in North Korea. However, its popularity is growing due to the smuggling of USB flash drives from China.

Even if the authoritarian country severely punishes those who are in possession of unauthorized foreign cultural material, including through prison.

With or without Psy, the artistic delegation of 160 dancers and musicians is expected in the North thanks to an agreement recently reached by South Korean emissaries during their recent meeting with Kim Jong-Un.