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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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 Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 8:39 pm Post subject: Psy named South Korea tourism ambassador |
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Psy's new song, "Gentleman," has confirmed he's more than a one-hit wonder -- the music video already has 244 million views on YouTube since debuting two weeks ago.
So it makes sense that South Korea is using the gyrating dance-pop sensation for publicity abroad.
Psy has been tapped as South Korea's tourism ambassador and has just finished taping a series of TV commercials to show off the country, according to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). |
http://travel.cnn.com/psy-named-korea-tourism-ambassador-877941
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In the new commercials, which will air in 70 countries beginning next month, the comedic singer helps showcase things to eat and do and places to visit in South Korea, such as the late-night shopping district of Dongdaemun and "Cosmetic Road" in downtown Myeongdong, known for its rows of flashy makeup shops.
"We have been looking for ways to tap into new media like social marketing and YouTube, and since Psy has become a world star that way it made sense," said Kang Jong-soon of KTO's brand marketing team.
"Through him, we're trying to introduce the more modern and fun Korean cultural concepts such as bul-gum," said Kang.
Loosely translated to "Fiery Fridays," bul-gum is the Korean equivalent of the West's "TGIF" sentiment and is the oft-cited excuse to drink large volumes of soju on Friday nights. |
After seeing the Gentleman video, I concluded Psy is a bad role model. In fact, I had a lesson prepared which included an excerpt of a Psy speech at Oxford, but after seeing the new video, I immediately took it out of the lesson planned for the next school day. South Korea wants tourists, sure, I understand that. But do they have to go down the crass, sleazy road? (It's kind of like if the United States used a popular yet foul mouthed rapper to promote their country. "Come to America, the home of Ludacris." I would feel bad if something like that happened.) |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Apart from Kim Jong Un, he's the only world famous Korean. who else are they going to use? It's not like they can attract people with their stunning scenery and architecture either. |
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cj1976
Joined: 26 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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| It is a desperate attempt to be noticed by the world, and a poor choice. Korea does have better people to represent the country. Kim Yunha would have been a great choice - young, beautiful, educated and very presentable. She has risen to the top of her profession through hard work and discipline, unlike Psy who got big because of a silly dance move. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Kim Yunha is famous among Koreans and people who are into figure skating. No one else. |
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Mix1
Joined: 08 May 2007
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| Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 9:46 pm Post subject: Re: Psy named South Korea tourism ambassador |
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[quote="World Traveler"]
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"Through him, we're trying to introduce the more modern and fun Korean cultural concepts such as bul-gum," said Kang.
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Wow. Very unique concept. Drinking heavily and partying on Friday nights! Never would have thought of that one! Thanks Psy and Korea! The world is in your debt!
Maybe he can also "introduce" to everyone the unique concept of eating three times a day.
So they're using the guy who rapped the "Dear American" lyrics as their ambassador now? Some irony there. He might be loved IN Korea, but his image is a bit clownish outside of Korea. But if that's who they want to use... |
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cj1976
Joined: 26 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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| edwardcatflap wrote: |
| Kim Yunha is famous among Koreans and people who are into figure skating. No one else. |
She must have at least some fame outside of Korea. She is a world and Olympic champion, albeit in figure skating. Probably still a better choice than old Fat Face. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 10:23 pm Post subject: |
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| She must have at least some fame outside of Korea. She is a world and Olympic champion, albeit in figure skating. Probably still a better choice than old Fat Face. |
Well I don't know. How many minority sports female Olympic champions can you name who aren't from Korea or your own country? Off the cuff I can't think of a single one. |
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cj1976
Joined: 26 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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| edwardcatflap wrote: |
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| She must have at least some fame outside of Korea. She is a world and Olympic champion, albeit in figure skating. Probably still a better choice than old Fat Face. |
Well I don't know. How many minority sports female Olympic champions can you name who aren't from Korea or your own country? Off the cuff I can't think of a single one. |
Good point. At least Kim Yunha is nice to look at. It is sad that the best Korea can do is a middle-aged 'rapper' of fairly limited talent. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 12:45 am Post subject: |
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Remember the world chose Psy, not Korea. Psy is the most famous Korean person in the world besides Little Kim and probably ahead of Ban-Ki Moon.
While I think it's a terrible choice, it's not a stupid choice.
BTW I'm starting to jokingly wish that Psy would get on an airplane like so many famous musicians before him and...No wait, that would only make him more ubiquitous
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| How many minority sports female Olympic champions can you name who aren't from Korea or your own country? Off the cuff I can't think of a single one. |
Outside of figure skating, not many. But that's more cuz of time. Ask me this question in 98 and I could probably rattle off 20
Never a champion, but simply the best- Surya Bonaly.
Katerina Witt. Midori Ito. Nadia Comanici. Jayne Torville.
Oh yeah, and ol Oksana "Popov" Baiul.
That Chinese female hockey goalie. They called her "The Great Wall". Crap, forgot her name.
I'm assuming tennis stars don't count. |
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transmogrifier
Joined: 02 Jan 2012
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 1:17 am Post subject: |
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| I'm stunned that you guys care enough to give a crap one way or the other. |
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augustine
Joined: 08 Sep 2012
Location: México
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| Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 7:39 am Post subject: |
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Transmogrifier is a funny little apologist clown. He always comes out of the woodwork when someone says anything remotely negative about Psy, using the little school girl approach over a cute crush she has on a guy: "Don't you have anything else to do, stop making fun of him!"
I don't know how much this official title means, and I'm guessing it doesn't mean much since they gave it to that moron, but for the sake of not being seen as a joke, give it to someone like Ban Ki-moon. He's mostly a pretty good guy/international representative, and even though the UN doesn't really have authority over much, it's still the highest water mark for this country to have him hold the UN sec. gen. seat for over six years. Way more than some idiot who makes horrible music and pulls chairs out from under people and sprays crappy beer all over strangers in his videos. |
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transmogrifier
Joined: 02 Jan 2012
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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| augustine wrote: |
Transmogrifier is a funny little apologist clown. He always comes out of the woodwork when someone says anything remotely negative about Psy, using the little school girl approach over a cute crush she has on a guy: "Don't you have anything else to do, stop making fun of him!"
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Good one. I take it the "sophomoric clown" thread has been deleted, which is a shame because you would have seen a sum total of 0 posts in that thread from me.
But go nuts with your alternative universe version of me. In fact, a little more detail would be nice - what do I do when someone criticizes hagwon owners, for example? And how much do I just LOVE gimchi? I'm intrigued. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 2:22 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know how much this official title means, and I'm guessing it doesn't mean much since they gave it to that moron, but for the sake of not being seen as a joke, give it to someone like Ban Ki-moon. He's mostly a pretty good guy/international representative, and even though the UN doesn't really have authority over much, it's still the highest water mark for this country to have him hold the UN sec. gen. seat for over six years. Way more than some idiot who makes horrible music and pulls chairs out from under people and sprays crappy beer all over strangers in his videos.
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By all accounts the majority of tourists who come to Seoul are motivated by soppy soap operas and discount designer bags. Not exactly the cream of the intellectual crop. Using Ban Ki Moon as an international tourist ambassador would be like trying to attract Brits to Benidorm by calling Spain the home of Cervantes. |
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Squire
Joined: 26 Sep 2010
Location: Jeollanam-do
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| Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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How can we criticise PSY? He has lots of money
Thought I'd say it before someone else does
| edwardcatflap wrote: |
By all accounts the majority of tourists who come to Seoul are motivated by soppy soap operas and discount designer bags. Not exactly the cream of the intellectual crop. Using Ban Ki Moon as an international tourist ambassador would be like trying to attract Brits to Benidorm by calling Spain the home of Cervantes. |
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le-paul
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Location: dans la chambre
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| Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 9:34 pm Post subject: |
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psy is a great ambassador for the english language, Im sure he will be just perfect. He has successfully shown many millions of people that 'mother father' is supposed to mean 'monkey fudgecake'. Already children can informatively educate me on that fact.
When he is ambassador, hell be able to normalise the rest of the urban dictionary and introduce it into the korean vocabulary.
Well done psy! good job! |
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