.

Psy Goes 'Gangnam Style' at 'Christmas in Washington'

Korean pop star performed for Obamas after issuing apology

Singer Psy performs onstage during TNT's Christmas in Washington at National Building Museum on December 9, 2012 in Washington, DC.
December 10, 2012 11:40 AM ET

Two days after issuing an apology for his participation in anti-American concerts a decade ago in South Korea, Psy performed for President Barack Obama, his family and others at the annual "Christmas in Washington" charity concert yesterday, The Washington Post reports. The South Korean pop star tweaked his "Gangnam Style" into "Christmas Style," sporting reindeer antlers as he rode the song's signature horse dance. Obama shook Psy's hand, but did not mention the singer in his closing remarks.

50 Best Songs of 2012: Psy, 'Gangnam Style'

Psy was contrite backstage about the controversy. "There was huge sorrow all over the country," said Psy about the time surrounding those performances. "Explain and express about the sorrow . . . I thought that's kind of part of my job . . . But the specific words that I used, it was too much." But for the singer, success takes a backseat to setting things right. "If it's gonna hurt my career or not, that's not important," he said. "The most important thing is that as a human being, I really, fully regret the using of [those] kinds of words."

"Christmas in Washington" will air December 21st on TNT.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

prev
Music Main Next

blog comments powered by Disqus
Daily Newsletter

Get the latest RS news in your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Rolling Stone newsletter and special offers from RS and its
marketing partners.

X

We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Rolling Stone and its partners. For more information please read our Privacy Policy.

Song Stories

“The A Team”

Ed Sheeran | 2011

This debut track from the then-20-year-old British singer-songwriter has a dark story behind it. Sheeran says he culls songwriting inspiration from "viewing other people's situations," which, for the heroine in "The A Team," involves drug addiction and prostitution that began as a teen. Sheeran paints the woman's trials with haunting imagery such as "But lately her face seems/Slowly sinking, wasting/Crumbling like pastries." "I did a gig at a homeless shelter, [and the song] is about one of the women there. It's her story," he said.

More Song Stories entries »