Is PSY Still Making Music? The Status of the “Gangnam Style” Icon
More than a decade after “Gangnam Style” took over the world and permanently changed the trajectory of global pop culture, many music fans find themselves wondering: What happened to PSY? Is he still making music?
The short answer is yes, absolutely. While he may no longer chase the relentless, round-the-clock spotlight of Western chart dominance, PSY remains a powerhouse in the South Korean music industry. He is actively writing, producing, running a major entertainment company, and staging some of the largest live concert spectacles in Asia.
The Modern Era: PSY 9th and “That That”
PSY proved he hasn’t lost his chart-topping touch when he released his ninth studio album, Psy 9th. The album’s lead single, “That That” (produced in collaboration with and featuring Suga of BTS), became an instant global viral hit.
The track showcased that PSY’s signature high-energy dance style, infectious hooks, and sharp comedic timing were as potent as ever, bridging the gap between first-generation global K-pop royalty and current superstars.
Life Behind the Scenes: Mogul and Mentor
A major reason PSY maintains a slightly different rhythm in his music career today is that he transitioned from being just a pop star to becoming a music mogul.
In 2019, PSY founded his own entertainment agency, P Nation. As a CEO and executive producer, he spends a substantial amount of his time discovering, mentoring, and shaping the careers of other prominent Korean artists. Under his guidance, P Nation has housed and launched major acts like Jessi, Crush, Heize, Hwasa, and the boy band TNX. Rather than stepping away from music, he expanded his footprint to build an entire ecosystem for it.
The King of Live Performance: “Summer Swag”
If you want to understand where PSY’s primary creative energy goes today, look no further than the stage. He remains one of South Korea’s premier live concert draws.
His legendary annual summer concert series, known as PSY Soak Show Summer Swag, routinely sells out massive stadiums across multiple cities in South Korea. Known for thousands of tons of water sprayed into ecstatic crowds, hours of continuous non-stop dancing, and surprise guest appearances from stars like BLACKPINK’s Rosé or BIGBANG’s G-Dragon, these concerts prove that PSY’s connection with live audiences is stronger than ever. He has frequently noted that performing is his greatest joy and his “strongest weapon”.
The Ultimate Legacy
PSY doesn’t need to chase viral lightning in a bottle twice; “Gangnam Style” cemented his legacy as a digital pioneer who tore down language barriers on YouTube long before global streaming became the norm.
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