Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Who would have thought that the first video in the history of the Internet to be viewed more than a billion times would be a Korean pop star dancing as if he’s riding a horse?
The title of the song “Gangnam Style,” by PSY, refers to a neighborhood in Seoul, but the hit is a global phenomenon. The song reached #1 in 30 countries. Everyone from other famous pop stars to President Obama has imitated the video’s signature move on camera.
Despite being one of the biggest hits of all time, there are still people who haven’t heard “Gangnam Style.” Learn English in this music English lesson, and listen to Sara and Greta discuss the most popular video in the world.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Sara: Have you heard of this video that’s totally blowing up on the internet? It’s called “Gangnam Style?”
Greta: No, I haven’t.
Sara: You’re probably like the only person in the world who hasn’t heard of this thing. It’s a new single by a South Korean pop artist, I don’t know, he’s called PSY or something, and it’s the most-watched video in the history of YouTube.
Greta: Oh my gosh, like, why did it go viral? Why is it so big?
Sara: I mean, I guess it’s sort of a catchy song but the idea is it’s totally over the top. It’s this guy in all these situations doing this really fancy choreography. It’s kind of goofy. I think maybe some people like it but maybe some people are kind of just making fun of it.
Greta: Isn’t it strange how things that are just so random all of a sudden become these huge cultural phenomena that everyone’s seen?
Sara: Yeah, totally, and almost as popular as the version that this guy has done are these parodies that people have done. Like, the Oregon Ducks did one, I think. All these different celebrities have done their own versions of “Gangnam Style.”
Greta: Wow, I’m going to have to go home and Google that.
Sara: You should.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Although it’s already one of the most popular videos of all time, Greta hasn’t seen “Gangnam Style,” so Sara tells her about the #1 hit by Korean star, PSY.
She says the video is over the top and features dancing that is both great and goofy. That’s why she thinks it is blowing up.
The video is such a phenomenon that all sorts of people have imitated its signature style. Greta might be next. She is going to watch it right away.
Is “Gangnam Style” popular in your country? What is your favorite dance move from the video? What do you think it takes for a video to go viral?
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