Gangnam Style Contemporary Villa
(Think of today’s post as a public service announcement. But it’s still about design. It will all make sense in the end. You’ll see.)
Okay, it’s time – time to address Gangnam Style. Let me preface this by stating while I can speak Korean, I can only understand about 25% of what PSY is saying, if that. Nonetheless I feel it’s my duty to explain the chorus because what I have been hearing and seeing is NUTS.
First of all, the chorus is Oppan Gangnam style. It’s not Whoop it Gangnam style or Open condom style, or whatever else the kids are saying. As for its meaning, there are two things you need to know.
1. Oppa is literally an older brother to a girl but it’s what girls call guys who are older than them, whether it’s an actual brother, a friend or even a boyfriend. There are similar terms for older brother to a boy, older sister to a boy, older sister to a girl, etc. In the Korean culture you don’t call people older than you by their first name, at least without adding one of these terms after it because it’s considered disrespectful. So that’s what oppa means. Now oppan (with an “n” at the end) is basically the contraction for oppa is. So the lyric means Oppa is Gangnam style, with oppa referring to himself. (Style in Korean is the same as in English; it’s style.)
2. What the heck is Gangnam? Gangnam is a really posh neighborhood in Seoul. I heard PSY in an interview describe it as the Beverly Hills of Seoul and that’s a good comparison. So basically he’s saying that’s his style. But of course you know from the video that it’s all tongue-in-cheek. It’s a parody which is why it’s so hilarious. Oh and one last thing. The a is pronounced like ah so it’s closer to gong although not exactly (but it’s definitely not gang even though that’s how it’s spelled) and nam is pronounced nom as in nomnomnom.
Phew!
</End of Korean lesson>
Okay, now that I’ve cleared that up, here’s what Gangnam style looks like in real estate. This is a villa on the market in the Gangnam district – modern, sleek and utterly fabulous.
See? I told you I would tie it all together!
</End of public service announcement>
(Photos: Luxe House Consulting via Wall Street Journal)
Thanks for clearing that up. I knew what Gangnam was, but not what Oppan meant (hadn’t heard any of those “alternate” translations either…)
can i just tell you that every night when i leave my house to go feed the horses at my mom’s house, there are three kids that live on my street who park themselves at the top of the street and do the Gangam Style dance for all the cars that pass. they crack me up!
That is HILARIOUS!! I’d love to see that. Every night, huh?
yes we needed this post! this clears up alot!
Haha love this post! I speak a tiny bit of Korean (as my mom is Korean), so have love reading about this whole phenomenon. And loved seeing an actual beautiful home in Gangnam. Do you mind if I link to this post on my blog??
Not at all!
Seriously. This is great! I do enjoy the song (even though it’s getting to be ridiculously overplayed) and had just watched the video a few days ago. I was rolling. Even better, he was on SNL a couple weeks ago and it was equally hilarious. Glad to know that the song is not about condoms or gangs. Just bad ass houses and a overblown lifestyle. Makes me like it even more. Great post!!
Much Love,
Trissta
I saw that SNL – hilarious!
Thank you!!
My husband is OBSESSED with this. I don’t think he particulalry cares what it is called or why, but he WILL appreciate this additional info!
thanks for the explanation! I was just thinking about this today, that I wondered what it meant
This cracked me up Ally!
I read your blog daily and love your style. I have never commented before but oddly feel inclined to do so today, though you deserve feedback on so many of your great decor and design-related posts. Anyway, this one just really made me laugh so I wanted to say so.
Thank you, Dayna, that is SO sweet of you! I really appreciate it when readers take time to comment. It’s especially a treat to hear from people for the first time because I love knowing who is reading! Thanks again for making my day.