Top 10 Global ‘Gangnam Style’ Parodies · Global Voices
Lee Yoo Eun

South Korean rapper Psy's catchy song and goofy dance sensation video ‘Gangnam Style‘ has got 630 million YouTube hits as of today (November 3, 2012) and broke the Guinness World record for the most “liked” video in YouTube history.
It is no surprise that this viral video has inspired countless users to create their own. Here are the 10 best parodies of Gangnam Style picked from a slew of meme videos.
First off – Gangnam Style in politics:
1. Ai Weiwei’s Gangnam Protest
One of the latest Gangnam dancers is the famous Chinese artist/activist Ai Weiwei. Ai Weiwei made headlines by appearing in this video in a hot pink shirt and rocking a silly but passionate ‘horse-riding’ style dance. But he did not forget to deliver his message on censorship by wearing handcuffs and switching the title of the video into “Grass Mud Horse” (see here for an explanation).
2. U.S. Election, Mitt Romney-Style
With the United States Presidential election right around the corner, this video was featured by College Humor. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's impersonator raps and dances in the video, mocking Romney’s reputation as a out-of-touch rich guy living a posh lifestyle.
3. Bolivian-Style
Gangnam Style has even landed in the Bolivian political landscape. A Bolivian YouTube user, KwonBanYa, uploaded a video featuring representations of President Evo Morales and Vice President Alvaro García Linera, with a selection of other members of the ruling party and the opposition appearing in cameos.
+ U.N. Style
Not technically a meme video, but worth showing, this depicts United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who is a South Korean national, dancing Gangnam Style with Psy at the UN headquarters in New York.
Now for a look at some of the weirdest parodies:
4. Inmate-Style
The Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center is known for using choreographed dance routines to rehabilitate its inmates. Watch this amazing scene of numerous inmates in orange jumpsuits galloping in unison.
5. Lifeguard-Style
Having fun and goofing around seems harmless, but not in certain locations, especially your workplace. After a group of lifeguards in El Monte, California, posted this Gangnam Style parody, appearing in uniform at the city pool, 14 people were fired. Psy, the K-Pop sensation himself, pleaded for them to get their jobs back. The city recently voted to rehire those lifeguards.
Psy meanwhile often makes comments on users’ remakes of his hit song:
6. Ohio Univ. Marching Band's Gangnam Style
He said in an interview he found one marching band's tribute “touching”, referring to this vide by Ohio University's marching band.
And finally, the most unlikely tributes…
7. Noam Chomsky Style
An M.I.T. Gangnam Style parody video has gone viral by featuring one of the world's renowned linguist and activist Noam Chomsky.
8. Sports Star's Flash Mob
Among several sports stars who have galloped along to Psy's song, is a flash mob led by NBA player Roy Hibbert.
9. Brunei Style
Brunei would be one of the last places South Koreans might expect to hear Gangnam Style from. But here it is, a hilarious meme video playing from the opposite side of the world.
10. Navy Gangnam Style
A group of U.S. Naval Academy sailors sang along to Psy’s hit and galloped around in white uniforms. Unlike the lifeguards who came under fire, these Navy midshipmen reportedly have earned approval from the Navy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xhHufV9g4k4
Have we missed out your favourite Gangnam Style parody? Let us know in the comments!