Psy Rapped About Killing American Troops During Korean Protests, Issues Apology

(Getty Images)Over the past few months, South Korean singer Psy has been embraced in the U.S. on a level few foreign artists ever experience thanks to the runaway success of "Gangnam Style." The song's accompanying horse dance has become so popular Psy himself taught it to Britney Spears and Hugh Jackman, and who knows how many versions of the dance exist on YouTube. (My 2-year-old can do it, by the way.)

But our love affair with Psy came to a screeching halt this morning after lyrics from a 2004 protest performance began to spread online. While participating in a concert protesting U.S. military involvement in South Korea, he covered "Deam American," a song by a Korean metal song band called N.E.X.T. Here are the lyrics in both Korean (thanks to the Washington Post), and English.

?? rap : ??? ??? ??? ? ???????
?? ??? ?? ? ?? ?????
??? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?? ??
?? ??? ?? ????? ??

Kill those ?? Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives
Kill those ?? Yankees who ordered them to torture
Kill their daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law, and fathers
Kill them all slowly and painfully

This was not Psy's first involvement in anti-American protests. In 2002 he participated in a large concert held to protest the United States' military presence in South Korea where he dressed in a glittery red shirt with his face painted gold and smashed a large model of an American tank on the stage.

Within hours of news outlets publishing the anti-American lyrics, Psy issued an apology.

As a proud South Korean who was educated in the United States and lived there for a very significant part of my life, I understand the sacrifices American servicemen and women have made to protect freedom and democracy in my country and around the world. The song I featured on in question from eight years ago -- was part of a deeply emotional reaction to the war in Iraq and the killing of two Korean schoolgirls that was part of the overall antiwar sentiment shared by others around the world at that time.? While I?m grateful for the freedom to express one's self, I?ve learned there are limits to what language is appropriate and I?m deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted. I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused by those words.

I have been honored to perform in front of American soldiers in recent months -- including an appearance on the Jay Leno show specifically for them -- and I hope they and all Americans can accept my apology. While it?s important that we express our opinions, I deeply regret the inflammatory and inappropriate language I used to do so. In my music, I try to give people a release, a reason to smile. I have learned that thru music, our universal language we can all come together as a culture of humanity and I hope that you will accept my apology.

The apology scratches the surface of the nuances of the protests, including their popularity in South Korea. The Washington Post has an excellent write-up explaining the various forces in play at the times of the protests for anyone looking to learn more about the situation.

For now, Psy is still scheduled to perform Sunday night at the National Building Museum's Christmas in Washington concert hosted by Conan O'Brien, which President Obama was planning to attend. (It'll be broadcast on Dec. 21st on TNT.) We'll watch to see if that changes.

Related Articles:

Source: http://www.zimbio.com/Music+News/articles/V8jU4ULBdtp/Psy+Rapped+Killing+American+Troops+During

syracuse basketball chipper jones chipper jones dancing with the stars cast mickael pietrus heart transplant the international