Buzz
It's been a decade since the 'star-making step' with Gangnam Style MV, this kid's life has completely transformed compared to before.
Before Baby Shark claimed the top spot on YouTube, there was another Korean song that caused a global frenzy and achieved remarkable success on the platform. That song is none other than PSY's Gangnam Style released in 2012 with an MV that rocked the music world with its lively melody and memorable 'horse dance'.
Gangnam Style, a song that once shook the global music scene
And if you've ever watched the Gangnam Style MV, you'd find it hard not to be impressed by a special character with a chubby, adorable appearance, that's none other than the 'Little PSY'. It's known that the boy's real name is Hwang Min Woo (born in 2005), with a Korean father and a Vietnamese mother. After 10 years since the release of the Gangnam Style MV, Hwang Min Woo's life has undergone significant changes.
A Star is Born Thanks to a Billion-View MV
From a young age, Hwang Min Woo showcased his artistic passion by frequently appearing on famous Korean TV shows like Star King, Korea's Got Talent... Thanks to that, he caught the attention of PSY and was invited to collaborate on the Gangnam Style MV.
Alongside the explosion of Gangnam Style, Hwang Min Woo also became a famous child star, receiving much international audience attention. He received numerous collaboration offers from major news outlets such as CNN, ABC News, took advertising deals, and performed in the Philippines, USA...
Despite being a popular child star, Hwang Min Woo became a victim of school bullying. Remarkably, he was bullied for unjustified reasons such as jealousy from classmates due to his fame, ostracism for having a foreign mother, or not meeting the beauty standards of Korea... His family even had to involve the police as there were increasingly derogatory comments and ostracism towards their son on social media.
'I was very scared when the older boys in school hit me. They would hit me and throw my bag on the ground. I would be afraid and rush home to tell my mother. Then, they would apologize and I would go back to school as usual,' Hwang Min Woo lamented about the time he was a victim of school bullying.
A Complete Transformation, Nurturing the Dream of Pursuing an Artistic Path
10 years after the success of Gangnam Style, from the cute little boy, 'Little PSY' has successfully grown up, overcoming the shadows of the past and nurturing dreams in the arts. Now, he is a 17-year-old high school student, possessing a tall stature and a handsome face.
Throughout the past, Min Woo has always been diligent in his studies and successfully enrolled in the Applied Music Department at Seoul School of Performing Arts (SOPA). For those who love Korean culture, SOPA is not an unfamiliar name. This school is the breeding ground for numerous famous idols in the Korean entertainment industry such as Kai (EXO), Moonkyu (Hotshot), Gong Chan (B1A4), Yoon Jiae (Lovelyz), Jungkook (BTS)...
Hwang Min Woo once expressed his desire to pursue a long-term career in music. His family has always been supportive and accompanied him in artistic activities. Therefore, when participating in a TV show in December 2020, Min Woo said he felt no shame or embarrassment for being discriminated against, but rather felt sorry for his mother witnessing this story.
At the age of 17, Min Woo continues to diligently practice dancing, participate in artistic programs, and pursue a singing career. Although his music productions have not yet gained much attention, fans still hope that Min Woo can nurture a long-lasting love for the arts and achieve success in the future.
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