entertainment

'Gangnam Style' parody 'Gaijin Style' hits the web

42 Comments
By Michelle

"Gangnam Style," performed by South Korean singer Psy, is an undisputed worldwide hit. It currently has over 1.25 billion views on YouTube and was able to surpass Justin Bieber’s “Baby” to claim its spot as the world’s most watched YouTube video. Following the song’s success, there have been a number of parodies. Now here’s another one to add to the bunch.

“Gaijin Style” details the lifestyle of foreigners living in Japan and features a gaijin Psy lookalike horse dancing across the screen.

Here’s a sample of the lyrics:

I don’t speak Japanese And when I’m on the trains, no one sits next to me. I’m loud and drunk and rude and I don’t even care who sees. I’m a rock star here but just a loser in my own country in my own country

The girls all think that I look like Brad Pitt my big ego (hey), my big ego (hey)

As you might guess, this video is being met with mixed reviews. Here’s what the Internet is saying about "Gaijin Style."

“I couldn’t laugh. It was all too true.”

“That was hilarious and amazing. I’m so proud.”

“This is unfortunately, true.”

“There aren’t enough words to express how much I love this.”

“I will never tire of this video.”

“Probably, it is joke. But, it so shudders. We are not prostitutes. It is very impolite to us. From a Japanese woman.”

“It is a joke. And the message is: don’t sleep with gaijin just because you think they are cool. Check what kind of person they are.”

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Why Japan Doesn’t Care About PSY -- Viral Video Worlds Collide: Hitler Raps to Gangnam Style -- Why Do Foreigners Like Japan so Much?

© RocketNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


42 Comments
Login to comment

So sad but true of so many gaijin in Japan. Act like idiots, then complain about racism.

-5 ( +12 / -17 )

Ha Brilliant!!!

I expect it reflects a lot of the people who frequent the comment boards on this website.... I wont name names

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Let's be honest, JTers: it IS a nice parody of us all! Have not seen such a spot on parody since the legendary Charisma Man series!

7 ( +10 / -3 )

How hilarious and original, no wonder us foreigners are held in such high esteem in Japan.

Wonder if the next step is a version with a black mane called "N Style" or with an Asian called " Paki Style". The word they using is not funny or clever. These morons make us hard working foreigners in Japan annoyed. Please stop this childish attention seeking and do something worthwhile for Japan and yourself.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Their dancing in the park scene was the picture of the day here awhile back.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Sioux

Agree, these were the dancers in the park. Can see why they think these lyrics are true. Although I think they do still make good comedy. They should offer to play at the next Metropolis Valentines Party.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I just watched it and feel a bit ashamed for giving them a hit. Its just the endlessly over-done Gangnam style with the old loser back home angle. -10 points for originality. Didn't I see this mob somewhere on JT before?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

They were in a Picture of the Day.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I can feel a copyright claim coming on, I highly doubt they recreated the backing.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

“Probably, it is joke. But, it so shudders. We are not prostitutes. It is very impolite to us. From a Japanese woman.”

I don't think this lady quite gets it. Gaijin men are the prostitutes!

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Living in Japan for over a decade I would have to agree with what most of the lyrics say. I think the lady who made reference should study English a bit more. Like Neo said its the "Gaijin" who are the biggest tramps here. I never stops to amaze me how people will cram themselves between other people who are coughing and wheezing just to avoid sitting beside you on the train. I wish someone would do a poll and ask people who get caught doing the avoidance stunt to get some real answers as to why this behavior never stops.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Not original at all, and nothing but the usual stereotypes. Only newbs think this is the way things are. The lyrics are crap as well.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

It is a parody of a parody (Psy was making fun of wealthy, superficial denizens of a certain posh area of Seoul). I give it a "Meh" = mediocrity. I wish it was clever & the girls were hotter...but....someone had to make it. If it upsets you then perhaps you should be watching Jiro Loves Sushi.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

And that's why the tune is a hit on Youtube - because of these readily-made parodies.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@Smith

Next time you waffle on about folk in denial, I'll remind you of your comment above.

There's a lot of decent gaijin living in Japan, but to deny there's a lot of hooligans that abuse the country is just plain stupid. I've met "old hands" who have lived here for years but still don't speak the language and have never really grown up.

On the other hand, the vast majority of Japanese I've met in my own country are hard working and do their best to fit in. I never hear them whining about my country either.

Glad to see some foreigners here integrate well though. It's not that hard, a good attitude works wonders.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

jus watched half of it. 1 word. Garbage

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I have to say, the guys did a good job overall, humorous lyrics and ideas, and the part about picking up a girl at The Hub, hahaha. Nope, never done that...

I just wish the lyrics had been less douchy. Why gaijin English teachers might enjoy the small bonus we get with girls here, I've not known anyone to be true herjs, getting girls pregnant and fleeing to another part of Japan.

In general, despite the fact that I've been here 21 years and am very sensitive to these kinds of "baka gaijin" antics, I can't hate this.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

I recommend that gaijin to enter the AVEX audition, now held until Feb. 28th

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Hahahahaha, this made my day!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

On the other hand, the vast majority of Japanese I've met in my own country are hard working and do their best to fit in. I never hear them whining about my country either.

I guess you've never attend any meet ups with large numbers of Japanese abroad. They complain and moan like the rest of us about the country they're in. Many also don't speak English/the language of the country you're in. They're just like "us" you know.

3 ( +11 / -8 )

@Tmarie

I guess you've never attend any meet ups with large numbers of Japanese abroad. They complain and moan like the rest of us about the country they're in. Many also don't speak English/the language of the country you're in. They're just like "us" you know.

I stand by what I said. Just returned to Japan after 5 years back home, are you telling me that I imagined it? I knew all of the Japanese in my area personally. Where were you for the last 5 years? Living in Canada all that time? Were the Japanese you met just off the plane at the airport? Please differentiate between tourists and residents.

Okay, let me correct myself. ALL of the Japanese I met back home spoke English. At least more than a lot of the foreigners in Japan speak Japanese. Some of them spoke almost flawless English.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Refreshing!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

To be sure, there's all kinds of foreigners here. I just don't like the ones that whine (I'd go back in time if I could and tell myself to shut up) and those who take advantage (a little is okay but some people just have no restraint).

I recommend all foreigners learn to speak a little Japanese before they come. I was surprised to see so many foreigners didn't speak Japanese but that was back in 1991. I've seen a much higher percentage of foreigners learn the language and a lot more serious foreigners also. Of course, I've met a few foreigners who suddenly got transfered here so it's understandable they speak little Japanese.

But I digress. It's not just language, it's integration overall that's important. I'm not expecting everybody to fit in, but the least they can do is show some respect for whatever country they happen to be a guest in.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

They're just like "us" you know.

Please remember you write these exact words next time you go on Japan Inc. and the population in general.

As far as I am concerned though, you are exactly right. Gaijin and Nihonjin are the same and neither one is better than the other. Time to stop dehumanizing each other. What better way to accept and respect each other?

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Personally, I far prefer it to the "Fuzzy mascot" Guinness Book "wonders" !

0 ( +1 / -1 )

While the lyrics are overly stereotypical (seems like they forgot that not all americans look anywhere close to Brad Pitt and some are either African American, Latino, Native American), and may be quite above the "loser" status back home. I don't mind the offensive lyrics cos it is a parody (Al Yankovic does a much better job in that department), it is also describing the insecurities of the Japanese men/women that actually do believe this 100%.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

yawn

1 ( +2 / -1 )

there's all kinds of foreigners here. I just don't like the ones that whine (I'd go back in time if I could and tell myself to shut up)

You don't need a time machine, live in the now.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Ayler

You don't need a time machine, live in the now.

Considering I changed my ways, you're right. What's done is done, no need to dwell on it :-)

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It's funny, but the thing that struck me about the young foreigners I met in Japan when I first arrived 10 years ago was that they pretty much all had University degrees, were kind of living a safe 'gap year' or two in Japan, would mostly all go back home and get good jobs, get married etc etc. Hardly losers in their own country. They did all the things everyone their age also did at home - go out, get pi**ed, have fun, do stupid stuff. Which is also exactly the same as the Gap year kids and backpackers in Europe do. But because they do it in Japan it's perceived differently.

That's for the mostpart. I also met a couple of more unusual types who would be 'nerds' in their own country I suppose. But whatever. They have every right to travel, live abroad, and if they are lucky enough, maybe meet a nice girl or two. I never really understood the need to howl them down about whether they could get laid at home or not.

I also met plenty of people that have adopted Japan as their home, are bilingual, cultural and bare absolutely no resemblance to the people in the video whatsoever.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

It was funny, and more funny in a silly way just like the original Psy, so what is wrong with that? A comedy does not need interpretation of hidden messages; it can be taken as a whole. Good job, and thumbs up to the makers of the video!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

What I do not like about it is, it promotes the stereotype of gaijin in Japan. Not all of us are fattys in elevators or hubs. We do not all drink, we do not all treat women like objects. Some of us are still very interested in Japan and its rich culture, walk the straight and narrow and work hard to separate ourselves from the trash portrayed in this video. Of course it is unoriginal, its a parody.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

You never know how these things are going to go. But the video IMO, has a point. Be yourself and be proud of it. People will say you are this, people will say you are that. IDC, Gaijin Style all day long in front of the bureaucrats.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I seriously doubt he's popular in ANY country...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

pretty awful, unnecessarily vulgar. And about 6 months too late.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

While the lyrics are overly stereotypical (seems like they forgot that not all americans look anywhere close to Brad Pitt and some are either African American, Latino, Native American), and may be quite above the "loser" status back home.

It was funny because he decidedly does NOT look like Brad Pitt. Not sure why you're singling-out Americans in your defense, though. "Gai(koku)jin" means someone from ANY other country. Literally: "Overseas country person".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Reading the lyrics here, it sounds more like a song for LMFAO.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sad but true. All this complaining should probally adjust their behavior and actually show some I forest in Japanese culture while there instead of acting like a drunken fool. Took ne a while to learn the respect and acceptance of the Japanese and Okinawan locals while I was there. It was well worth it

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This video had a potential to be amusing and really go viral. The concept is not bad. But I was very disappointed when I saw it. I refuse to forward it to anyone or give it any additional hits since it basically just spreads and reinforces the same old stereotypes that were already boring about one month after I moved to Japan.

I suspect most people will watch it one time, sigh, and ignore it.

It would be nice if someone else took the concept and made a better version that actually raised consciousness about non-Japanese residents in an amusing way -- something we might be more inclined to forward to our friends, Japanese and foreign alike. It's OK to poke fun at a few stereotypes, but this video is basically all negative. It almost comes off as an anti-gaijin propaganda film.

I wonder why the creators really think the best they can do with their technical (video, editing) and artistic (music, dancing, acting) talents is perpetuate extremely negative stereotypes about their fellow foreigners that we all have to live with.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Funny video that's not to be taken seriously. Obviously, the lyrics and visual images strike a little too close to home for some JT posters.

RR

2 ( +2 / -0 )

In much of the world it would be offensive to be called Gaijin or to have such silly stereo types as a believed in Japan. But alas, in Japan it is par for the course.

I find the stereotypes apply to a very tiny percentage of what I would call transient visitors. They do not represent most of us who live here. I know this is a joke, but in a place where these stereotypes do us harm, it is the moral equivalent of African Americans in Mississippi dressing up in black face and playing to those stereotypes. Probably made by short term transients who don't have a long term investment in how people see foreigners here.

I for one am always feeling that we need to combat the stereotypes. But the comic like stereotypes are more fun that the ordinary people that most of us are. So that too often wins out.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Check out Pac-Man Style! For gamers... ;-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsEBccyEFTo

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites