The Korea Herald

피터빈트

Psy unable to stem ‘American Idol’ ratings plunge

By Korea Herald

Published : May 21, 2013 - 20:17

    • Link copied

Korean rap star Psy graced the stage of “American Idol” last week for its season 12 finale show where he performed his “Gangnam Style” follow-up single “Gentleman.”

However, promises of pelvic thrusting and hip-swaying proved insufficient to salvage the show’s plunging ratings. The season concluded with its lowest finale rating in its 13-year history.
Psy performs “Gentleman” on “American Idol” on May 16 in Los Angeles. (Yonhap News) Psy performs “Gentleman” on “American Idol” on May 16 in Los Angeles. (Yonhap News)

The once must-watch audition program that revolutionized the U.S. TV and music industry was desperate in its attempts to revitalize its viewership numbers and a performance by Psy wasn’t its only attempt to breathe life back into “American Idol”: the season finale also included a stellar lineup of JLo, Aretha Franklin, Jesse J and former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert. But apparently, the star-studded performances failed to make any impact.

Psy’s “Gentleman” music video is on its way to reaching the 350 million views-mark after its release on YouTube on April 13. Psy is scheduled to co-host the Much Music Video Awards ceremony in Canada, which will take place on June 16.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)