当前位置： Language Tips> VOA听力> Normal Speed News VOA常速

'Gangnam Style' boosts S.Korean tourism

VOA 2012-11-19 09:40

分享到

The South Korean pop song and music video "Gangnam Style" has gone viral worldwide. And now the South Korean tourism industry is hoping to cash in on the song's international success.

Alexis Martinez, 14, is in a tour group that is learning the dance made famous by South Korean musician Psy in his video Gangnam Style. Martinez says even back home in Texas the song is a big hit.

"It was basically my whole school knew about it, it was crazy," said Martinez. "There was a flash mob in our school that did it, the Gangnam Style."

"Gangnam Style" is one of the most viewed videos ever on the Internet. It has ranked high on music charts in Asia, Europe and North America. And is what many say is South Korea's most successful cultural export.

For those reasons, some believe "Gangnam Style" can be used to import many foreign visitors and money.

"I think Gangnam Style is bringing up Korea's brand value," said Je Sang-won, who heads the Korea Tourism Organization's Halyu, or Korean Wave, division. "It has attracted more Western fans and made them interested in Korea. We did a survey in Los Angeles and found 70 percent of respondents said they wanted to visit Korea after they saw the video."

Out of the streets of Gangnam, which is the part of Seoul south of the Han River, businesses are using Psy and his song to help sell products.

And some other merchants say ever since "Gangnam Style" went viral, they have seen an increase in foreign shoppers.

Kwon Da-na runs a clothing shop in Gangnam's trendy Apgujeong neighborhood.

"Sometimes there are more foreign customers than Korean shoppers coming to my store. When I turn on the Gangnam Style song and open the door, some people come in off the street. They smile a lot," she noted.

South Korea expects to see more than 10 million foreign visitors this year. And according to the Korea Tourism Organization, Korean pop music, known as K-POP, is one of the country's biggest draws. And now thanks to Psy, the KTO plans to use Gangnam Style to attract more foreign tourists.

Tourist Alexis Martinez says the "Gangnam Style" dance is one that anyone can learn. And cool is what "Gangnam Style" is all about.

US 'patriotic millionaires': 'tax us more'

Blake Shelton wins big at CMA Awards

Psychologist tells inspiring story of his giant uncle

（来源：VOA 编辑：Julie）

上一篇 : World Prematurity Day aims to lower rates of premature births
下一篇 : Scandals highlight ethics lapses in military(视频)

分享到

中国日报网英语点津版权说明：凡注明来源为“中国日报网英语点津：XXX（署名）”的原创作品，除与中国日报网签署英语点津内容授权协议的网站外，其他任何网站或单位未经允许不得非法盗链、转载和使用，违者必究。如需使用，请与010-84883561联系；凡本网注明“来源：XXX（非英语点津）”的作品，均转载自其它媒体，目的在于传播更多信息，其他媒体如需转载，请与稿件来源方联系，如产生任何问题与本网无关；本网所发布的歌曲、电影片段，版权归原作者所有，仅供学习与研究，如果侵权，请提供版权证明，以便尽快删除。