Psy's follow-up to his smash hit "Gangnam Style" is only a month away. Fans eagerly wait to see how the Korean performing artist will respond to his newfound fame after his last single became the most-viewed video in YouTube history, racking up nearly 1.5 billion views.
Fans aren't the only ones avidly waiting. As Psy readies his next single, retailers are paying close attention to what he wears, hoping his wardrobe choice for his next hit will spark a global trend, according to Reuters.
After "Gangnam Style" went viral, his tortoiseshell sunglasses and colorful, black-trimmed Oxford's became an international trend. Various brands experienced increased sales in similar style clothing. By assuming that Psy's next single will be another smash hit, one can also expect his wardrobe choice to be scrutinized and imitated on a global scale.
Psy's stylist hints that the singer will once again be decked out in a fancy tailored suit, but won't offer any further details besides that the it will include a surprise element.
"The basic concept for his upcoming song is again a formal suit but with humorous twist. I plan to add an unexpected twist for fun," said stylist Hong Hye-won in an interview with Reuters. "I made a point with a bow tie back in the Gangnam look. There is something like that for the new song."
His style is typical of Korean pop style, with the pleated dress shirts, eccentric tuxedo jackets, black slicked hair and stunner shades to top it all off. The style, somewhat specific to Korean pop culture, is now imitated worldwide.
Thierry Lasry, the eyewear designer that made the limited edition sunglasses Psy sports in his "Gangnam Style " video has since been bombarded with orders. "We have had a lot of requests from our customers who saw and loved his music video," she said. "We obviously could have sold thousands had it not been a limited edition."
Gabor's Korean sales also increased by 100 percent from 2011 after Psy wore similar style shoes in the 2012 video. Gabor's marketing manager, Lee Hyung-joo, even praises the singer for putting Oxford's back on the map, citing that "everyone wants to try the Oxford's that Psy wears."
Psy will release his new single April 13 during a live YouTube broadcast. If it's half the hit as "Gangnam Style," Psy will be nothing short of the most influential performer in the world.