South Korean rapper-singer Psy, who shot to international fame over the summer with his breakout hit "Gangnam Style," is paying the price for anti-American concerts he performed at in the past. The star later apologized on Friday saying he was "deeply sorry" for his actions.
According to E! News, Psy performed at a 2002 protest concert that objected to the presence of American troops in Korea. During the concert, Psy reportedly picked up a model "American tank" before smashing it on the ground. The show took place after two U.S. soldiers were acquitted of charges relating to the deaths of two 13-year-old Korean schoolgirls that were hit by an armored vehicle driven by the soldiers.
Two years later, Psy performed an anti-American song in response to the beheading of a South Korean missionary in Iraq, who was killed as a protest against South Korea's support of the U.S. in the war in Iraq.
The songs lyrics included: "Kill those f--king Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives/Kill those f--king Yankees who ordered them to torture/Kill their daughters, mothers, daughter-in-law and fathers/Kill them slowly and painfully," E! News reported.
Psy issued a heartfelt statement apologizing for his past actions, Reuters reported. "While I'm grateful for the freedom to express one's self, I've learned there are limits to what language is appropriate and I'm deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted," he said. "I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused by those words."
He added, "While it's important that we express our opinions, I deeply regret the inflammatory and inappropriate language I used to do so. In my music, I try to give people a release, a reason to smile. I have learned that through music, our universal language, we can all come together as a culture of humanity and I hope that you will accept my apology."
The charismatic singer is set to perform at the annual "Christmas in Washington" television special that will also be attended by President Obama and his family, the White House announced on Friday. According to the NY Daily News, a petition to remove Psy from the show was pulled by whitehouse.org for violating terms.
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