(ANN/THE KOREA HERALD) – South Korean rapper and singer-songwriter Psy, widely recognised for his global hit “Gangnam Style,” received an honorary degree from Yonsei University in Seoul on Monday, where he delivered a speech emphasising personal satisfaction over the chase of traditional success.
“After doing the same job for 25 years, I’ve come to realize that there’s a difference between success and fulfillment,” the star, 47, whose real name is Park Jae-sang, told the graduating class, during a commencement ceremony at Yonsei University’s main campus in Seoul’s Seodaemun-gu.
Reflecting on his career, Psy admitted to occasional feelings of self-doubt. “I sometimes wonder if anyone has ever been this overrated for this long,” he joked. “Success is finite — it eventually fades. But fulfillment is limitless. Success is something you consume, while fulfillment is something you keep.”
To illustrate, he pointed to his 2002 hit “Champion.” “People don’t remember chart rankings years later. But when someone born in 2002 sings this song from 2002, that’s not just success — that’s fulfillment.”
Embracing individuality in K-pop
Psy also discussed the importance of distinguishing oneself in the competitive K-pop industry.
“I knew early on I wouldn’t be the best,” he said. “So instead of trying to be ‘number one,’ I focused on being a ‘one and only.’ If people think, ‘If Psy is there, it’ll be fun,’ then I’ve found my place.”
Encouraging the graduates to accept their individuality, he stressed the significance of self-awareness. He redefined the Korean phrase “juje pahak” ― which translates to “grasping the subject,” but can have the negative connotation of “knowing your place” ― as a positive tool for success.
“In Korea as we grow up, we often hear ‘juje pahak’ in a discouraging way,” he said. “But I see it differently. If you truly understand yourself, you can avoid making embarrassing mistakes.”
Yonsei University honoured Psy not just for his musical successes but also for his part in promoting K-pop worldwide and for his charitable efforts.
“Psy helped bring K-pop to the world with ‘Gangnam Style’ and beyond. He has also supported social causes, including a KRW500 million (USD350,000) donation to Yonsei University Severance Children’s Hospital in 2014,” the university stated.
Since 2023, Psy has additionally held the position of a distinguished professor at the Yonsei Institute of the Arts, guiding emerging artists.
