Table of Contents
Reading Comprehension: Gangnam Style and Its Global Imp
Read this passage about Gangnam Style and Its Global Impact and do the comprehension tasks.
1. Pre-Reading Activity: Vocabulary Matching
Match the words from the passage with their definitions.
- Objective: Introduce key vocabulary to prepare students for the reading.
Gangnam Style Words in English:
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| 1. Satire | A. A style or way of doing something |
| 2. Viral | B. A humorous way of criticizing something |
| 3. Trend | C. Very popular and spreading quickly |
| 4. Parody | D. A widely followed activity or style |
| 5. Lyrics | E. Words of a song |
| 6. Influence | F. The power to affect others |
| 7. Genre | G. A category of art, music, or literature |
2. While-Reading Activity: Comprehension Questions
Read the passage about Gangnam Style Words in English and answer the questions.
Reading Passage: Gangnam Style and Its Global Impact
Gangnam Style and Its Global Impact
In 2012, the world was taken by storm by a South Korean pop song called Gangnam Style, performed by the singer Psy. With its catchy beat, humorous dance moves, and unique music video, the song quickly became a global sensation. The term Gangnam refers to a wealthy and trendy district in Seoul, South Korea, known for its luxurious lifestyle and fashionable culture. In the song, Psy humorously critiques the superficial culture associated with this area, blending satire with entertainment.
One of the most memorable aspects of Gangnam Style is its iconic horse-riding dance, which became an internet sensation. The music video was the first on YouTube to reach one billion views, breaking records and setting a new standard for viral content. It also introduced several English words and phrases to international audiences, such as “style” and “oppa,” which means “older brother” but is often used affectionately by women for older male friends or boyfriends in Korean culture.
Beyond entertainment, Gangnam Style demonstrated how music could bridge cultural gaps and bring people from different parts of the world together. It wasn’t just a song—it became a global phenomenon, influencing fashion, language, and even public events. Psy’s success showed how powerful music could be in spreading cultural awareness and breaking language barriers.
Today, Gangnam Style remains an important symbol of the global influence of K-pop. It continues to be played at parties, public events, and even educational settings, where teachers use it to engage students in language learning. Psy might have started with humor and satire, but he ended up creating a global cultural movement.
Comprehension Questions
- What does the word Gangnam refer to?
- Who performed the song Gangnam Style?
- Why did the song become so popular worldwide?
- What made the Gangnam Style dance famous?
- How did the song influence global culture?
- What English words or phrases from the song became well-known internationally?
- Why is Gangnam Style still considered an important cultural symbol today?
3. Post-Reading Activity: Making Connections
After reading the passage, discuss the Gangnam Style and relate it to your culture. Here are some prompts to help you:
- Prompts:
- Think about a popular song from your culture.
- What is it about?
- Are there any English words in the song?
- Why do you think people like it?
Write 4-5 sentences about it.
Example:
“For example, in my culture, we have a song called [Song Name]. It talks about [Theme]. It includes some English words like [Word]. People like it because it’s catchy and fun to dance to.”