Singer Hwang Min Woo, who rose to global fame as “Little PSY” after appearing in Psy’s iconic “Gangnam Style” music video, has spoken candidly about the emotional hardships that accompanied his early success.
During the August 1 broadcast of MBN’s Dongchimi, which featured a special episode celebrating young trot singers, Hwang Min Woo looked back on the unexpected beginning of his career.
He recalled receiving an invitation to appear in PSY’s “Gangnam Style” music video just two or three days before filming. “PSY asked me to dance freestyle beside him, and that’s how the dance came about. At the time, I didn’t even know who PSY was or what a music video really was.” After the video’s release, Hwang Min Woo instantly became known around the world as “Little Psy.”
Although the viral success brought international recognition, Hwang Min Woo admitted that public attention also came with significant emotional challenges. As he grew older, he began encountering criticism from people who questioned his continued association with the “Little PSY” image. ” As time went by, more people started saying, ‘How long are you going to keep living off the Little PSY name?’” He explained that the criticism became even more painful because it extended beyond him to his family.
Hwang Min Woo shared that his mother is from Vietnam, and during that period, public attitudes toward multicultural families in South Korea were often less accepting than they are today. He revealed that hateful online comments frequently targeted his family. “I could endure the criticism directed at me, but people posted comments about my mother that I can’t even repeat.” The experience left a lasting emotional impact. “At that time, I wondered if I had made a mistake by becoming a celebrity. I regretted choosing this path.”
Despite the painful memories, Hwang Min Woo said the experience ultimately helped him grow emotionally. “Those hardships made my mentality much stronger.” His comments highlighted the resilience he developed after facing public scrutiny from a very young age.
Hwang Min Woo also reflected on the extraordinary popularity of “Gangnam Style,” which became one of the biggest viral hits in music history. Laughing, he said: “It’s a little embarrassing to say myself, but it was incredible. I appeared in the music video when I was eight years old.” He noted that the video has now surpassed 5.9 billion views on YouTube and revealed that he traveled to 13 countries for overseas performances during the height of its global success.
Now 21 years old, Hwang Min Woo joked about often being mistaken for someone much younger because he frequently spends time with his younger brother, singer Hwang Min Ho. “I’m used to being around younger people because I’m always with Min Ho. I’ll have fun today.”
More than a decade after captivating audiences around the world as “Little PSY,” Hwang Min Woo continues to pursue his music career while openly sharing both the triumphs and struggles that came with growing up in the spotlight. His candid remarks on Dongchimi offered viewers a reminder that behind the viral fame was a child navigating intense public attention, family hardships, and personal growth.
Sources: Daum