“Gangnam” is a small area of Seoul, and is about the size of Manhattan. It is an important commercial area and known for high-standard living and wealthy inhabitants. Only 1% of the population of Seoul lives in Gangnam as the average price of an apartment there costs around a million Singapore dollars per year.  For reference, the average South Korean household’s annual income is about US$42,700. (KOSIS data)

 

Hence, “Gangnam Style” is directly referencing the upper-class elite, wealthy culture and vibrant lifestyle that have sprung up in the area.  Pop critic Kim Zakka, who lives in Seoul, said, “Gangnam inspires both envy and distaste.  Gangnam residents are South Korea’s upper class, but South Koreans consider them self-interested, with no sense of nobility.” (Hiskey, 2012)