Over the past decade and throughout their chart-topping career, the BTS members have not only performed their own songs — they’ve also featured as guests on other artists’ songs. These include Western artists such as Lauv, Halsey, and Max, and Korean artists like Younha, IU, and Sora. More recently, we’ve seen PSY, Balming Tiger, and Crush all release songs featuring the members of the rapline SUGA, RM, and j-hope respectively. Featuring doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ll get to see the BTS members pop up in an artist’s MV though, but we’ll definitely hear their distinct voices on the track. That’s possibly why the most recent features have been all the more enjoyable, because of the fact that the members appeared in the music videos, doing what they do best — singing, dancing, rapping, and representing.
Of all the songs released this year that featured BTS members, two came from the same South Korean entertainment agency, P Nation. Founded by singer, song-writer, and producer PSY in 2018, P Nation as a record label/entertainment agency is still a relative newcomer to the industry. However, its founder and visionaire is not. If you’re not sure who PSY is, a quick search of the song “Gangnam Style” reveals an artist whose colorful personality and energetic flair contributed directly to the nuances behind his stage name PSY, which is short for psycho.
In a 2012 interview with BBC, PSY shared how the idea of his name originated from his ‘crazy’ passion for music, dance, and performance. Throughout his career PSY made a name for himself as a Korean artist with a distinct style all of his own. However, after 12 long years of singing, dancing, and performing the same way, “Gangnam Style” came along — an unprecedented breath of fresh air for PSY — one that the world didn’t know it needed back then.
A decade has passed since its YouTube debut and despite the immense meme quality of this song, it is still hailed as “a highly localized critique of South Korean culture.” Performed by a “relative old timer” (PSY was 34-years-old when he released “Gangnam Style”), who at that time lacked many of the “traditional” qualities often associated with K-pop stars, such as looks, style, and an untarnished image, PSY is not your typical artist, yet artist he remains.
It seems though that “Gangnam Style” became a catalyst for PSY, one that would eventually see him amicably end his eight-year contract with YG Entertainment before launching his own entertainment agency, P Nation. For anyone interested in what “P Nation” stands for, check out the homepage of their website and you’ll be greeted with two important pieces of the puzzle. More importantly though, you’ll gain an insightful glimpse into the philosophical underpinnings of PSY’s label, the content it creates, and the people that it houses.
Image Credit: P Nation
Based on this image “P Nation” represents all that the imagination can muster; a purposefully crafted partnership that brings together the aspirations of the agency and its founder, PSY. P Nation announces itself through its play on words and as you can see here the letter ‘P’ is at the heart of what the agency stands for.
Beyond the pleasantries though, PSY’s vision for his agency was “to create a playground for the passionate players who are willing to sweat for their dreams.” His intent was clear in 2018 and four years later PSY still subscribes to the same philosophy. The agency began with a select group of artists and over time new artists (such as Crush) have joined the P Nation family, while older members have moved on to new ventures of their own.
While this blog provides insights into P Nation and PSY as its leader, it is only a glimpse into their world. One that has crossed paths with ARMYs because of the two recent releases of “That That” by PSY produced by and featuring SUGA and Crush’s “Rush Hour” featuring j-hope. The synergy between the artists has been heartwarming for ARMYs to see, especially as the BTS members are now in the second chapter of their career. To see the mutual respect that the four artists have for each other and their artistry is a testament to who they are as people, both personally and professionally.
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Written By: Mama
Edited By: Aury
