Psy leaves Penangites wanting more (update)

GEORGE TOWN: Dressed in white top and black pants, and with trademark sunglasses in place, K-pop sensation Psy thrilled an enthusiastic crowd at the Barisan Nasional Chinese New Year open house here Monday with two renditions of his mega hit song Oppa Gangnam Style.

A chorus of wild screams accompanied Psy and his group of more than 10 dancers, who worked the crowd up to a frenzy at the Han Chiang School field, where the event was held.

After the first rendition, the crowd, not having had enough of the South Korean star, chanted for an encore.

"I flew 20 hours to get here. "I won't just leave after four minutes, so just for new year and Asia, I will sing it again," Psy said, before launching into his song-and-dance monster hit routine for the second time.

He left the stage at 12.30pm, leaving behind a sweaty but happy crowd of people.

K-pop sensation Psy tweeted out a picture of his performance at the BN CNY open house in Penang.

Later, Psy tweeted: "U were hotter than weather hotter than ever!! One Malaysia!!" Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who watched the performance, also posted on his Twitter account: "Psy u were sizzling hot! Malaysians love your gangnam performance."

Student Lau Han Keat, 14, who was among the many performers at the event, was awestruck watching his idol perform live. "To sing and dance live in the hot sun like this is not easy. I was just so excited," he said.

Tony Tan, 61, who was there with his wife, described the open house as spectacular. "We live in Batu Ferringhi but decided to brave the traffic.

"It's not every day that you get to see the Prime Minister and a music superstar," he said, adding that the atmosphere was very "lau juak" (happening).

Psy performing Oppa Gangnam Style at the BN CNY open house.

People began streaming into the venue as early as 7am and Barisan Youth chief Oh Tong Keong said 20,000 access stickers to the prime "audience zone" right in front of the stage were distributed.

"We have to limit the crowd in the area to ensure security when Psy performs. "We are very pleased with the huge early crowd turnout," he said, adding that there were at least 50,000 people present.

By the time Najib arrived, accompanied by his wife Rosmah Mansoor, Cabinet Ministers and other BN leaders, the field was packed to its full capacity.

-thestar online.