Mayan Apocalypse 2012: Gangnam Style Will Reach 1 Billion Plays on December 21, Probably Marking the End of the World

Culture

UPDATE: Viral Seeding has created a "Gangnam Style" countdown, according to which PSY's wildly popular video will reach 1 billion plays on December 21, the same day the Mayans supposedly predicted the world is going to end.

So here's the countdown to Gangnam Style's 1 billion YouTube plays and (probably) the end of the world.  

Korean pop sensation PSY is on its way to join Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and other music heavyweights who belong to YouTube's exclusive "100 Million Views" club, as his smashing hit "Gangnam Style" has just beaten Justin Bieber's "Baby" -- and its on its way to reach 1 billion YouTube plays. 

Here are 5 reasons why the K-pop sensation is about to reach the astounding mark in less than 16 weeks:

1. It's Ironic: "Gangnam Style" is supposed to be a parody of guys who frequent the trendy and flashy Gangnam neighborhood in Seoul. Basically, PSY is making fun of the Korean Jersey Shore. 

2. It's Grassroots: In less than two months, PSY went from an obscure K-pop act to a worldwide phenomenon signed by Justin Bieber's producer thanks to the magic of social media.  

3. It's Contagious: Never mind that it's sung in Korean, "Gangnam Style" is infectious and it ends up obsessing fans regardless of their age, nationality, style, etc.

4. It has the Beat: "Gangnam's" beat just makes you dance regardless of the circumstances. That's why it sounds perfect when mashed up with other songs, such as MC Hammer's "Too Legit to Quit" -- which both MC Hammer and PSY performed at the 2012 American Music Awards.   

5. It's Free: Unlike the iTunes era, when we all had to pay $0.99 or $1.25 to download a song that we liked, "Gangnam's" YouTube availability means anyone can play it, replay it (and most importantly share it) for free.