“Gangnam Style” is the first video in YouTube to reach 1 billion views

Gangnam Style was also named YouTube’s top viral video of the year.

12:58 23 December 2012

It’s official! PSY’s Gangnam Style video is the most watched video in YouTube. It was revealed that the video has reached 1 billion views since it was uploaded on July 2012.

 

The Korean pop star’s video hit the 1 billion mark just 27 days after it surpassed Justin’s Bieber’s record of 803 million views for his hit single “Baby.”
Psy is understandably ecstatic over the news. He said: "In 2012, I experienced so many things; it's been a tremendous year, but to accomplish this, it's really something that stands out."

 

"Because it all began with YouTube, and to have [the video] reach 1 billion views ... I don't think even I can break that record!"

 

Because of this achievement, the Gangnam Style video was recently named YouTube’s top viral video of the year. Second place winner went to “A Dramatic Surprise On a Quiet Square” while the third place went to Britain’s Got Talent’s “Opera Duo Charlotte & Jonathan” audition.

 

Psy said that this achievement is unexpected: He added: "Honestly, when I made this video I didn't even expect 1 million views, because this is off my sixth album in Korea, so I just hoped it would be huge there."