Behind the beaming smile, the funky shades and the crazy dance is a man who has a drink problem.
And Gangnam Style star Psy appears to have one heck of a drink problem.
In a revealing interview with The Sunday Times in the UK, the Korean superstar says his life has been a toxic mess of drink, drugs and abuse.
Describing Korean vodka as his best friend and vice mate, Psy opens up about his drinking habits: “If I’m happy, I’m drinking. If I’m sad, I’m drinking. If it’s raining, I’m drinking. If it’s sunny, I’m drinking. If it’s hot, I’m drinking, if it’s cold, I’m drinking.”
The only time he’s isn’t knocking back the booze is when he’s hungover, he says.
Psy, whose song Gangnam Style has been viewed on YouTube 1.7 billion times, is to many people the poster child for unadulterated happiness and joy so to learn that he has serious problems is a figurative glass of cold water in the face.
He tells The Sunday Times that his father was an abusive man and that that, coupled with his desperate need for attention, led to his drug-taking and arrest in 2001 for possession of marijuana.
He says his arrest was a valuable lesson: “I’m a very positive person. So if s*** happens, I think maybe this happens because a huge amount of happiness is coming to me.”
It’s heartbreaking then to read that he seemingly still relies on drugs – alcohol and cigarettes – to get him through the day.
