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PSY: Almost unknown outside South Korea three months ago, and now a worldwide sensation. YouTube screengrab
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Hey, sexy lady: ‘Gangnam Style’ becomes most-watched YouTube video

The South Korean smackdown of Seoul’s affluent Gangnam district surpasses Justin Bieber’s ‘Baby’ with 812 million views.

JUSTIN BIEBER’S STATUS as the creator of the most-watched video in YouTube history has been taken – by a South Korean rapper who was barely known outside his native country three months ago.

‘Gangnam Style’, by rapper PSY, overtook Bieber’s hit yesterday – and now boasts almost 812 million views on the video-sharing site since it was uploaded in July.

YouTube confirmed on its ‘Trends’ blog that the song is still viewed between 7 and 10 million times each day – and, when compared to the rate at which Bieber’s 2010 hit has collected views, is one of the most viral videos in YouTube history.

While Bieber’s video collected its 803 million views gradually since it was uploaded in early 2010, Gangnam Style has taken only four months to match and exceed its view count – with the rate of new views virtually unchanged since North America noticed the song in August.

The two videos are quite some distance ahead of their nearest challengers; the third most-watched video, Jennifer Lopez’s ‘On The Floor’, has been watched 624 million times, while Eminem and Rihanna’s ‘Love The Way You Lie’ is in fourth at 517 million.

Videos by LMFAO and Shakira come next – before the only non-musical entry in the top 25, ‘Charlie bit my finger‘, which has accrued 497 million views since being posted in May 2007.

If it’s of consolation for Bieber, however, his YouTube channel still has a total of over 3 billion views – making his account the most popular one on the site.

(YouTube: )

‘Gangnam Style’ is a lampoon of the affluent lifestyles of residents of Seoul’s Gangnam district – but is as well-known for its oddball rodeo-style dance features as for its song.

Even United Nations chief Ban Ki-Moon – a South Korean compatriot of PSY’s – has gotten in on the act:

(YouTube: )

Read: What is ‘Gangnam Style’? 2012′s biggest viral phenomenon, explained

The good: Stop…. Gangnam time! MC Hammer and Psy duet

The bad: Oh dear. Madonna does Gangnam Style on stage in NYC

Plus: This baby will only eat while Gangnam Style is being played

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