One of the most endearing parts about these videos is that they don’t take themselves too seriously. "Gangnam Style" pokes fun at pretentiousness: at one point in the video, Psy raps in a serious tone in a small space, only for the camera to zoom out and reveal that he’s sitting on a toilet. Meanwhile, “The Fox” is an outright goofy video. Dressed in animal costumes, people attempt to find what sound a fox makes—a light-hearted question that apparently intrigues the world.

Ambiguously Satirical

However, these videos aren’t just about fun. Behind the ludicrous content of “Gangnam Style” is a subtle jab at current social affairs in Psy’s country. Gangnam is a district in Korea that is widely known as the Upper East Side of Seoul: ritzy and pretentious. By fusing the name Gangnam with a nonsensical narrative, Psy critiques a cultural phenomenon prevalent in Seoul. The duo Ylvis were picked up by high-powered producers Stargate, yet some say they ruined this precious chance to rise in the musical world by creating a song about a fox’s sound. Just like the songs of comedy trio the Lonely Island, “The Fox” uses both silly lyrics and expert production to parody pop music trends.