Psy Receives An Honorary Diploma From Yonsei University
In 2023, the “Gangnam Style” hitmaker became an honorary professor at Yonsei University’s Institute of Arts.
PSY: Courtesy of @42psy42
PSY: Courtesy of @42psy42
South Korean rapper and singer-songwriterSinger-SongwriterA musician who writes and performs their own songs, typically accompanied by guitar or piano. Valued for personal storytelling and authenticity, singer-songwriters form a major part of the Filipino musicGo to Singer-Songwriter Glossary Psy (Park Jae-sang) received an honorary diploma from Yonsei University at the main auditorium of the Sinchon campus in Seoul on Monday, February 24.
The “Gangnam Style” hitmaker gave a speech to the graduating class that emphasized the importance of personal fulfillment. “Success is finite, it eventually fades,” he said. “But fulfillment is limitless. Success is something you consume, while fulfillment is something you keep.”
Yonsei University recognizes Psy not only for his musical achievements but his philanthropic contributions and how he ushered in the globalization of K-pop when he broke through the global pop culture scene with the 2012 hit “Gangnam Style.”
“Psy has been highly regarded for raising the name of Yonsei beyond South Korea and for his exemplary activities in the fields of culture, arts, and social contributions,” the university said in a press release. In 2023, he was previously appointed as an honorary professor at Yonsei University Institute of the Arts, mentoring young artists.
Aside from his musical endeavors, the rapper-singer has contributed to social causes and donated 500 million won ($350,000) to Yonsei University Severance Children’s Hospital in 2014.
Just a few weeks ago, the singer made waves on social media when he apologized for losing weight after posting side-by-side photos of himself from 2006 and 2025. Fans pointed out his slimmer body and were a bit worried about his well-being, while others were not thrilled about his new physique.
Psy is set to star in the Apple TV+ reality competition series, Kpopped, with Megan Thee Stallion. The series will consist of eight episodes and will include pop artists performing their biggest hits and collaborating with the top K-pop idols.
Frequently Asked Questions
Psy (Park Jae-sang) received the honorary diploma from Yonsei University on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the main auditorium of the university’s Sinchon campus in Seoul. He also gave a speech to the graduating class.
Yonsei recognized Psy for his musical achievements, philanthropy, and role in globalizing K-pop after the 2012 hit “Gangnam Style.” The university said he raised Yonsei’s name beyond South Korea through his work in culture, the arts, and social contributions.
Psy told the graduating class that personal fulfillment matters more than success. He said success is finite and eventually fades, while fulfillment is limitless. In his words, success is something you consume, but fulfillment is something you keep.
Psy was appointed an honorary professor at Yonsei University’s Institute of the Arts in 2023, where he mentors young artists. In 2014, he also donated 500 million won (about $350,000) to Yonsei University Severance Children’s Hospital.
Psy is set to star alongside Megan Thee Stallion in Kpopped, an Apple TV+ reality competition series. The eight-episode show features pop artists performing their biggest hits and collaborating with top K-pop idols.
