PSY apologizes for anti-U.S. military song
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- South Korean rapper PSY has apologized for singing a 2004 song featuring the lyrics, "kill those [expletive] Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives."
PSY became a global sensation this fall with his catchy "Gangnam Style" song and YouTube video. He appeared at the American Music Awards show last month and is scheduled to perform alongside Diana Ross and Demi Lovato at next week's "Christmas in Washington" event, which U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to attend.
The rapper is getting negative attention this week, however, after someone posted on CNN's iReport Web page his performance of the earlier Korean-language song, "Dear America," which calls for the death of U.S. troops serving in Iraq shortly after a South Korean hostage was killed by Iraqi insurgents.
The song says, "Kill those [expletive] Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives," and urges violence toward the soldiers' "daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law and fathers," CNN said.
PSY insisted Friday he was sorry for singing the song eight years ago.
"I understand the sacrifices American servicemen and women have made to protect freedom and democracy in my country and around the world," PSY said in a statement to CNN.
He said the song "was part of a deeply emotional reaction to the war in Iraq and the killing of two Korean schoolgirls [struck and killed by a U.S. military vehicle] that was part of the overall anti-war sentiment shared by others around the world at that time.
"While I'm grateful for the freedom to express one's self, I've learned there are limits to what language is appropriate and I'm deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted," he said. "I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused by those words. While it's important that we express our opinions, I deeply regret the inflammatory and inappropriate language I used to do so."
'Walking Dead' wins four Video Game Awards
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- "The Walking Dead: The Game" won four prizes at Spike TV's 10th annual Video Game Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
The zombie-hunting video game, based on the comic book and TV series, won for Game of the Year, Studio of the Year for Telltale Studios, Best Adapted Video Game and Best Downloadable Game during Friday night's show at Sony Picture Studios.
"Journey" was named Best Independent Game and Best PS3 Game, "Halo 4" won for Best Xbox 360 Game, and "Borderlands 2" won for Best Shooter and Best Multi-Player Game.
"Half-Life 2" was declared Spike EW/VGA Best Game of the Decade.
Film, stage and video game star Samuel L. Jackson served as host of the event, which included presenters and appearances by Snoop Lion, Jack Black, Neil Patrick Harris, Jessica Alba, Zachary Levi, Johnny Galecki, Adam Scott and "The Walking Dead" TV show cast members Danai Gurira, Norman Reedus and Steven Yeun, and Robert Kirkman, co-creator of "The Walking Dead" comic books and a producer on the show.
Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott pregnant
NASHVILLE, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. country music star Hillary Scott said via Twitter she is pregnant with her first child.
The Lady Antebellum singer married Love and Theft drummer Chris Tyrrell last January.
"Chris & I are excited to announce that our Christmas gift has arrived a little early this year! We are having a BABY!" she wrote Friday. "We feel so blessed!!!"
Scott did not disclose the baby's gender or anticipated birth date.
Shenae Grimes and Josh Beech get engaged
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. television actress Shenae Grimes announced via Twitter she is engaged to British model Josh Beech.
"I'm engaged," she tweeted Friday.
"Thanks for all the congratulations everyone, I'm a very happy lady indeed and all the warm wishes are well appreciated!" she said. "We plan to keep our special day very private and we hope everyone can respect that. Thanks for the love, right back atcha!"
Grimes, 23, is a cast member of TV's "90210."
