World star Psy offered encouraging words to the Korean national soccer team, following the Korea-Russia World Cup match that ended in a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. 

“The Korean soccer team did really well. It was a wonderful match,” he said after watching the neck-and-neck game with his dance crew in Seoul.

Earlier in the day, the viral sensation staged a 40-minute performance starting at 6 a.m. for the cheering crowds who gathered on Yeongdong road near Coex in Gangnam, to root for South Korea.

Psy performed an array of hit songs including his signature hit “Gangnam Style,” heating up the festive atmosphere.

The rapper drew a great deal of attention by saying his song “Champion” is more precious to him than the international hit “Gangnam Style.”

“I made the song ‘Champion’ inspired by the Red Devils and cheering crowds during the 2002 World Cup. At that time, my career as a singer was going downhill, but this song saved me. However popular ‘Gangnam Style’ is, ‘Champion’ is the best song to me,” he told the crowds.

Expectations ran high that rapper would perform his latest song “Hangover” live for the first time in Korea, but it did not materialize.

South Korea is to play Algeria on June 23 at 4 a.m. and Belgium on June 27 at 5 a.m., Korean time.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)