'Gangnam Style' 2-M short from 1 billion views

MANILA, Philippines - "Gangnam Style" was not content in topping the hit charts and overtaking Justin Bieber's "Baby" as the most watched video on YouTube. Now it's on the running to gather one billion views.

The hit dance tune by South Korean entertainer Psy is two million views short of reaching the one billion mark as of Friday.

Released in July, "Gangnam Style" skyrocketed the singer's career and brought him around the world, scoring appearances with pop legends and even political icons.

The song's original dance moves became a phenomenon so much so that American President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron also performed it at one point.

The video also spawned thousands of parodies with some becoming viral by themselves, including one on Republican presidential rival Mitt Romney viewed for over 29 million times.

In the Philippines, parody videos have also been produced, perhaps most popular of which is "Gangnam Style - Pinoy Style" starred by rugby athlete Eric Tai.