EL MONTE, Calif. — A parody video of the viral “Gangnam Style” music video has left 13 Calif. lifeguards and their manager without their jobs.
The employees of the El Monte Aquatic Center recorded “Lifeguard Style,” a parody of the YouTube sensation music video by South Korean rapper Psy, according to the LA Times.
The video “is a very good parody of a very popular music video,” El Monte Mayor Andre Quintero said, but those involved should have “asked for permission and shared the video with their family and friends using a medium that is less public.”
Michael Roa, a university student who worked at the aquatic center for seven years, said that they “were just trying out some dance moves. We didn’t think we did anything offensive.”
City officials say the ex-lifeguards broke policy by creating an “unauthorized video” using city property without permission and also by wearing their uniforms in the video.
“Lifeguard Style” has also gone viral, garnering the lifeguards media attention and offers of legal help.