News that “Gangnam Style” singer and South Korean crossover hit Psy had once performed a song with lyrics about killing American soldiers and their families went wide on Friday.

In response, Psy has issued an apology for the song, which he performed during a 2004 concert.

Almost a decade before Psy became famous in the U.S. and all over the world for “Gangnam Style,” he allegedly rapped about “slowly and painfully” killing U.S. soldiers and civilians, as reported by MTV News.

The Korean lyrics and English translation were posted on CNN’s iReport a couple of months ago, and they were recently picked up by Mediaite and Twitchy. Below is an excerpt of the lyrics:

“Kill those f---ing Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives.
"Kill those f---ing Yankees who ordered them to torture.
"Kill their daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law and fathers.
"Kill them all slowly and painfully.”

The song was originally done by the South Korean rock band N.EX.T., but Psy allegedly did a version alongside other performers at the 2004 concert.

Psy’s apology for the offending rap lyrics appears below, as reported by MTV News:

"As a proud South Korean who was educated in the United States and lived there for a very significant part of my life, I understand the sacrifices American servicemen and women have made to protect freedom and democracy in my country and around the world. The song I was featured in -- from eight years ago -- was part of a deeply emotional reaction to the war in Iraq and the killing of two innocent Korean civilians that was part of the overall antiwar 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. I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused anyone by those words.

"I have been honored to perform in front of American soldiers in recent months -- including an appearance on the Jay Leno show specifically for them -- and I hope they and all Americans can accept my apology ... While it's important we express our opinions, I deeply regret the inflammatory and inappropriate language I used to do so. In my music I try to give people a release, a reason to smile. I have learned that though music, our universal language we can all come together as a culture of humanity and I hope that you will accept my apology."

Australia