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When North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un released his most recent song just a fortnight ago, little did he anticipate its meteoric rise to TikTok stardom. The catchy propaganda tune on Tiktok has become an online sensation, capturing the attention of Gen Z users who find themselves grooving to its synthy-electro pop beats.
Unbeknownst to most, the lyrics of this viral hit glorify a man who has made bold claims to “thoroughly annihilate the US” and has launched numerous ballistic missiles.
The song, titled “Friendly Father,” features lyrics that exalt Kim Jong Un as the great leader and urge listeners to sing his praises. It’s remarkable how TikTok users have embraced this tune without fully grasping the Korean lyrics’ politically charged nature.
In fact, some online enthusiasts cheekily joked that Taylor Swift didn’t expect to be outshone right after dropping her latest album. Enthusiastic comments such as “Wait, this slaps,” “This song needs a Grammy,” and “It’s so dystopian in the catchiest way” flood TikTok videos featuring the track.
However, beneath the sunny veneer of this pop sensation lies something more sinister, according to experts. “Friendly Father” is just the latest addition to a string of propaganda pop songs churned out by the Communist state over the past five decades.
Its peppy tempo and dangerously catchy melody bear a striking resemblance to Western pop hits, albeit infused with a distinctive Soviet-era flavor. Gen Z users have even described it as “Abba-coded,” drawing parallels to the iconic Swedish superband.
Peter Moody, a North Korea analyst at Korea University, explains that the song’s infectious nature, abundant orchestral sequences, and upbeat rhythm give it an unmistakable Abba influence.
Crafting a propaganda hit in North Korea entails more than commercial considerations; authorities aim to create an earworm that permeates the minds of the populace.
The lyrics must eschew abstract phrasing and complex timing. Instead, they need to be simple, accessible, and easily memorable to resonate with the masses. North Korean songs avoid intricate vocal gymnastics, opting for melodies that can be sung by a wide range of people.
Cambridge University scholar Alexandra Leonzini, who specializes in North Korean music, reveals that the regime’s songbook rarely showcases tracks infused with genuine emotion.
The primary goal is to motivate and inspire citizens to work towards a common national objective. Ballads and purely artistic expressions are seldom produced, as all artistic output in North Korea must serve the purpose of class education and instill gratitude and loyalty towards the ruling party.
This strict control over creative freedom extends to all forms of artistic expression in North Korea, including music, painting, and writing. Every work must contain an ideological seed, conveying a specific message that is disseminated widely through art.
Music, in particular, serves as one of the regime’s most powerful tools. While North Korea has displayed its opera troupes and symphony orchestras on overseas missions, its lighter ensembles and pop tracks are reserved exclusively for domestic audiences.
Defectors reveal that North Koreans wake up each morning to propaganda songs blaring through village town squares. The latest songs, released sparingly, have their sheet music and lyrics printed in newspapers and magazines.
Furthermore, citizens often learn choreographed dances to accompany the songs. Keith Howard, an emeritus professor of musicology at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, explains that these songs become ingrained in the people’s minds and bodies, embedding the regime’s message deep within them.
For keen observers of the regime, the lyrics of the two-minute track released last month carry an alarming new message. While Western music fans dissect Taylor Swift’s latest releases or analyze the lyrical sparring between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, North Korean experts scrutinize the lyrics of “Friendly Father” with great interest.
The use of terms like “father” and “the Great” to refer to Kim Jong Un represents a noticeable departure, as these were previously reserved for North Korea’s first leader, Kim Il Sung. Analysts speculate that this shift in language suggests Kim Jong Un’s consolidation of power as North Korea’s “Supreme Leader.”
In recent times, Kim Jong Un’s rhetoric has grown increasingly hostile and aggressive, as he vows to bolster his country’s military might.
He has declared an end to seeking reunification with South Korea, labeling it “public enemy number one.” Reports indicate that Pyongyang even demolished a significant arch symbolizing hope for reunification—a structure that held great significance to Kim Jong Un’s grandfather’s legacy.
In North Korea, songs serve as a medium to telegraph the state’s direction, signifying important moments and developments in politics.
As Alexandra Leonzini aptly notes, “A song is almost like the newspaper in North Korea.” While TikTok users across the globe continue to dance to the infectious beats of “Friendly Father,” it is crucial to recognize the underlying propaganda and political messages that it carries.
North Korea’s use of music as a tool for control and indoctrination is a testament to the regime’s unwavering grip on its people.
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