Kim Jong Un was meant to be their only idol - then North Koreans discovered K-pop
Summary
Some North Koreans have secretly discovered K-pop music despite strict government bans. Defectors say this music introduced them to new ideas and helped them adjust to life outside North Korea.Key Facts
- North Korea tightly controls access to outside culture, forbidding South Korean music and TV shows.
- Defectors like Lee Yeon-su and Kang Gyu-ri began listening to K-pop only after leaving North Korea.
- K-pop groups such as BTS and Blackpink are popular among some North Koreans who hear or see their music secretly.
- Listening to or watching South Korean entertainment is illegal in North Korea and can result in punishment.
- K-pop has become a symbol of freedom and fun for many defectors adjusting to new lives in South Korea.
- Some North Koreans recognize K-pop idols despite their government promoting only Kim Jong Un as a celebrity.
- BTS’s Korean name, Bangtan Sonyeondan, is even used as slang by some North Koreans.
- The melody and energy of songs like BTS’s "Dynamite" captivated people who could pick up South Korean broadcasts near the border.
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