In an unexpected twist, North Korea’s latest propaganda song, “Friendly Father,” has taken the TikTok world by storm. The upbeat melody with a Soviet-sounding twist has garnered praise from Gen Z users on the social media platform. However, beneath its upbeat melody lies a more sinister message. The popularity of this propaganda song highlights the power of music and social media in shaping global perceptions. This appears to be an ongoing tactic deployed by North Korea both inside and outside the country. For instance, it is reported that the former North Korean Youtuber, Song A, who posted videos of her life in Pyongyang back in January 2022 before her channel was shut down by Google for promoting the North Korean regime in June 2023, has recently reappeared in the media as a promising first-year student at Pyongyang Missionary Elementary Middle School and winner of a national foreign language conversation contest, with more content expected to be released.

THE RISE OF “FRIENDLY FATHER” AND ITS HIDDEN MESSAGE

North Korean music is not created for the sake of art or entertainment, but must follow the “seed theory,” which implies that a piece of artwork must contain an ideological seed that is disseminated to the masses as art, in other words, as propaganda. “Friendly Father” is no exception. Released in April, “Friendly Father” describes the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, as “warm-hearted” and “friendly.” The lyrics encourage singing praises to Kim, referring him as “the great leader” and “our friendly father” who holds “a million children in his arms and takes care of us with all of his heart.” TikTok users flooded the platform with reactions. Some found the song “dystopian in the catchiest way possible,” while others likened it to the climactic scene in a movie where the whole town gathers to sing in unity while spinning in a circle. Isolated users have even created dance moves and crafted piano versions of the song, joking that this is “real K-pop.” Despite the music video’s apparent ideological intent, commentators expressed their hope for “Friendly Father” to land on Spotify, as the tune gives them “anime vibes.”

Ironically, Kim Jong-un, the same leader praised in the song, has vowed to “thoroughly annihilate the US” and has launched dozens of ballistic missiles this year alone. Considering the juxtaposition of “Friendly Father’s” innocent tune and its alarming intentions, North Korea’s propaganda machine challenges us to consider the impact of seemingly harmless pop songs. In particular, as North Korean analyst, Peter Moody, described, “North Korean songs have gone viral before, but usually, it’s been to mock them. But this is one of the first, if not the only, times I’ve heard about a North Korean song going viral with people in different parts of the world expressing appreciation for it, musically.” As TikTok users dance to its beat, they unwittingly become part of a global conversation – one that blurs the lines between entertainment and political messaging.

SOUTH KOREA SHUTS IT DOWN

However, not everyone is grooving to “Friendly Father.” South Korea swiftly banned videos featuring the song, citing violations of the National Security Act that blocks access to the North’s government websites and media, as well as penalizes behaviors and speeches in favor of the regime. According to Seoul’s Korea Communications Standards Commission, 29 versions of the music video will be blocked, as requested by the country’s National Intelligence Service to restrict exposure of the efforts by Kim’s regime to glorify its leader. Violations of the National Security Act can lead to up to seven years’ imprisonment, though enforcement of the law has eased recently.

In response, the ban has attracted the interest of many South Koreans, who left comments on the video asking the authorities to leave it accessible “so that more people can enjoy the joke.” Some TikTok users even said that they listened to the song while working out at the gym or doing homework, while others praised how its nostalgic tune reminded them of older Spanish and French pop music. The captivating tune’s glorification of Kim Jong-un undeniably clashes with the tense relations between the two Koreas. Despite the ban, the song continues to resonate beyond borders, sparking discussions about the intersection of music and politics.