TikTok’s unexpected hit. Experts are alarmed by the propaganda song glorifying Kim Jong-un

North Korea released the song in mid-April. According to South Koreans, this is an example of Kim’s current efforts to become independent from his dictatorial predecessors – father Kim Jong-il and grandfather Kim Il-sung.

Within two weeks, the synth-electropop song became a hit on TikTok. Its users were especially charmed by its catchy melody. According to them, it is a great act and deserves to win a Grammy music award. “Taylor Swift certainly didn’t expect someone to burn down her pond right after releasing a new album,” commented one user.

Others compare the North Korean song to older Spanish or French pop, but also to the music of ABBA. In this they agree with experts on North Korea. “In this case, ABBA is right out of it,” said Peter Moody, an analyst and North Korea expert at a South Korean university. “It’s upbeat, catchy with a rich composition of orchestral passages,” he added.

North Korea has released a new hit song celebrating dictator Kim

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But what young TikTok users in particular are no longer aware of is the heavily propagandistic lyrics of the song, which praises the North Korean dictator, who has promised, among other things, the “total annihilation of the United States” and launched a number of ballistic missiles.

“Let’s sing about Kim Jong-un, the great leader / Let’s brag about Kim Jong-un, the friendly father”, various workers, soldiers and children happily sing to each other. The text caused a stir among experts, as until now the terms “father” or “great” were reserved for Kim’s grandfather and the first leader of North Korea, Kim Il-sung. Kim Jong-un has been referred to as the “Great Successor” since taking over from his father in 2012. According to experts, the deviation to “great leader” or “friendly father” marks the transformation of Kim’s image to the “Supreme Leader”.

According to Alexandra Leonzini of the University of Cambridge, North Korea’s songs essentially function as newspapers. “Songs are used to communicate the direction the country is heading, or to communicate important moments and developments in politics,” noted Leonziniová.

Music is one of the main propaganda tools in North Korea. According to defectors, its residents are woken up every morning by propaganda songs from local radio stations. Song lyrics are published in newspapers and magazines, along with dance instructions. This, along with a simple, catchy melody, gets them into the heads of North Koreans and the regime can spread its ideological message.